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RED BANK: HOLIDAYS KICK OFF WITH BLIZZARD OF EVENTS

By Brian Donohue
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November 25th, 2025 @ 4pm

The 2024 Red Bank holiday town lighting.   (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)

By BRIAN DONOHUE

Ho, ho, ho, here we go Red Bankers! The holiday season is here.
 
But first, a disclaimer. We at redbankgreen feel strongly that the best holiday on the calendar, Thanksgiving, should be thoroughly enjoyed and savored without the rush to Christmas marked by people putting up their holiday lights too early, rushing out to pre-black friday sales and other War-on-Thanksgiving related atrocities. Happy Thanksgiving. Enjoy it. 
 
That said, we present this rundown of holiday season kickoff activities a day early precisely so we can properly enjoy Turkey Day by doing absolutely nothing but stuffing our faces and collapsing on the couch. 
 
It’s a great time of year in our great town. There’s the annual town lighting Friday, artists Sunday and much more on tap as the holiday season gets underway. Scroll away for all the deets. 

FRIDAY

Annual Holiday Bazaar at Red Bank Elks

Things start early Friday at the Red Bank Elks holiday bazaar. There are craft vendors, hot cider and cocoa and more. It starts at 3 pm and runs throughout the holiday town lighting festivities until 9 pm. 

Also on Friday, there’s a unique Black Friday shopping oportunity at the T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center.

Santa parade/Holiday Express concert/Town lighting

  • Town Lighting Pre-Show at Edmund Wilson Plaza from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm featuring a holiday DJ, hot apple cider courtesy of Triumph Brewing, a dance performance by Perna, and selfies with Santa and Mrs. Claus.RED BANK: THOUSANDS FILL STREETS FOR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
  • Parade with Santa and Mrs. Claus featuring the West Side Hose Fire House and the Pipe and Drums of the Atlantic. Watch the parade make its way down Monmouth Street to Broad. 
  • RED BANK: THOUSANDS FILL STREETS FOR HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
  • The Town Lighting with Holiday Express on Broad Street: The music starts with a 6:45 pm set by the students of the Count Basie Center Conservatory on the stage on Broad Street.  Holiday Express will take the stage at 7:00 pm for an evening of music and family-friendly fun.  It all leads up to the lighting of downtown Red Bank by the Mayor and Council in the 8 o’clock hour. Stop by the Union Hose Fire Company Table for a free hot chocolate.

SUNDAY

November 30th is Artists Sunday, a day dedicated to supporting local artists in communities worldwide.

Right after Thanksgiving, this nationwide movement unites artists, arts organizations, and communities to encourage everyone to shop local and buy art for the holidays.

Galleries and studios will be open across Red Bank. See the list and map below. ARTISTS SUNDAY 11302025

 
Remember: Nothing makes a Red Bank friend happier than to hear "I saw you on Red Bank Green!"
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