We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: Sure, the 12 Days of Christmas partridge in a pear tree thing is fun and festive, but 12 days of pizza? Now that’s something to celebrate. To ring in the holiday season, Brooklyn-style neighborhood pizzeria Izzy’s at Edgewater’s City Place will be revealing a new deal on its Instagram (@izzyspizzeria) every day from December 11th to the 22nd. You just check the restaurant’s Insta feed daily and, when you see a deal that piques your pizza interest, head to Izzy’s and mention the 12 days of pizza promotion to your server to redeem. (The offers are valid for dine-in only.) The place is pretty much the perfect winter dinner and holiday get-together spot with its cozy atmosphere, location right on the Hudson, beloved BYOB policy and vegan and gluten-free options, too. And thanks to the #izzys12days promotion, you now have a real-deal excuse to eat as much pizza as you want for the next couple of weeks and leave any leftovers for Santa. By the time he gets to your house he’ll be sick of cookies anyway ... (Bergen Mama readers can also get 15% off their order with the code BM15OFF (valid 12/7/17-12/31/17) Izzy's, City Place, 225 River Road, Edgewater, 201.795.2600)Events Not to Miss:
Why: A lush performace of the holiday classic.
When: Friday, December 8 (7 p.m.), Saturday, December 9 (2 p.m. & 7 p.m.) & Sunday, December 10 (3 p.m.), Tickets start at $17
Where: Bergen County Academies, Hackensack
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: Bake cookies in teams and take home a container full of yumminess. Enjoy dinner too!
When: Saturday, December 9, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., Grades 2-6, $50, Pre-Registration required
Where: 411 East Clinton Ave, Tenafly
Why: Sip hot chocolate, bring your list, and meet Santa in the park.
When: Saturdays in December, 12 - 3 p.m.
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, E. Ridgewood Ave and Oak St.
Why: Back again this year but this time with additional food trucks, children’s games, a larger ice skating rink, and expanded weekend hours.
When: Open Fridays (4 - 10 p.m.) through Sunday (10 a.m. - 10 p.m. on weekends) through Sunday, December 31, Ages 3+/$16
Where: Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Meet with Santa and enjoy a free hayride.
When: Saturdays & Sundays in December, 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. and 8am-8pm on weekends
Where: Weirmus Rd., Hillsdale
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 Friday, December 22 at 7 p.m.!
When: Fridays (6 - 8:30 pm) and Saturdays/ Sundays from 1 - 4 p.m. now through December 22,, $5, Kids are FREE
Where: Donald Cooper Model Railroad, 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah
Why: Stories and songs for babies up to 2 years old.
When: Fridays from 10:30 - 11 a.m., No registration required
Where: 49 Park Ave., Westwood
Why: Santa and his Bae stop by the greenhouse for pics.
When: Saturday, December 9 & Saturday, December 16, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Santa Claus is here for photos! Pet photos available every Monday from 6 - 9 p.m.
When: Now through December 23rd, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Rt. 4 E & Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Free Santa pics, a winter hayride, and a fire pit with s’mores to seal the deal.
When: Saturdays & Sundays until Sunday, December 17, 12 - 4 p.m., Hayrides/$4, S’mores Kit/$6
Where: 85 Airmont Ave., Mahwah
Why: A perfect afternoon if you ask us.
When: Saturday, December 9, 12:30 - 3 p.m., S’more packs/$15
Where: 575 River Rd., New Milford
What: Cookie House Workshop at Happy Hello Shop
Why: Decorate and take home a fully edible cookie house!
When: Saturday, December 9, 1 or 3 p.m., $20 per house, Pre-Registration required
Where: 33 Sylvan Ave, Englewood Cliffs
What: The Grinch and Santa at Books and Greetings
Why: Bring your iPhone and get ready for some great holiday shots.
When: Saturday, December 9 (Grinch at Noon), Sunday, December 10 (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.)
Where: 271G Livingston Street, Northvale
Why: Bring your iPhone and get ready for some great holiday shots.
When: Saturday, December 9 (Grinch at Noon), Sunday, December 10 (12 p.m. - 2 p.m.)
Where: 271G Livingston Street, Northvale
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: Daily (4:30 -11 p.m.), Donations appreciated
Where: 38 Evergreen Place, Demarest
What: Santa at Paramus Park
Why: Play it cool this holiday season and book your spot with Santa ahead of time.
When: Now through December 23
Where: South Court, Paramus
Why: Visit with St. Nicholas, the traditional colonial Dutch Santa Claus, old fashioned crafts, ope hearth cooking and more.
When: Sunday, December 10, 1-4pm, FREE
Where: Old Stone Museum, 538 Island Rd., Ramsey
Why: A cozy fire, s'mores, and crafting with natural winter materials.
When: Saturday, December 9, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Ages 5+, $12, Pre-Registration required
Where: 313 Hudson St., Tenafly
Why: Santa comes to GSP with a Fast Pass option to book in advance.
