UPCOMING CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN NJ
TRI-STATE AREA

December 1st What: Downtown  Freehold Christmas Tree Lighting Where: Hall of Records Plaza - 1 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ  The annual Christmas tree lighting marks Santa's arrival in the borough! 5 pm - 7 pm. In front of the Hall of Records. For more information please call (732) 462-3584. http://www.freeholdcenter.com

December 2nd through January 10th What: Festival of Trees at Morven Museum Where:  Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton NJ Morven’s annual holiday event where festive trees, artfully decorated by local businesses and garden clubs, grace each of Morven’s elegant galleries. Tickets: Adults $5 Seniors (60 & older)/Students $4. Call 609-924-8144 ext 106 for more information  http://www.historicmorven.org/programs.html

December 4th through 12th What: "It's a wonderful Life" The musical Where: Main Street Theater -  3018 Bordentown Ave. Parlin, NJ The perennial Christmas classic based on the Frank Capra classic motion picture that starred James Stewart. George Bailey, a downhearted man, is visited by his guardian angel and shown what the world would be like without him.. http://www.smstc.org/

December 4th What: Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting Where: Washington Street, Toms River, NJ  6:00 pm - 8:30 pm, Courtyard of Town Hall and Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library  presented by Downtown Toms River (Toms River Business Improvement District), Downtown Toms River:  732-341-8738. Live entertainment. 5 pm - 8 pm. For more information please call 732-341-8738. http://www.DowntownTomsRiver.com

December 4th What: Christmas Tree lighting in Mullica Hill NJ  Where: S. Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ 856-881-6800  Celebrate the christmas tree lighting in Mullica Hill NJ   http://www.mullicahill.com/mullica-hill-new-jersey-calendar.asp?Page_ID=1111

December 4th What: Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Christmas Tree Lighting Where: Wildwoods Convention Center - Wildwood, NJ Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard, 1st & Central Avenues, North Wildwood. Christmas tree lighting, Santa Clause and refreshments. 5:30 p.m. Free. 609-522-4520r http://www.wildwoodsnj.com/calendar.cfm?Mode=Results&coe_id=1120&KEYWORD=&ANYALL=PHRASE&MonthYearCat=12_2009

December 4th and 5th What: Family Holiday Celebration Where: Wildwoods Convention Center - Wildwood, NJ A family holiday tradition with an exciting holiday weekend filled with fun for the entire family! Attend Jaycees Christmas Parade on Friday night, followed by a tree lighting ceremony and parade awards ceremony at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Bring the family inside the Wildwoods Convention Center lobby on Saturday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for free admission to Holiday-themed crafters, movies and entertainment. 609-729-9000. http://www.wildwoodsnj.com/calendar.cfm?Mode=Results&coe_id=1058&KEYWORD=&ANYALL=PHRASE&MonthYearCat=12_2009

December 4th and 5th What: Holiday Festival of Lights Where: Camden Children's Garden - 3 Riverside Drive, Camden,NJ Enjoy the Holiday Festival of Lights on Friday & Saturday Evenings - 5:30pm-8:00pm. (also December 11th and 12th --- December 18th and 19th and December 25th and 26th). Enjoy a magical holiday tradition on the Camden Waterfront. In the evening, stroll through the 4.5 acres of gardens that include over 100,000 beautiful holiday lights and animated light sculptures. See live butterflies in the Philadelphia Eagles Four Seasons Butterfly House. Meet Santa Claus, his elves and Garden Mascot Mum Bear. Enjoy Plaza de Aibonito, a heated Tropical Holiday exhibit, and learn about the Hispanic tradition of Three Kings Day.  Guests can ride the Carousel, Butterfly Spring Ride or the Arrow River Express Train Ride for an additional fee. Amuse yourself in an Enchanted Wonderland with animated scenes and model trains. Separate admission after 5pm. For more information, please contact the Camden Children's Garden at 856-365-8733. http://www.camdenchildrensgarden.org/events.html

December 5th What: Holiday Harmonies Where: Red Bank NJ Red Bank Business District, 12-3pm. Traditional carolers, choirs, brass bands, rock, folk, jazz & blues musicians bring holiday tunes to the sidewalks of Red Bank! FREE  http://www.redbankrivercenter.org/events_d.cfm?event_id=339

December 5th What: Candlelight Shopping in the Village in Mullica Hill NJ  Where: S. Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ 856-881-6800  Come for an evening of shopping in Mullica Hill NJ   http://www.mullicahill.com/mullica-hill-new-jersey-calendar.asp?Page_ID=1111

December 5th and 6th What: Pictures with Santa Where: The Galleria, 2 Bridge Avenue. Red Bank NJ Kids young and old will enjoy Pictures with Santa taking place on Saturdays and Sundays through December 20th, from 12-4pm, at The Galleria, 2 Bridge Avenue. Photo packages are available by TSS Photography.  http://www.redbankrivercenter.org/events_d.cfm?event_id=339

Find out where to cut your own Christmas Tree in New Jersey

December 6 through 19th What: The Surflight Theatre presents "A Musical Christmas Carol" Where: Surflight Theatre -Engleside and Beach Aves, Beach Haven,NJ A perennial holiday favorite of the Dickens Tale! December 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20 at 2:00 pm December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 at 7:30 pm  http://www.surflight.org/Mainstage_Schedule.htm

December 6th through 27th  What: A Chirstmas Carol Where: McCarter Theatre Princeton NJ Celebrate the season with McCarter's critically acclaimed production of Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on a magical journey and experience the peace and goodwill of the season. http://www.mccarter.org/ticketoffice/eventdetail.aspx?page_id=7&event_id=4767

December 10 What: Centerpieces and Wreaths Where: Cook College/Rutgers Univer. 112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick NJ  Looking for techniques on how to create the perfect Centerpiece and Wreath for the Holidays?  Look no further.  Dr. Jack Sacalis will detail several different methods of designing a wreath, while Nicki Graff will take you step by step through the techniques necessary to create your own holiday boxwood ‘centerpiece masterpiece’. December 10th 2009 from 7 through 9PM. $65 fee. http://www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/classes.html

December 12th What: Holiday Harmonies Where: Red Bank NJ Red Bank Business District, 12-3pm. Traditional carolers, choirs, brass bands, rock, folk, jazz & blues musicians bring holiday tunes to the sidewalks of Red Bank! FREE  http://www.redbankrivercenter.org/events_d.cfm?event_id=339

December 12th What: Santa Train Ride in New Jersey Where: Westfield NJ The Jersey Central Chapter, in conjunction with Santa and Mrs. Claus, operates a Santa Claus Special for the kids.  This year the trip will run on Saturday, December 12, 2009. The train departs from Raritan at 8:30 AM and also from the eastbound platform (off South Avenue) of the Westfield Station in Westfield at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. There is no afternoon departure from Raritan. The trip features Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus along with a few of Santa's helpers. There are sing-a-longs, candy canes and coloring books for the kids. In addition, each car on the train features a drawing for a trainset; that's ten train sets per trip! The train operates west from Westfield to Highbridge, NJ and back, a two hour trip. Santa pays a visit to each car and is more than happy to pose for pictures with the kids. http://www.jcrhs.org/santa.html

December 12th and 13th What: Pictures with Santa Where: The Galleria, 2 Bridge Avenue. Red Bank NJ Kids young and old will enjoy Pictures with Santa taking place on Saturdays and Sundays through December 20th, from 12-4pm, at The Galleria, 2 Bridge Avenue. Photo packages are available by TSS Photography.  http://www.redbankrivercenter.org/events_d.cfm?event_id=339