Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Westfield: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

WESTFIELD, NJ — There is no shortage of things to do in Westfield 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.

Tree and menorah lightings in Westfield are:

• Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. at the North Avenue train station. Santa will arrive on the fire truck to light the Christmas tree with Mayor Shelley Brindle at 5:30 p.m.
• Westfield's annual menorah lighting will also take place on Sunday, Dec. 18, the first night of Hanukkah, at 4:30 p.m. with the Union County Torah Center Chabad.

Read more: 'Tis The Season: How You Can Celebrate The Holidays In Westfield

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Parades in Westfield may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch near home include:

• Parade And Tree Lighting Ceremony Planned For This Week In Madison

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in New Jersey are:

• 'Festival Of Trees' Returns To Cranford This Holiday Season
• Winter Walk Among Thousands Of Lights In Essex County Through Jan. 15

Clarification: An earlier version of this story mentioned the defunct Target Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis, which no longer takes place.