When: Daily now through December 23, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Macy’s Court, Paramus
Why: Santa pics, characters, live entertainment and more.
When: Sunday, December 10, Pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Animals receive their gifts at 2:30pm
Where: 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: All about pizza at this hands-on class for little ones.
When: Tuesday, December 12, 4 -6 p.m., $30, Pre-Registration required
Where: 575 River Rd., New Milford
What: Ridgewood’s 5th Annual Menorah Lighting
Why: Music, refreshments and a beautiful memorah lighting.
When: Tuesday, December 12, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Van Neste Square
What: Mad Science Holiday Show
Why: A high energy dynamic holiday magic show starring Santa.
When: Wednesday, December 13 (5 - 6 p.m.) and Saturdays: December 9 and December 16 (10 – 11 a.m.), FREE ($10 VIP tickets available)
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Fall Mom & Tot Program
Why: 1 through 2.5 years old enjoy bonding time with Mommy.
When: Thursdays until December 21, 9:30 a.m., FREE
Where: 585 Russell Ave., Wyckoff
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 9 & Sunday, December 10, Saturday December 16 & Sunday, December 17, Performances at 3:30 p.m., 4:45 p.m., 6 p.m., Adults/$25, Kids/$20
Where: Old Dutch Church, 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY
Why: Take a winter stroll under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters.
When: Now through January 2 on select dates, 5 - 9 p.m., FREE
Where: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: Candy Lane Holiday Game at Oasis Family Farms
Why: Walk through this holiday light show and try to crack the code that will help Santa unlock gifts!
When: Saturday, December 8 & Sunday, December 9, 5 - 8 p.m., $10
Where: 3 Circle Drive., Robbinsville
What: Laser Wonderland at LSC
Why: A frosty laser show set to infectious holiday music.
When: Tuesdays through Sundays, 40 minutes, 11:15 a.m. daily with additional 2:15 p.m. & 5:15 p.m. shows on the weekends
Where: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Why: A winter wonderland across 250 acres with an expansive model train show, kids activities, live music and more. Check out their Bar Car nights for even more live entertainment and of course, yummy hot beverages!
When: Now through Monday, January 15, Ages 2-12/$18, Adults/$30
Where: Bronx, NY
What: Star Trek: The Starfleet Academy Experience at LSC
Why: Trekkies, step into the shoes of a newly minted cadet in the 26th century at this interactive exhibition.
When: Now through May 28, 2018
Where: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Why: Gilded-Age elegance- Holiday Style!
When: Saturdays & Sundays until December 10, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Kids/$3, Adults/$8
Where: Ringwood
Why: 2 million lights ready to dazzle you and the kids.
When: Now through Saturday, December 30
Where: Augusta
What: Palisades Center Santa
Why: Check out this authentic looking Santa, and look out for Pet Nights, Breakfast mornings, and more.
When: Now until Christmas Eve, 10 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Where: 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack, NY
What: Boscobel Sparkle
Why: This historical house is decked out for the season with beautiful lights and entertainment to match.
When: Daytime Holiday Tours are offered now through December 31., Tours from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where: 1601 Route 9D, Garrison, NY
Why: For the choo choo obsessed.
When: Now through January 7, Black Friday and weekend hours/1 - 5 p.m., Adults/$6, Kids are FREE
Where: 575 High Mountain Rd., North Haledon
What: Christmas Ice Caverns
Why: Head over to this beloved Christmas stop, an indoor walk-through display with lights, moving characters, music and more.
When: Open daily until Friday, December 22, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., $3.99
Where: Jody's Silk Florist and Patio Center, 437 US Highway 46, Fairfield
Why: Ice skate at the iconic skating rink, do some holiday shopping, and eat tasty delights at this open air market.
When: Now through March 4
Where: Between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, 40th and 42nd Streets, NYC
Why: A magical wonderland featuring hundreds of toy trains, figurines, and miniature models.
When: Now through February 25, Ages 5-13/$6, Teens/$13, Adults/$21
Where: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, NYC
Why: The Island of Sodor comes to Jerz.
When: Now through May 2018
Where: Liberty Science Center
Upcoming:
Why: Liberty Science Center’s scientists come to the J with mind-blowing science experiments.
When: Sunday, December 17, 11 a.m.- 12 p.m., Grades 2-6, $12, Pre-Registration required
Where: 411 East Clinton Ave, Tenafly
What: Hanukkah Magic Show
Why: A traditional Hanukkah dinner and Illusion Show. Hanukkah goodie bags for all kids!!
When: Sunday, December 17, 5 - 7 p.m., $54/Family of 4, $20 additional
Where: Temple Emanu-El of Closter, 180 Piermont Rd., Closter
Why: Fly through the universe at this 89-foot full-dome view of the night sky and distant galaxies.
When: Opens Saturday, December 9
Where: Jersey City
