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Christmas with kids in Brick
In Brick Township, Christmas begins on the lawn of town hall. Each December neighbors gather under a big evergreen to sing carols, meet Santa and, in recent years, ride a little holiday train.
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Gingerbread Storytime
When: Tue, Dec 22, 10:30 to 11:30 am
Where: Ocean County Library, Brick Branch, Brick
Cost: Free, registration required
The story of Christmas in Brick
How Brick celebrates
Brick Township's Christmas season centers on its annual tree lighting on the front lawn of the municipal building at 401 Chambers Bridge Road. Reports from 2017 describe hundreds of residents gathering after dark to sing, dance and welcome the season, with a lit tree, a nativity scene, high school choirs and a visit from Santa. In recent years the evening has added hot chocolate and a Christmas train ride. Another long tradition is the Winter Craft Fair at Brick Township High School, run by the Marching Dragon Caravan to support the band.
Christmas last year in Brick
In 2025 the tree lighting took place on Wednesday, December 3, at 5:30 p.m. on the town hall lawn, with Santa, Christmas carols and snacks. On Saturday, December 13, the Marching Dragon Caravan held its 59th annual Winter Craft Fair at Brick Township High School from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with more than 100 vendors, and the proceeds helped the high school marching band. The same day the Brick Township Historical Society held its fifth annual cookie sale at the Havens Homestead Museum, where one pound boxes of decorated homemade cookies cost $15.
Fun facts about Christmas in Brick
Brick's tree lighting was free in 2024 and starts early, at 5:30 p.m., so little ones can see the lights before bedtime. In 2020 the township held the event with limited registration and a socially distanced photo with Santa, while a holiday train was part of the evening. Since 2021 the program has included music, hot chocolate and a holiday train ride. The craft fair's 59th year in 2025 means it began in the 1960s. The cookie sale takes place at the Havens Homestead Museum, a historic site on Herbertsville Road.
Trains and Christmas in Brick
Brick Township's own Christmas train rolls right at the tree lighting. Reports from 2020, 2021 and 2024 mention a holiday train, or Christmas train ride, as part of the evening on the town hall lawn, along with music and hot chocolate. Little ones who love trains can look forward to the ride. We did not find a railroad museum listing for New Jersey yet, so this holiday train is the story to share, and details change by year.
Traditions today
- Brick Christmas tree lighting: An annual free evening on the town hall lawn with Santa, carols and snacks, held in early December.
- Holiday train ride: A Christmas train ride has been part of the tree lighting in recent years.
- Choirs and nativity scene: High school choirs and a nativity scene around the large tree were part of the 2017 ceremony.
- Winter Craft Fair: The Marching Dragon Caravan held its 59th annual fair in 2025 at Brick Township High School with over 100 vendors.
- Historical Society cookie sale: Decorated homemade cookies sold at the Havens Homestead Museum, in its fifth year in 2025.
- Photos with Santa: Santa has been part of the tree lighting, and in 2020 families booked socially distanced photos.
A fact for kids
Brick Township has a Christmas train ride at its tree lighting. Kids can ride the little train, drink hot chocolate and say hello to Santa on the town hall lawn.
Questions about Christmas in Brick
What is the biggest Christmas tradition in Brick?
The annual Brick Township Christmas tree lighting is the town's main Christmas tradition. It takes place on the town hall lawn, where hundreds of residents have gathered to sing, meet Santa and see the tree lit. A holiday train ride and hot chocolate have been added in recent years.
When is the Brick Christmas tree lighting?
It is held on a Wednesday in early December at 5:30 p.m. In 2025 it was December 3, and in 2024 it was December 4, so families can plan around a weeknight. For this season's confirmed date, see our Brick Christmas events guide on this page.
Where is the Brick Christmas tree?
The tree stands on the front lawn of the Brick Township Municipal Building at 401 Chambers Bridge Road, under a large evergreen. The township describes it as an annual event, and a 2017 report said hundreds of residents gathered there after dark.
What happened at Brick's tree lighting in 2025?
On December 3, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., families gathered on the town hall lawn for the tree lighting, which included a visit from Santa, Christmas carols and snacks. It was held in front of the municipal building at 401 Chambers Bridge Road.
What was Brick's tree lighting like in 2017?
