👿WTH is Krampus?!?

Together With

Good morning Monmouth County! The Holiday Season is firmly upon us and already our Holiday section is getting a little out of hand. We proudly present to you…57 Holiday events in a single weekend…on top of your otherwise regularly scheduled Monmouth County programming.

TODAY’S BUZZ 🐝 

👿 Krampus Asbury Park

🎅 Santa Breakfasts and Brunches 🥞 

🎄 Magic of Lights at PNC

🎄Freehold Christmas House

🍷 Downtown Asbury Wine Tour

❄️ Middletown Outdoor Winter Wonderland

🎭️ Elf in Concert

🩰 The Nutcracker at Two River Theater

🏃 Santa Run

🌊 Ocean Temp/Tides

📰 NEWS

👿 WTH is Krampus?!?

You can always count on the Paranormal Museum in Asbury for a healthy contrarian, if not Pagan, twist on all things. It’s what makes them endlessly fun. And the holiday season is certainly no exception with their Krampus Asbury Park event this weekend. But what exactly is Krampus, you ask? Well…

The Krampus is a fearsome horned, anthropomorphic (non-human being in human form) figure rooted in Central and Eastern Alpine folklore, traditionally accompanying Saint Nicholas during the evening of December 5th, known as Krampusnacht. While Saint Nicholas rewards well-behaved children with gifts on December 6th, Krampus is responsible for punishing badly behaved children, often with birch rods.

Depicted as a hairy, grotesque figure with horns, fangs, and one goat-like cloven hoof, Krampus typically carries chains and switches, and is sometimes said to carry naughty children away in a sack. While it’s origins are debated, some linking it to pre-Christian pagan traditions marking the dark turn of the year, historians generally trace its appearance in the region to the 16th century, where it became a companion to St. Nicholas. The Krampus endured attempts at suppression by the Church and later by the authoritarian Austrian Fatherland Front and the Nazi regime. It survived in the shadows of small towns until its powerful cultural resurgence in the late 20th century through events like the Krampuslauf ("Krampus run").

The tradition has since been enthusiastically reinvented globally, finding a particularly vibrant modern stage in Asbury Park where the Krampus Asbury Park festival began in the 2010s. Organized by event producer Kathy Kelly, this multi-day celebration blends Alpine folklore with the city's unique artistic and offbeat identity. The event features a Krampuslauf costume contest, holiday markets, live music and more.

We need Krampus to replace Elf on the Shelf asap!

🎄 HOLIDAYS

🎅 Santa Breakfast & Brunch 🥞 

Breakfast with Santa: 12/7 9am-12pm | Shrewsbury Firehouse (Shrewsbury) | info 

Breakfast with Santa: 12/7 9am-12pm | Port Monmouth First Aid Squad (Port Monmouth) | info 

Marlboro Breakfast with Santa: 12/7 9am-12pm | 5 North Main St. (Marlboro) | info

Brunch with Santa | 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | Bella Vista Country Club (Marlboro) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 12/7, 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | The American Hotel (Freehold) | info 

Santa Brunch | 12/14, 12/20 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

Breakfast with Santa | 12/6 9:00 am | Dave & Buster's (Freehold) | info 

Brunch with Krampus & Friends | 12/7 10:30 am | Paranormal Museum (Asbury Park) | info

Mickey & Minnie Christmas Brunch | 12/7 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

Breakfast with Santa | 12/7 9am-12pm | Marlboro Fire Co. (Marlboro) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/7 10am-12pm | Acres at Magnolia (Farmingdale) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 12/7, 12/21 10am-4pm | The Proving Ground (Highlands) | info 

Santa Brunch Cruise | 12/7, 12/13, 12/20, 12/21 10:30am-1:30pm | Seastreak (Highlands) | info 

Lunch with Santa | 12/7 11am-3pm | McLoone's Pier House (Long Branch) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/13 9:30am-12pm | Amelia's by the Sea (Spring Lake) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/13 11am-2pm | Branches (W. Long Branch) | info 

Breakfast with Santa | 12/14 9am-11:30am | Jumping Brook Country Club (Neptune) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | McLoone's Pier House (Long Branch) | info 

Brunch with Santa | 12/14, 12/21 10am-3pm | The Rum Runner (Sea Bright) | info 

Brunch with the Grinch | 12/14 10am-4pm | The Proving Ground (Highlands) | info 

Sunday Brunch with Santa | 12/14, 12/21 11am-3pm | MJ's at The Buttonwood Manor (Matawan) | info

