As our yearly calendars go from two pages to one, the weather gets colder and the nights grow longer, the holiday season serves as a buffer against the winter to come.
Below are a sampling of things to do, see and experience throughout Haddonfield to ward off the chill and warm hearts in the season of giving.
Tree Lighting and Santa Parade
Haddonfield’s holiday season officially kicks off at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 29, with the annual tree lighting ceremony at Haddonfield Public Library. After presentations by Mayor Neal Rochford and other distinguished guests, the Haddonfield Memorial High School chorus will present a medley of holiday favorites.
Following the lighting, jolly old Saint Nick will make his presence known to children of all ages, usually on the back of one of the borough’s fire trucks. Santa then leads all ceremony attendees into downtown Haddonfield, where children can visit him — and pass along all their wishes — at the Kings Court gazebo.
“The tree lighting and parade is an annual tradition here in Haddonfield to kick off the holiday season, and a nice time for families to gather on the day after Thanksgiving to meet and mingle with their neighbors,” said Haddonfield Civic Association (HCA) Chief Ken Tomlinson.
Canned goods and other necessities for local charities will be collected at Library Point.
Rain date for the tree lighting will be at 6:30 p.m., Nov. 30. For more information about the HCA’s yearly events, visit: http://www.haddonfieldcelebrations.org/.
Seniors Thanksgiving Luncheon
The Mabel Kay Senior Center will hold its annual Thanksgiving luncheon at noon on Nov. 23. A hot turkey meal with all the trimmings, coffee and dessert will be served. The cost is $3 for Haddonfield residents and $5 for non-residents, payable at the door.
A jazz duo will perform during the luncheon, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 204 Wayne Ave. Note that doors will open at 11:30 a.m.
For more information, call (856) 354-8789.
Candlelight Shopping
Downtown Haddonfield this year will revive its long-awaited seasonal tradition, Candlelight Shopping. Visitors to the business district will have the chance to partake in an evening holiday shopping experience.
“The sights, sounds, aromas, and flavors of the holiday season take over the historic downtown, and we invite everyone to make a visit during Candlelight Shopping for an enjoyable and memorable experience,” said Remi Fortunato, retail coordinator for the Partnership for Haddonfield (PFH).
Complete with carriage rides, live entertainment, and festive holiday décor — along with shops and boutiques to serve every need — Candlelight Shopping will take place every Friday evening from Nov. 29 through Dec. 20. Carriage rides are expected to be available Friday, Dec. 6, 13, and 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A special edition on Sunday, Dec. 22 will last from noon to 3 p.m.
Check out https://downtownhaddonfield.com/events/candlelight-shopping-2019-holiday-festivities/ or call the Haddonfield Information Center at (856) 216-7253 for a full listing of events, participating businesses and entertainment on Fridays.
As an added enticement for holiday shoppers from around the region, parking throughout downtown Haddonfield will be free from Nov. 29 through Christmas Day.
Snowflake Run
Grab your sneakers and a holiday costume and register for the 2nd Annual Snowflake 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Dec. 7, sponsored by the Evening Membership Department of The Haddon Fortnightly. The race will again start and end in Crows Woods.
This year’s event will benefit the American Brain Tumor Association, www.abta.com, as well as other local and national charities. Check in, packet pick-up and race day registration will occur from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
Awards will be given to the top three overall finishers, male and female, then age groups 15 and under, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 and over.
The first 300 registered participants will receive long-sleeved tech shirts, and all participants will receive a custom designed snowflake medal. The race will be held rain or shine.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities email haddonfieldsnowflakerun@gmail.com.
Santa Night
Visit Santa and his friends at the North Pole outpost on the 300 block of Windsor Avenue. The Man With All The Toys will make an appearance on Friday, Dec. 20, starting at 6:45 p.m. Santa will collect non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank. Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and the spirit of Christmas.
Contact Chris Timpano with any questions at (609) 410-8317.
Festival of Lights
Hanukkah in Haddonfield officially begins at sunset on Dec. 22. Borough commissioners — along with Rabbi Yitzchok Kahan from Chabad of Camden and Burlington Counties and others from the Jewish community — are expected to light the huge Menorah stationed at Library Point on Friday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
