We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
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Events Not to Miss:
What: Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays & Santa in the Park
Why: Celebrate Christmas at this 2 day event with live entertainment, a holiday train (new this year!), a visit to Santa’s house, and much more holiday fun.
When: Friday, December 4 (5:30-9pm) & Saturday, December 5 (10am-3pm)
Where: Downtown Ridgewood
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: Les Tout Petits Holiday Pop-Up Sale
Why: 70% off retail on exclusive designer girls clothing.
When: Friday, December 4 (10am-5pm) & Saturday, December 5 (10am-3pm)
Where: 600 Grand Ave., Ridgefield
What: Herman Parish at Books and Greetings
Why: The author of the Amelia Bedelia books signs his new book “Dance Off.”
When: Friday, December 4, 4pm
Where: 271G Livingston St., Northvale
What: Nunnbetter Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker
Why: Enjoy this season’s most beloved ballet, right here in Bergen.
When: Friday, December 4 thru Sunday, December 6, Check website for showtimes, $17-$30
Where: Bergen County Academies, 200 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack
What: River Vale Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa
Why: Enjoy the lighting of the tree and party with Santa afterwards.
When: Friday, December 4, 6:30pm, Party at Holdrum School to follow, FREE
Where: Town Hall, River Vale
What: Christmas Craft Fair
Why: Handmade craft items, baked goods, extensive jewelry counter, and more.
When: Friday, December 4 (10am-7pm) & Saturday, December 5 (10am-3pm)
Where: 120 E. Pleasant Ave., Maywood
What: Westwood Home for the Holidays
Why: This fun family evening event has Santa, a tree lighting, hot chocolate, a parade, and more.
When: Saturday, December 5, 6pm
Where: Downtown Westwood
What: Santa Claus at Abma’s Farm
Why: Arts, crafts, and pictures with Santa on the farm.
When: Saturday, December 5, 11am-3pm
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Dwight-Englewood School Fun-Tastic Foods with Chef Ricardo
Why: Children in K and Grades 1-2 will each be given a custom recipe, guidance for cooking the recipe, and well-deserved samples of their work. Parents will join at the end for presentations of their children’s culinary adventure, and tastings too!
When: Saturday, December 5, 10am-1pm, $20, Pre-Registration required
Where: Wharton Lessin Dining Hall, Englewood
What: WP Presents! Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas
Why: If your kids love over-the-top outfits, colorful holiday decorations and expanding their vocabulary, they’ll love this energetic and entertaining performance.
When: Saturday, December 5, 2pm (pre-show creative activities begin at 1:15pm), Adult $15 and Child $15
Where: Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
What: Breakfast with Santa
Why: Light breakfast, crafts, games, Santa, and more.
When: Saturday, December 5, 9:30-11am, Ages 2-7, $10, Pre-Registration required
Where: Old Tappan Fire House, 231 Old Tappan Rd., Old Tappan
What: Polar Express Reading at Shaw’s Book Shop
Why: Stop by to hear a reading of this Christmas classic before you head to the Home for the Holidays event.
When: Saturday, December 5, 5pm, FREE
Where: 79 Westwood Ave., Westwood
What: The Lindgren School Holiday Craft Fair
Why: Cozy up to the bonfire, visit the school barn to see the animals, play on the extensive playground, eat from beloved local rests, and shop unique items locally for the season.
When: Saturday, December 5, 11am-4pm
Where: 211 Irving Avenue, Closter
What: Ramsey Home For the Holidays
Why: Celebrate with a “Frozen” theme, a tiny tots parade, Santa, and a music show.
When: Saturday, December 5, Tiny Tots Parade at 6pm, Main Parade at 7pm
Where: Main St., Ramsey
What: Santa Fly-In at Aviation Hall of Fame
Why: Watch Santa fly in like you’ve never seen him before…
When: Saturday, December 5, 11am
Where: 400 Fred Tehran Dr., Teterboro
What: National Lionel Train Day
Why: Celebrate this 115th year tradition of Lionel trains with holiday train displays, Polar Express movie, hot cocoa, and other fun in-store events
When: Saturday, December 5, 8am-3pm
Where: National Railroad Worx, 305 Island Rd., Mahwah
What: Family Photos with Santa
Why: Skip the mall, grab the fam, and take a photo with Santa.
When: Saturday, December 5th & 12th, 11am-3pm, FREE
Where: Hillsdale United Methodist Church, 349 Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale
What: Deaf Author Rose Pizzo at Pottery Barn Kids
Why: A Certified Sign Language Interpreter will interpret the story being read by Rose and afterwards she will teach the children some sign language and about deaf culture.
When: Saturday, December 5, 11am, RSVP strongly recommended
Where: Riverside Square Mall, Hackensack
What: Santa at Secor Farms
Why: Visit with Santa on either day, and on Sunday take a horse drawn wagon ride to an outdoor fire pit to make you own s’mores.
When: Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6, 1-4pm
Where: 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah
What: JCO of Northern Bergen County’s Hanukkah Party
Why: A party with entertainment and holiday treats that benefits Jersey Cares and their Frosty’s Friends program.
When: Sunday, December 6, 12:30-2pm, $10 per person or $36 for a family of 4 or more
Where: Upper Saddle River Fire Department, 375 W Saddle River Rd, Upper Saddle River
What: Yogart Frozen Yogurt Studio Kids Painting Party
Why: A fun step by step painting party.
When: Sunday, December 6, 10am, $30
Where: 342 Old River Rd., Edgewater
What: Holiday Gingerbread House Class for Kids
Why: Sign up for this popular class before it sells out so your child can decorate and bring home a gingerbread house.
