The holiday season in Denville runs on a handful of traditions that come back every year: the Downtown Denville Holiday Open House on Broadway, the Holiday Parade, the Rotary tree lighting at Santa Land and the fire department’s Santa Run on Christmas Eve. This Denville Now guide keeps all of them on one page and is updated as each 2026 date is announced.
Updated Oct. 28, 2026. The 2026 Open House and Parade dates have not been announced yet. Based on past years, both are expected on Thanksgiving weekend. We will post the confirmed dates here the moment Downtown Denville releases them.
Quick picks
- Holiday Open House: traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving, evening, on Broadway. 2026 date to be announced.
- Holiday Parade: traditionally the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 2 p.m., downtown. 2026 date to be announced.
- Santa Run: Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026, starting at 5 p.m., Denville Volunteer Fire Department.
- Holiday shopping: the Denville Farmers Market runs Sundays through Nov. 22, then the winter market takes over on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Downtown Denville Holiday Open House
The Holiday Open House is the night downtown Denville kicks off the season. Shops and restaurants along Broadway stay open late with specials, and the street fills with lights, music and family activities. In 2025 it ran Friday, Nov. 28, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. In 2024 it ran Friday, Nov. 29, from 5 to 9 p.m., with ice skating on Broadway, carolers, warming stations, photos with Santa and a holiday train ride.
2026: not yet announced. If the pattern holds, expect Friday, Nov. 27, 2026. Parking fills early, so see the parking section of our Downtown Denville guide before you go.
Denville Holiday Parade
The Holiday Parade brings marching bands, decorated floats, local groups and Santa through the center of town. In 2025 it stepped off Sunday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. Families tend to arrive early to grab a viewing spot along Broadway, and downtown shops stay open for warm drinks and holiday shopping before and after.
2026: not yet announced. If the pattern holds, expect Sunday, Nov. 29, 2026.
Tree lighting at Santa Land
The Denville Rotary Club hosts the town’s tree lighting ceremony at Santa Land, a longstanding Denville holiday tradition. In 2024 it was held Saturday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. Watch this page and the Denville events calendar for the 2026 date.
Santa Run on Christmas Eve
The Denville Volunteer Fire Department’s annual Santa Run sends Santa through Denville neighborhoods on a fire truck, handing out treats. It is set for Thursday, Dec. 24, 2026, starting at 5 p.m. The street schedule is posted closer to the date. Read more about the department in our story on the Denville Volunteer Fire Department’s 100th year.
Holiday shopping in Denville
Downtown Denville is one of the best places in Morris County to shop small for the holidays. The Denville Arts Council’s Makers’ Market brings local crafters to the Bloomfield Avenue lot, and the farmers market switches to its Sunday winter season after Nov. 22. See our Denville Farmers Market guide for winter market details, and our bakeries and dessert guide for holiday cookies and treats. More Denville guides are on our Denville Guides page.
FAQ
When is the Denville Holiday Parade in 2026?
The 2026 date has not been announced. The parade is traditionally held the Sunday after Thanksgiving at 2 p.m. This page will be updated as soon as it is confirmed.
When is the Downtown Denville Holiday Open House in 2026?
Not announced yet. It is traditionally held the Friday evening after Thanksgiving on Broadway.
When is the Denville Santa Run?
Dec. 24, 2026, starting at 5 p.m., run by the Denville Volunteer Fire Department.
Have a holiday event in Denville? Send it to Denville Now and we will add it to this guide and the events calendar.
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