Ready for a festive adventure in Middletown? Let our guide show you the best holiday events! Whether you're a familiar face or a new visitor, our guide ensures you experience the holiday charm in Middletown.
Popular Events: One highlight is the Palmer Square Christmas, where twinkling lights and seasonal decorations create a picturesque backdrop for holiday shopping and festivities. Another notable attraction is the Downtown Red Bank Holiday, featuring unique local shops and a vibrant atmosphere that brings the community together. And the Holiday Tree Lighting is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it marks the official start of the holiday season in town. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Middletown
- Palmer Square Christmas (Princeton)
- Downtown Red Bank Holiday (Red Bank)
- Downtown Ocean City Christmas (Ocean City)
- Holiday Tree Lighting
- Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights (West Orange)
- Santa Ferry 2024
- Chanukah Party + Menorah Lighting
- Fanwood's Famous Christmas House (Fanwood)
- Letters From Santa
- Toms River Library Holiday (Toms River)
See these and even more events listed below!
Middletown Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with Santa, crafts, and classic cartoons.
Description:
The Middletown Arts Center Tree Lighting features photos with Santa, crafts, bonfires, classic Christmas cartoons, and an inflatable gingerbread house.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Palmer Square Christmas
What to Expect:
Live music and Santa's visit amidst a beautifully lit tree.
Description:
The Palmer Square Christmas Tree Lighting features a giant spruce tree adorned with 32,000 sparkling lights, accompanied by live music performances and a visit from Santa Claus. This family-friendly event is a great way to kick off the holiday season with festive activities and holiday shopping opportunities.
Where: Princeton | More Info: Palmer Square Christmas
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo under the sparkling lights of winter and animal characters. Enjoy seasonal activities like a s’mores station, Grinch weekend, and photos with Santa. Visit the Touch Tank, Reptile House, and Farm to see some of the zoo's animals.
Where: West Orange | More Info: Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with homemade wooden creations and inflatables.
Description:
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House features over 30,000 twinkling lights and a light show every evening, with donations accepted for the NJ Institute for Disabilities.
Where: Fanwood | More Info: Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Historic Smithville Holiday
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with interactive elements.
Description:
Historic Smithville's Holiday Light Show features a festive display of lights and decorations, including a Magical Talking Tree and Christmas Train Ride, set against the backdrop of the historic village.
Where: Galloway | More Info: Historic Smithville Holiday
Middletown Holiday Markets and Shopping
Springfield Avenue Gazebo Holiday
What to Expect:
Holiday market with live entertainment and festive activities.
Description:
The Springfield Avenue Gazebo Holiday features live entertainment, visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus, crafts for kids, hot chocolate trucks, and over two dozen vendors selling a variety of gifts and seasonal items.
Where: Maplewood | More Info: Springfield Avenue Gazebo Holiday
Middletown Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Downtown Ocean City Christmas
What to Expect:
Extended parade route with family-friendly festivities.
Description:
The Downtown Ocean City Christmas Parade is a 41-year tradition featuring floats, bands, and festive holiday attire. The parade begins at 11:00 AM with an extended route from Old Landing Road to 120th Street, allowing spectators to gather curbside. Following the parade, family-friendly festivities and an awards presentation take place at the Carousel Hotel.
Where: Ocean City | More Info: Downtown Ocean City Christmas
Middletown Other Holiday Activities
Letters From Santa
What to Expect:
Personalized letters from Santa Claus.
Description:
Middletown Elves collect and deliver letters to Santa, with special mailboxes around town and personalized return letters.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Letters From Santa
Santa Ferry 2024
What to Expect:
Scenic holiday ride with Santa and friends around the Statue of Liberty.
Description:
The Santa Ferry Ride is a festive holiday event featuring Santa and friends, presents, entertainment, and a scenic ride around the Statue of Liberty. Ferries depart from SeaStreak's Belford Ferry Terminal, offering a special holiday present to all children and infants.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Santa Ferry 2024
Winter Solstice Hike
What to Expect:
Guided hike through scenic trails during the longest night of the year.
Description:
Join us for a Winter Solstice Hike at Poricy Park, where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and keep an eye out for wildlife while hiking roughly 2 miles.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Winter Solstice Hike
Chanukah Party + Menorah Lighting
What to Expect:
Annual Menorah lighting with community crafts.
