🛳️ Middletown Santa Ferry Ride 2025
📅 Dec 6, 2025 | 🕘 9:00–10:30 AM, 11:30–1:00 PM, 1:30–3:00 PM
📍 Belford Ferry Terminal • 10 Harbor Way, Belford, NJ 07718

🎅🏼 Santa at Head Over Heels!
📍 Middletown: Fri, Nov 22 | 3:30–5:00 PM
📍 East Brunswick: Sat, Nov 23 | 3:00–4:30 PM
📸 Photos, smiles & holiday cheer!
👉 Sign up: HOHGYMNJ.com | ☎️ 732-238-6900

🎅🏼 Pictures with Santa – Hazlet Recreation
📅 Sat, Dec 6, 2025 | 🕛 12–2 PM
📍 Register at Hazlet.Recdesk.com
📸 Photos, food trucks & special guests Mickey & Minnie Mouse!
❄️ Weather permitting: ice sculptor, maze & trackless train
🎟️ Free Admission

🎄 Grinchmas & Light Fight
📅 Dec 12, 2025 | 🕕 6:00–10:00 PM
📅 Dec 13, 2025 | 🕒 3:00–8:15 PM
📍 Program Activity Center • Farmingdale, NJ

🎅🏼 Photos with Santa – The Asbury Hotel
📅 Dec 14, 2025
📍 210 Fifth Ave, Asbury Park, NJ ✨ $20 donation per framed photo to support Rescue Ridge’s homeless animals 🐾

🎅🏼 PJ Storytime with Santa
📅 Dec 16, 2025 | 🕔 5:00–6:00 PM
📍 Poricy Park Nature Center • 345 Oak Hill Rd, Red Bank, NJ 07701 ✨ Cozy up by the fire for a Christmas story, take photos with Santa, and enjoy a hot chocolate bar!

Local Downtown Holiday Events

🎄 Christmas in Manasquan 2025

🎅🏼 Visit with Santa at Christmas Central – Mertens Jewelers, 114 Main St | Saturdays • 12–4 PM • Nov 29, Dec 6, 13 & 20

🎄 Annual Tree Lighting & 35th Annual Candy Cane Hunt – Squan Plaza/Main St (Abe Voorhees Dr) | Fri, Dec 5 • Festivities begin 6 PM • Candy Cane Hunt for ages 2–8
Rain date: Fri, Dec 12

🎅🏼 Christmas in Manasquan – Main Street| Sun, Dec 7 • 12–3 PM • Hayrides with Santa & Mrs. Claus, petting zoo & more!
Hosted by the Manasquan Tourism Commission

🎁 Holiday Shop & Stroll – Downtown/Main St| Thurs, Dec 18 • Shop, stroll & dine through town! | Participating stores open until 8 PM

🎄 Holiday Events in Spring Lake 2025

🚂 Christmas Train Village Grand Opening – Duggan Building | Sat, Nov 29 • 12–7 PM
Then open Nov 30–Dec 31, Wednesday–Sunday • 12–5 PM

🛍️ Small Business Saturday & Tree Lighting – Downtown Spring Lake

| Sat, Nov 29 • All Day • Tree Lighting at 6 PM

🎷 Storer Avenue Jazz Project – 3rd Ave & Morris Ave | Sat, Nov 29 • 12–3 PM
Live holiday music downtown!

🎅🏼 Santa is Coming to Town! – Downtown Spring Lake | Weekends | Nov 30–Dec 21 • 12–2 PM
Take a photo with Santa as he strolls through town!

🎁 Holiday Soirée – Downtown Shops | Thurs, Dec 4 • 5–8 PM
Enjoy an evening of friends, holiday shopping, in-store specials, refreshments & hors d’oeuvres.

