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COOL THINGS TO DO I >FUN NEW JERSEY LINKS I> UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR I> FREE ATTRACTIONS I> ADVERTISE WITH US I >TOP 50 ATTRACTIONS IN NEW JERSEY I> 20 DATE IDEAS I> FUN IN THE 50 STATES I> REVIEWS OF ATTRACTIONS

UPCOMING CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN NJ TRI-STATE AREA
Find things to do this Christmas Season in NJ! - Upcoming Holiday events NJ - Christmas Attractions NJ - Fun Christmas events NJ 2012!
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November 25th through December 31st
What: Holly Days Celebration  Where: Morristown NJ
 Experience the magic that is Morristown's annual Holly Days celebration. Santa arrives on the Green on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. The fun continues until First Night Morris – our twenty year-old arts and music festival on New Year's Eve. There are many participating sites offering free events, as well as local historical sites and museums with special programming and admission fees. Visit with Santa Claus on the historic Morristown Green. Take in a performance of "THE NUTCRACKER" at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Stroll the streets of Morristown and do your holiday shopping. Visit the local museums decorated for Christmas and stop by their gift shops for unique presents. |
November 23rd through January 6thWhat: Holiday Lights Show Where: Village Green - Historic Smithville Village The entire family will be in awe as they gaze at the brilliantly lit-up historic village. Over 100 trees light up on Lake Meone in musical patterns creating dazzling illusions. The Holiday Lights Show has been a traditional at Historic Smithville for many years and each year it gets better than the last. Don't miss the amazing light show and the Victorian-style Christmas decor around the villiage. NOVEMBER 23 through JANUARY 6 - Everyday from 5:30 pm - 8 pm. |
November 17th through December 31st
What: Holiday Lights Trolley Rides Where: Cape May - Historic District Take a trip down to the Historic District of Cape May to see some of the most beautifully decorated houses and inns in New Jersey! Take a trolley ride through the Historic District to see the Victorian-style houses and inns decorated for the holidays. During the trolley ride you will learn all about Victorian Christmas traditions, have sing alongs and enjoy your favorite Christmas songs. Rides last about 30 min, afterwards use your ticket for free entry to the Carriage House Gallery exhibit and enjoy 10% off your purchase at either of the MAC's Museum Shops. A great way to spend a romantic night in Cape May and also great for a family night out. See a complete list of times and dates. Call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 to purchase tickets. |
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December 14th through December 16th
What: Ocean City Holiday Spectacular Where: Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and boardwalk, Ocean City NJ Come out to sing and dance the night away at this spectacular Christmas production, returning by popular demand for 2012! Come "rock around the Christmas tree" as a cast of professional singers and dancers celebrate the holiday season with a full-night of Holiday hits. You won't be able to help jumping up and singing along to your favorite holiday songs! High-energy dancing, spectacular costumes and a phenomenal set all come together on the Music Pier stage to create a highlight of the Holiday season. |
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November 23 through December 24th
What: Haddonfield's Candlelight Shopping Where: Downtown Haddonfield NJ (Not far from Camden) - (See Map) Step back in time when shopping was pleasant. Merchants greet you with genuine feeling and the merchandise is distinctive and unique. The streets twinkle with white lights and luminaries, while the clop of hooves from a horse-drawn carriage mingle with the songs of strolling carolers and the sweet sounds of a dulcimer. The streets are filled with free events and entertainment. Candlelight Shopping is every Thursday and Friday evening, 6 to 9 pm, and every Sunday afternoon, 1 to 4 pm. |
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November 23 through January 1st
What: Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Celebration Where: Adventure Aquarium - 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ Meet and take photos with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer and Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster. Watch their team of elf-fish prepare for the arrival of SCUBA Santa! Dance the afternoon away at Gill's Holiday Dance Party. The whole family will be blown away by the tranformation of the aquarium into an underwater winter wonderland with larger-than-life decorations, twinkling lights, lit-up trees and gently falling snow. Begining Dec. 1 watch SCUBA Santa dive in our 760,000-gallon Ocean Realm exhibit! FISHMAS at Adventure Aquarium is a family tradition you'll want to create and relive year after year!
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December 1st
What: Boardwalk Holiday Giftacular Where: 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ A different, unique and fun way to shop for the holidays! Enjoy isles and isles of unique gifts from independent merchants and businesses from Asbury Park and the surrounding areas. Also enjoy seasonal music, delicious cider and egg nog, a huge 30 ft tree decorated from the ground up and so much more! Stay after the Giftacular the the 3rd annual Ugly Sweater Party! Both events are free! |
November 28th through January 6thWhat: 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. This is a must-see event for the holidays! Young and old alike will be in awe from all the beautiful trees and their decorations. |
November 30th through December 9th
What: "A Christmas Carol" the musical Where: Main Street Theater - 3018 Bordentown Ave. Parlin, NJ The perennial Christmas classic based on the book by Charles Dickens has been a holiday tradition for many years and a favorite for the holidays. This Christmas musical is one for all ages! Children and adults alike will love the singing and dancing, you'll probably begin to join in! Shows are every Friday at 8pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm and 8pm. |
November 30th
What: Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting Where: Washington Street, Toms River, NJ Bring the whole family to the Town Hall Courtyard for the annual Tree Lighting and the arrival of Santa Clause! Ceremony runs from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. For more information please call 732-341-8738. |
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December 1st
What: Candlelight Shopping in Mullica Hill Where: Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ Celebrate the holidays in Mullica Hill with an afternoon of candlelight shopping on Main Street. All the shops on Main Street will have refreshments and holiday specials, you'll even run into a few merry carolers on the street. The streets are decorated to Christmas perfection! There will also be Christmas stories, characters and carolers roaming the streets. Enjoy a day of merry holiday shopping!
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December 7th
What: Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Christmas Tree Lighting Where: Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard, 1st & Central Avenues, North Wildwood. Bring the whole family down to the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard for their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. See the beautiful tree light up the sky and enjoy an early visit from Santa Clause! This is a free event! Tree lighting begins at 5:30 pm and runs until 7:30 pm.
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December 7th and 8th
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 Jaycee's Christmas Parade on Friday night, followed by a tree lighting ceremony and the business decorating and lighting contest winners at the Award Ceremony at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Come back to the Wildwoods Convention Center lobby on Saturday to enjoy an entire day of holiday activities! Some activities include pictures with Santa, free movies, arts and crafts, face painting, magicians and much more! Enjoy free admission! Holiday fun for the whole family! |
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November 23rd through December 2nd
What: Festival of Trees Where: The Red Mill Museum - 56 Main Street, Clinton NJ Enjoy the annual Festival of Trees at the Red Mill Museum, a holiday delight for the entire family. See dozens of trees and wreaths decorated by local businesses, organizations and people from the town! Kick off the holiday season and get some tips on how to decorate your own tree. A silent auction will be held and you could bring home one of the gorgeous trees or wreaths on display!
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November 24th through December 22nd
What: Holiday Harmonies Where: Red Bank NJ Enjoy traditional carolers, choirs, brass bands, rock, folk, jazz & blues musicians bring holiday tunes to the sidewalks of Red Bank! The event takes place every Saturday from 12pm - 3pm in Red Bank's Business District.
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November 23 through December 23rd
What: The Christmas Express with Santa Claus Where: The NJ Museum of Transportation, Wall, NJ Come out and enjoy a holiday tradition for over 30 years! Bring the whole family out for a Christmas train ride accompanied by Santa! See their beautifully decorated trains and towns the train runs through. Great for the whole family. The trains run every weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 4pm and starting on December 7th night train rides are available from 6pm - 8:30pm - all trains run every half hour.
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November 30 through December 9th
What: Gingerbread Wonderland and Craft Show Where: The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morris Township NJ Join Morris Township and The Frelinghuysen Arboretum for their 21st annual Gingerbread Wonderland and Craft show. Escape to a world that actually is made up of gum drops, candy canes and chocolate! Young and old alike will marvel over the sweet creations locals have made. Afterwards, make your way over to the Craft Show which features hundreds of hand-made crafts. You're sure to find something for everyone in your family! Come down to see the displays or enter in your own creative and delicious gingerbread house!
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Find out where to cut your own Christmas Tree in New Jersey