Description:
Celebrate Chanukah with an annual Menorah lighting and crafts at the Middletown Arts Center, featuring a festive atmosphere with goodies and more.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Chanukah Party + Menorah Lighting
Turkey Soccer Shootout
What to Expect:
Competitive soccer event with a food drive component.
Description:
The Turkey Soccer Shootout is a fun event where players of all ages take 5 penalty kicks to score the most points. Participants can enjoy the competition while contributing to a food drive. Winners in each age range receive a frozen turkey, and all participants receive a free turkey stuffie.
Where: Middletown | More Info: Turkey Soccer Shootout
Downtown Red Bank Holiday
What to Expect:
Community-driven events celebrating local heritage.
Description:
Downtown Red Bank Holiday features a variety of community events, including historic preservation commissions, Halloween parades, and community engagement meetings, showcasing the borough's rich history and community spirit.
Where: Red Bank | More Info: Downtown Red Bank Holiday
Toms River Library Holiday
What to Expect:
Seasonal activities and educational programs.
Description:
The Toms River Library Holiday event features a variety of activities and programs celebrating the season, including storytelling, crafts, and educational sessions.
Where: Toms River | More Info: Toms River Library Holiday
Maplewood Village Holiday
What to Expect:
Miniature houses depicting scenes from A Christmas Carol.
Description:
Dickens Village in Maplewood brings to life scenes from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol in miniature houses at Ricalton Square. The event features horse and wagon rides, a petting farm, music, crafts, caroling, and visits with Santa.
Where: Maplewood | More Info: Maplewood Village Holiday
Downtown Medford Holiday
What to Expect:
Community-driven bike rides with live music and local entertainment.
Description:
Downtown Medford's Ride for a Cause is a signature fundraising event featuring bike rides of varying distances, live music, and community activities.
Where: Medford | More Info: Downtown Medford Holiday
Jenkinson's South Arcade Holiday
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday games and crafts.
Description:
Jenkinson's South Arcade Holiday features a variety of festive activities, including holiday-themed games, crafts, and entertainment for the entire family.
Where: Point Pleasant Beach | More Info: Jenkinson's South Arcade Holiday
Riverside Gardens Park Holiday
What to Expect:
Family-friendly Halloween movie night with pre-movie activities.
Description:
Riverside Gardens Park hosts a Halloween Movie Night with kids' activities by A Time to Kiln, followed by a movie starting at 6:00 PM.
Where: Red Bank | More Info: Riverside Gardens Park Holiday
iPlay America Holiday
What to Expect:
Indoor amusement park with diverse rides and attractions.
Description:
iPlay America offers a vibrant holiday experience with rides, attractions, and entertainment options for all ages, creating a lively atmosphere perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
Where: Freehold | More Info: iPlay America Holiday
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Marlboro (9 miles)
- Long Branch (9 miles)
- Perth Amboy (11 miles)
- Woodrow (11 miles)
- Great Kills (11 miles)
- Staten Island (12 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (12 miles)
- South Old Bridge (13 miles)
- Old Bridge (13 miles)
- Sayreville (14 miles)
- Carteret (14 miles)
- New Springville (14 miles)
- Coney Island (14 miles)
- Brighton Beach (15 miles)
- Bath Beach (16 miles)
- Bensonhurst (16 miles)
- East Brunswick (16 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (16 miles)
- Gravesend (16 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (16 miles)
- Piscataway (17 miles)
- Dyker Heights (17 miles)
- Rahway (17 miles)
- Linden (17 miles)
- Borough Park (18 miles)
- Edison (18 miles)
- Sunset Park (18 miles)
