We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
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TICKET GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN NOW!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, purchase tickets here or CLICK HERE for a chance to win 4 tickets!
Where: bergenPAC, 30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood
Events Not to Miss:
Why: Celebrate Christmas at this 2 day event with live entertainment, a tree lighting, a visit to Santa’s house and tons of holiday fun.
When: Friday, December 2 (5:30-9pm) & Saturday, December 3 (Activities from 8am-4:30pm, check the schedule for the different options.)
Where: Downtown Ridgewood
Why: Enjoy the tree lighting with Santa and stop by the party at Holdrum afterwards.
When: Friday, December 2, 6:30pm
Where: 406 Rivervale Road, Rivervale
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: Cozy up to the bonfire, visit the school barn to see the animals, play on the extensive playground, and shop unique items locally for the season.
When: Saturday, December 3, 11am-4pm
Where: 211 Irving Ave., Closter
What: Breakfast with Santa
Why: Light breakfast, crafts, games, Santa, and more.
When: Saturday, December 3, 9:30-11am, Ages 2-7, $10, Pre-Registration required
Where: Old Tappan Fire House, 231 Old Tappan Rd., Old Tappan
Why: Watch Santa make his impressive entrance…
When: Saturday, December 3, 10am-12pm
Where: 400 Fred Tehran Dr., Teterboro
Why: Tons of holiday fun including live performances, Bazaar Star Beadery, Santa, crafts, photos and more.
When: Saturday, December 3, 3-6pm, FREE
Where: 171 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
Why: A tiny tots parade, music show and Santa.
When: Saturday, December 3, 6-9pm, Rain Date, Sunday, December 4
Where: Main St., Ramsey
What: Family Photos with Santa
Why: Skip the mall, grab the fam, and take a photo with Santa.
When: Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4, 11am-3pm
Where: Hillsdale Train Station
Why: Join in the merriment of this holiday parade.
When: Saturday, December 3, 6pm (Stop by Shaw’s Book Shop at 5pm for Polar Express storytime.)
Where: Along Westwood Ave., Westwood
Why: The famous duo stop by Abma’s for pics.
When: Saturday, December 3, December 10 & December 12, 11am-3pm
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
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 3 & Sunday, December 4, 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: 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
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 unique wares at this popular craft show.
When: Sunday, December 4
Where: 40 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Montvale
Why: Kids will decorate a tea mug that they’ll fill with homemade hot chocolate mix and wrap beautifully. SO cute!
When: Thursday, December 8 & Friday, December 9, 3-6pm, $15
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
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: Live performances, family activities, and Santa.
When: Friday, December 2, 6:30-8pm
Where: 5101 Fashion Dr., Nanuet, NY
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: Award-winning ballet dancers perform on stage in this classic, magical performance of Cinderella.
When: Sunday, December 4 at 3pm
Where: NJ Performing Arts Center, One Center Ave, Newark
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: Combining the time-honored tradition of meeting Santa Claus with technological wizardry.
When: Now thru December 24
Where: One Ridge Hill Boulevard Yonkers, NY
What: Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi
Why: Isaac Mizrahi narrates Sergei Prokofiev’s charming children’s classic- which pretty much guarantees fun for you AND the kiddos.
When: Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4 & Friday, December 9 thru Sunday, December 11, Various times, Ages 5+, Tickets start at $35
Where: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 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: Friday, December 2 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: Hand-crafted items for sale and face-painting by the one and only Mrs. Claus.
When: Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4, 11am-5pm
Where: Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St., Hoboken
What: “Pipilotti Rist: Pixel Forest” at The New Museum
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
Why: A very fancy (but yummy!) lunch is on the menu, followed by cupcakes and pink hot choloate, 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: It’s a holiday festival with a tree lighting, carols, hot chocolate, snacks, Santa, live entertainment, and more.
When: Sunday, December 4, 5-8pm
Where: M&T Bank, 527 Piermont Ave., Piermont, NY
What: Nyack Holiday Lights
Why: A festive theatrical experience for families with hot cocoa, cider, music, Santa on a firetruck, and more.
When: Saturday, December 3, 4-6pm
Where: Veterands Park Gazebo, Nyack, 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 November 25th, December 28th & 29th.
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City
Upcoming:
What: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Nursery School Open House
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: 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: 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: Cookie decorations, tours, snacks and a lot more!
When: Saturday, December 10th from 11am-1pm, Pre-Registration required
Where: 271 Livingston Street #1, Northvale
Why: Farm-fresh pancakes and more delicious breakfast favs, with a very important guest.
When: Saturday, December 11, 10am or 12pm, Pre-Registration required, Adults/$20, Kids/$15
Where: 575 River Rd., New Milford
