We love celebrating the holidays with our family and enjoying all there is to see and do across our wonderful state of New Jersey. For this month, we’re bringing you a local community calendar jam packed with festive, seasonal holiday fun for you and your families to enjoy. From live performances to holiday tree lightings and more, you’ll have no shortage of excitement this December. Check it out!
On Friday, December 8th in Edison, head over to the Winter Wonderland Marketplace at Lake Papaianni for the Christmas Tree Lighting special event from, 5PM to 9PM. The market will remain open from 2 to 9PM on Saturday December 9th, and 3PM to 9PM on Sunday December 10th as well.
On Friday December 8th at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, the festive “Christmas in Vienna” performance comes to town with classical masterpiece choral arrangements, Austrian folk songs, and classic holiday favorites. And the holiday festivities continue at the State Theatre with Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis at 2PM and 7:30PM on Sunday December 10th, and the American Reparatory Ballet presents: The Nutcracker on December 15th, 16th, and 17th featuring a Live Orchestra. On December 29th, “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” closes out the holiday season with a special performance at 8PM, directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award Nominated Jennifer Weber!
On December 8th in Bedminster, the Jacobus Vanderveer House is hosting their Annual Colonial Christmas Cocktail Party from 6PM to 9PM with special holiday music, seasonal decorations, and delicious food and colonial libations. The following day, December 9th, the annual Township Tree Lighting event will occur from 2:30 to 5:30 with holiday music, docent-led house tours, decorating your own gingerbread man event, and even festive photos with Santa!
On December 9th, the South Orange Vailsburg United Methodist Chur is hosting their 175th Anniversary Christmas concert event from 6PM to 9PM, featuring live music and seasonal holiday favorites!
On December 9th at the Bierman Autism Center in Berkeley Heights, families can come out and enjoy a sensory-friendly holiday soiree from 10AM to 12PM. Best of all? It’s free to attend and fun for everyone!
Saturday December 9th is Community Day at the Newark Museum of Art from 12PM to 5PM. Come on out and enjoy a festive family event for the “Winter Wonderland” celebration!
On Tuesday December 12th at the JCC of Middlesex County, the Menorah Lighting event will run from 7PM to 9PM in Edison.
The 2023 Festival of Trees in Clinton is running on Saturday December 9th and Sunday Deceber 10th, Saturday December 16th and Sunday December 17th at the Red Mill Museum Village. This annual tree decorating contest is open to the public and winners will be judged across 5 categories. You can also vote for your favorite trees after visiting the Museum!
On December 16th, in honor of the Willy Wonka movie opening night at Cranford Theater in downtown Cranford, the town will be hosting a special “Wonka Chocolate Walk” event from 12PM to 4PM. Get your tickets for just $10 per person, and you may even be the lucky winner of a special Golden Ticket as you embark on the Downtown Cranford Chocolate Tour.
The Muppet Christmas Carol: UCPAC 35mm Classic Film Series event is coming to town in Rahway at 7PM on Thursday December 21st at the Union County Performing Arts Center. Guests can arrive early to enjoy an incredible organ concert of holiday favorites 30 minutes prior to the movie starting, as well as the beloved holiday classic short “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” by Max Fleischer. There will be visits with Santa, other festive fun, and plenty of free popcorn!
Now through December 21st at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, enjoy “A Playhouse Christmas” featuring original plays written by special award winning guest writers! The event runs Matinees at 11:30AM on Monday through Saturday, 6:30PM Evening shows on Saturday nights, and 2:30PM matinees on Sundays. General admission includes a delicious table-served entree, dessert, and beverages! It’s a great festive way to ring in the holiday season with your friends and family.
The 22nd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration comes to Plainfield at 5PM on Wednesday December 27th at the Plainfield Performing Arts Center! This family friendly celebration will have a traditional candle ceremony, African storytelling, spoken word, dance, and cultural food to share!