❤️Viral Kindness in Neptune!!

Together With

Good morning Monmouth County and Happy New Year!! We’re definitely easing into 2026 this weekend but don’t get used to the holiday calm. The Fun Forecast for 2026 is looking pretty seismic.

TODAY’S BUZZ 🐝 

❤️ A Viral Act of Kindness in Neptune

☃️ U-Pick Tulips Winter Wonderland

❌ Bingo Loco at House of Independents

🍻 Pop-Up Food at Bakes & Skinny Flowers

🍔 Asbury Ale House Howell Open

🎭️ Comedy Night at First Ave Playhouse

🎻 Father Alphonse’s Orchestra

🐻‍❄️ Rescheduled AP Polar Bear Races

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

📰 NEWS

♥️ Simple Act of Kindness Goes Viral

A heartwarming encounter at the Hole in One Bagel Deli on Route 33 in Neptune has captured the internet's attention after Chris Leavitt shared a viral Instagram video documenting the exceptional compassion shown to his mother, who is currently recovering from a stroke. When her order proved difficult to understand, deli worker Chris Hansen took extraordinary care to assist her, prompting Leavitt to declare it the best customer service experience of his life. The story resonated deeply with Leavitt’s 400,000 Instagram followers, leading to a surprise return visit where Leavitt revealed a GoFundMe campaign he started in appreciation, which has already surged to over $16,000 as of Tuesday night. | GoFundMe

🎄 HOLIDAY EVENTS

U-Pick Tulips Winter Wonderland | 1/2-1/4 5:00 pm-8:00 pm | Holland Ridge Farms (Cream Ridge) | info 

Magic of Lights | 1/2, 1/3 5:00 pm-11:00 pm | PNC Arts Center (Holmdel) | info

🥳 FAMILY FUN!

Sip & Sensory | 1/4 10:00 am-11:30 am | Skinny Flowers Brewing (Oceanport) | info

📍 LOCAL EVENTS

Middletown Outdoor Winter Wonderland | 1/2-1/4 11:00 am-7:30 pm | Middletown Sports Complex (Middletown) | info 

Bingo Loco | 1/3 5:00 pm, 9:00 pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info 

Fuck ALS Event | 1/3 2:00 pm-10:00 pm | Asbury Park Brewing (Asbury Park) | info

🍔 FOOD & 🍹 DRINK

🍔 Asbury Ale House Opens in Howell

Asbury Ale House has officially expanded its footprint from the boardwalk to the highway, bringing its signature high-energy gastropub experience to 5169 US-9 in Howell. Following a successful soft opening in December, the new location is now fully operational, offering diners an impressive selection of craft beers on tap, elevated bar fare, and the lively, sports-centric atmosphere that made its original Asbury Park flagship a local staple. AAH’s expansion into the former Arooga’s Grill House & Sports Bar space marks a significant addition to the Howell dining scene, providing a new go-to destination for communal gathering, late-night entertainment, and gourmet comfort food.

Hott Carl's Pizza at Bakes Brewing | 1/3 12:00 pm-5:00 pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info 

Locale Pizza Pop-Up | 1/3 2:00 pm-8:00 pm | Skinny Flowers Brewing (Oceanport) | info 

Kickoff to Dry January | 1/3 4:00 pm | Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park) | info 

Smash N Grab Burger at Bakes Brewing | 1/4 12:00 pm-7:00 pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info

🎨 ART, HISTORY & EDUCATION

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend | 1/2-3/1 10:00 am-4:00 pm (Tues-Sun) | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Members Showcase: Celebrating Creativity Exhibit | 1/2-1/11 10:00 am-4:00 pm (Tues-Sun) | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Art & Cheer: A Holiday Exhibition | 1/2-1/17 8:00 am-4:00 pm (M/W/Th/F) & 8:00 am-9:00 pm (T) | Middletown Arts Center (Middletown) | info 

Wall Shorts: "Resemblance Between a Violin Case and a Coffin" | 1/3 2:00 pm-3:00 pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info 

Cutting, Splitting, and Hewing at Historic Longstreet Farm | 1/4 12:30 pm-2:30 pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info 

Monmouth Battlefield 1st Sunday Walks | 1/4 1:30 pm | Monmouth Battlefield Visitor Center (Manalapan) | info

🎭️ THEATER, CINEMA, & COMEDY

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Cinema) | 1/2 10:00 pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info 

New Years Open Mic | 1/2 6:00 pm-10:00 pm | Twin Lights Brewing (Tinton Falls) | info 

Kevin Smith in Person Memorabilia Auction | 1/3 2:00 pm | Smodcastle Cinemas (Atl. Highlands) | info 

Comedy Night at First Ave Playhouse | 1/3 7:30 pm | First Ave Playhouse (Atl. Highlands) | info

🎸 LIVE MUSIC 🥁 

Abby Garcia Trio | 1/2 7:00 pm-10:00 pm | Beach Haus Brewery (Belmar) | info 

Indie Night with Kiersten Blue | 1/2 7:00 pm | Wild Air Beerworks (Asbury Park) | info 

Liverpool: The Beatles Tribute | 1/2 8:00 pm-10:00 pm | Tim McLoone's Supper Club (Asbury Park) | info 

Fauxphonix | 1/2 8:30 pm-11:30 pm | Triumph Brewery (Red Bank) | info 

Mike from Carnival Dogs | 1/2 6:00 pm-9:00 pm | Fox Hollow Vineyard (Holmdel) | info 

Meg Whalen | 1/3 6:00 pm-9:00 pm | Twin Lights Brewing (Tinton Falls) | info 

Doug Gatta Band & The Nova Drones | 1/3 7:00 pm | Wild Air Beerworks (Asbury Park) | info 

Ray Andersen's Bowie & Beyond Celebration Show | 1/3 8:00 pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info 

Red123 | 1/3 8:30 pm-11:30 pm | Triumph Brewery (Red Bank) | info 

Pat Roddy | 1/3 9:30 pm | Ocean House Tap & Grill (Sea Bright) | info 

Tristan Vaughn | 1/4 1:00 pm-4:00 pm | Asbury Park Brewing (Asbury Park) | info 

Howl | 1/4 1:00 pm-4:00 pm | Triumph Brewery (Red Bank) | info 

Tom Wildeman Duo | 1/4 2:00 pm-5:00 pm | Beach Haus Brewery (Belmar) | info 

Father Alphonse's Orchestra | 1/4 3:00 pm-5:00 pm | Algonquin Theater (Manasquan) | info 

Swingin Sundays: Jazz Night | 1/4 7:00 pm-10:00 pm | Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park) | info

⚾️ SPORTS & FITNESS 🏃‍♂️ 

$300 NHC Qualifier | 1/3 11:00 am | Monmouth Park (Oceanport) | info 

Asbury Park Polar Bear Races | 1/3 9:30 pm | Convention Center (Asbury Park) | info

🌊 ☀️ BEACH

Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 41°F 

Fri 1/2: High 5:48 am | Low 12:21 am | High 6:23 pm | Sunrise 7:19 am | Sunset 4:42 pm

Sat 1/3: Low 12:18 am | High 6:41 am | Low 1:14 pm | High 7:16 pm | Sunrise 7:19 am | Sunset 4:43 pm

Sun 1/4: Low 1:13 am | High 7:32 am | Low 2:04 pm | High 8:08 pm | Sunrise 7:19 am | Sunset 4:44 pm