Preparing for the holidays is almost as much fun as the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays themselves. If you live in or near Ocean Township, New Jersey, there are many fun events and activities for the entire family leading up to the holidays. Take a look at some fun Christmas events you should check out in Ocean Township. more Christmas Light Show at Allaire Community Farm Don't miss the holiday light spectacular at the Allaire Community Farm in Wall Township, New Jersey. This family-friendly event features a tractor-drawn hayride through a beautiful Christmas light display. You'll listen to Christmas music as the tractor pulls the wagon through the light display. Tickets for this event are available online, and you must have them before you go to the farm. This is a popular event, and tickets will sell out, so make sure to get yours early. Before or after your hayride, visit the farm market, where you'll find Christmas plants, hot chocolate, baked goods, hot cider, and much more for sale. This event is one of the farm’s largest fundraisers and helps keep it operating through the winter. The light show will start on Thursday, Nov. 17, and run on the weekends through Friday, Dec. 23. The Monmouth Moms’ 2nd Annual Holiday Festival On Dec. 4, the Monmouth Moms will host the 2nd Annual Holiday Festival at Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey. This daylong event features lots of vendors selling food and holiday gift items. It’ll be an excellent time for the kids to visit Santa and take holiday pictures with him. The Holiday Festival will also feature lots of entertainment and a character picture station. Admission is free, and if you are one of the first 250 guests to arrive, you'll get a fun gift basket. This event requires that all guest register. Some of the activities the kids and adults are sure to enjoy include: Storytime. Face painting. Arts and crafts. Balloon animals. Holiday-themed activities with Snapology of Monmouth County. Grand Christmas Bazaar The Grand Christmas Bazaar is back for 2022, and it will be better than ever. This holiday event in Holmdel, New Jersey, features over 50 crafters and artisans, lots of food with savory and sweet goodies for sale, holiday music, and visits with Christmas characters, including Santa himself. There will be a Christmas tree decorating contest, activities for the kids, face painting, and free giveaways. If you want to get your family holiday photo done, you can make an appointment for a free photo session with Irene Keselman and purchase a digital photo package. It’ll take place on Saturday, Dec. 10. The doors open at 9 a.m. at Bell Works in Holmdel. This event is more than just shopping and food; it is also a way to give back. There will be a coat drive by the Salvation Army, so make sure to grab any coats and jackets you don't use anymore, and you can donate them to a worthy cause. This day is also a kitten and dog adoption event. Asbury Park Santa Run The Asbury Park Santa Run is a 5K road race. Every contestant gets a Santa suit to run in, filling the streets of Asbury Park with running Santas. This event supports Lunch Break, a local charity, by donating a portion of the proceeds to the organization. The race takes place on Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10 a.m. Make sure to head to one or more of the after-parties once you finish the race. One will take place at The Stone Pony and feature Brian Kirk & the Jerks. The after-party is for runners 21 and older. The second after-party is the Wonder Bar which features the Ocean Ave Stompers. This is also a 21 and over event. The third after-party is at St. Laurent and is open to all ages. Santa suit and bib pickup take place on Friday, Dec. 2, at Road Runner Sports in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you wait until race day, you can pick them up at Stone Pony starting at 8:30 a.m. Santa Cruise Get into the holiday spirit on the paddle-wheel boat, the Navesink Queen's Santa Cruise. You’ll find plenty of holiday cheer on this family-friendly holiday cruise. Santa will be onboard for pictures and visits, and the boat’s festive holiday decorations are sure to delight. You'll listen to holiday music as you slowly cruise through the open water. If the weather is right, all the festivities will take place on the open-air second deck. If it's too cold or rainy, they will move the event down into the main cabin, where it's warmer. The Santa Cruise will leave the dock at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 3 and return at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $23 for adults and $12 for kids aged 12 and under. Ocean Township Christmas Tree Lighting The annual Christmas tree Lighting event will take place on Dec. 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Township of Ocean Historical Museum grounds. Santa will arrive at this event at 5 p.m., and admission is free. Holiday Festival Arts & Crafts Show The Holiday Festival Arts & Crafts Show in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, starts at 10 a.m. on Dec. 10. This is the perfect event to find unique and one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your shopping list. It's hosted by the Ocean Grove Chamber of Commerce and takes place on Main Avenue in Ocean Grove. It will feature local artisans, crafters, food centers, and live music. Stop by to listen to Terry and the Hats, a barbershop quartet performing in the morning, and Band of Strays performing in the afternoon. When the Sea View Auto Corp staff wants to get into the holiday spirit, these are some of the local Ocean Township area events and activities we head to. If you have others that you enjoy, stop by the dealership and tell us about them. While you are here, we can show you a new Jeep or maybe something from our certified pre-owned inventory to help you get to all these fun activities. Christmas Lights by Lima Pix is licensed with CC BY 2.0