🎶 Carols by Candlelight – Holy Trinity Church | Sat, Dec 6 • 5 PM

🇺🇸 Wreaths Across America – Spring Lake Fire Dept | Sat, Dec 13 • 12 PM (Noon)

🕎 Menorah Lighting – 5th Ave & Warren Ave | Tues, Dec 16 • 5 PM |

✝️ Christmas Eve Service – Holy Trinity Church | Wed, Dec 24 • 5 PM |

🎄 Holidays in Downtown Red Bank 2025

🎅🏼 Red Bank Town Lighting – Edmund Wilson Plaza | Fri, Nov 28 • Pre-show 5–6:30 PM •

Pre-Show Includes:

Holiday treats
Music & dance performances
Selfie spots with Santa & Mrs. Claus

At 6:30 PM, Santa and Mrs. Claus board a Red Bank fire engine and lead a parade—accompanied by the Pipe and Drums of the Atlantic Watch—up Monmouth Street to the Holiday Express performance area on Broad Street.

Evening Performances:

Count Basie Conservatory students
Holiday Express with special guests including the Grinch and Santa
Downtown Red Bank is officially lit by the Mayor and Council

🎁 Red Bank Bucks Giveaway – Toast City Diner, 45 Monmouth St | Sat, Nov 29 • 10 AM •

The first 200 people will receive a share of $5,000 in Red Bank Bucks gift cards. Enjoy complimentary breakfast bites provided by Toast.

🧝 Elf Scavenger Hunt – Downtown Red Bank | Nov 28–Dec 21 • Spot elves around town for a chance to win prizes

🚋 Red Bank Holiday Trolley: December 6, 7, 13, & 14th Time: 12:00 – 4:00 PM**
Enjoy a free holiday trolley with multiple stops throughout Red Bank.

🎶 Holiday Harmonies Saturdays & Sundays, November 29 – December 29th | 12:00 – 4:00 PM Live festive music performed throughout downtown.

📍 Where & When: Various locations and dates throughout downtown Red Bank, NJ.

Local Holiday Theatre, Exhibitions & Light Shows

🎨 Art & Cheer: 2025 Holiday Exhibition

Middletown Arts Center – Artist’s Sunday & 🎄 Tree Lighting
Date & Time: Nov 30, 12:00–7:00 PM

Local artists are invited to submit work for the Holiday Art & Cheer Exhibition.

Submission Dates: Nov 20–21, 2025

Exhibition Dates: Nov 30, 2025 – Jan 17, 2026

Closing Reception: Jan 16, 2026 | 6–8 PM

🎄 Christmas Train Village – Spring Lake

Starts: Nov 29, 2025 | Open: Wed–Sun, 12:00–5:00 PM
Location: Duggan Building, 313 Washington Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ

Step into a festive recreation of Spring Lake with a charming holiday train display, miniature village, and seasonal scenes—perfect for all ages.

🎶 Monmouth Civic Chorus Holiday Concert: A Joyous Day

Date & Time: Sunday, Dec 21, 2025 | 4:00 PM
Location: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center for the Arts

🎄 Magic of Lights – PNC Holmdel

Dates: Nov 21, 2025 – Jan 3, 2026
Hours: Sun–Thu 5–10 PM | Fri–Sat 5–11 PM

Drive through dazzling holiday scenes and LED displays from the comfort of your car.

🎄 Holiday Express – Red Bank

Date & Time: Tuesday, Dec 16, 2025 | 7:30 PM
Location: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center

Enjoy a festive concert celebrating the season!

🎭 Phoenix Productions Presents: Miracle on 34th Street

Dates: Fri–Sun, Nov 21–23, 2025
Location: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center

Experience this holiday classic from the creator of The Music Man, based on the beloved film.

🎶 NJ Symphony at the Movies: Elf in Concert

Date & Time: Sunday, Dec 7, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Location: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center

Relive the heartwarming holiday classic Elf on the big screen, with the New Jersey Symphony performing John Debney’s score live!

🎄 The Nutcracker – Company of Dance Arts

Dates: Fri–Sun, Dec 12–14, 2025
Location: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center

Celebrate the 39th anniversary of this holiday classic as the Company of Dance Arts brings The Nutcracker to life.

