Updated October 2026. The Denville holiday parade 2026 has not been officially dated yet, but the tradition is steady: the Downtown Denville Holiday Open House on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the Santa Land tree lighting on Saturday, and the holiday parade through downtown on Sunday afternoon, ending with Santa’s arrival at Santa Land. Here is everything we know about this year’s holiday events in Denville and nearby Morris County, with what is confirmed and what is still pending.
We separate confirmed 2026 dates from last year’s dates, and we cite where each came from. When organizers post 2026 details, we will update this page. For the rest of the year’s calendar, see things to do in Denville, and for parking and where to eat downtown, the downtown Denville guide.
Quick facts
| Event | 2026 status | Last year |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Denville Holiday Open House | Date not yet announced | Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, 5 to 8:30 p.m. |
| Santa Land Tree Lighting | Date not yet announced | Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, 6 p.m. |
| Denville Holiday Parade | Date not yet announced | Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, 2 p.m. |
| Menorah lighting, Denville | Date not yet announced | Held during Hanukkah outside the municipal building |
| Morristown Green lighting | Confirmed: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026 | |
| Christmas Festival, Morristown Green | Confirmed: Fridays to Sundays, Nov. 29 to Dec. 20, 2026 |
If Denville keeps its usual pattern around Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 26, the weekend would fall on Nov. 27 to 29. Treat that as a planning guess, not a date, until the Downtown Denville BID and the Rotary post the 2026 schedule.
Downtown Denville Holiday Open House
The Downtown Denville Business Improvement District kicks off the season the night after Thanksgiving. In 2025 the open house ran Friday, Nov. 28, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. along Broadway, with lights, shopping specials, music, treats and family activities. In past years Broadway has been closed to traffic for it, and the BID has added things like an ice rink in the street, carolers and s’mores stations. The next day is Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28 in 2026, when downtown shops push to shop small.
Address: Broadway, downtown Denville, NJ 07834
Hours: 2026 date not yet announced (2025: Friday after Thanksgiving, 5 to 8:30 p.m.)
Website: downtowndenville.com
Santa Land Tree Lighting
Santa Land is the Rotary Club of Denville’s holiday village on Clark Street, next to the post office: a small set of decorated village buildings, displays and Santa’s house. Before Santa moves in, the Rotary lights the tree. In 2025 the lighting was Saturday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m., and in 2024 it was Saturday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m., the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend both years. Expect a crowd and some caroling.
Address: Santa Land, Clark Street, Denville, NJ 07834
Hours: 2026 date not yet announced (traditionally 6 p.m. the Saturday after Thanksgiving)
Website: denvillerotary.org
Denville Holiday Parade
The parade is the big one. In 2025 it stepped off Sunday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m., with marching bands, floats and local groups, and Santa arriving at Santa Land when it ended. The Downtown Denville BID has described Santa riding in on Old Betsy, Denville’s oldest fire truck, and past lineups have included the Denville String Band and Shriner cars.
In past years, Denville police have staged the parade on Bloomfield Avenue and closed Bloomfield Avenue and Broadway from late morning for setup. The route has run along Bloomfield Avenue, Broadway and Diamond Spring Road to Church Street, ending at Santa Land on Clark Street. Get there early for a curb spot on Broadway, and plan on downtown parking filling up. Our train station parking guide covers the downtown commuter lots.
Address: Downtown Denville, Broadway and Bloomfield Avenue
Hours: 2026 date not yet announced (2025: Sunday after Thanksgiving, 2 p.m.)
Website: downtowndenville.com
Visiting Santa at Santa Land
After the parade, Santa settles into his house at Santa Land and keeps visiting hours through December, staffed by Rotarians and student volunteers from the Morris Knolls High School Interact Club. The Rotary posts the hours on its website each season, so check there before you bundle up the kids.
Menorah lighting
A public menorah lighting outside the Denville municipal building at 1 Saint Mary’s Place has become a December tradition. The Downtown Denville BID credits the Chabad Jewish Center of Mountain Lakes, Denville and Boonton with hosting it for several years. In 2023 the Denville lighting was held at 5 p.m. on one evening of Hanukkah. Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown Friday, Dec. 4, and ends at sundown Saturday, Dec. 12. The 2026 Denville lighting date has not been announced.
More Denville holiday traditions
- Santa on the fire truck: the Downtown Denville events calendar lists the Denville Fire Department’s Santa on the Truck on Christmas Eve. The 2026 route and times have not been posted.
- Adopt A Family: Denville Social Services matches local families and seniors in need with neighbors who shop their wish lists. Call (973) 625-8300, ext. 269.
- Window shopping: downtown stores decorate their windows for the season, and holiday music plays along Broadway.
Nearby Morris County holiday events
Santa’s Arrival and Lighting of the Morristown Green
Confirmed for Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, on the Morristown Green. It kicks off the Morristown Partnership’s Christmas Festival. Times will be posted on the event page.
Address: Morristown Green, Morristown, NJ
Hours: Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026
Website: morristown-nj.org
Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 29 through Dec. 20, 2026: a Santa house, holiday music and crafts, an oversized rocking horse, ice sculpture demonstrations and free rides on a miniature electric train around the Green. Everything is free except photos with Santa, which cost $15. The Sunday, Dec. 6 session runs noon to 7 p.m.
Address: Morristown Green, Morristown, NJ
Hours: Fridays to Sundays, Nov. 29 to Dec. 20, 2026
Website: morristown-nj.org
Mountain Lakes Tree Lighting
Mountain Lakes lights its tree in Kaufmann Park. In 2025 it was Sunday, Dec. 7, from 5 to 6 p.m. The 2026 date has not been announced.
Address: Kaufmann Park, Mountain Lakes, NJ
Website: mountainlakes.gov
Planning the whole long weekend? Our Thanksgiving in Denville guide covers turkey trots, dinner and food drives.
Frequently asked questions
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.; in 2025 it was Sunday, Nov. 30.
What time does the Denville holiday parade start?
It has started at 2 p.m. in recent years, and Santa arrives at Santa Land when the parade ends.
Where is Santa Land in Denville?
Santa Land is the Rotary Club of Denville’s holiday village on Clark Street, next to the post office in downtown Denville.
When is the Denville tree lighting?
The Rotary lights the Santa Land tree the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend at 6 p.m. In 2025 that was Saturday, Nov. 29. The 2026 date has not been announced.
Is there a menorah lighting in Denville?
Yes. A public menorah lighting has been held outside the Denville municipal building, 1 Saint Mary’s Place, for several years, hosted by the local Chabad. Hanukkah 2026 runs from sundown Dec. 4 to sundown Dec. 12; the 2026 lighting date has not been announced.
When is the Morristown Green tree lighting in 2026?
Santa’s Arrival and the Lighting of the Morristown Green is Saturday, Nov. 28, 2026, according to the Morristown Partnership.
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