We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: You never thought you’d say this, but it’s sometimes hard to keep up with your 2-year-old and their big brain. It seems like their vocabulary doubles every week! It’s the ideal age to introduce them to a structured learning environment and just in time, The Elisabeth Morrow School has announced a new, all-day (8:15 am – 2:30 pm) two-year-old program to harness all that emerging brain power. Students in the 2s program will learn in spaces that are both open and collaborative as well as cozy and contained. Their classroom environment will encourage exploration, problem-solving and critical thinking and the curriculum will be developmentally appropriate with dynamic learning experiences. The Elisabeth Morrow School is an independent day school serving children age two through eighth grade. Applications are being accepted now for the new 2s program and the 2020 school year. For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Marisa Bholan at 201.568.5566 ext. 7185 or mbholan@elizabethmorrow.org. The Elisabeth Morrow School, 435 Lydecker St, Englewood.
Sponsored Post: Whether you're a family of ballers or just love a good old family fun night, everybody's favorite basketball team, The Harlem Globetrotters, will be in town on December 30th at Prudential Center for their Pushing the Limits Tour. Expect an evening of on your feet, out of your seat, live entertainment which we promise the kiddos will love. Tickets are available by clicking here. (Pushing the Limits Tour of the Harlem Globetrotters at Prudential Center, December 30th, 2pm show)Events Not To Miss:
Why: Celebrate the festival of lights with menorah making, singing, Chanukah stories and more festive fun.
When: Thursday December 19, 3:30-5 pm, ages 3-6, $15
Where: Valley Chabad, 100 Overlook Dr., Woodcliff Lake
What: Holiday Festivi-tea
Why: Cheers to the holiday season at this festive tea time.
When: Thursday December 19, 6-9 pm, $60
Where: Harmony Tea Room, 224 Fairview Ave., Westwood
What: Cookies and Crafts
Why: Ages 5-9 enjoy crafts on the farm, treats and a walk to the Barnyard petting zoo.
When: Thursday December 19, 3:45 pm, $15
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Winter Tea Party
Why: Pinkies up as you sip on some tea with your fave kid and make a craft.
When: Now through December 20, ages 3-5/10:30 am, ages 6-9/3:45 pm, kids/$12, adults/$6
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he travels to Christmas past, present and future, and come early for a visit with Santa.
When: Friday December 20, 8 pm, Saturday December 21, 1 pm and 4:30 pm, Sunday December 22, 1 pm, $15-$29
Where: bergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Meet Santa in his home, and be the first to arrive for a FREE gift.
When: Saturday December 21, 12-3 pm
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Sq., Ridgewood
Why: Celebrate the holidays with a visit from Santa.
When: Saturday December 21, 12 pm, Sunday December 22, 1:30 pm
Where: Books and Greetings, 271G Livingston St., Northvale
What: Animal Story Time
Why: Spend time with the animals sharing stories and more.
When: Saturday December 21, 11 am-12 pm, $2
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
Why: Shop and get a special holiday stocking gift, plus sing-along Saturdays, Santa and live performances.
When: Now through Saturday December 21, Fridays 2-7 pm, Saturdays 12-6 pm
Where: City Place at The Promenade, 225 River Rd., Edgewater
What: Santa Storytime
Why: Holiday stories with Santa.
When: Sunday December 22, 1-2 pm
Where: The Curious Reader, 229 Rock Rd., Glen Rock
What: Community Chanukah Party
Why: Help light the menorah and enjoy latkes and treats, plus a fire truck gelt drop.
When: Sunday December 22, 4 pm
Where: River Vale Community Center, 628 River Vale Rd., River Vale
Why: Watch as the Menorah is lit to celebrate Hanukkah.
When: Monday December 23, 4-5 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Neiman Marcus court area, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Photos With Santa
Why: Smile with Santa, and skip the wait by purchasing a FastPass. Plus bring your pet for a special photo sesh on select days.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, 10 am-1 pm, 2-5 pm, 6-9 pm, Paws and Claus Tuesday November 19, 6-9 pm
Where: Bergen Town Center, Route 4 East & Forest Ave., Paramus
What: Photos With Santa
Why: Celebrate the season with holiday smiles from your little ones.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, 11 am-8 pm, $39.99-$49.99
Where: Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
What: It’s Santa Photo Time
Why: Bring your kids’ best smiles for a holiday photo with Santa.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, check schedule for times and reserve your FastPass, $29.99-$49.99
Where: The Shops at Riverside, 390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack
What: Santa’s Coming to Town
Why: Santa arrives at the mall for pics and gift-talk.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, 10 am-9:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Spring Christmas Eve day playing with Santa and friends.
When: Tuesday December 24, 10 am-12 pm
Where: The Big Playhouse, 316 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
Why: Mitzvah Man teaches the true meaning of Hanukkah in this kid-friendly theatrical performance.
When: Wednesday December 25, 10:30-11:30 am, $10-$12
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 E Clinton Ave., Tenafly
Why: Grab your daughter’s scrunchy and relive your youth at this iconic show.
