Dec. 16-18 events: The best things to do this weekend in NJ
Looking for something to do this weekend? Big Joe's got you covered. Check out our complete list of great events and fun things do right here in the great Garden State!
ATLANTIC COUNTY
The Atlantic City Ballet will delight you with...The Nutcracker, one of ballet's treasured classics, tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. Embarking on a wondrous journey through the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of Sweets, Clara encounters many unforgettable and timeless characters. Young and old alike will experience the many magical moments, of this beloved holiday ballet. There's no better way to spend the holidays with family and friends than by sharing Atlantic City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker.
Date: December 16th, 2016 - December 17th, 2016
Location: Caesar's Casino
2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401
CAMDEN COUNTY
Fly into The Ritz Theatre with the Ritz Kidz Company just in time for the Holiday Season! Join our young reindeer, Rudolph, as he learns that being unique means being special and that sometimes, even the smallest, most unlikely heroes can save the day.
Date: December 12th, 2016 - December 17th, 2016
Location: The Ritz Theatre Company
915 White Horse Pk., Haddon Twp., NJ 08107
CAPE MAY COUNTY
The Ocean City POPS and the Ocean City Theatre Company will collaborate to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year! An enchanting cast of professional musicians, singers and dancers will present a high-energy, family-oriented, song and dance tribute to the holiday. Through dazzling costumes, familiar songs, toe-tapping numbers and special effects, this extravaganza will kindle the holiday spirit in all of us as the magic of the season comes to life in a brand new journey through seasonal favorites. Friday 12/16 Show begins at 7:30 pm. Saturday 12/17 Show begins at 2pm. Tickets: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $15 for kids 12 years and under. For tickets, please visit our website.
Date: December 16th, 2016 - December 17th, 2016
Location: Ocean City Tabernacle
550 Wesley Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226
ESSEX
Back by popular demand! Take a break from the holiday rush and join us for guided hikes in the Arboretum's woodlands. Discover who is in the forest as we look for signs of our Forest Friends. When we are done, warm up in the historic Stone House with a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace. Please dress and be prepared for the outdoors. 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm. Save your spot online today at: www.HartshornArboretum.org. Suggested donation: $5 per person ages 2 and up.
Date: December 17th, 2016 - December 18th, 2016
Location: Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Dr. S., Short Hills, NJ 07078
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Free fun for all from 1-4 pm. Come take pictures with Santa, take a Pony Ride, enjoy free snacks, and much more! Open to the public!
Date: December 17th, 2016
Location: Horses 4 Hope
50 Warren Glen Rd., Bloomsbury, NJ 08804
MERCER COUNTY
Join Clara, The Nutcracker and Sugar Plum Fairy for this Tchaikovsky classic. The New Jersey Youth Ballet brings this abridged, fully narrated version of the classic ballet to the Kelsey Theatre stage. This magical visit to The Land of The Sweets, followed by a meet and greet with the dancers, is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family. Special Daytime Performance for groups.
Date: December 16th, 2016 - December 18th, 2016
Location: Kelsey Theatre, MCCC
1200 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor, NJ 08550
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
American Repertory Ballet brings the beloved classic Nutcracker to the stage with Tchaikovsky's magnificent score, stunning new sets (new first act scenery!), thrilling choreography and a cast of more than 100. A holiday tradition for more than 50 years (1964), American Repertory Ballet's Nutcracker is one of the longest, continuously running Nutcracker productions in the nation. Directed by Artistic Director Douglas Martin, ARB's professional company will be joined by select students from Princeton Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl named Clara and how a mysterious gift from her Uncle Drosselmeyer brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes. American Repertory Ballet's Nutcracker is a perfect holiday treat for your entire family! Friday: 7:30 pm, Saturday: 1 pm & 4:30 pm, Sunday: 1 pm & 4:30 pm. Tickets: $35-$75.
