We were very good this year at the shore, so Santa brought us early gifts! From unseasonably warm weather to non-stop holiday fun, at the Jersey Shore we’re all about holly and jolly this season! Our beaches, boardwalks, towns, and trolleys are prepared to take you into the holidays singing…jingle all the way! From Long Branch to Tuckerton, we’re going into December like only the Jersey Shore can – rockin’!
Tis the season for giving, and our shore towns make it fun and easy! Asbury Park’s 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Party (Dec. 3at 7pm) at Grand Arcade in Convention Hall will feature ticket giveaways and prizes (94.3 will be there!). Enjoy live music while you drop off toys, food items, and coats!! The AP boardwalk will also host toy making for kids, plus Santa, every Sat. and Sun. in Dec. at Grand Arcade w/ $3 or non-perishable food donation until Christmas (12 – 2pm). Another way to give, attend The Garden State Philharmonic’s Chorus performance of “Messiah” in Toms River. Patrons are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy with them as a donation to Toys for Tots®. Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch hosts a Wine and Dine Series (Dec. 3 at 7pm, rsvp required) featuring five top NJ chefs. Event proceeds donated to Frances Foundation for Kids Fighting Cancer.
Let’s “Deck the Halls” (Dec. 11 at 4pm) at Monmouth University’s Center for the Arts/Pollak Theatre and revel in a Christmas song & dance spectacular! Also, in Monmouth County, the Premier Theatre Co. presents the classic, “Scrooge”, at the Paramount Theatre (Dec. 8, 10, 11). Then, wear your holiday green over to Ocean County to experience “Irish Christmas in America” (Dec. 9) at the Strand Theatre, as well as the Riddlesbrood Traveling Theater Company perform “Scrooge – A Christmas Carol” (Dec. 4) at the Strand Theatre in Lakewood! Make your holidays rock even harder and mix traditional holiday with jersey-rock at the Count Basie Theatre, their list of events includes: “Swan Lake” – The State Ballet Theatre of Russia (Dec. 23), “The Nutcracker Ballet” (Dec. 10 -11), and The Holiday Express Christmas Benefit Concert (Dec. 15). And, something we all could use this time of year, Revision Theatre’s “A Christmas Survival Guide” (Dec. 16 -18), a heart-warming musical about the angst of holiday season performing at The House of Jazz in Asbury Park. Celebrating their 300th performance, the Spring Lake Theatre Co. will present “Scrooge” this season (Dec. 2 -17). Get to Toms River and see a unique show, “It’s Beginning to ‘Sound’ A lot Like Christmas”, (Dec.3) at Ocean County College. Finally, the Algonquin Arts Theatre in Manasquan is hosting “The 1940’s Radio Hour” (Dec. 1 – 4) including live big band and a holiday favorite, “Babes in Toyland” (Dec. 17 – 19). These are only a few of the good times to be had at these venues this season, so be sure to check their websites for a complete listing of events.
Festivals, trolleys and tours beat the mall any day! Hop on, and enjoy the season! The Ocean Grove VICTORIAN HOLIDAY FESTIVAL features a doll house exhibit with houses & inns tour, and more (Dec. 10 -11), while the Twilight Trolley Tour in the evening views the lights of OG from a Victorian Trolley (4-7pm @ $5 per ride)…and don’t miss their Christmas Tree lighting (Dec. 2). The Spring Lake Candlelight Christmas Inn Tour (Dec. 3 w/tour 3:30 – 7:00 & tea party 2:30 – 3:30) is one-of-a-kind. Visit Island Heights for their 28th Annual Christmas in Island Heights Home Tour & Two Craft Shows (Dec. 3) and travel via trolley, $5 one day pass! Keep going…the 6th Annual Holiday House Tour at the Tuckerton Seaport (Dec. 9) showcases wonderful holiday displays in the Seaport’s Captain House and Tucker’s Island Lighthouse. And don’t miss Christkindlmarkt (Dec. 10 -11) a holiday market and craft fair takes you back in time with horse drawn cart rides at the Seaport.
Visit Ocean and Monmouth County for special holiday parades and events that include lighting up your favorite shore town! In Point Pleasant, see Jenks sparkle! Come to ‘Sea of Lights’ at Jenkinson’s Aquarium for a nighttime display, and on December 10, it’s a holiday Drop & Shop! Leave the kids (5+) to play, tour, and make crafts while you shop from 8am – 1pm!
So, as you light the menorah or decorate the tree, begin planning your holiday at the Jersey Shore, the place to be year-round! (Psst, the Polar Plunge is coming up, get ready to dip in the ocean on the Asbury Park beach in January for bragging rights, plus it’s just way cool!)
Happy Holidays!!
P.S. While you’re out shopping in Red Bank, Seaside Heights, or one of the other towns that rock, look for our icon! The JSCVB’s Annual Jersey Shore Icon Contest kicked off Nov. 1st!!
**And, don’t forget, the Capture the Jersey Shore book is available for gift giving, a stunning coffee table book that represents almost every town. Shore lovers would be thrilled to get one of these beautiful books. They can be ordered now at pre-sale pricing of only $38.95 + Tax and shipping if applicable. Go to www.buy.capturethejerseshore.com and order your keepsake book today. Check out the website for some sample pages**
