Please note that our route is subject to change without notice due to emergency calls, traffic, or safety constraints on narrow streets. While we strive to see as much of the community as possible, we are unable to visit every street.
The Santa Run
For decades, the Port Monmouth Fire Company has proudly continued the beloved tradition of bringing Santa to the community on Christmas Eve. As we make our way through Port Monmouth, our fire truck convoy will spread holiday cheer, waving and greeting children and families along the route. We cherish this special time of the year, sharing the joy of the season with our friends and neighbors.
As we have done for the past few years, we will stop at Thorne Middle School at 6:00 PM. This is the perfect opportunity for families who live on dead ends or narrow side streets to guarantee a visit with Santa and see the fire truck convoy up close!
While we aim to cover as much ground as possible, our path is never "set in stone." We navigate dynamically based on real-time conditions, and a cherished part of our tradition includes stopping to greet our fire company members and their families at their homes. These stops help us balance the cadence of the run and give our volunteers (and Santa!) a quick moment to recharge and warm up.
Please note that the following is not a fully inclusive list. For additional opportunities to see Santa, we recommend heading toward these common areas listed below.
We favor these streets because their width and turn radius allow our full convoy to move safely, reach the most neighbors at once, and provide an easy exit route for us to navigate to other neighborhoods. Also included are streets we regularly have used as "turn-around" points in the past.
Which streets do we visit?
South of Route 36 (The Dry Side)
- Cherry Tree Farm Rd.
- Grace Ave.
- Harmony Rd.
- Lone Oak Rd.
- Main St.
- Millbrook Dr.
- Murphy Rd.
- Sylvia Terr.
- Wilson Ave.
North of Route 36 (The Wet Side)
- Brainard St.
- Bray Ave
- Campbell Ave.
- Creek Rd.
- Gordon Ct.
- Main St.
- Monmouth Ave.
- Plymouth Ave.
- Suffolk Ave.
- Wilson Ave.
Our best advice to catch our convoy is to listen for our sirens, use our santa tracker and head towards a main road or main intersection. Our fire engine and truck are best viewed from wider through-streets, as we cannot safely navigate dead ends, cul-de-sacs, or tight turns.
A Note on Timing: Please remember that our route and arrival times are subject to change due to emergency calls, traffic, or unexpected circumstances. We appreciate your spirit and your patience as we work to bring the joy of the season to our neighbors!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below are some of the most asked questions about our Santa Run.
When exactly will Santa be visiting my neighborhood?
Santa and his fire truck convoy begin their journey through Port Monmouth on Christmas Eve. While we start in the early evening, we cannot provide specific times for individual streets due to traffic, weather, and the number of excited children we meet along the way! Keep an ear out for the sirens and look for all our lights. That’s your signal that we’re close.
Why isn’t the fire truck coming down my specific street this year?
We would love to visit every single street, but the event has grown significantly in popularity. To ensure Santa makes it back to the North Pole in time for his big night, we have to prioritize main thoroughfares and wider roads. Additionally, we are towing Santa's Sleigh and avoid dead ends, smaller cul-de-sacs, or streets with very tight turns due to the size of our convoy of vehicles.
Where is the best place to see Santa?
We will stop at Thorne Middle School at 6:00 PM. This is the perfect opportunity for families who live on dead ends or narrow side streets to guarantee a visit with Santa and see the fire truck convoy up close!
Our route has also historically begun on the 'Dry Side' of town before we transition over to the 'Wet Side' (the area surrounding the firehouse) to finish the night. If you happen to miss the convoy while we are on the Dry Side, we invite you to head over to the Wet Side of town to catch us before we head back to the station!
Will Santa be stopping the truck to hand out gifts or take individual photos?
While the convoy will make periodic stops to balance our timing and give the volunteers a breather, these stops are brief. For the safety of your family and our firefighters, we ask that you stay on the sidewalk or curb. Please do not approach the trucks while they are in motion; Santa will be sure to give you a big wave from his seat!