36 of the best things to do this weekend in NJ — Dec. 6-8

The tour will feature 7 private historic homes along with area businesses and churches including the Abbott House B&B and the Orthodox Church of the Mother of God. The homes located on this self-guided walking tour in the historic downtown area are on Main Street, Lenape Avenue, and Hudson Street, all within easy walking distance from each other. Homes vary in age from 100 to more than 230 years old; each with their own architectural character and charm, coupled with the owners personal decor and style. The home's owners will be your tour guide of their properties and will try and answer your questions regarding the history of the structure as well as their personal history of the home.

Dec 7, 2019
Hamilton Historic Society
6001 Main St., Mays Landing, NJ 08330

Enjoy your first meal of the day with the big guy in red! Join us for breakfast catered by Silver Diner with songs and stories and of course a visit with Santa. Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. Seatings: 10 am, 11 am, Noon & 1 pm. Tickets on sale now!

Dec 7, 2019 - Dec 8, 2019
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Watch a festive line-up of floats, fire trucks and other creatively decorated vehicles parade down the streets of the Wildwoods accompanied by Santa himself! Revised parade route to be announced. Following the parade, a tree lighting ceremony will take place at 7:30 pm at Byrne Plaza. If weather is uncertain, listen to 98.7 The Coast. Parade Rain Date: December 8 at 5 pm.

Dec 6, 2019
Byrne Plaza
3400 Pacific Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260

Montclair Township hosts its annual holiday tree lighting in Church Street Plaza with holiday music by the Montclair Community Band, carolers, giant snow globe, ice sculpture, and a visit with Santa! Join us for an evening of fun winter entertainment in downtown Montclair. The following day, Santa will visit the Business Districts on a Montclair Fire Department fire truck and has gifts for all youngsters.

Dec 6, 2019
Church Street Plaza
Church St., Montclair, NJ 07042

A FREE holiday concert featuring arrangements of classic Christmas carols and favorite holiday songs. Concertgoers of all ages are welcome! The concert is free and open to the general public. Donations will be accepted to benefit the band, a non-profit organization comprised entirely of volunteers. The church is handicapped accessible, and large print programs will be available. In the event of severe weather, please visit our website.

Dec 6, 2019
Whitehouse United Methodist Church
73 Old Hwy. 28, Whitehouse, NJ 08888

The Princeton Shopping Center will host its annual Cookies with Santa Event. A family-friendly event that includes cookie decorating courtesy of LiLLiPiES, photo ops with Santa, and a raffle to win four tickets to A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center. Attendees are asked to meet in front of Marlowe's Jewelry at noon sharp to greet Santa's fire truck and then parade with Santa through the shopping center. Cookies with Santa is FREE, open to everyone, and is rain or shine. This is a popular event -- please pre-register online. Parking is FREE.

Dec 7, 2019
Princeton Shopping Center
301 N. Harrison St., Princeton, NJ 08540

New Brunswick City Center invites the entire community to celebrate the holidays in New Brunswick this season! Join us for the annual holiday festivities and lighting of the 26-foot Tree at Monument Square Park. Admission is FREE so bring the whole family. There will be face painting, a photo booth, holiday music, cook-off competition, giveaways, and MORE! Santa Claus will also be arriving in style and bringing his friends Olaf, the Minion, and Rocco the Ram, who will be strolling through the downtown City Center, so bring the camera. Be sure to check out our specialty stores offering holiday specials and make plans to dine in our fabulous restaurants while you're in town!

Dec 6, 2019
Monument Square
323 George St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901

A Dickens' Christmas Tea

For the 9th Christmas Season, One Steep At A Thyme, a tea house in Jamesburg, NJ, will be serving a 7 course Evening Twilight Tea as the Traveling Literary Theater presents a costumed, professional reading of Dickens' own, one hour, edited version of A Christmas Carol. $75/all inclusive price. Makes a wonderful Christmas gift experience for friends and family.

