The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the activities planned to kick off this year’s holiday season.

On Sunday, November 28, on Main Street in Metuchen for our 57th Annual Winter Festival Parade. The theme of this year’s parade is “Sounds of the Season”.

  • Solaris Health System/JFK Medical Center is delighted to once again be the Principal Sponsor of this fun-filled family event.
  • Hailey’s Harp & Pub and the YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy are Silver Sponsors,
  • Metuchen Savings Bank and Victorian Office Rentals are Bronze Sponsors.
  • Supporters of this year’s parade include Black Belt Institute, Body & Brain Yoga Tai Chi, Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, Keller Williams Elite Realtors, Kids in Production, Law Office of Cheryl Craft, Mark P. Marcille, Architect, Martin & Son Jewelers, Ms. Doreen’s Fabulous Feet School of Dance, Silvia’s Tailoring, Spice Melange, and Topping The Web.

This long standing tradition in the Metuchen community will feature music by Metuchen High School Marching Band, St. Joseph High School’s Holiday Combo, The Banjo Rascals, Fred Lehotay’s Ragtime Band, American Celts Pipes and Drums, and the All Star Mummers. You won’t want to miss the floats, children, and of course, Santa!

The parade kicks off at 2:00 pm, weather permitting, at the corner of Brunswick Avenue and Main Street. Participants will travel down Main Street and turn onto New Street to end in the Pearl Street parking lot.

Be sure to join everyone at the Metuchen Senior Center at the conclusion of the parade for a visit with Santa and hot chocolate provided by the Metuchen Recreation Department. Don’t miss this one – it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser! If the weather is questionable, call the Chamber office at 732-548-2964, or visit the chamber website at www.metuchenchamber.com, after 11:00 am for an announcement.

Consider bringing an unwrapped toy to the parade and drop it off at Hailey’s Harp & Pub. They are once again an official drop off site for the Toys for Tots campaign and will accept toys or cash donations for the cause any day up until December 17th.

Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony

Friday, December 3rd, brings more holiday fun to the Borough of Metuchen as the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce hosts our annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. We encourage everyone attending the ceremony to embrace the spirit of giving this holiday season by helping us replenish the First Presbyterian Church food pantry, which serves not only Metuchen residents but also the surrounding area. If everybody that attends this event brings just one non-perishable food item or gift card from a local supermarket, it will truly make a difference for some local families that have fallen on hard times. Junior Troop #81158 will be Santa’s helpers this year, collecting the donated food items at the ceremony.

The Chamber of Commerce and Boro ACE Hardware purchased a 12 foot Norway Spruce, and DCR Landscaping & Construction kindly planted the tree at the BIL (Old Franklin School, located at 491 Middlesex Ave.) This tree will serve as the permanent, official Christmas Tree for our annual event beginning this year. Festivities will kick off at 7:00 pm. There will be a variety of entertainment sure to fill spectators’ hearts with holiday joy. Sponsored by Boro ACE Hardware, this event will feature instrumental performances, singing, and dancing in the parking lot of the Corporate Headquarters of the YMCA (483 Middlesex Ave.).

Join us inside the Old Franklin School for a visit with Santa and hot chocolate and cookies, provided courtesy of the BIL. The Borough Improvement League will once again have their collectible figures on sale that evening, which make great holiday gifts. Tickets for the Holiday House Tour will also be on sale. The House Tour will take place on Sunday, December 5th, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, and will include 6 homes in Metuchen that have been beautifully decorated for the holiday season. Bundle up and join us as we ring in the holidays – snow or shine! And don’t forget to bring your camera!

The Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce would like to remind you to support Chamber member businesses by shopping in Metuchen this holiday season. To make your gift giving easier, the Chamber of Commerce offers gift certificates that make perfect gifts. They are easy to purchase, easy to wrap and are never returned! They can be redeemed at participating chamber restaurants, retailers, and service providers. Gift certificates are available in many denominations and may be purchased at the Chamber office (323 Main Street), or you can email us your order and we’ll prepare it for easy pick up. If you need further information concerning our Winter Festival activities, please call the Chamber office at 732-548-2964.