🎶 Christmas CarolMania! Interactive Sing-Along Extravaganza

Date & Time: Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
Location: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center

Join a world premiere holiday concert from the creators of Koolulam, celebrating the season with a fun, interactive sing-along!

Scrooge – Spring Lake Theatre

Multiple dates

Tickets

🎄 Christmas Shopping in Monmouth County, NJ 🎁

🏬 Malls & Shopping Centers

Freehold Raceway Mall
Jersey Shore Premium Outlets – Tinton Falls
The Grove at Shrewsbury
Sea Girt Square (Brook 35)

🏘️ Downtowns

Downtown Red Bank
Downtown Manasquan
Downtown Spring Lake
Fair Haven Business District
Downtown Freehold

Christmas & Holiday Markets

🧵 Granny’s Attic Craft Show – 44th Annual
📅 Nov 22, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Thompson Middle School • 1001 Middletown-Lincroft Rd, Middletown, NJ 07748

🎄 Rami’s Heart Holiday Bazaar – 5th Annual
📅 Nov 22, 2025 | 🕐 All Day
📍 Saint John Vianney High School

🎄 Allenwood Tree Lighting & Holiday Market
📅 Nov 29, 2025 | 🕓 Holiday Market: 4:00–7:00 PM | 🌟 Tree Lighting: ~6:00 PM
📍 Allenwood, NJ

🎄 Atlantic Highlands Art Council Maker’s Market
📍 AH Arts, 54 First Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
📅 Sat, Nov 29 • 11:00 AM – Sun, Nov 30 • 6:00 PM
🎁 Shop from local artists & makers
🎟️ Meet the creators and explore unique handmade goods
☕ Enjoy light refreshments while you browse

🎄 2025 Porta Holiday Markets
📍 911 Kingsley St, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
📅 Nov 30 • Dec 7 • Dec 21 — 12 PM–4 PM
🎁 Shop from 25 curated local handmade artists & makers
🎟️ Apply to sell • Meet the makers • Explore unique handmade goods
☕ Enjoy fresh food + farm-fresh produce while you shop

🎄 Colonial Nursery Small Business Saturday – Greenhouse Pop Up Market
📍 Colonial Nursery, 1124 West Front Street, Lincroft, NJ
📅 Sat, Nov 29 • 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
🎁 Shop small & shop local with a variety of vendors
🎟️ Holiday shopping in a festive greenhouse setting
☕ Enjoy treats and refreshments while you browse

🎄 Ocean Grove Small Business Saturday
📍 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ
📅 Saturday, Nov 29 • 1:00–3:00 PM (Santa appearance)
🎁 Shop, dine, and support local small businesses with unique holiday gifts
🎟️ Meet Santa for photos • Pets welcome
☕ Enjoy treats and refreshments while you browse

🎄 St. Leo the Great Christmas Bazaar
📍 550 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft
📅 Sat, Dec 6 • 9 AM – 3 PM
🎁 Shop from local vendors for holiday gifts and goodies
🎟️ Enter raffle baskets & 50/50 drawing
☕ Enjoy treats at the Holiday Café

🛍️ New Egypt Flea Market – Holiday Shopping Event
📅 Dec 6, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 933 Monmouth Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ

🌿 Calgo Gardens Holiday Market
📅 Dec 6, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Calgo Gardens ✨ Get into the holiday spirit at Calgo Gardens’ Annual Holiday Market!

🎁 Point Pleasant Fire Department – Annual Holiday Craft & Vendor Event
📅 Dec 13, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 Point Pleasant Fire Department ✨ Shop 30+ vendors featuring handmade items, jewelry, and more to kick off your holiday shopping!

🎁 Holiday Made in Monmouth
📅 Dec 13, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Brookdale Community College • Robert J. Collins Arena & Recreation Events Center ✨ Celebrate local artisans and shop for unique holiday gifts at this festive community event!

