The holiday season is upon us! Go to a holiday lights drive-thru, start shopping at a Christmas market, take a historical tour or head to a wine fest. Events are subject to change so check the event website before heading out.
WEEKEND
Spooky Stories by Candlelight
Zoom presentation by Montclair History Center
Thursday
If you have a spooky ghost story to tell, you can share it in advance and it may be included in the presentation. MHC Collections Manager Erin Benz will tell ghastly tales from Montclair’s history while weaving in some history of the ghosts, ghouls and all things spooky.
The Sound of Music
The Levoy Theatre, Millville
Thursday – Sunday
A meet-and-greet will be held after the shows in the mezzanine lobby.
Winter Fest
Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn, Lambertville
Saturday – Sunday
Come for food, live music, specialty vendors and drinks during this holiday celebration.
St. Andrew the Apostle Christmas Bazaar
St. Andrew the Apostle Church, Gibbsboro
Saturday – Sunday
There will be craft vendors, artisans and prizes.
Food Truck Festival Season
Saturday – Sunday
Select Saturdays and Sundays, through November 19
Each weekend will have a different theme with food trucks to match, plus a glass of wine or two. There will be family activities, too.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Pitman
Saturday – Sunday
This musical stage play is based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and the popular Disney film.
FRIDAY
Santa’s Arrival
Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville
Right after Santa arrives, there will be a lighting ceremony for the 24-foot-tall Christmas tree. He’ll be available for family photos through Dec. 24.
Taylor Swift’s ERAS Tour Projects
The Paint Party Studio, Flemington
Choose from a variety of images of Tay-Tay’s face, the concert logo or a concert ticket stub, and you’ll make your own framed sign.
When You Wish Upon A Star: A Jazz Tribute to 100 Years of Disney
NJPAC, Newark
Celebrate 100 years of Disney through jazz, produced by the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
LeAnn Rimes: The Story … So Far Tour
BergenPAC, Englewood
The country-pop singer will be joined on stage by opener Allison Strong, who is an NJ native.
Movie Night
Five Stars Swim School, Eatontown
Bring your kids with their sleeping bags or blankets for a night of fun as they watch the movie “Luca.” They will get pizza, snacks and drinks. Before the movie starts, they’ll get to swim for an hour.
Choir! Choir! Choir!
The Newton Theatre, Newton
Sing along to the greatest songs of the ’80s by the greatest stars of the ’80s, like Prince, Madonna and George Michael to Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston and Journey.
New Jersey Ballet: A Night On The Town
Mayo Performing Art Center, Morristown
Choreographed in 1944, this is an adaptation of the ballet “On The Town” with the concept of sailors on shore leave in New York City.
Early Evening Wildlife Walk
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
November 17 is National Hiking Day, so join an evening hike as you look for signs of wildlife prepping for the upcoming winter season at the Preserve.
SATURDAY
Night Forms
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
Grounds for Sculpture Members will have special nighttime access to the art and horticulture throughout the sculpture park, which will be illuminated in an immersive experience. The exhibit opens to the general public on November 24.
North Brunswick Woman’s Club Vendor & Craft Show
North Brunswick Senior Center, North Brunswick
Get your holiday shopping started as you browse through dozens of crafters and vendors.
Wreathmaking Workshops
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Learn how to assemble and decorate wreaths using a variety of fresh and dried materials. You’ll get to take a wreath home to decorate for the holidays.
History Walk: Heritage Trail
Roebling Museum, Roebling
Join the group as they walk along the Delaware River Heritage Trail to explore the history of the former steel mill and the lives of the company town’s residents who once called this place home. It will be a unique blend of history and nature.
The Willow School Holiday Bazaar
The Willow School, Gladstone
The bazaar supports local artisans and makers whose crafted, handmade and unique products are made from natural and organic materials. Some of the items for sale include décor, pottery, handbags, artwork, skin care products, gourmet food, and more.
Logging & Firewood Cutting
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
While farmers use horses to skid saw logs out of the woods and haul firewood to the sap house in preparation for maple sugaring season, you and the kids can cut and chop firewood, and split locust logs into fence rails. Blacksmith Daniel Lapidow will be working in the forge, shaping wrought iron into harness hooks, gate hinges, and other hardware needed on the farm. Kids can make their own suet birdfeeder to take home.
Mercer County Ropes Course
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
The ropes course contains 12 “challenges” or elements, including the Zigzag, Swinging Logs, and the Postman’s Walk. You’ll have to use balance, focus and teamwork skills to get across. There is also a zipline. The course is open to kids and adults 12 and older.
