The Elf Hunt Is On in Egg Harbor

Santa arrives at Holly Days. Photo by Len Villano.

Egg Harbor’s Holly Days celebration is just around the corner.

Festivities will kick off Friday, Nov. 26, with some new and returning activities. Kids of all ages will be on the lookout for elves hidden in participating businesses. When they find and record 10 elves on their entry form, they may turn it in at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. – on Nov. 26 between 10 am and 1 pm and on Nov. 27 between 10 am and 2 pm – in exchange for a prize. 

Some businesses will also be hosting special events: Be Beauty will offer glitter tattoos; Pink Bakery will host cookie decorating; the Kress Pavilion will help kids write letters to Santa, Nov. 26 – Dec. 12; and Big Easy will be creating coffee-filter snowflakes.

There seems to be a shortage of small Christmas trees this year. The source Egg Harbor has used for several years suffered damage from a May frost, and other source options farther south would not be economical.

Here’s the full event schedule:

Friday, Nov. 26

8-10 am: Breakfast with Santa at Big Easy, 7755 Hwy 42

10 am – 2 pm: Children’s activities 

• Cookie decorating at Pink Bakery, 7778 Hwy 42

• Letters to Santa at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St.

• Coffee-filter snowflakes at Fireside Restaurant, 7755 Hwy 42

• Glitter tattoos at Be Beauty, 7823 Hwy 42

• Holiday crafts in the Kress Pavilion’s maker space, 7845 Church St.

10 am – 4 pm: Children’s elf hunt at participating businesses

12-3 pm: Horse-drawn carriage rides depart from Mojo Rosa’s, 7778 Hwy 42

2 pm: History Hour: “Egg Harbor, The Way It Was” by the Egg Harbor Historical Society at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. 

4:30 pm: Santa arrives on a fire truck, Harbor View Park, 7809 Hwy 42

4:30-5:30 pm: Tree lighting (at 5 pm) and caroling, Harbor View Park. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, and sing old-fashioned carols. 

Saturday, Nov. 27

8-10 am: Breakfast with Santa at Big Easy, 7755 Hwy 42

10 am – 2 pm: Children’s activities 

• Cookie decorating at Pink Bakery, 7778 Hwy 42

• Letters to Santa at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St.

• Coffee-filter snowflakes at Fireside Restaurant, 7755 Hwy 42

• Glitter tattoos at Be Beauty, 7823 Hwy 42

10 am: Bingo at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. Doors open at 9 am to purchase a card.

10 am – 2 pm: Children’s elf hunt at participating businesses

11 am – 2 pm: Santa Land at the Kress Pavilion, 7845 Church St. Have a camera ready for a visit with Santa!

12-3 pm: Horse-drawn carriage rides depart from Mojo Rosa’s, 7778 Hwy 42