It’s that time of year again when children start getting excited to see Santa. The Herald has your guide to finding him all over Cape May County this holiday season so you and your little ones won’t miss out!
Ocean City – Visit with Santa
An Old-Fashioned Family Christmas in Downtown Ocean City is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 25. Asbury Ave. from 6th to 11th streets will be full of holiday spirit and entertainment to accompany everyone’s holiday shopping experience. Features of the day will include visits with Santa in the gazebo at the Mark Soifer Park across from City Hall from 2 to 4 p.m., carolers in Victorian costumes, free horse and carriage rides and other entertainment on Asbury Ave.
Winterwood Gift & Christmas Shoppe – Visit with Santa
Father Christmas will be at Winterwood’s Rio Grande store, 3137 S. Route 9, on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. He then travels to Winterwood’s Cape May store, 526 Washington St., on Sunday, Nov. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m., and back to the Cape May store for Cape May’s Hospitality Night on Thursday, Dec. 8 and Friday, Dec. 9 from 7 to 9 p.m. Santa will be signing ornaments, and refreshments and candy canes will be served. Bring your cameras for pictures with Santa! For more information, call the Cape May store at (609) 884-8949 or the Rio Grande store at (609) 465-3641, or visit www.winterwoodgift.com.
Congress Hall – Breakfast & Brunch with Santa
On Saturdays, Nov. 26 and Dec. 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Santa will come to Congress Hall’s Grand Ballroom at 200 Congress Pl., Cape May. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, tell Santa all of your Christmas wishes and snap a photo for the mantle. Tickets are $18.95 for adults and $9.95 for kids ages 4-12. Those ages 3 and under are free. On Sundays, Dec. 4 and 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., make your way back to Congress Hall’s Grand Ballroom for brunch featuring an elegant buffet, a special reservation with Santa and a complimentary 5×7 photo from a professional photographer. Tickets are $48 for adults and $22 for kids ages 4-12. For more information and reservations, call (609) 884-6574.
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities – Santa’s Trolley Rides & Breakfast with Santa
Mr. and Mrs. Claus have made their way to Cape May from the North Pole! Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 26-Dec. 17, children can enjoy trolley rides from the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., with Mrs. Claus, then meet Santa afterward for a sweet in the Carriage House. Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. Hours vary. Advance reservations strongly recommended. Santa will also be visiting the Inn of Cape May, 7 Ocean St., on Saturdays, Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 and Sundays, Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 for a family-friendly breakfast buffet. Cost is $17 for adults and $12 for children ages 3-12, and includes a special treat for the kids. For more information and reservations, call (609) 884-5404 or (800) 275-4278, or visit www.capemaymac.org.
Harbor View Restaurant – Breakfast with Santa
On Saturday, Dec. 3, visit Harbor View Restaurant, 954 Ocean Dr., Cape May, for a delicious breakfast and visit with Santa! Breakfast starts at 8 a.m. and Santa arrives at 9 a.m. Children can visit with Santa until 11:30 a.m. Bring your camera! Reservations strongly recommended. For more information and reservations, call (609) 884-5444.
Cape May-Lewes Ferry – Breakfast with Santa
Bring the whole family to the Cape May Terminal of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry on Sundays, Dec. 4 and 11 for a festive breakfast buffet with tasty brunch treats and a visit from the big guy himself! Kids can sit with Santa and tell him their wish lists as well as pose for a photo. Mrs. Claus will be on hand for a special story time. Reserve before Dec. 1 and cost is $11 for children ages 4-12 and $15 for adults. After Dec. 1, cost is $13 for children and $17 for adults. Children under 4 are free. Reservations required; 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. seatings available. For more information and reservations, call (800) 643-3779.
The Reeds at Shelter Haven – Santa’s Workshop & Brunch
Enjoy a festive holiday brunch and bring your children to experience the “North Pole” on Sundays, Dec. 4 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Reeds at Shelter Haven, 9601 3rd Ave., Stone Harbor. Children are invited to Santa’s Workshop to craft special gifts for the family. Cost is $30 for adults and $20 for children ages 12 and under. Reservations suggested, and required for parties of six or more. For more information and reservations, call (609) 368-0100.
Wildwoods Family Holiday Celebration – Photos with Santa
On Saturday, Dec. 10 during the Wildwoods Family Holiday Celebration, bring the family inside the Wildwoods Convention Center lobby, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, at 11 a.m. as Santa arrives and makes his grand entrance! Take FREE photos with Santa and enjoy holiday-themed crafters, entertainment and much more! For more information, call (609) 729-9000 or visit wildwoodholiday.com.
Cape May County Park & Zoo – Santa’s Family Workshop
The Zoo’s zebras snuck Rudolph and his crew in the back gates! On Saturday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit the Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 Rt. 9 N., Cape May Court House, and get your photo taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Reptile House. Other special events are planned throughout the day, including crafts stations, education animals and more! Event is FREE! For more information, call (609) 465-5271 or visit www.cmcZoo.com.
Tuckahoe Inn – Dinner with Santa
On Sunday, Dec. 11 from 12 to 3 p.m., Tuckahoe Inn, 1 Harbor Rd., Beesley’s Point, will host a special dinner buffet with Santa. There will be a second dinner, the Feast of the Seven Seas, on Friday, Dec. 23 featuring carolers and Santa visits all night long! For more information, call (609) 390-3322 or visit www.tuckahoeinn.com.
Cape May County Animal Shelter – Holiday Open House & Pet Photos with Santa
On Sunday, Dec. 11 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., you and your furry friend are invited to an open house and FREE photos with “Santa Claws” at the Cape May County Animal Shelter, 110 Shelter Rd., Cape May Court House. Bring your own camera and take a photo of Santa and your pet, and enjoy our holiday open house with refreshments! For more information, call (609) 465-8923, email Animal.Shelter@cmcsheriff.net or visit capemaycountynj.gov.
Sea Isle City Volunteer Fire Department – Christmas Gathering with Santa
On Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m., the members of the Sea Isle City Volunteer Fire Department will host a Christmas gathering for children inside the City’s Fire House, located at 233 JFK Blvd. (adjacent to City Hall). During this event, children up to age 10 can meet Santa Claus and enjoy holiday treats. For more information, call (609) 263-1689.
Wildwood Golf & Country Club – Breakfast with Santa
Santa invites girls and boys of all ages to join him for breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Wildwood Golf and Country Club, 1170 Golf Club Rd., Cape May Court House. Mrs. Claus and the elves will provide a special buffet, and then Santa will arrive at 10 a.m. Reservations required. For more information and reservations, call (609) 465-7824 ext. 3 or email amanda@wildwoodgolf.com.
Avalon Links Restaurant at the Avalon Golf Club – Breakfast with Santa
Join Santa and his helpers for our breakfast buffet on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Avalon Links Restaurant, 1510 Rt. 9 N., Cape May Court House. Cost is $15.99 for adults, $9.99 for children 2-10 years old and free for children under 2. Cost includes buffet breakfast, crafts, face painting, photo with Santa and a special gift for children on Santa’s nice list! Reservations are recommended. For more information and to make reservations, call (609) 465-8086 or visit avalonlinks.net.
Santa will not be limited to these events. He can also be seen at various community events and parades!