Santa arrives in Barnegat Light the way plenty of people on the north end of Long Beach Island do: by way of the water's edge. On Friday, November 27, the borough's holiday season opens at 6 p.m. at the 10th Street Boat Ramp, where Santa comes ashore before riding a fire truck to the old Borough Hall on West 10th Street for the lighting of the Borough Christmas Tree and a round of carols.

That night is one of five dates on the borough's own events calendar between Thanksgiving week and mid-December. Here is the full run, in order, with what each one involves and where to go.

Sunday, November 22: a community Thanksgiving dinner

St. Peter's at the Light and Zion Lutheran Church are holding a Thanksgiving dinner at 5 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, at 18th Street and Central Avenue. Dinner is followed by a church service at 7 p.m. The churches take questions at 609-494-8676 or 609-494-2398.

Friday, November 27: Santa's arrival and the Borough Christmas Tree

The day after Thanksgiving, Santa is due at the 10th Street Boat Ramp at 6 p.m. From there he rides a fire truck to the old Borough Hall on West 10th Street, where the Borough Christmas Tree is lit and the crowd sings carols. Afterward, children can visit with Santa and have refreshments at the First Aid Squad building. The event is scheduled to run until about 7 p.m.

Saturday, November 28: Santa's Viking Christmas Village

Viking Village, the dock area at the north end of the borough, holds its Christmas Village from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the next day. The borough's listing promises live music, local artists and crafters, and open shops. Santa arrives by fire truck at 1 p.m. and stays for visits and pictures. Bring your own camera: the listing says photos are taken on visitors' own phones and cameras. Details are posted at vikingvillageshows.com.

Saturday, December 12: Operation Santa Run, then carols at St. Peter's

Two weeks later, the Barnegat Light Fire Company truck carries Santa through the streets of Barnegat Light and High Bar Harbor from 5 to 6 p.m. Residents are invited to step outside, wave and greet him as he passes. There is no rain date, so if the weather turns, the run is simply off for the year.

Right after it, at 6 p.m., St. Peter's at the Light holds Carols, Cocoa and Tree Lighting at the church on 7th Street and Central Avenue, about an hour long.

Getting there

Barnegat Light sits at the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Ocean County. From the mainland, take Route 72 over the Causeway into Ship Bottom, then turn north on Long Beach Boulevard and follow it to the end of the island.

What to know before you go

  • Tree lighting: Friday, November 27, 6 p.m., starting at the 10th Street Boat Ramp, then the old Borough Hall on West 10th Street; Santa visits after at the First Aid Squad building.
  • Viking Christmas Village: Saturday, November 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Santa at 1 p.m.
  • Operation Santa Run: Saturday, December 12, 5 to 6 p.m., Barnegat Light and High Bar Harbor streets; no rain date.
  • Carols, Cocoa and Tree Lighting: Saturday, December 12, 6 p.m., St. Peter's at the Light, 7th and Central.
  • Questions: Barnegat Light Borough Hall, 10 East 7th Street, 609-494-9196, open weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sources