New Jersey may be one of the country's smaller states, but you can still find plenty of fun things to do here this holiday season. A lot is happening around the state, and you can easily get to just about every event happening from right here in Ocean Township if you want to. The list of Christmas light displays alone is extensive. So, our Sea View Jeep Store team has put together this summary of the best Christmas lights near Ocean Township to help ensure you can see them all this holiday season. more Ocean Township Christmas Tree Lighting You don't want to miss our hometown's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It's happening on Dec. 4 at the Township of Ocean Historical Museum. You and your family can enjoy this fun-filled event for free. The event kicks off at 4 p.m., and Santa himself will arrive at 5 p.m. The Christmas festivities go on until about 6 p.m., ending with the dazzling tree-lighting ceremony. The Township of Ocean is organizing the tree lighting, and you can contact them at 732-531-3000 if you have any questions. Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village Get ready to see over 2 million lights twinkling in the night sky as you embark on the 1-mile drive-thru Christmas lights display at Skylands Stadium. This annual event starts on Nov. 23, but it's open only on certain days, so it's best to check the schedule for the dates and times you want to go. There's a fee charged per carload, but you can check out the Christmas Village for free. Parking is free if you just want to get out and walk around the village, but you can't walk through the mile-long light display for safety reasons. There's a carnival with rides as well, including a Ferris wheel that will give you a spectacular view of the lights. Lights at the Farm Put on your winter gear, load the family into the car, and take the short drive down to Wall Township for Allaire Farm's "Lights at the Farm" event. When you get there, you'll pile onto the hay wagon for a ride through a display of lights that will surely delight everyone in your group. There is a nominal fee for the ride. Plus, you'll have the option to purchase some delicious cider doughnuts and hot chocolate to enjoy as you marvel at this incredible light display. Six Flags Holiday in the Park Six Flags transforms into a magical place during the holidays, and you can get your tickets to Six Flags Holiday in the Park starting right now. This event officially begins on Nov. 25 and runs until Jan. 1, so you have plenty of time to see this fantastic light display. You can watch "Holiday Magic: A Celebration of the Season," a show that only happens this time of year. You'll also be able to get pictures with Santa while you're here. And make sure you have your camera ready, as the elaborate light displays around every corner will truly impress. Stop by the North Pole Village to pick up all kinds of gifts for those on your shopping list. You can also find your way to Santa's workshop by wandering through the Holiday Craze Mirror Maze, which is sure to be fun for the entire family. Winter Wonderland Lights Middlesex County Fairgrounds might be a bit of a drive, but when you have a brand-new Jeep, you and your family can enjoy a warm and cozy ride there. The drive will be worth it for an opportunity to see New Jersey's largest animated light display. This drive-thru light show features over 1.5 million lights synchronized to some of your favorite holiday songs, adding to the fun and cheer of the season. You'll be amazed by the 20-foot Christmas trees, and your kids will love driving through the lighted tunnels. This event has been a holiday tradition for decades. Fanwood's Famous "Christmas House" While there are lots of businesses putting on light displays this year, you'll also find that many residents of Ocean Township and surrounding areas have their own magical light exhibits. These are private residences, and we can't guarantee their displays will be there. However, we're confident that most of them will keep their holiday lighting displays up and running this year. These lighting extravaganzas include Fanwood's Famous "Christmas House," where they've been going all out on decorating for quite some time. In fact, they've already started on the decorating and are putting the finishing touches on their display right now. Check it out at 83 Paterson Road in Fanwood. Christmas at the Nietzers Another incredible residence displaying an unforgettable light show you can enjoy for free is called Christmas at the Nietzers. They've been going all out with their display for the last six years and aren't likely to stop the fun anytime soon. They use special lights that work with an equally special program to pair the lights with holiday songs so they twinkle along with your favorite Christmas songs. The display will be on daily from 5 to 9 p.m., so head over to 201 Hamilton Blvd. in South Plainfield to see the show. The Sisti Family Christmas Lights At 322 Pitney Ave. in Spring Lake, you can find the Sisti family home, with a vast assortment of holiday lights on display. They decorate from top to bottom and don't leave out a thing. They even have a lighted arch over the sidewalk for a truly magical experience. Tune your radio to the right station to hear the music that goes along with the lights. It's great fun for everyone. That's our list of some of New Jersey's best Christmas light displays happening this year. If you know of any other light displays worthy of being on this list, contact our team at Sea View Jeep so we can check them out. We're ready to get into the holiday spirit. Are you? Three White Snowman Decorations by Barry Plott is licensed with Pexels License
