Asbury Park will be hosting its 12th annual Boardwalk Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 30, featuring pictures with Santa, live music, concert, and more. And yes, it’s a dog friendly event too!
ASBURY PARK, NEW JERSEY – (November 6, 2019) – Asbury Park Boardwalk, the historic promenade along the waterfront at the Jersey Shore and a focal point of Asbury Park’s thriving arts and music community, today announced an exciting lineup of holiday events, performances and experiences curated by Madison Marquette, the real estate investor, developer and service provider that owns and manages the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Beginning Friday, November 29th, with a free movie screening of National Lampoon’s popular “Christmas Vacation” at Paramount Theatre, and continuing into the weekend with the Boardwalk’s 12th annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, the kickoff of the 2019 Holiday Bazaar and Small Business Saturday events, as well as the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, this year’s festivities make the Asbury Park Boardwalk the place to be for the holidays.
“We have an extraordinary lineup of both free and ticketed events planned for the holiday season,” says Austin Leopold, Property Manager for the Asbury Park Boardwalk. “With entertainment ranging from rock and bluegrass performances to the Nutcracker ballet, holiday movies, visits with Santa Claus, and food and festivities galore, our collection of carefully selected and very unique experiences is what makes the Asbury Park Boardwalk so special.”
One of the most memorable events of the 2019 season will be the Boardwalk’s 12th annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, which will take place on Saturday, November 30th, in the Grand Arcade located at 1300 Ocean Avenue. Award-winning NBC New York journalist Brian Thompson will act as emcee. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for this spectacular event, which is free and open to the public; attendees are encouraged to come early as space is limited. During this awe-inspiring event, at 6:45 p.m., the Boardwalk’s 35-foot Douglas Fir tree – the tallest live indoor tree in the state – will come alive, bathing the Grand Arcade in light. A magnificent work of both nature and art, this year’s Christmas tree will take one dozen people, four pieces of heavy machinery, and over 300 hours to raise and decorate it with an astonishing 40,000 glowing lights. The towering Christmas tree will serve as the backdrop for the Grand Arcade’s stage with live performances by the Asbury All Stars Holiday Band prior to and following the lighting event.
“Through its beauty and magnificence, the Boardwalk’s annual tree lighting ceremony has become a tradition in Asbury Park, a symbol of the warmth and community spirit shared by this small enclave of locals and visitors alike,” says Pasqualina DeBoer, Marketing Director for the Asbury Park Boardwalk. “Creating memorable experiences like this one is an important part of what we do here on the Boardwalk, and we are so pleased to once again unveil an event that allows people to share their joy and holiday spirit with one another in such a sincere and meaningful way.”
Following the ceremony, Santa Claus himself will make his first appearance on the Boardwalk this year, offering opportunities for children, pets and their families to share wish lists and memorable moments with the jolly man himself. Sponsored by Shoreline Media Marketing, children and pets can have their photos taken with Santa beginning on November 30th and continuing each Sunday afternoon from noon to 3 p.m. through December 22nd. Guests are encouraged to bring a donation of a toy or gently used coat for the Asbury Park Toy & Coat Drive to receive a 4×6 print along with an emailed copy of their photos with Santa.
Immediately following the tree-lighting ceremony, there will also be a family-friendly holiday rock event presented by The Wizards of Winter at Paramount Theatre; the concert begins at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are required. Combining the tree lighting and Wizards of Winter concert will give visitors a fun-filled holiday evening they will long remember.
Other noteworthy events on the Asbury Park Boardwalk this holiday season include the kickoff of the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar and Small Business Saturday. Both events take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 30th, in Convention Hall. Inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” holiday markets in Germany, the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar will feature local and regional artists, vendors and shops each selling the best vintage and handmade art, jewelry, home goods, food and more November 30th and each subsequent weekend from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through December 22nd. During the bazaar, visitors will also enjoy a hot drink bar with traditional glühwein (hot mulled wine), hot chocolate or hot cider to sip while shopping; a seasonally inspired menu; and holiday drinks at the Anchors Bend and Asbury Oyster Bar. There will also be live music, special performances, children’s classes and holiday workshops, photo booth pictures, a fireplace lounge and, of course, stunning holiday décor for all to enjoy.
Asbury Park Boardwalk Holiday Event Schedule
Friday, November 29th
- Free Movie Screening of National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” (30th Anniversary) sponsored by Pepsi. Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m. (Paramount Theatre)
Saturday, November 30th
- A Grand Tree Lighting Event: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tree lighting takes place at 6:45 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
- Holiday Bazaar Kick-Off Weekend and Small Business Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Convention Hall)
- The Wizards of Winter Holiday Rock Event – 10th Anniversary Tour: Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:30 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Sunday, December 1st
- Holiday Bazaar Kick-Off Weekend (continues): 11a.m. to 6 p.m. (Convention Hall)
- Photos with Santa courtesy of Shoreline Media Marketing: Beginning December 1st and continuing each Sunday through December 22nd from noon to 3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Friday, December 6th
- The Del McCoury Band: The most awarded band in the history of bluegrass: Doors open at 7 p.m.; performance begins at 8 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Saturday, December 7th
- Holiday Bazaar: 11a.m. to 6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
- American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker: Two performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – Doors open one hour before each performance – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Sunday, December 8th
- Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
- Photos with Santa: Sundays through December 22nd, Noon to 3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
- Jody Joseph Student Christmas recital: Noon to 5 p.m. (The Stone Pony)
Friday, December 13th
- Free Movie Screening of “A Christmas Story” sponsored by Pepsi. Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m. (Paramount Theatre)
Saturday, December 14th
- Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
- The Pop Break’s Sixth Annual Christmas Party: Doors open at 7 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m.
Sunday, December 15th
- Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
- Photos with Santa – Sundays through December 22nd, Noon to 3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
- Beach Music Studios Student Recital (The Stone Pony)
Monday, December 16th
- 3rd Avenue Pavilion’s Annual Holiday Bazaar: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. (3rd Avenue Pavilion)
Friday, December 20th
- Free Movie Screening of “It’s A Wonderful Life” sponsored by Pepsi. Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m. (Paramount Theatre)
- LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah: Classic holiday music and LaBamba favorites – Doors open at 7 p.m. – tickets required (Stone Pony)
Saturday, December 21st
- Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Sunday, December 22nd
- Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
- Photos with Santa – Sundays through December 22nd, Noon to 3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Saturday, December 28th
- Michael Carbonaro: Bizarre antics and mind-boggling magic: Doors open at 6 p.m.; show begins at 7 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
- Asbury Park Punk Rock Flea Market – Over 125 vendors featuring vinyl, music equipment, jewelry and more, plus local bands and a fully stocked bar: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets required – $10 for early birds, $5 after 11 a.m. (Convention Hall)
Wednesday, January 1st
- Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge – Annual charity event held at the beach with an after party in the Grand Arcade – Check-in begins at 10 a.m.; plunge starts at 1 p.m. (Beach and Grand Arcade)
Madison Marquette and the Asbury Park Boardwalk are delighted to bring this curated calendar of events to Asbury Park for the 2019 holiday season. For more information on the Asbury Park Boardwalk and a full calendar of events, please visit www.APBoardwalk.com. Holiday revelers can also stay up to date on the Asbury Park holiday happenings throughout the season (and even share their own experience) via social media at:
#ChristmasAtAsburyPark
#MyAPB
@TheAsburyParkBoardwalk
source: Eda Kalkay, EKPR
