The day after Thanksgiving, Summit turns a downtown parking lot into an ice rink. Miracle on Elm Street, the city's holiday kickoff, runs Friday, November 27 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. on the Elm Street parking lot and the Village Green, and it is free, skates included.

What happens when

  • 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Ice skating in the Elm Street lot, in sessions that start every half hour. Skates are provided at no charge.
  • All afternoon: Bonfires, hot drinks and cookie decorating, with music and entertainment on the main stage on the Village Green.
  • Late afternoon: Santa arrives with an escort from the Summit Fire Department and heads to the Village Green.
  • 5 p.m.: Mayor Fagan lights the city tree on the Village Green, and Santa poses for photos afterward.

No registration is needed. The event is run by the City of Summit and sponsored by the Summit PAL.

Where to go

The Village Green is at 356 Broad Street, across from City Hall, and the Elm Street lot sits beside it. Summit station, on NJ Transit's Morris and Essex Lines, is a short walk away through the downtown, which makes the train an option for families coming from Short Hills, Millburn, Chatham or Madison. The city has not published parking guidance for the day, and downtown lots fill on a holiday Friday, so walking or the train is the simpler choice for anyone nearby.

Skating sessions run on the half hour, so arriving early in the afternoon gives the widest choice of times. Dress for a parking lot in late November: the bonfires help, but the rink is outdoors and gets colder as the light goes.

The rest of Thanksgiving week in Summit

Miracle on Elm Street caps a week of free community events from the city:

  • Community Thanksgiving meal, Thursday, November 26, noon to 2 p.m. A catered meal at the Summit Community Center, 100 Morris Avenue, with open gym, a family movie, and arts and crafts. It is free and open to everyone, with no pre-registration. Seniors and residents with disabilities can arrange a ride by calling 908-277-2932 or emailing dguidajr@cityofsummit.org.
  • Summit Farmers Market, Sundays through December 20, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Run by Summit Downtown, Inc. in the lot at the corner of DeForest and Woodland avenues.
  • Toys for Tots drive, through December 15. Hosted by the Summit PBA Local 55 and FMBA Local 54.

More information

Questions about Miracle on Elm Street go to the Summit Department of Community Programs at 908-277-2932, and updates are posted at summitcommunityprograms.com and on the city's calendar.

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