Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Collingswood: Parades, Menorah Lightings, And More

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — There is no shortage of things to do in Collingswood to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

The Christmas parades and tree lightings took place over the Thanksgiving weekend, but there's still plenty to do to make your spirits bright in Collingswood.

A Community Menorah Lighting in Collingswood is Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Lumberyard Garden (Collings and North Atlantic Avenues). Sponsored by Chabad of Camden and Burlington Counties. “Connect with the community and enjoy an evening of fun for the whole family with music, latkes, donuts, dreidels, and choco-gelt!”

There are DecemberFest Pop-up events coming up on Dec. 3 and 8. Family Night is on Dec. 3 from 5-8 p.m. downtown with lawn games, kids' activities, and s'mores kits at Haddon and Woodlawn Avenues.

Handmade Holidays Night is on Dec. 10, with live music, a fire pit lounge, and wine hosted by Visit South Jersey. You can shop downtown Collingswood and swing by Haddon and Woodlawn for a special holiday market. It's also Second Saturday, with music and arts downtown.

Other highlights around South Jersey include the Dickens Festival in Medford, a Chanukah celebration on ice in Voorhees, and a few first-time events hoping to become a holiday fixture. For more holiday spirit, check out Patch's list of local Christmas tree farms in the area, and places to see Santa before Christmas Eve around Collingswood.

Here is Patch's local list of seasonal festivals, tree lightings, parades, menorah lightings, and other community events for 2022:

Camden County

The Blackwood Christmas Parade is December 3 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Davistown Road and Black Horse Pike, and is presented by Blackwood Fire.

Gloucester Township is hosting a Christmas Village market on Dec. 11 as well as the holiday tree lighting. The market will be open Dec. 11 from 3 to 9 p.m., with offerings set to include Christmas decor, gifts, jewelry, Christmas trees, food trucks and more. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be available while supplies last at the township’s flagship tent. The Mainstage Choir will perform at 6 p.m. followed by the township’s annual tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

Santa is coming to town for the annual Holiday on Haddon in the township on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. This event on Haddon Avenue is sponsored by Westmont Fire Company No. 1. A parade of lights makes its way to the Township tree for a lighting ceremony, “where all of Santa’s helpers will be encouraged to magically light the tree.”

Haddon Township’s Winterfest 6 is on Haddon Square Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. -4 p.m. The event features live holiday music, unique gifts, and seasonal foods as well as pictures with Santa.

Cherry Hill Township’s inaugural festivities at Croft Farm begin on Dec. 4 from 5-7 p.m. with a tree lighting. The family fun event is set to feature live performances, food trucks, a beer garden and visits from Santa.

South Jersey’s annual “Menorah Car Parade” through Cherry Hill is Sunday, Dec. 18 from 4-5 p.m., presented by The Chabad Center of Camden and Burlington Counties. Car-top menorahs will parade through town, escorted by police. RSVP is required for a parade spot. The parade leaves from the Chabad Center, 1925 Kresson Road in Cherry Hill.

After the Menorah Car Parade is the Grand Menorah Lighting and Community Chanukah Celebration with fun for the whole family at Barclay Farms Shopping Center. The event includes latkes, donuts, gelt, music, dreidels, giveaways, and other Chanukah fun and begins at 5 p.m.

A Haddonfield Chanukah Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 21 will have latkes, donuts, and music. The public menorah lighting is Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. at Library Point, 60 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield.

Winterfest at DiggerlandUSA is going on through the end of the season at the construction-themed park in West Berlin. “Each weekend you and your family can enjoy live music, our famous Parade of Machines, specialty food, hayrides and plenty of fun and games. Don’t miss it!”

WinterFest Ice Skating on the Cooper River in Pennsauken runs November 26 – February 27. It’s open Thursday – Sunday, plus special events. New this year are arcade games in the heated tent and outdoor games for families to enjoy. Cooper River Park is transformed into a winter wonderland with snacks and ice skating.

And, the Voorhees Town Center holds its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m., where Santa will be escorted in style by the township police and fire departments.

Voorhees is also host to Chanukah on Ice on Dec. 24 at Flyers Skate Zone from 7-8:30 p.m. Admission includes skate rental, donuts, and drinks and there are activities for all ages with music and a large menorah lighting. This event is put on by The Chabad Lubavitch Center.

Burlington County

Burlington County’s annual Winterfest, on Saturday December 10. Winterfest is at Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton, NJ from 1-7 p.m. The county says, “You will find wandering carolers dressed in Victorian attire, holiday activities for all ages, including live entertainment, a Holiday Marketplace, ice skating, ice carving, art exhibits curated for the season, and, of course, Victorian Santa!”

Chabad of Camden and Burlington Counties are also hosting an Outdoor Menorah Lighting on Monday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Moorestown Community House. There is no charge, and the event is open to all.

The Dickens Festival on Main Street in Medford is Dec. 3 from 4:30-9 p.m, transforming the street into a quaint winter wonderland. Hot chocolate, magic and comedy, live presentations, and holiday carolers are all part of this free event. The festival attracts up to 10,000 people from Medford and the surrounding communities according to Visit South Jersey. The event is co-hosted by the Main Street Merchants and the Medford Business Association.

Medford also has the Chanukah Village Walk on Tuesday, Dec. 20 from 5-7:15 p.m. at Medford Village Park. This event is free to attend, and caps off with the Grand Menorah Lighting at 7 p.m. at Main Street and Allen. Main Street Medford celebrates Chanukah with holiday games, music, crafts, and activities. Chabad In Medford is putting on this event.

Johnson’s Corner Farm has its Musical Light Show Hayride with views of decorated barns, tractors, and farmhouses. The farm in Medford also has twinkling lights and fire pits around its Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm, and a Light Show on the Lake set to music. Click here for reservations and more schedule information.

Burlington City’s Christmas tree lighting is Dec. 3 from 5-6 p.m. at the Burlington City Riverfront Promenade, according to Visit South Jersey’s list of holiday events.

Mount Laurel Township’s annual tree lighting and holiday celebration is Friday, Dec. 2 from 5-8 p.m. at 118 Creek Road, in partnership with Rancocas Woods Events and Shops.

Riverton is hosting its Christmas Village on Dec. 3 from 2-8 p.m., including craft vendors, food trucks, and a tree lighting at 7:15 p.m.

Gloucester County

East Greenwich Township’s annual tree lighting is Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thompson Park. Santa Claus will be escorted by the East Greenwich Fire and Rescue Department to help turn on Christmas lights, and the whole night is capped off by a fireworks display. The Harbaugh Village will also be collecting new, unwrapped toys for a toy drive.

Glassboro’s tree lighting ceremony is Boro In Lights, on Dec. 2 from 6-9 p.m. Held in the Glassboro Town Square, this celebration centers around the lighting of a 32-foot LED tree with more than 19,000 lights. A live nativity, hose and carriage rides, live music, and a Winter Ice Bar for adults over 21 are also part of the celebration, which is hosted by Glassboro and Kingsway Church.