Looking for something fun to do this weekend in New Jersey? New Jersey Monthly has you covered! Below we highlight recommendations for events across the state, from festivals to concerts to family-friendly events and more.
Indigo Girls 📅: Tuesday, December 3 (7:30 pm) ℹ️: The LGBTQ icons and folk rockers have been going strong since 1985. 📍: Count Basie Center for the Arts • Red Bank 💸: $39+
Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol 📅: Select dates from Wednesday, December 4 through Sunday, December 29 (times vary) ℹ️: See Neil Bartlett’s bold adaptation of the holiday classic. 📍: Shakespeare Theatre of NJ • Madison 💸: $5+
Samara Joy 📅: Wednesday, December 4 (7:30 pm) ℹ️: The Grammy-winning Gen-Z jazz singer performs a holiday concert, singing standards with members of her own family. 📍: Mayo Performing Arts Center • Morristown 💸: $39+
Jude Connally Warehouse Sale 📅: Wednesday, December 4 (10 am-6 pm), Thursday, December 5 (10 am-8 pm), Friday, December 6 (9 am-1 pm) ℹ️: Get up to 75 percent off women’s fashions from this New Jersey designer. Tops are $70, pants are $50, and shorts and skorts are $40. 📍: Kenilworth Hotel • Kenilworth 💸: Free
A Magical Cirque Christmas 📅: Thursday, December 5 (7:30 pm) ℹ️: Experience the holiday-themed, high-flying talents of trained acrobats. 📍: NJPAC • Newark 💸: $29+
Smokey Robinson 📅: Friday, December 6 (8 pm) 📍: NJPAC • Newark ℹ️: The legend of R&B and soul is beloved for hits like “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown” and “Shop Around.” 💸: $49.50+
Strangers Stopping Strangers 📅: Friday, December 6 (8 pm) ℹ️: The Jersey natives are a popular Grateful Dead tribute band. 📍: White Eagle Hall • Jersey City 💸: $25+
📅: Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 8 (10 am-6 pm) 📍: 56 Main Street ℹ️: Head to Clinton—one of NJM’s favorite small towns—for a heated tented market of more than 50 craft artisans selling unique gifts. Grab some grub from food trucks and check out the annual Festival of Trees, too, 💸: $10 for seniors and children ages 6-12; $12 for general admission; $45 for family membership
📅: Saturday, December 7 (4:30-9 pm) 📍: 95 South Main Street ℹ️: Bring friends and family to this old-fashioned Christmas fest, featuring horse and carriage rides, food trucks, meetings with Santa and more. 💸: Free admission and parking
The Hip Hop Nutcracker 📅: Sunday, December 8 (2 & 7 pm) ℹ️: The classic holiday tale told through high-energy hip-hop. 📍: NJPAC • Newark 💸: $39+
The Muppets Christmas Carol in Concert with New Jersey Symphony 📅: Sunday, December 8 (3 pm) ℹ️: See the classic as told by Kermit, Miss Piggy and Michael Caine with a live symphony orchestra to accompany the film. 📍: State Theatre New Jersey • New Brunswick 💸: $69+
Mandy Gonzalez 📅: Sunday, December 8 (7:30 pm) ℹ️: The Broadway star and South Orange native returns home to perform holiday faves. 📍: SOPAC • South Orange 💸: $48+
📅: At the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall: Fridays (3-8 pm), Saturdays and Sundays (noon-5 pm) through Sunday, December 22; at the Asbury Hotel: Sundays (noon-5 pm) through December 15 ℹ️: Shop for gifts from local and regional makers and small businesses. Food, music and more are also on hand. 💸: Free admission
Old-Fashioned Christmas at Allaire Community Farm 📅: Now through through Sunday, December 29 (4-8 pm) 📍: 1923 Baileys Corner Road • Wall ℹ️: This family-friendly event features pictures with Santa, indoor and outdoor petting zoos, a Christmas village display, holiday movies, a model train display and more. 💸: $10 for adults; $6 for kids under 18
Want to find even more events? Browse additional events by date and category using our calendar below. And to submit your own event to the calendar, click here.
📅: Sunday, December 8 (3 pm) ℹ️: See the classic as told by Kermit, Miss Piggy and Michael Caine, with a live symphony orchestra accompanying the film. 📍: State Theatre New Jersey • New Brunswick 💸: $69+
Join Dr. Ruth Ochs and the Westminster Community Orchestra for their annual free family holiday concert on Wednesday, December 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Hillman Hall.
The Princeton Folk Music Society welcomes back singer-songwriter David Roth. David strikes the heart and mind with his unique songs, moving stories, and powerful singing.
Bass-baritone Hans Tashjian most recently sang the title role in Handel’s Imeneo with Opera Essentia. Russian-born pianist Anna Keiserman is known for her creative programming, expressive freedom, and singular vision.
PBS-TV star Chris Ruggiero's new Christmas show features fan favorites from his critically-acclaimed Christmas album such as "Sleigh Ride,""Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),"and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"as well as songs from his 4 prior albums.
