Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Howell

HOWELL, NJ — There is no shortage of things to do in the Howell 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. 18-26. 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 Howell area include:

Howell Farmers Market Winter Edition: Christmas tree and menorah lighting, Dec. 11, 4:30 to 7 p.m.; Sauer Park at Echo Lake, 1225 Maxim-Southard Road. Shuttle buses at the Howell Commons Shopping Plaza for the lighting event. The market begins at 11 a.m. with various vendors.

Howell: Two fire companies are having Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 11: Ramtown Fire Co. Pancake Breakfast with Santa. 8 am. to 11 a.m., Dec 11. $10 for adults, $5 for children. Free for children under age 3. Free photo. Text 973-420-0437 to reserve, if possible.
Adelphia Fire Co., Dec. 11, 8 a.m. to noon. Adults $10, children $6. Adelphia Firehouse, 925 Adelphia Road.

Howell: The Howell Heritage and Historical Society will present an old-fashioned schoolhouse Christmas at the Old Ardena Schoolhouse on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Decorating is done and the Christmas tree is up, as the society prepares for this holiday event, organizers say. Come out to meet Santa and tour the schoolhouse. A selection of items will also be available for purchase to help support on-going refurbishing of the schoolhouse. Built in 1855, the school was originally located across the street from Ardena Baptist Church. It is now at the corner of Old Tavern and Preventorium Roads.

Freehold Borough: Freehold Downtown presents the following events: Holiday Tree lighting, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rain date is Dec. 7. Monmouth County Hall of Records, 1 E. Main St. The menorah lighting is Monday, Dec. 19, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Carolers will be downtown Thursday, Dec. 15, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. There are also restaurants offering breakfast or brunch with Santa. See here for all details.

Englishtown: Historic Village Inn will have photos with Santa Saturday. Dec. 10, Sunday Dec. 11, 1-4 p.m., $15. This benefits Village Inn, 2 Water St., Englishtown. Free cider and donuts will be available.

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

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.

In Holmdel:

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

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.