Tons of holiday events are taking place this weekend, along with some fun outside of the holidays as well.
In Gloucester Township
- The holiday season kicks off with the annual Blackwood Fire Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. The theme of this year’s parade is “United We Stand.” The parade will begin at the intersection of Black Horse Pike and Church Street. It will proceed south to the Gloucester Township Outlets where Santa will make an appearance. There will be a tree lighting ceremony, and hot chocolate will be served. Enjoy live caroling performances from Mainstage Center for the Arts and special giveaways from retailers and local businesses.
In Winslow Township
- The Winslow Township annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Miller’s Mulch, located at 624 S. Egg Harbor Road (Route 561) in Hammonton. Join Mayor Barry Wright and Township Committee to kick off the holiday season. Refreshments will be served, and Santa will arrive by fire truck at 7 p.m. The rain date is Friday, Dec. 9. For more information, call (609) 567–0700.
- Santa Saturday is Saturday, Dec. 3 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Winslow Township High School. Take pictures with Santa and enjoy food, holiday music and holiday-themed activities. Winslow Township Fire Department will put on a puppet show. A Sensitive Santa will also be there for children with special needs. Appointments are required to see Sensitive Santa; e-mail [email protected] for appointment times.
Around South Jersey
- For another chance to see Santa, the man in the red suit will also be appearing at the Gibbsboro-Voorhees Lions Club’s annual Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 3. The event will take place at the Voorhees Community Hall at Lions Lake Park, Route 73 and Dutchtown Road, from 8 to 11 a.m. Santa will come to each table and pose for photos with kids and families, so parents should make sure to bring a camera. The cost is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children.
- Main Street in Medford Township will be transformed into a quaint winter wonderland this weekend as Medford Sunrise Rotary presents the 27th annual Dickens Festival on Saturday. The event will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. There will be a number of food options, attractions, an ice carver, live nativity and more. For a full list of activities, visit www.medfordsunriserotary.org.
- One of the largest living nativities in the area opens in Mt. Laurel this weekend. Fellowship Community Church is holding its 25th annual live nativity event. The walkthrough includes 13 indoor and outdoor scenes and takes about 45 minutes to complete. There will be homemade cookies and hot chocolate at the end of the walkthrough. The walkthrough is free to visit. For more information and directions, visit www.livingnativity.org.
- Star Wars fans will want to converge on the Cherry Hill Public Library on Saturday. Members of the 501st Legion will be dressed as Star Wars characters and host a question an answer session beginning at 1 p.m. in the library’s conference center. Star Wars fans are invited to dress up and take pictures with their favorite characters from the movies. Visit www.chplnj.org for more information.
- For families looking for some simple, local holiday fun, the Evesham Library is holding a Sunday Story Time with seasonal stories on Dec. 4. Residents can join the library’s Ms. Danielle for some fun, seasonal stories to be followed by an engaging and creative activity. This event is best suited for those ages 3 to 6. The event starts at 3:30 p.m., and to register families can visit www.bcls.lib.nj.us
- A number of tree lightings are taking place across South Jersey this weekend. One of these will take place in Berlin Borough on Saturday. The event will begin at 6 p.m. at Village Square in front of Borough Hall, located at 59 South White Horse Pike. Santa Claus will arrive on a fire truck and will greet kids at the gazebo. There will be cookies and hot chocolate available.
- Eastern Regional High School Project Graduation Holiday Craft Show is Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafts, refreshments and lunch items will be sold. The annual craft show helps Eastern families support the school’s annual Project Graduation, which provides graduating seniors a fun, alcohol- and drug-free graduation night.
- HOPE Church in Voorhees continues its holiday happenings for its youth performance of “All About That Baby: A Sheep-ishly Fun Christmas Musical” at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. Join the shepherds in Bethlehem for two days leading up to the birth of Jesus, but with a funny twist — there some cool sheep who talk and rap throughout the production. The church is located at 700 Cooper Road, Voorhees.
At the Jersey Shore
- West Cape May will ring in the holidays with its annual Christmas Parade on Saturday. The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at the West Cape May firehouse and continue south on Broadway. It will then go onto Perry Street and finish along Carpenter Lane. The rain date for the parade is Dec. 4. For more information and a parade lineup, visit www.westcapemay.us.
- Model train fans will want to be in Ocean City this weekend for the town’s Train Show on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year’s show will take place at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center at 6th Street and the Boardwalk. There will be dozens of trains on display as well as vendors. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children. For more information, call (609) 399–6111.
In Philadelphia
- South Street Headhouse District will welcome the holiday season with its Christmas parade and tree lighting on Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. The parade will begin at Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens at 11th and South streets and end at Headhouse Shambles, located at 2nd and Lombard streets. The tree lighting will follow the parade at 5 p.m. There will be a number of South Street vendors and entertainment after the parade as well. Visit www.southstreet.com/event/south-street-christmas-parade for more information.
- America’s oldest street, Elfreth’s Alley, will also be decked out for the holidays this weekend as America’s oldest street host its annual Deck the Alley event on Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. Guests can visit more than a dozen private homes along the street. The celebration feature caroling, refreshments, story telling, an upside-down Christmas tree and a visit by Benjamin Franklin. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children. Visit www.elfrethsalley.org for more information.