Frosty, Grinch, Santa Brunch | 12/21 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

🎄 Holiday Events

Red Bank River Center Elf Scavenger Hunt: 11/28-12/21 All Day | Red Bank River Center (Red Bank) | info 

Outdoor Winter Wonderland: 11/28-3/8 11am-7:30pm | Middletown Sports Complex (Middletown) | info 

Magic of Lights: 12/1-1/3 Su-Th 5pm-10pm, F/S 5pm-11pm | PNC Arts Center (Holmdel) | info 

The Village at Anne Ellen Tree Farm: 12/2-12/30 5pm-9pm | Anne Allen Tree Farm (Manalapan) | info 

Spring Lake Christmas Train Village: 12/3-12/31 12pm-5pm | Duggan Hall (Spring Lake) | info 

Merry Mile of Lights at A. Casola Farms: 12/3-12/31 5:30pm-9:30pm | A. Casola Farms (Holmdel) | info 

Krampus Asbury Park: 12/5-12/7 Varies | 600 Block Mattison Ave. (Asbury Park) | info 

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar: 12/5-12/7 F 3pm-8pm, S/Su 12pm-5pm | Convention Hall, Asbury Hotel, White Chapel Projects (Asbury Park, Long Branch) | info 

Ocean Grove Christmas Marketplace: 12/5, 12/6 F 3pm-6pm, S 9am-3pm | Youth Temple (Ocean Grove) | info 

Old Fashioned Christmas on the Farm: 12/5-12/7 4pm-8pm | Allaire Community Farm (Wall) | info 

Christmas House: 12/5-12/7 F 5pm-9pm, S 11am-9pm, Su 11am-8pm | Freehold Raceway Mall (Freehold) | info 

Christmas Wonderland at Maple Leaf Farms: 12/5-12/8 F 12pm-8pm, S/Su 10am-8pm | Maple Leaf Farms (Manalapan) | info 

Barlow's Poinsettia Sale at Bakes: 12/5 4pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info 

Manasquan Tree Lighting & Candy Cane Hunt: 12/5 5pm-9pm | Main St. & Squan Plaza (Manasquan) | info 

Millstone Winter Wonderland: 12/5 5pm-9pm | Millstone Park (Millstone) | info 

Sea Bright Holiday Tree Lighting: 12/5 5pm-6pm | Sea Bright Fire Rescue (Sea Bright) | info 

Fair Haven Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll: 12/5 6pm-9pm | Memorial Park (Fair Haven) | info 

Wall Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: 12/5 6:00 PM | Wall Twp. Community Park (Wall) | info 

Neptune City Annual Tree Lighing: 12/5 6pm | Memorial Park Gazebo (Neptune City) | info 

Red Bank's Westside Tree Lighting: 12/5 6pm-8pm | Johnny Jazz Park (Red Bank) | info 

The Grinch at Bakes: 12/5 7pm-7:30pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info 

Barkfast with Santa: 12/6 9am-11am | Doggie Sweets-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Santa Ferry Ride: 12/6 9am-3pm | Belford Ferry Terminal (Middletown) | info 

Shrewsbury Annual Holiday Bazaar: 12/6 9am-3pm | Christ Church (Shrewsbury) | info 

Holiday Market at Calgo Gardens: 12/6 10am-3pm | Calgo Gardens (Freehold) | info 

Christmas on the Farm: 12/6 10am-4pm | Howell Living History Farm (Howell) | info 

Holiday Market at Navesink Library: 12/6 11am-4pm | The Navesink Library (Atl. Highlands) | info 

The Sweetest Season: WIne & Trees at 4 JG's: 12/6, 12/7 11am-3pm | 4 JG's Orchard & Vineyard (Colts Neck) | info 

Historic Holiday Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides: 12/6 11am-2pm | Pete Sensi Park (Allentown) | info 

Town & Country Holiday Boutique: 12/6 11am-3pm | Town & Country Inn (Keyport) | info 

Christmas at G & G Stables: 12/6, 12/7 11am-4pm | G & G Stables (Howell) | info 

Santa Express 2025 - Pine Creek Railroad: 12/6, 12/7 11am-4pm | New Jersey Museum of Transportation (Wall) | info 

Holiday Tree Trimming at Historic Longstreet Farm: 12/6 11am-2pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info 

