Your Guide to the 2025 Holiday Bazaar
This year’s Holiday Season lineup is our biggest one yet, and honestly, we’re excited just thinking about it. With so many activities happening across our locations, we figured the best thing to do was round everything up in one place for you. Consider this your easy weekend guide! Something you can skim, save, and use to plan a few cozy, festive outings. We hope you’ll join us along the way… it wouldn’t be the same without you!
Convention Hall: Your Festive Weekend Stop All December
The Grand Arcade of Convention Hall is decked out for the season! Come for the gifts, stay for the food, drinks, and live music, and soak up all the holiday cheer. Opening weekend kicks off on Black Friday, Nov 28, then continues every Fri, Sat & Sun through Dec 21 (Fridays 3–8 PM, weekends 12–5 PM). Right on the Asbury Park Boardwalk, it’s the perfect spot to shop for unique gifts, enjoy seasonal treats, and experience all the festive fun!
Here Are Some of My Personal Favorites to Look Forward To:
Black Friday, Nov 28 | DJ Dusty Dubbs 4–7 PM – Kick off the holiday season with upbeat tunes while you shop and enjoy Holiday Happy Hour at Mutiny Beach & Shucked Local 130 Seafood.
Photos with Santa 🎅 – Bring a toy to support the Asbury Park Toy Drive! This is available every weekend, but it’s extra magical on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Boozy Brushes Sip & Paint: Wine Glasses 🎨– Dec 5 – Sip, paint, and create your own festive wine glass at Mutiny Beach from 5:30–7:30 PM.
The Wright Trio Live – Dec 6 & Dec 21 – Smooth jazz to make your weekend stroll at the bazaar even more magical.
Holiday Wrapping Paper Workshop – Dec 12 – Carve, ink, and print your own wrapping paper with Asbury Art Club, 5:30–7:30 PM.
Kids Activities – From face painting and balloon animals to sand art, hair tinsel, and bubble braids, there’s so much for kids to enjoy every weekend!
Asbury Hotel: The Holiday Weekend That Keeps on Giving
It’s not your average Sunday stroll! The Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar lands at the Asbury Hotel every Sunday, November 28–December 19. Discover local makers, catch live music, and uncover a few holiday surprises along the way. Let’s make the most of our weekends holiday season!
Here is your official Sunday Holiday Mini-Schedule:
🎁 Holiday Shopping Every Sunday (Dec 1, 7 & 14)
A rotating lineup of makers and gift vendors brings fresh finds each week. Perfect for knocking out your holiday list!
📸 Unique Weekly Photo Moments
• Dec 1: The Farm Mechanic brings rustic, charming holiday vibes.
• Dec 7: Party Pop Mom sets up a bright, cheerful festive backdrop.
• Dec 14: Groovy Bee Backdrops creates a colorful, retro holiday scene.
Hands-On Holiday Workshops
• Dec 1: Kids’ Winter Village Workshop with LaPlaca Pottery- adorable, creative, and perfect for little makers (12–2 PM & 3–5 PM).
• Dec 14: Beach Bum Beauty Candle Making- create your own cozy holiday candle (3–5 PM).
Live DJ Sets Every Sunday
• Dec 1: Micknpoke DJ (Michael Villapiano)
• Dec 7: DJ Mike Chick
• Dec 14: DJ Jay Insult
Set the perfect soundtrack for your holiday browsing.
Family-Friendly Sundays (All Dates)
Each weekend has something special for kids! Crafting, photo ops, and festive energy throughout The Asbury.
Long Branch Bazaar: Where the Season Comes Alive
Get ready, Long Branch! The holiday season is officially here! Join us for the Long Branch Holiday Bazaar as we kick off Opening Weekend at the brand-new Kringle Cove Holiday Pop-Up at Whitechapel Projects. It all happens Black Friday (Nov 28), Small Business Saturday (Nov 29) and Sunday (Nov 30) from 12–5 PM.
What I’m loving at Whitechapel Projects This Season:
Twinkling Winter Décor & Holiday Photo Spots🎄 – Get ready for cozy corners, glowing lights, and picture-perfect scenes all weekend long.
Seasonal Cocktails & Winter Sips🍸 – Warm up with festive drinks, craft cocktails, and holiday-inspired beverages.
S'mores Stations – Roast marshmallows, build the perfect s’more, and enjoy the sweetest cozy moment of the season.
Holiday Bazaar Shopping (Fri–Sun) – Find unique gifts, handcrafted goods, and local makers from 12–5 PM each day.
Santa’s North Pole Paw-traits (Sat, Nov 29, 6–8 PM) – Bring your pets for adorable holiday portraits with Santa!
Holiday Wreath Workshop – Nov 28 – Create your own beautiful wreath with Made in Flowers (1–3 PM).
Custom Perfume Workshop – Nov 29 – Blend a scent that’s uniquely yours with The Scent Social (2–4 PM).
Sip & Paint: Holiday Coasters 🎨– Nov 30 – Paint festive coasters with Boozy Brushes (3–5:30 PM).
So that’s the full rundown of what’s happening across all the spots this season. There’s truly something going on every five minutes- music, workshops, Santa, photo ops, things to buy that you absolutely do not need but will definitely convince yourself you do.
Pick a day, grab your people, and make a whole festive adventure out of it. Get a drink, shop around, take the photos (you know you want to), and just enjoy the fact that it’s officially holiday season.