Festival of Lights at Newton Medical Center Returns November 14, 2026 With Tree Lighting and Fireworks

The 35th annual C. Edward McCracken Festival of Lights returns to Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center, 175 High Street in Newton, on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Presented by the Newton Medical Center Foundation, the evening opens with a community reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and fireworks at 5:30 p.m.

For many families in Newton and the surrounding towns, this is the night the holiday season officially starts. The foundation describes it as a festive, heartwarming event where the hospital community gathers to usher in the holidays, and the sight of the campus trees lighting up all at once, capped by fireworks over High Street, is one our team looks forward to every November.

2026 Festival of Lights Schedule

The foundation’s official 2026 event listing lays out a short, easy evening that works well with kids:

• 4:30 p.m.: Community reception
• 5:30 p.m.: Tree lighting and fireworks

The listing runs the event from 4:30 to 6 p.m., so it wraps up early enough for dinner in town afterward. Mid-November evenings in Sussex County get cold quickly once the sun goes down, so bring hats, gloves and an extra layer for the outdoor portion.

What to Expect

Photo: Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center Foundation.

The heart of the night is the moment the trees across the hospital campus light up together, followed by a fireworks display. It is a simple, feel-good tradition that brings neighbors, hospital staff and families out together before the holiday rush begins.

The Festival of Lights is also one of the foundation’s community fundraisers. Through the event page, you can register to attend and sign up for one of the sponsorship opportunities, including ways to honor loved ones as part of the celebration.

2026 Honorees: The Romano Family

This year’s festival honors the Dominick V. and Kathryn P. Romano family for their long commitment to Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center and the wider community. According to the Newton Medical Center Foundation, the Romano family supports more than 300 organizations and individuals in need each year through monetary and product donations.

The foundation notes that the family’s ShopRite store teams have raised more than $2.2 million for local food pantries through ShopRite’s Partners in Caring program. The family also partners with local radio stations and the Sussex County Social Services Food Pantry on annual Stuff the Bus food drives in the summer and around Thanksgiving, sponsors community blood drives, and backs the annual Pat Romano Sr. Golf Classic, which raises more than $380,000 each year for the SCARC Foundation.

Jo-Ellen McCracken Hazan, a foundation board member and co-chair of the planning committee, said the family’s “thoughtful stewardship and vision have left a lasting impact on the hospital’s ability to meet the community’s evolving healthcare needs.”

Make a Night of It in Newton

The hospital sits just a few minutes from downtown Newton, so it is easy to pair the tree lighting with dinner in town. Our guide to things to do in Newton, NJ has ideas for before or after. If your family is collecting holiday light outings this year, the Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show in Augusta opens a week later, on November 21.

Festival of Lights at a Glance

• What: 35th Annual C. Edward McCracken Festival of Lights, with a community reception, tree lighting and fireworks
• When: Saturday, November 14, 2026; reception 4:30 p.m., tree lighting and fireworks 5:30 p.m.
• Where: Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center, 175 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860
• Presented by: Newton Medical Center Foundation
• Register or sponsor: Festival of Lights event page

Featured photo: The main entrance of Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center in Newton. Photo: Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center via Google Business Profile.