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Pictures with Santa in New Jersey in 2025

Step into Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City for Christmas pictures. Photo courtesy of the venue
Step into Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City for Christmas pictures. Photo courtesy of the venue
11/18/25 - By Laurie Rein

There's no shortage of opportunities for your little elves to pose for pictures with Santa in New Jersey when the big guy comes to town this Christmas. If your holiday budget is tight, check out free photos with jolly St. Nick at local events like Hometown Holiday in Washington Borough and shops like Harley-Davidson, where guests can pose with Santa and The Grinch on a motorcycle.

We've rounded up our favorites, and there are events all over the state listed below for you to snag that photo op.  

For even more seasonal activities, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for NJ Kids, where we highlight our favorite places to have breakfast with Santa and plenty more holiday must-dos for New Jersey kids.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses, times, and recommended ages. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Where to Take Pictures With Santa at New Jersey Malls and Shops

Santa Pictures at Willbrook Mall

Wayne
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
St. Nick and his helpers are ready for photos at Willowbrook Mall. Pet photos are available as well. Reservations are encouraged. READ MORE

Photos With Santa at Short Hills Mall

Short Hills
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Santa's Flight Academy makes its voyage to The Mall at Short Hills. Guests may climb inside Santa's 22-foot sleigh while posing for photos with Santa. Reservations are highly recommended READ MORE

Freehold Raceway Mall Photos with Santa

Freehold
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Winter Wonderland has arrived at Freehold Raceway Mall, and Santa is ready for visitors.  Reservations are recommended. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

Atlantic City–FREE
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Bass Pro Shops welcomes visitors to make a holiday shopping trip more fun by adding a Santa visit to your outing. Pose for a free photo with Santa in-store. Reservations must be made online. READ MORE

Santa Photos at Cherry Hill Mall

Cherry Hill
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Head to the Grand Court to visit with Santa and share your wish list. Snag a photo before he heads to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Online reservations are encouraged. READ MORE

Santa at Bridgewater Commons

Bridgewater
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Santa makes his way to the big velvet chair at Bridgewater Commons, featuring a walk-through holiday display. Photo packages are available for purchase. See the website for special events, including character meet-and-greets. READ MORE

Westfield Garden State Plaza Santa Photos

Paramus
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Santa's back at Westfield Garden State Plaza and ready for photos. Online reservations are recommended. READ MORE

Santa Claus at MarketFair

Princeton
Daily through Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Santa has arrived at MarketFair and is ready to pose for photos. Reservations are recommended. READ MORE

Free Santa Photos at Fortunoff Backyard Store

Paramus–FREE
Saturday, December 6-Sunday, December 7, 2025
Stop by Fortunoff Backyard Store for free photos with Santa. Families with children and pets are welcome. The event takes place in two locations. READ MORE

Free Photos with Santa and The Grinch at Garden State Harley-Davidson

Morris Plains–FREE
Saturday, December 13-Sunday, December 14, 2025
Pose for super-cool photos with Santa and The Grinch on a motorcycle. Donations of new and unwrapped toys support local families in need. READ MORE
Get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Black River & Western Railroad Santa Express. Photo courtesy of the the Black River Railroad Historical Trust
Get a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Black River & Western Railroad Santa Express. Photo courtesy of the the Black River Railroad Historical Trust

Santa Pictures at NJ Christmas Events in 2025

Photo Ops with Santa and His Holiday Horses

Flemington
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Bring your camera for holiday photos with Santa and three therapy horses in their holiday costumes, along with numerous holiday/magical backdrops. READ MORE

2025 Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar

Asbury Park–FREE
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Friday, November 28-Sunday, December 21, 2025
Get in the holiday spirit at this festive and fun-filled 2025 Holiday Bazaar in Asbury Park, taking place in three locations, boasting holiday music and entertainment, photos with Santa, food & libations, craft workshops, kids activities, festive décor, music, and more. READ MORE

Free Photos with Santa on the Amusement Park Train Ride

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays, November 29 and December 6, 2025
All aboard Jenkinson's train ride for festive photos with Santa. The train remains stationary for photo ops. After your photo, keep the fun going with games and prizes inside Jenkinson’s South Arcade, with exclusive holiday sale items available for purchase. READ MORE

Black River & Western Railroad North Pole Express

Flemington
Select dates through Sunday, December 28, 2025
Climb aboard the Polar Express for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookies and hot cocoa, a photo booth, sleigh bells for the kids, photo-ops, and more. New this year are photo-ops with Santa's giant mailbox. READ MORE

TD Bank Tree Lighting and Winter Festival

Mount Laurel–FREE
Friday, December 5, 2025
Join TD Bank for the magic of the holiday season at its 36th annual Tree Lighting and Winter Festival, featuring free photos with Santa, holiday crafts, tasty treats, festive photo ops, DJ, games, prizes, and more. READ MORE

Hometown Holiday in Washington Borough

Washington–FREE
Friday, December 5, 2025
Hometown Holiday returns to Downtown Washington, kicking off the holiday season. The family fun-filled evening features the annual borough tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on the fire truck, DJ music, free horse and carriage rides, vendors, selfies with Santa and gifts for every child. READ MORE

Toms River Winter Wonderland Weekend

Toms River–FREE
Friday, December 5-Saturday, December 6, 2025
Toms River hosts a weekend of fun to ring in the holiday season. A tree lighting kicks off the weekend and Santa arrives for photo-ops. Shop the Winter Village all weekend long for wares from local vendors, plus enjoy children's activities and music. READ MORE

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

Fanwood–FREE
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Stroll by Fanwood's Famous Christmas House, which boasts a spectacular 30,000-light display. Monetary donations are accepted to support the NJ Institute for Disabilities.  READ MORE

Seas & Greetings at Jenkinson's

Point Pleasant
Saturdays, December 13 and 20, 2025
Experience the magic of the season at the shore with winter wonderland activities both on the boardwalk and in the aquarium. The fun includes photos with Santa, Diving Santa, a bubble show, a magic show, strolling characters, ice skating and more. READ MORE

Wildwood Family Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Wildwood–FREE
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Enjoy a family-friendly event at the Wildwoods Convention Center featuring free admission to holiday-themed crafters and movies, photos with Santa, choir performances, a children’s craft-making table, a magician, face painting, dance performances, storytime with Mrs. Claus, and more. READ MORE

Flounder's Annual Kringle Market

Hillsborough
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, December 13-Sunday, December 21, 2025
Flounder's Kringle Market is back at the picturesque Carriage Farm, featuring hand-picked artisans with the finest crafts. Savor the delightful sounds of Flounder's Brass Band playing nostalgic classics. Mr. & Mrs. Claus stroll through the market before heading to the brewhouse for free pictures. READ MORE

Santa Fly-In at Central Jersey Airport

Hillsborough
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Santa Flys into Central Jersey Airport, along with lunch, crafts, balloon twister, a magician, face painting and plenty of fun throughout the day. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Fortunoff Backyard Store (2 locations)
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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