Holiday Event Calendar

NOW THROUGH JAN. 1

Monmouth Museum’s Winter Wonderland and Model Trains Display features tiny people forever frozen in everyday activities, creating a still universe brought to life by passing trains. 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, monmouthmuseum.org

Paper Moon Puppet Theatre, a classic puppet theater for everyone, presents “The Nutcracker” Saturdays at 2 p.m. now through the holidays. All seating: $10. Weekday performances for school groups and more. 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, papermoonpuppettheatre.com

NOV. 29

Santa Express and Santa Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will board the 6:40 p.m. train at Little Silver Train Station and arrive in Red Bank at 6:44 p.m. to lead the Santa Parade to Broad Street for the town lighting and concert.

Red Bank’s 27th annual Town Lighting and Holiday Express Concert will feature favorite tunes and special guests starting at 7 p.m. Holiday Express is requesting donations of deodorant and bars of soap. Donation bins will be located in downtown locations. Broad Street and Canal Street, redbank.org

Performing Arts Ensemble presents The Big Holiday Show at Middletown Arts Center at 7 p.m. featuring “Nutcracker” excerpts with singing, dancing and more. Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for children and seniors.
36 Church St., Middletown, 732-614-5426, paenj.org

NOV. 30 – DEC. 1

Poricy Park’s Historic Murray Farmhouse presents a Colonial Christmas from 1 to 3 p.m. and photos with Santa from noon to 4 p.m. at the Nature Center. $10 per child; $2 for additional child. 345 Oak Hill Road, Middletown

NOV. 30

Middletown Arts Center will host The Wag Christmas Spectacular from 7 to 9 p.m. to benefit Monmouth County SPCA featuring live music, dancers, comedy and more. Tickets: $15. 36 Church St., Middletown, 732-706-4100, thewagband.com, middletownarts.org

Horse & Carriage Rides 1 to 5 p.m. Saturdays at the Galleria through Dec. 21. One Bridge Ave., Red Bank, redbank.org

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar will take place 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22 at Convention Hall featuring artists, vendors and shops selling a variety of goods. This indoor event is free to attend, open to all ages and pets. 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, 732-897-6500, asburyparkbazaar.com

Wizards of Winter will perform a festive ensemble at Paramount Theatre at 7:30 p.m. featuring vocal harmonies, guitar leads, string instrumentation, percussion and keyboard through many genres of music. 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, 732-897-6500

DEC. 1

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Celtic Woman’s Best of Christmas Symphony Tour who will perform a range of Christmas music including traditional Irish carols and anthems utilizing Irish harps, bagpipes, drums and fiddles. 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 732-842-9000, celticwoman.com

DEC. 3-4

Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Holiday Sing-along with pianist Robin Spieldberg. Sing-alongs, meaningful reflection, fun stories and concert films. 150 Avenel Street, Woodbridge, (732) 314-0500, avenelarts.com

DEC. 6

Society of St. Cecilia of St. Anthony of Padua presents
its Christmas concert featuring Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina’s “Missa Hodie Christus Natus Est” and Johan Sebastian Bach’s “Cantata 140” at 7:30 p.m. Admission: $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at the church or at the door. 121 Bridge Ave., Red Bank, 732-747-0813

DEC. 7

Westminster Presbyterian Church (WPC) will present its popular, family-oriented, holiday event Come to Bethlehem from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors can enjoy a hands-on, Holy Land experience by exploring the city of Bethlehem, learn about customs and foods from Biblical times and hear the story of Christmas. 94 Tindall Road, Middletown, wpcmiddletown.org

Atlantic Chamber of Commerce will hold its tree lighting ceremony, followed by an annual scavenger hunt from 4 to 8 p.m. 100 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands, 732-872-8711, ahchamber.org

Shrewsbury Presbyterian Church presents its Christmas Bazaar from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring live Christmas music, photos with Santa, shopping for unique gifts and various food selections. 352 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury, 732-747-3557, tpcas.org

Tower Hill Church will host Christmas on the Hill at 5 p.m. featuring musical performances, a tree lighting ceremony and a firepit with s’mores. 225 Harding Road, Red Bank, towerhillchurch.org

