The holiday season is here and there are so many things to do! We’ve put together a list of family-friendly happenings that everyone can enjoy.
• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Party – Applegate Farm Ice Cream (616 Grove Street, Montclair): On Thursday, December 1 at 7:00 PM, Applegate Farm Ice Cream will host their first Christmas tree lighting ceremony featuring music from a brass quartet from Montclair Orchestra, carolers, a DJ, reindeer, and ice carving. This event is free to attend. Refreshments and photos with Santa are available for purchase. Santa Weekends will continue through December 18.
• Elf the Musical – State Theatre New Jersey (15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick): Catch this modern Christmas classic about a human who grows up thinking he’s an elf. Performances will be held on Friday, December 2 (7:30 PM), Saturday, December 3 (2:00 PM and 7:30 PM), or Sunday, December 4 (1:00 PM and 6:00 PM). Tickets are $35-$95.
• Santa at Van Vleck – Van Vleck House & Gardens (21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair): On Saturday, December 3 (10:00 AM to 1:00 PM) and Sunday December 4 (1:00 PM to 3:00 PM), visit with Santa, have a professional photo taken, and enjoy the beauty of Van Vleck House, decorated for the season. There will also be a holiday snack, a craft and a raffle. Tickets are available online.
Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite – Wellmont Theater (5 Seymour Street, Montclair): Join TV’s beloved bunnies in Koba Entertainment’s musical production. This live-action show is inspired by Tchaikovsky’s original. There will be two performances on Saturday, December 3, at 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM. Tickets range from $19 to $100 per person.
• Holiday Open House – The Stickley Museum At Craftsman Farms (2352 Route 10 West, Morris Plains): On Saturday, December 3, stroll the Log House at your own pace and enjoy live music from the Aubrey Anne Trio. Light refreshments will be available as well as a kid’s craft. See what old fashioned holiday traditions, celebrations and décor were like at this early 20th Century estate. Doors open at 11:00 AM. Last entry is at 4:00 PM. No reservations required. Standard museum admission rates apply: $10 Adults; $7 Seniors and Students; $4 Children 12 and under; free for members and children age 2 and under.
• Sensitive Santa at Van Vleck – Van Vleck House & Gardens (21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair): On Sunday December 4 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, children with anxiety, autism or special needs are invited to visit with Santa in this event designed for them. Van Vleck House will be decorated for the holidays and a ticket to this event includes a professional photo, a holiday snack, a raffle entry and a craft. $30 per family for members; $35 per family for non-members. Tickets available online.
• The Nutcracker – South Orange Performing Arts Center (One SOPAC Way, South Orange): American Repertory Ballet’s production of Tchaikovsky’s classic features beautiful music, spectacular costumes, and stunning scenic events. Performances are Friday, December 9 (6:00 PM), Saturday, December 10 (2:00 PM and 6:00 PM). Tickets are $25 for children and $30 for adults.
• NJDTE Presents The Nutcracker – Memorial Auditorium at Montclair State University (1 Normal Avenue, Montclair): On Saturday, December 10 at 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM and on Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 PM, New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble will present its full-length production of The Nutcracker. Set to Tchaikovsky’s score, this production features 55 dancers ages 7-18 from across New Jersey. Tickets are $35 and are available through Eventbrite.
• Story Time and Cocoa with Santa – Saturday, December 10. Join the Family department of the Women’s Club of Glen Ridge in Welcoming Santa. Hot cocoa and cookies will be available from 11 am -2 pm with Santa reading The Night Before Christmas at 11:30. Mail your Christmas list to the North Pole with the club’s special mailbox, sit on Santa’s lap and whisper what you want for Christmas and take an optional photo. You can even decorate your framed photo with glitter. Price: Free! Santa picture: $15 members; $20 non members
• Tea with Mrs. Claus – Saturday, December 10. While her husband is busy with Christmas preparations, Mrs. Claus pays a visit to Oakeside. Guests will enjoy a story read by Mrs. Claus, tea and finger sandwiches, cookies and more. Mrs. Claus will pose for pictures with our guests that they can take home in a souvenir frame. This event is age-appropriate for children ages 2 through 8. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Seating is limited and reservations are required. Seatings are 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. Children, $15; Adults, $12. Payment must be made within five days of booking to guarantee your place.
• 28th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration – Montclair Public Library (50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) – On Sunday, December 11, all ages are welcome to celebrate Kwanzaa with music, drums, and cuisine in homage to the spirit and principles of the holiday. The event will begin with a ceremonial lighting of the seven candles, a pouring of libations, and a proclamation of Kwanzaa’s seven principles. Face painting will also be available for children.
