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Christmas Season Newsletter

Christmas Season Newsletter
Christmas Season Newsletter brings you the joy, warmth, and magic of the holidays — highlighting local happenings, festive moments, family-friendly events, and community stories that make this season special.

Eloise Edwards

Dec 24, 2025

This newsletter sponsored by

CornBread Soul Food.

🌟 Local Business Spotlight: Cornbread Maplewood

A true Maplewood favorite, Cornbread Maplewood brings bold flavor and heartwarming hospitality to Springfield Avenue. Known for its farm-to-soul comfort food, Cornbread serves up crowd-pleasers like crispy fried chicken, tender ribs, classic sides, and homestyle dishes that keep locals coming back again and again.

Whether you’re stopping in for a casual family meal, grabbing takeout, or meeting friends for comfort food with soul, Cornbread offers a welcoming atmosphere that feels just right for our community. It’s the kind of place where good food and good vibes go hand in hand.

📍 Springfield Avenue, Maplewood
🌐 https://cornbreadsoul.com/

Joke Of The Day

What do you call a kid who doesn’t believe in Santa?
A rebel without a Claus! 😆

 

Christmas Magical Celebration In Maplewood

✨ Christmas Magic Lives in Maplewood

There’s something about Christmas in Maplewood that feels extra joyful. Maybe it’s the way the community comes together, the local traditions we look forward to every year, or the quiet moments when the lights shine just a little brighter. It’s the kind of holiday magic you don’t have to travel far to find—it’s right here at home.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION IN MAPLEWOOD, NJ

🎄 After Dark in Maplewood — Christmas Display (Part 4) 🌙
Set to Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley, this nighttime glimpse of Maplewood’s holiday displays captures a quieter, more reflective side of the season. As lights glow against the dark sky, the town feels calm, nostalgic, and beautifully still.

This video reminds us that Christmas isn’t only about the bustle and bright moments—it’s also about reflection, comfort, and finding peace in the glow of familiar places. A gentle pause in the season, right here in Maplewood.

✨ Take a moment to watch and enjoy the magic after dar

In the Spirit Of Christmas Here Is:

 

🎄 Somewhere in Maplewood, NJ 🎄
We’ve captured a little bit of Maplewood magic in this short video — a moment that feels like home. Whether it’s familiar streets, holiday lights, or friendly faces, this clip reminds us what makes our town so special during the season of togetherness.

✨ As the holidays approach, we hope this glimpse of our community brings a smile to your day. It’s a small, joyful reminder that community isn’t just where we live — it’s who we share it with.

📺 Watch now: Somewhere in Maplewood, NJ — a quick slice of local cheer.

Wishing you peace, warmth, and all the joys of the season! 

Essex County's Holiday Season Sparkles with Community Spirit.

From festival lights to cultural events, Essex County offers a plethora of holiday activities for all ages.

As winter nears, Essex County comes alive with festive energy, offering diverse holiday traditions and joyful gatherings.

 

West Orange dazzles with the Holiday Lights Spectacular at the Turtle Back Zoo through December, where families stroll under a canopy of over a million lights, helping neighbors in need with donations.

 

In Caldwell, the Holiday Play Village Toy Drive at the Blue Rose Venue invites children to explore themed play areas and participate in fun community activities, all while giving back with a toy donation.

 

Roseland celebrates creativity at the Essex County Environmental Center with a Holiday Wreath Making workshop and a family-friendly Hot Chocolate and S’mores Hike.

 

Culture shines in Newark at NJPAC’s jazz competition and A Christmas Carol performance, while Montclair offers seasonal beauty classes and literary galas.

 

These festivities truly make Essex County Jersey’s best community for the holidays.


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Holliday's Annual Christmas Parade And Park Festivities Delight Community.

Residents Gather for a Night of Joy Celebration And Local Shopping

On December 3, 2025, Holliday, Texas, sparkled with joy as neighbors gathered for the beloved Christmas Parade and festive park celebration.

 

The park came alive at 6:30 p.m., with a lively procession of glittering floats, marching bands, and spirited local groups filling the evening with music and holiday cheer.

