EVENTS

Taking your kids to see Santa at the mall? Here's what you need to know.

NorthJersey

Santa was quite busy having his photo taken with shoppers on Black Friday on Nov. 24, 2017 at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne.

To make your life easier between shopping for gifts on your child's Christmas list, here is a roundup of where you can take photos with Santa in the malls of northern New Jersey.

Many offer special pet nights and advance registration so you can schedule the best date and time for your photos and skip the lines!

The Mall at Short Hills, Short Hills

Regular hours*: during mall hours Nov. 8 through Dec. 24

Special hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11 — you must be on line by approximately 3 p.m. to visit with Santa; On Dec. 24 regular hours, but guests needs to be on line by approximately 3 p.m. to visit with Santa before he leaves for the North Pole to get gifts for all the good boys and girls.

* Santa's break schedule can be found here.

Location: Santa is available at Santa's Flight Academy in Grand Court, lower level.

Pricing: Two 4-inch by 6-inch photos is $26.99; one 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch and four wallets is $33.99; three images on a digital file is $39.99; two 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch, two 3-inch by 5-inch and eight wallets is $44.99; four 5-inch by 7-inch, four 4-inch by 6-inch, four 3-inch by 5-inch, eight wallets and digital download is $49.99. Digital download add-on is $10.99 and includes four free wallets.

All packages include a free phone call from Santa and a complimentary Lovepop picture tree card.

Reserve a specific date and time with Santa's Express Lane Pass here.

Special events: Kids can become a member of Santa's flight crew at the Santa's Flight Academy at the mall. They will receive a personalized cadet badge, try on a virtual flight suit and learn how to operate the sleigh. The annual Santa Paws event will take place 6-9 p.m. Nov. 11. Shoppers can bring their dogs to take photos with Santa. Dogs must be up-to-date with their vaccinations and be on a leash or carried in a pet carrier with harness.

The Outlets at Bergen Town Center, Paramus

Hours: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Nov. 15-17, 19-21, 23 and 24, 26-30 and Dec. 1, 8, 15, 17-22 and 24

Location: Center court in front of Whole Foods Market

Special events: Santa arrival celebration will take place 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and feature a performance by Maywood Dance School. A sensory-friendly photo experience for children with special needs will take place 8-10 a.m. Nov. 17. Pet photos with Santa will be available 6-9 p.m. Nov. 20, 27 and Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Owners must show proof of current vaccinations and the animals must be on leashes or in a crate.

Paramus Park, Paramus

Regular hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday

Special hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 15-22 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24.

Location: South Court near Panera Bread

Pricing: Standard package is $39.99 and includes one 5-inch by 7-inch photo, one 4-inch by 6-inch, four wallets, digital downloads and a free short video. Premium package is $49.99 and includes three 5-inch by 7-inch photos, three 4-inch by 6-inch, four wallets, digital download and free premium video.

Skip the line by reserving your spot to see Santa. If you reserve a spot on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday through Dec. 5, you will save $5 on your photo package and receive a free personalized video with any premium photo package.

Special events: Pet Night: 5-8 p.m. Nov. 12, 19, 26 and Dec. 3, 10, 17; Ugly Sweater Day: all day on Nov. 16 and Dec. 13; Grandparent's Day: all day on Nov. 29; Holiday PJ Day: all day on Nov. 30 and Dec. 6.

Rockaway Townsquare, Rockaway

Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 7-8 and 25 and Dec. 2 and 9; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 9-10, 12-15 and 19-21; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 11 and 18; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 16-17, 23-24, 26-29 and Dec. 3-6; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7-8 and 10-13; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 14-15 and 17-23; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 16; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24. Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Location: Best entrance to use is Macy's.

Pricing: One 5-inch by 7-inch photo, one 3-inch by 5-inch and two wallets is $24.99; Two 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch, one 3-inch by 5-inch and two wallets is $29.99; all digital files from the same sitting is $34.99; three 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch, three 3-inch by 5-inch and two wallets is $39.99; all digital files plus four 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch, four 3-inch by 5-inch and four wallets is $49.99

Avoid the line and select your day and time in advance with Santa's Fast Pass.

Special events: Wake up with Santa will take place 9-10 a.m. on Dec. 1. Shoppers will enjoy a themed craft, story time with Mrs. Claus, and refreshments. Santa will be giving a special gift to those who purchase a Santa Photo Package. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas. From 8:30-10:30 a.m. Dec 9, the mall will adjust its environment to support children with sensory, physical and other developmental needs for photos with Santa. Pet photos with Santa are available 8-9 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 9-10 p.m. on Dec. 9.

The Shops at Riverside, Hackensack

Hours*: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 9 and 10; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 12-15; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 19-21; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 23 and 24; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 26; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 27-29; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 3; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec 4-6; 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 10-13; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 17-22; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24

*Santa will break daily from 1-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m.

Location: On level 2, near H&M and Banana Republic

Pricing: One 5-inch by 7-inch photo, one 3-inch by 5-inch and two wallets is $27.99; Two 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch, one 3-inch by 5-inch and two wallets is $32.99; all digital files from the same sitting is $37.99; three 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch, three 3-inch by 5-inch and two wallets is $42.99; all digital files plus four 5-inch by 7-inch, two 4-inch by 6-inch, four 3-inch by 5-inch and four wallets is $52.99

All packages include a free 50 percent off Shutterfly promotion card and a free personalized call from Santa.

Avoid the line and select your day and time in advance with Santa's FastPass.

Special events: Pet Photo Nights: 7-9 p.m. Nov. 26 and Dec. 3

Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus

Hours*: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday Nov. 16 through Dec. 24. Closed on Thanksgiving, Nov. 22

Special hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 8, 15 and 22, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24

*Santa will break from 1-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. daily.

Location: Level 2 in Macy's Court

Pricing: One 5-inch by 7-inch photo, one 4-inch by 6-inch, four wallets and free digital downloads $39.99; three 5-inch by 7-inch, three 4-inch by 6-inch, four wallets and free digital download $49.99. Add a group holiday portrait for $9.99.

Make a reservation for your photo with Santa by texting SANTA874 to 39711 or visiting celebrateyourholiday.com. You can save $5 off pricing my reserving your spot online during select discount days.

Special Events: Santa Paws pet photos with Santa will take place 6-9 p.m. Nov. 19 and 26. Dogs and cats only. All pets must be on a leash or caged. The mall recommends using Level 2 entrance near Bar Louie or Shake Shack to enter and exit. Grandparents Day is Nov. 29. Holiday PJ Day is Nov. 30. Cocoa with Santa is Dec. 1 and costs $10 per child. It includes cookies, cocoa and a holiday craft with Santa. All proceeds of this event will benefit the Paramus Children's Health Foundation. Ugly Sweater Day is Dec. 6.

Willowbrook Mall, Wayne

Normal hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 10 through Dec. 24

Special hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 14; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 15-22; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 23; and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 24

Location: In the Bloomingdale’s Exhibit Court in front of Old Navy and Victoria’s Secret