Santa Claus Is Returning To Bridgewater Commons For 2025 Season

BRIDGEWATER, NJ ? Santa Claus is heading to the Bridgewater Commons, which will offer nearly six weeks of holiday magic from Nov. 15 to Dec. 24, including a birthday party for Santa Claus, live performances, pet-friendly events, and, of course, visits and photos with Santa.

The mall will launch the holiday season with Santa?s Birthday Celebration and Holiday Kickoff, a spectacular birthday party from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Santa will celebrate his birthday with holiday music, dancing, balloon art, magic, jugglers, stilt walkers, and a birthday sing-along. Guests will enjoy sweet treats provided by the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, while supplies last.

"Except for those for my own family, this is my favorite birthday party of the year because it involves the entire community," said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director at Bridgewater Commons. "Santa spends one massive day each year giving all of us presents, so it?s only right ? and fun ? that we celebrate him, too. It?s become a much-loved annual tradition in Bridgewater, and one we?re always excited to continue."

Santa Photos

On Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m., Santa will enter his spectacular home to pose for photos with guests, available through Wednesday, Dec. 24.

Located in Center Court on the shopping center?s Lower Level and sponsored by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, Santa?s home is nestled amidst 25 garland-topped light curtains (each adorned with thousands of white, glistening lights) and candy cane-inspired twists cascading from high above.

Kris Kringle will sit in a grand velvet chair in front of a redesigned set that includes a majestic new 30-foot tree with a five-foot topper, additional 10-foot trees, and scenic element,s as well as new ?Elf Training? interactives on the line to entertain kids (and their parents) while they wait.

A new, additional photo opportunity will debut on the Main Level balcony overlooking Santa, where guests can create a photographic memory behind a spectacular 6-foot-high by 12-foot-wide frame with the word ?Joy? amongst glistening lights.

Guests will be able to purchase photo packages for digital download and print, as well as accessories including key chains and frames, while supplies last. Reservations to visit with Santa can be made at www.bridgewatercommons.com.

Santa photo hours are as follows:

• Nov. 15 ? 1 p.m. ? 8 p.m.
• Nov. 16 - November 26
• Monday - Friday 12 p.m. ? 7 p.m.
• Saturday 11 a.m. ? 8 p.m.
• Sunday 12 p.m. ? 6 p.m.
• Nov. 28 - Dec. 13 (exceptions below)
• Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. ? 7 p.m.
• Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. ? 8 p.m.
• Sunday 12 p.m. ? 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 2 ? 11 a.m. ? 3 p.m.
• Thursday, December 4 ? 11 a.m. ? 3 p.m.
• Saturday, December 6 ? 1 p.m. ? 8 p.m.
• Dec. 14 ? 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• Dec. 15 - 23
• Daily 10 a.m. ? 8 p.m.
• Dec. 24
• 10 a.m. ? 4 p.m.

Special Meet and Greets

The center also will host multiple free special events through the holiday season:

Santa Cares Day

Sunday, Nov. 30, 10 a.m. ? 12 p.m.

Created to allow children and adults within all spectrums of special needs and their families to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit and photos with Santa, this will be a quieter, more low-key event. Reservations are recommended.

Pet Night with Santa

3 p.m. ? 7 p.m.
Monday, November 17
Monday, December 1
Monday, December 8

In one of the most-loved celebration at Bridgewater Commons, our furry, four-legged family members to meet Santa! Cats and dogs are welcome with their pet parents on a leash or in a carrier.

Santa + Friends!

Saturday, December 6, 1:30 p.m. ? 3:30 p.m.
Lower Level

Santa?s famous holiday friends ? characters inspired by Frozen?s Elsa and Anna and fairytale Princesses Belle and Cinderella ? visit the mall for a meet and greet, photos and autographs! These special events are free, and purchases are not required.

Carols and Concerts

Music is a vital part of the holiday scene, and Bridgewater Commons will be no exception, hosting the following live performances:

NJ Academy of Music Holiday Concert

Fri, December 12, 5 p.m. ? 6 p.m.
Center Court

Join NJ Academy of Music for a holiday carol medley, performed live by 15 of its talented violin students. Based in Bernardsville, the academy features a renowned faculty, award-winning students, and custom facilities to make NJ Academy of Music a premier center of excellence in classical music for young talent.

NJ National Guard Army Band Holiday Concert

Saturday, December 13, 11 a.m. ? 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. ? 3 p.m.
Center Court, Lower Level

The spectacular 63rd Army Band of the NJ National Guard, composed of 26 Soldiers of varying instrumentation along with selected tunes from our smaller performance groups, will perform two different hour-long sets at 11 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. in Center Court under the festive holiday decor. The performances will include holiday music from different cultures and of course some patriotic music as well.

Hunterdon Academy of the Arts Holiday Music

Saturday, December 20, 1:30 p.m. ? 2:30 p.m.
Center Court
Take a beautiful break from your last-minute shopping (we know you?ll be here) with the Hunterdon Academy of the Arts? Holiday Carol Medley, performed by Susan Lento, Hunterdon Academy?s Voice and Theatre Arts instructor, and her talented students. The program features an eclectic variety of the most popular Holiday songs of all time, from ?Silent Night? to ?All I Want for Christmas is You.?

Community and Charity

As part of Bridgewater Commons? close connections to its community and dedication to helping those in need, the center is partnering with the Salvation Army on two very special offerings:

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Nov. 15 ? Dec. 24
Main Level by L'Occitane

Because every child deserves to experience the joy of Christmas morning, the Salvation Army Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of thousands of children around the country. The wish lists of registered children or senior adults are shared with donors in our community who purchase gifts of new clothing and toys for the Angels to enjoy with their families. Bridgewater Commons? visitors can select an Angel off our tree and return the unwrapped gift with the Angel to the red bin located next to the Angel Tree.

2025 Salvation Army Kick Kettle Event

Saturday, Nov. 22, 12 ? 3 p.m.
Center Court

The Salvation Army New Jersey Division, in partnership with Bridgewater Commons, will host the annual Kettle Kick-Off Event, the ceremonial launch of its iconic ?Red Kettle Campaign?, which supports essential programs and services for individuals and families across New Jersey. Families can enjoy live performances by The Salvation Army Brass Band, arts & crafts, photos with mascot Shieldy, and other festive fun surprises.