Where To See Santa In Westfield This Christmas Season

WESTFIELD, NJ — Santa Claus will be back in Westfield this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Westfield, kids have several chances:

• Santa will attend Westfield's Christmas tree lighting on Sunday, Nov. 27. He will help Mayor Shelley Brindle light the tree at around 5:30 p.m. at the North Avenue train station. Attendees will have a chance to take photos with Santa on the stage.
• Westfield Police Department, Fire Department, Volunteer Rescue Squad and the Department of Public Works are also launching the town's first-ever Santa Convoy on Dec. 17 where Santa will drive around Westfield to hand out candy canes to children. For more information, or to sign up to get a Santa visit on your street, go to westfieldnj.gov/santa-convoy.
• You can even hop in the pool with Santa and his elves on Dec. 11 at the Westfield YMCA. Read more: You Can Go For A Swim With Santa At The Westfield YMCA

Related: 'Tis The Season: How You Can Celebrate The Holidays In Westfield

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando.

Santa is also coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in Seattle and New York City.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Wayne and Woodbridge are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.