Asbury Park Santa Run – or walk – 5K course will benefit Lunch Break. Registration begins at 8 a.m.; race starts at 10 a.m. in front of the Stone Pony followed by an after party featuring live music by Brian Kirk & The Jirks at 11 a.m. Tickets: $29.95. 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, lunchbreak.org

Westside Christmas Tree Lighting at 6 p.m. at Johnny Jazz Park featuring holiday songs by the Red Bank Prima- ry School Choir and Pilgrim Baptist Church Choir with special appearance by Santa Claus and friends. 270 Shrewsbury Ave., Red Bank, redbank.org

DEC. 7 – 8

West Grove Memorial United Methodist Church presents The Streets of Bethlehem and Live Nativity from 5 to 8 p.m. The church grounds transform into a re-creation of the night of Jesus’ birth featuring characters in costume and market vendors reminiscent of that time period. 102 Walnut St., Neptune, 732-774-6748

DEC. 8

Shrewsbury Chorale presents “Christmas Past” a concert of inspiring choral music conducted by Joshua Anand Slater, new music director, with organ accompaniment by Fiona Smith Sutherland and vocal soloists at 3 p.m. at  St. George’s-by-the-River Church. Admission: $25, $20 for seniors/students, $10 for children under 12. 7 Lincoln Ave., Rumson, shrewsburychorale.org

Middletown Township’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration will begin at 5 p.m. and feature crafts, music, chorus performances, a visit from Santa Claus and hot chocolate and cookies. 36 Church St., Middletown, 732-706-4100, middletownarts.org

Asbury Park Music Foundation’s holiday show, A Very Asbury Holiday, will be at noon at the Paramount Theatre. The APMF supports the community through music education for underserved youth. 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, asburyparkmusiclives.org

Parker Homestead will host its 7th annual Holiday Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors are invited to tour the home and experience the spirit of the holidays in the old-fashioned way with carolers, cookies and cider. 235 Rumson Road, Little Silver, parkerhomestead-1665.org

DEC. 9

The German Language School will host a free St. Nikolas celebration at 2:30 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd featuring a Nativity play, German Christmas carols and a multilingual St. Nikolas. Please RSVP. 112 Middletown Road, Holmdel, 732-705-7305, njlearnsgerman.org

Dec. 10-11

Celtic Angels Christmas features vocal and instrumental seasonal and Irish favorites along with spectacular world class champion Irish dancing. Avenel Performing Arts Center, 150 Avenel Street, Woodbridge, (732) 314-0500, avenelarts.com

DEC. 13 – 15

“Elf The Musical, Jr.” is coming to Middletown Arts Center performed by a theater class after its 10-week duration. Showtimes: 7 p.m. Friday; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. 36 Church St., Middletown, 732-706-4100, middletownarts.org

DEC. 14

All Saints’ Church – the Stone Church – presents Winterfest and Live Nativity from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring live animals from noon to 3 p.m., photo opportunities with Santa Claus, food, crafts and more. 202 Navesink Ave., Navesink, 732-291-0214, allsaintsnavesink.org

DEC. 15

The New Jersey State Youth Orchestra (NJSYO) will perform a Winter Concert at Middletown High School South at 1 p.m. Limited general admission is $15; premium seating $25. 900 Nutswamp Road, Middletown, 732-706-4100, njsyo.org, middletownarts.org

DEC. 20 – 22

Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater presents a new holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker ROCKS” with a Jersey Shore rock ‘n’ roll twist. Gaslight Anthem rockers reinvented the classic holiday ballet score. Tickets are $48 to $54 with special discounts for seniors and students. 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park, axelrodartscenter.com

DEC. 22

Congregation B’nai Israel will host a menorah lighting and Chanukah sing-along at 5:30 p.m. 171 Ridge Road, Rumson, cbirumson.org

DEC. 23

The Eastern Branch of the Monmouth County Library will host an annual menorah lighting led by Rabbi Dovid Harrison at 6:30 p.m. He and his family from Congregation Beth Shalom will also provide doughnuts, latkes and dreidels for all children. 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, monmouthcountylib.org