Holiday Happenings

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The Two River area will be the site of a wide variety of holiday happenings during the next few weeks. 

ONGOING EVENTS
Kids under 12 ride free on NY Waterway ferries this holiday season through Jan. 2. nywaterway.com/KidsFree; 800-53-FERRY
Free holiday parking in downtown Red Bank Dec. 12 – 25
Ice King & Cold Storage and Ed Jarrett & Company present The Ice King Nutcracker, a holiday wonderland of over 75 tons of intricately sculpted ice carved into several popular scenes from “The Nutcracker.” Open through Jan. 1, Monday to Thursday 4 to 8 p.m., Friday 4 to 10 p.m., Sat. noon to 10 p.m., Sunday noon to 8 p.m. Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Dress warmly. Tickets $5 to $10. icekingnutcracker.com; 732-922-0852; 4045 Route 33 West, Tinton Falls
Holiday Scavenger Hunt through Dec. 18 in Red Bank. Search the holiday windows at 40 participating businesses to figure out which holiday song inspired the decorations. Enter to win a Red Bank Grand Prize Package. Pick up and drop off completed entry forms at participating businesses. redbank.org
Pictures with Santa, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 24, noon to 4 p.m., The Galleria Red Bank, 2 Bridge Ave. redbank.org
Classic Horse & Wagon Rides, Saturdays through Dec. 24, 1 to 5 p.m. 11 Bridge Ave. and 26 Broad St. Free. redbank.org
Holiday Harmonies, the sounds of the season, Saturdays through Dec. 24, noon to 3 p.m. on the sidewalks of Red Bank. redbank.orghttp://redbank.org
The Highlands Business Partnership 4th Annual Holiday Lights Contest is open to any residential home within Highlands Borough limits. Enter online. Submissions must be received by Dec. 16, 12 a.m. Judging will take place on Dec. 17. Cash prizes awarded. Highlands residents can cast their vote for the People’s Choice award. highlandsnj.com; 732-291-4713

DECEMBER 8
The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County will sponsor a Hanukkah Menorah/Platter Painting from 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Around the Corner Art Center for children ages 4 and up. The cost is $12 per child, supplies included. Children will be guided by the staff to paint their own ceramic menorah or latke platter. The piece will be dried, fired, and returned to the museum for pick up the following week. Space is limited, paid reservations required. jhmomc.org; 732-252-6990; 290 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold
The Monmouth County Library hosts Traditions of Hanukkah and Christmas at the headquarters library in Manalapan at 7 p.m. The special program, presented by Rabbi Brooks Sussman of Freehold, an adjunct professor at Brookdale Community College, and Christopher M. Bellitto, Ph.D., a church historian, highlights the traditions and reasons for Hanukkah and Christmas. Both holidays fall on Dec. 25 this year – the first time since 1959 the first night of the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights has occurred on Christmas Day. Free. No reservations needed. monmouthcountylib.org; 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan
DECEMBER 9 
The Church of St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank presents Handel’s Messiah, Part One, featuring the combined talents of the Red Bank Oratory Chorus and Orchestra and the Diocesan Festival Choir under the direction of Shawn Mack at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, students and seniors $15. 732-747-0813; 121 Bridge Ave., Red Bank.

DECEMBER  10 – 11, 17 – 18
Monmouth Players present Thornton Wilder’s “A Long Christmas Dinner” at the Navesink Arts Center in the Dean K. Anderson Theater. $15 general admission, $10 for veterans. Coffee and homemade desserts available. Reservations are required. monmouthplayers.net; 732-291-9211; 149 Monmouth Ave., Atlantic Highlands
Asbury Park Bazaar and the Market Asbury Park will hold the 4th Annual Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar from noon to 5 p.m. in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall. The Holiday Bazaar includes dozens of vendors, artists and makers selling unique holiday gifts and artisan goods, transforming the Grand Arcade into a winter wonderland reminiscent of European holiday markets. Festive treats, kid’s crafts, holiday workshops. Bring a toy or lightly used coat to donate for the AP Toy & Coat Drive. asburyparkbazaar.com
The Garden State Central Model Railroad Club presents a Holiday Model Train display, noon to 5 p.m. at InfoAge Science Center. The display features operating model railroads in N, HO, O and G gauge trains, special trains set up for children to operate, and a visit from Santa. Donations requested of $7 adults and $3 for children. Free parking. gardenstatecentral.com; 2201 Marconi Road, Wall

