Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Holmdel and Hazlet

HOLMDEL-HAZLET, NJ — There is no shortage of things to do in the Holmdel and Hazlet area 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 to 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.

Holiday tree and menorah lightings in the Holmdel and Hazlet area include:

Hazlet: Holly Jolly & Tree Lighting, Saturday, Dec. 3. Family holiday fun with Santa starts at 3 p.m. with a family photo opportunity, ice skating, carolers, ice sculpting, holiday train rides and some special visitors. At 5 p.m. there is a countdown to the lighting of the Christmas tree. Contact Hazlet Recreation for more details. James J. Cullen Community Center, 1776 Union Ave.

Holmdel: The township Christmas tree and menorah lighting is Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Township Hall, 4 Crawfords Corner Road. The event will include music by DJ Mel Houston, the Holmdel Girl Scouts, strolling characters and face painting. Holmdel Fire and Rescue will help a special visitor from the North Pole arrive. Call the Recreation office with questions at 732-946-2820 ext. 1225.

Holmdel: Longstreet Farm, Monmouth County Park System; 19th Century Christmas Ballads are performed Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 10, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy 19th century Christmas ballads played on the piano. The Sounds of Christmas is Sunday, Dec. 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate the holidays taking a stroll on Longstreet Farm with the backdrop of wistful music as Larry Moser and Mary Nagin play Christmas carols on the hammered dulcimer and fiddle.

Red Bank: Various holiday events kicked off Friday, Nov. 25, but you can enjoy them all season long. Holiday Harmonies will be in town through Dec. 18. Nov. 27 look for Holiday Mannequins. Visit redbank.org for more information on downtown events.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in Monmouth County are:

In Holmdel:
PNC Bank Arts Center: Magic of Lights show through Dec. 30. See website for tickets and times.

In Wall:

Allaire Community Farm: Christmas Light Spectacular fundraiser for a sanctuary farm in Wall. There is also a large dreidel display this year. Take in the twinkling lights surrounding the farm as seen from our tractor-pulled holiday wagon as you spend the evening with family and friends. Tickets are $17 for anyone over age 2 and must be purchased online. No walks ups will be accepted. Christmas plants, baked goods, hot chocolate, hot cider and more will also be available for purchase inside the market; 1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall.

More holiday tips:

Look here for suggestions for nearby places to visit Santa. And check out this Patch story to see where to get fresh Christmas trees.