Annual Santa Lighting Event Outside Garden State Plaza Mall Saturday To Include Giveaways

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus will kick off the holiday season with the 6th annual lighting of the updated iconic Big Santa on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 5-7 p.m. All are invited to the mall parking lot to attend, and there will be giveaways.

This year’s celebration will be hosted by the Queen of Freestyle, Judy Torres, and will feature a choreographed show of 200 drones that will light up the sky with holiday illusions set to music, said a mall spokesperson.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, Big Santa was perched atop a chimney in the mall’s parking lot and could be seen for miles.

The community icon was brought back to life in 2018 through an intense 12-week process that utilized modern technology and hand carving and sculpting techniques.

“The holidays are a magical time at Westfield Garden State Plaza, and the lighting of our iconic 45-foot Big Santa and holiday drone show is a tradition that marks the start of the season,” said Wesley Rebisz, senior general manager at Westfield Garden State Plaza. “We’re excited to celebrate with the community on November 11, as well as invite them to join us throughout the holidays for additional events and photo moments.”

The festivities will include live musical performances and surprise visits from holiday favorites such as Buddy the Elf, Elsa, Olaf, and the real Santa Claus who will arrive in a fire truck escorted by the Paramus High School Marching Band.

There will be several food trucks including Johnny Zeppoli, Shake Shack, NYC Mac Truck, and Hold My Knots.

The Big Santa lighting and holiday drone show will take in the parking lot adjacent to Nordstrom and is free to attend.

At the end of the performances and drone show, all are invited to continue the celebration inside the mall for exclusive offers attendees will receive on a flyer.

In addition, any attendee who spends $1,000 at any combination of shops from Nov. 11, 2023 through Nov. 16, 2023 will receive a $25 dining gift card from their choice of California Pizza Kitchen, Fogo de Chao, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, or The Capital Grille.

The mall is located on Route 17 South in Paramus and can be reached from Exits 160 & 163 on the Garden State Parkway.

For more information and to RSVP, visit the Westfield Garden State Plaza website here.