With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s time to take a look at the festivities happening around us. From candlelit tours and illuminating light displays to graceful ballets and holiday markets there’s so much to do and so much to celebrate.
THROUGH DEC. 24
Photos with Santa
Visit Santa Claus in the Grand Court to capture some holiday memories with family pet photos available every Monday.
Cherry Hill Mall, times vary, $39.99-plus, Cherry Hill, CherryHillMall.com
NOV. 24-26 & DEC. 1-23
Magical Holiday Express
Experience a train ride through millions of Christmas lights, meet Santa and his elves in his workshop, chat with Mrs. Claus and so much more.
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Sun.-Thurs. 4:45-8 p.m. & Fri.-Sat. 4:45-8:45 p.m., $19.95-24.95, Hammonton, DiDonatoFunCenter.com
NOW THROUGH DEC. 11
Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Spread holiday cheer at the Moorestown Mall by decorating holiday cards for children spending the holidays in hospitals.
Moorestown Mall, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., free, Moorestown, Moorestown-Mall.com
NOV. 23-JAN. 6
Holiday Light Show
Over 120 Christmas Trees constructed from over 50,000 Christmas lights, magically float on Lake Meone in the center of Historic Smithville and the Village Greene. The moment darkness falls, an orchestrated show of lights and music is played out across the lake.
Historic Smithville, 5:30-8:30 p.m., free, Smithville, HistoricSmithvilleNJ.com
NOV. 24-DEC. 24
Christmas Underwater
Splash into the spirit of the season as Scuba Santa returns to dive with sharks, sea turtles and rays, sharing Christmas cheer with all who come to visit.
Camden Adventure Aquarium, Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. & Sat.-Sun. 9:20 a.m.-5 p.m., $29.99-35.99, Camden, AdventureAquarium.com
NOV. 25
Holiday Parade
The parade features lively seasonal entertainment including marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, stilt walkers, floats, string bands, sports mascots and live music, and special guests including Santa.
Downtown Collingswood, 10 a.m., free, Collingswood, Collingswood.com
NOV. 25-26
Small Business Weekend
Enjoy music, carriage rides, a tree lighting, a hometown Christmas parade, special deals and more while supporting local small businesses.
Uptown Pitman, Noon-5 p.m., free, Pitman, UptownPitman.com
WEEKENDS NOV. 25-DEC. 23
Breakfast With Santa
The Johnsons welcome Santa Clause back for another season of festive holiday fun and memories, including a family style breakfast and story time.
Johnson’s Corner Farm, Seating at 9:30 a.m. & noon, $40, Medford, JohnsonsFarm.com
NOV. 30-JAN. 1
Holidig Light Show
Come enjoy the drive-thru holiday lights and displays.
Diggerland, 5:30 p.m., $34.95, West Berlin, Store.DiggerlandUSA.com
NOV. 30
Lighting of the Menorah
Kick off the holiday season with Monroe Township’s lighting of the Menorah.
Pfeiffer Center, 7 p.m., free, Williamstown, MonroeTownshipNJ.org
Menorah & Marinis
Join Chabad in Medford for a women’s pre-Hanukkah event where you’ll create a one of a kind resin Menorah.
Chabad House, 7 p.m., $36, Medford, ChabadMedford.org
DEC. 1
Christmas Tree Lighting & Winter Village
Join Washington Township for photos with Santa, cookies and hot chocolate, Christmas carols, holiday shopping and lighting the giant tree.
Washington Lake Park, 5 p.m., free, Sewell, Twp.Washington.NJ.US
Candlelight Tour
Tour Woodstown while enjoying photos with Santa, live musical performances, an open air holiday market, letters to Santa station and more.
South Main Street, 5-9 p.m., $10-15, Woodstown, WoodstownByCandlelight.org
Boro in Lights
Join Glassboro as the township lights up their town Christmas tree with more than 19,000 lights and participate in the town’s Toys for Tots and coat drives. After the lighting, enjoy a 21 nad over Ice Bar, trackless train ride, free hot cocoa, coffee and pretzels, and more.
Glassboro Town Square, 6-9 p.m., free, Glassboro, Glassboro.org
DEC. 1-23 & DEC. 26-30
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
Come and experience holiday magic right before your eyes when Santa Claus waves his magic wand and lights up the park with more than one million lights for the holiday season.
Storybook Land, times vary, $32.95-35.95, Egg Harbor Township, StoryBookLand.com
DEC. 2
14th Annual Wreaths of Remembrance
With all the merriment of the holiday season, it can be easy to lose sight of those who gave everything to ensure our religious and personal freedoms. Honor those no longer with us who make the holidays possible at Gloucester County’s Wreaths of Remembrance ceremony.
Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 10 a.m.-noon, free, Williamstown, GloucesterCountyNJ.gov
Dickens Festival
Once a year, Main Street in Medford is transformed into a quaint winter wonderland, featuring holiday festivities galore with an old-time flair.
Main Street, 4:30-9 p.m., free, Medford, MedfordBusiness.org
DEC 3.
Winter in the Pines
Get in the holiday spirit at Batsto Village with hot cider and cookies at the Post Office Museum, holiday photos, the carols of the St. Nicholas Aurora Carolers and more.
Batsto Village, noon-3 p.m., free, Hammonton, BatstoVillage.org
DEC. 8-10 & 16-17
A Christmas Carol: The Musical
With an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!” Scrooge sums up his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his past, present and future.
Broadway Theatre, times vary, $30, Pitman, TheBroadwayTheatre.org
Winterfest
Here you will find wandering carolers dressed in Victorian attire, live entertainment, a Holiday marketplace, ice skating, ice carving, art exhibits curated for the season, and, of course, Victorian Santa.
Historic Smithville Park, 1-7 p.m., free, Eastampton Township, Co.Burlington.NJ.US
Holiday Homes & Historic Sites Tour
Each ticket holder receives a map for a self-guided tour of several beautifully decorated homes and historic sites throughout Mount Holly.
Mount Holly, 3-8 p.m., tickets by donation, MainStreetMountHolly.org
DEC. 9, 14 & 21
Christmas Carol Dinner Theater
Enjoy a prix-fixe menu and join Braddock’s Tavern and the Riddlesbrood Touring Troupe as they perform holiday musical favorites in lavish costumes and sparkling sets.
Braddock’s Tavern, 6:30 p.m., $132.28, Medford, Braddocks.com
DEC. 10
Brunch with Santa & the Grinch
Get a professional family photo with Santa and enjoy a brunch of made-to-order omelets, a Belgian waffles and ice cream station, prime rib and more.
Scotland Run Golf Course, seating available 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $20-60, Williamstown, ScotlandRun.com
DEC. 15-16
Motown Christmas Celebration
Join us for a night of family fun and sing-alongs as cast members take on the greatest hits and classics of Motown artists like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and many more with a Christmas twist.
The Vault at Victor Records, 8 p.m., from $19.99, Camden, VictorRecords.com
DEC. 16
Santa Visits the Farmette
Embrace the magic of Christmas as you sit with Santa in a magical sleigh setup, feed the alpacas and enjoy the harmony of Christmas caroling.
Morning Glori Farmette, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., $50-70 per family, Marlton, MorningGloriFarmette.com
DEC. 16-17
The Nutcracker Ballet
The classic Christmas story is a fairytale ballet centered on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration and young Clara’s dreams about her favorite Christmas present—a nutcracker.
Frank Guaracini Jr. Fine & Performing Arts Center, times vary, $20-35, Vineland, VRDC.org
AT THE SHORE
NOW THROUGH JAN. 1
Christmas in Cape May
This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.
Cape May, times vary, free, Cape May, CapeMayMAC.org
NOV. 24
Christmas in the Downtown
Join Ocean City’s downtown merchants and the Chamber of Commerce in kicking off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas. The celebration culminates with the illumination of City Hall and the arrival of Santa at 5 p.m.
Asbury Avenue, 2-5 p.m., free, Ocean City, OceanCityVacation.com
NOV. 24
Family Holiday Beach Bonfire
Enjoy family fun including music and free photo ops with Santa and other winter wonderland characters.
The beach at Second and Surf, 5-9 p.m., tickets by donation, Wildwood, WildwoodHoliday.com
NOV. 24-26
Christmas in North Wildwood
Enjoy a scavenger hunt with prizes, a free jitney (on Saturday only), outdoor fire pits, hot chocolate, festive lights and decorations, Santa and music while enjoying the holidays in North Wildwood.
Olde New Jersey Ave., 2 p.m., free, North Wildwood, WildwoodHoliday.com
NOV. 25
It’s a Shore Holiday
This dance review, featuring singers and a live band, offers a blend of contemporary and classical dance all set to beloved holiday tunes.
Caesars Casino, 7 p.m., $63.75, Atlantic City, ACBallet.org
SELECT NIGHTS NOV. 25-DEC. 23
Photos with Santa
Head down to Ocean City for your chance to take photos with jolly old St. Nicholas.
Music Pier, noon-3 p.m., free, Ocean City OceanCityVacation.com
DEC. 1
Wildwood Crest Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Kick off the Christmas season in the borough with a tree lighting ceremony, complete with music, light refreshments, a visit from Santa Claus and more.
Sunset Lake, 5 p.m., free, Wildwood Crest, WildwoodCrest.org
Christmas Parade
Check out Ocean City’s annual Christmas Parade which will begin on Asbury Avenue and run from 6th to 12th Street.
Asbury Avenue, 6-7 p.m., free, Ocean City, OCNJ.us/Christmas-Parade
DEC. 2
North Wildwood Tree Lighting
The town of North Wildwood gets into the holiday spirit during their annual tree lighting event complete with live music, a free self-guided lighthouse tour and a visit from the jolly man himself.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard, 5 p.m., free, North Wildwood, WildwoodsNJ.com
Winter Wonderland Parade
This year’s Winter Wonderland Parade will be led by Grand Marshal Kelsey Grammer and Mayor Marty Small Sr. Be sure to get there early to secure your spot along the parade route.
Atlantic Avenue, noon-2 p.m., free, Atlantic City, AtlanticCityNJ.com
Twilight Holiday Parade
This annual celebration serves as a fun night out to celebrate the holiday season with your family and friends.
Ventnor Avenue, 5 p.m., free, Ventnor City, VentnorCity.org
DEC. 5
Sounds of the Season
Pianist and music historian Jay Daniels plays holiday tunes, from Christmas classics to Hanukkah favorites, in a performance that is sure to put you spirit of the season.
Avalon Library, 4-5 p.m., free, Avalon, AvalonFreeLibrary.org
Dec. 8-9
Wildwood’s Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach
Bring the family and enjoy the light show with complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn, letter writing to Santa, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The light show and decorations will be on display nightly from 6:30–7 p.m. through mid-January.
Holy Beach Park, 5-9 p.m., free, Wildwood, WildwoodsNJ.com
Dec.9
Pinch the GrYnch Boardwalk 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk
Don your most festive gear and get ready to run. All proceeds will benefit the Lynch Who Stole Christmas from the GrYnch Toy, Coat and Food Card Drive which over the last 12 years has spread holiday cheer to over 9,571 kids.
Boardwalk, 10 a.m., $30 or $20 with unwrapped toy donation, Wildwood, RunSignUp.com/PinchTheGrynch
Holiday Bazaar
Kick off the holiday season with Wildwood’s Holiday Bazaar featuring family fun, entertainment, pictures with Santa, movies and crafters.
Wildwood Convention Center, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., free, WildwoodHoliday.com
DEC. 10
Brunch With Santa
Enjoy a delicious brunch with Santa in Sea Isle City and bring your cameras to take photos with Santa. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required so be sure to secure your spot early.
VFW Post 1963, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., free, VisitSICNJ.com
DEC. 19
Wildwood Crest Holiday Lights Walk
Bundle up, grab your flashlight and head out to join the Wildwood Crest community as they tour Sunset Lake and the surrounding neighborhood to take a look at the various holiday and Christmas light displays.
Sunset Lake, 5:30 p.m., free, Wildwood Crest, WildwoodsNJ.com
Photo: Lights on Olmsted Lane
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 20, Issue 8 (November 2023)
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