As another year begins to wind down, Downtown Freehold welcomes one of the most special times of the year.
The trees are wrapped in lights, storefronts are decorated for the season, restaurants welcome friends and families gathering around the table, and familiar holiday traditions return to the heart of town. Whether Downtown Freehold has been part of your holiday season for generations or you are discovering it for the first time, December offers plenty of reasons to come downtown.
Throughout the year, DowntownFreehold.com works alongside our businesses, sponsors, community organizations and the Borough of Freehold to bring events and activities to town. The holiday season gives us another opportunity to bring everyone together and celebrate the community that makes Freehold such a special place.
Lighting Up Downtown Freehold
The holiday season officially gets underway with the Annual Tree Lighting on Tuesday, December 1 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Hall of Records.
Gather with family, friends and neighbors as Downtown Freehold comes together for one of our favorite annual traditions. The evening will feature a performance by the Rock and Roll Choir, with hot cider provided by Court Jester.
And, of course, no Downtown Freehold Tree Lighting would be complete without a visit from Santa Claus. Keep an eye out for the Freehold Fire Department as they help bring our special guest into town for the celebration.
The holiday celebrations continue on Tuesday, December 8 with the Annual Menorah Lighting from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Community members are invited to gather together as the menorah is lit in celebration of Hanukkah.
These traditions have become an important part of the holiday season in Freehold, bringing neighbors together and reminding us what this time of year is all about.
All Aboard the Jolly Trolley
One of Downtown Freehold’s most anticipated holiday traditions returns Friday, December 11 and Saturday, December 12.
The Downtown Freehold Jolly Trolley takes families on a journey through Freehold Borough, combining local history, holiday storytelling and plenty of Christmas spirit along the way.
Multiple tours will depart throughout both evenings, taking passengers through town as scenes and stories bring Freehold’s past to life. At the conclusion of the tour, children will have an opportunity to see Santa and create another holiday memory right here in their hometown.
The Jolly Trolley has become a tradition for families throughout our area, with tickets historically selling very quickly. Anyone interested in attending should follow DowntownFreehold.com and our social media pages for ticket information and announcements.
Santa Claus Is Coming to Freehold
Santa has a busy schedule in Downtown Freehold this year.
The American Hotel welcomes families for its annual Brunch with Santa on November 29 and December 6, 13 and 20. Families can enjoy brunch together while children get a chance to visit with the man of the hour.
Sweet Lew’s Café continues another favorite Freehold tradition with Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 12.
These events are a wonderful opportunity to spend a December morning or afternoon downtown. After seeing Santa, take some time to walk around town, visit our local businesses or enjoy everything else Downtown Freehold has to offer during the holiday season.
Celebrate the Season at The Showcase
The holidays also bring another DowntownFreehold.com fundraising celebration.
On Friday, December 4, the Eddie Testa Band Fourth Annual Christmas Party comes to iPlay America for an evening of entertainment and holiday celebration.
The event continues a tradition that has become part of DowntownFreehold.com’s holiday calendar while helping support the events and happenings we bring to the community throughout the year.
Our events would not be possible without the businesses, sponsors and community members who support DowntownFreehold.com. As a small nonprofit organization, fundraising events like these help us continue bringing concerts, festivals, markets, family activities and seasonal traditions to Downtown Freehold.
The Sounds of the Season
On Thursday, December 17, you’ll hear the sounds of Christmas throughout town during Carolers Downtown from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Carolers will make their way through Downtown Freehold, bringing holiday favorites to our streets, restaurants and businesses.
The evening concludes with a festive sing-along at the Gazebo, giving everyone an opportunity to join in.
It’s one of those simple traditions that captures what the holidays in Downtown Freehold are all about—people coming together and enjoying the season right in the heart of their community.
Shop Small. Shop Downtown.
The holidays are also one of the most important times of the year for our local businesses.
Behind every Downtown Freehold storefront is a business owner, employee, family or entrepreneur who helps make our downtown what it is. When you purchase a gift from a local shop, book an appointment with a downtown business, pick up a gift card or choose one of our restaurants for your holiday gathering, you are supporting the people who invest in this community throughout the entire year.
Downtown Freehold offers plenty of opportunities to make shopping local part of your holiday traditions.
Take a walk through town and discover something new. Pick up a gift card from someone’s favorite restaurant. Meet friends for lunch while finishing your shopping. Plan a holiday dinner downtown or stop into a business you’ve passed many times but haven’t had the chance to visit.
There are countless ways to support Downtown Freehold this season, and every visit makes a difference.
Home for the Holidays
There’s something comforting about returning to a familiar place during the holidays.
For some, Downtown Freehold brings back memories of Christmases spent here years ago. For others, traditions like the Tree Lighting, Jolly Trolley or a visit with Santa are becoming memories their own children will someday look back on.
Freehold has changed throughout the generations, but that sense of community continues.
The history found within our streets and buildings exists alongside new restaurants, shops, businesses and traditions. Together, they create a downtown where the past and present meet and where another generation can make Freehold part of its own story.
Perhaps that’s why people continue coming home to Freehold.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As we celebrate the holidays, we’re also looking forward to another full year in Downtown Freehold.
From winter gatherings and springtime events to summer concerts, festivals, the Farmer’s Market, fall traditions and another holiday season, there will be plenty happening throughout 2027.
DowntownFreehold.com is proud to help bring these events to our community, but none of it happens alone.
Thank you to our sponsors, local businesses, Borough officials and departments, community organizations, volunteers, performers, vendors and everyone who attends and supports our events throughout the year.
Most importantly, thank you to everyone who chooses Downtown Freehold.
Every dinner reservation, local purchase, event ticket, concert visit and afternoon spent walking through town contributes to the downtown community we all enjoy.
As 2026 comes to a close, we invite you to gather your family and friends, come home for the holidays and experience Downtown Freehold.
There’s Always Something Goin’ On In Downtown Freehold.
From all of us at DowntownFreehold.com, we wish you and your family a happy, healthy and wonderful holiday season.
Come celebrate with us and Shop, Dine, Discover & Explore Downtown Freehold.
