FREEHOLD-FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Freehold area families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.
In Freehold Borough and Freehold Township, kids can catch up with Santa at these events:
Freehold Borough
Dec. 5: Monmouth County Tree Lighting, Hall of Records, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, Dec. 6). Join DownownFreehold.com and Monmouth County for the annual Tree Lighting. The Rock and Roll Choir will perform, Court Jester will be providing hot cider. The Freehold Fire Department is expected to stop by with a "Very Special Guest."
Dec. 9: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Breakfast with Santa, Sweet Lew’s Café, 6 E. Main St., Freehold, 07728.
Dec. 3, 10, 17: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., American Hotel, 18 E, Main St., Freehold 07728; Bring your “wish” list and your appetite to The American Hotel’s Sunday Brunch with Santa, and grab a photo with Santa. Call the American Hotel for more details and reservations (required) at 732-431-3220
Freehold Township
Dec. 4: Santa’s Calling; Santa is checking his list of Freehold Township’s boys and girls. He will be making phone calls to children in the area on Monday, Dec., 4, between 6 p.m. and and 8:30 p.m. Due to Santa’s busy schedule your child must be home to receive his call at the selected time. There are 5 ways to register for a phone call:
Dec. 9: Christmas at Camp, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oakley Farm, corner of Wemrock and Oakley Drive; www.oakleyfarmmuseum.org. Join the 4th New Jersey Civil War re-enactors and the Freehold Township Heritage Society for annual camp. Meet Santa Claus from 1865. Sample authentic camp meals; tent decorating contest; Oakley Farmhouse and buildings open for touring.
December (various dates): Santa Express Gift Delivery; Freehold Township Independent and East Freehold Fire Departments will once again escort Santa throughout the town delivering gifts. You MUST register for this by the deadline dates on the registration forms:
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.