Winter Events In Chatham: Tree Lightings, Concerts, More

CHATHAM, NJ — There is no shortage of things to do in Chatham to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

With the holiday season quickly approaching, award-winning actor, singer, and songwriter Darren Criss will perform hits from his recent holiday album at Mayo Performing Arts Center to help get you in the mood.

Read More: Darren Criss Will Spread Holiday Cheer At His Concert In Morristown

Here are a few other events near Chatham that are worth checking out:

• Long Valley's "Holiday Happenings," will take place on lower Schooley's Mountain Road, the activities will take place between 3 and 5 p.m. The festival will take place at a number of establishments, including The Coffee Potter, Racks Valley Boutique, Homework Helpers and Washington Township's Historical Museum.
• Alstede Farms is hosting their annual Brunch with Santa throughout December. For a truly memorable experience, guests will be able to enjoy a festive atmosphere at Harvest Hall with featured guest Santa and his helpers while indulging in a casual family style buffet meal.
• On Dec. 18, Ort Farms will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland, complete with horse-drawn carriage rides and a greenhouse filled with Christmas crafts and activities for children. Guests can sip hot chocolate and eat gingerbread cookies while listening to holiday music.
• The Morristown Green is about to be transformed into a winter wonderland once more. The Morristown Green Christmas Festival will begin with Santa's arrival on Dec. 2 at 5 p.m.
  Visitors can expect to see a Santa House, holiday music and crafts, a vintage-style oversized rocking horse, ice sculpture demonstrations and free rides around the Green on a miniature electric trail.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

An earlier version of this story mentioned the defunct Target Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis, which no longer takes place.

This article contains reporting from the Patch national desk