The most wonderful time of year is here and what better way to get into the spirit of the season than at a tree lighting? Here are some of our favorites in NJ:
December 1
Metuchen Winter Festival
Downtown Metuchen
The parade steps off from Wernik Place, followed by a tree lighting on the Plaza. There will be music, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and snacks.
The Long Branch Christmas Tree Lighting
Pier Village, Long Branch
Holiday activities include performances by the Long Branch High School Marching Band and Dance Team, Tim McLoone and the Shirleys and a special appearance from Santa Claus. There will be a Holiday Makers & Artisan Market, Christmas caroling, stilt walkers, glitter tattoos, circus elves and jugglers, snow fairies, train rides, mini golf, bowling, virtual reality games, air hockey, carousel rides, a Little Words Project bead cart, hot chocolate and donuts, and holiday window displays.
City of Asbury Park Tree Lighting
Fireman’s Park, Asbury Park
Get yourself into the holiday spirit during this tree lighting.
Friendsgiving
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Eat, drink and be thankful while having a post-Thanksgiving full gourmet platter (with a vegetarian option). There will be the annual tree lighting, vineyard tours and Santa.
December 2
Christmas Tree Lighting
North Brunswick Municipal Building, North Brunswick
The annual tree lighting outside is also a fundraiser for the local food bank; mittens, gloves and socks will also be collected.
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
City Hall Annex, Jersey City
There will be choirs, inflatables, giveaways, treats and hot cocoa.
Community Tree and Menorah Lighting
Hopewell Township Municipal Building, Hopewell Twp.
Celebrate the holiday season with a dual lighting ceremony.
December 3
Christmas at the Hall
Seton Hall University, West Orange
After the Christmas at the Hall Mass inside the chapel, head to the University Green for a traditional Christmas tree lighting, which includes Santa hats, hot cocoa and candy canes, and a special blessing of the tree. There will be live performances from the Seton Hall University Theatre Council, Seton Hall Sapphires and Seton Hall Pep Band. Snow machines that will make it feel like a winter wonderland. Seton Hall Pirates around the world can livestream the event.
Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting
Robbinsville Township Municipal Building, Robbinsville
The evening begins with crafts from C.A.R.E., and photos with Santa. After the lighting, there will be hot chocolate, choir singing and giveaways.
Holiday Tree Lighting
Wildwood Crest
There will be music, Santa and snacks.
Winter Wonderland
Newark Avenue Pedestrian Mall, Jersey City
The tree lighting ceremony includes a bounce house for kids, live music, and an accessory drive held by Smile Preschool and Whole Spectrum Autism.
Tree Lighting
Hall of Records, Freehold Borough
The Rock and Roll Choir will perform, and the Court Jester will be providing hot cider. The Freehold Fire Department may stop by with a very special guest.
December 4
Christmas Tree Lighting
Manalapan Town Hall, Manalapan
Winter Wonderland opens for the season on the night the tree is lit. Stroll through to take pictures, then have a cup of hot chocolate courtesy of Wegmans. Santa will arrive after a musical performance by the Manalapan Regional Orchestra. Rising Stars School of Dance will put on a mini show after the tree lighting, followed by the sounds of the Misfit Theater Group. There will be a special mailbox for children to mail letters to Santa near the entrance of Winter Wonderland; the box will remain there until December 20.
December 5
Holiday Tree Lighting
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
Enjoy live musical entertainment before and after the tree lighting ceremony. The United Methodist Church (323 George St.) will be open to visitors so you can see their holiday decor – and to keep warm.
December 6
Wildwood Business Improvement District Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood
Come by at night for a tree lighting ceremony.
Downtown for the Holidays
Ridgewood
Downtown for the Holidays includes music, performances, a visit by Santa, and the tree lighting ceremony.
Holiday on Haddon
Haddon Twp.
A parade of lights on decorated fire trucks, bands, floats, holiday characters and Santa will roll by, in addition to a tree lighting ceremony. Snacks will be offered at Westmont Fire Company No. 1, where children will get a chance to sit on Santa’s lap.
Boro in Lights
Glassboro
As Santa arrives to light the tree, there will be performances, a live Nativity scene with Missio Dei Church, a petting zoo, carriage rides along Rowan Boulevard, selfie stations, meet-and-greets with costumed characters, a working model train display inside RCSJ’s Welcome Center, cookie decorating with Cookie Munchers, food trucks and a vendors market.
