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.
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
Connect with us
