Beloved Harrison Tradition: Breakfast With Santa at CRC

The holiday season in Harrison wouldn’t be complete without one of the community’s most cherished family traditions — Breakfast With Santa at the Centro Romeu Cascaes Portuguese American Community Center (CRC). This year’s celebration will take place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the CRC’s Community Center located at 14 North Frank E. Rodgers Boulevard in Harrison.

The theme for this festive morning says it all: Pancakes, Smiles, and Santa — the perfect holiday trio. Families are invited to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, music, and laughter filled with holiday cheer, along with an unforgettable photo opportunity with Santa Claus and his merry helpers. Admission is $20.00 per person, while children aged 6 and under eat for free.

Because this event has become so popular, seating is limited. Once Santa’s sleigh is full — meaning all reservations are booked — no tickets will be available at the door. All attendees must reserve their spots through the CRC’s website app to ensure a magical morning.

A Tradition Rooted in Community Giving

For many families, this joyful gathering has become an annual must-attend. Parents share in the wonder just as much as the children, a break from the holiday rush to sit together, enjoy a warm meal, and celebrate the spirit of the season. Each family leaves with a photograph with Santa and a cherished moment that reminds them that with Santa… anything is possible.

Behind the scenes, this magical event is made possible by the CRC’s dedicated volunteers. For years, these community members have given up their Sunday morning — year after year — to flip pancakes, greet guests, decorate the hall, and create the kind of memories children carry with them long after the ornaments come down. Their commitment reflects the core values that have shaped the CRC since its founding: community, culture, and care for others.

The Centro Romeu Cascaes Portuguese American Community Center has served as a cultural home for Harrison’s Portuguese-American residents for more than three decades. From traditional holiday celebrations to opportunities for cultural education, CRC continues to provide programs that bring neighbors together in friendship and pride. The children and parents of the Portuguese School at the CRC play a big role as volunteers in Breakfast with Santa.

The Spirit of Santa: More Than a Suit

Santa Claus has long been a symbol of kindness, generosity, and joy — a gift-giver whose origins span continents and centuries. From Saint Nicholas, known for helping children and the poor, to the popular red-suited figure adored today, Santa represents the belief that one good deed can inspire another. At the CRC’s breakfast celebration, that spirit comes alive — thanks to volunteers who embody Santa’s values through service, hospitality, and heartfelt community connection.

For one special morning each December, the CRC becomes a place where children believe in magic, families feel the warmth of tradition, and the joy of giving shines brightest. Guests walk away not just with their family photo with Santa Claus, but with renewed holiday spirit — one that lasts well beyond Christmas Day.

Reserve Before the Sleigh is Full

With enthusiastic families returning year after year, this event fills up fast. Don’t miss out! Make your reservation as soon as possible through the CRC website app. Scan the code in the photo accompanying this article or use this link. There are no tickets sold at the Door.  This will be strictly enforced.

Breakfast With Santa at the Centro Romeu Cascaes is more than a meal — it’s a celebration of hope, heritage, and heart. Harrison families know that when Santa arrives at CRC, the holidays have truly begun. See you there.

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