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Christmas with kids in Toms River
In Toms River, Santa does not need a sleigh. He rides in on a fire truck to light the downtown tree, and the next day Washington Street becomes a Winter Wonderland.
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The story of Christmas in Toms River
How Toms River celebrates
Toms River kicks off Christmas with an annual tree lighting in the heart of downtown, organized by the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District with Toms River Township. Live entertainment starts around 5 p.m., and Santa arrives on a fire truck around 7 p.m. to light the tree. Photos with Santa follow inside Town Hall, and Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1 sells hot chocolate and cookies. The next day, a Winter Wonderland fills Washington Street with vendors, kids' activities and holiday music. Sources call the lighting annual but do not give its first year.
Christmas last year in Toms River
In 2025 the downtown tree lighting took place on Friday, December 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Washington Street, with Santa arriving on the fire truck at 7 p.m. to light the tree. Winter Wonderland followed on Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with vendors, kids' activities, a hot chocolate station and holiday music. The township also ran a Holiday Decorating Contest from December 2 to 31, where the public voted for wreaths at participating downtown businesses. On December 6 the Toms River Library also listed a free Winter Wonderland for all ages.
Fun facts about Christmas in Toms River
Santa does not use a sleigh in Toms River. He arrives by fire truck to light the tree. In 2022 Mrs. Claus read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas while children waited, and the Winter Wonderland Village had a petting zoo, pony rides and a s'mores station. In 2021 a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt sent kids downtown to find a special candy cane hidden in store windows from December 4 to 20. In 2024 the Winter Wonderland added face painting, ornament painting and story time.
Traditions today
- Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting: Live entertainment, then Santa arrives on a fire truck around 7 p.m. to light the tree on Washington Street.
- Photos with Santa at Town Hall: After the lighting, children can have a photo with Santa inside Town Hall.
- Winter Wonderland: A Saturday of vendors, kids' activities and holiday music along Washington Street, with downtown shops open.
- Holiday Decorating Contest: Wreaths at downtown businesses are judged by public vote from early to late December.
- Fire company hot chocolate: Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1 sells hot chocolate and cookies at the tree lighting.
- Winter Wonderland at the library: The Toms River Library listed a free all-ages Winter Wonderland on December 6, 2025.
A fact for kids
In Toms River, Santa arrives on a fire truck to turn on the Christmas tree lights. Listen for the sirens!
Questions about Christmas in Toms River
How does Toms River start the Christmas season?
Toms River starts the season with its annual downtown tree lighting. Live entertainment begins around 5 p.m., and Santa arrives on a fire truck at about 7 p.m. to light the tree on Washington Street. Photos with Santa follow in Town Hall. See our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page for current dates.
When was the Toms River tree lighting last year?
In 2025 the tree lighting was on Friday, December 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Washington Street. Live entertainment started at 5 p.m., and Santa arrived on the fire truck at 7 p.m. to light the tree. In 2024 it was Friday, December 6.
How does Santa arrive in Toms River?
Santa arrives by fire truck. At the downtown tree lighting he rides in around 7 p.m., lights the tree and then greets children for photos inside Town Hall. Kids like to listen for the sirens and watch for the truck coming down the street, so it makes a fun, memorable moment for little ones.
Where can kids take photos with Santa in Toms River?
Photos with Santa are taken inside Town Hall after the tree lighting. In 2022 proceeds from the photos benefited Toms River Fire Company 1, which also sells hot chocolate and cookies at the tree lighting. See our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page for this year.
What is Winter Wonderland in Toms River?
Winter Wonderland is the day after the tree lighting, when downtown Toms River turns into a holiday street fair. In 2025 it ran Saturday, December 6, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Washington Street, with vendors, kids' activities, a hot chocolate station and holiday music. Downtown businesses stay open.
What activities have been at Winter Wonderland?
Over the years kids have enjoyed a petting zoo, pony rides and a s'mores station in 2022, and face painting, ornament painting, caroling and story time in 2024. Hot chocolate and cookies are sold by Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1. The lineup changes each year, so check our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page.
Who organizes the Toms River tree lighting?
The Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District organizes the events with Toms River Township. Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1 helps by selling hot chocolate and cookies, and in 2022 the Santa photo proceeds benefited the fire company. Local school choirs and dance groups have also performed over the years.
Does Mrs. Claus read stories in Toms River?
Yes, at least in some years. At the 2022 tree lighting Mrs. Claus read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas while children waited for Santa. In 2024 the Winter Wonderland also offered a story time. Our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page lists the current year's storytimes.
Is there a Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt in Toms River?
It was part of the 2021 season. From December 4 to 20 that year, participating downtown merchants hid a special candy cane in their stores or window displays, and kids went looking for it. It is not confirmed for every year, so check our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page for what is offered now.
What is the Holiday Decorating Contest in Toms River?
It is a downtown contest where wreaths are judged by public vote. In 2025 it ran from December 2 through December 31 at Washington and Main Street, with ballots at participating businesses. Families can walk downtown, pick a favorite wreath and vote.
Is there a Christmas event at the Toms River Library?
In 2025 the Toms River Library listed a free Winter Wonderland on December 6, with activities for babies through adults. The Ocean County Library's Toms River Branch also offers holiday storytimes for preschoolers, such as a Gingerbread Storytime in 2024. Registration may be required, so check our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page.
Where is the Toms River tree lighting held?
The lighting takes place in downtown Toms River, near Town Hall on Washington Street. The courtyard between Town Hall and the Ocean County Library hosted the Winter Village in 2021, and in 2022 the village was in the Town Hall courtyard.
How can I explain the tree lighting to my toddler?
Tell your child that the whole town gathers to wait for Santa to turn on the big tree, and that he arrives on a fire truck instead of a sleigh. Bring hot chocolate money, a warm coat and a blanket. The ceremony starts with live music around 5 p.m., so little ones have time to wiggle before the countdown.
What time should we arrive for the tree lighting?
Plan to arrive around 5 p.m., when the live entertainment begins, because Santa and the lighting come around 7 p.m. That gives toddlers time to see the stage, find hot chocolate and claim a spot. In 2025 the event ran from 5 to 7 p.m., and photos with Santa in Town Hall came after.
Is the Toms River tree lighting free?
We did not find admission fees listed for the tree lighting or Winter Wonderland, and the library's Winter Wonderland in 2025 was listed as free. Hot chocolate and cookies are sold by the fire company, and some Santa photo proceeds benefit it. Our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page lists current prices.
Are there school choirs at the Toms River tree lighting?
Yes. In 2022 the Donovan Catholic and Toms River South choirs performed on the Friday night program, along with other local groups. Choirs and dance groups such as Broadway on Main and the Dance Center have also performed at Winter Wonderland. Local performers change from year to year.
Is there a Christmas parade in Toms River?
The sources we found for Toms River describe a tree lighting and Winter Wonderland, not a parade. Our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page lists confirmed Christmas events for this season, including any local lights and Santa visits.
What do the fire trucks have to do with Christmas in Toms River?
Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1 is part of the tradition. Santa arrives on a fire truck to light the tree, and the fire company sells hot chocolate and cookies, with Santa photo proceeds benefiting it in 2022. It is a friendly way to show kids how neighbors work together at Christmas.
Is downtown Toms River open during Winter Wonderland?
Yes. Downtown restaurants and businesses stay open during the tree lighting weekend and Winter Wonderland, so families can warm up inside between activities. In 2025 Winter Wonderland ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Washington Street. It is a good chance to browse shops, grab lunch and let kids visit the vendors and holiday activities.
Where can I find Christmas events in Toms River this year?
Our Toms River Christmas events guide on this page is the best place to start, and it lists dates, times and prices for this season as they are confirmed. The township website and the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District also share the tree lighting and Winter Wonderland schedule, usually in early December.
Sources
- Experience Winter Wonderland with Santa in Toms River, Toms River Township
- Toms River Events 2025, Toms River Township
- Christmas tree lighting set for downtown Toms River, Patch
- Toms River Lights its Christmas Tree and Prepares for a Winter Wonderland, Toms River Township
- Toms River Winter Wonderland at Toms River Library, NJ Kids Online