There’s not many days left between now and December 25, and for kids waiting for Christmas, it might as well be nine years.
And then there’s the lull between Christmas and when your children head back to school. You and your family might be feeling a little stir-crazy by the time the ball drops on New Year’s Eve.
So, with that in mind, we’re going to venture away from the world of swing sets with this blog post, and focus on some ways you and your family can have some holiday fun in New Jersey this season.
Visit the Ice King
Travel to Tinton Falls in Monmouth County any Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday in December to see Ice King’s astounding ice sculptures, which are based on the 12 Days of Christmas.
Let There Be Light(s)
This season gives you and your family a wealth of ways to see holiday light extravaganzas (beyond just driving around your neighborhood). Here are a few of the region’s more notable offerings:
- The Smithville Holiday Light Show – Each weekend, this historic Atlantic County village gives families an array of holiday activities to choose from, many of which are free. When the sun goes down, stay to see the lights along Lake Meone. Runs Thursday-Sunday until Dec. 31.
- Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular – Visit the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange any night between now and January 2 (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day excluded) for this free holiday light show. Many animal exhibits will be open. You may want to bring gently used winter clothes, unwrapped toys or non-perishable foods to donate.
Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show – Just across the New Jersey border in Yardley, PA you’ll find this display of more than 3 million lights stretching over a two-mile path. Runs until Jan. 7.- The Festival of Trees – Hosted by the Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge, this indoor exhibit of decorated trees features live music on select weekends, as well as refreshments in the center’s Snowflake Café.
On Stage
Are you looking for ways to have holiday fun in New Jersey without spending time outdoors? Why not see a show?
Our TV screens are filled with various retellings of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this time of year, but there’s nothing quite like seeing Scrooge’s story told on stage. The McCarter Theater in Princeton features a re-imagined production of this beloved holiday story until December 31.
Head to the Wellmont Theater in Montclair on Dec. 21 to see a stage version of the animated classic A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Meanwhile, the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn features the Tony Award-winning musical Annie, starring Tony winner Beth Leavel as Miss Hannigan, running until December 31.
On December 18, the State Theater in New Brunswick will present a live version of the Claymation favorite Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Finally, Christmas isn’t Christmas without The Nutcracker, presented by the New Jersey Ballet Dec. 22-24 at the Mayo Performing Arts Center.
Christmas Under the Sea
If you’re looking for a less traditional way to have holiday fun in New Jersey, head to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, where Scuba Santa swims with sharks, sea turtles and other undersea creatures. Runs each day through Dec. 30.
We hope our list helps you and your family have fun this season. The team here at Swingset & Toy Warehouse wishes you a safe and happy holiday. See you in 2018!
