Holiday Lights, Festivals And Celebrations Fill The Long Valley Calendar

LONG VALLEY, NJ — With Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa festivities filling the December calendar, the problem may be deciding which events in Long Valley to attend.

Outside these religious and cultural celebrations, there are plenty of holiday light shows, parades, fairs and festivals to attend in and around Long Valley. Here are some to consider:

'Sharing the Season' Community Benefit Auction and Dinner

• Where: St Luke Church, 265 W Mill Rd, Washington Township
• When: Dec. 6, 6 p.m.
• What: “The Long Valley Knights of Columbus are holding their 34th Annual ‘Sharing the Season’ Community Benefit Auction & Dinner on Saturday, December 6, starting at 6 pm in the St. Luke Parish Hall, 265 West Mill Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853. The evening will include exciting silent and live auctions, buffet dinner, with hot h'dourves, desserts, beer, wine, soda, and of course, opportunities to bid on and win wonderful prizes and gifts, all for the benefit of helping those in need. It is amazing what good people can do when gathered for good purposes - while also having fun doing it! The cost for the entire evening is only $30.00 per person if purchased in advance, $40 at the door. Space is limited. Order your tickets now at www.lvkoc.org.”

Chester Township Tree Lighting

• Where: Municipal Field Gazebo, 155 Main Street, Chester
• When: Dec. 7, 5 to 7 p.m.
• What: “Let the holiday festivities begin! It’s almost time for Chester’s Annual Tree Lighting at Municipal Field Gazebo! Join Chester Recreation & the Municipality of the Borough of Chester on the first Sunday of December for live music by the West Morris Mendham High School Choir & Band, free refreshments donated by local businesses, special appearances by Chester Volunteer Fire Company, Chester, NJ, Chester Police Department, Chester First Aid Squad, and the one and only Santa Claus.”

Chester’s Festival Of Trees

• Where: The Barn at Highland Ridge Park, 100 N. Road, Chester
• When: Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Dec. 7 through to Dec. 11, noon to 6 p.m., Dec. 12, noon to 8 p.m., and Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• What: Sponsored by the Senior Resource Center, this program showcases all kinds of Holiday trees. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Mendham-Chester Food Pantry. $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

Chanukah Palooza

• Where: Brookside Community Club, 1 E Main St, Brookside
• When: Dec. 14, 5 p.m.
• What: This event will feature a Gand Fire Truck Gelt Drop, Menorah Lighting, food, music, fun for all ages and more. RSVP online here.

Chester Menorah Lighting

• Where: Municipal Field, Chester
• When: Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
• What: This annual Chester event will feature Chanukah swag, apple cider, latkes, music, and more. RSVP online here.

(Long Valley has yet to announce its annual Tree Lighting or Menorah Lighting, so check back with Patch to mark your calendar.)

As you plan your calendar, here are some key dates to consider:

• Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers, and fried foods, begins at sundown on Dec. 14 and continues until sundown on Dec. 22. The dates vary every year.
• Christmas, of course, is always Dec. 25.
• Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration primarily held in the United States to honor African heritage and African-American culture, is observed from Dec. 26-Jan. 1, culminating with gift-giving and a lavish feast. The dates of this holiday do not change.