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Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family
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The Turtle Back Zoo holiday lights show in West Orange is one of our top picks for family fun this Christmas. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Things To Do in NJ This Weekend: Lights Festival, Winter Wonderland, Free Crafts & Storytimes

Travel through an illuminated wonderland at the Vernon Lights Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Travel through an illuminated wonderland at the Vernon Lights Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
12/31/19 - By Laurie Rein

If your new year's resolutions includes saving money, then this is your lucky weekend. Most events for New Jersey families in the debut weekend of 2020 are free! Take part in craft freebies at Lakeshore Learning and Zimmerli Art Museum. Bring the kids to storytime freebies like Grumpy Monkey Storytime and Story Snacks. And spend some no-cost time outdoors at the Winery Sunday Music Series and Holiday Light Show.

This weekend also marks the final opportunity to take part in seasonal favorites, including the 62nd Annual Model Railroad Show and Bergen County Winter Wonderland.

Find even more weekend options throughout NJ in our Winter Guide, including the Top Snow Tubing Spots for New Jersey Families. And look to our January GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

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Hit the ice at the Bergen County Winter Wonderland this weekend. Photo courtesy of the event
Hit the ice at the Bergen County Winter Wonderland this weekend. Photo courtesy of the event

Things to Do All Weekend

Bergen County Winter Wonderland

Paramus
Spend the day at Van Saun Park for wintertime fun–including skating, train rides, carousel rides, and much more. New this season is a second ice rink for bumper cars and the Crafts Market Village. READ MORE

62nd Annual Model Railroad Show

North Haledon
All aboard at this annual event which features 1,200 square foot HO layout features steam and diesel locomotives, Thomas and Friends, a Santa Claus Express, numerous freight and passenger trains, rural and urban scenes, and working signals. READ MORE

Bank of America Free Museum Days in NJ

Various NJ – FREE
Who doesn't like a freebie? Bank of America and Merrill Lynch card holders can get complimentary admission to seven New Jersey museums–all of them family-friendly–the first weekend of each month. READ MORE

Holiday Light Show on Lake Meone

Smithville – FREE
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Historic Smithville Village's Lake Meone. Visit any day of the week between 5:30pm and 8:30pm to catch a choreographed light show synchronized to music. READ MORE

Vernon Lights Festival

Vernon
Vernon will shine even brighter this Fall and Winter with the Vernon Lights Festival. Don’t miss this walk-through wonderland of family fun, with massive lighting displays, a dinosaur kingdom, giant pandas, the million light maze and New Jersey’s largest lantern Christmas tree. READ MORE
Get creative at a Lakeshore Learning Center near you on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the center
Get creative at a Lakeshore Learning Center near you on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the center

Things to Do on Saturday, January 4, 2020

Free Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning

East Brunswick, Cherry Hill, and Hackensack – FREE
Lakeshore Learning welcomes children age 3 and older for a free storytime and craft activity each Saturday morning. Check online for photos of weekly projects. No reservations are needed. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood – FREE
Stop by Jakes Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. A new topic is explored each session. READ MORE

Kids Club: Powered By Nat Geo Kids- ON HOLD

Freehold – FREE
Head to the Freehold Raceway Mall for Kid's Club, held the first Saturday of each month in the food court. Each month features a Nat Geo theme, free carousel rides until 11am, prize drawings and other fun activities. Hosted by 94.3 The Point.  READ MORE

Story Snacks at Cedar Grove Library- ON HOLD

Cedar Grove – FREE
Families are invited to the library on the first Saturday of the month for a special story time. Instead of ending each session with a regular craft, participants will create an edible masterpiece. READ MORE

Grumpy Monkey Storytime

Bridgewater and other locations – FREE
Barnes & Noble presents this storytime about a moody chimp. Jim the chimpanzee has a bit of a meltdown when everyone starts giving him advice as to what makes them happy. READ MORE
Make art as a family at Zimmerli Museum's free Art Together program on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the museum
Make art as a family at Zimmerli Museum's free Art Together program on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the museum

Things to Do on Sunday, January 5, 2020

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick – FREE
On select Sundays throughout the year, families can work side-by-side on arts and crafts projects at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Each session includes a brief, instructor-led tour through one of the galleries. READ MORE

Storytime at Hoboken Fire Department Museum

Hoboken – FREE
Tots are welcome to Hoboken Fire Department Museum every Sunday for stories, with special guest readers from Hoboken Public Library. READ MORE

Winery Sunday Music Series

Princeton- FREE
Spend a relaxing day at Terhune with wine, light fare, music, and friend-filled afternoons during its Sunday Music Series. Live music will be in the Wine Barn and courtyard. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood – FREE
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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