Where To See Santa In Toms River This Christmas Season

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Toms River families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

In Toms River, kids have several chances:

On Friday, Dec. 1, Santa will arrive by firetruck for the annual Toms River Christmas tree lighting at town hall, 33 Washington St. There will be photos with Santa after the tree is lit.

Have tea and scones with Santa at the Mathis House, 600 Main St., on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. through Dec. 21.

On Friday, Dec. 15, Santa is set to show up for a meet-and-greet while the Toms River High School South chorus provides an evening of child care and holiday activities at the South Toms River Recreation Center, while parents shop. A $10 donation is recommended. Registration information is available online.

On Sunday, Dec. 17, Toms River Fire Company 2 is hosting Breakfast with Santa. It is set for 8 a.m.-noon at Toms River Elks Lodge 1875, corner of Washington Street and Clifton Avenue.

(Know of other Santa visits in Toms River? Send an email to karen.wall@patch.com with date, time, location and other information.)

At the Ocean County Mall, Santa is sitting for photos through Dec. 23. There is a special session set aside on Dec. 3 for those with special needs, and you can reserve photos with Santa for your pets. There also is a cookies with Santa event. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa arrived Nov. 5 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve, including at the Atlantic City store. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will also be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Orlando. Santa will be at Macy's in Philadelphia through Dec. 24. Reservations are required.

JC Penney stores, including the store at Ocean County Mall in Toms River, are offering professional portraits with Santa. The Toms River store is offering them Nov. 27 and Dec. 22. The JC Penney at Freehold Raceway Mall is offering the portraits with Santa on Dec. 15.