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 29th annual Holiday Model Train Show exhibit
Set up and designed by Mike Gelesky.
On display, except Christmas day, through Dec. 30.
Exhibit hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m.
on weekends.
The Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge
Free admission and donations are welcome.
732-634-0413; www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/150/Barron-Arts-Center
Winter ice skating enrollment at Old Bridge’s John Piccolo Ice Arena
Through March 29, 2020.
Open Public Skating sessions: Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings and evenings. Fees: $5 to $10; skate rentals $6. Party packages are also offered. Ice skating lessons are available to children, ages 4 and up, and adults, for both residents and non-residents.
Special programs include a therapeutic ice program for ages 12 and up to train for Special Olympics ice skating competitions. U.S. Figure Skating Membership is required for all classes at a cost of $16 and a one-time 15-minute starter lesson is required for new students. Online registration at www.oldbridge.com/recreation for winter lessons. Classes start on Jan. 13, 2020.
732-721-5600 ext. 4999; www.oldbridge.com/recreation
An Evening with Big Brother 21’s Tommy and Christie
Event Experience, Meet and Greet, Q&A
Dec. 27 at 8 p.m.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Road, Freehold
Tickets: $20-$100
732-577-8200; www.iplayamerica.com
Michael Carbonaro Live!
Saturday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m.
Paramount Theatre
1200 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park
Tickets: ticketmaster.com or the Stone Pony box office
732-897-6500; apboardwalk.com
Asbury Park Punk Rock Flea Market
Over 125 vendors featuring vinyl, music equipment,
jewelry and more plus local bands.
Dec. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Convention Hall
Tickets: $10 for early birds, $5 after 11 a.m.
apboardwalk.com
Holiday Dreams, a spectacular holiday cirque!
Acrobats, aerialists and daredevils, holograms, projection mapping, computer animation and interactive lasers.
Dec. 28 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
NJPAC Prudential Hall
1 Center St., Newark
Tickets: $29-$69
1-888-GO-NJPAC; njpac.org
Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge
Jan. 1
Annual charity event held at the beach with an after party in the Grand Arcade. Check-in begins at 10 a.m.; plunge starts at 1 p.m. Beach and Grand Arcade.
apboardwalk.com
Yarn Bee at Historic Longstreet Farm
Jan. 4, 12-2:30 p.m.
Whether starting a new hobby or working on an old project, all are welcome to this gathering. Knit or crochet at your own pace, and farm staff will be on hand to assist those learning. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult.
Historic Longstreet Farm
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel
Cost: $5 per person; cash or check only
732-946-3758; www.monmouthcountyparks.com
Roving Naturalist at Turkey Swamp Park
Jan. 4 at 9 a.m.
Join the Roving Naturalist for a leisurely walk on well maintained trails in Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold. Meet in the main parking lot. Discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. Feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain and snow are not deterrents. Free.
732-872-2670; www.monmouthcountyparks.com
Open Ceramics
Jan. 5, 12:30-4:30 p.m.
Come to the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft, and choose from a large selection of bisque fired pottery pieces to glaze and make your own. Children age 12 and under are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: $6 per hour plus price of bisque ware; cash or check only. Pieces will be fired in about a week.
732-842-4000, ext. 4343; www.monmouthcountyparks.com
Cutting, Splitting and Hewing at Historic Longstreet Farm
Jan. 11, 12-2:30 p.m.
Use a two-man saw and splitting wedge; learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad ax to hew beams. Open to adults. Free.
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
732-946-3758; www.monmouthcountyparks.com
Neil deGrasse Tyson
The InexplicableUniverse: Unsolved Mysteries
Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m.
NJPAC Prudential Hall
1 Center St., Newark
Tickets: $49-$99
1-888-GO-NJPAC; njpac.org
Music
The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County Presents T-Klez
T-Klez klezmer band returns to the JHMOMC, playing a Chanukah Holiday Concert
Dec. 25, at 2 p.m.
The Jewish Heritage Museum
310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold
Admission: $18 members, $20 non-members
Reservations are recommended
732-252-6990; www.jhmomc.org
Ashanti, JaRule, Lloyd & Lil Mo
Jan. 4 at 8 p.m.