- Flatlands (18 miles)
- New Brunswick (19 miles)
- Bayonne (19 miles)
- Kensington (19 miles)
- Elizabeth (19 miles)
- Roselle (19 miles)
- Flatbush (20 miles)
- Brooklyn (20 miles)
- South Plainfield (20 miles)
- Park Slope (20 miles)
- East Flatbush (20 miles)
- Cranford (21 miles)
- Canarsie (21 miles)
- Somerset (21 miles)
- Brownsville (21 miles)
- Lakewood (21 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (22 miles)
- Westfield (22 miles)
- Hillside (22 miles)
- Union (22 miles)
- Financial District (22 miles)
- Plainfield (22 miles)
- East New York (23 miles)
- Cypress Hills (23 miles)
- New York City (23 miles)
- Scotch Plains (23 miles)
- North Plainfield (23 miles)
- Chinatown (23 miles)
- Jersey City (23 miles)
- Bushwick (23 miles)
- Howard Beach (23 miles)
- Williamsburg (24 miles)
- Newark (24 miles)
- Ridgewood (24 miles)
- Far Rockaway (24 miles)
- East Village (24 miles)
- Irvington (24 miles)
- Ozone Park (24 miles)
- Greenpoint (24 miles)
- Glendale (24 miles)
- Woodhaven (25 miles)
- Hoboken (25 miles)
- South Ozone Park (25 miles)
- Maplewood (25 miles)
- Gramercy Park (25 miles)
- Queens (25 miles)
- Millburn (25 miles)
- Maspeth (25 miles)
- Middle Village (25 miles)
- Sunnyside (26 miles)
- Summit (26 miles)
- Long Island City (26 miles)
- Kearny (26 miles)
- Richmond Hill (26 miles)
- East Orange (26 miles)
- Jamaica (26 miles)
- Forest Hills (26 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (26 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (26 miles)
- Woodside (27 miles)
- Orange (27 miles)
- Elmhurst (27 miles)
- Rego Park (27 miles)
- Briarwood (27 miles)
- Union City (27 miles)
- Laurelton (27 miles)
- Rosedale (27 miles)
- Hillsborough (27 miles)
- Long Beach (28 miles)
- Belleville (28 miles)
- West New York (28 miles)
- Hillside (28 miles)
- Jackson Heights (28 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (28 miles)
- Corona (28 miles)
- Astoria (28 miles)
- Manhattan (28 miles)
- Valley Stream (28 miles)
- East Elmhurst (29 miles)
- West Orange (29 miles)
- Princeton (29 miles)
- Hollis (29 miles)
- Bloomfield (29 miles)
- Cambria Heights (29 miles)
- North Bergen (29 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (29 miles)
- East Harlem (29 miles)
- Livingston (30 miles)
- Nutley (30 miles)
- Morningside Heights (30 miles)
- Harlem (30 miles)
- Elmont (30 miles)
- Montclair (30 miles)
- Oceanside (30 miles)
- Queens Village (30 miles)
- Cliffside Park (30 miles)
- Mott Haven (30 miles)
- College Point (31 miles)
- Toms River (31 miles)
- Rockville Centre (31 miles)
- Basking Ridge (31 miles)
- Bridgewater (31 miles)
- Mercerville-Hamilton Square (31 miles)
- Hunts Point (31 miles)
- Bayside (31 miles)
- Melrose (32 miles)
- Franklin Square (32 miles)
- Whitestone (32 miles)
- Passaic (32 miles)
- Palisades Park (32 miles)
- Morrisania (32 miles)
- Clifton (32 miles)
- Baldwin (32 miles)
- Fort Lee (32 miles)
- Washington Heights (33 miles)
- Unionport (33 miles)
- Morris Heights (33 miles)
- East Tremont (33 miles)
- Tremont (33 miles)
- Freeport (33 miles)
- Throgs Neck (33 miles)
- Parkchester (34 miles)
- Bayville (34 miles)
- Garfield (34 miles)
- Lodi (34 miles)
- Hempstead (34 miles)
- University Heights (34 miles)
- Van Nest (34 miles)
- Fordham (34 miles)
- The Bronx (34 miles)
- Hackensack (34 miles)
- Garden City (34 miles)
- Uniondale (35 miles)
- Merrick (35 miles)
- Trenton (35 miles)
- Teaneck (35 miles)
- Elmwood Park (35 miles)
- Kings Bridge (35 miles)
- Englewood (35 miles)
- Parsippany (36 miles)
- Paterson (36 miles)
- East Meadow (37 miles)
- Ewing (37 miles)
- Bergenfield (37 miles)
- Wakefield (37 miles)
- Wayne (38 miles)
- Fair Lawn (38 miles)
- Paramus (38 miles)
- Mount Vernon (39 miles)
- Yonkers (39 miles)
- Massapequa (39 miles)
- Randolph (40 miles)
- Hicksville (40 miles)
- Ridgewood (40 miles)
- Levittown (41 miles)
- Glen Cove (41 miles)
- Copiague (43 miles)
- Plainview (43 miles)
- Lindenhurst (44 miles)