Top 15+ {kid-friendly} Things To Do in NJ, December 8-10

This weekend, spend time with your family celebrating the holidays at Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium, experiencing the Christmas Carol in a whole new way at A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show at Congress Hall in Cape May, or supporting a local charity-Lunch Break at Santa Run in Asbury Park, plus SO many more kid-friendly fairs and festivals around New Jersey this weekend.

Here are 15+ Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:

Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.

Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium in Camden. via

1. Christmas Underwater
Daily, Friday, December 8 – Saturday, December 30, 2017 | Hours vary by day, Please check here for the full schedule
How is Christmas celebrated in the underwater world? Experience the magic of the holiday season deep beneath the surface during Christmas Underwater from Friday, December 8 thru Saturday, December 30. New in 2017, see the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree, “Dry-Side” Santa Claus appearances, Snow Shower Dance Party and more.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Dr, Camden, New Jersey 08103
Cost: $21 Child, $29 Adult, Tickets can be purchased here

2. Winter Wonderland
Friday, December 8, 2017 | 4:00PM to 6:00PM
Take a Picture in Our Giant Snowglobe at The Yard – Holiday Music – Free Hot Chocolate and Snacks
The Yard at College Ave
40 College Ave, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Cost: Free

3. A Christmas Carol: The Radio Show
Friday, December 8 – Saturday, December 30, 2017 | Times vary by day, please click here to see the full schedule
It’s Christmas Eve and with the actors snowed in and unable to make it to the studios of WXMS for the live radio performance of A Christmas Carol so the sound effects person decides to take the audience through the classic tale himself. In an impressive and amusing feat, this telling is performed as a 1940s radio play with one person providing all of the characters’ voices and sound effects. This rollicking, creative adaptation of Dickens’ classic work is sure to warm the hearts of even the chilliest audience members.
Congress Hall, Cape May
200 Congress Pl, Cape May, New Jersey 08204
Cost: $39 Sunday Lunch & Matinee Show General Admission, $15 Sunday Lunch & Matinee Show Child Admission, $59 Dinner & Show General Admission, For reservations please call 609-884-6542

Christmas Lantern Tours at The Historic Village at Allaire in Farmingdale. via

4. Christmas Lantern Tours at The Historic Village at Allaire
Friday, December 8, 2017 | 5:00PM to 8:00PM (Tours begin at 5pm and leave the visitor center every 15 minutes until 8pm)
The weather is cold, but the scent of Christmas is in the air. Celebrate the holidays with a stroll through the lantern lit village, and learn about Christmas in 1836. Music, history and a little bit of theater, The Historic Village at Allaire should be your family’s new (or continuing) Holiday Tradition. The tours take about 90 minutes to complete and are both indoor and outdoor. Please feel free to bring a flashlight to help guide your footing.
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, New Jersey 07727
Cost: $15 General Admission, Advance Purchase is recommended here, Strollers are not permitted in buildings.

5. Santa Train
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 9:00AM, 11:00AM, 1:00PM, 3:00PM
The Tri-State Santa Train returns for its 25th year. Passengers will enjoy a round trip lasting approximately 60 minutes aboard one of New Jersey Transit’s modern, restroom-equipped passenger trains. Tickets include an activity book and a little toy for every child. Each child will have the opportunity to meet Santa. Please bring your camera to record the experience. Santa will be giving out a small gift to each child, and children will also receive candy canes. The station platform and the passenger cars are all handicapped and stroller accessible.
Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center
Route 23 Southbound & West Belt Parkway, Wayne, NJ 07040
Cost: $10 Child, $20 Adult, Tickets can be purchased here

6. Gingerbread House Workshop
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 10:00AM to 11:30AM, 1:00PM to 2:30PM
Candy canes, gumdrops, and peppermint, oh my, Children get to decorate a unique gingerbread house, a perfect treat for the start of the holiday season. We provide the materials including lots of candy & icing, and you go home with a marvelous gingerbread creation to enjoy throughout the season.
Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083
Cost: $25 One Child & One Adult, $5/Additional Adult, Reservations required

Milk & Cookies With Santa at Adventure Aquarium in Camden. via

7. Milk & Cookies with Santa
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 8:00AM to 10:00AM
Experience the magic of Christmas Underwater with exclusive access to the aquarium, your photo with Santa Claus, milk and cookies, views of the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree and MORE.
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Dr, Camden, New Jersey 08103
Cost: $28 Child, $25 Adult, Tickets can be purchased here

8. Asbury Park SantaCon 2017
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 11:00AM to 11:00PM
It is that time of the year again. The time to fill the little town of Asbury with holiday cheer and costumes. This year we will have tons of different places to donate toys and food. and lots of fun little places to stop. details coming soon.. for now spread the word and lets make this the biggest and most well behaved SantaCon in history.
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Cost: Free

9. ChristmasFest 2017
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 2:00PM to 8:00PM
Join town of Barnegat for this free event, which is perfect for all ages, as they gather together to celebrate Christmas with cookies, entertainment, photo room, Christmas music, beverages, kids activities, youth activities & more. The main stage will be featuring: Starlight Performing Arts at 2pm, Bayside Carol Sing at 3pm, Kids Christmas Play at 4pm, Jersey Coast Youth Band at 5pm, Dance Expressions Dance Team at 6pm, ant Bayside Worship Band at 7pm. In addition to the main stage various activities (a family photo spot, cookies/coffee, crafts, kids games, youth activities and more) will be open from 2pm-7pm.
Bayside Chapel
965 W Bay Ave, Barnegat, New Jersey 08005
Cost: Free

