We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: There's a GREAT BIG SANTA in town and he's landed at the top of Garden State Plaza just in time for your holiday shopping. Grab the kids, your wallet your appetite and prepare to spend the day shopping, eating and getting wowed by GSP's new holiday decor, their Santa pavilion and all of the magic of the holiday. Oh and remember to reserve in advance so nothing spoils that Christmas joy. (Santa arrives at Garden State Plaza on Friday, November 16th, click here for reservations and hours)
Sponsored Post: You: Starts planning your holiday shopping schedule as soon as you put away the kids’ Halloween costumes. Also you: gives up after one day of having to elbow your way through crowds to get everything on your list. Want the sublime holiday shopping experience you fantasized about? Head over to Manchester Designer Outlets, set in the perfectly quaint Manchester, VT (hello gorgeous holiday décor!) and offering 30+ brands like Theory, Kate Spade, Armani, Vineyard Vines, Tumi and Michael Kors, at up to 70% off daily and no tax ever. And from 8am-8pm on BlackFriday, you can expect to score even steeper discounts and perks! Time to plan your trip. (Open daily from 10am, click here for holiday events and a full list of stores)Events Not To Miss:
Why: Get ready for the ho-ho-holidays with a pic with Santa.
When: Friday November 16-Monday December 24, 10 am-9 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Santa Claus is coming to Bergen Town Center, bringing smiles and a live performance.
When: Friday November 16, 6-7:30 pm
Where: The Outlets at Bergen Town Center, Route 4 East & Forest Ave., Paramus
What: Meet and Greet With Elmo
Why: Enjoy a character visit, balloons and open play.
When: Friday November 16, 3:30-5:30 pm
Where: The Big Playhouse, 312 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
What: The Turtle Show
Why: Meet and learn about turtles from around the world with expert Steve Woyce.
When: Friday November 16, 4-5 pm
Where: Rutherford Public Library, 150 Park Ave., Rutherford
Why: Meet teachers and parents, and learn about the creative curriculum for pre-K and elementary at this multicultural school.
When: Saturday November 17, 10 am-12 pm
Where: The French American Academy, 1092 Carnation Dr., New Milford
What: Holiday Market
Why: High-end crafters for all your holiday gift needs, plus photos with Santa on Sunday.
When: Saturday November 17-Sunday November 18, 11 am
Where: Cresskill Community Center, 100 3rd St., Cresskill
Why: Shop crafts, treats, housewares and more, plus food and tricky tray.
When: Saturday November 17, 10 am-4 pm
Where: The Church of the Atonement, 97 Highwood Ave., Tenafly
What: Fall Cookie Decorating
Why: Get into the fall spirit and decorate a festive cookie.
When: Saturday November 17, 12 pm and 3 pm, $15
Where: Oscar’s Printshop at Happy Hello Shop, 33 Sylvan Ave., Englewood Cliffs
Why: Get your slime on to benefit Bergen Volunteer Center, plus celebrity slimers.
When: Saturday November 17, 11 am-6 pm
Where: Paramus Park, Mall Common Area, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
Why: Eric Carl’s classic book comes to life.
When: Sunday November 18, 1 pm, $15-$29
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Mickey madness includes a Mickey art lesson, Mickey meet-and-greet, Steamboat Willie cartoon and more mousekefun.
When: Sunday November 18, 1:30 pm
Where: Cliffside Park Library, 505 Palisade Ave., Cliffside Park
What: 5K Turkey Trail
Why: Prep your waistline for Thanksgiving with this race through natural terrain.
When: Sunday November 18, 9-11 am, $25
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
What: Wild Turkey Day
Why: Learn all about wild birds through stories and crafts.
When: Sunday November 18, 11 am-2 pm
Where: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Bring your furry friend for a paw-some pic with Santa.
When: Mondays November 19-December 17, 6-9 pm, pets must be leashed
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Level 2 Entrance, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Shop for all your gifts from hundreds of crafters.
When: Now through Sunday December 2, 10 am-5 pm, $8, kids under 12 free
Where: The Hermitage, 335 North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus
What: It’s Santa Photo Time
Why: Put the kids in their holiday best for pics with Santa.
When: Open daily except Sundays through Monday December 24, 10 am-8 pm Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am-8 pm weekdays, packages/$27.99-$52.99
Where: The Shops at Riverside, 390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack
Why: Create lasting holiday memories, and don’t forget to make reservations to skip the line.
When: Open daily except Sundays through Monday December 24, 11 am-8 pm, packages/$39.99-$49.99
Where: Paramus Park, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
What: Photos With Santa
Why: Start the holidays with a jolly pic.
When: Now through Monday December 24, 10 am-1 pm, 2-5 pm, 6-9 pm
Where: The Outlets at Bergen Town Center, Route 4 East & Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: The fave first-grader hits the stage in this musical adaptation of the best-selling series.
