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Monmouth County lights up for the holidays from downtown Red Bank to the oceanfront in Long Branch. Here are the confirmed 2026 Christmas tree lightings and holiday lighting celebrations in Monmouth County, NJ, listed in date order with times and locations from the towns and organizers.
Red Bank Town Lighting featuring Holiday Express
- Town: Red Bank
- Where: Broad Street, downtown Red Bank
- When: Friday, November 27, 2026, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Admission: Free
Red Bank RiverCenter kicks off the season the night after Thanksgiving. Students from the Count Basie Center Conservatory of Music open the evening, and Holiday Express takes the stage around 7 p.m.
Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, Frosty, Rudolph and Tim McLoone are expected, and the Borough Council arrives around 8 p.m. to officially light downtown. Holiday Express is a charity that has been helping people in need since 1993, and it accepts donations at the event.
Pier Village Tree Lighting
- Town: Long Branch
- Where: Pier Village
- When: Sunday, November 29, 2026, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The City of Long Branch and Pier Village light the oceanfront tree on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. It is an easy one to pair with an early dinner at one of the Pier Village restaurants.
Wall Township Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
- Town: Wall
- Where: Wall Township Town Hall, 2700 Allaire Road
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026 (evening event)
Wall bills this one as an evening of fun for the whole family, with craft making, face painting, an inflatable slide, vendors, a dessert truck and performances.
Santa Claus makes a special visit. The township lists the event as all day on its calendar, so check back for the exact start time closer to the date.
Manasquan Candy Cane Hunt and Town-Wide Tree Lighting
- Town: Manasquan
- Where: Main Street
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026 (the chamber calendar lists noon to 3 p.m.)
The Greater Manasquan Chamber of Commerce pairs a candy cane hunt with the town-wide tree lighting on Main Street. Santa also visits downtown Manasquan on Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19, from noon to 4 p.m.
Hazlet Holiday Extravaganza and Tree Lighting
- Town: Hazlet
- Where: James J. Cullen Center, 1776 Union Avenue
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Hazlet packs a full evening into two and a half hours. Selfies with Santa and a free holiday gift run from 4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., bounce houses run until 6 p.m., and carolers and local food trucks stay through 6:30 p.m.
From 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Santa makes his grand entrance on a fire truck and lights the town tree.
Long Branch Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration
- Town: Long Branch
- Where: Long Branch City Hall, 344 Broadway
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Long Branch hosts a second lighting downtown at City Hall the following weekend. The city’s December calendar also includes photos with Santa at the Fire Museum on Sunday, December 13, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Long Branch Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration
- Town: Long Branch
- Where: Long Branch Senior Center, 85 Second Avenue
- When: Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Long Branch marks Chanukah with a menorah lighting and celebration at the Senior Center on Second Avenue.
The Holiday Evening Stroll and Tree Lighting at Allaire Village
- Town: Wall
- Where: The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue
- When: Fridays and Saturdays, December 11 and 12 and December 18 and 19, 2026, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (tree lighting at 7 p.m.)
- Tickets: $12 per person; ages 3 and under free
This self-guided stroll takes you through the 19th century village lit up at night, with a tree lighting at 7 p.m. in front of the Allaire Mansion each evening.
Allaire sells event tickets in advance through its website and Eventbrite, and it notes that no event day purchases will be made if an evening sells out.
More Monmouth County towns post their tree lighting dates in late November. We will add them to this list as they are confirmed.
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