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 lightnings, 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

New Jersey Christmas Tree Lightings & Holiday Parade Guide November 2018

Bridgeton Christmas Tree Lighting

November 15, 6PM

Join the Greater Bridgeton Rotary Club for their Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Party. This annual tradition includes a visit from Santa, carols, a reading of the “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and more. Bring new socks, gloves, and winter hats for the homeless and less fortunate. A free reception to follow the tree lighting, sponsored by Whibco.

Bridgeton Pocket Park, Commerce & Laurel St., Bridgeton, NJ

Voorhees Town Center Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 16, 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

Holiday Lights Festival at Charlottetown Medical Center

November 17

The Holiday Lights Festival is a heartwarming time when Hackettstown Medical Center remembers its local roots and firm commitment to being this community’s hospital. As they light our beautiful campus to celebrate the start of the holiday season, you can express your support by donating a string of lights, a lighted tree or a holiday wreath in memory or honor of loved ones. All donations will be listed in the program distributed on the night of the event. In addition to the ceremonial lighting, attendees may enjoy live entertainment, children’s crafts, fireworks and a special appearance by Santa. We will also celebrate two outstanding individuals for their dedication to our hospital

Hackettstown Medical Center Campus, 651 Willow Grove Street, Hackettstown, NJ

Emlen Physick Estate’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 17, 6PM – 8PM

Come to the grounds of the Physick Estate for the Christmas tree lighting with special guests Santa Claus and Dr. Physick. Refreshments will be served, and guests may enjoy a free self-guided tour of the Physick Estate. Santa arrives at 7 pm to flip the switch and light the thousands of bulbs. Presented by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC).

Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, NJ

Rahway’s Winter Wonderland

November 23, 1PM – 6PM

Rahway’s annual event featuring ice skating, pictures with Santa, bonfires, carriage rides, food, music, and giveaways! The tree lighing at City Hall will commence at 6PM followed by a Christmas parade. PS. I’ll be at this event, come say hi!

Downtown Rahway, NJ

Hightown’s Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade

November 23, 6:30PM – 9:30PM

Hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary of Hightstown Engine Co. #1 will be Christmas Lighting Ceremony, to be held on Friday, November 23rd beginning at 6:30 pm. The Santa parade will begin at Leshin Lane down South Main Street through the center of town to the firehouse. The “Man in Red” will end up at the firehouse to pull the switch to turn on the holiday lights in the downtown area. Everyone is then invited into the firehouse where the children may visit with Santa and have their picture taken ($3.00 each) and enjoy refreshments.

Main St, Hightstown, NJ

Madison Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

November 23, 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

Princeton’s Annual Tree Lighting

November 23, 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

Avalon Tree Lighting

November 23, 5PM

Festive Friday and Avalon Tree Lighting, downtown Avalon, 11:00am-4:00pm. Tree lighting at 5pm

Veteran’s Plaza, Avalon, NJ

Santa Arrives to Light the Cranford Christmas Tree @ Gazebo

November 23, 6PM

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Celebration Singers

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Cranford Madrigal &; Brass Ensemble

6:00 p.m. – Santa Arrives to light the Christmas Tree

6:00 p.m. to last child – Photos with Santa

Santa leaves for the North Pole.

Hot Chocolate provided by Cranford Jaycees

Downtown Cranford, NJ

Red Bank Town Lighting with Holiday Express

Friday, November 23

Kick off the season with the annual Holiday Express Concert & Town Lighting. Now in it’s 26th year, Holiday Express will be rocking the streets with all of your favorite tunes plus plenty of special guests. The holiday lights will be lit for the first time this season during the concert. The Red Bank Fire Department will be on hand with free hot chocolate. And don’t miss the LIVE countdown to light the town with News 12!

