Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: 11th Annual Holiday House Decorating Competition Being Held In Cranford
Make time for Christmas Drive-Thru Food Collection - this Saturday! on the Cranford Patch calendar

Hey hey Cranford! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Show off your lights in Cranford’s 11th Annual decorating contest
- Can Cranford wrestling finally turn last year’s heartbreak into a title?
Also on today's calendar: Christmas Drive-Thru Food Collection - this Saturday! and 9 more events.
Find out what's happening in Cranfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Cranfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Breezy in the morning; sunny, with a high of 37 and low of 24 degrees.
- Saturday: Some brightening, temps: high: 41, low: 27.
- Sunday: Colder; morning snow, with a high of 31 and low of 20 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• 11th Annual Holiday House Decorating Competition Being Held In Cranford (patch.com) — Cranford residents can once again show off their holiday spirit in the 11th Annual Holiday House Decorating Contest, featuring categories from Most Outrageous to Fan Favorite. Neighbors have until Dec. 15 to enter by emailing photos and contact details, with judging and winner announcements happening the same week and prizes including local gift certificates and recognition lawn signs. The Recreation & Parks Department is handling entries and questions.
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• N.J. wrestling preview, 2025-26: Contenders, teams to watch in Group 3 (nj.com subscription) — Cranford wrestling is again spotlighted as a top Group 3 contender, returning from a 20-4 season and a narrow state semifinal loss. With state medalist Mike Daly and several proven qualifiers back, the Cougars are expected to anchor Union County’s wrestling scene and challenge for a deep postseason run against tough statewide competition.
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📸 Around Cranford
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Cranford
★ Featured events ★
- Christmas Drive-Thru Food Collection - this Saturday!
Cranford United Methodist Church, 201 Lincoln Ave E, Cranford
10:00 am - Winter Villages
Town Hall Plaza, Town Hall Plz, Millburn
3:00 pm - Christmas Eve Family Service with Glowsticks at First Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, NJ, 11 Springfield Ave, Cranford
4:00 pm
Saturday December 13
Wednesday December 24
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Ice Hockey: Girls Varsity vs. Trinity Hall (Away)
Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
7:30 pm - FROSTED 4:00PM
Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford - FROSTED 11:00AM
Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford - Holiday Sweets %26 Treats Walk
Downtown Cranford , Walnut Ave & , Cranford
1:00 pm - Psilo: Heavy Holidays!
Crossroads , 78 North Ave , Garwood
6:30 pm - FROSTED 2:00PM
Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford - Cabaret Rehearsal 7:00
Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre , 78 Winans Ave , Cranford - Track and Field: Girls Varsity vs. TBA (Away)
Westfield High School , 550 Dorian Road , Westfield
4:00 pm - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
First Presbyterian Church of Cranford, NJ , 11 Springfield Ave , Cranford
8:00 pm
Friday December 12
Saturday December 13
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Wednesday December 24
📣 Cranford Shout Outs!
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Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Cranford PatchAM possible:
- Omega Maintenance Facilities & Janitorial Services — (908) 282-4482
Hurry - November Savings 20% Discount for All New Accounts! - Orange Mattress — (732) 428-4125
Call or Stop by for Daily Deals - Dogtopia of Union — (475) 338-3501
Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- School Bus Monitors
We Are Looking for Team Members!!!... (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- This is Bean.
Her owner, shared the following heartfelt words with me.. . “Bean brought happiness, comfort, and stability to all of us. This grief feels… (Nextdoor Cranford - South Side)
- Union County College posted a job opening for Automotive Technology Adjunct Faculty Lecture & Lab (EVENING COURSES) - Spring 2026 in Cranford. Apply here.
- FreightTAS LLC posted a job opening for Air Export Coordinator in Clark. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Cranford here.
🗞 Nearby News
Kenilworth
- Kenilworth Public Library to Celebrate Retirement of Robin Koerner (tapinto.net)
- Kenilworth Students Nonprofit Clothing Line Be Nice Co. Release 8th Apparel Drop (tapinto.net)
- Michigan Deli Lunch Specials December 11 (tapinto.net)
Westfield
- Westfield Library encourages people seeking volunteer opportunities to attend MLK Day of Service Fair 2026 (patch.com)
- Westfield Police: Unlocked Car Stolen from Driveway Overnight (tapinto.net)
Clark
Ok Cranford! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I couldn’t put it down.
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