Your 2021 Guide To Holiday Events Around Bridgewater

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The holiday season is here and Bridgewater residents can look forward to festive events in the upcoming weeks.

Here is a list of some holiday events in town:

Bridgewater's Christmas Tree Lighting

Bridgewater will host the Second Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Township Municipal Building at 100 Commons Way. The free event will include a Christmas Sing-A-Long, Hot Chocolate and Candy Canes, Toys For Tots new and unwrapped toy drop off for Girl Scout Troop 60029, and a visit from Santa at the end.

Christmas in Raritan

The Raritan Economic Development Committee is presenting Christmas in Raritan on Saturday, Dec. 11., from 1 to 6 p.m. in downtown Raritan and will include vendors, food, beverages, live entertainment, carolers, crafts, and a visit from Santa. For more information visit makeraritanyours.com.

Carols by Candlelight

Branchburg will be hosting Carols by Candlelight at the White Oak Park pavilion at 235 Baird Road in Branchburg on Thursday, Dec. 9. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with hot cocoa and carols with the SHS Chamber Choir begin at 7 p.m. A surprise visitor may also attend the event.

Friends of Bridgewater History 2021 Tour of Festive Lights

The first annual Tour of Festive Lights, formerly Merry and Bright is a drive-through Hot Cocoa Event to be held on Sunday, Dec. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Martinsville Community Center. Maps will be sold for $5 and include recommended self-guided tours. For more information click here.

Christmas Drive-Thru Live Nativity

The Evangel Chapel Bridgewater at 505 Route 28 in Bridgewater is hosting a Christmas Drive-Thru, featuring a Live Nativity on Friday, Dec. 17, Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information click here.

Holiday Craft Festival

The Somerset County 4-H Association at 310 Milltown Road in Bridgewater is hosting their annual, free to attend, Holiday Craft Festival from Dec. 10 to 11. This two-day event will be filled with holiday cheer including a very special visit from Santa Claus with his Red Santa Sleigh which is great for photo opportunities, a gingerbread house contest that is open for all to participate in, a running train display by the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters, as well as plenty of handmade craft vendors and local artisans to help you with your holiday stocking stuffers. For more information click here.

Santa at the Commons

Located in Center Court on the Lower Level, Santa at the Bridgewater Commons, presented by RWJBarnabas Health, welcomes families for safe, socially distanced visits and photos via a reimagined walk-through experience. Visits with Santa are through Dec. 24. Reservations are recommended to ensure choice of preferred day and time. Walk-ups are permitted as well. Purchases of photos are made at the experience. Kids 10 and under receive magical Twinkle Special Effects Glasses when they visit Santa for photos, while supplies last. For more information visit bridgewatercommons.com/santa.

Holiday Lights Hayride

Night -time Special Holiday-themed hayrides (5 to 7:30 p.m.) (Christmas Lights and music, animals will be viewed from the comfort of the tractor) at Norz Hill Farm at 120 S Branch Road in Hillsborough. Guests can bring a camera to take Holiday Pictures (no professional photographers). Warming Fire - toast up some marshmallows and enjoy some hot cocoa. The Home Farm Stand will be open so you can stock up on meats, pies, pastas, and so much more. For more information click here.

Christmas Eve Town Caroling - Basking Ridge Village

Every year on Dec. 24 for 98 years starting promptly at 7 p.m. on what’s known as “The Green”, residents, families, friends, and guests in Basking Ridge gather for less than 20 minutes to sing Christmas carols, wish good tidings, then move on to their personal family traditions. Church bells begin ringing at about 6:45 p.m. 10 songs are sung and the caroling ends at approximately 7:25 p.m. again with a round of ringing church bells. The “sing” is the oldest continuous Christmas Eve sing in New Jersey. For more information visit mrlocalhistory.org.

North Pole on North Maple

The 2nd Annual North Pole on North Maple is a three-night event this year. Drive through the Ross Farm at 135 N Maple Avenue in Basking Ridge, festively decorated for the season, on the weekend of Dec. 10 for a free, fun and safe holiday outing with family and friends and don't forget your letters for Santa. Donations merrily accepted. For more information click here.

Winter Movie Night

The Hillsborough Recreation Department is hosting a Winter Movie Night at the Hillsborough Township Municipal Complex at 379 S Branch Road on Dec. 10. "Elf" is showing, and the admission fee is one set of new pajamas per child. Pre-registration via the recreation website is required as space is limited.

Flounder's Kringle Market

Flounder's Brewery at 2 Clerico Lane in Hillsborough will be hosting its first-ever Kringle Market on Dec. 11 and 12 at Carriage Farm. The market will run each day from noon to 5 p.m. and the brewery will remain open until 10 p.m. Entry is $10 per car (cash only) and carpooling is encouraged. The event will feature more than 35 craft vendors from Marketspace Vendor Events and Steps-Together will be selling beer and wine to benefit the great charity. For more information visit facebook.com/flounderbrewing.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.