All of Hoboken will sing in the streets this holiday season with events the entire family can enjoy.
It’s time to rock ‘n’ roll into the festivities with Hoboken’s ninth annual holiday crafts fair. Set for Dec. 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the event will include more than 50 local craftspeople at City Hall on Washington Street. They will feature a variety of unique gift items for that special someone on a holiday list, like candles, bath soaps, body lotions, silk scarves, pottery, stained glass, fused glass, jewelry, quilts, photography, sauces and marinades by Hoboken Eddie, baby items, wine bottle cheese boards, metal sculptures, folk art, hand-knits, mosaics and paintings.
The fair is the ideal way to escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowded shopping malls and enjoy a more intimate market setting with friends and relatives. The event will be a unique opportunity to find high-quality, handcrafted items at reasonable prices.
"Tired of crowded shopping malls, which carry the same old thing. This is your chance to buy products directly from the artist and merchant," said Geri Fallo, Hoboken’s cultural affairs coordinator.
The sale will also feature gourmet coffees and teas, hot apple cider, pastries, cookies, bagels, muffins, seasonal fresh fruits and sandwiches from Landmark Coffee in Hoboken.
On Sunday, Dec. 7, the city has teamed up with the Friends of the Library, who will be sponsoring the Hoboken Author’s Book Sale and Book Signing. The event will be held at the Shannon Lounge at 106 First St., across from City Hall. Local authors like Caren Lissner and Al Sullivan from the Hudson Reporter will greet the locals and share literary stories with them about their books.
"We want the community to discover many of the talented writers who live here," Fallo said.
Tree lighting
A few days following the crafts fair, city residents can gather on Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the City Hall conference room to meet the jolly ol’ fellow, Santa Claus. He will be joined by Elvis the Elf and the Victorian Holiday Carolers. After the meet and greet with Santa, the city will host its holiday tree lighting at 6 p.m. in front of City Hall.
"I’m gonna help light the tree, cajole you all to carol and we’ll have all kinds of fun," said Elvis the Elf. "This city offers so much for children, and I can’t wait to see all the mile-square city kids."
There will be live music while Santa parades throughout the downtown area on Washington Street. During the festivities, several merchants in town will be offering shopping incentives, Fallo said.
The participating merchants include: Oh Cappizi, Aaraa, Battaglia’s Home Furnishing, Down to Earth, Empire Coffee, The Candle Shop, Vito’s Italian Deli, Mulligans, First Platinum Realty, Bellie and Katrina, Jordan’s Homemade Frozen Desserts, Arthur’s Tavern, Big Fun, United Decorating Co., Inc., The Tux Shop, Wee Beasties Bootery, Lucy’s, Ganache, Robert De Ruggiero, Inc., Anastasia’s Accessories, Imago Beauty Group, and Pauline’s Chocolate.
"If you don’t see exactly what you want, place a special order or just come and browse," Fallo said.
Free parking
To make the entire holiday shopping season convenient and exciting for Hobokenites and area residents, the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce will offer four hours of free parking every Saturday and Sunday from Nov. 29 through Dec. 21 between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hoboken Utility Parking Garage B at Second Street between Hudson and River streets. In addition to the free parking, there will be a free shopper shuttle throughout Washington Street every weekend leading up to Christmas. Shoppers can catch the shuttle between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hoboken Utility parking garages at Hudson Street between Second and Third streets and the Midtown Garage on the corner of Fourth and Clinton streets. Vouchers for the free parking will be available at any of the participating merchants listed above. For a complete list visit www.hobokennj.com.
Concert show
A cavalcade of local musicians will be celebrating the holiday spirit at the Shannon Lounge on Dec. 12 beginning at 9 p.m. Tickets for the show are $5, and proceeds will benefit the Hoboken Homeless Shelter on 300 Bloomfield St. Attendees are also encouraged to bring canned goods for the shelter.
The show is headlined by Bill McGarvey, and the rest of the lineup includes MaryAnn Farley, The Hangdogs, The Big Galoots, The Demolition String Band, Eugene, High Speed Chase, Carla Butler, Jim Testa, AJ Azzarto, and Tom Vincent.
It will be held in the back room of the Shannon, downtown Hoboken’s newest venue for live music.
"This will be one of the best holiday concerts ever," said McGarvey, a longtime Hoboken resident. "Every band is great and we will rock out the whole night."
The holiday events are sponsored in part by the city of Hoboken, Mayor David Roberts, the Hoboken Reporter, and the Hoboken Chamber of Commerce.
City Hall is located at 94 Washington St. For information call (201) 420-2207 or visit www.hobokennj.org. The cover photos were taken by Geri Nelson for the Current, a division of the Hudson Reporter. q