Ice Skating Coming To Winter Market, Christmas Tree Lighting In Basking Ridge

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The 12th Annual Winter Market and Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 6, in downtown Basking Ridge now has ice skating for the first time.

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Winter Market will showcase more than 30 local vendors and artisans who will be offering unique gifts.

Christmas trees and wreaths will be available for sale, as well as food, desserts, and handmade items. Children can also make holiday crafts.

The Winter Market is located at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church at 22 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge.

For the first time, there will be Ice Skating from 2 to 6 p.m., and it’s free. The Iceless Ice Skating Rink in downtown Basking Ridge is a synthetic ice skating surface that lets skaters glide just as smoothly as on real ice. Skates are provided for youths and adults. Full staff supervision will be there to help skaters with the skates.

From 4:30 to 6 p.m., the Parks & Recreation Department will be providing sweet treats and a holiday craft/giveaway.

At 5:30 p.m., the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony begins. Performances will include the Ridge High School Tri-M Music Honor Society, the Chamber Choir from William Annin Middle School, Rudra Dance Academy, and local Basking Ridge residents, Karen and Eric Seiz, who have been performing together for the past decade as the Jamestown Duo.

The event will conclude with a countdown to the lighting of the Christmas Tree in Downtown Basking Ridge near the front steps of Coldwell Banker at 1 S. Finley Ave.

The Christmas tree on the downtown green was set up by the Basking Ridge Fire Department.

From 6 to 7 p.m., children are invited to visit Santa on the front porch of Ridge Family Dentistry.

"We are excited to make this year bigger and better than ever by introducing Ice Skating into our annual event!" said Marcy Borcherding, Chair of the BRBA Winter Market and Tree Lighting event and local Basking Ridge Coldwell Banker Agent. "We would like to thank the volunteers and sponsors who make this event possible. We wish the happiest of holidays to the Basking Ridge Community, and we hope you can join us for this year’s festivities."

This event is a joint effort between the Basking Ridge Business Alliance (BRBA), and Bishop Janes Methodist Church. Coldwell Banker is a Presenting Sponsor.

Bernards Township has partnered with these organizations to help support this event. Brian Woltman of Embrace Home Loans is sponsoring the ice skating rink.

For more information, go to www.BRBAnj.org.