DECEMBER 10
Join the Christmas Sing-Along at Historic Longstreet Farm. Rick Garland plays the piano in the Longstreet farmhouse for an old-fashioned sing-along from 1 to 3 p.m. Free. monmouthcountyparks.com; 732-946-3758; 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel
The Friends of Middletown Library presents Band of the Two Rivers Holiday Concert at 2 p.m. The 25-piece band will play in the Middletown Township Library’s Community Room. mtpl.org; 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown
St. Mary’s Church in Colts Neck presents its 9th annual “Light Up a Memory” tree lighting ceremony after the 4 p.m. Mass. Sponsor a light in memory of someone deceased or in honor of a living person for this heartwarming Christmas tradition. Music provided by St. Mary’s Choir.  Refreshments served. A card of acknowledgement is provided with each $10 donation. The deadline to reserve a light is Nov. 27. stmaryscoltsneck.org; 732-780-2666; 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck
Asbury Park will hold a 5k Santa Run in support of Lunch Break. Run or walk with an army of Santas starting at 10 a.m. After party featuring live music and drink specials. A toy and food drive will be held the same day. apsantarun.com
The Highlands Recreation Department and the Henry Hudson Key Club host Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Robert D. Wilson Memorial Community Center. The event is free and open to the public. highlandsnj.com; 732-291-4713; 22 Snug Harbor Ave., Highlands
The Two River Theater’s Reindeer Rest Stop provides family-friendly holiday crafts, games, and hot chocolate in the lobby from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Activities include theater “Reindeer Games,” a “Marshmallow World” hot chocolate station, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” ornaments, “Let it Snow” paper snowflakes and more. Free. tworivertheater.org; 732-345-1400; 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
DECEMBER 11
holiday-calendar-photo-2-12-8The Colts Neck Historical Preservation Committee presents a Country Christmas at Montrose School from 1 to 4 p.m., including photos with Santa Claus, seasonal refreshments, exclusive Colts Neck gift items, and more at the historic Montrose one-room schoolhouse. The fir tree outside the school will be lit during the afternoon; a small Christmas tree inside the school will be festooned with decorations appropriate to the period. Free. Corner of Montrose Road and Cedar Drive
Parker Homestead-1665 hosts their Holiday Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy live holiday music, refreshments, decorations, and more. The newly refurbished barns will be open. Free and open to the public. parkerhomestead-1665.org; 235 Rumson Road, Little Silver
The Westminster Presbyterian Church presents Lessons and Carols from 4 to 5 p.m., an Advent-themed program featuring more than 30 combined choir members, a violinist, soprano soloists and more from the WPC Chancel Choir and the choir of the Presbyterian Church on the Hill in Ocean. Followed by a homemade Christmas Cookie reception in the WPC Community Center, Harlan Hall. Free. wpcmiddletown.org; 94 Tindall Road, Middletown
The Tower Hill First Presbyterian Church choir presents “Fantasia: A Concert of Joy” at 7 p.m. The program features Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Fantasia on Christmas Carols” and other works, including “Glory to God” from Handel’s “Messiah,” and arrangements of seasonal favorites. Part of the Tower Hill Concert Series. The concert is free. An offering will be taken to offset concert series expenses. towerhillchurch.org; 732-747-1348; 255 Harding Road, Red Bank
Snowflake Treasure Hunt and Selfies with Santa in downtown Asbury Park for children and families from 1 to 4 p.m. Chose a number at Fitness Lifestyles on Cookman Ave. then search for that number on merchants’ doors and windows throughout downtown to receive a holiday treasure. Santa will be available for photo ops; bring children, friends, family and even pets. Please bring a can of food for the food drive. facebook.com/apshuffle; 614 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park
DECEMBER 14
The Atlantic Highlands Historical Society hosts an Evening of Holiday Music at the Strauss Mansion Museum at 7:30 p.m. Jeff Starr conducts the Henry Hudson Regional A Capella Choir singing festive songs to celebrate the season. The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. ahhistory.com; 732-291-1861; 27 Prospect Circle, Atlantic Highlands.
New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial hosts a Wreaths Across America ceremony at 1:15 p.m. in the Vietnam Veterans Era Museum and Educational Center to remember those New Jersey veterans lost during military service. Remembrance wreaths will be presented to Gold Star families, and seven ceremonial wreaths will be laid for each branch of the military and POW/MIA veterans. Free and open to the public. njvvmf.org; 732-335-0033; 1 Memorial Lane, Holmdel
DECEMBER  16
Santa stops at Sickles Market from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. with Mrs. Claus and some of his real, live magical reindeer, so have your photo taken in the greenhouse, which will be teeming with winter blooms. Visit the Christmas Shoppe and enjoy tasting demos. sicklesmarket.com; 732.741.9563; One Harrison Ave., Little Silver

