Events at a Glance
Tree Lighting at Avalon’s Festive Friday
Nov. 13-30
Tiny Art Show Exhibit
Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St., avalonfreelibrary.org
Tiny Art is sweeping the world by changing perspectives, and the Avalon Free Public Library is proud to host its first Tiny Art Show! Check out local art to be showcased to the public through Nov. 30.
Nov. 18
History Center Lecture: The History of Thanksgiving
1pm, 250 39th St., avalonfreelibrary.org
Learn about the origin of Thanksgiving and the tradition of feasts in America, presented by Mary Stewart from Cape May MAC.
Sound Bowls Meditation
1:30pm, Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St., avalonfreelibrary.org
Crystal singing bowls produce healing sound vibrations, a “sound bath” that can result in a deep, relaxing meditation. Check it out for yourself.
Nov. 21–February
ICONA Avalon Winter Wonderland & Skating
Icona.com/avalon
Head to ICONA and enjoy ice skating through the winter with friends and family. Cozy up by the firepits, enjoy drinks and take a spin or two on the rink. On Festive Friday, all families who book an ice-skating session will receive a free cup of hot chocolate from 12pm-5pm.
Nov. 24-25
Stone Harbor’s Island Holiday Weekend
Friday, 11am-5pm, Saturday 11am-4pm, Stone Harbor Shopping District, shnj.org
Join Stone Harbor for a festive weekend including carousel rides and a holiday market, as well as the Chamber of Commerce’s popular “A Christmas Story” scavenger hunt! Be sure to stop by the Women’s Civic Club for the Winter Wonderland Festival of Trees, and don’t miss the Paw Prints Pet Parade, Turning Pointe Dance performers and more!
Winter Village at the Ludlam
Ludlam Bar & Grill, 4004 Landis Ave., Sea Isle, ludlambar.com/winter-village-event
Spend Thanksgiving weekend in Sea Isle City and kick off the holiday season at the Ludlam with ice skating, holiday vendors, live entertainment and more. Families can grab a cup of hot cocoa and sit by the fire, take a spin on the ice rink, and listen to live music, as well as visit with Santa, of course.
Nov. 24
Story Time with Mrs. Claus
10am, Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St., avalonfreelibrary.org
Mrs. Claus shares the wonder of the season with a special story time.
Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Turkey Trot
10am, Avalon Community Hall, dillerblindhome.org
Kick off Festive Friday and burn those Thanksgiving calories in support of a great cause! Sign up today for the Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children Turkey Trot 5K Run/1.5 M Walk. Day-of registration and bib pickup will take place 8-9:30am at Avalon Community Hall ahead of the race at 10am. Prizes are awarded to the most festively dressed team and individual as well as awards to the top men and women overall and top three in each age category.
Festive Friday
11am-4pm, Downtown Avalon, visitavalonnj.com
This Avalon tradition is not to be missed! Bring the whole family and stroll down Dune Drive to enjoy more than 40 activities! There will be live music, character appearances, face painting, crafts, and more! Plan ahead and check out the activity lineup on page 43 in this issue of the Seven Mile Times!
Avalon Police HERO car Unveiling
1pm, Veterans Plaza, avalonpolice.org
Join the Avalon Police Department and CEO of the HERO campaign, Bill Elliot as they unveil a new patrol car wrapped in the HERO campaign logo.
Avalon’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
5pm, Veterans Plaza, avalonboro.net
Mayor McCorristin and Santa arrive to light up Avalon and celebrate the kickoff to the holidays. Join in the fun at Veterans Plaza as they light the giant tree as well as Dune Drive.
Christmas Movie at Community Hall: The Polar Express
6:30pm, 3001 Avalon Avenue
Co-sponsored by the Avalon Recreation Department and Avalon Free Public Library, family favorite “The Polar Express” will be shown at 6:30pm. Due to inclement weather, the movie is moved indoors to Avalon Community Hall.