When you crave seafood, you won't have to travel far beyond Ocean Township, New Jersey. The Jersey Shore has you covered with the freshest catches from the sea, from crabs to clams. While you'll find many dynamic places for dining in and around Ocean Township, the following seafood restaurants take top honors on our list, and we bet they'll become your favorites too. more Mar Belo Infusing Long Branch with a distinctive blend of Portuguese and Spanish cuisine, Mar Belo offers creative dishes starring local, sustainable ingredients. Mar Belo's interior decor exudes luxury, with elegant table settings and exquisite menu items that captivate your eyes and taste buds. Following the tradition of Portuguese cuisine, Mar Belo prepares its plates of the day around fish, meat dishes, and soups. Dishes change depending on the season and whatever the kitchen can get fresh that morning. The current Mar Belo lunch menu offers guests a medley of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. The Pork and Clams Alentejana combine pork, clams, and cilantro in an Espanhola sauce over cubed potatoes. One taste of the Bacalhau Minhota will redefine how you think about codfish. Mar Belo's preparation pairs salted codfish with sauteed onions, red peppers, and Spanish potatoes. Dinner entrees will treat all your senses to an experience of the culinary innovation from the Mar Belo kitchen. Paelha Valenciana is Mar Belo's interpretation of classic Spanish paella, featuring lobster, shrimp, scallops, mussels, calamari, clams, pork, chicken, and sausage cooked in rice infused with saffron. Bronzino features a whole grilled fish served with hearty yellow potatoes and broccoli. In addition to its main dining space, Mar Belo offers a private party room you can reserve for birthdays, business meetings, and wedding receptions. Location: 611 Broadway, Long Branch. Telephone: 732-870-2222. Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant Explore carefully crafted coastal cuisine at Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant. Tucked away in Long Branch, this dynamic seaside dining destination features a bi-level outdoor deck offering picturesque Atlantic Ocean views. Whether you're visiting for brunch, lunch, or dinner, Rooney's delivers a memorable dining experience for any occasion. Choose from several selections on the raw bar menu, including oysters on the half shell, jumbo shrimp cocktail, and bloody mary shooters. Rooney's crabcake entree features decadent crabcakes coated with a cornflake crust and served with grilled asparagus, fingerling potatoes, and red pepper aioli. Dinner specialties include monstrous 9-ounce Brazilian lobster tails served with drawn butter and your choice of two sides. Grilled swordfish pairs with a coconut curry risotto and kabocha squash puree for a sumptuous entree that hits all the right notes. Don't pass up the shrimp or lobster frittatas when you're visiting for brunch. The Carolina Benedict upgrades the classic eggs Benedict with crabmeat, toasted cornbread, poached eggs, and Old Bay hollandaise. Location: 100 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch. Telephone: 732-870-1200. SeaGrass Restaurant With access to the best farms in the country and a desirable Atlantic Ocean location, SeaGrass Restaurant serves memorable seafood dishes for guests to enjoy. Whether you dine in for lunch or dinner, you'll find that the most delicious, sustainably harvested seafood will await your taste buds at SeaGrass Restaurant. Clam chowder fans can enjoy every spoonful of the delicious New England Clam Chowdah infused with rich cream and the meatiest clams imaginable. The Lobster BLT is a sumptuous creation of fresh Maine lobster meat served on brioche toast with chips. For the ultimate seafood experience on your plate, order The Fried Seafood Plate. This entree features shrimp, scallops, and codfish served with house-made chips and onion rings. The dinner menu will delight seafood lovers. Whether you select the sesame-encrusted ahi tuna or seared scallops drizzled with basil oil and served with asparagus risotto, your palate will enjoy experiencing the freshest ingredients from land and sea on your plate. Location: 68 Main Ave., Ocean Grove. Telephone: 732-869-0770. The Bonney Read Take a short drive from Ocean Township to Asbury Park for a comforting, casual dining experience at The Bonney Read. At its heart, this chowder house delivers sustainably procured, locally sourced seafood in creative culinary preparations. A full raw bar features a rotating selection of shucked-to-order clams and oysters served raw, hot, or in the rough. Start with the small plates menu if you're unsure where to begin your dining discovery. New England clam chowder, steamed clams, and coconut shrimp make excellent choices to whet your seafood appetite. Large plates are always a delight for diners. From Baja fish tacos served with chipotle tartar sauce and pickled cabbage to a whole Maine lobster roll, hearty appetites can savor every bite of these tasty seafood dishes. Location: 525 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park. Telephone: 732-455-3352. The Iron Whale Located on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, The Iron Whale surrounds guests with the seafaring spirit with its seaside-inspired decor accented by gas lanterns, ropes, and reclaimed wood. Under the leadership of Executive Chef Charles Collins, The Iron Whale's menu features an inventive take on classic seafood dishes with offbeat combinations of ingredients and preparations. Open seven days a week throughout the year for brunch, lunch, and dinner, The Iron Whale makes a perfect spot for weekday or weekend dining. The Iron Whale divides its menu into several components: small plates, raw bar specialties, handhelds, salads, main dishes, and the fish taco bar selections. Savor the taste of Jamaican-inspired jerk shrimp with a coconut cucumber salad and cilantro-garlic aioli. The cedar plank-cooked salmon on the main dish portion of the menu shines with a peach bourbon glaze, peach pico de gallo, sauteed Swiss chard, and pine nuts. Raw bar specialties include the following: Local Jersey Shore clams. Long Island blue point oysters. Chilled jumbo shrimp. Maryland Chesapeake oysters. Location: 1200 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park. Telephone: 732-361-5185. No matter what type of seafood suits your fancy, you can be confident that the above seafood restaurants will satisfy your taste buds. What did you think about the restaurant selections we've presented here? Did we overlook one of your favorite seafood establishments in the region? Write to us and let us know. Our team will be happy to update this article with your best seafood restaurant recommendations. Lobster by Jessica Weiller is licensed with Unsplash License
