NJIB’s Guide to Christmas Tree Lighting, Menorah Lightings, and Parades
Christmas may not be until the end of December, but that doesn’t start New Jersey from celebrating early! There are PLENTY of events from annual tree lightings, parades, and festivals that celebrate that and more. All of these events are free unless noted differently.
Enjoy this guide and check out these events! *Weather Permitting
The week of November 15 – 21, 2021:
Voorhees Town Center Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 18, 6:30PM
Come on out to the Voorhees Town Center Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and to see Santa arrive in style escorted by Voorhees Township Police and Fire Departments.
Voorhees Town Center, 2120 Voorhees Town Ctr, Voorhees Township, NJ
Cape May Holiday Tree-Lighting Ceremony
November 20, 5PM – 8:30PM
Santa and his elves have decked out the Physick Estate with thousands of lights and holiday trimmings. Enjoy a free performance of holiday classics by the Atlantic Brass Band as we join Santa in lighting the tree! Dawn’s Delights will be serving hot chocolate and baked goods for purchase. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Cape May Community Food Closet. Donations can be dropped in front of the outdoor stage.
1048 Washington St., Cape May, NJ
The week of November 22 – 28, 2021:
Avalon Tree Lighting
November 26, 4:30PM
Festive Friday and Avalon Tree Lighting, downtown Avalon, 11:00am-4:00pm. Tree lighting at 4:30pm
Veteran’s Plaza, Avalon, NJ
Princeton’s Annual Tree Lighting
November 26, 5PM
Come kick-off the holiday season with on the Green at Palmer Square and watch as they light all 32,000 lights atop their 65-foot-tall Norwegian Spruce! Take a walk about town and catch the nightly musical performances and an appearance by the one, the jolly, Santa!
Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ
Rahway’s Annual Tree Lighting
November 26, 5PM – 7PM
Rahway’s annual event featured firepits, hot chocolate, giveaways, and more. Santa will be lighting the tree at 7PM.
Downtown Rahway, NJ
Cranford Christmas Tree Lighting & Pictures with Santa
November 26, 5PM – 9PM
In keeping with tradition, the Girl Scouts will decorate the tree from 10-3, Caroling will begin at 5 and the tree will be lit at 6pm. Pictures with Santa will follow after the tree is lit.
Downtown Cranford, NJ
Red Bank Town Lighting with Holiday Express
November 26, 5:30PM
Festivities begin at 5:30pm at the Red Bank Train station with a special holiday dance performance. Santa and Mrs. Claus board the Red Bank Fire Engine at 6:45pm for their parade down Monmouth to Broad for a 7pm concert from Holiday Express. At 8pm it’s 3…2…1… LIGHTS ON!
Broad St, Red Bank, NJ
Madison Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
November 26, 5:30PM – 8PM
The annual Madison Christmas Parade is one of the most beloved Madison holiday traditions. Each year throngs of people gather on the route down Main Street to enjoy the parade and tree lighting sponsored by the all-volunteer Madison Christmas Committee.
Downtown Madison, NJ
Clinton’s Lighting of Christmas Tree
November 26, 6:30PM
Clinton Parks & Recreation along with the Board of Selectmen and Clinton Tree Lighting Committee invite everyone to come join in on this festive occasion in Central Park. Come enjoy some free, family fun that will include holiday music, light refreshments and maybe (if your good) a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Main St, Clinton, NJ
Hasbrouck Heights Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
November 26, 7PM – 9PM
The parade begins at approximately 7 p.m. starting at Williams Avenue and proceeding up to the traffic circle where the tree lighting will take place. Floats in the Parade will be judged and be awarded prizes in the following categories: Original, Artistic, Creative, Unusual or Funniest.
On the Boulevard from Williams Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
Stone Harbor Island Holiday
November 26 & 27
Downtown Stone Harbor, NJ
Collingswood Holiday Parade
November 27, 10AM
Named Best Main Street Experience by South Jersey Magazine, the parade features lively seasonal entertainment, including marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, giants on stilts, floats, mummers, sports mascots and live music. The parade will begin at Zane Avenue at 10 am and continue to West Linden Avenue, through the heart of historic Collingswood.
