Paramus gets its holiday season in two pieces this year, five days apart. On Sunday, November 22, Westfield Garden State Plaza holds Big Santa, its annual parking lot party with live music, a 42-foot Santa and fireworks. On Friday, November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, Bergen County opens Winter Wonderland at Van Saun County Park for its 11th season, with open-air ice skating, bumper cars and a carousel running into the new year.

Big Santa at Garden State Plaza, November 22

Festivities begin at 4 p.m. in the parking lot by Nordstrom, near Entrance 7. The singer-songwriter Ryan Cabrera hosts, and the lineup mixes the 1990s with the present: All-4-One, the Grammy-winning R&B group; TKA, the New York freestyle group; Spice Wannabe, a Spice Girls tribute; and Just Your Type, a dance-focused boy band.

Before the music, the grounds have costume characters, stilt walkers and food from food trucks and the mall's restaurants. The evening builds to Santa's arrival by fire truck, the lighting of the 42-foot Big Santa, and a fireworks show the mall says is new this year and timed to holiday music. Guests are encouraged to come in a nostalgic outfit or a holiday look. The mall asks people to reserve a spot in advance through its Big Santa page.

What is new inside the mall

The holiday crowds will find some new storefronts. Garden State Plaza lists Thirdlove as now open and Michael Kors in a new location, and Liv Breads is marked as opening in November 2026. Liv Breads is the bakery and cafe with its flagship production bakery in downtown Millburn, open there since 2018; the mall describes its sourdough loaves and pastries. The mall also says its holiday hours are extended starting Saturday, December 12, with Santa photos by reservation through the season and a community menorah lighting for Hanukkah.

Winter Wonderland at Van Saun County Park, from November 27

Bergen County's Winter Wonderland returns to Van Saun County Park on Forest Avenue from Friday, November 27, through Sunday, January 3, 2027. The county lists open-air ice skating, Blitzen's Bumper Cars, carousel rides, live entertainment, food trucks and a beer and wine garden. Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is the presenting sponsor.

Opening day runs from noon to 9 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m. Four evenings carry special ceremonies, each at 6 p.m.:

  • Saturday, December 5: the county Christmas Tree Lighting and the announcement of the Municipal Tree Decorating Contest winner (open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.).
  • Wednesday, December 9: the Menorah Lighting (open 4 to 9 p.m.).
  • Sunday, December 27: the Kinara Lighting (open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.).

Winter Wonderland hours

From November 27 through December 20, Winter Wonderland is open on weekends and Friday evenings: Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Special event hours replace those where they differ.

Over the school break it opens daily: Wednesday, December 23, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Christmas Eve from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed on Christmas Day; Saturday, December 26, through Wednesday, December 30, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; New Year's Eve from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; New Year's Day and Saturday, January 2, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and the final day, Sunday, January 3, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The county recommends buying tickets in advance, especially for ice skating sessions. Ticket prices and session times are on the Winter Wonderland website.

If you go

Big Santa: Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 4 p.m., Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, in the lot by Nordstrom near Entrance 7. Reserve through the mall's Big Santa page.
Winter Wonderland: November 27, 2026, to January 3, 2027, Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, Bergen County. Tickets at bergencountywinterwonderland.com.

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