When: Wednesday, December 9-12, 1pm, 4pm & 7pm, Ages 3-10, $30
Where: Chef Central, 240 Rte 17N, Paramus
What: Tice’s Corner Menorah Lighting
Why: Enjoy latkas, doughnuts, hot cocoa, coffee, and a sing-along.
When: Thursday, December 10, 6pm, FREE
Where: 441 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake
What: Create Your Own Candy Chocolate House
Why: Create your own yummy masterpiece for your holiday table.
When: Thursday, December 10, 11am, 4pm & 6:30pm, $12 per house, Pre-Registration required
Where: Wyckoff YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff
What: Tenafly Holiday Parade
Why: March behind the fire truck and enjoy free cocoa, cookies, and live entertainment.
When: Thursday, December 10, 6pm
Where: Washington St from Oresko Oval to Huyler Park, Tenafly
If you’re heading out of Bergen…
What: Glamour Girls A Royal Christmas Spectacular
Why: A breakfast buffet, fun live performances, Christmas caroling, an ice cream sundae station, Santa, characters and more!
When: Sunday, December 6, 10am-1pm, Children/$30, Adult/$25
Where: Pearl River Elks, 2041 Elks Dr., Nanuet, NY
What: Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show
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 3, Check website for dates and times, $17 per carload in advance, $20 (cash only) at the gate
Where: 94 Championship Place, Augusta
What: Gingerbread Wonderland and Craft Show
Why: Hundreds of edible structures on display and a handmade craft show on the weekends.
When: Now thru Sunday, December 13, (10am-4:30pm & 10am-7:30pm on Fridays), Ages 2+/$2
Where: The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 East Hanover Ave., Morris Township
What: Boscobel Sparkle
Why: This historical house is decked out for the season with beautiful lights and entertainment to match.
When: Fridays & Saturdays in December thru the 19th, 5-9pm, Ages 3-11/$10, Adult/$15
Where: 1601 Route 9D, Garrison, NY
Where: The Shops at Nanuet Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
Why: Live music, face painting, costume characters, hot chocolate, and a tree lighting with Santa.
When: Friday, December 4, 6:30pm
Where: 5101 Fashion Dr., Nanuet, NY
What: Holiday Lights of Nyack
Why: A festive theatrical experience for families with hot cocoa, cider, music, Santa on a firetruck, and more.
When: Saturday, December 5, 4-6pm, FREE
Where: Veteran’s Park Gazebo, Main Street, Nyack
What: Historic Hudson Valley Dickens’s Christmas Carol
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: Saturdays & Sundays from December 5 thru 20, (check website for showtimes), Adults/$25, Under 18/$20, Suggested for ages 10+, Advance tickets required, Bergen Mama readers click here for a chance to win a FREE Family 4-pack of tickets for the Saturday, December 20, 7:15pm show!
Where: Christ Episcopal Church, 43 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
What: Hoboken Holiday Craft Fair
Why: Hand-crafted items for sale and face-painting by the one and only Mrs. Claus.
When: Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6, 11am-5pm
Where: Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St., Hoboken
What: Eloise at The Plaza Hanukkah Cookie Decorating with William Greenberg
Why: Decorate Hanukkah-themed cookies from William Greenberg Desserts and celebrate the festival of lights.
When: Sunday, December 6, 10-11am, Children/ $50, Adults/$10, Pre-Registration required
Where: 5th Avenue at Central Park South, NYC
What: Piermont Holiday Festival
Why: It’s a holiday festival with a tree lighting, light installation, hot chocolate, snacks, Santa, live entertainment, and more.
When: Sunday, December 6, 5pm
Where: Flywheel Park On The Hudson, Piermont, NY
What: Theatreworks USA presents Fly Guy and Other Stories
Why: This sensory-friendly, new musical revue is compilation of popular children’s books and only open to classes and families with children with autism.
When: Monday, December 7, 10:30am, Ages 4-9, $8
Where: William Paterson University, Shea Center for Performing Arts, 300 Pompton Rd., Wayne
What: Hudson House of Play Tiny Crafters
Why: Make something special alongside your little crafter.
When: Tuesday, December 8, 10-10:45am, Babies thru 3 years old, $25
Where: 40 Riverwalk Place, West New York
What: Eloise at The Plaza Rather Fancy Teas with Santa
Why: It’s a fancy time with a tea party in the Eloise shop and story time and pictures with Santa.
When: Wednesdays, December 9, 16 & 23 & Fridays, December 4, 11 & 18 from 2-3pm & 4-5pm, $100/ Child, $50/Adult, Pre-registration Required
Where: 5th Avenue at Central Park South, NYC
Upcoming:
What: Hudson House of Play Winter Wonderland Tea Party
Why: Wear your princess best for a formal tea party with baked treats, a holiday crafting station, sing along, and much more.
When: Saturday, December 12, 2pm, Ages 2.5 and up, $50 (includes one adult), Pre-Registration required (Will be Sold Out!)
Where: 40 Riverwalk Place, West New York
What: iPiggi Bank Money Management for Kids Workshop
Why: Get important and smart money management skills at an early age.
When: Saturday, December 12, 10-11:30am, $30, Register by December 5
Where: Tutor’s Link Learning Center, 343 Depew St., Dumont
What: Tutus and Bowties Holiday Party
Why: Wear your party clothes and head over for fun and music with Kurt Gallagher.
When: Sunday, December 13, 10am-12pm, 1-6 years old, $28 (One parent free with each child)
Where: 316 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
What: JCC on the Palisades High Exposure Climbing
Why: With the help of the American Ninja Warrior experts, spend the evening climbing with your pals.
When: Saturday, December 19, Grades 6-8, 7-10:30pm, $35, Register by Wednesday, December 9
Where: 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
