The Asbury Park Boardwalk brightens up this year’s holiday season with an exciting lineup of weekly holiday events, performances and experiences beginning Sat., Nov. 24 with the Christmas tree lighting.
The Holiday Bazaar also opens and 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 tree lighting t is free and open to all on a first-come, first-serve basis, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The tree is scheduled to light up the Grand Arcade at 6:45 p.m. 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 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 12 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 and 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.”
