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Santa is back at Bridgewater Commons, and he is starting the season with a party. The Santa’s Birthday Celebration and Holiday Kickoff takes place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and it opens six weeks of Santa visits and photos at the mall that run through Christmas Eve.
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Santa’s Birthday Celebration and Holiday Kickoff
- Town: Bridgewater
- Where: Bridgewater Commons, 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater
- When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Reservations: made through the mall’s event page
Santa celebrates his birthday every year with Mrs. Claus, and families are invited to the holiday party. The program includes music, dancing, balloon art, magic and a birthday sing-along for the man of the hour.
The kickoff opens with a live holiday carol medley performed by 14 young violinists from the NJ Academy of Music under the direction of Bethany Hankins. The academy is based in Bernardsville, so this is a nice chance to hear young Somerset County musicians before the season gets busy. The Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey will also hand out sweet treats and lead crafts while supplies last.
Plan to arrive a little early. Santa’s photo set is in Center Court on the Lower Level and the photo set opens to regular visits at 1 p.m., right after the party wraps up.
Santa Photos Through Christmas Eve
After the party, Santa @ The Commons, presented by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, welcomes children of all ages for visits and photos from November 14 through December 24, 2026. Reservations are available on the mall’s Santa page.
- November 14: 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- November 15 to 25: Monday to Friday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving.
- November 27 to December 13: Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- December 14 to 23: daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- December 24: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
No photo purchase is required to visit Santa. If you do want photos, packages start at $40 for two printed sheets, and a digital download of four images is $48. Extra sheets are $12 each.
More Santa Specials at the Mall
- Pet Night with Santa: Mondays, November 23 and 30 and December 7, 2026, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Cats and dogs are welcome on a leash or in a carrier.
- Santa + Friends: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with Elsa and Anna from Disney’s Frozen joining Santa for photos and autographs. Activities are free with no purchase required.
Tips for Your Visit
- Book a Santa time slot online to skip the longest lines, especially on Saturdays in December.
- Pets and Frozen guests have their own special dates, so check the list above before you go.
- Make a day of it with lunch at one of the mall’s restaurants.
More in Somerset County: browse our guides to Christmas tree lightings, holiday markets and Thanksgiving week things to do around the county.
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