Ho, ho, ho — here they go!
Hundreds of runners in Santa suits will take to the streets of Asbury Park Saturday morning for the Asbury Park Santa Run, a fundraising 5K that benefits Lunch Break, a Red Bank-based nonprofit organization providing food, clothing, life skills classes and more to people in need.
The race begins and ends at The Stone Pony on Ocean Avenue, which will host an after party with music from Brian Kirk & the Jirks. Additional parties will be hosted at Asbury Lanes on Fourth Avenue and Wonder Bar on Ocean Avenue.
The City by the Sea also will host the return of Krampus, a mythical creature known in Central European folklore for punishing misbehaving children during the Christmas season. The festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Paranormal Books & Curiosities on Cookman Avenue, where you can get your picture taken with Krampus, followed by the Krampus Film Festival at 7 p.m. at Parlor Gallery, also on Cookman Avenue.
The festivities continue Saturday, with a Krampus market at noon, a Monsters of Yule tour at 2:30 p.m., a reading of the Naughty List at 4:30 p.m. and a Krampus parade through downtown Asbury Park at 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, you can meet Krampus for brunch. Find the full schedule and details at paranormalbooksnj.com.
Go: Asbury Park Santa Run, 10 a.m. Saturday, The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park; apsantarun.com. Krampus, Friday through Sunday, Paranormal Books & Curiosities, 621 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park; 732-455-3188, paranormalbooksnj.com
Here are more things to do this weekend, including the movie “Elf” set to symphony music, a holiday market at a popular brewery, and the chance to see a wolf up close.
‘Elf’ in concert
“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear,” says Buddy the Elf.
How about listening to music while watching his movie?
New Jersey Symphony at the Movies presents “Elf,” the 2003 blockbuster about an accidental elf named Buddy who journeys to New York City to search for his father. The orchestra, led by conductor Conner Gray Covington, will perform composer John Debney’s score while the movie plays on a giant screen.
There are two chances to see the performance: Saturday at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark and Sunday at Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank.
Go: “Elf” in Concert, performed by the New Jersey Symphony, $46 to $108, 2 p.m. Saturday, NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark, 888-466-5722, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, 732-842-9000, njsymphony.org
The New Jersey Symphony performs with violinist Augustin Hadelich on Saturday at the Basie in Red Bank.
Holiday market at Icarus Brewing Co.
Check everyone off your list at Shop & Sip, a holiday market happening Sunday at Icarus Brewing Co. in Brick.
The brewery will host nearly two dozen vendors selling handmade art, gifts and more. Participating sellers include Hippie Happiness Co., Jersey Jenem Pop Art, Bean Muggin Coffee Co., Pink Pelican Soap Company and Rustic Relics, among others.
Go: Shop & Sip holiday market, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Icarus Brewing Co., 2045 Route 88, Brick; 732-475-8108, icarusbrewing.com
Visit with wolves in Brick
Sirius, pictured in 2017 at Howling Woods Farm in Jackson. Two of the farm’s wolfdogs will visit the Brick branch of the Ocean County Library this week.
Two of the residents of Howling Woods Farm in Jackson will visit the Brick branch of the Ocean County library this week.
A pair of wolfdogs will be part of “Step Into the Wolf Den,” a presentation happening at 7 p.m. Thursday. Representatives from the farm, an educational facility that provides learning experiences to the public, will share a 30-minute slide show about wolf conservation, followed by a meet and greet with the animals.
There is no chage to attend. Registration is required.
Go: “Step Into the Wolf Den,” 7 p.m. Thursday, Brick branch of the Ocean County library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick; 732-477-4513, theoceancountylibrary.org
Art exhibit and sale in Middletown
The Creative Arts Center Exhibit & Sale takes place Saturday, Dec. 6 to Friday, Dec. 12 at Thompson Park in Middletown.
Support a local artist while tackling your holiday shopping at the Monmouth County Park System’s Creative Arts Center Exhibit and Sale.
The event kicks off Saturday and runs through Friday, Dec. 12 at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center in the Lincroft section of Middletown. Original pieces created by the center’s art class students and instructors will be on display, including paintings, photography, jewelry and pottery.
The Creative Arts Center hosts classes in drawing, acrylic, oil and watercolor painting, jewelry making, knitting, sewing, basket weaving, photography, hand-building, raku, ceramics and more, according to a news release.
Go: Creative Arts Center Exhibit and Sale, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Saturday through Friday, Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft section of Middletown, no charge; 732-842-4000, monmouthcountyparks.com
Joe Jencks concert in Middletown
Folk singer and songwriter Joe Jencks will perform Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County in Middletown.
Folk singer and songwriter Joe Jencks is bringing his music to Monmouth County this weekend.
Jencks, who wrote “Lady of the Harbor” and co-founded the trio Brother Sun, will perform Saturday as part of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County’s Earth Room concert series. He is “an international touring musician, award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist known for his performances of musical beauty, social consciousness and spiritual exploration,” according to a news release.
Go: Joe Jencks concert, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 West Front St., Lincroft section of Middletown, $25 in advance and $30 at the door; earthroomconcerts.org
Candlelight tours in Cape May
Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) hosts Christmas Candlelight House Tours during the holiday season.
Take in the beauty of Cape May at the holidays during a Christmas Candlelight House Tour, offered by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture).
Decorated homes, inns, bed and breakfasts, churches and hotels throughout the historic district are featured during this self-guided walking tour, which is offered Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The tour includes admission to the Emlen Physick Estate on Washington Street and its carriage house, which is home to a giant Christmas tree, model village, model trains and vintage Christmas memorabilia.
Attendees also will be treated to music from strolling musicians.
Go: Christmas Candlelight House Tour, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, Cape May MAC, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, $45 for adults, $30 for children ages 3 to 12; 609-884-5404, capemaymac.org
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to sgriesemer@gannettnj.com, and for more Jersey Shore food news, subscribe to our weekly Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Best things to do around the Jersey Shore (Dec. 4 to Dec. 7)
