Special Events
Holiday In the Park
weekends and select days through Jan. 1
Six Flags Great Adventure
One Six Flags Blvd., Jackson
732-928-2000; www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
The Asbury Park Boardwalk’s 12th annual
Christmas Tree Lighting celebration
Photos with Santa: Each Sunday through Dec. 22, from noon-3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Dec. 6: The Del McCoury Band: Doors open at 7 p.m.; performance begins at 8 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Dec: 8: Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall); Jody Joseph Student Christmas recital: Noon-5 p.m. (The Stone Pony)
apboardwalk.com
Christmas Drive Through
Dec. 7-Dec. 8, 6-8:30 p.m.
Old Tennent Presbyterian Church Cemetery grounds
use Main Entrance
448 Tennent Road, Tennent
732-446-6299; oldtennent.org
Annual Christmas Fair
Features crafts, baked goods, a raffle of gift baskets, handmade jewelry, hand knitted items, handcrafted soaps, handcrafted wooden toys and household objects, visits with Santa, a children’s craft table, wreaths and evergreen arrangements, homemade soups and more.
Dec. 7, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
17 Oak Ave., the corner of Rt. 27 in Metuchen
732-548-4308
Seasonal Traditions Holiday Program
The Middlesex County Office of Arts and History invites you to share in holiday music and fun on Dec. 7
Horse and Wagon Rides, 12-4 p.m.
Children’s Crafts & Holiday Carols, 12-5 p.m.
Founder & Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, 1 p.m.
Colonial Holiday Music by Ridley and Anne Enslow, 2 p.m.
A Christmas Carol Presented by Traveling Literary Theater, 4 p.m.
East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway
Free Admission and Parking. Rain or Shine.
Text CULTURE to 56512 for information.
732-745-3030; www.middesexcountnj.gov
The Edison Recreation Department will hold its first holiday stroll
Dec. 7, 2-6 p.m. along Amboy Avenue, between 2nd and 4th streets, Edison.
Vendors, a holiday sweater contest, music, crafts, children’s entertainment, a trackless train ride, photos with Santa, and the lighting of the Edison Township Christmas tree.
For vendor information, call 732-248-6418 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays.
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
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
Celebrate Hanukkah with The Bimah Players and The Jewbadors in “Menorah Mayhem”
A musical, fun-filled retelling of the Hanukkah story, for audiences of all ages and faiths. Latkes and other holiday treats add to the festivities.
The Monroe Township Jewish Center Hanukkah Party
Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.
11 Cornell Ave., Monroe Township
Tickets: $15 adult, $8 kids 10-17, kids under 10 free
Pre-Register at 732-251-1119 or www.mtjc.org
On Stage
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
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
It’s A Wonderful Life-The Musical
Dec. 6-15
Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 8, 14 & 15 at 2 p.m.
Main Street Theatre
3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin
www.smstc.org
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.
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
Shrek the Musical
Presented by The Rising Stars Youth Performing Arts
Through Dec. 8
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Ave., Deal Park
Tickets: $23 students; $27 adults
732-531-9106; www.axelrodartscenter.com
A Christmas Carol
Dec. 13-22
Playhouse 22, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Tickets: $15
732-254-3939; www.playhouse22.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
American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker
Featuring Live Orchestra and Choir
Dec. 13-15
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
732-246-7469; stnj.org
arballet.org
Film
The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County presents the film, The Lost Crown: The Story of the Aleppo Codex
Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.
The Jewish Heritage Museum
310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold
General Admission: $10
732-252-6990; www.jhmomc.org
Music
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
Avance discounted tickets at www.shrewsburychorale.org
$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
Rutgers Jazz Ensemble
Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Nicholas Music Center
85 George St., New Brunswick
Rutgers University, Douglass Campus
Tickets: Public $15 / Seniors, Rutgers Alumni & Employees $10 / Students $5
www.masongross.rutgers.edu
Journey From Johannesburg
Written and performed by Toby Tobias; accompanied by electric guitar and bass.
Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.
The JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison
Free and open to the community as space allows. Advance registration recommended.
732-494-3232
Archadia Chorale to Sing 2019 Holiday Concert
“Cheer, Cheer, Cheerio – A British Christmas!”
The Arcadian Chorale led by Music Director Marina Alexander will present its holiday program. Anthems and carol settings by contemporary British composers will fill out the second part of the program, as well as a selection of holiday favorites. The Chorale will be joined by the Christian Brothers Academy Mens Chorus for this performance.
Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Rose of RC Lima Church, 16 McLean St., Freehold
A second performance of”Cheer, Cheer, Cheerio– A British Christmas!” will be held at Holy Spirit RC Church, 705 Second Ave., Asbury Park
Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
Tickets: General Admission $20, Seniors $15, Students with ID $10.
732-583-4007; www.arcadianchorale.org
Out of Darkness into Light
Voices Chorale NJ performs a concert of 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
Advance ticket prices: $20 general admission; $10 students and children
Tickets at the door: $25 general admission
www.voiceschoralenj.org
Monmouth Civic Chorus presents Messiah & More Concert
Dec. 22 at 4 p.m.
Features expanded selections from Handel’s Messiah, intertwined with the original settings of holiday classics.
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
Tickets: Premium seating – $45 adult, $40 senior, $35 group (10 or more), $15 student
Regular seating – $30 adult, $27 senior, $25 group (10 or more), $10 student
732-933-9333 ; www.monmouthcivicchorus.org
For Kids
The Nutcracker
The Paper Moon Puppet Theatre
Plays through the holidays
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! 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! Family Storytime
Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do you See? by Bill Martin featuring Penny, a Shih Tzu Yorkie mix, as she performs tricks in character from this children’s classic.
Dec. 9, 4:15-5 p.m.
Monmouth County Library
318 Old Tavern Road, Howell
All ages welcome.
732-938-2300; monmouthcountylib.org
Kids! Santa Clause is Coming to Colts Neck
Listen to a winter tale, visit Santa Clause and make a festive craft.
Dec. 11, 4-4:45 p.m.
Kids! Snowy Day Craft
Listen to the Keats’ classic Snowy Day and create a winter scene out of a little white paint, construction paper, a few cotton balls and a whole lot of creativity.
Dec. 18, 4-4:45 p.m.
Monmouth County Library
Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck
732-431-5656; monmouthcountylib.org
Please call or check the website for the venue to determine if the event is taking place or has been rescheduled.