 

After the parade, families explored a bustling holiday marketplace, where vendors offered handcrafted gifts and tempting seasonal treats — a perfect way to shop local and greet familiar faces.

 

Young residents laughed and played amid bounce houses and face painting, while the community tree lighting cast a magical glow, drawing everyone together beneath twinkling lights.

 

This cherished event celebrated not just the season, but the togetherness that defines Holliday, creating warm memories and eager anticipation for next year’s gathering.


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Celebrate the Season: Free Christmas Events in Maplewood, NJ

Enjoy Festive Holiday Activities Without Spending a Dime.

Celebrate the holiday season in Maplewood, New Jersey with a host of free, family-friendly Christmas events that unite the community.

 

On December 14, The Woodland Great Hall transforms into the charming Handmade Holiday Market, showcasing 60 artisan vendors offering unique, handcrafted items — perfect for holiday shopping without the crowds or cost.

 

Enjoy the Winter Soundscapes Concert on December 11 at 7:30 PM, where Maplewood Community Music performs beloved seasonal classics. Donations are welcome at this festive gathering.

 

Dickens Village returns to Ricalton Square for the first three Saturdays in December, inviting visitors of all ages to wander among miniature houses inspired by “A Christmas Carol.”

 

On December 20 at 2:00 PM, catch the Annual Dickens Village Holiday Concert at The Burgdorff Center, where Swing Town’s big band brings high-energy jazz to lift everyone’s spirits.

 

Maplewood’s festive lineup offers memorable, cost-free fun for everyone this holiday season.


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This Week's Event Calendar

Decembers 2025

Text Section

📆 📍 Maplewood & South Orange – Week of Dec. 21–27, 2025

🎄 Holiday & Community Events

🎬 The Maplewood Strollers Present: Elf – Holiday Film Screening
📅 Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025
🕑 2:00 PM (Doors open 1:30 PM)
📍 Burgdorff Theater, 10 Durand Rd, Maplewood
Free & fun for the whole family! A heart-warming holiday classic Elf on screen with hot cocoa & treats available. Maplewood Arts & Culture


🏐 Weekly Community Activities

🏐 Women’s Volleyball Drop-In Games
📅 Monday, Dec. 22, 2025
🕗 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
📍 The Baird Center, South Orange
Join friendly weekly volleyball games — open to local women (ages 30+) — casual and social! (Fee applies) SOMAPSO


🔜 Later This Week / Upcoming

🩸 Red Cross Blood Drive
📅 Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025
🕐 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 The Woodland Parlor, 60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood
Give blood and receive an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross t-shirt while supplies last. Maplewood Arts & Culture


❄️ Ongoing Holiday Experiences (Not Formal Events but Fun to Do)

Dickens Village (Holiday Displays in Maplewood Village): Enjoy the seasonal, free festive displays around town — a great stroll and photo-op destination any day this week. The Village Green

🌳 Explore South Mountain Reservation Trails: Enjoy free nature walks and greenery year-round — perfect for winter daylight hikes.

 

A clear message is sent: hate has no place in Maplewood–South Orange schools.

Columbia High School Principal Frank Sanchez reported antisemitic graffiti, including a swastika and offensive language, to Maplewood Police on the day he became aware of it.

The graffiti was documented by a student on November 12, and despite a delay in Sanchez seeing the email reporting it, he took immediate action.

Sanchez inspected all school bathrooms and found additional graffiti with different messages.

He also collaborated with rabbis and the Anti-Defamation League.

The school district is implementing a new program for real-time reporting of incidents.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the police report on the incident.
Maplewood Shout Outs

© 2026 Maplewood Shout Outs.

Maplewood Shout Outs is your go-to source for celebrating the heart of our town. Each issue brings you uplifting stories, local highlights, and the latest happenings — from inspiring neighbors and thriving small businesses to can’t-miss community events. We’re here to connect, inform, and spark pride in everything that makes Maplewood special.

© 2026 Maplewood Shout Outs.