Upcoming Christmas Events in Northern Monmouth

Toys For Tots

Donate new, unwrapped toys to Toys For Tots at the Laundry Mill or the Cliffwood VFW. 

Holiday Book Drive

Barnes & Noble of Holmdel will host a holiday book drive through Jan. 1. This year Barnes & Noble in Holmdel's annual bookdrive will be benefiting Holiday Express, a local charity benefitting individuals in need right here in our own neighborhoods. Everytime you visit Barnes & Noble in Holmdel purchase the books of your choosing and let any cashier or bookseller know you would like to donate it to Holiday Express. 

Hope For The Holidays

Galleria Dental will be accepting your donation of new unwrapped toys and gift cards for the youngest victims of Hurricane Sandy. We will be collecting and distributing all donations to New Jersey and New York. These toys will go directly to the displaced children of these regions. 

Friday, Dec. 21

Holiday Light and Music Display
5 p.m.

Stop by Hidden Hollow Way for a Christmas light display synchronized to music to celebrate the holidays.

6th Annual Holiday Bake Sale

The Sanzio Salon and Day Spa will host their 6th annual bake sale. Last year, the salon raised over $4,000 and was able to support both the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation as well as a child in medical need in our community. This year, Sanzio will again help a local child in medical need, as well as an organization that supports critically ill children and their families.

Saturday, Dec. 22

Indoor Flea Market
8 a.m. to 4p.m.  

Get your last minute Christmas shopping done at discounted prices on new, used, collectible, antique, hand crafted and unusual items. The new indoor flea market is located at First Friends Day Care at 269 Route 34 North on the Matawan/Old Bridge border.

Meet Santa at Long Street Farm12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The big guy will be at Longstreet Farm in Holmdel on Dec. 22 and 23 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., an event the parks system is describing as an old-fashioned "Victorian Christmas." Children can sit with Santa and enjoy hot apple cider, families are asked to bring their own cameras.

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Red Bank River Center is sponsoring horse drawn wagon rides free every Saturday until Christmas. The rides through Red Bank are provided by Dream Horse Carriage Company.

Sunday, Dec. 23

Knights of Columbus Breakfast with Santa
8 a.m.

The Freehold Council 1672 of the Knights of Columbus will host their annual Breakfast with Santa Buffet at 70 East Main Street in Freehold. The buffet includes assorted cold cereals, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, French toast, pancakes, sausage, ham, kielbasa, potatoes, fruit salad, bagels, rolls, toast, coffee, tea, juice and our special of the month: bacon and tomato omelet. The price is $8 per adult and $5 per child under the age of 12. 

American Legion Post 434 Breakfast with Santa
9 a.m.

The American Legion Post 434 in Manalapan will host Breakfast with Santa. Watch Santa arrive on his fire truck and then enjoy breakfast and photos with the big man. Free breakfast and toys for the children, $5 for adult breakfast. All proceeds will benefity Hurricane Sandy Relief. 

Breakfast with Santa at iPlay America
10 a.m. 

Make sure to bring your cameras and your appetite to breakfast with Santa at iPlay America in Freehold. Buffet: $12.95; Buffet with iRide Band: $19.95; Buffet with iRide Plus Band: $26.95.

Meet Santa at Long Street Farm
12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The big guy will be at Longstreet Farm in Holmdel on Dec. 22 and 23 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., an event the parks system is describing as an old-fashioned "Victorian Christmas." Children can sit with Santa and enjoy hot apple cider, families are asked to bring their own cameras. On Sunday, Christmas carols will be played by Larry Moser and Mary Nagen on the hammered dulcimer and fiddle.

Monday, Dec. 24

Family Service & Pageant
5 p.m. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Matawan will host a family service and pageant on Christmas Eve. 

Candlelight Service
10:30 p.m.

 The First Presbyterian Church of Matawan will host a candlelight service on Christmas Eve.