Brick Winter Fest 2026 at Windward Beach Park What to Know

Brick Winter Fest is a free holiday afternoon on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Avenue in Brick Township, with a Christmas tree lighting, a holiday market, a skating rink, a train ride and a visit from Santa Claus.

This is the first Winter Fest Brick has ever held. Brick Township put it on its own events calendar, and the township calls it the start of a new holiday tradition in town. Here's what's planned, where it is, and what's around the park.

What is Brick Winter Fest?

Winter Fest is a township holiday event hosted by Mayor Lisa Crate, the Township Council and the Brick Recreation Department. The township describes it as a way to kick off the holiday season in Brick.

It's a civic event, put on by the town itself. You don't need a ticket to get in, because admission is free.

When and where is Winter Fest in 2026?

Winter Fest runs on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It takes place at Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Avenue, Brick, NJ 08724.

The township's calendar listing is the official page for the event. Check the Brick Township calendar the week before for any updates.

What's happening at Winter Fest?

The township lists a full afternoon of things to do:

• Holiday Maker's Market. The market has unique, handcrafted gifts, so you can get a head start on holiday shopping.
• Holiday music. The township lists festive holiday music for the afternoon.
• A Christmas train. Guests can take a ride on the Christmas train.
• A skating rink. The rink has a synthetic surface instead of real ice, so you can skate on a December afternoon whatever the temperature.
• A Christmas tree lighting. The tree lighting is part of the day's holiday program.
• Santa Claus. Santa is making a special visit.

Local businesses that want to sponsor Winter Fest can call the number on the township's listing, 732-262-4781, to learn more.

What should you know before you go?

Dress for a December afternoon by the water. Windward Beach Park sits right on the river, and the event runs into the late afternoon.

The township's listing doesn't give a rain date or parking details. If the weather turns, the township calendar is the place to look for changes.

Bring a shopping list for the market. Handcrafted gifts are the focus there, and it's a chance to cross a few names off your list before the holiday rush.

What is Windward Beach Park like the rest of the year?

Windward Beach Park is one of Brick Township's own parks, on Princeton Avenue. The township lists playgrounds, volleyball nets, restrooms, fishing and crabbing piers, bocce courts, horseshoe pits, picnic tables and a gazebo there.

That gives you a reason to come back after December. The piers, the bocce courts and the gazebo are there in every season.

What are the streets and homes like around Windward Beach Park?

Windward Beach Park sits on the Metedeconk River, on the Princeton peninsula. Princeton Avenue runs from Route 88 out toward the water, and the park is along the way.

At the west end of Princeton Avenue is Cedarcroft, a small village with homes on the Metedeconk River and Beaver Dam Creek, plus a riverfront clubhouse, beach and boat slips. Most of the single-family homes in Cedarcroft were built between 1940 and 1969.

Across the South Branch of Beaver Dam Creek is Midstreams, a peninsula reached from Route 88 by Midstreams Road and Jordan Road. Most of its homes went up from the 1950s on, and lagoon streets sit alongside inland blocks. The Midstreams Road Bridge connects it to the Princeton peninsula. The township lists the average year built across Princeton-Midstreams as 1969.

Getting around is direct. Route 88 is the main road in, Garden State Parkway Exits 89, 90 and 91 serve Brick, and the township's three ocean beaches are on Route 35 North on the barrier island.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brick Winter Fest free?

Yes. Brick Township lists admission to Winter Fest as free.

What time does Brick Winter Fest start?

Winter Fest runs from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Where is Windward Beach Park?

Windward Beach Park is at 265 Princeton Avenue in Brick, NJ 08724, on the Metedeconk River.

Is there a tree lighting at Brick Winter Fest?

Yes. The township lists a Christmas tree lighting as part of the afternoon, along with a visit from Santa Claus.

Why Winter Fest matters for Brick

A first-year event says a lot about a town. Brick is putting a free afternoon on the calendar at one of its own riverside parks, and that's the kind of thing you won't see on a listing sheet. I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato, and I write these town blogs so you know what's going on in the places I sell homes.

Want to know more about the town before December? Start with my Brick Township town page, then read my roundup of date night spots in Brick.