Manasquan Visit with Santa at Christmas Central: 12/6 12pm-4pm | 114 Main St. (Manasquan) | info 

Red Bank Holiday Trolley: 12/6, 12/7 12pm-4pm | 3 Locations (Red Bank) | info 

Porta Holiday Pop-Up Market: 12/6 12pm-4pm | Porta (Asbury Park) | info 

Strolling Santa by the Sea: 12/6 12pm-2pm | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Strolling Christmas Carolers: 12/6 12pm-3pm | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

19th Century Christmas Ballads: 12/6 1pm-3pm | Historic Longstreet Farm (Holmdel) | info 

Long Branch Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration: 12/6 5pm-6:30pm | City Hall (Long Branch) | info 

Asbury Park Annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting: 12/6 5:30pm-7:30pm | Press Plaza (Asbury Park) | info 

Highlands Annual Holiday Tree Lighting: 12/6 6pm-8pm | Huddy Park (Highlands) | info 

Bell Works Fresh Holiday Market: 12/7 11am-4pm | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info 

Little Elves Holiday Ornament Painting: 12/7 10am | Carlson's Corner (Manasquan) | info 

Christmas Cookies with Santa: 12/7 10am-11am | Caffeine Haven (Howell) | info 

Fresh Mixed Green Wreath Workshop: 12/7 11am-1pm | Calgo Gardens (Freehold) | info 

Gingerbread House Making Contest for Dogs: 12/7 11am-3pm | Doggie Sweets-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Breakfast with Santa: 12/7 9am-12pm | Shrewsbury Firehouse (Shrewsbury) | info 

Breakfast with Santa: 12/7 9am-12pm | Port Monmouth First Aid Squad (Port Monmouth) | info 

Marlboro Breakfast with Santa: 12/7 9am-12pm | 5 North Main St. (Marlboro) | info 

Christmas in Manasquan: 12/7 12pm-3pm | Main St. (Manasquan) | info 

Strolling A Capella Entertainment: 12/7 12pm-3pm | Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

One Willow Holiday Boutique: 12/7 12pm-4pm | One Willow (Highlands) | info 

S'Mores with Santa at Camp Zehnder: 12/7 2pm-4pm | Camp Zehnder (Wall) | info 

Holmdel Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting: 12/7 4pm-6pm | Town Hall (Holmdel) | info 

Little Silver Holiday Tree Lighting: 12/7 4pm-5:30pm | Borough Hall (Little Silver) | info 

Kid’s Holiday Cookie Decorating Class: 12/13 1pm-2pm | Amici Pizzeria (Atl. Highlands) | info

🥳 FAMILY FUN!

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland: 12/5-12/7 5pm-8pm | Holland Ridge Farms (Cream Ridge) | info 

Gingerbread-Storytime & Crafts: 12/5-12/7 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Gingerbread House Jingle: 12/5 6pm-7:30pm | Camp Zehnder (Wall) | info 

Winter Wonderland at Freehold YMCA: 12/5 6pm-7:30pm | Freehold YMCA (Freehold) | info 

Tiny Hands Studio: 12/6 10am | Sun Moon Studio (Keyport) | info 

Weekend Workshop: Narwhal T-Shirt Coloring: 12/6, 12/7 10:30am, 1pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Storytime with Mrs. Claus: 12/6, 12/7 12pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Mickey & Minnie Character Brunch: 12/7 11am-2pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info

📍 LOCAL EVENTS

First Friday's Art & Sound at the Station: 12/5 5pm-8pm | Asbury Park Transportation Center (Asbury Park) | info 

Free Community Karaoke Night: 12/5 7:30pm-10pm | Smodcastle Cinemas (Atl. Highlands) | info 

Flea Market: 12/6 8am-2pm | Historic Village at Allaire (Wall) | info 

Allentown Holiday Open House-Small Business Saturday: 12/6 9am-4:30pm | The Historic Village of Allentown (Allentown) | info 

Ocean Grove Annual Victorian House Tour: 12/6 10am-4pm | 39 Pilgrim Pathway (Ocean Grove) | info 

Santacon Beach Cleanup: 12/6 2pm-8pm | Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station (Sandy Hook) | info 

The Gingerbread Ball to Benefit Fisher House Foundaiton: 12/6 6pm | Stirling Ballroom-Doubletree Hotel (Tinton Falls) | info 