Village Con! Collectibles Festival
Fanwood Hall, Whiting
Check out tons of comic books, trading cards, TV and movies, vendors, artists, writers, creators and crafts. Meet Actress Sharon Smyth Lentz who played “Little Sarah” (Barnaby Collins’ sister) on the hit TV series “Dark Shadows.” There will be horror actress and well known “Scream Queen” Genoveva Rossi, whose latest work is “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” as well as the Gravesend Series. There will be cosplayers (costume groups) like the 501st Star Wars Legion, Mandalorians, and independent cosplayers as well for interactive activities and photo ops. There will be a contest for best cosplayer.
Foreigners Journey
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center, Carteret
Constantine Maroulis, of Broadway’s Rock of Ages and American Idol, is part of this repertoire of classics hits by Foreigner and Journey.
Hometown History Bus Tour
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
This two-hour bus ride gives you a fast-paced ride through Montclair’s history, looking at its architecture, businesses and people.
Friendsgiving Dinner and Tea Party
The Mathis House, Toms River
Bring your family and friends – and your favorite memories of the “Friends” TV show – to share as Chef Paul and Chef Bill prepare a pre-Thanksgiving meal.
Community Baby Shower
Phillipsburg Early Childhood Learning Center, Phillipsburg
New and expectant mothers, or anyone planning to become pregnant soon, can also bring partners and siblings to the party. There will be lunch, food distribution, raffles, kids’ activities, health resources, and assistance with insurance enrollment.
Christmas Open House
Gasko’s Family Farm, Monroe Twp.
Santa will arrive by firetruck, and then there will be lots of activities for kids.
Family Volunteer Day
Moorestown Mall, Moorestown
Kids and adults will learn valuable skills, make new friends, and have fun while making a difference for local nonprofits and organizations.
Tree Lighting Spectacular
Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, Tinton Falls
There will be special performances by Animated Movement and Applaud Our Kids Foundation. Elsa and Ana from Disney’s Frozen will make a special appearance. Santa will make his grand entrance straight from the North Pole on a horse-drawn sleigh. There will be complimentary hot chocolate, arts & crafts, face painting and entertainment provided by AJH Entertainment.
The Okee Dokee Brothers
Berrie Center for the Arts, Mahwah
Joe and Justin record and perform family music with the goal to inspire children and their parents to get creative.
Holiday Event
IBEW Local 400, Wall Twp.
Rami’s Heart Covid-19 Memorial will host its third annual event in the spirit of the holidays while remembering our loved ones. There will be food, raffles, a visit from Santa and lots of shopping. Hang an ornament on a holiday tree in honor of your loved one. Candles will be lit in remembrance.
Over the Bridge Hike
Hunterdon County Arboretum, Lebanon
Hike the Outer Loop Trail, winding through the display gardens, along the wetland boardwalk, and through the pine grove on the far side of the property. Then the group will take the tunnel under the highway and the bridge over Prescott Brook to Echo Hill. You will hike a second loop around Echo Hill, which will pass through fields and hardwood forests.
Aerial Adventure Park Night Climb
Great Gorge Golf Club, Vernon
Night climbs give you three hours of access to the 10 original aerial obstacle courses, plus the new zipline course, The Black Creek Flyer. You can spend the night climbing, zipping, scrambling and scampering through the trees. Stop for something to eat or sit by the fire to relax before heading up again. This is the last weekend for 2023.
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
During a quiet morning at the sanctuary, walk the trails with an NJ Audubon staff member or associate naturalist and learn about the birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians that you come across.
Jersey City Wine Fest
Harborside Atrium, Jersey City
Your ticket gets you samples of wine all night, plus views of the NYC skyline and access to the food vendors. You can buy a designated driver ticket to enjoy the festival sans drinking, but you still must be 21 to attend.
Harlem Wizards
RWJBarnabas Health Arena, Toms River
Players from the Harlem Wizards will play ball against Team Sario. Expect slam dunks and eye-popping hoops tricks.
SUNDAY
Jinglefest Craft Show
Wayne Hills High School, Wayne
A hundred exhibitors will be set up in the gym and café selling holiday decor, denim jackets, chocolates, fused glass, art, handcrafted pillows and totes, knitted scarves and hats, candles, flower boxes, birdhouses, charcuterie boards and more. Stands selling kettle korn and homemade pickles will be set up outside. A breakfast and lunch menu will be available.