Haddon Avenue, Downtown Collingswood NJ
The Holiday Parade on Spring Street
November 27, 10AM
The Newton Holiday parade has been being held for over 50 years and has participants from all over Sussex county. The parade begins promptly at 10:00 AM. The theme for this year’s parade will be children’s “Dreams & Fantasies”. Participants can use their pure imagination to bring your floats/groups to life. Awards will be given for the floats and/or group who best depict their imagination
71 Spring St, Newton, NJ
Annual Swedesboro Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
November 27, Parade at 1PM. Lighting at 6PM
Kings Highway will be alive with Christmas cheer as Swedesboro celebrates the start of the holiday season with its annual Christmas Parade at 1pm. The parade will take place on Kings Highway at Walter Hill School and will continue all the way through downtown where it will end at Church Street. The Parade will be concluded with an appearance by Santa. Immediately following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting with children in the Woolwich Fire House until 4pm. The day’s events will wrap up at 6pm, with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and caroling at Borough Hall.
Swedesboro Borough Hall, 1500 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ
Bordentown City Christmas Tree Lighting
November 27, 4:30PM
Join the Foundation for Bordentown Traditions in the center of Bordentown City to help light the Bordentown CIty Christmas Tree. Local students will perform while you wait for the arrival of Santa on the firetruck. Free refreshments. Santa will be available for photos after the event.
Farnsworth Ave, Bordentown, NJ
Garwood Tree Lighting
November 27, 5PM – 9PM
Join Garwood Celebrations Committee to kick off the holidays at the 2021 holiday Tree Lighting. Don’t miss Garwood’s largest and most fun free community event! Enjoy a visit from Santa, free hot chocolate, donuts, holiday music, craft vendors, wreath sales, gift wrapping services and much more.
403 South Ave, Garwood, NJ
Keyport Christmas Tree Lighting
November 27, 6PM
All are invited to enjoy the annual lighting of Keyport’s hometown holiday tree and welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive by fire truck. Expect family-friendly activities, Carolers singing, and watch as Ice Sculptor creates magical ice artwork live!
West Front St, Keyport, NJ
Metuchen Winter Festival Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting
November 28, 4PM – 7PM
The parade route is expected to be over a mile long, beginning at Edgar School at 4 p.m., then proceeding north on Main Street towards the plaza. At the end of the parade, there will be a Menorah and Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m.
Main St, Metuchen, NJ
Holiday of Lights
November 28, 5:15PM
Movie, Arts/Crafts, Letters to Santa, Cookies & Cocoa from East Brunswick Education Association, Arts/Crafts from Girl Scouts, Fire Pits, Holiday Lights, singalong, and more. The Lighting of the Menorah and Christmas Tree will start at 6PM
1 Civic Center Dr, East Brunswick, NJ
Bradley Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 28, 4PM – 6PM
Annual tree lighting
Riley Park, Bradley Beach, NJ
Long Branch Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
November 28, 4PM – 6PM
Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ
Christmas Festival on the Green
November 28, 5PM – 8PM
The event kicks off on the Sunday after Thanksgiving with Santa’s rooftop arrival and welcome ceremony. Family activities and entertainment on the historic Morristown Green, add to the dazzling “Lighting of the Green” ceremony with brilliant lights and wreaths adorning streetlights town-wide – a 100+ year tradition!
Morristown Green, Morristown, NJ
The week of November 29 – December 5, 2021:
Downtown Freehold Menorah Lighting
November 29, 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Join DownownFreehold.com and Monmouth County for the Annual Menorah Lighting celebrating Hanukkah.
Hall of Records, Freehold, NJ
Downtown Menorah Lighting
December 1
Please join the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate Chanukah with the Annual Asbury Park Downtown Menorah lighting. Festivities will take place at 6pm in Kennedy Park, located at the corner of Cookman Ave. and Grand Ave. (Next to Cross & Orange). Deepest appreciation to Rabbi Yaakov Greenberg and Chabad of the Shore for officiating, as well as providing refreshments and dreidels to all!
Kennedy Park, Asbury Park, NJ
Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting
December 3, 5PM – 7PM
Live entertainment begins at 5pm. Santa arrives on the fire truck at 7pm to light the tree. Photos with Santa will follow the tree lighting in Town Hall. Hot Chocolate & cookies for sale to benefit Volunteer Toms River Fire Co. #1. Downtown restaurants and businesses will be open.
33 Washington St, Toms River, NJ
Somerville’s Holiday Jubilee
December 3, 5PM – 9PM
It’s a magical time of the year in Downtown Somerville! There’s festive music in the air, a warm glow from shop windows, and the delicious aroma of the area’s best cuisine. Best of all, Santa is on his way to the Downtown Somerville Holiday Jubilee! Tree lighting at 5PM
Division St and Main St, Somerville, NJ
Holiday on Haddon Township Festival
December 3, 7PM
Santa Claus is coming to town during Haddon Township’s annual “Holiday on Haddon” celebration on Friday, December 3rd along Haddon Avenue.
