As you walk down the streets of downtown Haddonfield, you might start to notice a few changes throughout the next few weeks. The streets will be decorated with sparkling white lights and glowing trees; people will be bundled up in warm, wooly coats and hats; and businesses will be alight with holiday decorations. This just means the holiday season is here for Haddonfield.
Kicking off the holiday season will be downtown Haddonfield’s Tree Lighting and Candlelight Shopping Kick-Off on Friday. Nov. 28. The kick-off in downtown Haddonfield will feature a tree lighting ceremony that will take place at the Borough Holiday Tree at Library Point at 6:30 p.m. followed by a parade with Santa to Kings Court.
Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping takes place every Friday evening from Friday, Nov. 28 through Friday, Dec. 19. Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping features unique gift ideas and in-store holiday events, as well as horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday entertainment throughout the town and visits from Santa Claus in Kings Court from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Also starting on Nov. 28 is Small Business Weekend, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 30. Haddonfield has extended its Small Business Saturday event to include the whole weekend. Merchants will be offering incentives, trunk shows and other promotions.
“Besides the entertainment and how beautiful and magical downtown Haddonfield will appear, we are also offering 10 percent off gift certificates,” said Remi Fortunato, retail coordinator for the Partnership for Haddonfield.
Create a sale with town wide gift certificates, which will be available at the Information Center. Downtown Haddonfield is offering certificates during the holiday season from 11 a.m. on Black Friday through 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Also, parking is free during the holiday season. For more information about Haddonfield’s downtown events, please call the Haddonfield Information Center at 216–7253 or visit www.downtownhaddonfield.com.
The Annual Outdoor Children’s Live Nativity will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at First Baptist Church of Haddonfield, on 124 Kings Highway East, complete with animals and music at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served to visitors. The rain date will be Saturday, Dec. 19. For more information and directions, please call (856) 429–2326 or visit www.firstbaptisthaddonfield.org.
“I know a lot of families like to come and take photos, and see the live nativity. I think people like the quaintness of it,” Fortunato said.
Hanukkah begins at sundown on Tuesday, Dec. 16 and ends at sundown on Wednesday, Dec. 24. This year, the menorah to commemorate Haddonfield’s celebration will be put up on Monday, Dec. 15. The Haddonfield Menorah Lighting Ceremony will be held on Monday, Dec. 22 at Library Point from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Downtown Haddonfield events are just a few of many holiday events taking place this season. Here are more reasons to visit and make Haddonfield a part of your holidays.
The Haddonfield Plays & Players will present “Annie” every Friday in December during Candlelight Shopping at 8 p.m., starting Dec. 5. Watch Annie and her pint-sized cohorts in the musical as they sing and dance to songs from “Hard Knock Life” to “Tomorrow.” Call the box office for tickets at 439–8139 or visit www.haddonfieldplayers.com.
The Holiday Art Exhibition has changed in the past two years. Previously held on one day at the Markeim Arts Center, at 104 Walnut St., it has been extended to multiple days. The exhibition will consist of displays by fine artists and craftsmen from our region.
“It is a great opportunity to connect with local artists and purchase items for the holidays. There will be great artists’ products at reasonable prices, perfect for gifts for the holiday season,” said Liz Madden, executive director at the Markeim Arts Center.
Local artists and various mediums will be featured, including jewelry, pottery, paintings and carvings. All of these items are priced under $125. For more information visit www.MarkeimArtCenter.org.
Another holiday event is the Haddonfield Holiday House Tour, presented for the first time by Interfaith Caregivers, on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 4 p.m. Featured will be five beautifully decorated houses and Lutheran Church of Our Savior. Each home is unique, possessing its own standout architecture and décor. The church will offer refreshments as well as have some live organ-playing performances throughout the day.
“I hope everyone can come out and have a wonderful day enjoying the houses and get into the holiday spirit,” said MaryAnn Bigelow, executive director at Interfaith Caregivers.
Tickets can be bought from Interfaith Cargivers, located behind Borough Hall, online at www.ifchaddons.org, the Haddonfield Library or the Haddonfield Information Center. Tickets in advance are $20 and $25 the day of the event.
Rounding off the winter events of the 2014 season is First Night Haddonfield on Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to midnight. First Night features a New Year’s Eve celebration complete with live entertainment, fireworks, activities and fun for all ages. First Night buttons, which are required to attend all indoor performances and activities, are $15 each and can be purchased online, at the Haddonfield Information Center and at various button outlets throughout Haddonfield. For more information on First Night or to support the event as a sponsor or volunteer, please visit www.firstnighthaddonfield.org.
