Woodbridge Tree Lighting Is Friday At 5 P.M. And More

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Mayor John E. McCormac just received a special news bulletin from the North Pole that Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in Woodbridge on Fri., Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. to assist in lighting the official Woodbridge Township Christmas tree at the Barron Arts Center (582 Rahway Avenue.)

The annual Christmas tree lighting and holiday celebration includes seasonal music selections and carols performed by the award-winning Woodbridge High School Choir and the Woodbridge High School Marching Band. Following the tree lighting, the Barron Arts Center will open the region’s largest Holiday Train Show & Exhibit. The holiday train display has become the singular ‘stop’ for the ‘Season of Giving’ food drive.

This year, the Barron Arts Center holiday train display is “on track” until December 30 (closed Dec. 25) ... if you’re stopping by to see the incredible train exhibit, plan to drop-off a food donation at the holiday express.

The 3rd Annual Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting – sponsored by the Fords Business Community – is set for Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Fords Public Parking Lot located at 555 New Brunswick Avenue (next to Olsen Towers). Stroll & Shop the ‘Buy Local’ businesses on New Brunswick Avenue. Photos with Santa. Holiday entertainment. Food. FREE Grand Prize Drawings!!! The Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place at 6:00 PM.

The 58th Annual Woodbridge Township Holiday Parade steps-off on Sun., Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m. from Woodbridge High School … marches down Amboy Ave. to Main Street… concluding at the reviewing stand at Town Hall. Join in this year’s parade as more than 75 contingencies, including unique holiday-themed floats, high school marching bands, holiday choirs, community organizations, student and veterans groups and surprise guests join Santa and Mrs. Claus in welcoming the holiday season to Woodbridge. The ‘Season of Giving’ food drive continues with We Feed Woodbridge collecting food donations along the parade route. For up-to-the minute parade information contact the Recreation Department Holiday Hot Line at 732-602-6045 or visit the Township web page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us.

The Annual Colonia Business Community’s Holiday Festival & Christmas Tree Lighting is set for Thurs., Dec. 6, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Evergreen Center (400 Inman Ave., Colonia). Santa arrives at 6:30 PM to light the tree! Meet Herbie the Camel and his friends at the holiday petting zoo!!! Holiday carolers. Pictures with Santa. Refreshments. And More!!! The CBC is collecting donations for Toys for Tots and non-perishable food items for the ‘Season of Giving’ food drive.

The Woodbridge Township ‘Season of Giving’ food drive continues at the following Woodbridge Township holiday events:

Dec. 7 Barron Arts Center Presents: Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert

The Jazz Lobsters Big Band: An Evening of Traditional Standards & Holiday Favorites

The Theater at Woodbridge Middle School ~ 7:30 PM

Dec. 8 Recreation Department Presents: Holiday Gingerbread Cookie Decorating

Parker Press Park ~ 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Dec. 15 Woodbridge Recreation Department Presents: Pictures with Santa

Parker Press Park ~ 10:00 to 11:30 AM

Dec. 15 Woodbridge Community Choir Presents: Journey Into the Winter Sky: A Winter Concert

St. Anthony of Padua Church

7:30 PM – FREE Admission

Dec. 19 Woodbridge High School (WHS) Choir Holiday Concert

St. Andrews Church, Avenel

7:30 PM

Dec. 25: Annual Christmas Friendship Dinner will be served from 1:30 to 3:30 P.M. on Christmas Day at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Father Milos Parish Hall, 436 Port Reading Ave., Port Reading. All are Welcome. Please call St. Anthony’s Church at 732-634-1419 to confirm a seat at the table.

Non-perishable food items for the ‘Season of Giving’ holiday food drive can be dropped off any weekday at the Woodbridge Township Health Center, 2 George Frederick Plaza; Woodbridge Town Hall, 1 Main Street; the Woodbridge Library, 1 George Frederick Plaza; or at the Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main Street, anytime between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Your help and assistance is always appreciated.

Maximize the holiday shopping experience while shopping the incredible ‘Buy Local’ specialty shops and stores in any of the Downtown Shopping areas: Main Street in Woodbridge. New Brunswick Avenue in Fords. Inman Avenue in Colonia. Oak Tree Road in Iselin or at any of our neighborhood shops and stores. You'll be sure to find something for everyone on your shopping list.

Join in the caroling and enjoy the seasonal classics… or fondly remember holidays past with the smell of roasting chestnuts… or help serve a Christmas dinner to neighbors… it’s always “Happy Holidays” in Woodbridge. For more information on Woodbridge holiday events, visit the Woodbridge Township Web Page at: www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us or call the Mayor’s Office at 732-634-4500.

Best Wishes for a Happy Holiday and a Safe & Prosperous New Year from Woodbridge Township.

Photo credit: Jenna Fisher/Patch