The celebration kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with the “Parade of Lights,” sponsored by the Westmont Fire Company No. 1. Decorated fire trucks, bands, floats, holiday characters, and Santa will parade along Haddon Avenue to the Haddon Township Municipal Building where all of Santa’s helpers will be encouraged to help Santa light the tree.
Haddon Township will also be collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items for the Annual Holiday Toy & Food Drive during the event.
Haddon Ave, Haddon Twp, NJ
Boro in Lights: Glassboro’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 3, 6PM – 9PM
Glassboro, in partnership with Kingsway Church, presents Boro in Lights, the annual holiday celebration and tree lighting, on Friday, December 6, 2019, from 6 to 9 pm in Downtown Glassboro and the Town Square. Ring in the holidays with:
Lighting of a 32 ft LED tree with over 19,000 lights
Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus + Grinch + Buddy the Elf
Horse and Carriage Rides
Live Nativity + Animals
Toys for Tots + Coat Drive
Live music and dance performances as the holidays come to life
Winter Ice Bar for adults over 21
Free Hot Cocoa, Coffee, and Pretzels
and MUCH MORE!
1 West High St, Glassboro, NJ
City of Cape May Tree Lighting
December 3, 7PM
Enjoy some old-fashioned holiday cheer when the City of Cape May officially kicks off the holiday season on Friday, December 3, at 7 p.m. with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rotary Park Bandstand located on the 400 block of Lafayette Street! The festive family program will include a special visit from Santa Claus.
Rotary Park; Lafayette St., Cape May, NJ
Lavalette’s Christmas Tree Lighting
December 3, 7:30PM
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Lavallette Elementary Schoo, 105 Brooklyn Ave, Lavallette, NJ
Annual Hackettstown Hometown Holiday
December 3 -5
The Hackettstown BID will host the Annual Hometown Holiday celebration, information coming soon! Past events have included:
• Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides through the Historic District
• Holiday Bazaar Shopping and Dining Tent
• Businesses Open Late with Specials and #ShopSmall Offers
• Centenary University Grand Illumination and Holiday Celebration
• Santa Parade, Tree Lighting, Santa Selfie Station
• Musical performances throughout Main Street area
• Hot Chocolate & Treats
Downtown Hackettstown, NJ
Verona Fair in the Square
December 4, 12PM – 5PM
The 24th annual festival for Verona and its surrounding communities celebrates the upcoming holiday season with crafters, vendors, entertainment and children’s activities. Food and beverages will be sold. Celebrations include the arrival of Santa and traditional tree lighting.
600 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ
42nd Annual Ship Bottom Christmas Parade
December 4, 1PM – 3PM
The Borough of Ship Bottom and the Christmas Parade Committee are excited to announce the theme for the 2021 parade is “Comfort & Joyful Christmas”. Antique vehicles, handmade floats, and groups looking to march or perform are encouraged.
Ship Bottom, NJ
Downtown Hammonton’s Holiday Tree Lighting
December 4, 6PM – 8PM
Music Show 6-7pm. Santa Arrives 7pm. Held on Central Ave. A magical, musical evening with Santa’s arrival at 7pm, carriage rides & the new “Mistletoe Mart”; an intimate holiday village with art activities & local craft vendors. Rain date Dec 5.
Bellevue Ave & Central Ave, Hammmonton, NJ
Roseland Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa 2021
December 4, 5 – 9PM (Rain Date December 11)
After last year’s different Christmas festivities, 2021’s Holiday Lighting Celebration is going to be a grand celebration of the season and there are a few surprises in store you really won’t want to miss! There will be various activities, refreshments, and performances from 5-7pm leading up to Santa’s arrival at about 7pm, and then Photos with Santa (RSVP through Community Pass!) and other activities will take place until 9pm.
140 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ
Holiday Lights Parade 2021
December 4, 6PM – 10PM
Prizes given out for the best decorated fire and emergency vehicles, personal floats vehicle, and best decorated houses and/or businesses in Somerville,
Main St, Somerville, NJ
The week of December 6 – 12, 2021:
Downtown Freehold Christmas Tree Lighting
December 7, 5PM – 7PM
Join DownownFreehold.com and Monmouth County for the Annual Tree Lighting. The Rock and Roll Choir will perform, Court Jester will be providing hot cider. We also understand the Freehold Fire Department may stop by with a very special Guest!!
Hall of Records, Freehold, NJ