Santa Run in Asbury Park. via

10. Asbury Park Santa Run 2017
Saturday, December 9, 2017 | 10:00AM to 1:00PM
The Santa Run is back. Take the streets of Asbury Park once again with an army of Santas running (or walking) a 5K race in support of local charity, Lunch Break. Once the run is done head on over to the after party featuring live music from the legendary Brian Kirk and the Jirks, plus food and drink specials. We will also be holding a massive toy drive so we can provide local kids with a happy holiday season. Last year over 1,000 Santas came out and raised thousands of dollars for Lunch Break.
Bradley Park
101-199 5th Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey 07712
Cost: $39.95 General Admission

11. HDSID Holiday Market Winter Wonderland
Saturday, December 9 – Sunday, December 10, 2017 | 12:00PM to 6:30PM Both Days
The HDSID, Artist & Maker Market, & Midnight Market NJ are pleased to announce their Holiday Market & Craft Fair. This year is extra special as they are creating a warm & cozy “Shopping Village” in a heated tent filled with tons of unique & fun specialty goods to satisfy all of your family’s holiday shopping needs. Come & comfortably shop in their “Winter Wonderland” filled with one of a kind & diverse gift items created by their brilliant artisans & crafters including art, jewelry, home accessories, clothing, & more at holiday budget friendly prices. Sample tasty, delectable, assorted treats hand picked by the lovely ladies of Midnight Market NJ while enjoying holiday beats. Holiday Cocktails will be provided by Left Bank Burger Barr and Santa is taking time out from his busy schedule to come take pictures with the kids.
Grove PATH Plaza
314 Grove St, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Cost: Free

12. Candy Lane Holiday Game
Saturday, December 9 – Sunday, December 10, 2017 | 5:00PM to 8:00PM
This is the last weekend of The Candy Lane Holiday Game at Oasis Family Farm. Participants will walk through a decorated pathway, known as “Candy Lane”. Although the pathway is lit with holiday lights, children are encouraged to bring a flashlight while playing the game. As participants walk down Candy Lane, participants will enter multiple numbered zones, which are each connected by a pathway. Participants will answer multiple choice questions pertaining to holiday items in each numbered zone, and its connecting pathway. Holiday characters will interact with the participants, and will provide each participant with a holiday treat. The questions are viewed and answered by participants who have a functioning cell phone. If you do not have a cell phone, a question sheet will be provided. If all the questions are answered correctly, the participant(s) will receive a secret code word to provide to Santa, at the end of the pathway. If the code word is correct, Santa will be able to release all the candy that has been locked away, and the participant(s) will receive a holiday gift!
Oasis Family Farm
3 Circle Dr, Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Cost: $10 Participant, Free for Adults & Non-Participants, Parent or Guardian must accompany participant during event, No Registration Required

Weihnachtsmarkt in Asbury Park. via

13. Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten’s Weihnachtsmarkt
Saturday, December 2 to Saturday, December 23, 2017 | 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten’s Weihnachtsmarkt is a Rooftop Europmean Holiday Market featuring over 25 vendors and live music. There will be artisanal gifts, speciality foods, handcrafter toys, and pictures with Santa from 2pm to 5pm.
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten
527 Lake Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: Free

14. 2017 5K Doughnut Run
Sunday, December 10, 2017 | 8:00AM to 12:00PM
Kids Dash for Donuts 2017
Sunday, December 10, 2017 | 10:00AM
Montclair Bread Company’s annual 5K Doughnut Run promises to be the tastiest 5K ever with Ronnybrook Hot Chocolate, Stumptown Coffee and MBC’s doughnuts after every mile on the course and at the finish line. Finishers will receive a medal and a long sleeve tech shirt. Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 men & women in each age group of the USATF Grand Prix Race. Bundle up those kiddos for the first annual KIDS Dash for Doughnuts! They’ll get doughnuts, a cool beanie and a chance to run through the 5K finish line. This year’s race is supported by the Junior League of Montclair-Newark and proceeds will benefit the Covenent House.
Erie Park – Near the Walnut Street Train Station
85 Walnut Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Cost: $20 Child, $45 Adult, Please register here

15. Turtle Back Explorers: Winter 2017/2018
Sunday, December 10, 2017 – Monday, February 12, 2018 | 10:00AM to 12:00PM
Session 1: Sunday, December 10 or Monday, December 11
Session 2: Sunday, January 21 or January 22
Session 3: Sunday, February 11 or February 12
Join Turtle Back Zoo as they use movement, stories, games, and crafts for interactive, science-based lessons to teach the wonderful and fascinating world of animals. Supervised outings to specific areas of the Zoo will support the lesson are included as weather permits. This is a drop off program for 4 & 5 year olds only.
Turtle Back Zoo – The Education Center
560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, New Jersey 07052
Cost: $25 Child, Tickets can be purchased here
Please note, each session features classes with a different theme, so you can attend one or all three sessions. Please also note that each class offered within the same session covers the same content.

16. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 10, 2017 | 6:30PM to 8:00PM
Please join Gloucester Township and Mayor David Mayer and Council for the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Veterans Park on Chews Landing Road. Entertainment will be provided by Mainstage Center for the Arts.
Gloucester Township, New Jersey
Cost: Free