Information and tips on Christmas holiday events and attractions in New Jersey to help you celebrate or usher in the 2009 Christmas season. Or you can learn about the origin of Christmas from paganism to commercialism.
North Jersey 2009 NJ Christmas Events |
Holiday Lights Spectacular
Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, NJ
973-731-5800 |
Experience Turtle Back Zoo in the winter as 100,000 bulbs and 50 lit displays illuminate the zoo this holiday season! Regular admission: $7 Adults $3 Children
Beginning Friday, November 27, 28, 29 2009 and then nightly during December until January 2, 2010 (except December 24 & 25th)
Time: 5-9pm |
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Candlelight Christmas Tour
Friday, December 18 , 2009
6pm-9pm
Main Street Manor Bed & Breakfast Inn
194 Main Street
Flemington, NJ 908-782-4928 |
The Inn’s public space will be decorated with fresh greens, twinkling lights and two fresh evergreen trees. Snowbabies, antique angels and of course, Santa Clauses will grace the dining room. Merrymakers are invited to visit the grand Manor which will be elaborately festooned for the best of the Holidays. Hot cider, cheese & crackers along with holiday cookies will be offered to all who come for the tour.
A donation of $5.00 per person is rerquested to supportthe non profit K-9 Soldiers which is a grassroots organization which supports the K9’s & handlers of military working dogs of all four branches of the service, presently serving our Country in Iraq & Afghanistan |
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Chester Tree Lighting
Dec. 4, 2009, 6 p.m
At the Chester Garden Club
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Annual Tree Lighting, |
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Christmas Carol
Sat Dec 19 at 1:00 PM and at 4:00 PM
Bergen PAC
30 North Van Brunt St,
Englewood, NJ
(201) 227-1030
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A powerful story of redemption, Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” has enchanted audiences the world over with its simple message of selfless giving. Ebenezer Scrooge, survives a merciless battery of revelations through visits by the ghosts of his own Christmas: Past, Present and Future |
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Denville Christmas Tree Lighting
Nov. 28, 2009, 7 p.m.
At Denville Rotary's "Santaland" behind Chase Bank on Diamond Spring Road. |
49th annual Tree Lighting |
Central Jersey 2009 NJ Christmas Events |
Bradley Beach Christmas Tree Lighting
November 29, 2009 4:00pm
Riley Park
Bradley Beach
(732) 776-2999
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Tree lighting, entertainment and refreshments. |
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The Irish Tenors Symphonic Holiday Concert
November 27, 2009, 8:00 PM
Count Basie Theatre
99 Monmouth St.
Red Bank
732-842-9000
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The Irish Tenors and Symphony Orchestra with conductor Arnie Roth create exceptional evening of holiday and Christmas music! Since first joining voices in 1998, Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns and Karl Scully have made countless traditional treasures breathe with new life. They’ve proven themselves gifted interpreters of song, and a wide range of material; Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and Jimmy Kennedy’s “South of The Border” live comfortably in their repertoire alongside “Danny Boy” and “My Wild Irish Rose.” They’ve sold millions of copies of their magical CDs The Irish Tenors, Home For Christmas, Live In Belfast, Ellis Island, We Three Kings and Heritage. In the US, they are second only to U2 as the most successful Irish touring acts ever. |
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Freehold Tree Lighting
December 1, 2009
5:00 - 7:00 pm
Hall of Records
West main Street |
On Saturday, December 5th, the annual Santa Train locomotive rolls into town with Santa Claus himself, making a stop at the Freehold station for photos with every child. Each child receives a gift. Fun for the entire family! |
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Toms River Christmas Tree Lighhting Ceremony
Friday, December 4, 2009
6 pm - 8:30 pm
Town Hall Courtyard |
With Musical Entertainment and Performers
7:15 - 7:30 pm Santa’s arrival & Christmas Tree Lighting will take place between 7:15 - 7:30pm
Photos with Santa at Town Hall Hot Chocolate & Cookies for purchase will be available from 7:30 - 8:30 pm |
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Princeton Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 27, 2009
4:45pm-6pm
The Green
Palmer Square
Princeton
609-921-2333 |
Town-wide holiday kick-off, with musical performances and an appearance by Santa.
