Where To See Santa In The Red Bank Area This Christmas Season

RED BANK-SHREWSBURY, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Red Bank-area families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

In Red Bank and Shrewsbury, kids can catch up with Santa at these events:

Red Bank

Dec. 8: 6 p.m., Westside Tree Lighting at Johnny Jazz Park, corner of Shrewsbury Avenue & Drs. James Parker Boulevard. And there will be a special guest from the North Pole, the borough Recreation Department says, perfect for pictures.

Shrewsbury

Dec. 3: The Shrewsbury Hose Co. No. 1 Ladies' Auxiliary Pancake Breakfast with Santa is Dec. 3 at the Shrewsbury Firehouse, 783 Broad St., from 9 a.m. to noon. $10 donation; no cost for children under 3. Photos with Santa. Ornaments for an additional fee. Click here for more information.

Dec. 17: Starting at 3 p.m. Santa visits in Shrewsbury. Santa will drop off gifts at or near your front door. So please be on high alert for his special visit. If you want, you can decorate a box for Santa to drop the gifts into or be outside to greet Santa. Gift drop-off will once again be at the Shrewsbury Firehouse Saturday, Dec. 16, from noon to 3 p.m. See the borough website for details.

Fair Haven

Dec. 8: Fair Haven's Holiday Stroll and Santa in the Park. Horse and carriage rides, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., departing from Mosaic Animal Health Center at 823 River Road. Holiday Stroll, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m.,and Santa arrives to the park by firetruck at 6 p.m. Visits and photos with Santa follow from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. East-side businesses will be open late, and welcoming visitors with refreshments, activities, and shopping. The Tower Hill Elf Band will be performing holiday tunes on the porch of our member business Forefront at 800 River Road.

Holmdel

Dec. 17, 18: Noon to 3 p.m. Come to Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, and enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas. Children can visit with Santa, then take a walk to the farmhouse and have a cup of cider. Be sure to bring your camera. Free event.

Wall

Dec. 2, 3 weekends through Dec. 16, 17: New Jersey Museum of Transportation presents the Christmas Express with Santa, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Fare is $7 for all. is Located at Allaire State Park on Route 524, Wall. Click the museum's Facebook site for details.

Dec. 10, 17: Historic Allaire Village - Christmas at Allaire from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays, Dec. 10 and 17. See the Village transformed into an enchanting showcase of holiday cheer. Visit includes a surprise visit by Santa Claus. Tickets can be purchased in advance for just $8 per person (children 2 and under admitted for free) or at the door (if available) for $10 (children 2 and under admitted for free). Advanced purchase is highly recommended. See the Village event website for more details.

And you can find other chances to meet with Santa:

Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 Route 9, Freehold Township offers "Experience the Magic of Santa." Children can visit Santa’s winter wonderland at the Lower Level, Zara Court. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase.

Here's how to go about making an appointment: Pre-Booking your visit is recommended to help reduce wait time and it's easy.

There are also special holiday events:

Santa Cares: In partnership with Autism Speaks, the mall has reserved a time for special sensory-friendly Santa experiences. Sunday, Dec. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Pet Night: Bring your favorite pets to see Santa and support the Humane Society with any photo experience on Mondays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 4. Please enter and exit via the lower level entrance by Old Navy just prior to, and immediately after, your Santa visit.

Check the mall website for other shopping tips and to learn about partnership of the mall and the United Way of Monmouth & Ocean Counties for winter coat donations.

Monmouth Mall: Eatontown, Routes 35 and 36; Santa is now located in the common area opposite Macy's. You can make reservations here for this holiday tradition and see the full schedule. There is also an opportunity for photos for your pet. See the "Santa Paws" site to book a reservation.

Magic of Lights, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, through Dec. 30. Sundays to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays to Saturdays, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy visits with Santa at Toyota Holiday Village.

Santa at American Dream: Here are the hours: https://www.americandream.com/photos-with-santa# They also offer pet photos with Santa Sundays: Dec. 3, 10 and 17 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.