Special Events
Holiday In the Park
weekends and select days, Nov. 16 through Jan. 1
Six Flags Great Adventure
One Six Flags Blvd., Jackson
732-928-2000; www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Celebrate the arrival of Santa
Free photos with Santa, Toy Drive and more.
Nov. 30. Doors 11 a.m. Start time: 11 a.m. End time: 1 p.m.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Road, Freehold
Free for all Members of the Kids Club.
732-577-8200; www.iplayamerica.com
Holiday Horse & Wagon Rides
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season throughout Red Bank’s Business District with a free classic horse and wagon ride.
Every Saturday from Nov. 30-Dec. 21, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
www.redbank.org
Small Business Saturday
Nov. 30
Free Classic Horse & Wagon Rides
Rides will run from 1-4 p.m. Board the wagon at one of two locations: 26 Broad Street or 11 Bridge Avenue.
Holiday Harmonies
Carolers, handbell choirs, brass bands, jazz musicians, pop singers and more bring the sounds of the season to the streets of Red Bank from noon-3 p.m.
Pictures with Santa
noon-4 p.m.
The Galleria Red Bank, 2 Bridge Avenue
Free parking throughout town on Small Business Saturday.
www.redbank.org
The Asbury Park Boardwalk’s 12th annual
Christmas Tree Lighting celebration
Nov. 30:
A Grand Tree Lighting Event: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; tree lighting takes place at 6:45 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Holiday Bazaar Kick-Off Weekend and Small Business Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Convention Hall)
The Wizards of Winter Holiday Rock Event – 10th Anniversary Tour: Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show begins at 8:30 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Dec. 1:
Holiday Bazaar Kick-Off Weekend continues: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Convention Hall)
Photos with Santa: Beginning Dec. 1 and continuing each Sunday through Dec. 22, from noon-3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
apboardwalk.com
Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Winter Festival Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting
Dec. 1
The parade will begin at 4 p.m. at Edgar School,
49 Brunswick Ave., Metuchen.
The lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on the plaza in downtown Metuchen.
www.metuchenchamberexchange.com
Christmas Concerts at DeBows UMC
DeBows is hosting 2 free Christmas Concerts during Advent.
“Christmas Here and Now” Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
Arranged by Peter Jay and featuring Celtic recording artist, Fiona Tyndall.
“The Season of the Nativity” Dec.15 at 2 p.m. Performed by The Libby Prison Minstrels.
509 Monmouth Road, Jackson
www.debowsumc.org
Holiday Craft and Shopping Bazaar
Presented by CentralJersey.com
Dec. 8. Start time: 10 a.m.; End time: 3 p.m.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Road, Freehold
732-577-8200; www.iplayamerica.com
The Holiday House Tour in Metuchen
Dec. 8, noon-5 p.m.
Schoolhouse doors open at 11 a.m.; guidebooks will be released at noon.
The Old Franklin Schoolhouse
491 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen
Tickets: $20 in advance or $25 at the door
Advance tickets are available at The Brass Lantern, Boyt Drugs, Cai’s Cafe, Gardenias Floral and the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce.
www.boroughimprovementleague.org
On Stage
Shrek the Musical
Presented by The Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts
Nov. 30 through Dec. 8
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Ave., Deal Park
Tickets: $23 students; $27 adults
732-531-9106; www.axelrodartscenter.com
Love In Hate Nation
Through Dec. 1
Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater
Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
732-345-1400; tworivertheater.org
A Christmas Carol
The Musical
Dec. 5-Dec. 15
The Elizabeth Ross Johnson Theater – New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
Tickets: $25-$65
732-545-8100; www.crossroadstheatrecompany.com
A Year with Frog and Toad
The musical was written by brothers Robert and Willie Reale, and is based on the Frog and Toad children’s stories written and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. The production is being co-directed by Center Players’ Artistic Director Bernice Garfield-Szita and Mafalda Cavanaugh, and Tim McCorry serves as Musical Director.
Performances are Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. At the Saturday, Dec. 7 performance, there will be a special appearance by the Cha Cha the Frog mascot from the Rainforest Café, who will be available for photos in the lobby.
Center Playhouse, 35 South St., downtown Freehold
Tickets: $20-28
732-462-9093; www.centerplayers.org
BCCT Presents Frozen Jr.
