Event Details
Experience the magic of the season at the 40th Annual Christmas in Island Heights, featuring a festive House Tour and a Holiday Craft Fair. This beloved community tradition offers a unique opportunity to explore beautiful homes and shop for unique gifts while supporting the Island Heights United Methodist Church.
Appearing on the tour are six holiday-dressed homes in the quaint town of Island Heights, a historic riverside community and former Methodist Camp Meeting Ground. Known for its Victorian architecture, Island Heights offers an eclectic mix of old and new, and visitors will view a unique sampling on Tour Day. In addition, the Ocean County Artists Guild, once a historic Victorian home, will be open to showcase art of local artists and is a fine example of the architecture of the town in the late 1800’s.
Highlights include several impeccably restored Victorian mansions situated directly on the Toms River waterfront with impressive views, a newly expanded home built in 1900 with both historic charm and modern function, a charming coastal cottage circa 1898, and a stylish newer home with fabulous views of Barnegat Bay.
The Holiday Craft Show will be held at the Island Heights Elementary School (115 Summit Avenue, Lake Avenue entrance). Ticket holders will also have access to a bake sale and holiday crafts at the church (111 Ocean Avenue). Guests can participate in a free drawing at the Craft Show on tour day for the chance to win a Christmas collectible.
Breakfast is available at the Church from 8:00 a.m.to 10:30 a.m. ($7 adults, $5 children), and guests can enjoy hot beverages and homemade sweets in one of two private homes set up as tearooms from 1:00 pm to 4:00 p.m. for $5. For a nominal fee, lunch will be served at the church from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will include homemade Methodist Minestrone soup, sandwiches, and desserts.
On tour day, other Island Heights points of interest will open their doors, including the Island Heights Branch of the Ocean County Library, the Ludlow Thorston Art Gallery, The John F. Peto Studio Museum, and the Island Heights Cultural and Heritage Association’s Cottage Museum.Don’t forget to stop in to see the beautiful sanctuary of the Island Heights United Methodist Church, decorated for the season.