We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: Holiday Break Week Fantasy: Naps, binge-watching Netflix, and catching up on projects. Holiday Break Week Reality: Kids with no schedule screaming "I'm bored!" hourly. Enter Born to Perform Holiday Break Camp at Cresskill Performing Arts half or full day programs chock full of fun like dance, acting, singing, arts & crafts, gymnastics, and silks and hammocks for kids ages 3 and up. (Cresskill Performing Arts, 300 Knickerbocker Road, Suite1100, Cresskill, NJ, 201-390-7513)
Events Not to Miss:
Why: Check out the warm and nurturing environment at this beloved nursery school.
When: Friday, December 9, 9:30-10:30am
Where: 411 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly
Why: Kids will decorate a tea mug that they’ll fill with homemade hot chocolate mix.
When: Friday, December 9, 3-6pm, $15
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Get spiffed up and enjoy Kurt Gallagher’s live music, goody bags, and open play.
When: Friday, December 9, 3:30-5:30pm, 13 months-6years, $28, Pre-Registration required
Where: 316 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
Why: Based on the beloved holiday film.
When: Friday, December 9 (7pm) & Saturday, December 10 (2pm), 60 min, Adult/$15, Child/$12
Where: Wyckoff YMCA
Why: Sip hot chocolate, bring your list, and meet Santa in the park.
When: Saturday, December 10, 12-3pm
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E. Ridgewood Ave and Oak St.
What: Christmas Spectacular at Demarest Farms
Why: Weekend hayrides with Santa, a daily petting zoo, and of course yummy food!
When: Daily in December, 8am-6pm and 8am-8pm on weekends
Where: Weirmus Rd., Hillsdale
Why: Pinch us because this new wonderland sounds like a dream come true with open air ice skating, carousel rides, Santa’s North Pole Workshop and more. (The indoor/outdoor beer garden doesn’t hurt either.)
When: Select dates now thru January 15, 5-8pm, Ages 6+/$15, Skate rental included in price of admission, (Tip- Buy your tickets online to avoid the line to get in.)
Where: 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: The famous duo stop by Abma’s for pics.
When: Saturday, December 10 & Saturday, December 17, 11am-3pm
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: A face paint party to support St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
When: Saturday, December 10, 12pm, Ages 4+, $7, Call 201-488-1103 to Reserve a spot
Where: Pottery Barn Kids, Riverside Square,
Why: Cookie decorations, tours, snacks and a lot more!
When: Saturday, December 10th from 11am-1pm, Pre-Registration required
Where: 271 Livingston Street #1, Northvale
What: Santa at Secor Farms
Why: Visit with Santa on either day and take a horse drawn wagon ride to an outdoor fire pit to make you own s’mores.
When: Saturday, December 10 & Sunday, December 11, 1-4pm
Where: 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah
Why: For your choo choo lovers, a model train all dressed up for the holidays. Be sure to be there when Santa Claus visits on December 16 at 7pm!
When: Fridays now thru December 16, 6-9 pm, $5, Kids are FREE
Where: Donald Cooper Model Railroad, 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah
Why: Yummy breakfast, photos with Santa, and more.
When: Saturday, December 10, 10am-12pm, $20, Pre-Registration is required
Where: 925 Fifth Ave., River Edge
What: Crafting and Campfire at Tenafly Nature Center
Why: A cozy fire, s'mores, and crafting with natural winter materials.
When: Saturday, December 10, 4:30-6:30pm, Ages 5+, $12, Pre-Registration required
Where: 313 Hudson St., Tenafly
What: Breakfast with Santa at Fresh and Fancy Farms
Why: Farm-fresh pancakes and more delicious breakfast favs, with a very important guest.
When: Sunday, December 11, 10am or 12pm, Pre-Registration required, Adults/$20, Kids/$15
Where: 575 River Rd., New Milford
Why: Because your kids and your pets both want a moment on Santa’s lap.
When: Daily now thru Christmas Eve, Santa Paws nights are Mondays (November 21 thru Monday, December 19), 6-9pm
Where: Macy’s Court, Paramus
What: The Laurie Berkner Band - A Holiday Celebration Concert
Why: Dance and sing-a-long to The Laurie Berkner Band performing everyone's favorite songs on stage in this festive holiday concert.
When: Sunday, December 11 at 2pm, tickets $29 and up
Where: bergenPAC, 30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood
Why: Dance and sing-a-long to The Laurie Berkner Band performing everyone's favorite songs on stage in this festive holiday concert.
When: Sunday, December 11 at 2pm, tickets $29 and up
Where: bergenPAC, 30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood
What: Holidays with the Animals at Bergen County Zoo
Why: Santa, characters, live entertainment and more.
When: Sunday, December 11, Pictures with Santa from 10am-2pm, Animals receive their gifts at 2:30pm
Where: 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Stories and songs for babies up to 2 years old.
When: Fridays from 10:30-11:30am, No registration required
Where: 49 Park Ave., Westwood
What: Santa at Paramus Park
Why: Play it cool this holiday season and book your spot with Santa ahead of time.
When: Now thru December 24
Where: South Court, Paramus
Why: See this spectacular train show in its last year.
When: Sundays now until Sunday, December 18, 1-4pm, $1
Where: 620 Cliff St., Hohokus
Why: Shop for books, jewelry, kids apparel, and more.
When: Sunday, December 11, 9:30am-2:30pm
Where: 1 Engle St., Tenafly
What: St. Nicholas Day at Ramsey Historical Association
Why: A tree trimming, Santa, refreshments, gifts for the kids and more.
