Beloved former Westmoreland Mall Santa to return for a pre-holiday visit

Santa Claus is coming to town.

For four days this week, New Jersey resident Michael Collins — the man many have deemed to be the real Kris Kringle — will return to the Christmas Town store at Westmoreland Mall, where he is expected to meet with thousands of children to grant their Christmas wishes.

“There’s special people there, they just are,” Collins said. “Their belief in me makes it even easier for me to do what I do.”

Collins first came to Westmoreland County in 2019, when he served as the official mall Santa for two years.

The New Jersey-based talent agency Cherry Hill Programs was going to place him closer to his home last year, meaning he would not be returning to the region. Knowing the connection between himself and area residents, Collins decided to leave the agency and planned a trip to the mall on his own.

Last year, Collins said he saw between 5,000 and 6,000 people. Most nights, he stayed two hours after the mall closed, making sure he met every child.

“You have to remember that I’ve been holding some of these kids’ hands and the babies for four or five years,” Collins said. “It’s a tradition. I’m on their mantelpieces already and I’d hate for anybody else to be there (as Santa). … It’s a joy for me to drive out there, it’s a joy to sit in that chair and see how they’ve grown every year.”

Collins will once again don his red suit and claim his red and white chair starting Wednesday. He will remain there through Saturday. A pizza party is scheduled from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday at the mall’s Chuck E. Cheese.

Collins’ visit will take place before the official mall Santa arrives Nov. 18.

The mall Santa’s arrival will begin at 6 p.m. with a parade featuring the Hempfield Area Senior High School marching band, dancers from Westmoreland Performing Arts and a tree lighting ceremony, said Stacey Keating, spokeswoman for Chattanooga-based CBL Properties, the entity that owns Westmoreland and Monroeville malls.

The parade will start at the lower-level mall entrance near Macy’s and will end at Santa’s Christmas Village.

As for the visit by Collins, Ashley Ferry — Christmas Town manager — is expecting a larger crowd than last year. She noted that ropes will set up in the hallway. People will also be able to take their own pictures and visit as long as they like.

“We’re very excited to have him back again this year,” Ferry said.

Collins, who also plays Santa at Storybook Land in New Jersey, is looking forward to his upcoming visit.

“They believe I am Santa so I don’t want to do anything to stop them from thinking that,” Collins said.