For many, the day after the family comes together and sits around the dinner table for a Thanksgiving feast is the official start to the holiday season. In Haddonfield, that is when the festivities will begin.
Downtown Haddonfield kicks off the holiday season Friday, Nov. 27 with Candlelight Shopping and Small Business Weekend. The weekend will include lights lining downtown streets, shopping discounts, horse-drawn carriage rides, lighting of the tree and, of course, a visit from Santa.
“During the holiday season, Haddonfield turns into a magical place. There are lights and all of the stores put out luminaries, and there are carriage rides. It all comes together in that old town, quaint feeling that the whole family can enjoy and shop,” said Remi Fortunato, retail coordinator for the Partnership for Haddonfield.
Small Business Weekend is dedicated to supporting small businesses during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. Everyone is invited to “shop small” at their favorite locally owned stores and restaurants.
The kick-off to the holiday season is Friday, Nov. 27, when Candlelight Shopping will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The borough Holiday Tree-lighting Ceremony will also happen that day at Library Point starting at 6:30 p.m. followed by a parade to Kings Court, featuring Santa Claus. Musical performances during this kick-off evening will include Haddonfield’s Pick Up Band, the Mp4! Quartet, Shades of Harmony Chorus, Dr. Lou’s Quartet and the Pine Barons Chorus. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available for all from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28, shoppers can enjoy entertainment by DJ Frank Staff throughout the afternoon from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Musical performances will also include Three Good Men from noon to 3 p.m. and Special Occasion Quartet from 2 to 5 p.m. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available from noon to 3 p.m. Then Small Business Sunday is noon to 6 p.m.
The Haddonfield Menorah Lighting Ceremony will be held on Monday, Dec. 8 at Library Point starting at 6 p.m.
Downtown will be decorated throughout December with sparkling white lights that will set trees and doorways aglow. Specifically on Friday nights, the streets of Haddonfield will be lined with luminarias during Candlelight Shopping through Dec. 18, providing holiday warmth and a festive ambiance for shoppers. Those nights also include musical entertainment as well as carriage rides.
Midnight Monday will be held again this year on Dec. 21 where late-night shoppers can explore downtown shops and boutiques until midnight. Midnight Monday is perfect for the night owls and for those who might need to squeeze in a few more holiday shopping hours. Horse-drawn carriage rides and music will be available that night.
Those shopping in Haddonfield during the holiday season are encouraged to stop by the Information Center in Kings Court for a 10 percent discount on town-wide gift certificates.
“We hope (visitors and residents) hear about our great shops, come and visit, and remember us throughout the year with all of the unique boutiques and shops,” Fortunato said.
Parking is free during the holiday season. For more information about these downtown events, please call the Haddonfield Information Center at (856) 216–7253 or visit www.downtownhaddonfield.com.
The Annual Outdoor Children’s Live Nativity will be held Friday, Dec. 11, at First Baptist Church of Haddonfield at 124 Kings Highway East, complete with live animals and music at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Hot chocolate and cookies will be available. The rain date is Dec. 18. For more information and directions, please call (856) 429–2326 or visit www.firstbaptisthaddonfield.org.
Another holiday event is the Haddonfield Holiday House Tour, presented by Interfaith Caregivers, on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Featured will be five holiday decorated houses and the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield.
Tickets are available on the website www.ifchaddon.org and at the IFC office behind borough hall, as well as Harrisons of Haddonfield, the Haddonfield Public Library and the Haddonfield Information Center. They are $20 before and $25 the day of the event.
IFC is also selling friendship balls, available at Harrisons and at the IFC office. All money raised goes toward IFC.
Rounding off the winter events of the 2015 season is First Night Haddonfield on Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight. First Night features a New Year’s Eve celebration complete with live entertainment, fireworks, activities and fun for all ages. First Night buttons, which are required to attend all indoor performances and activities, are $15 each and can be purchased online, at the Haddonfield Information Center and at various button outlets throughout Haddonfield.
For more information on First Night or to support the event as a sponsor or volunteer, please visit www.firstnighthaddonfield.org.
