New Jersey Mom™ Event Calendar
The NJ MOM Event Calendar is your go-to for fun family events across New Jersey! Discover festivals, activities, and local happenings—
plus, you can save, share, and add events to your personal calendar.
Have an event to share? Submit it and help other NJ families find the fun.
- This event has passed.
8th Annual Big Santa Lighting Featuring Dylan Schneider
Westfield Garden State Plaza will kick off the 2025 holiday season with the 8th Annual Big Santa Celebration and annual lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 8. The much-anticipated event will be hosted by Z-100’s Danielle Monaro, co-host of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, and will feature an evening of live music, family entertainment, a breathtaking drone and light show, and holiday magic headlined by country music singer and songwriter Dylan Schneider.
For the first time ever, the Big Santa celebration will take place outdoors near Entrance 3 between AMC Theatres and Fogo de Chão, giving the 45-foot-tall iconic holiday decoration a new location for the holiday season. Big Santa festivities will begin at 5:00 PM with our DJ spinning holiday hits, followed by the official event kickoff at 6:00 PM. Guests can enjoy an exciting lineup of national and local talent, including:
• Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra
• Broadway Youth Ensemble
• Dance Company Debut
• Headliner Dylan Schneider – Country music’s rising star, known for hits like “Bad Decisions” and “Ain’t Missin’ You.” With more than 428 million career streams, Schneider has toured with Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan, and most recently Kane Brown, and co-wrote the Top 5 hit “Momma’s House” for Dustin Lynch.
Returning for the third consecutive year, the event will also feature the Drone Light Show Spectacular—a breathtaking aerial display choreographed to music and lighting up the sky with festive, holiday-themed animations.
The Big Santa Lighting and Drone Light Show is free to attend, but RSVP is encouraged. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the entertainment, special attractions, and exclusive shopping offers throughout the center.
