Santa Claus is coming to town – with much fanfare – on Friday, Nov. 15. The big jolly elf will arrive in style to the Voorhees Town Center at 6:30 p.m., riding atop a Voorhees Fire Department firetruck and escorted by members of the fire and police departments. Santa will take part in the ceremonial lighting of the township Christmas tree before heading indoors to pose for photos and hear children’s holiday wishes.
Additional activities include a balloon artist, face painter, tattoo artist, “holiday hairspray” by Cutting Crew, festive characters, and a presentation by Creative Motion. J-Dogs Food Truck will be on hand with drinks and snacks. The festivities will wrap up at 9 p.m.
Deck the halls
At the same time as the tree lighting and Santa’s arrival, the Voorhees Arts Council will host its Meet the Artists reception in its gallery at the Voorhees Town Center. All art will be 10 percent off from 6 to 9 p.m. and refreshments will be served.
During its reception, VAC will also host a BookSmiles Live Paint Event at 7 p.m. In partnership with the nonprofit BookSmiles, which strives to expand literacy and provide free books to children and educators, six local VAC artists will paint collection bins that transport BookSmiles donations. Books will also be collected – and distributed – at the event.
The VAC will host additional workshops during November and December, including a chance to paint a holiday card for deployed military troops from 7 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 19, a miniature painting workshop at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 21, pop-up art for youth on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, photography drop-in classes on Thursdays and watercolor classes on Tuesdays. For more details, visit www.VoorheesArtsCouncil.org or www.facebook.com/voorheesartscouncil
Friendsgiving and festivities
The week before Thanksgiving, Congregation Beth El will host its Let’s Do Shabbat Friendsgiving on Friday, Nov. 22, which is a community family-friendly Shabbat for all ages. Service is at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for children and free for ages 5 and younger. Learn more at bethelsnj.org/letsdoshabbat. Congregation Beth El is located at 8000 Main St.
House of Beth El featuring Hazzan and Company is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the synagogue. All are welcome to join this fall celebration featuring music, dancing, a photo booth and more. Learn more and get tickets at bethelsnj.org/houseofbe.
Beth El is also planning a private tour of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Exhibit at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia on Thursday, Dec. 5. The bus departs at 4:45 p.m. and the $50 cost includes transportation, the tour and dinner upon return. Space is limited and registration will close on Nov. 20. Visit bethelsnj.org/rbg to register.
Holiday shopping
Get a jump on holiday shopping on Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Voorhees Ballet Theater Vendor & Craft Fair, set for 1 to 4 p.m. at Lowe Dance Studio, 1207 Haddonfield-Berlin Road. There is something for everyone on your holiday list from a variety of vendors, including Scentsy, Tastefully Simple, Thirty-One, SC Creations, Chalk Couture, Paparazzi Jewelry & Accessories, and more.
On Saturday, Dec. 7, there is another opportunity to shop at the 26th annual Eastern Holiday Craft Show. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school, 1401 Laurel Oak Road. In addition to a bevy of crafters and artisans peddling their wares, refreshments and lunch will be available for purchase. The show supports Eastern High School’s Project Graduation, which provides a drug- and alcohol-free graduation party to each year’s senior class.
Holidays on stage
In the mood to sit back, relax and take in a show? Voorhees Ballet Theater will continue its tradition of “The Nutcracker” in December. Shows are 7 p.m. on Dec. 13, 5 p.m. on Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Voorhees Middle School theater, 1000 Holly Oak Drive. Tickets are available at www.vbtnj.com.
Can’t make it to a VBT production, or perhaps you just can’t get enough of the classic holiday ballet? The next week, take in South Jersey Ballet Theatre’s production of “The Nutcracker” at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 20, 1 and 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 21 and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 22, also at the Voorhees Middle School theater, 1000 Holly Oak Drive. For tickets, visit www.southjerseyballet.com.
Jingle all the way to Eastern Regional High School on Tuesday, Dec. 17 and Thursday, Dec. 19, when the school hosts two holiday winter concerts from 7 to 9 p.m. Shows are at Eastern Center for the Performing Arts, 1401 Laurel Oak Road.
Sweet seasonal fun
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Hope Church’s Gingerbread House Decorating event from 6 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the church, 700 Cooper Road. Families can build and decorate the holiday house of their dreams out of gingerbread, icing and plenty of candy. Cost is $15 and covers materials for one house. Reservations are required to ensure there are enough materials for all participants. Register and pay at meethope.org/ginger.
The Hope holiday fun doesn’t end with gingerbread houses on Nov. 30. That same day, the church will ring in the Christmas season with its free community tree lighting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be hot chocolate and warm apple cider, cookies, a stage filled with festive performers, activities for kids and even a visit from Santa Claus himself. The event is rain or shine, with the fun moving indoors in the event of rain. For more information, visit meethope.org/christmas.
Fun for furry family members
Let your furry family members enjoy the season during the Voorhees Animal Orphanage’s Holiday Pet Pictures, planned for 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, Dec. 1, at The Promenade at Sagemore in Marlton, 500 S. Route 73. Pets can get a photo with Santa Claus, and all monetary and food donations collected will benefit the animal shelter.
There’s another seasonal opportunity to help locals pets – and possibly help your holiday shopping budget as well – with the Animal Welfare Association’s 2019 50/50 Raffle. Tickets are $5, and proceeds support the shelter and its mission to save the lives of homeless pets. Last year’s winner took home more than $24,000. The drawing will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, and tickets can be purchased online (minimum of two tickets) or at the AWA’s Adoption Center, 509 Centennial Blvd., from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Visit support.awanj.org/raffle to purchase tickets online.
Do you have a holiday event coming up? Share it with the community! Email your events to [email protected].