Events through the Holiday season include: Old Fashioned Carriage Rides;
Saturdays & Sundays.,
Strolling Musical Entertainement
Saturdays & Sundays in December,
1pm - 3pm
Entertainers stroll around Palmer Square
Strolling Santa Claus
Saturdays & Sundays in December,
1pm - 3pm |
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Pier Village Holiday Spectacular
November 28, 2009
Pier Village
Long Branch
(866) 384-PIER (7437) |
Featuring a menorah lighting ceremony, tree lighting, Santa strolling Pier Village, and free carriage rides. Pier Village, Long Branch |
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Red Bank Holiday Express Concert & Town Tree Lighting Ceremony
Nov 27, 2009
7 PM
Broad & Monmouth Streets
Red Bank, NJ
732-544-8010
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Join in the celebration with contemporary and traditional Christmas music with the Holiday Express in Rock 'n' Roll in concert and see the lighting of Red Bank's decorations and Christmas tree. Featuring entertainment by the Holiday Express FREE. |
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Red Bank Classic Horse and Carriage Rides
Beginning November 28, 2009, and every Saturday until Christmas, 1-5pm
Red Bank
732-842-4244 |
Ride through the Red Bank Business District and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season! 2 Locations: Bridge Avenue (across from the Galleria) and Murphy Style Grill (26 Broad Street)
FREE |
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Holiday Lantern Tours
Sat. Dec. 12 & Sat. Dec. 19, 2009
Allaire Village
Route 524 / Allaire Rd.
Farmingdale, NJ
732-919-3500
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The Holiday Candlelight Lantern Tours offer visitors a glimpse of the Historic Village at night as authentically-clad historic museum interpreters lead groups through the lantern-lit streets of the Village bedecked in Holiday splendor. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the past and enjoy many of the historic buildings through the enchantment of candlelight as costumed interpreters explain the various Holiday customs of the time. The smells of fresh baked treats and hot mulled cider greet visitors as they enter our Bakery. The sounds of hammer against anvil ring through the night, like hundreds of Christmas Bells, at the Blacksmith's Shop. The Chapel is alive with Holiday music of the period and visitors are welcome visit the home of Howell Works Company Manager James Parshal Smith where costumed interpreters will be demonstrating hearth cooking. The culmination of the tour is a stop at the Big house, the home of James P. Allaire and his family. Here visitors will have an opportunity to see how an affluent family celebrated the Holiday Season |
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Washington Crossing Christmas Day Dress Rehearsal
Sunday, December 13, 2009
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Location: McKonkey Ferry Inn Section of the Washington Crossing Historic Park
215-493-4076
Fees: Admission is charged. |
See the dress rehearsal of the Christmas Day Crossing as the troops row General Washington across the Delaware River. Witness such activities as tavern life in the McKonkey Ferry Inn, open-hearth cooking, historic demonstrations, sutlers, and more at this great family event. The Crossing rehearsal occurs around 1:00 pm. River crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants. If conditions discourage crossing of the river, ceremonies and activities still occur.
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Jolly Trolley
A Christmas Celebration
December 18, 19, 20, 2009
Hall of Records plaza
Main Street
Downtown Freehold, NJ
The Jolly Trolley will depart from the Hall of Records plaza every hour from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19, and from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20. Call 732-333-0094 for tickets. |
An ensemble of actors will bring Freehold's history to life this month, when the Jolly Trolley ride rolls into town. Throughout the rides, actors will show how the borough's historic ancestors may have celebrated Christmas through the decades. Treats will be provided by Old Monmouth Candies. |
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Free Holiday Filmathon (Children's Movies)
Sunday, December 20 at 11 a.m
Paramount Theatre
Asbury Park Boardwalk
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
732-897-8810 |
Asbury Park Film Initiative’s day of free children’s movies. The line up includes The Polar Express, the original Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Christmas Story and, everyones favorite, Elf.
Santa will also be in the Grand Arcade every Saturday and Sunday in December. For more information on the Asbury Park Boardwalk’s holiday events, please visit www.apboardwalk.com. |
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A Christmas Carol, The Musical
Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 2 pm & 4 pm
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street
Manasquan, NJ
732-528-4336
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This musical interpretation of the Charles Dickens classic captures both the humorous and touching moments of the classic story with witty dialogue and fresh, new songs, conveying Dickens' original message that the holiday season should be a "kind, forgiving, charitable time."
