Published December 7, 2025

Holiday Events in Marlboro, Manalapan, & Freehold

Written by John Natale

Holiday Events in Marlboro, Manalapan, & Freehold header image.

Holiday calendars are filling up fast around Manalapan, Freehold, and Marlboro, and a lot of neighbors are trying to balance festive fun with school schedules and roadwork. Here’s a quick local roundup to keep you ahead of the curve this week.

Freehold family fun: calls, crafts & Santa
Freehold Township Recreation is running two popular holiday programs: “Santa’s Calling” on Monday, December 8 and a “Winter Wonderland Workshop” on Wednesday, December 10 at the Recreation Activity Center on Georgia Road (pre‑registration required through the Rec website or office) [link]. Freehold Health+2Freehold Health+2 Downtown Freehold is also hosting “Brunch with Santa” at The American Hotel on Sundays, including December 7, 14, and 21, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. [link]. Downtown Freehold

Pages & programs in Manalapan and Marlboro
If you like your holidays a little quieter, the Monmouth County Library Headquarters in Manalapan is holding a “Murder, They Wrote: Hercule Poirot’s Christmas” book discussion on Thursday, December 11 at 10:30 a.m., with options to join in person or on Zoom; registration is through the library’s online calendar [link]. Monmouth County Library+1 Over in Marlboro, the county library branch on Library Court has a full December lineup plus the option to subscribe to email updates—handy if you want a steady stream of storytimes, crafts, and movie nights without hunting around online [link]. Monmouth County Library+1

Planning ahead: schools & streets
Families in the Manalapan‑Englishtown Regional School District with little ones starting school next year should note that open enrollment for 2026–27 kindergarten and first grade runs from December 19, 2025 through March 1, 2026, and it’s all handled through the district’s online registration portal [link]. MER School District+2MER School District+2 Freehold Township is also moving ahead with its 2025 Road Overlay Program, which includes improvements on local streets such as Andorra Terrace, Cannon Road, and Ely Harmony Road—worth a quick look before planning your commute or winter walks [link]. Freehold Health+1

Market Minute
Around Manalapan, Freehold, and Marlboro, well‑priced homes near strong schools and convenient commuter routes are still drawing solid buyer interest, especially when they’re updated and move‑in ready—small pre‑listing repairs and neutral décor continue to pay off in showings and offers.

If you’re thinking about a move in 2026, or just want to understand how these local projects and school dates could affect your home’s value, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to talk neighborhood by neighborhood.