Montclair Tree Lighting, Santa Visit This Weekend

Mark your calendars, because Santa is coming to Montclair. 

The annual holiday tree lighting in the Church Street Plaza will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday. There will be music by the Montclair Community Band and plethora of fun winter entertainment.

In addition, children (and adults) can have their picture taken with the man of the month, Santa Claus, for $3. 

Church Street will be closed to traffic starting at 5 p.m. on Friday. 

Wayne Robbins of Inside Montclair (the guy with the hat) will be at the tree lighting once again, too. Robbins has been covering the event for the last 15 years. Look for him, share your holiday greetings, and be part of his very special holiday video.

Santa's Saturday Visit

Can't catch Santa on Friday? Don't worry, because he will be back in town on Saturday. 

Santa will trade in his sleigh for a big, bright Montclair Fire Department fire engine, but he will bring along his bag full of presents for youngsters. The Montclair Community Band will also be in tow with holiday tunes. 

Santa will be at the following locations on Saturday: 

• 11 p.m. - South End Business District (Orange Road and Cedar Avenue)
• 11:30 a.m. - Walnut Street Lot
• Noon - Watchung Plaza
• 12:30 p.m. - St. James Church (Bellevue Avenue and Valley Road)

Santa's Mailbox

Kids can mail letters or their wish lists to Santa this year and receive a personalized letter in return!

Letters can be mailed to the municipal building: 

Santa Claus
205 Claremont Ave.
Montclair, NJ 07042

Letters can also be dropped off at the Montclair Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs, located in the municipal building. Remember to include a return address.

Letters must be received by Dec. 14.