Holiday Events for Dec. 7 – 13

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Ballerina performs on stage during Red Bank borough tree lighting.

The Two River area has an array of concerts, shows, bazaars and other fun events for the holiday season.
Here is a selection of events in the area this week:
 
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS
The Atlantic Highlands Branch of the Monmouth County Library is holding a special concert at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13 called Rockin’ Winter Wonderland with Presley and Melody.
All ages welcome to join performers Presley and Melody as they offer a high-energy, interactive and dynamic concert. Fans experience a production that evolves into a live theater show, inviting enthusiastic children to join the pop star duo.
Registration is available by picking up free admission tickets at the 100 First Ave. library.
COLTS NECK
The Colts Neck branch of the Monmouth County Library will be hosting excerpts from The Nutcracker Ballet at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Patrons will be able to enjoy parts of the holiday favorite, presented by the Performing Arts Ensemble of Red Bank.
The library is located at 1 Winthrop Drive.
 
EATONTOWN
The Choraliers of Eatontown will present a Christmas concert, A Holiday to Remember at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at Woodmere School, Raleigh Court.
An airport on Christmas Eve is the setting for a selection of new and old Christmas songs from around the world.
The Choraliers is a four-part mixed chorus, which presented its first concert in the spring of 1969. The group is directed by Kathie Jacobs. Its members include singers from Brick, Middletown, Wall, and Oceanport, as well as Eatontown.
New members are always welcome.
Admission to the Christmas concert is $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors.
For further information, call Judy at 732-728-9434 or Kathy at 732-671-1676.
 
LINCROFT
The opening reception for the Monmouth Museum Holiday Gift Gallery will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at 765 Newman Springs Road, on the campus of Brookdale Community College.
The gift gallery, which will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 13, is a holiday exhibit showcasing local artists. One-of-a-kind gifts include jewelry, scarves, handbags, books, photographic prints, toys and games, ceramics, decorative home and garden items and more.
The reception is free and open to the public.
 
SHREWSBURY
The Monmouth County Library’s Eastern Branch at 1001 Route 35, will be hosting excerpts from The Nutcracker Ballet at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8.
Patrons will be able to enjoy parts of the holiday favorite, presented by the Performing Arts Ensemble of Red Bank. This is a family program. There is no registration is required but space is limited.
 
Monmouth County Histori­cal Association will participate on Friday, Dec. 7, in the annual Holiday Lantern Tours of Shrewsbury’s Historic Four Corners, a National and State desi­g­nated Historic District.
The historic buildings at the corner of Broad Street and Sycamore Avenue will be open to welcome the public. Tours begin at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and are by reservation only.
The tours will include four historic properties: Mon­mouth County Historical Association’s Allen House, which was built circa 1710; Christ Church (1769); the Presbyterian Church (1822); and Shrewsbury Friends Meeting House (1816).
Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Tours leave from Christ Church at 380 Sycamore Ave.
Reservations are available by calling Renee at 732- 915-5862.
 
The Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury, 352 Sycamore Ave., will be holding its annual Christmas bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8.
The bazaar is sponsored by Presbyterian Women and proceeds will be given to missions. The event features homemade food, handmade crafts, gifts, toys, fresh floral arrangements, jewelry and more. All are welcome.
RED BANK
The WGIRLS Coastal NJ kick off the holiday season with the 3rd Annual Hope for the Holiday’s fundraiser from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at Dublin House on Monmouth Street.
Proceeds will be used to purchase holiday gifts for children of Lunch Break, an organization that alleviates hunger in the local community. These children have been displaced from their homes and local schools due to the recent effects of Hurricane Sandy.
“Red Bank is one of the many local communities that have been impacted by Sandy. Our chapter wants to relieve these displaced children and their families during the holiday season,” said Jaclyn Boruch, president of WGIRLS Coastal NJ.
Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a two-hour open bar until 10 p.m., sing Christmas karaoke provided by KJ Giuseppe, get the chance to win great raffle prizes and eat delicious appetizers for $45 in Dublin House’s upstairs bar area.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are available at http://wgirlscoastalnj.tumblr.com/hope and at the door. Proper identification must be shown, all attendees must be 21 or older to attend.
 

Rabbi Harry Levin celebrates Hanukkah during a menorah lighting in Red Bank

A menorah lighting will be held to celebrate Hanukkah at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Red Bank railroad station.
 
Champagne with Santa, sponsored by the Red Bank Visitors Center and TSS Photography, will be held 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, at Taste in The Galleria, 2 Bridge Ave.
 

Holiday carolers at Dublin House courtyard.

Every Saturday through Dec. 22 from noon to 3 p.m. shoppers can enjoy the sounds of the season with the Holiday Harmonies. Tradi­tional carolers, choirs, brass bands, rock, folk, jazz and blues musicians will bring holiday tunes to the sidewalks of Red Bank.
 
Classic horse and carriage rides will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22, sponsored by Pauline Poyner and Red Bank RiverCenter.
 
A new event – “We Double Dog Dare You Scavenger Hunt” – will allow participants to visit the 50-plus businesses involved to search through Sunday, Dec. 16, for a hidden holiday character inspired by the holiday classic movie A Christmas Story. Shoppers will gather stamps on their hunt for every character they find, and once 15 are collected, they can enter a contest to win a Red Bank prize package.
 
The movie theme continues with the return of the popular, window-decorating contest. Businesses have been invited to decorate their windows using any holiday movie they choose. Shoppers can vote online at www.ACool Little Town.com through Sunday, Dec. 16, for their favorite windows.
 
Pictures with Santa will be available from noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 16 by TSS Photography at The Galleria, 2 Bridge Ave.
 
Free parking in the borough parking lot begins Monday, Dec. 10 and continues through Christmas Day, courtesy of the Borough of Red Bank.