Sponsored Post: Get into the holiday spirit with Westfield Garden State Plaza's 4th annual Big Santa Lighting on Friday, November 19th from 5:30-7 pm. In partnership with bergenPAC, enjoy live performances from Broadway stars and The Grinch, plus giveaways, food trucks, holiday music and an appearance from Santa himself on a firetruck. Reserve your tix today!Events Not to Miss:
What: Santa Pictures
Why: Make and take holiday memories with Santa and friends.
When: Thursday November 18-Friday December 24, 10:15 am-7:45 pm
Where: Paramus Park, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
What: Santa Photo Experience
Why: Have a happy holiday with a Santa photo shoot.
When: Thursday November 18-Friday December 24, check schedule for photo times
Where: The Shops at Riverside, 390 Hackensack Ave., Hackensack
What: Cinderella
Why: See the classic fairytale performed by The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine.
When: Thursday November 18, 7 pm
Where: bergenPAC, 30 N Van Brunt St., Englewood
What: Big Santa Lighting
Why: Join the annual tradition filled with food trucks, performances, giveaways and a live appearance by Santa himself.
When: Friday November 19, 5:30-7:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Why: Shopping, demos and services from a number of fashion and beauty brands and wellness providers.
When: Friday November 19, 5-8 pm, Saturday November 20, 10:30 am-5 pm, Sunday November 21, 10 am-4 pm
Where: InSight Yoga & Meditation, 17-19 Washington St., 2nd Floor, Tenafly
Why: Celebrate fall with crafts and play.
When: Friday November 19, 10 am-3:30 pm and Saturday November 20, 10 am
Where: Paper Street Play, 40 Park Ave., Park Ridge
What: Terrific Turkeys
Why: Talk turkey as you learn about the bird and make a turkey craft.
When: Sunday November 21, 11 am-12 pm
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
What: Orchard of Lights
Why: A drive-thru light experience on the farm.
When: Tuesday November 23-Saturday January 9, check schedule for daily times
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
What: Photos With Santa
Why: Put on your holiday smiles for a safe snap with Santa.
When: Now through Friday December 24, 11 am-8 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza Blvd., Paramus
Bergen Gives Back:
What: Maywood Rehab Sock Drive
Why: Drop off new socks to donate to local homeless shelters through Toasty Toes.
When: Now through Saturday November 20
Where: 100 West Magnolia Ave., Maywood
What: Lasagna Love
Why: Neighbors helping neighbors in this program where you can request a free meal -- no questions asked.
When: Ongoing
Where: Request a meal through their website
Why: Drop off select food and personal care items at Westwood Prime's donation box inside the shop to benefit Helping Hands Food Pantry.
When: Now through the next few weeks
Where: Westwood Prime, 190 Westwood Ave., Westwood
If you're heading out of Bergen:
Why: Stroll through the beaming lights and meet winter and animal characters along the way, plus more wintry fun on select days.
When: Friday November 19-Friday December 21, 5-9 pm
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: Holiday Fair
Why: Shop for all of your holiday gifts -- and yourself!
When: Friday November 19, 6-9 pm and Saturday November 20, 10 am-3 pm
Where: Pearl River United Methodist Church, 130 Franklin Ave., Pearl River
What: Magic of Lights
Why: Take a drive through a dazzling display of holiday lights at every turn.
When: Friday November 19-Sunday January 2, 5-10 pm Sundays-Thursdays, 5-11 pm Fridays and Saturdays
Where: PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel
What: Holiday Lights
Why: Take a journey through holiday lanterns and enjoy special events from ice carving to holiday train rides.
When: Friday November 19-Sunday January 9, 3-8 pm
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Santa Fest
Why: Celebrate Santa with giveaways, a dance party, Frozen characters and more fun.
When: Saturday November 20, 1-5 pm
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack
Why: Drive through more than 2 million lights and enjoy holiday rides, photos, skating and more.
When: Wednesday November 24-Sunday January 9, check schedule for daily times
Where: Skyland Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta
Why: Climb aboard for a magical trip to the North Pole.
When: Now through Thursday December 30, check schedule for daily times
Where: 1 Railroad Plz, Whippany
What: Diggerland Winterfest
Why: All the construction-themed fun plus live music, Parade of Machines, Santa visit and more fun. Stay for the evening light show.
When: Now through November 28, 11 am-5 pm, light show begins Wednesday November 17, 5:30-9:30 pm
Where: Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
What: Holiday Train Show
Why: Chug chug to see the model trains on display.
When: Weekends through December 5, 10 am-3 pm
Where: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale
Why: Ice skating, shopping, live shows and activities.
When: Now through March 2022
Where: Bryant Park, NYC
Upcoming Events:
Why: The wintry fun is back with ice skating, a kids zone, games, Santa's North Pole, food trucks and more.
When: Friday November 26-Sunday January 2, check schedule for times
Where: Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: The Peanuts crew discovers the true meaning of Christmas in this musical celebration of the TV classic.
When: Friday November 26, 1 pm and 4 pm
Where: bergenPAC, 30 N Van Brunt St., Englewood
Why: Put on your biggest holiday smiles.
When: Friday November 26, Saturday November 27, Saturday December 11, check for available times
Where: Abma's Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
