It’s that time of year when there’s plenty of festive things to do with the fam to get into the holiday spirit. Learn about Hanukkah traditions at A Confused Hanukkah in Englewood, cuddle up by the Christmas tree, and listen to Christmas classic tunes during the Jim Brickman Virtual Holiday Concert, or take a train trip with Santa and his elves on the Kringle Railway Adventure in Whippany.
Featured photo via @KringleRailwayAdventure
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A Confused Hanukkah Performance
December 10th and 11th from 5 PM – 6 PM
Catch a live performance of the popular children’s holiday book “A Confused Hanukkah” by Jon Koons. Performed by the Koons family, this story will have your family laughing while also teaching you about Hanukkah traditions. Each child will receive a free dreidel, and there will be a drawing to win a menorah at each performance. Seating is socially distant, with reduced capacity, and a mask must be worn at all times.
Tickets are $20 per adult and $15 per child
Black Box Performing Arts Center
49 East Palisade Avenue
Englewood
Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar and Adoption Event
December 12th from 10 AM – 4 PM
If your kids want a furry addition to the family this season, head to this bazaar where you can shop to your heart’s content and even adopt a furry friend. The market is sponsored by the Eleventh Hour Rescue and EHR Kennel Club, and there will be plenty of unique crafts and gifts and dogs and cats looking for a family to love (pre-approved application is required to bring one home).
Free Admission
Rockaway Town Square
301 Mount Hope Avenue
Rockaway
Jim Brickman Virtual Holiday Concert
December 12th at 7 PM
Spend a festive night in, watching Grammy-nominated songwriter Jim Brickman perform classic carols and original songs live-streamed. The whole family will be rocking around the Christmas tree in the comfort of your own home as you listen to beautiful, live music from your laptop. A portion of each ticket purchased for this event will benefit State Theatre New Jersey to continue promoting and performing arts events such as this one.
$40 (concert can also be customized/upgraded for an additional fee)
Virtual
State Theatre New Jersey
Kringle Railway Adventure
December 12th and 13th, 9 AM – 3:40 PM
This round-trip, Christmas-themed ride will give everyone visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads. Reserve a specially themed pod, choosing from holiday themes like Candy Cane Lane, Ornament Express, or Present Palace, and the adventure will begin. The whole family will get into the spirit as you ride the train listening to your favorite holiday songs, playing games like a train car scavenger hunt, and even taking (socially distanced) pictures with Santa.
Tickets are $25 per person
Whippany Train Station
1 Railroad Plaza
Whippany
Hot Chocolate Hikes
December 12th and 13th, 11 AM – 4 PM
Bundle up with hats and masks, and go for a guided hike through the woods, seeing what makes a winter forest different from other seasons. Kids will love spotting animals and critters along the way, and it gives the whole family time to take a reflective break. After the hike, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate.
$8 per person for members, $10 per person for non-members
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Drive S
Short Hills
Holiday Market in the Lodge
December 12th and 13th, 12 PM – 6 PM
Support local businesses and cross everyone off your list at this festive winter market. Littles will be delighted to see Santa (word is he’s coming Sunday from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM), so keep an eye out and have your kids bring their Christmas wish list. Enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights and get cozy in this wintery, heated tent. Reservations are required to dine, but not to shop.
Free admission
The Barrow House
1296 Van Houten Avenue
Clifton
Family Meditation
December 13th from 1 PM – 2 PM
Bundle up and take a wellness break from the busy holiday season with a heart-centered outdoor family meditation. Using sound, drumming, vocal toning, and fun movements, kids learn about body awareness and mindfulness—and you can practice these techniques at home to relieve any stress the season may bring.
$5- $10 members, $15-$25 non-members
Grounds for Sculpture
80 Sculptors Way
Hamilton
Christmas at Allaire
This event has been canceled
Create new family traditions by celebrating the joys of a historical Christmas past. Warm-up on the open hearth, help make Christmas treats, listen to the musicians, storytelling, and so much more. Take tours of the historic buildings decorated in their holiday finery, and get some holiday shopping done for treasures and treats you can’t find anywhere else.
Tickets are $9.95 per person
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall
