We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Book Now:
Why: Charles Dickens’s famous story is brought to life with music and master storytelling.
When: Saturday December 7-Sunday December 8, Saturday December 14-Sunday December 15, 3:30 pm, 4:45 pm, 6 pm, kids/$20, adults/$25
Where: Old Dutch Church, 430 Broadway, Sleepy Hollow
Events Not To Miss:
What: Toys ‘R Us Opening
Why: Just in time for Black Friday, the store you missed and loved is back.
When: Wednesday November 27
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: PJ Masks Live!
Why: Catboy, Owlette and Gekko save the day as they 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 pre-sale/$13
Where: Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus
Why: Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the farm.
When: Friday November 29, Saturdays December 7 and December 14, 12:30-3 pm
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Enjoy a holiday story and treats.
When: Friday November 29, Saturdays December 7 and December 14, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, $12
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Shop and get a special holiday stocking gift, plus sing-along Saturdays, Santa and live performances.
When: Friday November 29-Saturday December 21, Fridays 2-7 pm, Saturdays 12-6 pm
Where: City Place at The Promenade, 225 River Rd., Edgewater
What: A Country Christmas
Why: Fun for the whole fam includes a tree lighting, food trucks, hayrides and more.
When: Saturday November 30, 5-8 pm
Where: Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Holiday Open House
Why: Kick off the holidays with gift shopping, handmade wreaths and s’mores by the fire.
When: Saturday November 30, 10 am-7 pm
Where: Fresh and Fancy Farms, 575 River Rd., New Milford
What: Winterfest
Why: Fun for everyone from horse-drawn hayrides to ice sculptures to train rides and tons more.
When: Saturday November 30, 12 pm
Where: Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, S Walnut St., Ridgewood
Why: Start you holiday shopping NOW with over 100 craft, home and art vendors.
When: Sunday December 1, 10 am-5 pm
Where: 99 East Century Rd., Paramus
Why: Visits with Santa and his workshops, holiday hayrides and a feeding zoo.
When: Weekends starting Saturday November 30, 8 am-7 pm Saturdays, 10 am-5 pm Sundays
Where: Lupardi’s Nursery, 75 Blanch Ave., Closter
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 December 2, December 9, 6-9 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: Christmas Tree Lighting
Why: Check out the lit tree and enjoy live performances and a visit with Santa and his reindeer.
When: Tuesday December 3, 5-6 pm
Where: Stew Leonard’s, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
Why: Meet the Vanderpump Rules stars as they sign their new book, Fancy AF Cocktails: Drink Recipes from a Couple of Professional Drinkers
When: Wednesday December 4, 4:30 pm
Where: Bookends, 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
Why: Meet the staff, tour the campus and learn how the program can work for your child.
When: Lower School: Wednesday December 4, 9-11 am
Where: Dwight-Englewood School, 315 East Palisade Ave., Englewood
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 gift-talk.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, 10 am-9:30 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 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: Now through Saturday January 4, 12-9 pm
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Macy’s court Level 2, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Get a first look at the huge Thanksgiving Parade balloons and they take shape and take flight.
When: Wednesday November 27, 1-8 pm
Where: 75th St. and Columbus Ave., NYC
Why: Favorite characters from Olaf to SpongeBob are led down the streets of NYC, plus celebrities and performances in between.
When: Thursday November 28, 9 am-12 pm
Where: NYC
Why: Model trains, including everyone’s favorite Thomas, are rolling in
When: Friday November 29-Sunday December 1, Saturday December 7-Sunday December 8, Saturday December 14-Sunday December 15, Saturday January 4-Sunday January 5, adults/$6
Where: Garden State Model Railway Club, 575 High Mountain Rd., North Haledon
Why: Photos with Santa plus s’mores, music and a Christmas tree forest.
When: Friday November 29-Tuesday December 24, 11 am-4 pm
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: The SpongeBob Musical
Why: Join SpongeBob SquarePants and friends in this hit Broadway show featuring award-winning music by John Legend, Steven Tyler and more.
