Seaside Heights to Host Multi-Weekend ‘Holidays in the Heights’ Celebration, Tree Lighting

The annual ‘SantaCon’ event in Seaside Heights. (Photo: SantaCon/Instagram)

Seaside Heights officials this week announced an expanded holiday season celebration that will span multiple weekends, incorporate local businesses and begin with a special Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Carousel Pavilion on the boardwalk.

“Holidays in the Heights” will span three weekend in December – the 7th-8th, 14th-15th and 21st-22nd – beginning with the tree lighting at the pavilion along the boardwalk at Carteret Avenue. The borough has hosted holiday events before, including a Christmas tree lighting and visit from Santa Claus at town hall, but this year’s celebration will be extra special.

“We’re going to up it a couple notches and have a bigger celebration with food trucks, outdoor lights and different things at the Carousel Pavilion,” said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz.

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The event series is being organized by the borough’s Business Improvement District and will encompass not just the tree lighting ceremony, but several events in partnership with Casino Pier, Lucky Leo’s arcade and other businesses. The tree lighting ceremony itself is planned for Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carousel Pavilion. It will feature the traditional “countdown” for the tree lighting, appearances by fire trucks, plus lighted decorations, fun activities and food trucks.

The celebration will continue each of the three weekends at the Carousel Pavilion, with carousel rides being available, of course.

Casino Pier will host “A Casino Pier Christmas” this season with events throughout the month of December. Casino Pier will host “The Grinch” for a meet-and-greet from 12 noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 7, with free face painting at the arcade. The same day the Casino Pier arcade will host Santa himself with the opportunity to take professional photos with the expertise of Heyer Photography. Registration is required for the photography sessions at this link.

The annual Seaside Heights SantaCon – now in its 11th year – will be held Dec. 14.  The event includes an army of Santas making their way up and down the boardwalk and local streets, stopping in numerous bars, restaurants and other businesses.

Hooks will be hosting its annual Chive Charities SantaCon Fundraiser as part of the event – a great day to celebrate the Christmas season while helping others. Each participant’s entry fee goes directly to Jersey Chivers Charities, and organizers ask that everyone bring an unwrapped toy and nonperishable food item to Hooks when they check in. Toys go directly to the MA22 (Ma Deuce Deuce) annual toy drive that supports local veteran families. It also funds food that will be distributed locally to Vetwork, all via the work of the Under My Skin for Life Foundation.

Participating Bars/Restaurants:

• Hooks Bar & Grill
• Beachcomber Bar & Grill
• EJ’s Tap House
• Riggers
• The Ocean Club Restaurant
• The Sawmill
• Hemingway’s

Registration is $25. More information can be found at the event’s website, located at this link. The event as a whole begins at 10 a.m. at Hooks where participants can drop off their donations and pick up their mug, commemorative patch, raffle tickets, and poker run slip.

Anyone looking to stay overnight is invited to stay at the Hershey Motel, across the street from Hooks, where rooms are priced at a special rate of $70. Call 732-793-5000 to book.

The same day, Dec. 14., Casino Pier will host a “Frozen” Tea Party featuring the characters of the from the Frozen movies. The Ice Princess, Ice Queen, Ice Man and their special snowman friend will be on hand for a holiday tea party in the Pier Grill at Casino Pier from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Singing and dancing with the princesses will commence.

Registration is $20 more information can be found at the Casino Pier website.

Santa’s Workshop at the Casino Pier arcade will be held Dec. 15. Kids can help Santa, the Gingerbread Man and Elf on the Shelf build gingerbread houses from 1-2:30 p.m., with photo opportunities. The cost if $5. More information and registration can be found on the pier’s website.

Another event includes “Pizza and PJ’s With Santa” at Casino Pier, Dec. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Get cozy and wear your favorite holiday pajamas” for a holiday lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. There will be pizza, treats and story time. Registration is required, and the $25 fee includes lunch for adults and children. More information is available at the event website.

Finally, the season will end with the borough’s annual First Night Ocean County celebration Dec. 31 from 1-5 p.m. Numerous events will be held at Lucky Leo’s, Coin Castle, Casino Arcade, and Shake Shoppe. Two trackless trains will circulate on the boardwalk between event locations and fireworks are scheduled for 5 p.m., weather permitting. Wristbands will be available Dec. 1.