Tinseltown Official Tree Lighting
The Yard at Bally’s, Atlantic City
Special hosts Joe Kelly and Jahna Michal from Cat Country 107.3 Morning Show will help light the 40-foot Christmas tree, along with Santa Claus. There will be free hot chocolate and holiday treats, plus a toy drive for Toys for Tots and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Winter Wonderland
Kuser Park, Hamilton Twp.
This year’s Candyland-themed celebration with has a tree lighting, photos with Santa, DIY magic reindeer food, a stroll through Candy Lane Cottage, free candy, a gingerbread bounce house, firepits, holiday rides, tours of Kuser Mansion, a model railroad, holiday music and themed displays.
Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
The winery grounds are open to families for ice skating, a holiday market, fire pits, live music, and of course wine. You can sponsor a Christmas tree for the Festival of Trees display. Vintner Wonderland’s grand opening is November 29. The Christmas tree lighting ceremony is December 6. The holiday markets are open November 29 to December 1, December 6-8 and December 20-22.
Christmas in Court House
Middle Twp.
There will be a parade along Route 9 leading to the tree lighting and performances by the library. The festival at Town Hall includes craft vendors, food vendors and snacks. You can also visit the firehouse for more snacks and a visit with Santa Claus.
December 7
Hometown Holiday
Village Hall, South Orange
The Hometown Holiday event happens in two parts: From 3-5 pm there are photos with Santa at Village Hall, including holiday games and activities. There’s even a holiday education station! Then there is a tree lighting ceremony across the street at 76 S. Orange Ave. The CHS Choir and Concepts Dance Academy will perform around 5 pm. The tree lighting will be around 5:30 pm. Stay for free hot chocolate and treats at Village Hall afterward.
Yuletide Tour of Homes
Broadway and Market streets, Salem
Tour 25 churches, private homes and historical sites throughout the area. Planned activities include the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line & The 43rd Regiment of Foot, Woodstown Central Railroad rides with Santa (additional ticket needed), letters to Santa, hot chocolate, artists, vendors and pop-up shops.
You can also attend the Salem Magic of Christmas Parade at 11 am along Broadway and end the day’s festivities with the annual tree lighting ceremony scheduled for 6:30 pm at the Old Courthouse.
Belvidere Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
Riverside Park, Belvidere
There will be live music, ice skating, shopping, warm treats, a tree lighting, and more.
Home for the Holidays Parade
Downtown Westwood
The beloved parade will be hitting the streets again with all the lights, music and magic of the holiday season. This year’s theme is Twinkle, Shine & Glow. Home for the Holidays takes place all day long with shopping, events and dining. The parade begins at 6 pm with a visit from Santa Claus. The tree lighting takes place immediately following the parade.
Winter Wonderland
East Brunswick Municipal Complex, East Brunswick
Winter Wonderland has a little bit of everything: a holiday market, lighting ceremony, live music, performances, Cookies with Claus, food trucks, crafts, face painting, the North Pole Candy Stroll, a live ice sculptor, a gingerbread contest, airbrush tattoos, ice skating, train rides, a holiday movie, a winter tavern, a s’mores station and character appearances.
Tree Lighting
Hammonton
Part of the Hammonton Gazette Elf Village are festive decorations, live performances and the tree lighting by Santa.
North Wilwood Holiday Tree Lighting
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard, North Wildwood
The Christmas tree lighting event includes holiday music by Margaret Mace School Choir, snacks, a self-guided tour of the lighthouse, and visits with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Tree Lighting
The Carousel Pavilion, Seaside Heights
The ceremony includes carousel rides, meetings with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fireworks.
December 8
Mercado Esperanza Holiday Market & Christmas Tree Lighting
War Memorial Park, New Brunswick
Enjoy local food and craft vendor shopping along with live music and dance.
December 12
Tice’s Corner Winter Festival
Tice’s Corner, Woodcliff Lake
The festive evening kicks off the holiday season with a tree lighting, a visit by Santa, caroling, holiday shopping, arts and crafts, and hot chocolate.
December 14
Family Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
There will be holiday-themed crafters and movies, photos with Santa, choir performances, children’s craft making, a magician, face painting, dance performances, Storytime with Mrs. Claus and a tree lighting ceremony.
Christmas Tree Lighting
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
As part of Bergen County Winter Wonderland, the tree lighting takes place December 14. There is also an open-air ice skating rink, ice bumper cars, a pavilion, a carousel, a crafts market village, food trucks, live music, a heated hospitality tent, and a beer and wine garden.
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