Holiday festivities kick off with a birthday party for Santa and continue with photo meet & greets, a unique event for guests with special needs — and even a Luau
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (November 2, 2023) — From a birthday party for Santa Claus to Black Friday giveaways, events focused on International Day of Persons with Disabilities — and even a luau — every week during the holiday season will feature something new at Bridgewater Commons.
“It’s nearly here, and the holiday season will be bigger and better than ever at Bridgewater Commons,” said Tom Kovacic, Marketing and Business Development Director for Bridgewater Commons. “Each week, we’ll have something new and different to get our shoppers in the spirit of the season!”
Sponsored by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, the season begins in earnest with a Birthday Party for the one and only Santa Claus! Santa’s Birthday Celebration will be held Saturday, November 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., commemorating the eternal Santa’s big day with Mrs. Claus, music, dancing, balloon art, magic and, of course, a birthday sing-along for Santa. Guests will enjoy sweet treats provided by the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey, while supplies last.
“And don’t forget to bring a present on Santa’s birthday!” Kovacic said. “While he has plenty of gifts, we’re collecting unopened toys for Santa to give to a child in need through the Salvation Army. And to thank you, you’ll receive $5 off your Santa photo.”
Immediately after the party and through Sunday, December 24, Santa will welcome children of all ages for visits and photos filled with holiday magic. Located in Center Court on the mall’s Lower Level, guests at Santa @ The Commons will enjoy 25 garland-topped light curtains (each adorned with thousands of white, glistening lights) and candy-cane inspired twists cascading from high above as they wait to meet and pose with an authentic Kris Kringle perched in his grand velvet chair on an elevated platform behind his adoring guests. A bright, cheery red photo frame sits in front of the famed wish-fulfiller proclaiming, “Holiday Joy.” Photo packages are available at various prices.
On select dates, Santa will be joined by his famous holiday friends for a meet + greet, photos and autographs! These Santa + Friends special events are free, and purchases are not required. On Saturday, December 2 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., meet Elsa and Anna of Disney’s Frozen. Saturday, December 9 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., visit with Disney Princesses Belle and Cinderella, and on Friday, December 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., meet Buddy the Elf.
For guests with special needs including and beyond that of autism, Bridgewater Commons will host Santa Cares on December 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (International Day of Persons with Disabilities). In partnership with The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute and Parents With a Plan, the center will allow children and adults within all spectrums of special needs and their families to a sensory-friendly event to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit and photos with Santa.
“Visits to Santa are a beloved family tradition for many but can be a bit overwhelming for neurodiverse children and adults,” Kovacic explained. “This will be a quieter, more low-key event.”
Another unique Saint Nick event — at least for Northern New Jersey — will take place on Wednesday, December 6, when holiday meets the tropics at Santa’s Luau from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Don your best Hawaiian gear with Santa, join in the fun, and help those affected by the wildfires in Maui, as 100% of the proceeds of the day will be matched by Bridgewater Commons and donated to parent company Pacific Retail Capital Property’s (PRCP’s) drive to support the island.
Online reservations are optional and limited to Monday through Thursday only. Operating hours for Santa @ The Commons are:
November 11
Saturday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.
November 12 - November 22
Monday - Friday 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
November 23 (Thanksgiving Day) — CLOSED
November 24 - December 14
Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 7pm
Friday - Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
THE FOLLOWING DATES HAVE ADJUSTED HOURS
Saturday, December 2, 12:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesday, December 5, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, December 7, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
December 15 - 23
Daily 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
December 24
Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bridgewater Commons will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, but on Black Friday weekend, look for even more excitement and prizes. Find and scan exclusive contest QR codes to be unveiled at the Commons on Black Friday to enter to win gift cards, dinners, hotel packages and a grand prize Holiday $1,000 Shopping Spree! And the earlier the better — shoppers who scan the content from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. get double the number of entries. Separately, scan the Black Friday Deals QR code to find hundreds of special deals at the center. Extended holiday hours for Bridgewater Commons begins on November 24 and continues through December 24.
Located along Interstate 287 at the intersections of Route 22 and Route 202/206, the 1.2 million-square-foot Bridgewater Commons is Somerset County’s largest shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.
The complex also includes The Village at Bridgewater Commons, a unique, open-air shopping district with more than 10 retailers and food and beverage locations including LOFT, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Shake Shack, and Starbucks.