Spend your holiday weekend with family and friends experiencing festive event around New Jersey. Get hands-on at the Holiday Maker Space at New Jersey State Museum, take part in free activities and crafts at Santa’s Workshop in Bass Pro Shop Atlantic City, watch Santa fly into town at Princeton Airport, or try one of these many fun family adventures this weekend.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:
1. Hands-On Holiday Maker Space at New Jersey State Museum
December 23, 2016 | 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Discover fun with New Jersey State Museum’s Holiday Maker Space program! The museum will host a hands-on holiday Maker Space program for all ages, inspired by the new “Toy World” exhibition. All projects will focus on toys.
Imagination Studio, Lower Level
New Jersey State Museum
205 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608
Cost: Free
2. Holiday Lights Spectacular
December 23, 2016 | 5:00PM – 9:00PM
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.
Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfields Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Cost: Free
Santa Around Town in Collingswood
3. Santa Around Town in Collingswood
December 23, 2016 | 5:30PM – 8:00PM
The Collingswood Fire Department is showing Santa around town this holiday season. Catch Santa at one of these locations along his route on Friday: South Atlantic Avenue to South Newton Lake Drive, Lakeview Drive to Haddon Twp. Border, Bettlewood Avenue to Browning Road, Collings Avenue to North Newton Lake Drive. The Collingswood Fire Department Facebook page will stay up to date with weather cancellations.
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Cost: Free
4. Glen Burtnik’s Xmas Show
December 23, 2016 | 8:00PM – 10:00PM
Glen Burtnik returns home to New Brunswick with his XMAS show! The tradition is returning to The State with Glen Burtnik and a collection of some of the most talented performers from across New Jersey coming together to perform holiday favorites. $1 from every ticket sold will go to both the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Elijah’s Promise.
The State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cost: Tickets range $30 – $60
5. Last Minute Shopping at Peddlers Warehouse and Marketplace
December 23 – 24, 2016 | Friday 11:00AM – 7:00PM, Saturday 8:00AM – 5:00PM
Come to Peddlers Warehouse and Marketplace – an upscale indoor flea style marketplace offering everything from antiques and collectibles to direct sales vendors. Shop for crafts, collectibles, knives, wreaths, comic books, skull jewelry, crystal, trains, rosary beads, tea, kids wear, records, household, pottery, antiques, kitchenware, wood crafts, motorcycle riding gear, dry goods, tools, furniture, vintage clothing and more.
Peddlers Warehouse & Marketplace
366 Cross Keys Road, Sicklerville NJ 08081
Cost: Free Admission
Old Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
6. An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
December 23 – 24, 2016 | Hours vary according to location.
The Carroll Gallery at the Physick Estate becomes a Christmas wonderland this time of year. It’s all about the wonder of Christmas morning with model trains and a Dept. 56 Dickens Village beneath the tree. You can actually stand under our tree and feel like a kid on Christmas morning. Kids can write a letter to Santa and leave it in his special mail box. An exhibit of holiday traditions through the years complete with model trains, toys and much more! At the Carroll Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate.
Carroll House Gallery
1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Cost: Free
7. Historic Holiday Train Show
December 23 – 25, 2016 | 12:00PM – 8:00PM
Take a cheerful holiday visit to Historic Bordentown City for a magical railroad trip back in time. Old City Hall on Crosswicks Street is the site of annual model train show featuring numerous fully running layouts with model vilages and scenes, as well as displays of memorabilia, Christmas toy trains, and more.
Old City Hall
11 Crosswalks Street, Bordentown City, NJ 08505
Cost: Free
8. Father Daughter Fajr Breakfast
December 24, 2016 | 6:30AM – 9:30AM
Fathers and Daughters, come join us to pray Fajr salaah, eat breakfast, play games, and spend quality time with each other. Breakfast will be served after prayers. Potluck items will be greatly appreciated. All ages are welcome!
Islamic Society of Central Jersey
4145 US-1, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Cost: Free
Santa’s Wonderland in Atlantic City
9. Santa’s Wonderland in Atlantic City
December 24, 2016 | 9:00AM – 9:00PM
The most wonderful time of the year is almost here! Gather the family and come to experience the joy of a classic Christmas. Stay for FREE games, crafts, and activities that celebrate the season: moving trains, RC trucks, and a Foam Toy Arcade. You’ll find our store filled with magical gifts for folks of all ages, with plenty of awesome toys for girls and boys. Take a free photo with Santa Claus.
Bass Pro Shop
30 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Cost: Free
10. Santa Flies Into Princeton Airport
Saturday, December 24 | 10:00 AM – 1:00PM
Forty one years ago, the idea of having Santa fly into the Princeton Airport for the area children to watch was brought to life. Throughout the years, this has evolved into a wonderful annual event for local families and those less fortunate. Santa is planned to arrive at 11:00 A.M. Parents are advised to bring the children prior to then, as the Princeton Airport Flying Tigers will be serving cocoa and cookies, and local folk singer Pat McKinley, starting at 10:30, will be leading the audience in holiday songs during the wait for Santa.
The Princeton Airport
41 Airpark Road, Princeton, N.J 08540
Cost: Free
11. Holiday Horse & Wagon Rides in Red Bank
December 24, 2016 | 1:00PM – 5:00PM
Take a free horse and wagon ride through the Red Bank Business District and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Take in the brightly lit and festive streets of this bustling, family-friendly city as shoppers take care of their last minute affairs. Enjoy the view from your own carriage while snuggled up with loved ones.
Board the wagon at one of two locations:
11 Bridge Avenue (near Danny’s Steakhouse)
26 Broad St (near The Robinson Ale House)
Red Bank, NJ 07701
Cost: Free
12. Caroling for a Cause: Communing to Feed the Homeless
December 24, 2016 | 3:30PM – 5:30PM
Please come with your Family to enjoy Caroling, Hot Chocolate and Potato Latkes to raise money to support the Community Soup Kitchen.
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen
110 South St, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: Suggested Donation $20
13. Christmas Morning Cow Milking
December 25, 2016 | 4:30AM – 7:30AM
Grab your boots, overalls, and winter hat and head to the milking parlor. You will help milk the cows, feed the calves their bottles, and take home some dairy products made from our cows’ milk; all before before the rest of the world wakes up! There is limited space in the milking parlor – first come, first serve.
Fulper Family Farmstead
281 Rocktown Lambertville Rd, Lambertville, New Jersey 08530
Cost: Free
14. Annual Chanukah Celebration Festival
December 25, 2016 | 4:00PM – 6:00PM
Celebrate Chanukah with your family and friends at Chabad of Jackson, NJ with fun activities for all ages, including a Dreidel Spin-off, crafts for kids, music, and make your own doughnuts. Light the Menorah as a community and enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres.
Chabad of Jackson
645 Cross Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Cost: Free, Suggested Donation of $15
15. Celebrate Chanukah: Light Up the Night
December 25, 2016 | 5:30PM
All are welcome to Light Up the Night and Celebrate Chanukah with the help of participating local officials. Enjoy hot latkes and doughnuts, Chanukah gelt, glow giveaways, and special crafts for children. This event is free and open to the public.
Wells Fargo Bank
110 Skyline Dr, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Cost: Free
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 FREE NJ Events in December
- 10 Outdoor Activities To Do in December in NJ
- Where to Take Pictures with Santa in NJ
- Must Know Winter Classes in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJd
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