When: Weekends through Sunday December 16, 11 am, kids under 12/$12, students/$18, adults/$20
Where: Black Box Performing Arts Center, 200 Walraven Dr., Teaneck
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Pikachu, Elf on the Shelf and more balloons and floats make their way down the streets of NYC. Get a sneak peek as the balloons come to life the day before.
When: Thursday November 22, 9 am-12 pm; Inflation on Wednesday November 21, 1-8 pm
Where: Central Park West between 75th and 59th Streets to 6th Ave. between 59th and 38th Streets, NYC; Inflation at American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street and Columbus Ave.
Why: A dazzling display of model trains that travels from NYC to the North Pole.
When: Thursday November 15-Sunday February 3, Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm, Saturday-Sunday, 10 am-6 pm
Where: New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store, 89 East 42nd St., NYC
What: Christmas Light Show
Why: More than 2 million lights on this mile-long drive-thru, pus new light displays.
When: Friday November 16-Sunday December 30, check schedule for dailly times, $20 per car
Where: Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Pl., Augusta
Why: A dazzling drive-through holiday lights show.
When: Friday November 16-Sunday December 30, Dusk-10 pm (11 pm weekends), $20-$30
Where: PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy., Holmdel
Why: Celebrate harvest time with Native American tales and cornhusk crafts.
When: Saturday November 17, 10 am-1 pm
Where: Wave Hill House, West 249th Street and Independence Ave., Bronx
What: Play-Doh Weekend
Why: Be one of the first 500 people to snag a new Play-Doh WHEELS product, and enjoy the opening of winterfest.
When: Saturday November 17-Sunday November 18, 11 am-5 pm, $29.95-$34.95
Where: Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
What: Holiday Train Show
Why: Model trains make their way through Lower Manhattan, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Rockefeller Center in this huge display.
When: Saturday November 17-Monday January 21, 10 am-6 pm Tuesdays-Sundays, weekends: kids/$18, adults/$30, weekdays: kids/$10, adults/$23
Where: New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
What: North Pole Express
Why: Climb aboard for a spirited ride filled with Santa and his elves, gifts and holiday treats.
When: Saturday November 17-Sunday November 23, 9:30 am, 12 pm, 2:30 pm, 5 pm, $28-$34
Where: Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Rd., Flemington
Why: Shop from jewelry, apparel and home good for the holidays.
When: Sunday November 18, 10 am-5 pm, $3
Where: 272 Berdan Ave., Wayne
What: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Why: Thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns on display, plus plenty of pumpkin-themed activities.
When: November 15-17, 23-24, kids/$16 (Friday-Saturday, $20) adults/$22 (Friday-Saturday $27), check schedule to reserve time
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
Why: Thousands of hand-carved jack o’lanterns on display, plus plenty of pumpkin-themed activities.
When: November 15-17, 23-24, kids/$16 (Friday-Saturday, $20) adults/$22 (Friday-Saturday $27), check schedule to reserve time
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson
Why: Over 50 sparkling winter and animal character lights, plus weekend Santa visits and more fun
When: Through Tuesday January 1, 5-9 pm, free with donations
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
Why: Show some love to the original Disney icon with over 16,000 square feet of Mickey paraphernalia, art and history.
When: Open Tuesdays-Sundays through February 10, 10 am-8 pm, $38
Where: 60 10th Ave., NYC
What: Candytopia
Why: Visit this sweeeeeet wonderland of tasty delights, brought to life through art installations.
When: Open through Sunday January 6, 10 am-8:30 pm, kids/$26, adults/$34
Where: Candytopia @ Penn Plaza, 145 W 32nd Street, NYC
Why: The Doc is in! Kids step into the doctor’s role as they perform check-ups and groom toy pets.
When: Open through Sunday January 27, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Bear Mountain Ice Rink Opening
Why: Lace up the skates for a cool family day on the rink.
When: Open now through March 3, check website for session times, $5
Where: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Route 9W N, Bear Mountain
Why: Lace up the skates for a cool family day on the rink.
When: Open now through March 3, check website for session times, $5
Where: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Route 9W N, Bear Mountain
Why: Play detective for the day and solve a murder mystery.
When: Opens now through Monday May 27, available with combination or premium pass
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Dancing, singing and plenty of hug time with Poppy and friends.
When: Open through Sunday May 12, 10 am-9 pm weekdays, 9 am-8 pm weekends, $25
Where: 218 West 57th Street, NYC
Upcoming:
Why: Spread holiday happiness with a menorah and tree lighting, snacks and carolers.
When: Thursday November 29, 6-8 pm
Where: Tice’s Corner Marketplace, 441 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake
Why: Charlie Brown and friends put on their own Christmas play in this classic show.
When: Friday November 23, 1 pm, $29-$59
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Horse-drawn hay ride, ice sculptures, music, train rides and treats.
When: Saturday November 24, 1 pm
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