DECEMBER 17 – 18
Visit with Santa at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas at the farm as children visit with Santa, then take a walk to the farmhouse for a cup of cider. Free. monmouthcountyparks.com; 732-946-3758; 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel.
The Highlands EMS hosts a Holiday Gift Wrapping event from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Highlands First Aid Squad Building. Santa’s Little Life Saver’s will be donating their time wrapping Highlands resident’s holiday gifts, free of charge. Gift-wrapping and bows provided or you may bring your own. highlandsnj.com; 732-291-4713; 34-36 Valley Street, Highlands

DECEMBER 17
The Red Bank Public Library will host a Holiday Party for children ages 3-12 at 11 a.m. There will be crafts, games and goodies. Free. Registration is suggested. redbanklibrary.org; 732-842-0690; 84 West Front St., Red Bank
The Middletown Arts Center presents “A Christmas Carol” at 2 and 7 p.m., a family-friendly night of theater, with special appearances from the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Present during intermission. A chorus of carolers will be singing Christmas classics. Tickets $10 and $15, group discounts available. 732-706-4100; 36 Church St., Middletown
Elf Party at the Middletown Arts Center from noon to 3 p.m. Make a present for your favorite elf and watch the “Elf on the Shelf” movie. Pizza, drinks and snacks provided. Pre-registration required. $25 per child, $15 for siblings. 732-706-4100; 36 Church St., Middletown

DECEMBER 18
Monmouth Civic Chorus brings the sounds of the season to the Count Basie Theatre at 4 p.m with Joy to the World. The chorus will perform an array of holiday favorites including O Holy Night, Auld Lang Syne, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Deck the Hall. Intertwined throughout will be classical stalwarts from Handel’s Messiah and Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Tickets are $5 (student) to $45 (adult). monmouthcivicchorus.org; 732-933-9333; 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
The Shrewsbury Chorale presents The Many Moods of Christmas at 3 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church. Neil Brown conducts four suites of favorite carols plus selections from Handel’s Messiah, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Four Nutcracker Favorites, and more. Includes reception. Tickets $10 to $25. shrewsburychorale.org; 732-747-1362; 90 Kings Hwy., Middletown
The Highlands Fire Department hosts Visit with Santa Toys For Tots program at 1 p.m. at the Highlands Fire House. The event is free and open to the public. highlandsnj.com; 732-291-4713; 171 Shore Drive, Highlands
The Shoppes at the Arcade host a Winter Photo Land holiday party from noon to 5 p.m. Special retro holiday background set up for selfie photo ops, with a variety of crazy Christmas hats to use. Wander through the Winter Wonderland of 10 unique shops and sample free treats from merchants, including eggnog and cookies, listen to holiday tunes, and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Hot chocolate for all ages and hot toddies for the adults. facebook.com/apshuffle; 658 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park

DECEMBER 22 
Project Write Now hosts a Holiday Open House from 4 to 6 p.m. for ages 10 and up. Food, drink and some fun writing games. projectwritenow.org; 908-675‑0467; 25 Bridge Ave., Suite 130, Red Bank

DECEMBER 27
The annual Red Bank Menorah Lighting takes place at the Red Bank train station at 6:30 p.m. redbank.org; Monmouth St. and Bridge Ave., Red Bank