Stone Harbor Tree Lighting & Hospitality Night
6-9pm, Stone Harbor Business District, stoneharborchamber.com
Join Mayor Davies-Dunhour and enjoy the festive tree lighting in Stone Harbor followed by an evening of shopping as stores offer refreshments, treats, and holiday shopping discounts.
Nov. 25-Dec. 23
Seashore Lines Santa Express
the-santa-express.com
Hop aboard the Seashore Lines this holiday season and experience a 75-minute train ride departing from either Richland Village or Tuckahoe Village and featuring a visit with Santa. Purchase tickets online to enjoy this magical ride that operates every weekend from the Saturday after Thanksgiving until the day before Christmas Eve.
Nov. 25
Downtown Holiday Dash
9am, 96th Street and First Avenue, stoneharborrecreation.com
Dress in your silliest holiday costume and participate in the Downtown Holiday Dash 5K Run. Sponsored by the Stone Harbor Recreation Department, the entire family is invited to join in this dash down 96th Street.
Avalon Fire Department Building Dedication
10am, 3100 Dune Drive, avalonfiredept.com
Join members of the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department as they welcome the community to join in the dedication of its newly renovated building. The ceremony will take place at 10am in front of the Fire Department, followed by an open house and tours of the building until 3pm.
Snowfest Saturday
11am-4pm, Downtown Avalon, avalonboro.net
Rides, slides, bounce houses, and more! Snowfest Saturday returns on Dune Drive for an epic day of family fun. Visit and pose for photos with Santa in his sleigh, check out the live music and cozy stations throughout the day, and remember to shop small throughout Avalon’s businesses.
Stone Harbor Christmas Parade
6:30pm, 107th Street & Third Avenue, heading north to 96th Street toward Second Avenue, shnj.org
A Stone Harbor tradition! Don’t miss a variety of local organizations as they parade through Stone Harbor. There will be fire trucks, music, performances, and of course, Santa Claus!
Nov. 29-Dec. 31
The North Pole Experience at Harbaugh Village
126 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, harbaughvillage.com
Step into the magical North Pole Experience at Harbaugh Village and enjoy family activities such as ice skating, carousel rides, fire pits, live entertainment, holiday shops, boardwalk games, and more. As you walk through the village, don’t forget to write your letter to Santa, visit with the big guy himself, and stop by George’s House to donate an unwrapped toy. The hours are 5-9pm Wednesday-Friday, 10am-9pm Saturday and Sunday.
Dec. 2
Avalon Historical Society Holiday Party
4-7pm, 215 39th Street, avalonhistoricalsociety.org
Join the Avalon Historical Society for its annual holiday party and open house at the Avalon History Center. Celebrate the season with food and refreshments, music, and good company.
Dec. 5
Sounds of the Season with Jay Daniels
4pm, Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St., avalonfreelibrary.org
Enjoy an evening of music with pianist and music historian Jay Daniels. The audience will be treated to music for the holidays – from Christmas classics to Hanukkah favorites.
Dec. 21
A Special Holiday Teatime at the History Center
11am, 215 39th St., avalonfreelibrary.org
Featuring local tea connoisseur Dawn O’Connor of Enchanted Tea & Treasures, this special teatime will offer a brief history and unique details about a variety of teas, herbals, infusions, and tisanes. Registration not required but appreciated.
Dec. 30
Happy Almost New Year’s Eve
11am, Avalon Free Public Library, 235 32nd St., avalonfreelibrary.org
Bring the little ones to ring in the new year a little early! Celebrate Almost New Year’s Eve with John Hadfield and his dog Reggie in a fun and interactive show. The celebration will include cookies and apple juice “champagne.”
Dec. 31
Avalon’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration
3:30-5pm, 30th Street beach & Surfside Park, avalonboro.net
Ring in 2024 at Surfside Park as you enjoy Avalon’s New Year’s Eve Fireworks Celebration. Bring the family and enjoy music, crafts, and hot chocolate at Surfside Park, followed by the fireworks display from the 30th Street beach.
