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Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Realty – East, NJ Luxury Homes
Happy New Year! I hope the holidays treated you well. Now that we officially entered the new year, it’s time to talk about the first big(ish) event of 2026: the Cranford Souperhero Stroll.
What: Cranford Souperhero Stroll 2026
Where: Eastman Clock Plaza
When: January 17th & 18th, from noon to 4 pm
Admission: $10 per person (plus service fee)
Dozens of local Cranford restaurants plan on participating in the Souperhero Stroll. How? By offering delicious samplings of their soups to all strolling guests. Dream Factory Balloons creates life-sized replicas of superheroes made completely out of balloons. These are set up all around the downtown area for everyone to see. But if you want to sample the soup, you’ll need to purchase a ticket.
To accommodate as many people as possible, the soup sampling happens in shifts. When you purchase your tickets, you choose the day and the shift (either noon to 2 pm or 2 pm to 4 pm). This event happens come rain or shine. And there will be no refunds.
Tickets cost $10 per person (plus a $2.24 service fee). You may purchase your tickets online here. They do sell out pretty quickly. So, if you are interested in attending, you need to secure your tickets today.
In addition to the ticket price, organizers request that you bring at least one can of soup to donate. All canned soup collected will then be distributed to local food pantries for redistribution to families and individuals in need. You may pick up your tickets and drop off your soup donations as early as 11:45 am on the day of the event at Eastman Clock Plaza.
I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves and to all who referred me to your family and friends!
View Homes for Sale in the Westfield Area
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes
I certainly hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas. We certainly did. In less than one week, we welcome in a brand new year. If you want to do something a little different this year, might I suggest the Charles Addams Heritage Trail Tour.
What: Charles Addams Heritage Trail Tour 2026
Where: Charles Addams’ inspirational spots around town
When: Thursday, January 1st, 2026 from 11 am to 1 pm
Admission: FREE (but must pre-register)
Westfield’s native son, Charles Addams, was born on the second day of 1912. One week from today would have been his 114th birthday. This historical tour takes guests on a roughly 1.5 mile walk around the places Charles lived as well as local landmarks and locations that proved most inspirational to his life’s work. The tour includes the two houses he lived in during his younger years: his birth home on Summit and his teenage home on Elm St.
This is a walking tour. So, organizers suggest wearing comfortable shoes. Also, make sure you bundle up according to the weather that day. Currently, it looks like the weatherman predicts that to be a high of a crispy 33 degrees.
While it costs nothing to participate in this guided tour, you must pre-register in order to be included. You may register for up to two people at a time. Can’t make it to the guided tour on January 1st? That’s OK. Try the self-guided option instead.
Christmas may be over, but there are still a few days left to see the Winter WonderLights in New Brunswick. Come see thousands of twinkling lights set up all around the Middlesex County Fairgrounds from 5:30 pm to 10 pm every night between now and Sunday, December 28th. It costs just $45 per car to drive through this amazing display. Bring the family. Bring your friends. It’s a jolly good time for everyone.
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes
It’s hard to believe, but Christmas is less than a week away. One of the parts of this holiday season that I love best is seeing the beautiful twinkling lights on display around town. One of the best places to see millions of gorgeous nighttime Christmas lights is at the East Brunswick Winter WonderLights event going on right now.
What: East Brunswick Winter WonderLights 2025
Where: Middlesex County Fairgrounds (655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick)
When: Now through December 28th from 5:30 pm to 10 pm
Admission: $45 per car
Guests enjoy hundreds of thousands of lights on display from the cozy comfort of their cars at WonderLights. Fan favorites like the giant Christmas trees, a special tribute to our military men and women as well as our first responders, a 25-foot alien invasion set, and a 27-foot gingerbread house made entirely of lights return for this year’s event. Additionally, guests will be treated to several brand new displays as well as a huge 16-foot monitor showcasing classic holiday scenes in full color.
When you arrive at the fairgrounds, you will be directed to tune your car’s radio to a specific channel. All light displays feature music synchronized to the music on that channel. Depending on how busy the venue is, it typically takes about 15 to 20 minutes to drive through the entire venue.
