Township Tree Lighting Tonight at 6 p.m.

The spruce is strung up with lights, but they won’t be turned on for another couple hours.

Toms River’s annual tree lighting (at 6 p.m. today) has used the tree in the esplanade outside town hall for as long as there has been a tree lighting, said Town Clerk Mark Mutter.

Toms River Parks and Recreation staff need a lift to drape the evergreen with its strands of lights. There’s also a trolley track to lay, microphones to set up, and hot chocolate to brew.

Toms River Fire Co. No. 1 will be helping Santa arrive by firetruck, said Carl Weingroff, of the department.

The volunteer fire company will be offering pictures with Santa as a fundraiser for the firehouse, he said. “This is the second year pictures will be emailed to folks. It’s worked out pretty well,” Weingroff said, compared to providing a print of a smiling picture with Old Saint Nick. The fire company is also selling hot chocolate as part of its fundraiser.

Just a few doors down Washington Street, the is in the holiday spirit with Christmas movies leading up to the big countdown to the tree lighting.

The Traco will open its doors between 4:30 to 6 p.m. to view Christmas films for free to children and parents who are downtown in Toms River to see the Christmas tree lighting later in the evening. Then, at 7 p.m. come back to the Traco for the opening of this week's film "Margin Call.” Tickets are $10.