Swedish Traditional Christmas Fair
Commonwealth Club, Upper Montclair
Swedish handicrafts like handmade Christmas decorations, linen and wooden items, plus a variety of cheese, herring and other Swedish delicacies, as well as home-baked goods (bread, cookies, and cakes), will be available for you to buy. Glögg, a typical Swedish spiced holiday drink, will be served. A highlight of the fair is the beautiful Lucia pageant and her choir singing, which is a unique Swedish tradition.
Finger-Knit Chunky Blanket Making Workshop
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Learn how to make a cozy and stylish blanket in this beginner-friendly class. You will also learn about how to choose the right yarn for your blanket.
Holiday Craft Show
Wayne PAL Building, Wayne
Get started on your holiday shopping. The monthly flea market will have holiday items for sale this weekend.
Dinner and Comedy Show
Stress Factory Comedy Club, New Brunswick
All proceeds benefit the Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation, which assists victims and survivors of domestic violence.
Retreat to Victory
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Travel back to November 20, 1776, and witness George Washington and General Greene on horseback as they lead the evacuating American troops across The Bridge that Saved a Nation to escape the invading British army and defend the New Bridge from the King’s forces. Bergen County Historical Society Volunteer Coordinator Kate Reilly will give a tour of the New Bridge, explaining how imperative it was for Washington to cross the Hackensack before he could cross the Delaware. Reenactors will be on site throughout the day performing military drills and talking about military life in the American Revolution.
Guided House Tour: Eyewitness to Black History
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey through rare firsthand accounts, and primary and secondary source documents. Artifacts include a bill of sale for an enslaved person in the household, an 1800s newspaper, census data, personal letters, oral histories, and mid-century Jet and Ebony magazines.
ONGOING
Makerspace Saturday
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
First Saturday of every month
Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly project or for something creative to do after spending time at the museum, drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in a new collaborative workspace geared toward kids ages 5 -12. Kids will build with LEGOs, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, March – December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Tours of Crane House & Historic YWCA
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Wayne PAL Antique Collectibles Show and Vintage Flea Market
Wayne PAL Athletic League Complex, Wayne
First Sunday of every month, through April
The show features over 150 vendor tables in two large rooms and the front lobby where you can find vintage and sterling jewelry, glassware and Lenox, toys and trains, antique and collectible dolls and action figures, vintage postcards and photos and artwork, military, political and sports memorabilia including cards, magazines and newspapers, vintage coins and watches, classic rock CDs and more.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, March – December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Festival of Trees
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, November 15 – January 7, 2024
Take your time walking through the museum’s elegant galleries, where Christmas trees, mantels and porches will be decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs and non-profit organizations.
A Visit to Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Fridays – Sundays, November 17 – December 24
Take a guided journey through a gingerbread wonderland where you will help Mrs. Claus with her holiday baking. You’ll be given an activity sheet to explore her garden, where candy canes and surprises are around every corner. Shop the baked goods at DiLena’s Dolcini bakery. As a bonus, if you book a Sunday ticket, you’ll get an exclusive offer from one of Westfield Garden State Plaza’s onsite restaurants to use for dining-in on any Sunday during December.
Ridgewood Holiday Market
16 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood
Fridays – Sundays, November 17 – December 24
The Ridgewood Guild, Femmebot and True Ascend curated the first-ever holiday market in Downtown Ridgewood. Shop and support small businesses and vendors selling jewelry, clothes, crystals and more. Santa will be available for photos on the December dates.
Christmas Village
LOVE Park, City Halls Courtyard and North Broad, Philadelphia, PA
November 17 – December 24
You’ll feel like you’re in Germany instead of Pennsylvania as local and international vendors set up in traditional wooden booths, offering holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and high-quality arts and crafts.
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Select nights, November 17-December 31
Take a winter stroll through the zoo under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. On select nights there will be visits with Santa, ice sculpture demos, Grinch Weekend and Princess Weekend.
Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
Select nights, November 17 – January 1, 2024
Walk through a trail of 1 million lights that decorate the grounds of the garden, and listen as they dance to songs by Taylor Swift, Elton John, Mos Def and more.
Holiday Lights at The Bronx Zoo
Bronx Zoo, The Bronx, NY
Select nights, November 17 – January 7, 2024
The zoo comes to life at night with immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns and animated light shows. This year, there will be new lantern displays showcasing the wildlife of New York’s ocean waters and wetlands, plus a new interactive experience celebrating bioluminescent creatures.
