Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Events in Haddon Township & Beyond (2025 Edition)

The lights are up, the cocoa is flowing, and South Jersey is officially entering its jingle-all-the-way era. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly magic, festive shopping, or an excuse to wear that aggressively ugly sweater you bought ironically, Haddon Township and the surrounding towns have packed December with nonstop holiday cheer.

Here’s your definitive list of everything happening this season.

Test your trivia skills, enjoy dinner, and support the Township’s Toy & Food Drive. The multitasking is impressive.

Haddon Township kicks off the season with the beloved Parade of Lights along Haddon Ave, featuring decorated fire trucks, floats, bands, holiday characters, and Santa himself. The tree lighting happens immediately after, followed by refreshments at the Westmont Fire Co. Kids can meet Santa before he jetpacks back to the North Pole. Bring an unwrapped toy or food donation for the Township’s Holiday Toy Drive.

Local artisans, handcrafted gifts, festive food, a beer garden, kids’ activities, live holiday music, and a Santa cameo. All outdoors, all cozy, at 51 Haddon Ave (Haddon Square).

The Grinch himself is popping into The Taproom for a Santucci’s holiday lunch, festive drinks, and photo ops that may or may not involve him stealing your fries. Reservations recommended: 856-854-4255.

Hot chocolate bar. Food and drink specials. Crafts for the kids. And yes, Santa is absolutely showing up.

Wear your ugliest, your tackiest, your most emotionally damaging holiday sweater at 239 Haddon Ave. Prizes for the top three disasters. Proceeds benefit the Haddon Twp Holiday Toy & Food Drive.

A creative, chaotic wonderland: open studios, artist meet-and-greets, scavenger hunt, crafts, raffle baskets, snacks, and one-of-a-kind gifts. It’s basically Etsy, but you can talk to the artists in real life, at 1001 White Horse Pike.

Holiday brunch. Santa photo ops. Peak holiday serotonin, at Central Taco & Tequila.

On the border of Haddon Township and Cherry Hill, don't miss WinterFest, starting November 28th and running until February 22, 2026! The pop-up rink returns to Cooper River Park (Cuthbert & Park), transforming the waterfront into a full-blown winter village. Bring the kids, invite a date, enjoy fun with the whole family. Expect twinkling lights, music, cozy vibes, and plenty of photo ops. Operates: Thursdays 5-9, Fridays 5-10, Saturday 12-10, Sundays 12-9.

Candlelight Shopping kicks off with the annual Tree Lighting at 6pm on November 28. Then, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will lead a parade to Kings Court, where they'll pose for pictures in the Gazebo. Candlelight Shopping continues throughout the holiday season on Fridays, from November 29th to December 19th, starting at 6pm. Head to Downtown Haddonfield for carolers, musicians, extended shopping hours, magical decorations, and free parking.

Fuel up at any of Haddonfield’s many brunch spots, then shop your way through town with extended morning hours.

This is a weekly colonial-era holiday event taking place December 5, 12 and 19 at the Indian King Tavern Museum.

After the initial Candlelight Shopping kickoff, Mrs. Claus will return to visit downtown merchants on December 12 and 19 for photo ops & more! And, new this year, a seasonally decorated electric vehicle will take people on carriage rides on those dates, too. The vehicle fits four comfortably and picks up in front of 202 King Hwy E!

Extended shopping hours and one more chance to support local while enjoying luminaria-lit sidewalks.

At 7pm on November 28th, head to Downtown Collingswood to watch Santa descend from the top of Borough Hall via a fire truck! Once he lands, the town tree lights up while local choral groups sing and the Mayor and Commissioners give their seasonal greetings. Right after the tree lighting, head to the Millennium Clock/Zane Schoolhouse at Irvin Ave at 7.30pm for a live ice-carving demonstration. And if twinkling lights aren’t enough for you, Collingswood hands out HOLOSPEX glasses at participating retailers, turning every light into a holographic holiday pattern.

Starting at 10am, the Collingswood Parade is a full-on spectacle: marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, stilt walkers, Mummers, mascots, floats, live music. Kicking off at Zane & Haddon, it makes its way down Haddon to West Linden Avenue. If you need a dose of instant holiday spirit, this will do it.

Pick up your treasure hunt flyer after the Holiday Parade from the Pocket Park Small Business Hub (Haddon & Woodlawn), then search for 20 items across Collingswood businesses (you have until 5pm!). Complete the hunt for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree.

Decorate your vehicle, load it with toys, join the parade (from 8am to noon at Cooper River) and help build a mountain of gifts for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Camden County.

Fifty-five artists. Two food trucks. A bar. Free tote bags for the first 100 guests. If you have someone delightfully weird on your gift list, this is their mothership. Head to the Collingswood Grand Ballroom on December 14th from 11-5.

Collingswood’s annual Community Menorah Lighting brings neighbors together for a bright, joyful Chanukah celebration. The ceremony features blessings, songs, and plenty of holiday spirit as the menorah is lit for all to enjoy. It’s a simple, meaningful gathering that highlights the heart of the season: community, light, and togetherness.

Santa sets up his South Jersey satellite office in Collingswood all month long, and the best part is that visits are completely free. You’ll find him at his Collingswood Headquarters inside Extraordinary ED, ready to hear wish lists and pose for photos. Make a whole afternoon of it: grab a treat, do some shopping, wander the window displays, and soak in the downtown holiday energy while the big guy handles the magic.

South Jersey takes the holiday season seriously, and whether you’re here for the cozy markets, glittering parades, or going hard on retail therapy, there’s something for everyone. And, naturally, if you have any questions about buying or selling a house in South Jersey or Philadelphia during this festive time (or in 2026), fill out the form below.