Broad St, Red Bank, NJ

Hasbrouck Heights Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting

November 23, 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

Sea Isle City Holiday Extravaganza

November 23 & 24, Parade and Tree Lighting at 6pm on Friday

Kick off the holiday season in style with two days of fun events at Excursion Park, JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave. Featuring ice skating, a tree lighting ceremony, caroling and refreshments, this event is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Get some holiday shopping done during small business Saturday as the kids enjoy various activities at Excursion Park. Santa will even make a special appearance as he gears up for his busy holiday season.

Excursion Park, JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ

Stone Harbor Island Holiday

November 23 & 24, Christmas Tree Lighting at 6pm on Friday, Parade at 6:30pm on Saturday

White Christmas in Stone Harbor consists of two days of family fun! Pet Parade, Merchants Hospitality Friday Night, Small Business Saturday, Scavenger Hunt & Family Activities (Fri & Sat) and Annual Christmas Parade Saturday at 6:30 pm

Downtown Stone Harbor, NJ

Collingswood Holiday Parade

November 24, 10AM – 2PM

The 30th Annual Collingswood Holiday Parade will include string bands, sports mascots, school marching bands, decorated floats, dance groups and, of course, Santa!

Haddon Avenue, Downtown Collingswood NJ

The Holiday Parade on Spring Street

November 24, 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 24, Parade at 1PM. Lighting at 6:30PM

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 the downtown where it will end at Church Street. The Parade will be conclude 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 6:30pm, 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 24, 4PM – 6PM

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

Somerville’s Holiday Jubilee

November 24, 5PM – 9PM

re those jingle bells in the distance? Kick off the holiday season on Nov. 24 in Downtown Somerville with great shopping and dining, entertainment and surprises from community groups, and of course the arrival of “you-know-who” to light the tree!

Downtown Somerville, NJ

Clinton’s Lighting of Christmas Tree

November 24, 5:45PM

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

Keyport Christmas Tree Lighting

November 24, 5PM – 9PM

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. Entertainment includes the Keyport Central School Chorus, the Keyport Schools Band, a DJ, a children’s ornament workshop, hot chocolate, cider, candy canes and of course, a chance to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Santa’s Workshop returns! Make your own ornaments and decorations to keep—or get in the holiday spirit and place it on our community tree. Feel free to bring ornaments from home as well!

West Front St, Keyport, NJ

Asbury Park’s 11th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration

November 24, 5:30PM

The 11th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration and festivities will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 24, 2018 in the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall located at 1300 Ocean Avenue on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. The event is free and open to all on a first-come, first-serve basis, with doors opening at 5:30pm. The tree is scheduled to light up the Grand Arcade at 6:45pm preceded by live music, holiday cheer and followed by continued festivities and a visit from the man with the big white beard, Santa Claus himself.

1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ

Lights on Main

November 24, 6PM – 10PM

An annual event that is family friendly and pet friendly meant to have families come together and enjoy the free horse and carriage rides; free holiday blow-up rides; crafts for children; food specialties from our local restaurants; strolling carolers; Antique shop specials all day; live entertainment the entire Mullica Hill Historic Mile along Main Street. Much, much more! a three time award winning event in Gloucester County.

43 South Main St., Mullica Hill, NJ

Bradley Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 25, 4PM

Santa will arrive by Fire Truck Horse and wagon rides Bradley Beach. Refreshments & Entertainment and Santa Claus.

Riley Park, Bradley Beach, NJ

Long Branch Annual Holiday Tree Lighting

November 25, 4PM – 6PM

Don’t miss the annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration in Pier Village on November 25th from 4pm-6pm! This event will feature performances by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys and the Long Branch High School Marching Band and Dance team. The ice rink, Ice at the Pier, will be open from 10am-9pm. There will be costume characters, a meet & greet with Santa, and free mini train rides around Festival Plaza.

50 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch, NJ

Metuchen Winter Festival Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting

November 25, 4PM – 7PM

Metuvchen’s Annual Winter Festival Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting! This year’s theme is “BABY, it’s COLD OUTSIDE.”