• The Nutcracker – Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South Street, Morristown): New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra has all the holiday magic you’d expect from The Nutcracker. This performance is ages 4 and up. Performances are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, December 9 through December 24. Times vary by date, so check the website for specifics. Tickets are $29 to $69.
• Holiday Happiness – Montclair Historical Society (108 Orange Road, Montclair): As part of its 2nd Sunday Family Funday, Montclair Historical Society will host a holiday themed event. Bring the family to the Crane House and Historic YWCA for a tour and discussion about holiday traditions of the past, as well as story time and ornament making. Tours will begin at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Admission is $10 per family.
• Olive Press Workshop – Jewish Children’s Museum (792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn): Learn how olive oil is made, using methods that have been around since Temple times. Participants can choose olives, extract the oil, and light a Chanukah menorah using their handmade wicks and freshly produced oil. Workshops are held every Sunday from December 4 through January 1, 2017 at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM, and daily from December 25 through December 29 at various times. Standard museum admission applies with no additional charge for this workshop.
• 10th Annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular – Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange): Enjoy 50 animal and holiday-themed figures as they light up the night at Turtle Back Zoo. This Winter Wonderland will also include costumed characters and several exhibits will be open including the Sea Lion Sound, Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Tropical Currents Aquarium, and the Reptile Building. Admission is free, but the zoo is collecting non-perishable food items; new, unwrapped toys; and new or gently used winter coats. The Spectacular will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 2, 3 & 4, then daily from Friday, December 9 through Tuesday, January 3, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
• A Christmas Carol: The Musical – The Growing Stage (7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong): This all-ages adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous story is a Christmas Classic. Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. There will be performances Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 PM, December 2 through December 18. Tickets are $15 on Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for children, and $20 for seniors. Tickets are available for purchase online.
• Sea of Lights Indoor Lights Spectacular – Jenkinson’s Pavilion & Aquarium (300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach): On December 16, 17, 26, 27 & 28, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, enjoy holiday lights, photo ops, make & take crafts, hot cocoa & cookies, and games at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Admission is $7. The Sweet Shop, Aquarium Gift Shop and Pavilion Arcade will also be open.
• Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland – Van Saun Park (216 Forest Avenue, Paramus): Attractions include open air ice skating, kids’ beginner synthetic rink, additional kids’ activities, Bergen Express train ride, Santa’s North Pole Workshop, unlimited carousel rides, zoo entry and programming, indoor/outdoor beer garden, and food trucks. The Winter Wonderland will be open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through January 15, as well as the entire week of December 26. Closed on December 25. Santa will make an appearance on select days. For hours of operation and Santa’s schedule, visit the website. Tickets are $14 (plus $1.69 fee) per person and include skate rental. Children 5 and under are free. Food and beverages are not included in ticket price but are available for purchase. Tickets are available online.
• Kwanzaa Festival – NJPAC (1 Center Street, Newark): On Saturday, December 17 at 12:00 PM, celebrate the Nguzo Saba at NJPAC’s 18th annual Kwanzaa children’s festival and marketplace, featuring an Arts and Crafts village and music and dance activities. Admission is free for the whole family.
• Breakfast with Santa – Saturday, December 17. Food, fun, crafts and Santa! There is no fee but registration is required at slechurch.org.
• Various events – Newark Museum (49 Washington Street, Newark):
o Family Workshops – every Saturday and Sunday in December at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. Visit the Ballantine House and works of art that relate to cultural traditions from around the world, then share family traditions in an art making workshop. For children ages 5-12.
o Creative Play – every Saturday and Sunday in December at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, children ages 3-5 can have fun connecting simple shapes to great works of art such as Cadmium by Carmen Herrera.
o The Antoinette Montague Experience with her guests, the Cecilia Coleman Big Band – on Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 PM, listen as Antoinette Montague, born and raised in Newark, brings her powerful and soulful voice to the halls of the Museum.
o HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir – on December 11 at 1:45 PM, celebrate the start of Hannukah with Jewish choral music from Israel and America.
o Voices of Newark Choir and Provenance Music Group – on December 18 at 3:00 PM, this choir will sing holiday favorites to celebrate unity and the spirit of the holidays. They will be accompanied by the Provenance Music Group.
o Holiday Fun Days – on December 28, 29, 30 and 31 at 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM, visit the Museum where you’ll be invited to focus on a different material found in the galleries, including paper, wood, plastic, and clay.