Thousands of Red Bankers and visitors packed Broad Street on Friday night for the annual night-after-Thanksgiving gleefest that kicks off the holiday season hereabouts. Bagpipers led a parade into town from the train station. Holiday Express laid down its R&B-flavored...

Friday night's Holiday Express concert and tree-lighting event on Broad and Monmouth streets featured bagpipers, hot chocolate and a wandering Mrs. Claus amid the throngs of people bundled up against temperatures in the mid-30s. Click to enlarge individual shots. Email...

The final countown and lighting of Broad Street toward the end of the Holiday Express Concert. GIF below and video right after.

RED BANK: After a short trip from the Fairview section of Middletown, Christmas tree takes its place in Riverside Gardens Park.

RED BANK: Classic 5K and New Jersey Symphony plan returns after two pandemic cancellations. Here's a look at how the major-events calendar is shaping up.

RED BANK: After buying building that houses Robinson Ale House, Tim McLoone discusses minimum wage and other forefront pandemic issues.

RED BANK: Riverside Gardens Park gets its Christmas tree, this year a 30-foot spruce from the front yard of a home right in town.

RED BANK: As Broadwalk ends second year, a road project set to begin next week will bring disruptions that last until Christmas. Here's what to expect.

RED BANK: Kirkpatrick resigns RiverCenter, leaving downtown promo agency looking for a new executive director for the second time in 17 months.

RED BANK: Council agenda includes bonds, hirings, event date approvals for a post-pandemic world... but still no movement on commenting protocol.

RED BANK: A sure sign that the holiday season is here, the Christmas tree at Riverside Gardens Park gets readied for light-up.

RED BANK: Mayor and council shine spotlight on three charitable organizations, and the borough now has an official lapel pin.

RED BANK: Attendees to the fourth annual Mayor's Ball add flair and an amusing air of mystique with sparkly, lacy and feathery masks. See who you know in redbankgreen's photos.

TINTON FALLS: Monmouth Reform Temple members fan out to help in a wide variety of ways on Mitzvah Day.

RED BANK: A sure sign that the holiday season has arrived, the annual Christmas tree arrives at Riverside Gardens Park for a Friday light-up.

RED BANK: At a clinic on navigating new DACA era, 'Dreamers' help others just like them file paperwork. Meanwhile, their futures are "on hold," says one.

RED BANK: Representatives of dozens of faith groups, charitable organizations and more mark a "Day of Hope" with a march through town.

RUMSON: The annual Canterbury Art Show returns to St. George's Church beginning with a Friday night reception and continues through the holiday weekend.

ON THE GREEN: FREE movies in the park. FREE music on the sands, streets and docks. FREE Shakespeare on the grass. All in the midsummer's evenings ahead.