Giant Santa Claus Returns To Garden State Plaza After 30 Years

PARAMUS, NJ — An iconic, giant illuminated Santa Claus is returning to the Westfield Garden State Plaza this Christmas season.

The 45-foot-tall attraction, and its size 90 boots, will be located next to door Nordstrom and will be visible from both routes 17 and 4.

"Growing up in Paramus, I always looked forward to seeing the Big Santa each year and have shared that memory with my kids,” said Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera. “I am so thrilled to have partnered with the Garden State Plaza team on embracing a great tradition and introducing Big Santa once again to a whole new generation of youngsters in our community.”

A 51-foot-high, illuminated Santa Claus was perched atop a chimney at Garden State Plaza facing Route 17 from the 1950s through the 1980s.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Big Santa back to Bergen County,” said Jay Daly, the plaza's general manager. “Like its legendary predecessor, it is our hope that the new Big Santa – along with all the new holiday décor that will debut this season throughout the shopping center – will come to symbolize the joys of the holidays.”

The attraction will be lit up at a ceremony 6 p.m. on Nov. 15. Paramus school students will sing and Santa Claus will visit on the back of a fire truck.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Image: A rendering of the 45-foot-tall Santa Claus that is coming to the Westfield Garden State Plaza this Christmas season. (Courtesy of Westfield Garden State Plaza)