Events at a Glance
Due to new regulations released by Gov. Phil Murphy, portions of this article have changed. Please visit www.visitiavalonnj.com and shnj.org for the latest event updates.
Festival of Trees
November 20-28
Festival of Trees • Avalon Shopping District
Thanksgiving festivities begin early this year with the start of the Festival of Trees. Starting Friday, Nov. 20, shoppers can cross off items on their Christmas list while visiting stores throughout town. While in stores, you’ll see a variety of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths of varying themes for you to bid on! Bidders can preview and place bids online or via mobile app throughout the length of the event. Afraid you’ll be outbid? No problem! Participants will receive notice of bidding competition with a chance to raise their bids to win the Christmas tree or wreath for the holiday season. Bidding will run through Saturday afternoon, Nov. 28, and mobile app bidders will be alerted of their winnings at 2pm.
More information: avalonfestivaloftrees.com
November 25-30
Virtual Turkey Trot • 5K/1.5-Mile Walk
Shannon Snow & David Fielder enjoying the Turkey Trot.
Turkey Trotters unite! This year, the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children will host a virtual Turkey Trot with an expanded timeline to participate and benefit a great cause. Lace up the sneakers and hit the streets … wherever you are! Register for the Turkey Trot online and complete your run between Nov. 25 and 30. All proceeds will go toward supporting the Diller Home and providing an all-expense-paid, one-week vacation for blind and visually impaired children. PS: Runners, be sure to break out the festive costumes. Register as a team or individual for the costume contest and upload photos when you submit your results.
More information: dillerblindhome.org
November 27
Santa Lights Dune Drive • 80th Street to 8th Street, 4:30pm
Santa is busier than ever this year fulfilling some well-deserved wish-list requests. But Avalon did confirm he will make an appearance on Friday afternoon to help Borough officials light up Dune Drive. Families can gather along the street and take in the procession of favorite characters, music, and Santa himself! Unfortunately, Santa will not be able to greet guests individually for this year due to public-health concerns. However, be sure to wave as he rides along Dune Drive for this family-fun event!
More information: visitavalonnj.com
November 27-28
Stone Harbor Island Holiday • Stone Harbor Shopping District, 11am-5pm
Join Stone Harbor for a weekend of family fun and festive entertainment during the annual Island Holiday. Enjoy browsing the Holiday Market, dash throughout town on a family scavenger hunt, browse a variety of decorated trees at the Women’s Civic Club, and enjoy live music and performances throughout the weekend.
More information: stoneharborbeach.com or shnj.org
December 5-6, 12-13
Avalon’s Holiday House Decorating Contest
Attention, Avalon homeowners! Fill out the online application and start decking the halls for Avalon’s first-ever Holiday House Decorating Contest! Enter between Nov. 1 and Dec. 2. Judging for all entries will be held during the weekends of Dec. 5-6 and 12-13, with the winning homes announced Dec. 18. We all need a little festive cheer these days, so enter and help to light our beautiful town with holiday glow!
More information: avalonboro.net
December 19-31
Historic Dennisville Christmas House Tour (Virtual)
The 30th Annual Historic Dennisville Christmas House Tour will be hosted virtually for 2020! The tour will be available for free, online from Dec. 19-31. Viewers will see a photo montage and short videos of the favorite homes of this local historic town.
More information: dhhoa.org
February 7
Friend In Need Semi-Super Bash
Is there even a Super Bowl for 2021? This time in life remains a mystery, doesn’t it? What isn’t a mystery is the mission of Friend In Need, supporting local friends and family in need due to severe illness and financial struggle. The Super Bash is the organization’s biggest fundraiser and all proceeds go toward supporting families throughout the year. So, grab your COVID-friendly fans and some hoagies and roast beef sandwiches (for tradition’s sake) and celebrate whatever is on the television on Feb. 7. If it’s the Super Bowl, that’s even better. The organization will host online sponsorships and auction items throughout the week of the event, and will begin the sale of 50/50 raffle tickets to be drawn during Shop-A-Holics weekend in March.
More information: friendinneednj.org
March 11-14
Shop-A-Holics Weekend • Avalon Shopping District
Get ready to shop ’til you drop with the largest winter retail event of the area. Shop-A-Holics weekend returns for 2021 with drastic discounts on designer clothing, accessories, home décor and more. Travel through town and shop your favorite stores for designers, discounts and deals! Enjoy refreshments and snacks and a girls’ weekend celebrating the end of winter and the start of spring!
More information: visitavalonnj.com
