Enjoy December in New Jersey with this delicious assortment of dining and drinking events.
[RELATED: The Best Things to Do in NJ]
NORTH JERSEY
German Christmas Market of NJ
📅: Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8, 10 am – 9pm (10 am – 5 pm on Sunday)
📍: Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
ℹ️: In addition to crafts, family activities and entertainment, this German market offers cuisine from countless vendors, serving up everything from chocolates to baked goods.
💸: Adults: $10; Seniors; $7; FREE for veterans and children 12 & under
Food and Wine Fundraising Event
📅: Saturday, December 7, 7-11 pm
📍: Michael E. Maher Learning Center, Jersey City
ℹ️: Enjoy wine and culinary delights paired with music and dance in this fundraiser to support the Mobile Mission for Haiti.
💸: $50
Gingerbread House Workshop
📅: Saturday, December 7 & Saturday, December 14; times vary
📍: Liberty Hall Museum, Union
ℹ️: In this workshop, your child will create their own unique gingerbread house. Building materials, candy and icing are provided.
💸: $5 – $30
Vegan Pop-up Shop at The Laundromat
📅: Sunday, December 8, noon-6 pm
📍: The Laundromat, Morristown
ℹ️: Vegans and non-vegans alike will enjoy this event with roughly 15 delicious vegan vendors.
💸: $10
Morristown SantaCon
📅: Saturday, December 14, noon-6 pm
📍: Horseshoe Tavern, Morristown
ℹ️: Dress in your most festive Santa attire for this event featuring drink specials, festive brews and more.
💸: 4 single Santas: $10; Early bird: $14
New Year’s Eve Party at the Shannon Rose
📅: Tuesday, December 31, 1-8 pm
📍: The Shannon Rose, Clifton & Ramsey Locations
ℹ️: The Shannon Rose Irish Pub is helping you ring in the new year with live music, a full-course meal, and an open bar (including a champagne toast at midnight).
💸: Ramsey Location: 4-hour open bar & 4-course dinner – $125
💸: Clifton Location: 4-hour open bar – $75; 4-hour open bar & 3-course dinner – $100
Miracle Pop-Up Bar
📅: Through December; dates vary by location
📍: Franklin Social in Jersey City, Cowan’s Public in Nutley, The Parkside Social in Verona and Gus’s Last Word in Wood-Ridge
ℹ️: Indulge in holiday cocktails and enjoy the festive and nostalgic decor as your favorite Bar & Grills become filled with holiday cheer.
CENTRAL JERSEY
Chef David Burke Holiday Cooking Demo / Meet-and-Greet Dinner
📅: Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 – 9:30 pm
📍: Drafthouse in Sea Bright
ℹ️: David Burke, renowned chef and the founder of Drafthouse, will be providing a holiday season themed cooking demonstration, a three-course dinner, and a Q&A with culinary giveaways. The chef will cook classic dishes, share stories from his culinary career, and offer behind the scenes tricks.
💸: $95
Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner
📅: Thursday, December 12, 6 pm
📍: Lita in Aberdeen
ℹ️: Partake in a five course tasting menu, optional cocktail bar and wine tasting, and receive a gifted bottle of Marques de Caceres Reserva Rioja DOC 2018.
💸: $250
Countryside Christmas at the Vineyard
📅: Saturday, December 21 – Sunday, December 22; times vary
📍: Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes
ℹ️: Enjoy festivities such as live music and a fire pit, paired with food available for purchase such as a soup trio, sandwiches and cookies.
💸: Free admission
Breakfast With Santa
📅: Saturday, December 21, 9 am – noon
📍: Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch
ℹ️: Ocean Place is offering a special breakfast with St. Nick himself. Enjoy a tasty buffet and have your kids share their Christmas wishes with Santa. Don’t forget to wear your pajamas!
💸: Adults: $49; Children: $19; Children 6 & under: Free
New Year’s Eve Chef Tasting Menu
📅: Tuesday, December 31, 5 pm, 8 pm
📍: Heirloom Kitchen, Old Bridge
ℹ️: Heirloom Kitchen’s chefs will let you ring in the new year with options of multi-course tasting menus alongside a DJ, dancing, and a toast at midnight.
💸: 5 pm: $128; 8 pm: $198
SOUTH JERSEY
DIY Christmas Decorating Celebration
📅: Thursday, December 5, 7-9 pm
📍: Bar 32 Chocolate & Cocktails, Atlantic City
ℹ️: Enjoy signature chocolate cocktails and a holiday grazing table while painting wine glasses and Christmas ornaments.
💸: $40
Bordentown Holiday Chocolate Walk
📅: Friday, December 6, 5:30-8:30 pm
📍: Icon Boutique Bordentown
ℹ️: This sweet journey will allow you to get delicious chocolatey treats from more than 20 participating locations around Bordentown.
💸: $8 in advance, $10 in-person
Christmas in the Pines
📅: Saturday, December 7, 2-8 pm
📍: Harry Wright Lake, Manchester
ℹ️: Food vendors, s’mores and hot cocoa come to Manchester in this festive event, along with performances, crafts, and even a special visit from Santa Claus.
💸: Free admission
Feast of The Seven Fishes
📅: Wednesday, December 18, 5 pm
📍: Oyster Bay Steak and Seafood, Cape May
ℹ️: Chef Joe Dodds of Oyster Bay and chef Brad Daniels of Tresini are serving up an authentic Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner.
💸: $75
Hanukkah Dinner
📅: Sunday, December 29, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
📍: The Pop Shop, Collingswood
ℹ️: Join cantor Scott Borsky for a Hanukkah dinner including latkes, beverages and dessert. Enjoy dreidel spinning, menorah lighting and other Hanukkah traditions.
💸: Ages 6 & up: $35; Under 6 years: $25
New Year’s Eve Dinner at the Pier House
📅: Tuesday, December 31, 5-10 pm
📍: The Pier House, Cape May
ℹ️: After enjoying a glass of glass of sparkling prosecco, enjoy a four-course dinner which is curated to highlight the season’s finest flavors. After dinner, the bar will be open until the ball drops at midnight.
💸: $125
Jingle Bar at Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille
📅: Through December
📍: Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille, Cape May
ℹ️: This festive pop-up bar is returning to Harry’s in Cape May. Events throughout December include a brunch with Santa, an ugly sweater party and more.
💸: Prices vary with each event.
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