PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BOROUGH OF CARTERET

(CARTERET, NJ) -- 'Tis the season in Carteret to celebrate the winter holidays as a community. The Borough is pulling out all the stops with several sponsored holiday events, plus two additional ticketed entertainment events at Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center.

On Friday, December 5, Mayor Daniel J. Reiman will join with local residents for the town’s annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at Carteret Park on Carteret Avenue and Cypress Street.  Festivities will take place from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with the annual tree lighting at 7:00pm.

“Our Holiday Festival transforms Carteret Park into a winter wonderland, capturing the true spirit of the holidays for families and visitors with lavish festivities,” Mayor Reiman said.

Holiday Festival highlights will include live holiday music, photos with Santa, hot cocoa, cookies, hot pretzels, and horse & buggy rides.

This year, Hanukkah takes place from December 14-22. Carteret will celebrate with a Menorah Lighting at 6:00pm on December 15 at Carteret Borough Hall with Rabbi Azriel Brown of Carteret Jewish Community Center.

Also on the holiday event menu in Carteret is a Winter Open House on December 12 at Blazing Star Cultural Arts Center, the nonprofit home of Central Jersey Arts Council, Carteret Historical Committee, the Carteret Arts Committee, and Carteret Community Choir. From 6:00pm to 9:00pm, Blazing Star will present a festive evening with performances by Carteret Community Choir and Junior High School Choir; a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus; a reading of “The Night Before Christmas”; exhibits from the Historical Committee, a holiday art activity with the Arts Committee, a celebration of Whoville from Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” plus lots of holiday treats and cheer. Blazing Star is located at 63 Carteret Ave.

“This event is a beautiful reflection of Carteret’s community spirit and creativity,” CJAC Executive Director Elham Hussain said. “It’s a night to gather, celebrate, and showcase the incredible talent and collaboration that define our borough.”

On December 10, Mayor Reiman will join with the Borough Council and Carteret Business Partnership in presenting a Community Holidays Open House at URSB Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center.

The free 6:00pm event will feature a screening of “Elf,” photo opportunities with Santa Claus, and a second tree lighting with the Mayor.

“Our holiday celebration will transform the gorgeous Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center into a winter wonderland, capturing the true spirit of the holidays for families and visitors,” Mayor Reiman said. “It’s a great opportunity for the community to celebrate the holidays together while showcasing our state-of-the-art arts & events center.”

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center also will present the following holiday events, tickets for which are on sale at the box office at 46 Washington Ave., carteretpac.com, and 877-849-2722:

* Peter Noone & Herman’s Hermits: “An Old English Christmas,” December 13 at 8:00pm. Tickets range from $47-$77

* “Luminare Christmas!,” December 14 at 7:00pm. Tickets range from $30-$50, $68 VIP Mistletoe Madness add-on available.

The iconic British Invasion band Herman’s Hermits, starring Peter Noone returns to Carteret this holiday season featuring a playlist of Christmas tunes, plush the band’s classic hits, such as “I’m into Something Good” and “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.” With more than 52 million records sold, including 14 singles and seven albums that went gold, Herman’s Hermits will transport audiences back in time beyond the ’60s to when Christmas was done by candlelight in Ye Olde England!

Luminare Christmas is led by John Blasucci, the veteran keyboardist for Dennis DeYoung of Styx and former lead keyboardist of Mannheim Steamroller. The electrifying show blends stunning visuals with reimagined Christmas classics and spirited original music to create a one-of-a-kind celebration.

The evening features The Mistletoe Madness VIP Experience, which includes access to an exclusive acoustic performance before the show, a meet-and-greet photo opportunity, one item autographed, a VIP laminate and lanyard, priority entry into the arts center, and priority access to merchandise. Mistletoe Madness tickets are an additional $68 each and available here.

Other holiday happenings in Carteret include:

* “Shop til You Drop,” a holiday shopping fundraiser for the Carteret High School Marching Band, 10:00am to 4:00pm, December 6 at Carteret High School, 199 Washington Ave. Admission is free, but a portion of vendor and basket raffle sales will go the Marching Band. Presented by the Carteret Band Parents Association, the event will include a holiday-themed food court run by band parents.

* “The Winter Wonderland Show,” a free children’s concert with Jennifer Hyjack, 4:00pm-4:45pm on December 11, Carteret Public Library, 100 Cooke Ave. A teacher at St. Joseph School in Carteret, Hyjack has performed at preschools and daycare centers throughout New Jersey and New York for more than a decade.

Updates about Carteret holiday celebrations will be available at Carteret.net, and by following @MyCarteret on Facebook, Instagram, and X.