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The Borough of Mountain Lakes holds its annual Christmas tree lighting on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 5 PM in Kaufmann Park. The event is free, and the borough is serving complimentary hot chocolate and cookies to keep everyone warm.
Music comes from the Mountain Lakes High School Chamber Choir and Brass Ensemble, who play holiday favorites while the crowd gathers. The highlight for kids is Santa’s arrival on a Mountain Lakes fire truck. Santa stays to greet children and hand out candy canes, so bring a camera. Full details are on the Mountain Lakes tree lighting event page.
The celebration continues the next evening. Mountain Lakes holds its annual menorah lighting on Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 5 PM, also in Kaufmann Park, during the third night of Hanukkah. The borough says the lighting will be followed by latkes and live music. See the Mountain Lakes menorah lighting event page for updates.
Both events are organized by the borough’s recreation department. Questions can go to the borough at Borough Hall, 400 Boulevard. No rain date has been posted, so check the borough website if the weather looks rough that weekend.
Mountain Lakes is one of the smallest towns in Morris County, and its holiday traditions have a true hometown feel. For more ideas in the borough, see our guide to things to do in Mountain Lakes, NJ, and for lightings in other towns, our list of tree lighting ceremonies in Morris County has dates across the county.
The first weekend of December is busy across the county. Jefferson Township lights its tree on Friday, December 4, Mendham’s Holly Trail and tree lighting is the same Saturday as Mountain Lakes, and the Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Mountain Lakes, Boonton and Denville hosts public menorah lightings in Boonton and Denville the following Monday and Tuesday.
The Mountain Lakes Christmas tree lighting is Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 5 PM in Kaufmann Park, and the menorah lighting is Sunday, December 6, 2026, at 5 PM in Kaufmann Park. Both are free.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration.
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