All Weekend

Gingerbread Wonderland (Morristown, NJ)
This weekend marks the 22nd Annual Gingerbread Wonderland at Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Check out an incredible exhibit of over 200 edible gingerbread structures from Santa’s Workshop to the Eiffel Tower. Kids will also love the ice sculpture demos and Christmas carolers will put the whole family in the holiday spirit.

Holiday Lights at the Zoo (West Orange, NJ)
The awesome holiday lights at Essex County’s Turtle Back Zoo are here again! Check out opening weekend – you’ll see elephants, reindeer and of course Santa and his sled in colorful light displays. Be sure and arrive a little early to see the real animals too! Turtle Back is home to bears, bison, kangaroos and many more.

Country Christmas (Chester, NJ)
Stop by Alstede Farms for a full on dose of holiday cheer. Visit with Santa, take pictures, enjoy a toasty warm campfire, sign the Santa Gift Log and look for that perfect Christmas tree. There will be festive holiday music, hot chocolate and even s’mores kits – yum!

The Nutcracker (Hackensack, NJ)
The Nunnbetter Dance Theatre's The Nutcracker is back by popular demand in its 20th anniversary year. The full length production, performed by NDT students, pre-professional and professional dancers, is complete with a growing Christmas tree, snow flurries and of course, the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies.

Dynamic Earth at Newark Museum (Newark, NJ)
Take a break from the winter’s chill and spend a weekend afternoon at the family-friendly Newark Museum. Their new exhibit, Dynamic Earth: Ultra Violet and the Glowing Rocks, will definitely engage your budding geologist as they explore how rocks absorb UV light through hands-on experiments.

Saturday, December 7th

Santa Fly-In (Teterboro, NJ)
Santa’s coming to the Aviation Hall of Fame! Gather round the big field and see Santa make a dramatic entrance via helicopter to greet all the eagerly waiting boys and girls. Kids can line up to meet the Big Guy (perfect for holiday card photo ops) and everyone gets candy to take home.

Meet a Penguin! (Howell, NJ)
Looking for a little wildlife fun? Head to Manasquan Reservoir and watch some adorable penguins as they waddle around the environmental center. During the special program geared towards children, you’ll learn about penguin biology, geography, care and feeding and conservation.

Winter Bird Walk (Pennington, NJ)
The Stony Brook-Millstone Association knows the great outdoors is not just for spring and summer! Dress warmly and join Education Director Jeff Hoagland on a hike of the Watershed Reserve in search of wintering birds. Bring binoculars and dress for possible muddy or snowy walking conditions.

Cookies & Cocoa with Santa (Summit, NJ)
Drop by the Reeves-Reed Arboretum this Saturday and get your Santa fix. Jolly old Saint Nick will be there to greet kids (and kids at heart!) Have your picture taken after telling Santa your Christmas wish list and then warm up with cookies and cocoa before heading home.

Sunday, December 8th

Civil War Christmas (Morristown, NJ)
Families can experience what holiday life was like during the Civil War both on the home front and at a soldiers’ winter encampment. Visit and speak with the soldiers as they prepare for a holiday away from home. Then explore the authentically reproduced huts, and watch as the soldiers make a holiday meal over the camp fire. All are invited to warm up with hot mulled cider and cookies.

Winter Wonderland (Oldwick, NJ)
Check out to the Whittemore Wildlife Sanctuary this Sunday for the perfect mix of the great outdoors and Christmas cheer. Munch on cookies with Mrs. Claus, listen to stories by the fire, snack on hot cider and chocolate, make a bird feeder craft and end the afternoon with a guided wildlife walk.

And don't forget: We have additional activity listings in our Event Calendar. And if you are heading into NYC for the weekend make sure you visit the New York City Mommy Poppins events calendar to get the latest on all the fun to be had NYC-style.

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