Santa is teaming up with The Taylor Swift Experience—and a jolly crew of skaters, dancers, stilt walkers, and more—this Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. for the Jingle Bell Bash at Tanger Deer Park.
Deemed the biggest artist in the world for 2023, Swift won’t be there in person as she was for the Rockefeller Center tree lighting in 2007. However, her most popular songs will get families in the groove, as presented by The Taylor Swift Experience, a seasoned impersonator. Swifties can enjoy three sets, each lasting about 13 minutes, followed by a photo op with the entertainer, said Tanger spokeswoman Amaka Muir.
“We knew it would be a great entertainment experience for our community, and it would draw a huge crowd to the center,” she added.
Ever since the mall opened in October 2006 at 152 The Arches Circle, she said, the tree lighting has been a tradition. “At last year’s tree lighting we had over 15,000 vehicles at the center during the event,” Muir said.
The event begins promptly at 3 p.m. when Santa arrives on a Deer Park Fire Department truck. “We’ll have skaters and junior dancers entertaining the crowd, stilt walkers and strolling entertainment, princess characters, face painting, a hot cocoa bar, photo ops, and a toddler zone that includes a soft play area,” she said.
At 6 p.m., Santa will lead the countdown to illuminate the 54-foot tree, she said, noting that attendees can also anticipate “an intricate light show with dynamic color changes.”
Free as part of the holiday activity, according to the website, will be snapshots with Santa, crafts for kids, giveaways, and an encounter with reindeer. One photo per family is permitted, and folks must line up by 4:30 p.m., the website said.
For families planning to attend, Muir recommends arriving early to experience the event in its entirety and using Entrance 1, near Under Armour, to be as close as possible to the holiday happenings.
Also this season, Tanger Deer Park is hosting a Holiday Cheer Truck to warm up Tanger Club members with free hot chocolate and coffee. “We will also offer free ‘gift wrap to go’ with a purchase from any athletic or accessory brand,” Muir added.
While Zappy is the sponsor of the Jingle Bell Bash, other sponsors for the day’s events include Saf-T-Swim, Jovia Financial Credit Union, Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology, and New York Cancer & Blood Specialists.