Light Up the Night
What pandemic? Bergen County towns flip the switch and shine a light on holiday spirit.
The stay-at-home orders that loomed over most of this year gave many of us time to think about December holidays, and if social norms didn’t dictate, we know some of you might’ve hung Christmas lights and filled inflatable Santas in August. Don’t deny it!
Finally, ’tis the season to brighten these dark days and spread holiday spirit and cheer. Sure, many Bergen County towns are playing it safe and canceling major holiday events—Hasbrouck Heights and Rutherford, for example, put their respective festivals on the shelf for the year—but there are plenty of modified celebrations on tap. Cliffside Park, for instance, held a virtual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Below is a sampling of what some towns have planned in the coming days.
Ridgewood has scaled down its annual Downtown for the Holidays event and will hold a socially distant Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 4. Pro tip: Look for free parking at the Hudson Street parking garage.
Officials in Westwood canceled their longtime Home for the Holidays parade, but they’ll hold a low-key Christmas tree lighting show on Dec. 5. Meanwhile, Glen Rock’s tree lighting on Dec. 5 will be limited to 80 attendees; all others can watch the event live on Glen Rock TV.
The folks in Closter set up a website with information about their town-wide caroling program as well as their Dec. 6 virtual tree lighting ceremony.
Part of Hackensack’s holiday program is its annual tree lighting event, which takes place virtually on Dec. 8. The city also will hold a gingerbread house contest and offer shoppers free parking along Main and Anderson streets.
For those who can’t get enough lights, bundle up the entire family and take a drive through Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, where 32 acres of brilliant holiday displays light up the night. And if you’re in the neighborhood, stop by That Crazy Christmas House on Madison Avenue in Ramsey for decorating ideas you wish you thought of.