A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Select dates, November 17 – January 7, 2024
The theme park will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, rides, decorations, and entertainment and activities. A
music and light show takes place at the 30-foot 1-2-3 Christmas Tree. There is a Sesame Street Christmas Parade with floats and performances. Santa’s Grand Illumination and Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration will be in addition to special celebrations for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, plus New Year’s Eve fireworks to close out 2023.
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Select dates, November 17 – January 7, 2024
The beautiful landscape includes 1,100 acres of flowers, plants and trees. The 2023 theme is retro, with a nostalgic feel and throwback decorations to your favorite toys as a child. Everywhere you look, inside and outside, will be decorated for the season with bright lights and glittery tinsel.
Off the Wall Holiday Market
West Windsor Arts, Princeton Junction
Select dates, November 18 – December 18
Work will be original and handcrafted by the artist. The focus is on the maker: their story, what makes their process unique, the history of their craft, their sustainable practices, and any other aspect of their business that helps customers understand who they are.
Winery Visit
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday-Sunday, November 18 – December 30
Weather permitting, walk through the historic apple orchard. During cooler weather, seating is inside the wine barn with fire pits, outdoor heaters, and hot mulled wine. Tasting flights of Terhune wines to sample are available for adults. All ages can have fun with s’mores and hot cocoa kits. The Barn Door Café will sell lunch, while cheese plates and chips & salsa baskets are available at the winery. Live music will be on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Sensory Sundays
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Sundays, November 19 and December 17
This new program is part of the aquarium’s commitment to creating an inclusive, entertaining and educational experience for all guests, including anyone with autism or sensory sensitivities. There will be lower music and lighting as well as limited capacity.
Family Fun Football Sundays
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Sundays, through November 19
Sundays, November 26 – December 17
While the adults are watching NFL games, the kids can play in the arcade, get their face painted and meet special costumed characters.
Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Select dates, November 22 – December 30
The 10th annual winter extravaganza includes a mile-long drive-thru course of magical displays of light, featuring everything from fully enclosed light tunnels and a majestic wreath arch to whimsical scenes of bears skating, dancing trees and more. After the drive, pull up to the Christmas Village, where you and your family can shop, eat, take a photo with Santa and make s’mores. Double S Smokehouse will cook BBQ. After dinner, stop by the Ice Cream Shop and Hot Chocolate Bar (where there will also be Irish cream, Sambuca and other liquors for adults).
Formula 1 at RPM Raceway
RPM Raceway, Jersey City
Through November 26
If you want in on the action, jump in an electric go-kart and race against time while virtually challenging famous Formula 1 racers’ scores and striving to outpace their legendary lap times. You can play in the arcade, at its state-of-the-art racing simulators, billiards, bowling alley and Hologate Virtual Reality center. If you want to sit on the sidelines, have lunch at RPM Sports Bar & Grill and watch F1 races in real time on larger-than-life screens throughout the venue.
Hopatcong Sunday Market & Craft Fair
Park & Ride, Hopatcong
Sundays, through November 26
Each week, bring the kids and shop from a variety of food, produce and craft vendors.
Diggerfest
Diggerland USA, West Berlin
Saturdays-Sundays, through November 26
Diggerland’s Fall Festival includes live music, special foods, hay rides, Circus Stella, fun and games, fire truck rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, a pipe roll, a corn maze, photo stands, fire pits and a fall parade.
Xiomáro’s Street Haunting: Photographs Virginia Woolf Might Have Taken
Starlight Gallery of the Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Through November 28
The artistic roots of street photography can be traced as far back as da Vinci’s street sketches. For Xiomaro, New York City is a source for creating candid photographs of dramatic, weird, and ghostly moments – while not using Photoshop, filters, or other manipulations. There are 16 large prints on view in this exhibition.
Counterpoint: Artists From The Arts Access Program at Matheny
The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
Through December 8
For more than 25 years, The Matheny Arts Access Program has been empowering artists with disabilities to create art without limits. This gallery will showcase some of their work.
Kendra: A Celebration of Work by Contemporary Indo-American Artists
The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
Through December 8
Artists of all genres from the South Asian diaspora can participate and showcase their art and highlight the rich tradition of their native land through a contemporary art exhibition.
Off The Wall Holiday Market
West Windsor Arts Council, Princeton Junction
Select dates, through December 23
There will be more than 100 works of art and craft items at this holiday fair, which is part artisan market, part affordable art show, and part juried art exhibit.