Main St, Metuchen, NJ

Bridgeton Holiday Parade “Cartoons of Christmas”

November 25, 4PM

The Bridgeton Holiday Parade has been a staple in the Bridgeton Community. Come downtown and celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season. Music and Face painting will be provided in the pocket park area. Bridgeton Main Street, Bridgeton Rotary Club, The Bridgeton Area Chamber of Commerce and, The Greater Family Success Center are sponsoring the event.

31 W Commerce St, Bridgeton, NJ

Christmas Festival on the Green

November 25, 5PM – 7PM

The place to celebrate the holidays from Thanksgiving up until Christmas; this month-long family event (brought to you by the Morristown Partnership) 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

4th Annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Ryland Inn

November 29, 6PM – 8PM

On Thursday, November 29th, starting at 6pm is Ryland Inn’s fourth annual holiday tree lighting celebration! Bring the kids for horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday cookies, music, carolers and Santa himself! Make sure to bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots!

The Ryland Inn, 115 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse Station, NJ

12th Annual Hackettstown Hometown Holiday

November 30, 5PM – 9PM

The Hackettstown BID will host the 12th Annual Hometown Holiday celebration, in partnership with Centenary University, Fulton Bank of New Jersey, and Wells Fargo, and sponsored in part by, The House of the Good Shepherd, Maser Consulting Engineering, and Fulton Bank of New Jersey & Wells Fargo. Look for all of your favorite activities and events!

• 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

Caldwell Christmas Tree Lighting

November 30, 7PM

The Caldwell Town Green Festivities begin at 7:00 with Santa scheduled to arrive at 7:15. After the Lighting, Refreshments will be served and a Holiday Auction will be held to benefit the Caldwell Volunteer Fire Dept. Children’s Education Fund at the Caldwell Firehouse. Music will be provided by DJ Joe Garamella.

Caldwell Green; 1 Provost Square, Caldwell, NJ

Highlands Tree Lighting

November 30, 6PM (Rain date Dec. 1st)

The event features music performances, holiday dancers, along with free hot chocolate, candy canes, horse and buggy rides and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Huddy Park, Highlands, NJ

Holiday on Haddon Township Festival

November 30, 7PM

Santa Claus is coming to town on Friday, Nov 30 for the annual “Holiday on Haddon” celebration. The “Parade of Lights” sponsored by the Westmont Fire Company No.1 will begin at 7:00 pm and make its way down Haddon Ave. to the municipal building. Decorated fire trucks, bands, floats, holiday characters and, of course, Santa will all be parading their way to the Township tree. The tree lighting ceremony will take place immediately following the parade where all of Santa’s helpers will be encouraged to magically light the tree. Afterwards, families are invited for refreshments at the Westmont Fire Company No. 1 and children will get a chance to sit on Santa’s lap before he returns to the North Pole. There is no rain date for the parade. Refreshments and photos with Santa will still be held at the Westmont Fire house in case of inclement weather.The Township will also be collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items for the Annual Holiday Toy Drive that evening.

Haddon Ave, Haddon Twp, NJ

Lavalette’s Christmas Tree Lighting

November 30, 7PM

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Boro Hall ; 125 Washington Ave, Lavallette, NJ

City of Cape May Tree Lighting

November 30, 7PM

Enjoy some old fashioned holiday cheer when the City of Cape May officially kicks off the holiday season on Friday, November 30th, 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 caroling, a presentation from the Lower Cape May Regional High School choir, and a special visit from Santa Claus.

Rotary Park; Lafayette St., Cape May, NJ

4th Annual Gloucester Premium Outlets Tree Lighting

November 30, 6PM – 8PM

Come out and enjoy a night of free family fun with our tree lighting ceremony and a very special arrival of Santa! Enjoy special giveaways from your favorite retailers, local businesses & more!

Gloucester Premium Outlets, 100 Premium Outlet Dr, Blackwood, NJ

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