Kick Off the Holiday Season Friday

If you were wondering when to begin your Christmas shopping, the Moorestown Business Association (MBA) has the answer: Friday.

In observance of Moorestown’s 35th annual Candlelight Night, Main Street will shut down Friday night so shoppers can get an early start on the Christmas rush.

Along with , Candlelight Night is the MBA’s longest running event, according to MBA vice president Brian Cooper, and acts as the unofficial “kickoff to the holiday season.”

Main Street from Church to Chestnut streets will be closed to traffic beginning at 5:30 p.m. Many downtown establishments that typically close earlier will stay open late, as well as providing food, refreshments and entertainment for shoppers.

Cooper, who is also vice chair of the Candlelight Night committee, said, “The idea is to have families stroll down Main Street at a more leisurely pace ... With the street closed, they’ll have a little more comfortable experience.”

Cooper said the MBA used to provide its own entertainment and refreshments, but found it was actually competing with the merchants themselves. In recent years the association has taken a more hands-off approach.

“We just kind of try to organize it,” he said.

He said the event typically draws thousands of people. 

According to Cooper, many of the stores that stay open late for Candlelight Night will maintain those later hours throughout the holiday season.

The event lasts from 6-9 p.m. Friday. Main Street will close around 5:30 p.m. and reopen shortly after 9. Parking is available in the municipal lots along Second Street, near Church Street, Cooper said.