When: Friday November 29, 8 pm, Saturday November 30, 2 pm and 8 pm, Sunday December 1, 2 pm, tickets start at $40
Where: State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
What: Macy’s Santaland
Why: Visit Santa while you shop, and be sure to book your visit in advance to skip the wait.
When: Opens Friday November 29-Tuesday December 24, check schedule for daily times
Where: Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W. 34th St., NYC
Why: Treasures and gems at every turn, plus a mineral magic show and rocks to shop.
When: Friday November 29, 12-2 pm, Saturday November 30, 10 am-5 pm, Sunday December 1, 1-5 pm
Where: Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
Why: Pro hiker Roger Dubin explores the park in this family-friendly hike.
When: Friday November 29, 10 am-2 pm
Where: Harriman State Park Bear Mountain, 54 Seven Lakes Dr., Sloatsburg
Why: Tons of trains on display and to buy, plus kids activities.
When: Saturday November 30-Sunday December 1, 10 am-4 pm, adults/$10
Where: NJ Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison
What: Santa Comes for a Visit
Why: Take pics with Santa and enjoy the winter wonderland-filled showroom.
When: Weekends starting Saturday November 30-Sunday December 15, 2-6 pm
Where: Down to Earth Living, 1040 Rte. 45, Pomona
Why: It’s all paws on deck as the super pups help save the pirate treasure.
When: Saturday November 30, 10 am, 2 pm and 6 pm, Sunday December 1, 10 am and 2 pm
Where: NJPAC, 1 Center St., Newark
What: Kidzcon
Why: Fave kids characters, trendy fashion, treats and kids activities.
When: Saturday November 30, 12-6 pm, kids/$20, adults/$25
Where: The Metropolitan West, 639 W 46th St., NYC
What: Holiday For Toys
Why: Get into the holiday spirit with this story of a toy maker and his magical toys.
When: Sunday December 1, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm, $12-$15
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown
What: Painting With Santa
Why: Make a keepsake cookie plate with Santa.
When: Tuesdays December 3 and December 17, 11 am-12 pm, $20
Where: Palisades Center, Color Me Mine, 1000 Palisades Center Dr., West Nyack
What: Hello Kitty Pop-Up Shop
Why: Hello Kitty installations, exclusive merch and more.
When: Now through Tuesday December 24, 8 am-8 pm
Where: Cost Plus World Market, 18th Street and 6th Ave., NYC
What: Holiday Train Show
Why: Model trains are rolling at this popular holiday event.
When: Weekends through Sunday December 15, 10 am-4:30 pm, kids/$8, adults/$10
Where: Greenburgh Nature Center, 99 Dromore Rd., Scarsdale
What: Holiday Lights
Why: Meet Santa and take a stroll through the animal-themed lights.
When: Now through Tuesday December 31, 5-9 pm
Where: Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
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: Magic of Lights
Why: Grab the hot cocoa and head into a maze of magical lights.
When: Now through 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: 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: Luminocity Festival
Why: Go on a dazzling light adventure through the arctic, jungle and tasty childhood treats.
When: Now through Sunday January 5, 4-11 pm
Where: Randall’s Island Park, 20 Randalls Island Park, NYC
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
What: Extreme LSC
Why: Slime, laser tag, ball pits and more new extreme adventures.
When: Every fourth Friday, 6-10 pm, kids/$20, adults/$25
Where: Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: Holiday Train Show
Why: Model trains chug through historic NY landmarks.
When: Now through Sunday January 26, 10 am-6 pm, kids/$18, adults/$30
Where: New York Botanical Gardens, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx
Upcoming:
Why: Bring holiday magic into your child’s day with the classic holiday ballet.
When: Saturday December 7-Sunday December 8, 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm
Where: bergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
What: Breakfast With Santa
Why: Enjoy a farm-fresh meal with Santa, plus kids snag crayons, a coloring book and toy.
When: Saturday December 7, 10-11 am, $25
Where: Fresh and Fancy Farms, 575 River Rd., New Milford