Don’t miss FREE PICTURES WITH SANTA for ticket-holders before and after the performances! This is a BRING-YOUR-OWN-CAMERA EVENT! Pictures with Santa will be at the following times: 1:15-2:00 3:15-4:00 5:00-5:30 |
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Washington Crosses the Delaware River
Tuesday, December 25, 2009
1:00 pm
Location: McKonkey Ferry Inn Section of the Washington Crossing Historic Park.
215-493-4076
Fees: Free |
The most historic of all the New Jersey Christmas events. See the 55th annual Crossing of the Delaware at this traditional recreation of a crucial historic event. River crossings are contingent upon safe conditions for participants. If conditions discourage crossing of the river, ceremonies and riverside activities still occur. Guided tours and access to historic structures are NOT available on Christmas Day.
Visitors should arrive before 1:00 on Christmas day to assure parking and to take a place along the viewing line. |
South Jersey 2009 NJ Christmas Events |
Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Celebration
November 27, 2009 - January 3, 2010
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08103
856-365-3300 |
Meet and take photos with Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, as well as our newest Rudolph character, Bumble, and watch him light a 12-ft Christmas tree; take a fantastical ride on the Polar Express in our 4D Theater (powered by PSE&G); get down and boogie at Gill's holiday mascot dance party; delight in holiday treats; or watch as Scuba Santa dives 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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Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday, December 4, 2009
6:00 PM
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard
1st & Central Avenues
Wildwood, NJ
609-522-4520 |
Christmas tree lighting, Santa Clause and refreshments. Cost: Free |
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Annual West Cape May Christmas Parade
December 5, 2009, 5pm
609-884-1005 |
The 44rd Annual WCM Christmas Parade. Start your holiday season with the best Christmas Parade in Cape May County! Over three hours of family fun and entertainment. Parade start time is 5:00PM.
Parade starts at the WCM Fire Hall, proceeds south on Broadway to West Perry and to the Washington St. Mall
Cape May |
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Breakfast with Santa On the Battleship New Jersey
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 from 9 am - 11 am.
Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial 62 Battleship Place Camden, NJ 08103 |
Enjoy a delicious hot breakfast served chow line-style from the crew's galley, experience a self-guided tour of the Battleship, win prizes and meet Santa Claus and enjoy breakfast with Santa.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $16 for kids under 12. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-866-877-6262 ext. 107, or at the Battleship's Ticket Office. |
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Cape May Christmas Candlelight House Tour
Saturday, Dec.5, 12 & 19, 2000 - 5:30 to 8:30 pm
5:30-8:30 p.m., Sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC).
609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 |
One of the popular New Jersey Christmas events. A self-guided tour of Cape May's festive holiday season. Features homes, inns, hotels and churches decorated for the holidays, plus caroling, strolling musicians and good old-fashioned cheer. Hospitality centers offer warm beverages and home-baked treats. Includes admission to the Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., and the Carriage House Gallery. Continuous shuttle service on heated trolleys.
$25 adults, $20 children (ages 3-12) |
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Family Holiday Celebration
December 4 & 5, 2009
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wildwoods Convention Center
Wildwood, NJ
609-729-9000 |
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. |
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The Bridgeton, NJ Festival of Lights
December 5 & 6, 2009
455-3230 x280
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A wonderful community event to kick off the holiday season, the 2nd annual Festival of Lights will be held at Sunset Lake in the Bridgeton City Park. Music, food and vendors are among the entertainment offered to visitors as they stroll among the donor decorated trees and enjoy the holiday season.
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Holiday Festival of Lights at Camden Childrens Garden
Friday and Saturday evenings in December, 2009 through Jan 2, 2010, from 5:30 until 8 pm
3 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ
856-365-8733
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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.
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South Jersey Wind Ensemble Holiday Concert
December 7, 2009
Stockton Performing Arts Center
Stockton, NJ
609-652-9000 |
The South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble is a 65 member concert band composed of music educators, casino showroom musicians and college-trained adults. They will present a concert of exciting new and traditional band music under the baton of Keith W. Hodgson and a distinguished guest conductor. In addition the band will feature 50 of the area’s finest student musicians, who are mostly All-South Jersey and All-State Band members, for the final selections of the evening. This concert will be enjoyed by music lovers of all ages. |
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Carolfest
Saturday, December 19, 2009
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM Music Pier
Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk
Ocean City, NJ
609-525-9300
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