Downtown Haddonfield is gearing up for a cheerful and bustling holiday season with a calendar full of festive events and promotions beginning later this month and continuing into the new year. From extended shopping hours to seasonal traditions, Haddonfield offers joyful holiday happenings for residents and visitors alike.
Merry & Bright Haddonfield Kick Off
The celebration begins on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 27, when free parking returns throughout downtown. Thanks to the Borough of Haddonfield Commissioners, the annual holiday parking moratorium will once again make it easier for shoppers to visit local businesses during the busiest time of the year.
Candlelight Shopping in Haddonfield
Candlelight Shopping officially kicks off on Friday, November 28. Stores will remain open with extended hours as carolers, live musicians, and roaming entertainers bring holiday spirit to the streets.
Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade
Also on November 28, the town’s cherished Tree Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade will take place. The festivities begin on Tanner Street, where Haddon Culinary will offer complimentary hot cocoa. After the tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead a parade to Kings Court, marking the official start of holiday merriment in Haddonfield.
Shop Small, Brunch BIG Wknd
The celebration continues through the weekend on Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30, with special shopping hours and a call to support small businesses. Visitors are encouraged to come out to the Shop Small, Brunch BIG Wknd and enjoy Haddonfield’s vibrant dining scene while checking off their holiday gift lists.
The following Haddonfield establishments are participating:
Breakfast Sandwiches
CRUMB Sandwich Joint
43 Kings Highway E, Store 2
Haddon Culinary
9 Kings Highway W
Brunch
Café Lift
144 Kings Highway E
The Bistro
57 Kings Highway E
Gass & Main
7 Kings Court
Wanda BYOB
116 Kings Highway E, Suite 4
Coffee & Pastries
Jersey Java & Tea
140 N Haddon Ave
Saxby’s
104 Kings Highway E
Sweet T’s Bakeshop
14 Kings Court
Wildfether Distilling
236 Kings Highway E
Healthy
Animo – offering smoothies and Acai bowls
210 Kings Highway E
Sparrow’s – offering gluten-free options
10 Mechanic Street
Last Minute Magic
From December 20 through 24, downtown shops will offer additional extended hours for last-minute holiday shoppers. Illuminated trees and luminaria will remain in place to guide patrons through the district.
Winterfest and Souper Bowl Saturday
The winter festivities will carry into the new year with Winterfest and Souper Bowl Saturday, taking place January 16–18. Highlights include sparkling ice sculptures and Haddonfield’s annual soup competition.
With its charming traditions and range of seasonal events, Downtown Haddonfield is excited to deliver another memorable holiday season for the entire community.
Holidays in Haddonfield is a VIBE!
It’s a great opportunity for local businesses, especially restaurants, who are always delighted to welcome hungry shoppers! I spoke with several restaurant owners about what Candlelight Shopping means to them and how they feel about the holidays in Haddonfield.
Chef Alan Lichtenstein of The Little Hen said, “I like that it brings a lot of people to town to discover everything Haddonfield has to offer. Everybody is so friendly and everybody has smiles on their faces taking in all the sights. It’s a beautiful time of year!”
Chef Dane Demarco of Gass & Main said, “I’ve always loved candlelight shopping and the holiday season in Haddonfield. The town comes alive with decorated storefronts and glowing walkways that make it feel almost magical, like stepping into a Hallmark movie. For us at Gass & Main, those evenings bring a special kind of energy as families, friends, and couples gather to celebrate the season together. Our dining room fills with a warmth that feels familiar, almost like visiting family during the holidays. Candlelight season amplifies that feeling and makes the experience shine even brighter!”
Tommy Alfinto of Wildfether Distilling said, “Haddonfield’s Candlelight Shopping is our favorite time of the year. The town does an amazing job of turning into a Hallmark Holiday card. It highlights how amazing Haddonfield is for the holidays for shopping, eating, and getting a few cocktails. It is always some of the busiest nights of the year for us and it brings such a fun vibe in our distillery for the guests!”
Andrew Bodi of Verona Restaurant and Pizza Pazza said, “Candlelight Shopping is one of the brightest traditions in Haddonfield—literally and figuratively. The extended hours, festive music, and joyful crowds don’t just bring holiday spirit to our streets; they breathe life into our local businesses. As a proud owner of two Haddonfield establishments, I see firsthand how these Friday nights strengthen our community, support small business, and remind us why our town is such a special place to gather during the holidays.”
Chef Anthony Lipot of Wanda BYOB said, “I truly believe that candlelight shopping brings folks to our town that normally wouldn’t be here. It exposes such a wide variety of people to our amazing town. We definitely see a bounce in our sales. Its much more than that though. It brings a pride and a nostalgia to us as owners. It makes us work a little bit harder to fulfill what our town does for us as owners. Its also how an American main street should look for the holiday season.“
See you there!
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