Dec 6, 2019 - Dec 22, 2019
One Steep At A Thyme
170 Gatzmer Ave., Jamesburg, NJ 08831

In Ancient Yuletide lore the giving of gifts was not the whole story. The goodly elf that we have come to know as Santa Claus had a companion whose responsibility was decidedly darker. Krampus was charged with delivering punishment to the those who had been “naughty” during the year. He delivered his “treats” on a sliding scale, from piles of dirt to coal in the stocking to …well, lets just say it could get a LOT worse. Krampus is still a part of Austrian and German Holiday traditions and is celebrated with mask making, Parades knowns as “Krampuslaufs” and merry making of a more terrifying nature. December 5 is known as “Krampusnacht”. The night when Krampus would seek out those children on his naughty list. We are inviting everyone to show up in their Krampus best on December 1st … Or to see if their names are on his list! Please use #KrampusAP when sharing it on social media! Asbury Park will be open for business none the less, with fun events for people of all ages!

Dec 6, 2019 - Dec 7, 2019
Paranormal Books & Curiosities
621 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Visit seven local historic sites decorated for Christmas, each one decorated authentically to its time period, beginning in Colonial times until the 20th century. One ticket gains you entrance to all the sites over a three day period.

Dec 6, 2019 - Dec 8, 2019
Morris County Tourism Bureau
6 Court St., Morristown, NJ 07960

Featuring homemade Heritage cookies like Grandma used to bake. Choose from a wide selection of our Family Favorites including Linzer tarts, rich Cold Dough Cookies, Thumbprints, Gingerbread, Russian Tea Cakes, Buckeyes, Peanut Butter Blossoms, decorated Cut Out Cookies, too many varieties to list! All of our cookies are made with the finest ingredients and of course, lots of LOVE! Decorated cookie trays and boxes available and don’t forget…. our freshly made Walnut, Apricot and Poppy Seed Rolls are perfect for your holiday entertaining. We will also be offering Beautiful handcrafted gifts for sale, perfect for everyone on your shopping list! Hand carved Shore birds and trees by a local artist, hand made jewelry, hand knitted treasures, sea glass ornaments and if that’s not enough…….an enormous Ethic Store filled with unique gifts, jewelry, Christmas ornaments, handcrafted aprons, tote bags, literally something for everyone! We also will collecting gently used coats for adults and children. Hats, gloves and scarves would be appreciated, too! We are located at 360 Van Zile Road, Brick, NJ. Come join us for free Hot Chocolate and Coffee….. We hope to see you there!

Dec 7, 2019
360 Van Zile Rd., Brick, NJ 08724

Come celebrate the season with us! The Dey Mansion will be fully decorated and alive with the sights and sounds of the 18th century. The weekend will be filled with music, hearth cooking, demonstrations and crafters as well as special appearances from the New Jersey's local militia. Visit our fully stocked gift shop to find a unique gift for everyone on your list and, as always, we'll have traditional Dutch Speculaas cookies!

Dec 7, 2019 - Dec 8, 2019
Dey Mansion
199 Totowa Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470

The Abraham Staats House presents this special event: Candlelight Tours at the Abraham Staats House. Led by a guide in authentic 18th century clothing, visit each room of the house, decorated for the season by members and community organizations. Learn about the house, Staats family and early history of Christmas. Tours will begin in the evening with a new tour every half-hour. See our website for times and prices.

Dec 7, 2019
Abraham Staats House
17 Von Steuben Ln., South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

It's easy to see why the Lake Mohawk German Christmas Market in Sparta continues to be ranked as "One of the Top Ten Things to Do in December in the State." While you personalize your holiday shopping, tantalizing smells will dance among the vendors set along the picturesque lakefront, as traditional food and drinks among the festive chorus's of local school choirs and entertainers. The authentic wooden huts have simply enhanced the enchanting festive atmosphere. In the 19 years since its humble beginning of raising funds for local charities and organizations, it is now truly recognized as New Jersey's largest Christmas Market. The Market has a special visitor St. Nicholas, himself, and features a pony ride and petting zoo. Three Park & Ride locations are provided allowing for a stress free visit one for handicapped needs.

Dec 7, 2019 - Dec 8, 2019
Lake Mohawk Country Club Boardwalk & Sparta Train Station
21 Boardwalk, Sparta, NJ 07871

Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity. The Pixie Dust Presents production arrives just in time for the holidays! Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Dec 6, 2019 - Dec 15, 2019
Union County Performing Arts Center's Hamilton Stage
360 Hamilton St., Rahway, NJ 07065

Hometown Holiday

Tree lighting, strolling musicians and singers, FREE crafts, Santa arriving by firetruck. Photos with Santa, window decoration contest for downtown businesses. FREE parking. Fun for all ages!

Dec 6, 2019
44 E. Washington Ave., Washington Borough, NJ 07882