The Victorian-clad carolers seem right at home in Clinton’s historic and picturesque downtown, embodying the old-world charm that flows through this little river town.
These carolers — along with a host of other holiday festivities — return to Clinton for the annual Dickens’ Days event, held over Thanksgiving weekend from Nov. 24 to Nov. 26.
Santa doesn’t need any magic reindeer or his sleigh when it comes to ringing in the Christmas season.
This holiday tradition transforms quintessential Clinton into a Victorian village, complete with horse and carriage rides, Victorian-clad characters telling stories, music and other festivities. A holiday market and Festival of Trees at Clinton’s historic Red Mill Museum Village add to the seasonal fun.
“We really do it up for Christmas,” said Carol Beder, owner of Heartstrings, a gift shop on Main Street. “Clinton turns into a Christmas village, including wooden soldiers on the bridge. The store owners do all the decorations. It’s just wonderful.
“And there is no better way to get your holiday shopping done than finding unique items and doing so with a big smile as you become fully immersed in the holiday season that is all around downtown Clinton.”
The Presbyterian Church of Milford will stage the 15th Annual Say Humbug to Hunger performance of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ on Dec. 8. Photo by Linda rae
Clinton also offers a host of tempting cuisines, from Dora’s, serving traditional Italian cuisine; to River Mill View, offering an array of options, including sandwiches and pasta and fish dishes, along with a spectacular view of the river and mill.
Dickens Day runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. all three days, with a Christmas tree lighting planned for Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
In coordination with Dickens Day, the Red Mill Museum Village hosts the popular outdoor holiday market, known as the Winter Village. A folksy alternative to mall shopping on Black Friday, the market kicks off on the Friday after Thanksgiving and will take place over two weekends this year, from Nov. 24 to Nov. 26 and Dec. 1 to Dec. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
More than 45 unique craft artisans will be there to help satisfy your seasonal shopping needs with all sorts of gifts — everything from art and chocolates to bird houses and Polish food. Vendors will also be serving up tasty treats and drinks, while the kids can enjoy a free visit with Santa.
The Winter Village also marks the return of the annual Festival of Trees, featuring Christmas trees designed and decorated by community members, local businesses and organizations. The sparkling trees are displayed on the Red Mill’s beautiful grounds amid historic buildings, all perched on the banks of the South Branch of the Raritan River.
Characters from ‘A Christmas Carol’ visit downtown Clinton during Dickens Days, running Thanksgiving weekend.
Admission benefits the non-profit Red Mill Museum Village and is free for museum members, children under 6 and veterans and active military. Learn more and purchase tickets at theredmill.org.
Clinton continues it seasonal celebrations with the annual Holiday Parade, set for Dec. 1 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. With dozens of floats and characters of all kinds, the Christmas-themed parade brings the holidays alive on Main Street.
On Dec. 14, Candle Light Night returns as luminaries line the streets, creating a holiday glow while shoppers find the perfect gifts in Clinton’s trendy boutiques, clothing stores and other retailers, many of which will offer holiday bargains.
Other parts of Hunterdon will also be aglow for the holiday season.
Christmas in Milford kicks off on Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. with cookies, coffee and crafts at First United Church of Christ on Church Street. A tree lighting follows at 6 p.m. with music and caroling. At 6:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with their trusty elves, arrive. Revelers can also enjoy horse and wagon rides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. All evening, there will be hot chocolate and other activities for the children.
Holiday revelers in Milford can enjoy horse and wagon rides from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. during the annual Christmas tree lighting in December. Photo by Linda rae
Milford is also offering folks a way to enjoy the holidays, while giving back as the River Union Stage at the Presbyterian Church of Milford stages the 15th Annual Say Humbug to Hunger performance of “A Christmas Carol.” Show times are Dec. 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Theatregoers are asked to pay what they can starting at $20 to help local pantries purchase food. Learn more at visitmilfordnj.org.
In Flemington, shoppers find all types of treasures at the many shops that line the borough’s historic streets. On Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Magdalen de Pazzi Church, 105 Mine St., will host a Christmas Craft Fair. Up to 80 vendors will be selling various wares, including jewelry, candles, home décor, baked goods and pet items. Delectable food will also be offered at this free event.
While visiting Flemington, catch the holiday spirit aboard the Black River and Western Railroad, which hosts the lively North Pole Express starting Nov. 19 and running on weekends through December.
Take the historic steam-powered train from Flemington to “North Pole Station” on this 2-1/2 hour roundtrip journey. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on board. Enjoy cookies and hot cocoa at North Pole Station where a 6-foot-tall wreath provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable holiday picture.
For more train fun, head a few miles north on Route 202 to Northlandz, where Santa visits every Saturday and Sunday in December. More than 80 miniature trains traverse picturesque holiday scenes, while snow, lights and Christmas trees enliven the seasonal atmosphere.
Don’t miss the outdoor rail ride with Santa. The train is pulled by a replica of a steam engine, passing through a wooded landscape with views of the South Branch of the Raritan River. Afterward, warm up inside with hot chocolate and fresh cookies.
Just a few miles outside Flemington Borough, you can add an equine adventure to your holiday celebrations with photos with Santa and three therapy horses in seasonal costumes at Team Velvet, 79 Old Clinton Road.
The event, scheduled for Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature magical backdrops, including Santa’s workshop, a decorated horse barn and gift basket barn brimming with treasures offered for reasonable donations.
A minimum $10 donation supports the non-profit Team Velvet, which provides non-mounted horse therapy at no cost to children ages 5 to 12 who have experienced trauma. Visit teamvelvet.com.
Lambertville’s famous Two-Town Turkey Trot returns on Nov. 23. Sponsored by the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce, this event draws nearly 1,000 participants who kick off Thanksgiving with a 5K race or 1-mile walk through Lambertville’s historic streets. Runners start in the Lambertville Station parking lot on Bridge Street. Registration begins at 7 a.m., with the trot going off at 8:30 a.m. Visit lambertvillechamber.com.
Enjoy a magical theatrical production, A Very Lambertville Holiday Celebration, presented by Roxey Ballet and the Lambertville Historical Society, on Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. Staged at Music Mountain Theatre, located just outside Lambertville in West Amwell, this artistic collaboration features holiday songs and live performances from local artists and bands, paired with joyful dance. Visit musicmountaintheatre.org.
The Prallsville Mills adds an artistic air to the holidays with its Winter Fine Arts & Crafts show on Dec. 2 and 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this Stockton-based hub for cultural and community activities is set along the Delaware River and D&R Canal. A holiday tradition for the Delaware River towns, this two-day event features the works of artisans, artists and jewelers from around the region. Admission is $5.
Prallsville Mills is a 10-building complex that represents the early 19th- to early 20th-century industrial era, but many of its buildings date back to the late 1700s. Visit the grist mill, linseed oil mill, sawmill, granary and other historic structures. Learn more at prallsvillemills.org.
— Nancy Parello
