Things To Do This Weekend in NJ December 10-12 – NJ Family
Make this weekend one to remember by heading out with the family for a show, some ice skating and a little holiday shopping. Book breakfast with Santa to get some face time with the Big Guy or check out a holiday light show that will get the little ones get in a festive mood. Be sure not to miss the amazing ice carving at Turtle Back Zoo and the holiday glow-up happening at Bergen County Zoo.
ALL WEEKEND
Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
Wednesday – Sunday
Experience the beauty of Newark at the winter village, a stylish open-air festival overlooking beautiful downtown Newark with curbside eats, ice skating and marketplace. Enjoy food and hot beverages from selective local businesses inside a cozy, heated private pod or igloo.
Battleship New Jersey Holiday Train Display
Battleship NJ, Camden
Saturday – Sunday
A new Holiday model train display will be available for guests to experience in the Wardroom from Saturday, Dec. 11 through Sunday Dec. 26. This display, courtesy of the South Jersey Garden Railroad Society (SJGRS), will be free to experience with a tour of the Battleship. The Battleship will be open for tours every day in December except for Christmas.
Christmas Con 2021
New Jersey Expo Center, Edison
Friday – Sunday
Check out this celebrity autograph convention and meet the stars from your favorite holiday movies! Be sure to check out storytime with Santa’s elves, Gingerbread Wars and an Ugly Sweater Showdown. There will be fun holiday-themed contests, a concert, Santa and more.
Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thursday – Sunday
Let it Glow is a symphony of vivid glowing colors to tease your eyes and dazzle the mind. Come and enjoy an enchanting stroll throughout the zoo. These larger-than-life lanterns are amazing in picture but stunning in person. With over 30 scenes, these hand-made artistic wonders are more breath-taking than the last.
Sea of Lights Indoor Holiday Lights Spectacular
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Point Pleasant
Friday- Saturday
Join us for the Holiday Lights Spectacular from 4-8pm each night (entertainment 5-8pm)! This winter wonderland includes treats, crafts, pictures with Santa, games, Diving Santa and Holiday Entertainment! The Aquarium, Sweet Shop, Aquarium Gift Shop, Pavilion & Pavilion Arcade will be open!
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Kelsey Theatre at MCCC, West Windsor
Friday – Sunday
The excitement and wonder of the long-awaited midnight visit by Santa Claus, made famous in Clement Moore’s beloved poem, is brought to the stage again by The Kelsey Players in a fun and enchanting musical perfect for even the littlest ones. Bring the whole family for this joyous Holiday Tradition.
Kick Off the Holiday Season with Santa
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Have a festive time at Terhune Orchards as you make a special family outing to choose the perfect Christmas tree and wreath. Warm up by the fire pits with hot chocolate, s’mores kits and mulled wine for the grownups. Bring home Decorate Your Own Holiday Cookie Kits for a fun winter’s day activity. Visit with Santa 12 pm-3 pm. Take a family photo or photo of your children at our special Holiday Winter Wonderland display.
Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch
Garlic Rose Bistro, Cranford
Saturday – Sunday
Get ready for Holiday Breakfast at Garlic Rose Bistro with Santa and the Grinch! The breakfasts will take place at 10 am and cost $15/adult and $9/child. If your family wants to attend, you must call Garlic Rose to make a reservation: 908-276-5749. This event is guaranteed to make some wonderful holiday memories!
FRIDAY
Rahway Winter Wonderland
Train Station Plaza, Rahway
Come on down for live jazz, fire pits, hot chocolate and giveaways. Decorate an ornament, see ice sculptures groove to a holiday DJ and take photos with Santa from 5-7pm in Arts District Park.
SATURDAY
Ice Carving at Turtle Back Zoo
Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Watch a block of ice transform into an ice sculpture before your eyes at the Carousel patio. Demonstrations take place during our Holiday Lights Spectacular event. Holiday Lights Admission is free. Bring donations of coats, toys and non-perishable foods for distribution to local organizations.
Community Day Winter Wonderland
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Step inside a Winter Wonderland for food, art, and festive fun! The transformed Museum Garden presents Hip-Hop performances, music and dance that celebrate holidays around the world. Local vendors Pure Joie Jewelry, Seme Body Butter, Spicegrove, Fern & Fossil, FLOW Brand, GT Artland, and AxV Beauty will be on-site to satisfy all your holiday shopping needs. Grab food from Hot Dog Lady and Tonnie’s Minis, and the first 300 people will receive a free treat from Tonnie’s Minis.
Small Explorers: Starry Skies
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
This month’s Small Explorers program will explore space! Join to explore space together through stories, pretend play and crafts. Small Explorers is a free program for children ages 5 and under and their families.
