Your 2021 Guide To Holiday Events Around Warren

WARREN, NJ — The holiday season is here and Warren residents can look forward to festive events in the upcoming weeks.

Here is a list of some holiday events in town:

Letters For Santa

Warren Township Recreation has been approved by Santa to gather mail from Township children and deliver it to the North Pole. We will be accepting mail through Thursday, Dec. 9. Letters should be dropped off at the red mailbox in front of Town Hall or mail to: “Santa” Warren Twp. Recreation, 46 Mountain Blvd., Warren, NJ 07059. Every child will receive a personalized letter from Santa, but after Dec. 9, Santa will be busy getting ready for the holiday and will not be able to answer any more letters. Mom and Dad, please be sure to include a return address

Toys For Tots Collection Drive

Warren Township Recreation will have a Toys for Tots collection box outside of the Recreation Office on the first floor of Town Hall. Collection will be through Dec. 13. Donations accepted are new, unwrapped toys only. Donations will be collected Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. during the collection window.

Winter Festival

Warren's annual Winter Festival, bonfire and fireworks is returning on Jan. 8, 2022, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Warren Municipal Baseball Fields. This will be the township's 13th time hosting the event. It normally includes carnival rides, a petting zoo, horse and carriage rides, ice carving, carnival games, ice skating, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate, fireworks, and more.

Christmas Eve Town Caroling - Basking Ridge Village

Every year on Dec. 24 for 98 years starting promptly at 7 p.m. on what’s known as “The Green”, residents, families, friends, and guests in Basking Ridge gather for less than 20 minutes to sing Christmas carols, wish good tidings, then move on to their personal family traditions. Church bells begin ringing at about 6:45 p.m. 10 songs are sung and the caroling ends at approximately 7:25 p.m. again with a round of ringing church bells. The “sing” is the oldest continuous Christmas Eve sing in New Jersey. For more information visit mrlocalhistory.org.

North Pole on North Maple

The 2nd Annual North Pole on North Maple is a three-night event this year. Drive through the Ross Farm at 135 N Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, festively decorated for the season, on the weekend of Dec. 10 for a free, fun and safe holiday outing with family and friends and don't forget your letters for Santa. Donations merrily accepted. For more information click here.

Christmas Market

Back to Nature's annual Christmas Market at 3055 Valley Road in Basking Ridge will be held through Dec. 19 (daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The event includes Festive photo-op stations; Live seasonal music around the outdoor fire pits, plus pictures with Santa every Friday, Saturday and Sunday; Food and drinks from local food trucks every Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and one-stop shopping for all your holiday needs including Christmas trees, outdoor décor (premade containers, wreaths, garland), indoor décor, florals, and gifts. For more information click here.

Christmas in Raritan

The Raritan Economic Development Committee is presenting Christmas in Raritan on Saturday, Dec. 11., from 1 to 6 p.m. in downtown Raritan and will include vendors, food, beverages, live entertainment, carolers, crafts, and a visit from Santa. For more information visit makeraritanyours.com.

Carols by Candlelight

Branchburg will be hosting Carols by Candlelight at the White Oak Park pavilion at 235 Baird Road in Branchburg on Thursday, Dec. 9. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with hot cocoa and carols with the SHS Chamber Choir begin at 7 p.m. A surprise visitor may also attend the event.

Christmas Drive-Thru Live Nativity

The Evangel Chapel Bridgewater at 505 Route 28 in Bridgewater is hosting a Christmas Drive-Thru, featuring a Live Nativity on Friday, Dec. 17, Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information click here.

Holiday Craft Festival

The Somerset County 4-H Association at 310 Milltown Road in Bridgewater is hosting their annual, free to attend, Holiday Craft Festival from Dec. 10 to 11. This two-day event will be filled with holiday cheer including a very special visit from Santa Claus with his Red Santa Sleigh which is great for photo opportunities, a gingerbread house contest that is open for all to participate in, a running train display by the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters, as well as plenty of handmade craft vendors and local artisans to help you with your holiday stocking stuffers. For more information click here.

Santa at the Commons

Located in Center Court on the Lower Level, Santa at the Bridgewater Commons, presented by RWJBarnabas Health, welcomes families for safe, socially distanced visits and photos via a reimagined walk-through experience. Visits with Santa are through Dec. 24. Reservations are recommended to ensure choice of preferred day and time. Walk-ups are permitted as well. Purchases of photos are made at the experience. Kids 10 and under receive magical Twinkle Special Effects Glasses when they visit Santa for photos, while supplies last. For more information visit bridgewatercommons.com/santa.

Holiday Lights Hayride

Night -time Special Holiday-themed hayrides (5 to 7:30 p.m.) (Christmas Lights and music, animals will be viewed from the comfort of the tractor) at Norz Hill Farm at 120 S Branch Road in Hillsborough. Guests can bring a camera to take Holiday Pictures (no professional photographers). Warming Fire - toast up some marshmallows and enjoy some hot cocoa. The Home Farm Stand will be open so you can stock up on meats, pies, pastas, and so much more. For more information click here.

Winter Movie Night

The Hillsborough Recreation Department is hosting a Winter Movie Night at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex at 379 S Branch Road on Dec. 10. "Elf" is showing, and the admission fee is one set of new pajamas per child. Pre-registration via the recreation website is required as space is limited.

Flounder's Kringle Market

Flounder's Brewery at 2 Clerico Lane in Hillsborough will be hosting its first-ever Kringle Market on Dec. 11 and 12 at Carriage Farm. The market will run each day from noon to 5 p.m. and the brewery will remain open until 10 p.m. Entry is $10 per car (cash only) and carpooling is encouraged. The event will feature more than 35 craft vendors from Marketspace Vendor Events and Steps-Together will be selling beer and wine to benefit the great charity. For more information visit facebook.com/flounderbrewing.

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