107.1 The Boss Mistletoe Rock Radiothon: 12/7 All Day | Freehold Raceway Mall (Freehold) | info 

Marlboro Multicultural Day: 12/7 12:30pm-5pm | Marlboro High School (Marlboro) | info 

All in for Nurses Casino Night: 12/7 6:30pm | Porta (Asbury Park) | info

🍔 FOOD & 🍹 DRINK 

🫒 Olea in Spring Lake Opening Weekend

Olea opens today! It’s billed as an elevated, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant by Executive Chef Bud Carter, formerly of The Butcher’s Block, and ECS Hospitality Group. We’re excited to see The Shore Club reimagined with it’s Pool Bar and now Olea. Rob’s first lifeguarding job 28 years ago was at their pool (Doolan’s back then) so it has a special place in our hearts. Make your reservations here.

🍕 Vinnie’s Pan Pizza in Brielle

Friday night is pizza night in our house. Recently Amanda has opted to make the pizza at home because it’s fun (debatable) and cheaper. But this week Amanda has to suck it up because we’re taking Vinnie’s for a spin. Originally from Millburn, they’re known for their thin crust pies and earned themselves an 8.3 score from Barstool’s El Presidente which lands them amongst pretty elite company in the 8.0+ club, even in Monmouth County. We’ll let you know what we think in Sunday’s issue.

Unlimited Pizza Night: 12/5 4pm-9pm | The Bistro-iPlay America (Freehold) | info 

Locale Pizza Pop-Up: 12/6 2pm-8pm | Skinny Flowers Brewing (Oceanport) | info

Cork & Explore: Walk Around Wine Tasting Experience: 12/5 6pm-8pm | Avenue-Pier Village (Long Branch) | info 

Couples Class: Dinner on the Italian Riviera: 12/5 6:30pm-9pm | Taste & Technique (Fair Haven) | info 

Mexi-Boys Food Truck at Bakes: 12/6 2pm-8pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info 

Tea Making Class: 12/6 2pm-3pm | Howell Library (Howell) | info 

Little Elves Holiday Sweets Class (Age 5-7): 12/7 11am-12:30pm | Taste & Technique (Fair Haven) | info 

Downtown Asbury Wine Tour: 12/7 12pm-2pm | TBD (Asbury Park) | info 

What the Fork Food Truck: 12/7 12pm-7pm | Bakes Brewing Co. (Wall) | info

🎨 ART, HISTORY & EDUCATION

Born to Run 50: Photographs by Eric Meola: 9/5-12/18 M-F 10am-5pm | DiMattio Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info 

Dennis McNett & Ben Venom: Double Trouble Exhibit: 10/10-12/18 M-F 10am-5pm | Rotary Ice House Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info 

Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend: 10/26-1/11 T-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Members Showcase: Celebrating Creativity: 10/26-1/11 T-Su 10am-4pm | Monmouth Museum (Lincroft) | info 

Seen and Unseen: Charles Sills' Memorial Group Art Exhibit: 11/1-12/10 M-F 9am-7pm, S/Su 10am-4pm | Pollak Gallery (W. Long Branch) | info 

Great Beads for Good Causes: 11/24-12/31 9am-9pm | Shrewsbury Library (Shrewsbury) | info 

Manasquan River Group of Artists Art Exhibit: 12/1-12/1 9am-5pm | Wall Library (Wall) | info 

The Creative Arts Center Exhibit and Sale: 12/6-12/12 11am-4pm | Thompson Park Creative Arts Center (Lincroft) | info 

Magic Hour Art Gallery: 12/5-12/7 F/S 12pm-9pm, Su 11am-7pm | Parlor Gallery (Asbury Park) | info 

Holiday Card Printmaking Workshop: 12/5 6pm-8pm | Inspired Minds (Colts Neck) | info 

Frosting Art Show & Sale: 12/6 2pm-4pm | Inspired Minds (Colts Neck) | info 

Wonder: Annual Holiday Soiree: 12/6 6pm | Over the Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info 

Walking Tour of Monmouth Battlefield: 12/7 1:30pm | Monmouth Battlefield Visitor Center (Manalapan) | info 

Ceramic Holiday Trees Workshop: 12/7 1pm-4pm | Over the Moon Art Studios (Asbury Park) | info

🎭️ THEATER, CINEMA, & COMEDY

New this Month at the NJ Repertory Company is Just Another Day. But they are selling out fast! Don’t sit on your hands or you’ll be sitting on your hands at home on your couch.