In 2017 hundreds of residents gathered after dark to sing, dance and celebrate the start of the Christmas season. There was a visit from Santa, a display of lights and a nativity scene around a large tree. Mayor John Ducey led the evening, and the Brick Township and Brick Memorial high school choirs performed.
Is there a Christmas train in Brick?
Yes. A Christmas train ride has been part of the township's tree lighting in recent years. It was mentioned in the 2020 plan, in 2021 and again in 2024, along with music, hot chocolate and Santa. Details vary by year, so check our Brick Christmas events guide on this page.
Is the Brick tree lighting free?
Yes. In 2024 the township described the tree lighting as free, with holiday music performances, hot chocolate and a Christmas train ride. Santa was also expected to attend. For this season's details, see our Brick Christmas events guide on this page.
How did Brick handle the 2020 tree lighting?
In 2020 the township held the tree lighting on December 1 at 5:30 p.m. with limited attendance. Only Brick residents could register, masks were required, social distancing applied and a socially distanced photo with Santa was available. A holiday train was part of the plan.
What is the Winter Craft Fair in Brick?
It is a holiday fair at Brick Township High School run by the Marching Dragon Caravan to support the school marching band. The 59th annual fair was held on December 13, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with more than 100 vendors.
How old is the Brick craft fair?
The 2025 fair was the 59th annual Winter Craft Fair, which means it began in the 1960s. The Marching Dragon Caravan, which supports the Brick Township High School marching band, runs it each December and gets help from more than 100 vendors.
What is the Brick Historical Society cookie sale?
The Brick Township Historical Society holds a cookie sale at the Havens Homestead Museum, 521 Herbertsville Road. In 2025 it was the fifth annual sale on December 13, and one pound boxes of decorated homemade cookies cost $15, with orders due by December 5.
What is the Havens Homestead Museum?
The Havens Homestead Museum is a Brick Township Historical Society site at 521 Herbertsville Road, where the society holds its annual Christmas cookie sale. We did not find more history of the building in our sources, so check with the Historical Society for a visit.
Who attends the Brick tree lighting?
Hundreds of residents have attended in past years. Local high school choirs have performed, the mayor has led the evening and Santa Claus has visited. It is a neighborhood gathering rather than a big show, which makes it easy for little kids.
What did the Brick tree lighting add in recent years?
Recent tree lightings added hot chocolate, holiday music performances and a Christmas train ride to the traditional visit from Santa. The 2024 evening was free and began at 5:30 p.m. under the large evergreen at town hall, so families can bundle up and make it a short outing.
How can I explain the tree lighting to my kids?
Tell them that the whole town gathers on the lawn of town hall to turn on the big tree together. There will be songs, a train ride, hot chocolate and Santa. Let them know the lights come on after dark, so bring a hat and mittens.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Brick?
The town hall lawn has a lit evergreen, and in 2017 a display of lights and a nativity scene stood around the tree. For this season's confirmed dates and other light displays, see our Brick Christmas events guide on this page.
Can kids meet Santa in Brick?
Yes. Santa Claus has been part of the township tree lighting in the years we found, and in 2020 families could reserve a socially distanced photo with him. For this season's Santa times and any photo details, see our Brick Christmas events guide on this page.
Are there carols at Brick's tree lighting?
Yes. The 2025 tree lighting included Christmas carols, and in 2017 hundreds of residents gathered to sing, dance and welcome the season while the ceremony featured the Brick Township and Brick Memorial high school choirs. Singing together is a big part of the evening, so kids can practice a favorite song first.
Is there a train museum near Brick?
We did not find a railroad museum listing for New Jersey in our guide yet, so the holiday train ride at the township tree lighting is the train story to share. Check with the township for the current year's train schedule before you go.
What makes Christmas in Brick different?
Brick's Christmas is a small-town gathering built around town hall, with a tree lighting, a train ride, hot chocolate and Santa. Local groups add the Marching Dragon Caravan craft fair and a Historical Society cookie sale, so the traditions are run by neighbors for neighbors.
Sources
- Christmas in Brick: tree lighting, cookie sale, craft fair planned, Shorebeat
- Brick rings in the 2017 Christmas season, Shorebeat
- Brick Township's annual Christmas tree lighting set for Dec. 4, Shorebeat
- Brick planning Christmas tree lighting, holiday train at town hall next week, Shorebeat
- Brick sets Christmas tree, menorah lighting ceremonies, Patch