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:
Why: Thousands of filmgoers unite to watch films highlighting important messages.
When: Thursday November 14-Sunday November 17, check schedule for times
Where: Teaneck Film Festival, 20 puffin Way, Teaneck
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: Thursday November 14-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: Santa’s Coming to Town
Why: Santa arrives at the mall for pics and present-talk.
When: Friday November 16-Tuesday December 24, 10 am-9:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Shop crafts, treats, housewares and more, plus food and tricky tray.
When: Saturday November 16, 10 am-4 pm
Where: The Church of the Atonement, 97 Highwood Ave., Tenafly
What: Super Acrobatic Heroes
Why: Join your favorite superheroes for high-flying, action-packed shows.
When: Saturday November 16, 10-10:30 am, 11-11:30 am, 12-12:30 pm, 1-1:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Start your holiday shopping and support a charity.
When: Saturday November 16, 9 am
Where: Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff
Why: Put on your dancing shoes to celebrate author Thyra Heder’s new book, How Do You Dance?
When: Saturday November 16, 11 am-12 pm
Where: The Curious Reader, 229 Rock Rd., Glen Rock
Why: Indulge in delish samblings and get turkey-day recipe ideas.
When: Saturday November 16-Sunday November 17, 11 am-5 pm,
Where: Stew Leonard’s, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
What: Frozen Party
Why: Celebrate the much-anticipated movie with stories, games, activities and more. Costumes welcome!
When: Saturday November 16, 2 pm
Where: Oradell Public Library, 375 Kinderkamack Ave., Oradell
What: Penguin Pointers
Why: Learn all about penguins and get an up-close live look.
When: Saturday November 16, 11 am-12 pm
Where: Wild Birds Unlimited, 189 NJ 17, Paramus
Why: Girls get movie-ready with Frozen hair and makeup, a costume show and crafts.
When: Saturday November 16, 6-7:30 pm, $35
Where: Sweet & Sassy, 216 E Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: NYICFF Kid Flicks
Why: Ages 3-7 will love watching 60 minutes of short films, hosted by Sesame Street's Bob McGrath
When: Sunday November 17, 11:15 am, kids free with paying adult
Where: Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck
Why: A new, convenient way to take care of your family’s health on-the-go.
When: Monday November 18, 10 am-9:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Santa Paws
Why: Bring your furry friend for photos with Santa.
When: Mondays November 18, November 25, December 2, December 9, 6-9 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Meet the staff, tour the campus and learn how the program can work for your child.
When: Lower School: Wednesdays November 20, December 4, 9-11 am
Where: Dwight-Englewood School, 315 East Palisade Ave., Englewood
What: Holiday Craft Show
Why: Start crossing off your gift list and shop from hundreds of crafters.
When: Now through Sunday December 1, 10 am-5 pm, $8 for 3 visits
Where: The Hermitage Museum, 335 N. Franklin Tpke., Ho-Ho-Kus
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
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Millions of sparkling lights to drive through plus a skating rink, games, s’mores and more.
When: Thursday November 14-Monday December 30, check calendar for times, $20, village opens Friday November 29
Where: Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta
What: Holiday Lights
Why: Ride the holiday train, check out ice carvings and tour the lit-up lantern display.
When: Thursday November 21-Sunday January 5, Sundays-Thursdays, 5-9 pm, Fridays-Saturdays, 5-10 pm
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Sugarloaf Craft Festival
Why: Top artists in one place plus live music, entertainment and eats.
When: Friday November 15-Saturday November 16, 10 am-6 pm, Sunday November 17, 10 am-5 pm, $10
Where: NJ Convention & Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison
What: BravoCon 2019
Why: Your fave Bravolebs in one place at this three-day events with a cabaret show, Vanderpump parties, photos, Housewives museum and much more.
When: Friday November 15-Sunday November 17, check schedule for daily times
Where: Events around NYC, Manhattan Center, 311 West 34th St., Union West, 535 West 28th St., Skylight Modern, 537 West 27th St.
What: Vernon Lights Festival
Why: Walk through a wonderland of lights, lanterns, music and entertainment.
When: Friday November 15-Sunday January 5, 5-10 pm
Where: 1733 Glenwood Rd., County Rd. 565, Vernon Township, Sussex
Why: A weekend-long celebration of apples with cooking demos, crafts and tastings.
When: Saturday November 16-Sunday November 17, 10:30 am-4:45 pm
Where: Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 West 83rd St., NYC
Why: Authentic food, Bollywood music and dance take over Nyack.
When: Saturday November 16, 3-8 pm
Where: Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack
Why: Ring in the holiday season with performances, Santa and a tree lighting.
When: Saturday November 16, 5 pm
Where: Ridge Hill, One Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers
What: Salon du Chocolate NY
Why: Make a work of edible art, sample from pastry chefs and celebrate chocolate in this day of indulgence.
When: Saturday November 16, 10:30 am-6 pm-Sunday November 17, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Javits Center, 429 11th Ave., NYC
Why: Climb aboard a train adventure filled with Santa and his elves, as you head to the North Pole.
When: Starts Saturday November 16-Monday December 30, check schedule for available times, $41-$80/ticket
Where: Whippany Station, Whippany
Why: Preview the Lantern Festival with a display of handcrafted animals under the glow of lights.
When: Now through Saturday November 16, 6 am-11 pm
Where: Liberty Park, 155 Cedar St., NYC
Why: Delish food and a meet-and-greet with the Gibbons and their keepers.
When: Sunday November 17, 8:30-10 am
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
Why: Tons of toy trains to watch and shop.
When: Sunday November 17, 9 am-3 pm, $12
Where: White Plains County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains
Why: The ladies of 90120 share memories and laughs.
When: Wednesday November 20, 7:30 pm, $39-$89
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown
Why: Lantern lights abound along with live cultural shows and interactive exhibits.
When: Wednesday November 20-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 Island
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
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
Upcoming:
Why: Big Santa is lit up to start the holiday celebration, plus giveaways, prizes and mall adventures.
When: Friday November 22, 6:30-8:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Design Within Reach parking lot, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Join Elsa for farm-fresh food and crafts.
When: Sunday November 24, 11 am-1 pm, $45
Where: Fresh and Fancy Farms, 575 River Rd., New Milford
What: Tea Party
Why: Dress up, hair, makeup games and treats with Princess Anna
When: Sunday November 24, 11 am, $40
Where: Posh Princess Palace, 1 South Main St., Lodi
