We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: What could be fancier than Christmas? Join WP Presents! and their holiday production of Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas on December 5 at 2pm with a free arts & craft activity prior to the show, plus a meet and greet with the actors after. Admission is just $15 – and for kids with special needs, the Theater for Children with Autism presents Fly Guy and Other Stories on December 7 at 10:30am for $8. All performances take place in the Shea Center for Performing Arts at William Paterson University. Call 973.720.2371 or click here for tickets or more information.
Events Not to Miss:
What: Holiday Trains Display at Mahwah Museum
Why: For your choo choo lovers, a model train all dressed up for the holidays. Be sure to be there when Santa Claus visits on December 18 from 7-7:30pm!
When: Friday nights thru December 18, 6-9pm, Adults/$5, Kids FREE
Where: 201 Franklin Turnpike, Mahwah
What: Bergen County Players Pinocchio
Why: Take your little theater goer to enjoy this classic tale and stay afterwards for autographs and pictures with the characters.
When: Saturday, November 28 thru Friday, December 20, Check website for showtimes, $14, Suggested for ages 3+
Where: 298 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell
What: Santa comes to Abma’s Farm
Why: Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Greenhouse and make your own Christmas ornament.
When: Saturday, November 28, Saturday, December 5 & Saturday, December 12, 11am-3pm, FREE
Where: 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
What: Ridgewood Guild Winterfest
Why: Live entertainment, ice sculptures, a horse drawn hayride around town, and more.
When: Saturday, November 28, 12-3pm
Where: Van Neste Square, Ridgewood
What: Holiday Decor-Making Workshop
Why: Get your Martha Stewart on and create a beautiful wreath or other holiday decoration for your home.
When: Saturday, November 28, 10:30am-12pm or 1-2:30pm, $25 (materials included)
Where: Glen Rock Community Church, 354 Roack Rd., Glen Rock
What: Thanksgiving Time at Mrs. Kearney’s Tavern
Why: Living history open-house with hot cider, treats, music, stories, games, and more.
When: Saturday, November 28 & Sunday, November 29, 1-4pm, FREE
Where: Kearney House, Alpine Picnic Area, Alpine
What: Paramus High School Holiday Craft Show
Why: 100+ vendors selling unique items perfect for holiday gifts.
When: Sunday, November 29, 10am-5pm
Where: 99 East Century Rd., Paramus
What: Beth Stern at Bookends
Why: The not so crazy cat lady, host, author, and wife to Howard will sign her new children’s book “Yoda Gets a Buddy.”
When: Tuesday, December 1, 7pm, Advance book reservation available
Where: 211 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
What: Kids Decorating Class! Gingerbread Houses
Why: This popular decorating class is back again this year. Decorate and take home your own pre-baked and pre-built Gingerbread House.
When: Starting Wednesday, December 2 thru 12, Check the website for days and times, Ages 3-10, $30
Where: Chef Central, 240 Rt. 17 N., Paramus
What: Wyckoff YMCA Holiday Tree Lighting
Why: Sing carols, eat cookies, sip on hot chocolate, and enjoy time with Santa.
When: Thursday, December 3, 6pm, FREE
Where: 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff
What: Tice’s Corner Santa’s Coming to Town
Why: Sip some hot cocoa, enjoy holiday carols, and watch the tree lighting as Santa arrives by fire truck.
When: Thursday, December 3, 3-6pm, FREE
Where: 441 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Woodcliff Lake
If you’re heading out of Bergen…
What: Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden
Why: Check out this traintastic model train show that is even bigger this year.
When: Now thru January 18, Ages 2-12/$8
Where: 2900 Southern Parkway, Bronx, NY
What: Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular
Why: Enjoy winter and animal characters illuminated throughout the Zoo along with Santa, and other holiday fun.
When: Friday, November 27 & Saturday, November 28, 5-9pm
Where: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange
What: Model Railroad Show
Why: Check out this model train show with Thomas and a Santa Claus Express.
When: This weekend, December 5-6, 12-13 & January 2-3, 1-5pm, Adults/$6, Kids FREE
Where: 575 High Mountain Rd., North Haled
What: Heaven Hill Christmas on the Farm
Why: Head to the farm to ride the holiday train and visit with Santa.
When: Holiday Train (Weekends starting Saturday, November 28 thru December 20) & Santa Visits (December 5, 6, 12 & 14), 12-4pm
Where: 451 State Route 94, Vernon
What: Thanksgiving Family Tour at Stone Barns Center
Why: Explore the farm and take a family-friendly walk to get a closer look at the animals and the growing veggies.
When: Friday, November 27, 1:30-2:15pm, $10, Advanced tickets available and suggested
Where: 630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills, NY
What: Nyack Indoor Street Fair
Why: Because one-of-a-kind gifts are the most special.
When: Sunday, November 29, 10am-4pm
Where: Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack NY
What: Tree Lighting Skate-tacular
Why: The premiere of an original holiday tale, The Lights Before Christmas, narrated by Danny Aiello and featuring Nancy Kerrigan and other skating greats.
When: Tuesday, December 1, 6pm
Where: Bryant Park, NYC
What: Ladies Night Out Designer Handbag Bingo
Why: For the handbag obsessed, benefit Ridgewood Athletics at this BYO event.
When: Thursday, December 3, 6:30pm, $50, Pre-registration Required
Where: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 467 Grandview Ave., Wyckoff
Upcoming:
What: Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays & Santa in the Park
Why: Celebrate Christmas at this 2 day event with live entertainment, a holiday train (new this year!), a visit to Santa’s house, and much more.
When: Friday, December 4 (5:30-9pm) & Saturday, December 5 (10am-3pm)
Where: Downtown Ridgewood
What: Historic Hudson Valley Dickens’s Christmas Carol
Why: Led by a master storyteller and complete with musical accompaniment, this rendition of the classic play is a must-do this holiday season.
When: Saturdays & Sundays from December 5 thru 20, (check website for showtimes), Adults/$25, Under 18/$20, Suggested for ages 10+, Advance tickets required, Bergen Mama readers click here for a chance to win a FREE Family 4pack of tickets for the Saturday, December 20, 7:15pm show!
Where: Christ Episcopal Church, 43 South Broadway, Tarrytown, NY
What: Eloise at The Plaza Rather Fancy Teas with Santa
Why: It’s a fancy time with a tea party in the Eloise shop and story time and pictures with Santa.
When: Wednesday, December 9, 16 & 23 & Friday, December 4, 11 & 18 from 2-3pm & 4-5pm, $100/ Child, $50/Adult, Pre-registration Required
Where: 5th Avenue at Central Park South, NYC
