Holiday festivities in Ocean Grove
The Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce will kick off the holiday season with an old-fashioned treelighting ceremony Friday, to be followed by the annual Victorian Holiday Festival House and Inn Tour Dec. 8 and 9.

On Friday, Nov. 31, pictures with Santa Claus in the Community Room at 6:30 p.m. precede the tree-lighting festivities at 7 p.m., which will commence with a musical program, caroling and, of course, the annual tree lighting itself.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, light refreshments will be offered to the public in the Community Room. On Dec. 1, visitors can stroll down Main Avenue and the surrounding business district where the shops will be open for late-night shopping with the sounds of carolers and other performers between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The following weekend, the chamber will host its annual Victorian Holiday Festival House and Inn Tour.

On Dec. 8, some of Ocean Grove's most charming homes and inns will open their doors from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors will also have the chance to tour Ocean Grove in true Victorian style via a horse-and-buggy ride, visit one of the unique tents decorated for the holidays, or take a guided tour of the Great Auditorium.

For the young or young at heart, the Historical Society of Ocean Grove will be hosting its annual Doll Houses of the Past exhibit in the museum, while around the corner at the Community Room model train buffs will host their annual Christmas Train Show.

Saturday's festivities end with the live Nativity Pageant in the Great Auditorium at 5 p.m., followed by late-night shopping in the business district.

Sunday's events include inn hours, the train show, the dollhouse exhibit and the tent.

At 4 p.m., the weekend concludes with a Handbell Holiday Concert.

Tickets for the Victorian Holiday Festival Inn and House Tour are $30 per person (allinclusive for the entire weekend) and are available at The Loft, Gingerbreads, Gifts by Tina, Main Avenue Galleria and the Chamber Office at 45 Pilgrim Pathway.

On Dec. 2, 9, 16 and Feb. 10, from 1-3:30 p.m., additional horse and carriage rides at $5 per person will be offered and will be narrated by members of the Historical Society. Tickets will be sold the day of, beginning at noon.

More information is available at www.oceangrovenj.com or by contacting the Ocean Grove Area Chamber of Commerce at (732) 774.1391.