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November 30 through December 2nd
What: Winterfest Where: Bayonet Farms, Holmdel Township NJ Bring the whole family out to Holmdel's first annual Winterfest. Bayonet Farms fully decorates the entire property with tens of thousands of lights! There will be live entertainment, delicious food and cider, games, rides, ice skating and of course a visit from Santa Claus! Bring out a present to donate to toys for tots, take a picture with Santa and see their beautifully decorated 14' tree! They have everything you need for a winter wonderland - you'll never want to leave! |
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November 30th through December 2nd
What: Christmas in Bay Head Where: Bay Head, NJ Celebrate the season in Bay Head NJ! Join local residents as they kick off the holiday season! This 30 year event is a hit for young and old alike. The weekend long festivities begin Friday with the Christmas Walk starting at 5:30pm and the tree lighting ceremony afterwards tour all the local shops until 9pm. Come back Saturday for breakfast with Santa, tours of the Historical Society museum and shopping at the local stores. Conclude the weekend at St. Paul's United Methodist Church for their annual "A Night in Bethlehem" a hands-on Holy-Land experience. Take a walk back in time with a huge display, reenactments, booths and demos. Don't miss a weekend of holiday family fun in Bay Head!
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December 8th
What: Wreath & Centerpiece Decorating Where: Cook College/Rutgers Univer. 130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick NJ Looking for techniques on how to create the perfect Centerpiece and Wreath for the Holidays? Look no further! The instructors will detail several different methods of designing a wreath and take you step by step through the techniques necessary to create your own holiday boxwood ‘centerpiece masterpiece’. DDecorate your home for the holidays with handmade wreaths and centerpieces. No previous experience required!
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December 1, 8, 15th
What: Brunch with Santa Where: Camden Children's Garden, Camden NJ Bring the little ones down to the Camden's Children Garden in Camden NJ for a holly, jolly brunch with Santa! Enjoy a delicious Tortilla Press buffet with Santa at the head of the table! Santa will be walking around, greeting all the children and feasting with them too. Two seatings are available: 11 - 11:45 or 12 - 12:45. Reserve your spot by calling 856-365-8733, you won't want to miss out on the merriest brunch in New Jersey!
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December 12th
What: Santa Train Rides Where: Westfield NJ The Jersey Central Chapter, in conjunction with Santa and Mrs. Claus, operates a Santa Claus Special for the kids. 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. |
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November 17th through December 22nd
What: Santa's Trolley Ride Where: The Physick Estate, Cape May NJ Meet Santa and Mrs. Clause at the Physick Estate in Cape May NJ for trolley rides around Cape May. Kids and parents alike will enjoy the beautifully decorated Victorian-style houses known to this area, sing-alongs of your favorite Christmas songs and Christmas stories read by Mrs. Clause. Santa and Mrs. Clause have prepared a sweet and special treat for all the kids! Trolleys run every Saturday and Sunday, see the times and dates to reserve your spot! |
More Cool things to do this Christmas Season in New Jersey
HOW TO ROAST CHESTNUTS
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Select fresh chestnuts that are heavy, glossy and firm, with smooth shells. 3. Using a paring knife cut a small cross on one side of each shell to allow steam to escape and to make nuts easier to peel. 4. Place nuts in a single layer in a heavy oven-proof skillet or roasting pan. Roast 15 to 20 minutes. 5. Wrap hot chestnuts in a towel and squeeze to crush the shells. Keep nuts wrapped for 5 minutes before removing. Shell the chestnuts by removing both the hard outer shell and the thin brown skin inside. Careful not to burn your fingers. 7. Enjoy !

