The Township of Nutley is ready for this year’s holiday festivities to begin! Its annual schedule of events is designed to help everyone enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.

“Nutley is the destination for the holiday spirit!” Mayor John V. Kelly, III proudly proclaims.

Residents won’t want to miss the official kickoff to the season when Santa and Mrs. Claus make their 62nd arrival by helicopter this Friday, November 29. Gates at the Nutley Oval will open at 1pm and the merry couple is set to make their landing at 2pm. (Rain date will be Saturday, November 30 with gates opening at 10am and Santa arriving at 11am). The Nutley Chamber of Commerce has once again sponsored this annual tradition. 

The annual Holiday Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Sunday, December 8 from 5:30pm to 7pm (the traditional Menorah Lighting will begin on December 25). The Board of Commissioners is excited to announce the new location of the Christmas tree,  at the heart of the new Municipal Plaza right in front of Town Hall at 1 Kennedy Drive. Everyone in the community is invited to take part in the Township’s oldest tradition, which will feature photos with Santa (in an outdoor heated tent!), roasted chestnuts, doughnuts, mini-train rides, horse and buggy rides and more while the Chamber Singers and Brass Ensemble perform holiday classics. Activities all take place on both Chestnut Street and Franklin Avenue.

Nutley residents can get a jump start on holiday shopping on Tuesday, December 3 when Mayor Kelly and the Nutley Department of Public Affairs and Health present the second annual Holiday Sip and Shop. This year’s event will be held from 5pm to 8pm at Nutley Knights of Columbus Hall (150 Chestnut Street). Following the success of last year’s debut, Nutley-based small business owners will showcase and demonstrate their products and services to shoppers while they sip and snack on light refreshments. Over 25 vendors are expected to participate and plenty of complimentary tasty treats will be provided by local eateries. 

The Department of Public Affairs and Health, along with the Nutley Board of Education, encourages everyone to keep local families in their holiday plans by contributing to Nutley’s Annual Treasure Chest Adopt-a-Family Program. This initiative aims to support families in the Township by providing Christmas gifts for their children and holiday food assistance. Each year, Nutley helps between 250 and 300 children, ages three to 18, who are currently enrolled in Township schools. Donations of $25 gift cards to large local stores such as Target, Shop Rite, Kohl’s or Amazon would be ideal to enable these families to enjoy the Christmas holidays and ensure every child can be recognized by Santa Claus. The $25 gift cards should be placed in a sealed envelope addressed to Sharon Bozza and dropped off at the Department of Public Affairs and Health (149 Chestnut Street).  Please include your name, address, phone number, and email on the outside of the envelope. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm until Friday, December 13. This timeline is crucial to allow families adequate time to shop for their children.

Several family activities are on deck this season! Make plans now to see the winter theater production of Elf Jr. at Nutley High School (300 Franklin Avenue), presented by Commissioner Mauro G. Tucci and the Department of Parks and Recreation. Performances are set for Friday, December 6 at 7pm; Saturday, December 7 at 7pm; and Sunday, December 8 at 2pm. Visit the Nutley Parks & Recreation ticketing platform at https://nutleyparksrec.ludus.com. 

On Sunday, December 1 from 8am to 12pm, residents are invited to take part in a Pancake Breakfast with Santa at the Knights of Columbus (150 Chestnut Street), hosted by Commissioner Alphonse Petracco and the Nutley Fire Department. Commissioner Petracco and the Public Safety Department will also be hosting their annual Santa Meet and Greet on Thursday, December 5 from 5:30pm to 7pm at the Department of Public Safety. 

More family fun can be had on Monday, December 9, when Commissioner Tucci and the Recreation Department host Christmas Cookie Decorating with Grandma & Grandpa. Grandparents and their little ones are invited to take part in his festive event at the Parks and Recreation Department (44 Park Avenue) from 6pm to 7pm. Light refreshments, Christmas cookies and a visit from Santa are among the scheduled festivities! The cost is $5 per child while grandparents join in free of charge. This event is open to Nutley residents only. Space is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance at the Parks and Recreation Department between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday. The Parks and Recreation department also offers another chance to give back to families in need via their Holiday Toy Drive thru December 6. For more information, please call (973) 284-4966.

The special Santa Express Mailbox will be placed at the Nutley Park Oval entrance on Chestnut Street where children can deliver their letters starting on Friday, November 29th.  The last day of collection will be Sunday, December 15, allowing Santa enough time to respond to each letter.

Mayor Kelly adds, “The Township of Nutley and the Nutley Board of Commissioners wish everyone great health and a prosperous new year!”