When: Friday December 27, 8 pm, $49-$154
Where: bergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
What: Orchard of Lights
Why: Hop on a hayride through a huge twinkling display of lights, meet Santa and make your own s’mores.
When: Now through Sunday December 29, 5-8 pm
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
What: New Year’s Kids Camp
Why: Let your kids celebrate the end of the year with fun farm activities.
When: Monday December 30-Tuesday December 31, 9 am-3 pm, $70
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Winter Wonderland
Why: Welcome winter with ice skating, Santa visits, ice carvings, face painting and more.
When: Now through Sunday January 5, check schedule for daily times, adult pre-sale/$13
Where: Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
What: Holiday Market
Why: Your new holiday happy place decked with carolers, letters to Santa station, entertainment, holiday decorations and more.
When: Now through Saturday January 4, 12-9 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Macy’s court Level 2, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: The classic ballet is reimagined through urban moves to keep you groovin.
When: Friday December 20, 7 pm-Saturday December 21, 2 pm, $29-$79
Where: NJ PAC, 1 Center St., Newark
Why: Bring the whole crew for a family-friendly hike in the crisp outdoors.
When: Saturday December 21, 10 am-2 pm, kids/$10, adults/$25
Where: Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain, NY
Why: Join Mrs. Claus and an animal friend for a holiday story and snacks.
When: Now through Sunday December 22, Fridays 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm, Weekends 3:30 pm, 5 pm and 6 pm, $10
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
Why: Photos with Santa plus s’mores, music and a Christmas tree forest.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: 12 Days of Science
Why: The science center turns into a winter wonderland with activities from penguin & peppermint day to frozen hot chocolate day.
When: Thursday December 26-Wednesday January 1, check schedule for event times
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Holiday Open House
Why: Holiday crafts and cider as you walk the historic spot.
When: Thursday December 26-Saturday December 28, 12-4 pm
Where: The Queens County Farm Museum, 7350 Little Neck Pkwy., NYC
Why: Winter crafts plus Pinocchio at the theatre.
When: Friday December 27, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
Why: Bring holiday magic to your day at this special cirque performance.
When: Saturday December 28, 3 pm and 7:30 pm, $29-$69
Where: NJ PAC, 1 Center St., Newark
What: Jurassic Quest
Why: Dino-sized fun as the prehistoric creatures take over NJ.
When: Saturday December 28-Sunday December 29, 9 am-8 pm, Monday December 30, 9 am-7 pm, kids/$24-$36, adults/$24
Where: NJ Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave. Edison
What: Winterfest
Why: Give your child the gift of operating heavy machinery, plus family activities and more.
When: Now through Sunday December 29, 11 am-5 pm, $29.95-$38.95
Where: Diggerland, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
Why: Millions of sparkling lights to drive through plus a skating rink, games, s’mores and more.
When: Now through Monday December 30, check calendar for times, $20, village opens Friday November 29
Where: Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta
Why: Climb aboard a train adventure filled with Santa and his elves, as you head to the North Pole.
When: Now through Monday December 30, check schedule for available times, $41-$80/ticket
Where: Whippany Station, Whippany
What: Harlem Globetrotters
Why: The world-famous basketball team brings their tricks and hijinks.
When: Monday December 30, 2 pm
Where: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark
What: Holiday Lights
Why: Meet Santa and take a stroll through the animal-themed lights.
When: Now through Tuesday December 31, 5-9 pm
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: Magic of Lights
Why: Grab the hot cocoa and head into a maze of magical lights.
When: Now through Saturday January 4, 5-10 pm Sundays-Thursdays, 5-11 pm, Fridays-Saturdays, $25-$30/car
Where: PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy., Holmdel
What: Holiday Lights
Why: Ride the holiday train, check out ice carvings and tour the lit-up lantern display.
When: Now through Sunday January 5, Sundays-Thursdays, 5-9 pm, Fridays-Saturdays, 5-10 pm
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Luminocity Festival
Why: Go on a dazzling light adventure through the arctic, jungle and tasty childhood treats.
When: Now through Sunday January 5, 4-11 pm
Where: Randall’s Island Park, 20 Randalls Island Park, NYC
What: Vernon Lights Festival
Why: Walk through a wonderland of lights, lanterns, music and entertainment.
When: Now through Sunday January 5, 5-10 pm
Where: 1733 Glenwood Rd., County Rd. 565, Vernon Township, Sussex
Why: Lantern lights abound along with live cultural shows and interactive exhibits.
When: Now through Sunday January 12, Wednesdays-Thursdays, 5-9:30 pm, Fridays-Sundays, 5-10:30 pm, kids/$15, adults/$23
Where: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten
What: Big Apple Circus
Why: Stunts, acrobatics, animal acts and more.
When: Now through Sunday February 2, check schedule for daily times
Where: Lincoln Center, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC
What: Holiday Train Show
Why: Model trains chug through historic NY landmarks.
When: Now through Sunday January 26, 10 am-6 pm, kids/$18, adults/$30
Where: New York Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Upcoming:
What: Remarkable Raptors
Why: Get an up-close look at birds of prey.
When: Sunday January 5, 11 am-12 pm
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