Dec. 6, 7, 8
Strand Center for the Arts
400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood
Tickets: $15
732-367-7789; strand.org
A Christmas Carol
A family classic returns for its 23rd year featuring Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Marley, and a team of spirits.
Dec. 13-22
Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Tickets: $15
732-254-3939; www.playhouse22.org
My Life on a Diet
Through Dec. 15
The Arthur Laurents Theater at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org
Dance
The Nutcracker
Presented by the Company of Dance Arts
Dec. 13-15
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
Tickets: $20-$40
732-842-9000; thebasie.org
The Nutcracker
The Atlantic City Ballet and The Garden State Philharmonic
Dec. 21, at 7 p.m.
Strand Center for the Arts
400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood
Tickets: $40 Orchestra, $50 Loge, $25 Mezzanine & Tier,
$20 Seniors, $15 Students
732-367-7789; strand.org
Music
Felix Mendelssohn and his Circle
The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County presents pianist Alan Mallach in a Two-Part Talk/Concert Program
Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. (pre-concert talk) and 2 p.m. (concert)
The Jewish Heritage Museum
310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold
Admission: $12 members, $15 non-members
Paid reservations are recommended.
732-252-6990; www.jhmomc.org
Christmas Past with The Shrewsbury Chorale
Conducted by new Music Director, Joshua Anand Slater, with organ accompaniment by Fiona Smith Sutherland, and vocal soloists.
Dec. 8 at 3 p.m.
St. George’s by the River Church, 7 Lincoln Ave., Rumson
$20 General Admission, $17 Senior/Student, and $8 Children under 12. Tickets at the door are $25, $20, and $10.
732-747-1362; www.shrewsburychorale.org
Happy Holidays Concert: Tim McLoone & The Shirleys with the Atlantic Coast Band
Dec. 8, 2-4 p.m. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Monmouth County Library
Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan
Free program
732-431-7220; www.monmouthcountylib.org
The Monroe Township Cultural Arts Commission in collaboration with the Monroe Township Public Library Presents: Boheme Opera, NJ Lecture Performance Series
Lecture by Jerry Kalstein
Dec. 11 at 1 p.m.
Monroe Township Public Library
4 Municipal Plaza, Monroe Township
Free Admission
Out of Darkness into Light
Voices Chorale NJ performs a concert of inspiring choral music
Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.
Pennington Presbyterian Church
13 Main St., Pennington
Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church
33 Mercer St., Princeton
Tickets at www.voiceschoralenj.org
For Kids
The Nutcracker
The Paper Moon Puppet Theatre
Plays through the holidays
The perennial favorite done as a puppet show with Clara and all her adventures as the Nutcracker Prince comes to life.
General Public Performances are on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
All seating is $10
First Avenue Playhouse
123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands
732 291-1216; www.papermoonpuppettheatre.com
Kids! Pinecone Turkey Craft
Nov. 27, 4-4:30 p.m.
Get into the spirit of the season by listening to some Thanksgiving stories. Come put together a turkey with a pine cone, colorful feathers, and construction paper.
Registration required.
Monmouth County Library
1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck
732-431-5656; monmouthcountylib.org
Kids! School age Storytime
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Dec. 4, 4:15-5 p.m.
Monmouth County Library
318 Old Tavern Road, Howell
732-938-2300; monmouthcountylib.org
Kids! Holmdel Public Library Children’s Storytimes
Dec. 5, 12 and 19
Bouncing Bunnies and Curious Cubs Storytime – Ages 18-36 months (with parent/caregiver) from 10-10:30 a.m.
Creativity Corner – Storytime and Art – Ages 3-5 years from 11-11:30 a.m. or 2- 2:30 p.m.
Holmdel Public Library
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel
732-946-4118; monmouthcountylib.org
Kids Club Holiday Party
A holiday celebration after the annual breakfast with Santa. Activities include a performance with Miss Sher in City Square, free photos with Selfie Social, holiday crafts, free pictures with Santa, and more.
Dec. 8. Start time: 1 p.m. End time: 3 p.m.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Road, Freehold
Free for all Members of the Kids Club.
732-577-8200; www.iplayamerica.com
Please call or check the website for the venue to determine if the event is taking place or has been rescheduled.