Weekend Guide: Holiday Events

Are you looking for a little holiday cheer this weekend?

Here are some local events coming up to put you in the spirit:

Friday, Dec. 7: 

From 6 to 7 p.m., families can enjoy the Annual Women's Club of Cranbury Tree Lighting and visit Santa's Workshop at the Cranbury Fire Company.

There will be crafts and activities in Santa’s Workshop, traditional carols with The Cranbury Brass Band at 7 p.m., a tree lighting, and a visit from Santa Claus. Some activities for children include visiting Mrs. Claus’ kitchen and Santa's Workshop, listening to holiday stories, creating ornaments, writing letters to Santa, cookie decorating and warming up with hot chocolate.

Kelly Coyle, a cadette Girl Scout, worked with the Women's Club on the tree lighting event as her silver award project last year. This year, Cranbury Girl Scout Troop 71437 will help run the workshop with the Women's Club of Cranbury. There will also be a Toys for Tots collection of new, unwrapped presents to help less fortunate children have a better Christmas.

Saturday, Dec. 8: 

Also in Cranbury, the Shaw family at 128 North Main Street will host Grammy nominated singer Judy Pancoast, who will perform a live show alongside the family’s spectacular light display at 7 p.m.

For six years now, Keith Shaw and his family have decorated their home on North Main Street with 75,000 lights, which are perfectly synchronized to Christmas music. While the shows are free, the Shaws accept cash donations, 100 percent of which go to local food banks and charities. Last year the family raised almost $12,000 for charity.

The display runs through Dec. 31, with 45 minute shows starting on the hour at 6, 7, and 8 p.m. Visitors can watch and listen to the shows from their cars or up close from the Shaw’s lawn. 

As part of her “The House on Christmas Street International Tour,” Pancoast will perform Saturday from her new album “Christmas with Mrs. Claus” at the Shaw’s home with the display. This is the second year the family will host Pancoast.

The event is free to the public, though donations will be accepted. The event will be held outside rain or shine, and hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Voting for your favorite decorated downtown window or storefront in Hightstown begins Saturday. Teams of Hightstown High School and Peddie School art students painted a selection of windows of downtown businesses, with snowflakes as their theme. Students who are selected as having painted the top three windows will receive gift certificates to Michaels to further their artistic talents.