NJPAC Prudential Hall
1 Center St., Newark
Tickets: $49.50-$99.50
1-888-GO-NJPAC; njpac.org
The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD Wozzeck
Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.
Pollak Theatre
Monmouth University
400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch
General admission: $23
732-263-6889; www.monmouth.edu
On Stage
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Dec. 28, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Dec. 29, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
State Theatre
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
Tickets: $7. All seats are reserved.
732-246-7469; www.middlesexcountynj.gov
Twelfth Night
Jan. 11-Feb. 2
Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater
Two River Theater
21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
732-345-1400; tworivertheater.org
Midwives
Jan. 21-Feb. 16
The Arthur Laurents Theater at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org
A Little Shakespeare: Twelfth Night
Jan. 31-Feb. 9
A 75-minute abridged version of a Shakespeare play, performed and supported backstage by high school students, and directed and designed by theater professionals.
Marion Huber Theater
Two River Theater
21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
Tickets: $20 adults, $15 children 12 and under
732-345-1400; tworivertheater.org
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
Based on Charles Dickens’ final unfinished novel, this musical whodunit invites the audience to solve its mystery by choosing the identity of the murderer.
Feb. 7-23
Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m.
Playhouse 22
721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Tickets: $22 adults, $20 seniors and students
732-254-3939; www.playhouse22.org
For Kids
One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure
Dec. 27 at 10:30 a.m.
Explore the night sky with favorite friends from Sesame Street. Follow along with Big Bird, Elmo and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, as they take you on a journey of discovery to learn about the Big Dipper, the North Star, the Sun and the Moon. Running time, 25 minutes.
Robert J. Novins Planetarium
Ocean County College Building #13, Toms River
732-255-0343; www.ocean.edu/planetarium
“Let it Snow”
Dec. 27, 28 at 2 p.m.
Features a new variety of festive classics from Frank Sinatra and Chuck Berry to Burl Ives and Brenda Lee, and includes a multi-media finale by the Trans Siberian Orchestra. The soundtrack is visually enhanced with thematic animation, laser imagery, special effects and all-dome scenery in the audiovisual setting of the Planetarium. The 32-minute program is a fun and entertaining experience for all ages, especially families.
Tickets are required for ages 3 and up. Ages 2 and under do not require a ticket if they are sitting on a ticket payers lap but they will need a ticket for their own seat.
Robert J. Novins Planetarium
Ocean County College Building #13, Toms River
732-255-0343; www.ocean.edu/planetarium
The Stars From My Backyard
Dec. 28 at 12:30 p.m.
A live presenter utilizes “the magic of the dome” to teach children about the sun, moon, weather, and the constellations and planets visible in the current sky. Along the way, fun stories, songs, and even a passing rainstorm help make this an exciting introduction to the sky for young children.
Recommended for ages 12 and under and families.
General admission: $10 Adult, $8 Senior (60+), $7 Children (12 and under)
Robert J. Novins Planetarium
Ocean County College Building #13, Toms River
732-255-0343; www.ocean.edu/planetarium
Khrumka’s Adventures In The Winter Forest
Dec. 28 at 11 a.m.
On their way through the fairy tale winter forest, little Khrumka and his friends watch the Northern Lights, witness the flight of an asteroid, and admire the constellations of the winter sky. Rides, magic, and surprises await them on their fulldome journey. Magic wands will be made before the show. Crafts will begin at 11 a.m. The movie will begin at 11:30 a.m.
Tickets: $10 for all ticket levels for ages 3 and up. Ages 2 and under do not require a ticket if they are sitting on a ticket payers lap but they will need a ticket for their own seat.
Price includes pre-show activities and the planetarium show.
No discounts may be applied to special events.
Robert J. Novins Planetarium
Ocean County College Building #13, Toms River
732-255-0343; www.ocean.edu/planetarium
“Noon” Year’s Eve Party, Crafts and Show
Noon Year’s Eve Tuesday, Dec. 31 at 11 a.m.
Watch lasers, dance, and ring in 2020 in the afternoon.
Do a fun craft along with games and giveaways.
Free with the purchase of a show ticket.
Robert J. Novins Planetarium
Ocean County College Building #13, Toms River
732-255-0343; www.ocean.edu/planetarium
Please call or check the website for the venue to determine if the event is taking place or has been rescheduled.