Tickets cost $45 per vehicle. However, if you plan on coming back several times this season, you might want to consider an unlimited season pass. For $100, you get to come back as often as you want until the season ends on December 28th. Either purchase your tickets online here or get them at the gate when you arrive for the festivities. However, keep in mind that the season passes are in limited supply. So if you wait until you get the gate, you might miss your opportunity to take advantage of this discount.
I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves and to all who referred me to your family and friends!
View Homes for Sale in the Westfield Area
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes
We only have a couple of weeks left before Christmas. What’s on your list of presents this year? How about giving the gift of life by signing up to donate at the Westfield Community Blood Drive.
What: Westfield Community Blood Drive
Where: Westfield Memorial Library (550 E Broad St)
When: Tuesday, December 16th from noon to 6 pm
Contact: Genvieve, Coordinator, (732-672-5281)
New Jersey Blood Services comes to the Westfield Memorial Library next Tuesday. All eligible adults can donate blood between noon and 6 pm. However, you must make an appointment before you go. To do so, please visit the NYBC appointment site here. Choose between donating whole blood or double red cell and pick a time to donate.
Whole blood donation takes about an hour to donate one pint of blood. It then gets divided up into red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Double red cell donation takes about 80 minutes to donate two units of just your red blood cells. After the red blood cells are separated, your plasma and platelets get put back into your body. The higher volume allows you to save even more lives with the one donation. Plus, people tend to feel better afterward than those who donate whole blood.
The Sweets & Treats Walk takes place tomorrow (December 13th) at Eastman Clock Plaza. Make sure to purchase your ticket ahead of time. Then, meet up at the plaza at 1 pm. Once there, you will receive a map and treat container. The map lists the various businesses participating in the walk. Visit each stop shown on the map for a unique treat provided only by that particular business.
I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves and to all who referred me to your family and friends!
View Homes for Sale in the Westfield Area
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes
I certainly hope that everyone’s Thanksgiving went well. We only have three more weeks until Christmas. One of the fun holiday events planned in the Westfield area is the Downtown Cranford Sweets and Treats Walk.
What: Downtown Cranford Sweets and Treats Walk 2025
Where: Eastman Clock Plaza
When: Saturday, December 13th from 1 pm to 4 pm
Admission: $30 per person
Fourteen different downtown Cranford businesses plan on participating in the walk. First, purchase your ticket. Then, visit the walk. Upon check-in, guests receive their own container and a special map featuring all 14 of the businesses. Stop in at each one to collect entries. Each stop along the way includes specially made treats for the evening. So make sure you pick one of those up at each stop along the way. If you visit each shop during the walk, you will have a whole container full of goodies to take home with you.
Tickets cost $30 per person (+ service fee). Purchase your ticket only here. But you need to hurry. Spaces are limited and tickets sell out quickly.
For some weeknight fun, visit Venue 104 in Downtown Cranford on Thursday, December 11th. Organizers planned an afternoon of cocoa sipping and cookie decorating. For every $20 you spend between 4 pm and 7 pm on that date gets you one entry into the drawing for a $300 gift card.
Don’t forget. You still have plenty of time to enter the Westfield Miracle on Elm Street contest. First, grab your Christmas gift list. Then, head to Downtown Westfield. Pick up a postcard inside one of those businesses while you are shopping. Make sure to get it stamped by that business. After that, visit as many local shops as you wish. Stamp your postcard at each stop. Once it’s full, drop it into one of the designated red mailboxes located in the area. Organizers plan on holding one random drawing each week from the postcards received. Each weekly winner receives a $50 gift card to be used at the business who’s name is on the front of the postcard that gets drawn. Good luck!
I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves and to all who referred me to your family and friends!
View Homes for Sale in the Westfield Area
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes
I certainly hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday. Now it’s time to switch gears. We only have a few short weeks left until Christmas. While you’re out running around, checking off presents on your Christmas gift list, join in on the Westfield Miracle on Elm Street event. You just might bring home a gift all your own.