Scrooge: 12/4-12/21 F/S 7:30pm, Su 2pm | Spring Lake Theater (Spring Lake) | info 

Scrooge: 12/5-12/7 F 7:30pm, S 2pm, 7:30pm, Su 2pm | Rumson School District Auditorium (Rumson) | info 

Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy: 12/5 6pm, 8pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info 

Stand by Me: The Film & It's Stars 40 Years Later: 12/5 7:30pm-9:30pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info 

Scarface: 12/5 7:30pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info 

VHS & Chill: 12/5 10pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: 12/5 10pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info 

White Christmas the Musical: 12/6-12/14 F 7:30pm S 2pm, 7:30pm Su 3pm | Algonquin Theater (Manasquan) | info 

Cookies & Cocoa Before The Nutcracker: 12/6 12pm | Two River Theater (Red Bank) | info 

The Nutcracker: 12/6, 12/7 S 1pm, 6pm Su 1pm | Two River Theater (Red Bank) | info 

A Very Bell Works Christmas: 12/6 1pm, 5pm | Bell Works Theater (Holmdel) | info 

Elf in Concert: 12/6 3:30pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info 

ComedySportz: Live Improv...Played as a Sport: 12/6 7pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) | info 

A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play: 12/6 7pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info 

Batman Returns: 12/6 7:30pm | The Showroom (Asbury Park) | info 

Midnight Madness: 12/6 10pm, 11:59pm | Basie Center Cinemas (Red Bank) | info 

Elf in Concert: 12/7 2pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info

🎸 LIVE MUSIC 🥁 

Aftermath: Classic Rock Tribute: 12/5 6:30pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info 

Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea: 12/5 7pm | Pollak Theater (W. Long Branch) | info 

A Peter White Christmas: 12/5 7:30pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info 

Santa Run After Party with Garden State Radio: 12/6 10:30am | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info 

Red Bank Holiday Harmonies: 12/6, 12/7 12pm-4pm | Red Bank River Center (Red Bank) | info 

JoBonanno and the Godsons of Soul: 12/6 2pm-3:30pm | Manalapan Library (Manalapan) | info 

DD Verni & The Cadillac Band: 12/6 4pm-7pm | House of Independents (Asbury Park) | info 

LaBamba's Holiday Hurrah: 12/6 4pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info 

Holiday Doo Woop: 12/6 7pm-11pm | Count Basie-HMH Theater (Red Bank) | info 

12th Annual Sinerella's Ball: 12/6 7pm-9pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info 

Earth Room Concerts: Joe Jencks: 12/6 7:30pm-9:30pm | UUCMC (Lincroft) | info 

Westminster Handbell Choir Christmas Concert: 12/6 7:30 PM | First Presbyterian Church of Freehold (Freehold) | info 

Tim Easton with Quincy Mumford: 12/6 8pm-10pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center (Ocean Grove) | info 

Home for the Holidays with the Future of Jazz Orchestra: 12/7 3pm | Bell Works Theater (Holmdel) | info 

"Givemas" Fundraiser for the Mercy Center Food Bank: 12/7 4pm | Transparent Clinch Gallery (Asbury Park) | info 

Into the Garden: Piano Works by Claude Debussy: 12/7 4pm-5pm | AH Arts (Atl. Highlands) | info 

Atlanta Rhythm Section: 12/7 7pm | Count Basie-The Vogel (Red Bank) | info 

Dexter and the Moonrocks: 12/7 7pm | Asbury Lanes (Asbury Park) | info 

Swinging Sundays-Jazz Night: 12/7 7pm-10pm | The Asbury Hotel (Asbury Park) | info

⚾️ SPORTS & FITNESS 🏃‍♂️ 

Jingle Bell Run: 12/6 9am-11am | Bell Works (Holmdel) | info 

Asbury Park Santa Run: 12/6 10am-12pm | The Stone Pony (Asbury Park) | info

🌊 ☀️ BEACH

Asbury Park - Ocean Temp. 50°F

Fri 12/5: Low 12:31 am | High 6:52 am | Low 1:28 pm | High 7:27 pm | Sunrise 7:04 am | Sunset 4:31 pm

Sat 12/6: Low 1:24 am | High 7:43 am | Low 2:20 pm | High 8:22pm | Sunrise 7:05 am | Sunset 4:31 pm

Sun 12/7: Low 2:17 am | High 8:38 am | Low 3:11 pm | High 9:20 pm | Sunrise 7:06 am | Sunset 4:31 pm