Now that we are finally at the end of this semester, Christmas is just around the corner and there are tons of festive activities around the area to be a part of. Happening on Dec. 1, you can see the lighting of the Christmas tree at Fireman’s Park starting at 5:30 p.m. on Sunset Avenue at 5th Avenue.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, the annual Santa Run is taking place in Asbury as well. Starting at the Stone Pony, the Santa Run is a 5k run or walk filled with Santa-dressed participants who all storm the streets of Asbury in celebration of the holidays. So, if you guys want to participate or just want to watch this goofy holiday race, I encourage you to do so.
Towards the end of the weekend, you can see Jody Joseph, a New Jersey-raised artist, perform her 21st annual Christmas show on Dec. 3 at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.
If you guys are looking for a fun Christmas aura that includes some holiday shopping, Pier Village in Long Branch is a place where you can’t go wrong. With an open ice rink in the middle of the village surrounded by numerous shops for Christmas shopping, spending just a few hours here tends to be very enjoyable during the holidays.
Another great venue to check out is the Holiday Makers Market at The White Chapel Projects hosted by Space of Balance. On Dec. 15, 17, 22, and 24, you can enjoy live music, Christmas photo ops, vendor markets, and some amazing food and beverages. All vendors here are local so you can find some cool gifts that also support your local community. The photo ops by Space of Balance are also a fun activity you can do with friends and family to get some amazing Christmas photos that are perfect for Christmas cards.
Another great event students can attend is the Holiday Bazaar at the Asbury Hotel. On Sunday, Dec. 3, the Asbury Hotel is hosting a German-inspired holiday market. Based on the German Holiday Market “Weihnachtsmarkts,” the Bazaar will showcase handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts by local and regional makers, Christmas music, food, libations, crafts, and decor. It’s such a fun and unique Christmas experience students can go check out if they want to familiarize themselves with an outside culture.
Just half an hour away, you can also see an amazing light show called Magic of Lights located at the PNC Banks Arts Center in Holmdel. Here, you can drive your vehicle through the park to witness all the amazing Christmas lights and artwork that are scattered throughout. With tickets just $25 a vehicle, this show is a must for students considering how close and amazing it is.
Another similar event to the Magic of Lights is the Night Forms show at the Grounds for Sculpture. Located in Hamilton, Night Forms is a landscape of creative exploration using lights, sound, video, and projection mapping, creating almost a multi-dimensional feel. Here you can walk around exhibits and be stunned and amazed by all the illusions done by professional artists to make you feel like you are in another dimension. With its Christmas-themed show ending on Dec. 30, students should really check out this place as it is worth the drive to get there.
So I hope you guys can check out some of these events, local and far. All of them seem like they are super fun and should definitely be checked out to get your Christmas activities up to par.
