Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Toms River: Tree Lightings, More

TOMS RIVER, NJ — There are plenty of things going on around Toms River to celebrate the 2023 winter holidays.

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, starts at sundown on Dec. 7, and ends at nightfall on Dec. 15. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the season.

Toms River will hold its Christmas tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 1. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. and Santa will arrive via firetruck about 7 p.m.

In addition Toms River is set to hold its Winter Wonderland, on Saturday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 9, in the courtyard at Town Hall, 33 Washington St.

The Ocean County Board of Commissioners will light the county's Christmas tree at the corner of Washington Street and Hooper Avenue on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 4:45 p.m.

Here are other places to see Santa: Where To See Santa In Toms River This Christmas Season

Ready to get a Christmas tree? Where To Cut A Christmas Tree In Toms River

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Here are some to check out across New Jersey:

Six Flags Holiday in the Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson. Through Jan. 1. Light displays, fire pits, food and hot cocoa.

Magic of Lights, PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel. Through Dec. 30. Drive through more than 2 miles of lights and holiday scenes.

Allaire Christmas Light Spectacular, Allaire Community Farm, 1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall. Through Dec. 23. Take a hayride through the Christmas lights display.

Winter Lantern Festival, at American Dream, East Rutherford. Weekends through Jan. 2. More than 1,000 handcrafted Chinese lanterns inspired by Chinese myths, legends and the zodiac.

DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express, 1151 S. White Horse Pike, Hammonton. Through Dec. 23. Take a train ride through this expansive light show.

Christmas Fantasy with Lights, at Storybook Lane, 6415 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor. Through Dec. 30. The little ones will love seeing the storybook characters under a million lights.