Ridgewood Tree Lighting To Include Trackless Train, Santa, Trucks, S'mores, Ski Movies

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Two big holiday events are coming up in Ridgewood this Friday and Saturday, with some activities and freebies to go with them.

The 38th annual Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce Tree Lighting will be held this Friday, Dec. 1, from 6-9 p.m.

The evening will be filled with family fun.

East Ridgewood Avenue from Broad Street down to Maple Avenue will have a touch-a-truck theme. The village of Ridgewood will bring out their biggest and shiniest trucks covered with holiday lights.

In Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, the Village Parks Recreation and Fire Department will feature s'mores and fire pits.

Stroll over to South Walnut, where the M0unt Everest Ski Shop will feature a big screen TV showing ski movies.

In various store windows, Heart in Motion will feature “magical” dancers while you also listen to the RHS Marching Band, orchestra, and chorus all around the Avenue with Holiday music.

You can look for Santa driving in his golf cart — and especially try to catch the Grinch. The police will be looking for him, so he does not spoil Christmas.

Do not miss the “Elf on the Shelf” and the merry Elves giving out candy to everyone.

Kids can hop onto the "trackless train" in front of Memorial Park.

If you miss Santa, visit him the next day at his Santa house at Memorial Park (on South Walnut Street) from 2-4 p.m.

There will be free holiday parking in Ridgewood Thursday evenings from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Thanksgiving to Christmas. This includes street parking, Hudson Street Garage, and all parking lots. It is all happening in Ridgewood!

More information is here.

Santa At Columbia Bank

Besides hanging out at his house at Memorial Park, Santa will also appear at a local bank on Saturday, Dec. 2.

Santa and his elf will drive from the Fire Department to Columbia Bank’s branch located at 60 South Broad St.,
and be there from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Photos and candy canes will be available.