ASBURY PARK BOARDWALK ANNOUNCES 2018 HOLIDAY EVENT LINE-UP AND KICKS OFF THE SEASON WITH 11TH ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING
Asbury Park Boardwalk Lights Up the Holiday Season on November 24 with Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, Live Performances and a Visit from Santa Claus
The Asbury Park Boardwalk brightens up this year’s holiday season with an exciting lineup of weekly holiday events, performances and experiences curated by Madison Marquette. Beginning on Saturday, November 24, 2018 the 11th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration and the launch of the Holiday Bazaar will transform the Grand Arcade and Convention Hall – a beautiful historic building on the Asbury Park oceanfront – into a festive holiday experience taking place each week until the end of the year.
The 11th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration and festivities will kick off the holiday season on Saturday, November 24, 2018 in the Grand Arcade located at 1300 Ocean Avenue on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. The event is free and open to all on a first-come, first-serve basis, with doors opening at 5:30pm. The tree is scheduled to light up the Grand Arcade at 6:45pm preceded by live music, holiday cheer and followed by continued festivities and a visit from the man with the big white beard, Santa Claus himself— who will be at the tree for photos every Sunday thereafter until Christmas from 12pm-3pm.
The true star of the evening this year is a thirty-five-foot Douglas Fir tree, the tallest indoor live tree in the state. In preparation for its big debut, it will take the manpower of twelve people and one full day to raise the tree and over 160 hours to string over 40,000 glowing lights. The holiday tree is scheduled to be on display at the Grand Arcade through early January. The towering glimmer of lights will shine bright as the backdrop of a performance stage that will serve as the centerpiece of the Grand Arcade, with a live performance by the Asbury All Stars Holiday Band prior to and following the lighting and various live shows scheduled throughout the holiday season (see calendar).
“The Annual Asbury Park Tree Lighting is an event that not only introduces the holiday season to all, but it also represents something much more important – togetherness,” says George Ladyman, Senior Vice President & Senior Director of Madison Marquette. “Creating a memorable experience for visitors and vendors alike is a significant part of what the Asbury Park Boardwalk represents and we are honored to be able to share in this moment of joy during the most wonderful times of year.”
Off-stage, families and friends can also enjoy Small Business Saturday during the holiday weekend kick-off with the launch of the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar at Convention Hall from 11am until 10pm on Saturday, November 24th. The Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar will feature a curated roster of the best local and regional artists, vendors and shops selling vintage and handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, food and more every Saturday and Sunday until December 23. Each weekend, the Holiday Bazaar will also feature live music and special performances, kids’ classes & holiday workshops, holiday photo booth pictures, a fireplace lounge and beautiful holiday decor.
Inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” Christmas markets in Germany, the Asbury Park Bazaar will also feature a hot drink bar to enjoy traditional glühwein (hot mulled wine), hot chocolate or hot cider while shopping, along with a seasonally-inspired menu and holiday drinks at the Anchors Bend and Asbury Oyster Bar.
Children and pets can have photos taken with Santa, Sponsored by Shoreline Media, at the Grand Arcade Christmas Tree, every Sunday through Christmas from 12pm until 3pm. Guests are encouraged to bring a toy or gently used coat for the Asbury Park Toy & Coat Drive or donation to receive a 4×6 print along with photos with Santa emailed.
ASBURY PARK SCHEDULE OF HOLIDAY EVENTS
November 24, 2018 – January 1, 2019
Saturday, November 24
- Holiday Bazaar, Kick-Off Weekend & Small Business Saturday, 11am-10pm (Convention Hall)
- A Grand Tree Lighting, Doors open 5:30pm/Tree Lighting 6:45pm (Grand Arcade)
- Get The Led Out, 8:30pm (Paramount Theatre)
Sunday, November 25
- Holiday Bazaar, Kick-Off Weekend, 11am-6pm (Convention Hall)
- Photos with Santa – Sundays through Christmas, 12pm-3pm (Grand Arcade)
Saturday, December 1
- Holiday Bazaar, 11am-6pm (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
Sunday, December 2
- Holiday Bazaar, 11am-6pm (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
- Photos with Santa – Sundays through Christmas, 12pm-3pm (Grand Arcade)
Thursday, December 6
- Neil DeGrasse Tyson: The Cosmic Perspective, 8pm (Convention Hall)
Friday, December 7
- Movie Screening: Polar Express – Door 7 PM / Film 7:30 PM (Paramount Theatre)
Saturday, December 8
- Holiday Bazaar, 11am-6pm (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
- Pop Break’s 5th Annual Christmas Party with Matt McAndrew, doors 7pm, show 8pm
Sunday, December 9
- Holiday Bazaar, 11am-6pm (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
- Photos with Santa – Sundays through Christmas, 12pm-3pm (Grand Arcade)
- The 1stAnnual A Very Asbury Holiday Show, 6pm (Paramount Theatre)
Thursday, December 13
- Hip Hop Nutcracker with Kurtis Blow, 7:30pm (Paramount Theatre)
Friday, December 14
- Movie Screening: Elf – Door 7 PM / Film 7:30 PM (Paramount Theatre)
Saturday, December 15
- Holiday Bazaar, 11am-6pm (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
Sunday, December 16
- Photos with Santa – Sundays through Christmas, 12pm-3pm (Grand Arcade)
- The Front Bottoms Present: Champagne Jam, 5pm-11pm (Convention Hall)
Saturday, December 22
- Last Minute Shoppers Bazaar, 11am-6pm (Grand Arcade)
Sunday, December 23
- Last Minute Shoppers Bazaar, 11am-6pm (Grand Arcade)
- Photos with Santa – Sundays through Christmas, 12pm-3pm (Grand Arcade)
Saturday, December 29
- Punk Rock Flea Market, 10am-5pm (Convention Hall)
Monday, December 31
- New Year’s Eve Ball – From Asbury With Love, (Grand Arcade)
Tuesday, January 1
- Sons of Ireland Polar Plunge – Beach then after party in Grand Arcade
Madison Marquette, one of the nation’s leading privately held commercial real estate investment and operating companies, and the company behind the redevelopment of Asbury Park’s boardwalk is delighted to bring this curated calendar of events to Asbury Park for the 2018 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
@AsburyParkBoardwalk @APBoardwalk