🛍️ Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar 2025 | Multiple Dates |

📍 Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
Opening Weekend: Black Friday, Nov 28 – Sun, Nov 30
🕐 Hours: Fri 12–8 PM | Sat & Sun 12–5 PM

Continuing: Every Fri, Sat & Sun, Dec 5 – Dec 21
🕐 Hours: Fri 3–8 PM | Sat & Sun 12–5 PM

🎅🏻Santa Letters- Christmas 2025

✉️ Middletown Letters from Santa | Nov 1 – Dec 4, 2025

🎅🏻Drop a letter to Santa in Middletown’s special mailboxes and receive a personalized reply!

💵 Donation: $1 per letter (supports Middletown Arts Center)
📝 Kids write their own letters, templates available
📬 Mailbox Locations:

Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Rd, Leonardo
Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St, Middletown
Middletown Public Library, 55 New Monmouth Rd, Middletown
Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway, Middletown
Poricy Park Nature Center, 345 Oak Hill Rd, Red Bank

⏰ Deadline: Mailboxes removed Dec 5, 2025 to ensure Christmas delivery

🎅🏻USPS Operation Santa – Key 2025 Dates

📬 Sep 15 – Holiday Season Begins for Letter Writers
Mailroom starts accepting letters to Santa.

📝 Nov 3 – Registration Opens for Adopters
Create and verify your account to be ready to adopt letters.

🎁 Nov 17 – Letter Adoption Starts
Browse letters, choose one to fulfill, and try to send your gift early!

⏰ Dec 6 – Last Call for Letter Writers
Make sure Santa receives your letters by this date.

🚚 Dec 13 – Last Day to Ship Gifts
Final day to adopt letters and ship gifts for expected delivery before Christmas.

⛸️ Ice Skating – Monmouth County

❄️ Howell Ice Arena | Farmingdale, NJ | Check holiday hours for public skating

⛸️ Middletown Sports Complex | Public skating sessions available beginning Black Friday!

🏒 Red Bank Armory | Ice skating & hockey programs (holiday hours TBD)

🌲 Monmouth County Parks | Some parks have seasonal ice rinks & outdoor skating

Christmas Tree Farms & Shops

🌲The Fir Farm, Colts Neck

🎁 Bullock Farms, Cream Ridge

⭐ Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan

🦌 Keris Tree Farm & Christmas Shop, Allentown

🎄 Dearborn Market, Holmdel

🕯️ Evergreen Lane Christmas Tree Farm, Wall

🎄 A. Casola Farms, Holmdel

🎁 Sickles Market, Little Silver

🦌 Maple Leaf Farms

🕯️ Woodfield Christmas Tree Plantation, Colts Neck

🎄 Patterson’s Greenhouse, Freehold

🌟 Oak Hill Farms, Holmdel

🦌 Brock Farms of Colts Neck + Freehold

Pantano Outdoor Supply – Holmdel

Breakfast with Santa

🎅🏼Brunch with Santa | Nov 30, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 The American Hotel • 18–20 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728

🥞 Breakfast with Santa| Dec 6, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM
📍 Dave & Buster’s • 3710 US-9, Freehold, NJ 07728

🎅🏼Santa Ferry Ride 2025 | Dec 6, 2025 | 🕘 9:00–10:30 AM, 11:30–1:00 PM, 1:30–3:00 PM
📍 Belford Ferry Terminal • 10 Harbor Way, Belford, NJ 07718

🥞 2nd Annual Breakfast with Santa – Port Monmouth First Aid | Sun, Dec 7, 2025 | 🕘 9:00 AM–12:00 PM

🎅🏼Santa Brunch | Dec 7, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 The Proving Ground • 56 Shrewsbury Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732

🎅🏼Lunch with Santa – McLoone’s Pier House | Dec 7, 2025 | 🕚 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
📍 McLoone’s Pier House • Pier Village, 1 East 18th Street, Long Branch, NJ 07740

🥞 Brunch with Santa – McLoone’s Pier House | Dec 14–21, 2025 | 🕙 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 McLoone’s Pier House • Pier Village, 1 East 18th Street, Long Branch, NJ 07740

🥞 Breakfast with Santa – Branches Events |Dec 13, 2025 | 🕚 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
📍 Branches Events • Long Branch, NJ