New Jersey’s downtowns light their trees from Thanksgiving weekend through mid-December, usually with Santa, carolers and cocoa. Below are the major ceremonies with expected 2026 dates based on each town’s traditional schedule (2025 dates in brackets).
Dates marked “expected” follow the traditional schedule; towns confirm details in November.
North Jersey
- Morristown Green — expected Sat, Nov 28 (2025: Sat after Thanksgiving, 5 p.m.), with Santa’s arrival and ice sculpting.
- Ridgewood — expected first Friday in December, Dec 4 (2025: Dec 5, lighting 6:45 p.m.).
- Westwood — holiday parade then lighting, expected first Saturday in December (2025: Dec 6, 6 p.m.).
- Upper Montclair — at St. James Church, early December (2025: Dec 7, 5–7 p.m.).
- Hoboken — at 11th and Washington Streets, mid-December (2025: Dec 11).
- Dover — JFK Park, early December.
- Union — Town Hall winter festival, early December.
Central Jersey
- Westfield — Saturday after Thanksgiving, expected Nov 28 (2025: Nov 29, 5–7 p.m.).
- Woodbridge — holiday stroll and kids’ light parade, Saturday after Thanksgiving.
- Metuchen — downtown parade ending in the lighting, Sunday after Thanksgiving (2025: Nov 30).
- Somerville — Division Street, early December with trolley rides.
- Princeton (Palmer Square) — traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving, expected Nov 27.
- Bordentown — Old City Hall, Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Jersey Shore
- Asbury Park — Fireman’s Park, early December.
- Long Branch, Toms River, Eatontown, Howell and Aberdeen — first week of December.
- Cape May — Rotary Park and Congress Hall, early December.
- Wildwood — Convention Center, mid-December with the holiday bazaar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are tree lightings in New Jersey?
Most are held between the Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov 27, 2026) and mid-December.
