WALL, NJ — There’s no shortage of things to do in the Wall area to get the winter holiday season off to a great start.
Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah from December 18-26. Christmas, of course, is December 25, but you don’t have to wait to start enjoying all the sights and sounds of the holidays.
Christmas tree and menorah lights in the Wall area include:
Muro Municipality: Annual lighting of the Christmas tree with a visit from Santa Claus; Friday, December 2, 6 pm Municipal Wall Building, 2700 Allaire Road; 732-681-1375.
Wall: Historic Village at Allaire has many Christmas events, including lantern tours that begin on December 3 from 5 pm to 8 pm and the days after, plus other festive events in a bucolic setting, such as Christmas at Allaire from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. December 4, 11 and 18. New event this year on Friday, December 9 and 16, from 6 pm to 9:30 pm, a self-guided tour of Allaire Village at night as candles and lights illuminate the village. The general store will be open for gifts, the bakery will be open for candy. Please visit the website above for advance ticket sales for events. 4263 Atlantic Ave., Wall.
Howell Farmers Market Winter Edition: Christmas tree and menorah lighting, December 11, 4:30-7 pm; Sauer Park at Echo Lake, 1225 Maxim-Southard Road. Shuttle buses at Howell Commons Shopping Plaza for the lighting event. The market starts at 11am with various vendors.
Howell: Two fire companies will have breakfast with Santa on December 11: Ramtown Fire Co. Pancake Breakfast with Santa. 8 am to 11 am, December 11. $10 adults, $5 children. Free for children under 3 years. Free photos. Text 973-420-0437 to reserve, if possible.
Adelphia Fire Co., December 11, 8 am to noon. Adults $10, children $6. Adelphia Fire Station, 925 Adelphia Road.
Freehold municipality: Freehold Downtown hosts the following events: Holiday Tree Lighting, Tuesday, December 6, 5 pm to 7 pm Rain date is December 7. Monmouth County Hall of Records, 1 E. Main St. 19, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Christmas carols will be downtown Thursday, December 15, 6 pm to 8 pm There are also restaurants offering breakfast or brunch with Santa. See here for all the details.
english town: Historic Village Inn will have pictures with Santa on Saturday. December 10, Sunday December 11, 1-4 pm, $15. This benefits the Village Inn, 2 Water St., Englishtown. There will be free cider and donuts.
Christmas light displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in Monmouth County are:
On the wall:
Allaire Community Farm: Christmas Light Spectacular fundraiser for a sanctuary farm in Wall. There is also a great dreidel display this year. Enjoy the twinkling lights surrounding the farm from our tractor-pulled vacation wagon as you spend the night with family and friends. Tickets are $17 for anyone 2 years and older and must be purchased online. Walks will not be accepted. Holiday plants, baked goods, hot chocolate, hot cider and more will also be available for purchase within the market; Baileys Corner Street 1923, wall.
In Holmdel:
PNC Bank Arts Center: Magic of Lights show through December 30. Visit the website for tickets and times.
More vacation tips:
Look here for suggestions of nearby places to visit Santa. And check out this story from Patch to see where to get fresh Christmas trees.