Date: December 16th, 2016 - December 18th, 2016
Location: State Theatre
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The only major Light Show in New Jersey! Come for food trucks, 85+ vendor tables in our heated vendor tents, s'mores over a camp fire, free kids activities such as glow in the dark face painting, artificial snow in a color changing igloo, a light maze and more! Every 2 hours our giant light show animates to music and is not to be missed. Hosted by Hugs For Brady Foundation, a charity that supports children suffering from childhood cancers. Make a difference in the life of a child who is suffering from a debilitating disease by attending a night of fun and amazement! Visit our website to purchase tickets!
Date: November 25th, 2016 - December 30th, 2016
Location: DeVry University Campus
630 Rte. 1, North Brunswick, NJ 08902
MONMOUTH COUNTY
Learn the stories behind some of the world’s best-known composers and music from Maestro Anthony LaGruth, conductor and artistic director of the Garden State Philharmonic. Hear musical excerpts as you explore the backgrounds of these iconic artists and their music. The Mighty Handful, the music of Russia is rich and varied, and the composers who created this music are just as diverse. Learn the interesting backstories of such composers as Modest Mussorgsky (1839–1881), Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (1844–1908), and Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin (1833–1887), and discover how they created a national music for Russia.
Date: December 16th, 2016
Location: Georgian Court University
900 Lakewood Ave., Lakewood, NJ 08701
The world famous Christmas Light Show is a family tradition at the Jersey Shore. The show combines impressive displays of lighting, fog, and pyrotechnics synchronizing them to powerful concert quality sound! The event is free, we ask for donations to support a charity, Challenged Youth Sports. We recommend a donations of $25 for a family of 4. Free food and drink are also available and Santa usually makes an appearance! The dates listed on this website are tentative and could be rescheduled due to weather or other factors. Visit the website for official dates, show status information, driving and parking directions, or to make an online donation to the charity.
Date: December 17th, 2016
Locaiton: The Christmas Light Show House
2702 Woolley Rd., Wall Twp., NJ 07719
OCEAN COUNTY
Celebration of the last documented land battle of the Revolutionary War. Experience the re-enactment of the 1782 battle. Presented by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission.
Date: December 18th, 2016
Location: Cedar Bridge Tavern
200 Old Halfway Rd., Barnegat, NJ 08005
SALEM COUNTY
This national event that honors our servicemen and women is held annually at Finns Point National Cemetery. Due to very limited parking at the cemetery, parking for the event will be at Fort Mott State Park and visitors will be bused to the cemetery. Ceremony begins at noon sharp and will be held rain or shine.
Date: December 17th, 2016
Location: Finns Point National Cemetery *
454 Fort Mott Rd., Pennsville, NJ 08070
*Other locations across NJ as well. Check link above for more info
SOMERSET COUNTY
Holiday tradition meets old-time nostalgia in this unique and sparkling version of the heartwarming Christmas tale of George Bailey and his guardian angel Clarence performed as a radio play, as the actors step right up behind the old-style microphones in a radio studio to tell the traditional story in the 1940's way, complete with scripts, songs, and sound effects.
Date: December 16th, 2016 - December 18th, 2016
Location: Somerset Valley Playhouse
689 Amwell Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844
UNION COUNTY
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! 10 am - 11:30 am or 1 pm - 2:30 pm. Program Fee: Each $20 reservation admits one child & one adult; all additional adults are $5. Reservations required.
Date: December 17th, 2016
Location: Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083
Naughty or nice – all are welcome when Liberty Hall hosts Breakfast with Santa. Our hot breakfast buffet will fill you with Christmas cheer and put you in the holiday spirit. Then take a photo with the jolly old man himself in Santa's sleigh. 9 - 11 am or 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. Program Fee: $25 per child; $30 per adult. Reservations required; please call.
Date: December 18th, 2016
Location: Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083
WARREN COUNTY
As the Holy couple traveled in search of lodging, they were offered food to sustain them. Stop in this weekend during your travels for a bite of carnitas and a sip of Feliz Navidad as you journey through for the Holidays. $5 admission.
Date: December 17th, 2016 - December 18th, 2016
Location: Villa Milagro Vineyards
33 Rte. 627, Philipsburg, NJ 08865
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