When: Sunday, December 11, 1-4pm, FREE
Where: Old Stone Museum, 538 Island Rd., Ramsey
What: Lights on Evergreen
Why: Pack up the kids, put on 98.1FM, and take a drive to see this house extraordinarily lit for the holidays with over 100,000 lights.
When: Sundays-Thursdays (4:30-11pm), Fridays & Saturdays (4:30-11:30pm), Donations appreciated
Where: 38 Evergreen Place, Demarest
What: Englewood Hospital and Medical Center Winter Wellness Open House
Why: Learn tips for staying healthy during the winter and sample some of the services, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, meditation, Reiki, and chair massage.
When: Tuesday, December 13, 12-2pm, 201-608-2377 or grafcenter@ehmchealth.org to RSVP.
Where: Berrie Center, 5th Floor, 350 Engle Street, Englewood
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Led by a master storyteller and complete with musical accompaniment, this rendition of the classic play is a must-do this holiday season.
When: Saturday, December 10 & Sunday, December 11, Saturday December 17 & Sunday, December 18, Performances at 4pm, 5:15pm & 6:30pm, Adults/$25, Kids/$20
Where: Reformed Church of Tarrytown, 42 N. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
Why: Take a winter stroll under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters.
When: Now thru January 2 (on select dates), 5-9pm, FREE
Where: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
Why: A winter wonderland across 250 acres with an expansive model train show, kids activitites, live music and more. Check out their Bar Car nights for even more live entertainment and of course, yummy hot beverages!
When: Now thru January 16, Ages 2-12/$18, Adults/$30
Where: Bronx, NY
Why: Drive through a 1-mile course of breathtaking displays (over 2 million lights!) set to joyous holiday music and a FREE Christmas Village.
When: Now thru January 1, Check website for dates and times, $17 per carload in advance, $20 (cash only) at the gate
Where: 94 Championship Place, Augusta
Why: Kids enjoy scavenger hunts at this gilded-age elegant home.
When: Saturday, December 10 & Sunday, December 11, Saturday, December 17 & Sunday, December 18, 11am-5pm, Adults/$8, Ages 6-12/$3
Where: 1304 Sloatsburg Rd., Ringwood
Why: Isaac Mizrahi narrates Sergei Prokofiev’s charming children’s classic- which pretty much guarantees fun for you AND the kiddos.
When: Friday, December 9 thru Sunday, December 11, Various times, Ages 5+, Tickets start at $35
Where: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, NYC
Why: Combining the time-honored tradition of meeting Santa Claus with technological wizardry.
When: Now thru December 24
Where: One Ridge Hill Boulevard Yonkers, NY
Why: The heart-warming holiday tale- but better.
When: Saturday, December 10, 5:15pm & 7:45pm, Ages 2-12/$12.50, Adults/$14.50
Where: Liberty Science Center
Why: Not for kids, persay, but bring them along to check out this vibrantly colored kaleidoscopic exhibit and watch them be memsmorized.
When: Now until January, 15, 2017
Where: The New Museum, 235 Bowery, NYC
What: Christmas Ice Caverns
Why: NJ’s largest walk-through animated Christmas display.
When: Now thru December 24, (Mondays thru Saturday, 11am-8pm & Sundays 12-5pm)
Where: 437 US Highway 46, Fairfield
Why: Hundreds of edible structures on display and a handmade craft show on the weekends.
When: Now thru Sunday, December 11 (10am-4:30pm & 10am-7:30pm on Fridays), Ages 2+/$2
Where: The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Ave., Morris Township
Why: A very fancy (but yummy!) lunch is on the menu, followed by cupcakes and pink hot chocolate, and a visit to the North Pole to meet Santa.
When: Sunday, December 4, 2:30-3:30pm, $125 per child, $75 per adult
Where: The Plaza, Fifth Ave. at Central Park South, NYC
Why: Ice skate at the iconic skating rink, do some holiday shopping, and eat tasty delights at this open air market.
When: Now thru March 5, 8am-10pm
Where: Between 5th & 6th Ave and 40th St. & 42nd Ave., NYC
What: Boscobel Sparkle
Why: This historical house is decked out for the season with beautiful lights and entertainment to match.
When: Weekends in December until Sunday, December 17, 4:30-9pm
Where: 1601 Route 9D, Garrison, NY
Why: Your little monkey get curious like George as they explore key concepts in science, math, and engineering.
When: Now thru January 8, Curious George appearances are December 28th & 29th.
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City
Upcoming:
What: Lightwire Theater A Very Electric Christmas
Why: A magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope set to timeless holiday hits.
When: Saturday, December 17, 2pm, Adults/$15, Kids/$12
Where: William Paterson University, Shea Center for Performing Arts, Wayne
Why: A magical and captivating tale of family, friendship and hope set to timeless holiday hits.
When: Saturday, December 17, 2pm, Adults/$15, Kids/$12
Where: William Paterson University, Shea Center for Performing Arts, Wayne
Why: A makeover, fashion show, arts and crafts, pizza and cupcakes and more!
When: Saturday, December 17, 6:45-8:45pm, $40, Call 201-670-0123
Where: 216 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Bella Princess Royal Holiday Gala
Why: Enjoy a great show and interact with many fairytale characters, breakfast, and professional pictures with Santa.
When: Saturday, December 17, 10am-12pm, $65/adult, $55/child
Where: Rockleigh Country Club
