Merry & Bright......Kid Friendly Things to Do this Holiday Season 2019

Not sure what to do during December when the Christmas holidays are in full swing? Children of all ages will enjoy activities such as seeing gingerbread houses, winter wonderlands, holiday scenery, Nutcracker shows, and light displays throughout the New Jersey area. Please confirm dates and times as they are subject to change. Check NJ Kids Calendar for more events.

Christmas in the Ballantine House at Newark Museum

Through January 5, 2020
Feasting with Family and Friends at Christmas in the Ballantine House. Visitors get a taste of how Christmas was celebrated in late Victorian Newark during the 19th century. See a Christmas tree, wooden shoes by the hearth, stockings on the chimney and plum pudding in the dining room. 49 Washington St, Newark, NJ, 973.596.6550

Christmas Tours at Liberty Hall Museum

Starting November 29, 2019
Liberty Hall steps into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The museum will be transformed into your favorite rooms: Hogwarts Castle Great Hall, Gryffindor Common Room, Snape's Potions Classroom and more! 1003 Morris Ave, Union, NJ, 908.527.0400

Holiday Fun Weekends at The Newark Museum of Art

Each weekend drop in for crafts, tours, and delicious surprises. Holiday fun at the Newark Museum for the whole family.
Jingle Bell Rock, December 7 & 8, 2019 - Make a graham cracker house and decorate holiday cards.
Holidays Around the World, December 14 & 15, 2019: Learn how cultures around the world celebrate their holidays.
Winter Solstice, December 21 & 22, 2019 - Make a candle.

New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker at bergenPAC

December 7-8, 2019
Classic Nutcracker performed by the New Jersey Ballet at Bergen Performing Arts Center. This show has thrilled audiences for more than half a century with its spectacular performances. 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ, 201.227.1030

Laser Holiday Magic Show at New Jersey State Museum Planetarium

Starting November 29, 2019,  Weekends
Celebrate this holiday season a most spectacular Laser Holiday Magic show. Full-spectrum laser beams dance along with dazzling animated laser effects set to popular holiday music such as Frosty the Snowman and more! 205 West State St, Trenton, NJ, 609.292.6464

New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker at Mayo Performing Arts Center

Fri-Sun, December 13-15, 2019
The Nutcracker at Mayo Arts is a holiday fairytale favorite with splendid dancing, live orchestra, special effects and holiday magic. Fun the whole family! 100 South St, Morristown, NJ, 973.539.8008

The Nutcracker at NJPAC

Sat, December 14, 2019, 2PM or 7PM
Traditional Nutcracker NJPAC production starring Ukraine’s acclaimed National Ballet Theatre of Odessa. This holiday fairytale follows a young girl’s journey through a fantasy world of fairies, princes and an army of mice. 1 Center St, Newark, NJ, 888.GO.NJPAC

Kwanzaa Festival and Marketplace at NJPAC

Fri & Sat, December 20, 2019 - December 21, 2019
Celebrate culture and community at NJPAC’s annual Kwanzaa Festival and Marketplace, featuring arts and crafts, music, dance activities, West African dance & drums, Kwanzaa ceremony & storytelling and more! 1 Center St, Newark, NJ, 888.GO.NJPAC

Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland At Van Saun Park

Through January 5, 2020
Bergen County’s spectacular Winter Wonderland. Decorative holiday lights, ice skating, Bergen Express train rides, carousel rides, zoo entry, Santa’s North Pole Workshop, and plenty of kids activities & games. 216 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ.

Christmas Festival At The Morristown Green

December 1-22, 2019
Meet Santa and take photos, enjoy holiday treats, and ride a miniature Electric Train around the Green. Ice sculpting, hands-on activities include gingerbread house and ornament making. Listen to Christmas music and local choirs. At night, see the park on the Green sparkle with hundreds of colorful lights. North Park Place, Downtown Morristown

Christmas At The Historic Village At Allaire

December 2019, Select Dates
Celebrate the Joys of early American Christmas at The Historic Village at Allaire with hearth cooking, story telling, carolers, dancing, crafts, Santa and more! Farmingdale, NJ, allairevillage.org

Christmas On The Plaza At The Wildwoods

December 6-7, 2019
Family entertainment with Christmas On The Plaza at the Wildwoods with a Christmas parade, holiday activities, ice-skating, rides, crafts and food. Byrne Plaza, Oak & Pacific Ave, Wildwood, NJ.

28th Annual Gingerbread Wonderland at Frelinghuysen Arboretum

December 6-15, 2019
A Morris County holiday tradition for 2019. Showcasing over 200 displays of gingerbread houses featuring trains, scenery, animals, and traditional! New for 2019 is the category of Robotics Gingerbread houses. 353 East Hanover Ave, Morris Township, 973.326.7601, arboretumfriends.org

Holiday Performances at Simon Malls:

Quaker Bridge Mall with music groups featuring:
Syncopations, December 1, 2019 & December 16, 2019
Princeton String Academy, December 13, 2019
Great Faith Worship Center, December 14, 2019
Villa Victoria Academy, December 15, 2019
Garden Statesmen, December 17, 2019

Sea Of Lights At Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Aquarium & Pavilion

December 13-28, 2019
The Jersey Shore comes alive as indoor holiday lights brighten up Jenkinson’s Boardwalk to become a Winter Wonderland. Treats, crafts, pictures with Santa, games, and more! 300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.

WinterFest Ice Skating At Cooper River

Through February 17, 2020
Experience Family fun at a WinterFest! A Winter Wonderland with ice-skating, family activities, arcade games, outdoor games, and tasty treats. Cuthbert Blvd and Park Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