We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: Kick off the holiday season with the return of Big Santa at Westfield Garden State Plaza during the Big Santa Lighting Extravaganza. Pre-event festivities start at 6:30 in the Design Within Reach parking lot. Santa will get lit at 7:00pm. Then, snag giveaways, prizes and more along a holiday-themed path through the mall ending at the Holiday Market: two villages, gift-wrapping stations, multiple musical evenings of carolers, and a post office with a direct line to Santa. Go for the holiday cheer, stay for the opening of on Athleta and, coming soon, Tillys. Plus, Toys “R” Us will set up shop at the mall just in time for grabbing everything your kids put on those lists they mailed to the North Pole! Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza Boulevard, ParamusEvents Not To Miss:
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
What: Holiday Market
Why: Your new holiday happy place decked with carolers, letters to Santa station, entertainment, holiday decorations and more.
When: Friday November 22-Saturday January 4, 12-9 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Macy’s court Level 2, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Lidia Bastianich
Why: The chef and author shares recipes you’ll find at top NYC restaurant Felidia.
When: Saturday November 23, 12 pm
Where: Books and Greetings, 271G Livingston St., Northvale
What: All About Owls
Why: Take a walk and to meet an owl and learn all about the nocturnal bird.
When: Sunday November 24, 11 am-12 pm
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
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
Why: Hear talks from history buffs, plus kids activities and small bites.
When: Sunday November 24, 12:30-4:30 pm
Where: Bergen County Historical Society, 1201 Main Street, River Edge
What: Elsa & Anna’s Royal Ball
Why: Get the royal treatment with princess makeup and hair, plus music and dancing.
When: Sunday November 24, 10 am-12 pm, $49.95
Where: Glitter & Glam, Paramus Park, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
Why: The red-nosed leader of the pack hits the stage with Santa and friends, based on the classic TV movie.
When: Sunday November 24, 1 pm and 4 pm, $25-$55
Where: bergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
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
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: Santa Paws
Why: Bring your furry friend for photos with Santa.
When: Mondays November 25, December 2, December 9, 6-9 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
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: Now through 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: 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
What: Santa’s Coming to Town
Why: Santa arrives at the mall for pics and present-talk.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, 10 am-9:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
What: Magic of Lights
Why: Grab the hot cocoa and head into a maze of magical lights.
When: Friday November 22-Saturday January 4, 5-10 pm Sundays-Thursdays, 5-11 pm, Fridays-Saturdays, $25-$30/car
Where: PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy., Holmdel
What: Extreme LSC
Why: Slime, laser tag, ball pits and more new extreme adventures.
When: Friday November 22-every fourth Friday, 6-10 pm, kids/$20, adults/$25
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Holiday Lights
Why: Meet Santa and take a stroll through the animal-themed lights.
When: Friday November 22-Tuesday December 31, 5-9 pm
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: Jonas Brothers
Why: We’re suckers for the Jonas Brothers as they continue on their Happiness Begins Tour.
When: Friday November 22, 7:30 pm, tickets start at $59
Where: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark
Why: High flying holiday fun.
When: Saturday November 23, 3 pm and 8 pm
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown
What: SopranosCon
Why: Games, screenings, art and plenty of Sopranos stars to mix and mingle with.
When: Saturday November 23, 8 am-12 am-Sunday November 24, 9 am-6 pm, tickets start at $50
Where: Meadowlands Expo Center, 355 Plaza Dr., Secaucus
What: Holiday Train Show
Why: Model trains are rolling at this popular holiday event.
When: Saturday November 23-Sunday November 24, Saturday November 30-Sunday December 1, 10 am-4:30 pm, kids/$8, adults/$10
Where: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale
What: Luminocity Festival
Why: Go on a dazzling light adventure through the arctic, jungle and tasty childhood treats.
When: Saturday November 23-Sunday January 5, 4-11 pm
Where: Randall’s Island Park, 20 Randalls Island Park, NYC
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
Why: Millions of sparkling lights to drive through plus a skating rink, games, s’mores and more.
When: Now through Monday December 30, check calendar for times, $20, village opens Friday November 29
Where: Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta
Why: Climb aboard a train adventure filled with Santa and his elves, as you head to the North Pole.
When: Now through Monday December 30, check schedule for available times, $41-$80/ticket
Where: Whippany Station, Whippany
What: Holiday Lights
Why: Ride the holiday train, check out ice carvings and tour the lit-up lantern display.
When: Now through Sunday January 5, Sundays-Thursdays, 5-9 pm, Fridays-Saturdays, 5-10 pm
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx
What: Vernon Lights Festival
Why: Walk through a wonderland of lights, lanterns, music and entertainment.
When: Now through Sunday January 5, 5-10 pm
Where: 1733 Glenwood Rd., County Rd. 565, Vernon Township, Sussex
Why: Lantern lights abound along with live cultural shows and interactive exhibits.
When: Now through 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
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:
What: PJ Masks Live!
Why: Catboy, Owlette and Gekko save the day as the battle villains on stage, based on the Disney Junior show.
When: Friday November 29, 1 pm and 5 pm, $29.50-$99.50
Where: bergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
What: Orchard of Lights
Why: Hop on a hayride through a huge twinkling display of lights, meet Santa and make your own s’mores
When: Friday November 29-Sunday December 29, 5-8 pm
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale
What: Winter Wonderland
Why: Welcome winter with ice skating, Santa visits, ice carvings, face painting and more.
When: Friday November 29-Sunday January 5, check schedule for daily times, adult presale/$13
Where: Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