What: Westfield Miracle on Elm Street 2025
Where: Downtown Westfield Businesses
When: Now through January 5th, 2026
Dozens of local downtown businesses will be participating in the Miracle on Elm Street event this year. All you need to do to participate is pick up a special postcard from one of those businesses. Then, fill it out and drop it off at one of the designated red mailboxes located on Elm Street (either at Elm and Broad or South and Summit). One winner will be chosen from all entries each week. That winner receives a $50 gift card for the business listed on the postcard entry. Weekly drawings continue through January 5th. So, please visit often and feel free to pick up a card from each and every business you frequent. Good luck!
Do you avoid gift wrapping until the last minute because it feels tedious? Or do you doubt your wrapping skills? Forget about it. When you purchase a present from one of the downtown Westfield shops, bring it and proof of purchase to the gift wrapping station located at Heirloom x AHD (112 Elm St). Their expert “elves” wrap presents absolutely free of charge. Their station is only open from 12 pm to 4 pm on every Saturday and Sunday through December 21st.
Santa promises to show up for photos from 1 pm to 4 pm on December 6th, 13th, and 20th. Bring your pet to pose with the jolly old elf on December 13th. Each photo costs $10 and you will need to purchase tickets ahead of time.
I am grateful to all who entrusted me with your life-changing real estate moves and to all who referred me to your family and friends!
View Homes for Sale in the Westfield Area
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes
Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. That makes the Christmas season a little short this year. In fact, there are only 28 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. But the season officially kicks off with the Westfield Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
What: Westfield Tree Lighting Ceremony 2025
Where: North Side Train Station Parking Lot
When: Saturday, November 29th from 5 pm to 7 pm
Admission: FREE
Christmas season cannot officially begin until the City’s tree is lit. That takes place on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 29th). Simply make your way to the North Side train station anytime between 5 pm and 7 pm. Festivities start with a visit from Santa Claus. So make sure you bring your camera with you for this great photo-op. A DJ helps get everyone in the holiday spirit by spinning cheerful music. Fill up your bellies with delicious treats from local restaurants. The festivities end with the official lighting of the tree.
If you enjoy the tradition of creating and decorating a gingerbread house, then I have a contest for you! You still have time to enter the Scotch Plains Gingerbread House Contest. Registration ends on December 4th. You must be a resident of either Scotch Plains or Fanwood to enter. Every single part of the gingerbread house must be edible. That includes the foundation as well as the decorations. Only one entry per person.
If you wish to participate in this year’s holiday home decorating contest in Scotch Plains, you must register no later than December 5th. Your house must be decorated no later than December 7th. The public then votes for their favorites between December 12th and January 2nd. Winners will be announced after judging closes.
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes
Thanksgiving takes place late this year. We only have four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Scotch Plains has a few Christmastime events scheduled this year. One of the fun things you can do is the Scotch Plains Holiday Home Decorating Contest 2025.
What: Scotch Plains Holiday Home Decorating Contest 2025
Where: Neighborhood Homes
When: Starting December 7th
Contact: Scotch Plains Dept of Parks & Recreation (908-322-6700 x223)
If you enjoy decorating your home for the holidays, you might want to participate in the holiday home decorating contest in Scotch Plains. Registration is open now online at the Scotch Plains Community Pass website. It ends December 5th. Homes need to be decorated by December 7th. The public will be allowed to vote for their favorites between December 12th and January 2nd.
This time of year, the food pantries get inundated with requests from families. Our food pantries have trouble keeping up with requests. If you can afford to make an online donation to Community Food Bank of NJ, that would be great. They also plan on helping local community members who lost their SNAP benefits recently. So any donations will be well appreciated.
The Scotch Plains Recreation Department hosts a gingerbread house contest on December 7th. If you want to participate, you must be a resident of either Scotch Plains or Fanwood. You also need to be registered online by 4 pm on December 4th in order to be allowed to enter. All entries must be assembled and ready for judging by 1 pm on December 7th. Winners will be announced by the end of the day.
Scott Gleason, CRS at Coldwell Banker Westfield, NJ Luxury Homes