The Village at Anne Ellen Holiday Lights Display
Anne Ellen Tree Farm, Manalapan
Wednesdays-Sundays, through December 30
You’ll be surrounded by over 100,000 Christmas lights as you take the hayride from the farm market down to the holiday lights display. Visit Santa’s house, the train room, the life-sized igloo, the gingerbread house, the old school tree lot, the wall of lights, the post office, the cherry blossom field, and the maple sugar shack. There’s a shooting range where you can take aim at holiday-themed targets using Orbeez ammunition. New for this year is Santa’s Coal Mine, where you’ll enter the mine’s tunnels to see the coal that fuels Santa’s sleigh – and is the same coal reserved for those on Santa’s naughty list. Also new is the Candy Cane Factory, where you’ll see the elves on the machines hard at work.
Big Apple Circus: Journey to the Rainbow
Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, New York, NY
Through January 1, 2024
More than 30 artists from all over the world will perform in costumes specially designed for the show, and there will be a live orchestra of eight musicians.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park at the West Side of City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
Through January 1, 2024
Celebrate the holiday season with more than 50 local vendors from Philadelphia and the tri-state area.
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Bernville, PA
Through January 1, 2024
Situated on a farm in the middle of Berks County, PA, are acres of land and barns that are decorated for Christmas. Walk along guided paths to see the train sets, storyboards, huge inflatables, Christmas scenes and Ferris wheel. There are beautifully decorated gift shops and snack shops where you can admire the scenery while warming up.
The Candy Cottage of Christmas Magic
Rockefeller Center, New York, NY
Through January 2, 2024
Start inside the trunk of a giant Christmas tree during this immersive experience, and then you’ll be given a map to scurry around Rockefeller Plaza looking for the ingredients for Christmas magic. When you’re done, head back to the cottage for a sweet treat that includes a personalized message.
Winter Lantern Festival
American Dream, East Rutherford
Thursdays – Sundays, through January 2
More than 1,000 handcrafted Chinese lanterns and lights will be on display. The lanterns are made with hand-painted silk cloth and LED lights. There will be gorgeous displays of Chinese myths, legends and zodiac-inspired lanterns designed as an animal kingdom, a sea world and a theme park. Look for mammoths, polar bears, penguins, and a 50-foot-tall lantern display of Sun Wukong. You can also make your own lantern and dress up in traditional Chinese attire. The exhibit is open from Thursdays to Sundays.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York, NY
Holiday shops open through January 2
The Rink and The Lodge, open through March 3
The rink is the largest, free ice skating rink in New York. You can relax at The Lodge, where you can eat and drink while watching skaters from the rinkside or overlooking the gigantic Christmas tree. The Holiday Shops by Urbanspace Markets is another huge draw and boasts more than 180 new and returning merchants in an open-air holiday market.
Threading Memories
Art@Bainbridge, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton
Through January 7
Korean-born artist MiKyoung Lee hosts her first solo museum exhibition. The exhibition features richly textured large-scale sculptures and wall-mounted works and explores themes of domesticity, family ties, and how we process memory and experience.
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Through March 2024
The famous ice-skating rink returns to Rockefeller Center in NYC for its 87th season. While you’re watching the skating, or when you need to take a break from the ice, you can warm up inside the special skate chalets on the South Esplanade. This year will be the first time you can enjoy alcoholic beverages in the chalets, with a soon-to-be-announced menu of drinks by Other Half Brewery, served alongside a menu of après-skate bites. Skating runs through March but the chalets will be rentable from November 4 to January 14, 2024. Details on Family and Kids Day and opportunities to take photos with Santa will be announced.
Newport Skates
Jersey City
Through March 15, 2024
JC’s only outdoor ice skating rink is not only available for open skate but for lessons and parties, too.
Roosevelt Park Family Skating Rink
Roosevelt Park, Edison
Through March 31, 2024
There is open skating as well as skating lessons.
The Science Behind Pixar
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 5, 2024
Learn all about the science behind Pixar’s animated films. Kids can try a bunch of hands-on experiences like making a short film, creating a robot friend for “WALL·E” and designing a new movie set using props from “Monsters University.” Learn what animation rendering is, then practice it by rendering a scene from “Inside Out.” Create a digital sculpture from an artist’s sketch. Use lights to solve challenges similar to the ones Pixar faced in creating underwater scenes with virtual light in “Finding Nemo.”
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