Brunch with Santa at Gigi and Mario
Gigi and Mario, Edgewater
The recently opened casual American Italian pizzeria and restaurant is celebrating the holidays with a special visit from Santa Claus from 11 am – 2 pm. Bring the kids to Gigi and Mario and surprise them with a Santa Claus visit and a free photo to be cherished for years to come.
Flounder’s Kringle Market
Flounder Brewing, Hillsborough
Join to enjoy 35+ craft vendors & food. There will be beer, wine, Christmas trees & wreaths for sale. The event benefits Steps Together.
5th Annual Cookie Walk
Grace United Methodist Church, Wyckoff
No time to bake with the kids? Come to Grace Church on Saturday from 10 am to noon for the annual Cookie Walk. Select your favorites from a huge assortment of homemade cookies and customize your box for $10/pound.
Holiday Drop-In Crafts
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education, Madison
Join METC and BAR for holiday drop-in crafts. Participants with the help from the artists of BAR, will cycle through three stations creating a variety of giftable paper crafts such as small accordion books with pockets, origami envelopes, and gift & gratitude tags to take home and share with their families during the holiday season! Pre-registration is recommended as supplies are limited.
Holiday TikToks
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island
Dancer Kiara Caesar will host a dance workshop on how to create viral family hits for the holidays on the social media platform TikTok. The workshop will have four 30-minute sessions and will take place inside the Staten Island Children’s Museum.
A Mostly Motown Holiday Concert
Madison Community Arts Center, Madison
Everyone is invited to share in the fun as A Mostly Motown Holiday Concert with Rhonda Denet and the Silver Fox Songs Trio salutes the holidays with music made famous by Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5 among others. Vocalist and songwriter Rhonda Denet has been called “exceptional” and “amazing” and we know that you will agree. This talented ensemble will have you singing and dancing in the aisles.
SUNDAY
Hot Chocolate, Cookies and Alpacas!
Hidden Brook Ranch Alpacas, Blairstown
Join for hot chocolate, design your holiday alpaca and llama cookies while in the company of the ranch’s festive herd. Advance tickets required. Admission includes, hot chocolate, cookie design palette and an opportunity to meet the herd.
A Winter Holiday Family Festival
Rowan University, Glassboro
Join the College of Performing Arts at Rowan University in celebrating the season with performances and fun for all ages, featuring a Rowan Youth Orchestra trio, the Rowan University Wind Ensemble, chamber choir, a Community Music School guest vocalist, Dance Extensions and more.
Teen Hike and Campfire
New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, Ringwood
Sr. Educator Sarah Crosby will lead teens (and tweens) on a fun hike along the late fall forest, then we’ll head back to have a cozy campfire to socialize and of course roast some marshmallows. Ages 11-16, bring a flashlight.
ONGOING
Festival of Trees
Morven Museum, Princeton
Friday – Sunday
Visit Morven for the time-honored holiday exhibition, Festival of Trees. Enjoy the juried collection of ornamental trees and mantels displayed throughout the museum’s galleries, sure to put you in the spirit of the season.
Newport Skates
Newport Skates, Jersey City
Newport Skates, Jersey City’s only outdoor ice skating rink, is open for the 2021-2022 season. Skaters can once again enjoy beautiful views of the New York City skyline while zipping around the rink. Online ticketing is available through the Newport Skates website.
The Polar Express Whippany
1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany
Friday – Sunday
All aboard The Polar Express! Experience the magic of The Polar Express as you take a one-hour trip to the North Pole with the whole family. Experience the sights and sounds of the family-favorite movie while enjoying hot chocolate, Walker’s Shortbread, storytime and a silver sleigh bell surprise.
Christmas Light Spectacular
Allaire Community Farm, Wall Twp.
Friday – Sunday
Spend the evening with family and friends, under the wonder of the twinkling light display around the farm, as seen from our holiday hay wagon. Hayrides leave promptly according to ticket time. Please allow extra time in arriving.
Holiday in the Park
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Friday – Sunday
Take a ride on your favorite Six Flags rides surrounded by glittering lights. There will be shows, rides, food and even a Wine Fest for the adults. The Drive-Thru Experience starts November 15, so get ready for a ride full of holiday cheer and explore the magic of the season.
Holiday Light Spectacular
Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Friday – Sunday
Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. Celebrate the season of giving by bringing donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats.
Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
Friday – Sunday
This spectacular Holiday Light Show features more than 3 million lights illuminating acres of farmland. Encounter whimsical displays and familiar characters as you drive through in the comfort of your own car or enjoy the show on an open-air wagon ride (weather permitting).
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
DiDonato Family Fun Center, Hammonton
Friday-Sunday
Take a train ride through millions of Christmas lights, meet and greet Santa and his elves in his workshop. Hear stories and take photos with Mrs. Claus. The event culminates with a present from Santa.