Things To Do

Sea of Lights at Jenkinson’s Aquarium

Family

Dec 14-15, 21-22, 26-28: Strings of colorful lights fill Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach for Sea of Lights. Make your way to the Pavilion for crafts, treats, games, pictures with Santa and more.

Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center

Festival

Thru Dec 30: At every turn, and in every direction, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular light displays and animations

Christmas Candlelight House Tours in Cape May

Holiday

Thru Dec 15: Experience the high point of Cape May’s holiday season during these self-guided walking tours

Smithville’s Holiday Light Show

Festival

Thru Jan 6: Enjoy popular songs of the Holiday Season synchronized with a dazzling Christmas tree light show sure to get you in the Holiday spirit during Smithville’s Holiday Light Show. 

Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show & Outdoor Village

Family

The spectacular Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show & Village is back for its fifth festive year! With more than two million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-through course PLUS a new outdoor village, it’s a must-see holiday attraction for your whole family.

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure

Family

Nov 17-Jan 1: Six Flags Great Adventure lights up the nights as it magically transform into a winter wonderland for Holiday in the Park. More than a million glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, Santa’s village and many of the park’s rides provide the perfect setting for memorable holiday fun.

Festival of Trees

Family

Dec 1-28: Lord Stirling Park’s Environmental Education Center will be filled with decorated trees and wreaths for the Festival of Trees, an indoor exhibit designed by community groups.

Polar Express Train Ride at Whippany Station

Family

Nov 16-Dec 30: Get whisked away on the Polar Express for a magical, one-hour train ride to the North Pole. Cheerful, dancing hosts punch golden tickets, serve hot chocolate and cookies, and read the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg.

Christmas Underwater in Camden’s Adventure Aquarium

Family

Nov 23-Dec 30: Did you know that Jersey has the world’s largest underwater Christmas tree? See for yourself at Christmas Underwater in Camden’s Adventure Aquarium. 

Monmouth Museum’s Holiday Model Train Display& Artisans Holiday Gift Gallery

Arts

On November 18, 2018 this merry and mouth-watering juried art show, the popular Holiday Model Train Display and the Museum’s Artisans Holiday Gift Gallery all open with a reception from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Admission is free for this event and open to the public.

Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride

Holiday

Dec 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 26-31: During a Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Ride, a member of the East Lynne Theater Company regales you with a Victorian holiday ghost tale as you ride through Cape May.

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar 2018

Holiday

Nov 24-25; Dec 1-2, 8-9, 15, 22-23The Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar will feature a curated roster of the best local and regional artists, vendors, and shops selling the cutest and coolest vintage, handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs, and more.

Asbury Park Beer Fest

Festival

Jan 26-27: Sip on craft beer and cider while chowing down on boardwalk food at the Asbury Park Beer Fest.

New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2019

Festival

Jan 25-March 1: The biannual New Jersey Film Festival Spring 2019 screens more than 50 documentary, experimental, short, animated and student films. 

Jersey Shore Toy Show

Family

Dec 16: Collectibles show featuring 75+ tables of toys, comic books, & video games.

15 Holiday Productions and Concerts to Get You in the Spirit of the Season

Tis the season for heartwarming holiday productions!

Disney on Ice: Frozen

Performance

Jan 3-6: The kingdom of Arendelle is trapped in a perpetual winter. Join Anna, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven on their journey to find Queen Elsa and bring back summer in Disney on Ice: Frozen. The whole family will sing along to songs from the 2013 film and be delighted by appearances from Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie. 

Dancing With The Stars: Live!

Dance

TV’s biggest dance show returns on tour this winter with “Dancing with the Stars: Live!” featuring fan favorite professional and troupe dancers in a brand-new production showcasing every type of dance style as seen on ABC’s hit show Dancing with the Stars, ranging from ballroom and jazz to modern and hip-hop.

We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring Damien Sneed

Music

Jan 17-18: The production “We Shall Overcome: A Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. featuring Damien Sneed” celebrates the 35th anniversary of MLK Day with music from Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, traditional African-American spirituals and The Wiz. Parts of Dr. King’s recorded speeches are woven into the performance led by musical producer Damien Sneed

The Eagle Theatre Presents: “Ragtime”

Theater

Jan 24-Feb 17: Based on the novel by E. L. Doctorow, the musical Ragtime is set in volatile New York City at the turn of the century. A Jewish immigrant, a Harlem musician and an upper-class motherare united by courage, compassion and a belief in a better tomorrow. 

The Grand Theatre Presents: “Mamma Mia”

Musical

Jan 24-Feb 9: Set to ABBA tunes, the musical Mamma Mia follows Donna, who is preparing for her daughter Sophie’s wedding. Meanwhile, the bride-to-be has secretly invited three men from her mother’s past to the party. She hopes one of them is her birth father. 

New Jersey Speakers Series: Jeb Bush

Jan 31: Former Florida governor Jeb Bush talks about his political career as part of the New Jersey Speakers Series. In 2016, he was a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. He currently serves as chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a nonprofit he founded. 

Liberty Science Center’s new International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes

Arts

Thru May 27: The Liberty Science Center’s new International Exhibition of Sherlock Holmes takes you inside Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books. See props from Sherlock Holmes movie sets, follow the clues to find missing items, and learn about modern forensic practices. 

Watchung Reservation & the Visual Arts Center of NJ Present: “Reclamation” by Artist Nikolina Kovalenko

Arts

Thru Feb 12: Artist Nikolina Kovalenko is interested in humanity’s vanishing connection with nature and the consequences our everyday actions have on the environment. Her new exhibition, Reclamation, will be on display at the Watchung Reservation’s Trailside Nature and Science Center.

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey Presents: “Kevin Blythe Sampson: Black and Blue”

Arts

Sept 28-Jan 27: The exhibit “Kevin Blythe Sampson: Black and Blue” incorporates drawings, a site-specific mural, and porcelain sculptures responding to the Blue and Black Lives Matter movements from his perspective as a retired African-American police officer.

Monmouth Museum’s Annual Holiday Exhibition “Fabulous Food”

Arts

Family, Friends, Fun and Food! This year, the Monmouth Museum’s Annual Holiday Exhibition, Fabulous Food, celebrates the intersection of art and food.