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Three Essex County towns have already posted their 2026 tree lightings, and all three land in the first two weekends of December. Cedar Grove lights up on Friday, December 4, Verona follows on Saturday, December 5 with Santa on hand, and Maplewood gathers at its gazebo on Saturday, December 12.
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Cedar Grove Tree Lighting
- Town: Cedar Grove
- Where: Cedar Grove Community Pool, 99 Slattery Drive, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cedar Grove has the earliest date on our list. The Township of Cedar Grove has the Tree Lighting on its official calendar for Friday evening, December 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Community Pool grounds on Slattery Drive.
The township listing gives the date, time and place and not much else, so check the calendar page in the days before the event for any program notes. It is a good Friday night kickoff before a weekend of holiday shopping and events around the county.
Verona Fair in the Square and Tree Lighting with Santa
- Town: Verona
- Where: The Civic Center (Town Hall), 600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; tree lighting with Santa at 4:30 p.m.
- Cost: Free to attend
Verona is holding its 29th annual Fair in the Square on the Town Hall lawn, and the afternoon builds up to a tree lighting with Santa that starts at 4:30 p.m. The township’s flyer bills it as a fun-filled afternoon for the whole family, with holiday entertainment, merchants and food vendors, and photos with Santa.
Come early to shop the vendor tables, then stay for the lighting as it gets dark. For more on the event, or if you are interested in taking part as a vendor, the township lists Elisa Northrop at enorthrop@veronanj.org as the contact.
Maplewood Holiday Tree Lighting
- Town: Maplewood
- Where: The Springfield Avenue Gazebo, 1688 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
- When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.; the tree is lit at sundown
Maplewood’s Department of Community Services hosts this one at the Springfield Avenue Gazebo. The Seth Boyden 4th and 5th Grade Chorus and the Tuscan 5th Grade Chorus will perform, and the event listing promises snacks, songs, cocoa and special guests, with the tree lit at sundown.
The township flyer notes a sensory friendly space will be available, which is a thoughtful touch for families with kids who need a quieter spot. Bring your camera, friends and neighbors. Questions go to the Community Services Department at 973-762-8120.
More towns usually post their tree lightings as December gets closer, and we will keep adding to our coverage. Keep checking Shop Essex County for more holiday happenings around Essex County.
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