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Places to go Snow Mobiling in New Jersey
North
High Point State Park, Sussex (973) 875-4800 Ringwood State Park, Ringwood (973) 962-7031 Stokes State Forest, Branchville (973) 948-3820 Upper Greenwood Lake/Waywayanda State Park (973) 853-4462 Worthington State Forest, Columbia (908) 841-9575
South
Bass River State Forest, New Gretna (609) 296-1114 Belleplain State Forest, Woodbine (609) 861-2404 Lebanon State Forest, Lisbon (609) 726-1191 Warren Grove Recreation Area, Barnegat Township (609) 296-1114 Wharton State Forest, Hammonton (609) 561-0024


Christmas Fun in Bethlehem PA

The city of Bethlehem in Pennsyvania offers a world of festivities this holiday season. It is Less than a 90 minute drive from New York City and Philadelphia in eastern Pennsylvania, Bethlehem is nestled in the Lehigh Valley, at the foot of the beautiful Pocono Mountains. December glows with dozens of holiday attractions, but the biggest is Christkindlmarkt.
Christkindlmarkt Nov 15 through Dec 23rd Christkindlmarkt is considered the premier event in Bethlehem! Recognized as one of the top holiday markets in the world by Travel and Leisure Magazine, Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem showcases aisles of exquisite handmade works by the nation’s finest artisans, the heart-warming sounds of live Christmas music, delicious food, and more.
The event is also home to jolly old St. Nicholas, who’s eager to greet children and hear their holiday wishes, and Germany’s Käthe Wohlfart, renowned for its authentic German ornaments, nutcrackers, smokers and collectibles. This old-world holiday craft market features over 175 artisans during its month-long run. The European-style event showcases juried crafts, an authentic German St. Nicholas, specialty food, live holiday music & children's activities. Admission is $8 for adults. For more information visit their website or call 610-861-0678
2012 Dates & Hours Thurs 11am-6pm Fri-Sat 11am-8pm Sun 11am-6pm
Directions to Bethlehem PA
Take the Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel or George Washington Bridge to the NJ Turnpike South. Near Newark Airport stay to right and take Exit 14 (not 14 A, B, etc.). Take I-78 West to Pennsylvania.
Take NJ Turnpike South, Rt. 287 or Garden State Parkway to connect with I-78. Take I-78 West to Pennsylvania.
Take NJ Turnpike North (or alternate route) to the East-West Turnpike (Rt. 276). Between Exits 25 and 26 take the PA Turnpike Northeast Extension (Rt.476). Take Exit 33 for the Lehigh Valley.

Things to do this Holiday Season in New York City
October 16 - April 2013 Daily Ice Skating Rink schedule at Rockefeller Center It wouldn't be winter without a spin around the New York City's most celebrated attractions. The world-famous Ice Rink at Rockefeller Center has become a quintessential New York City winter experience for generations. Here you'll find New Yorkers and visitors alike, skating amid the watchful eye of the gilded Prometheus statue and the unique urban backdrop of Rockefeller Center's sparkling lights. Watch the skaters glide by afterwards while enjoying a delicious meal, steps away, at Rock Center Café, The Sea Grill or Cucina & Co.
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