Special Events
Holiday In the Park
Weekends and select days through Jan. 1.
Six Flags Great Adventure
One Six Flags Blvd., Jackson
732-928-2000; www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
The 29th annual Holiday Model Train Show exhibit
Set up and designed by Mike Gelesky.
On display, except Christmas day, through Dec. 30.
Exhibit hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 2-4 p.m. on weekends.
The Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge
Free admission and donations are welcome.
732-634-0413; www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/150/Barron-Arts-Center
The Asbury Park Boardwalk’s 12th annual
Christmas Tree Lighting celebration
Photos with Santa: Each Sunday through Dec. 22, from noon-3 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Dec. 13: Free Movie Screening of “A Christmas Story”: Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m. (Paramount Theatre)
Dec. 14: Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
The Pop Break’s Sixth Annual Christmas Party: Doors open at 7 p.m.; show begins at 8 p.m.
Dec. 15: Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Grand Arcade & Convention Hall)
Beach Music Studios Student Recital (The Stone Pony)
Dec. 16: 3rd Avenue Pavilion’s Annual Holiday Bazaar: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Dec. 20: Free Movie Screening of “It’s A Wonderful Life”: Doors open at 7 p.m.; film begins at 7:30 p.m. (Paramount Theatre)
LaBamba’s Holiday Hurrah: Classic holiday music and LaBamba favorites – Doors open at 7 p.m. – tickets required (Stone Pony)
Dec. 21 and Dec. 22: Holiday Bazaar: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Grand Arcade)
Dec. 28: Michael Carbonaro: Bizarre antics and mind-boggling magic: Doors open at 6 p.m.; show begins at 7 p.m. – tickets required (Paramount Theatre)
Asbury Park Punk Rock Flea Market – Over 125 vendors featuring vinyl, music equipment, jewelry and more, plus local bands: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; tickets required – $10 for early birds, $5 after 11 a.m. (Convention Hall)
Jan. 1: Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge – Annual charity event held at the beach with an after party in the Grand Arcade – Check-in begins at 10 a.m.; plunge starts at 1 p.m. (Beach and Grand Arcade)
apboardwalk.com
Christmas Sing-Along at Historic Longstreet Farm
Dec. 14, 1-3 p.m.
This holiday season come to the farmhouse at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and visit with Rick Garland as he plays the piano for an old-fashioned sing-along. Free.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel
732-946-3758; www.monmouthcountyparks.com
Celebrate Hanukkah with The Bimah Players and The Jewbadors in “Menorah Mayhem”
A musical, fun-filled retelling of the Hanukkah story, for
audiences of all ages and faiths. Latkes and other holiday treats add to the festivities.
The Monroe Township Jewish Center Hanukkah Party
Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.
11 Cornell Ave., Monroe Township
Tickets: $15 adult, $8 kids 10-17, kids under 10 free.
Pre-Register at 732-251-1119 or www.mtjc.org
Winter ice skating enrollment at Old Bridge’s John Piccolo Ice Arena
Opens Dec. 19 until March 29, 2020.
Open Public Skating sessions: Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings and evenings. Fees: $5 to $10; skate rentals $6. Party packages are also offered. Ice skating lessons are available to children, ages 4 and up, and adults, for both residents and non-residents.
Special programs include a therapeutic ice program for ages 12 and up to train for Special Olympics ice skating competitions. U.S. Figure Skating Membership is required for all classes at a cost of $16 and a one-time 15-minute starter lesson is required for new students. Online registration at www.oldbridge.com/recreation for winter lessons begins at 6 p.m. on Dec. 19 with classes starting on Jan. 13, 2020.
732-721-5600 ext. 4999; www.oldbridge.com/recreation
An Evening with Big Brother 21’s Tommy and Christie
Event Experience, Meet and Greet, Q&A
Dec. 27 at 8 p.m.
iPlay America
110 Schanck Road, Freehold
Tickets: $20-$100
732-577-8200; www.iplayamerica.com
On Stage
A Christmas Carol
Through Dec. 22
Playhouse 22
721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Tickets: $15
732-254-3939; www.playhouse22.org
Twelfth Night
Jan. 11-Feb. 2
Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater
Two River Theater
21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
732-345-1400; tworivertheater.org
Midwives
Jan. 21-Feb. 16
The Arthur Laurents Theater at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
11 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org
A Little Shakespeare: Twelfth Night
Jan. 31-Feb. 9
A 75-minute abridged version of a Shakespeare play, performed and supported backstage by high school students, and directed and designed by theater professionals.
Marion Huber Theater
Two River Theater
21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
Tickets: $20 adults, $15 children 12 and under
732-345-1400; tworivertheater.org
Dance
The Nutcracker
Presented by the Company of Dance Arts
Dec. 13-15
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
Tickets: $20-$40
732.842.9000; thebasie.org
American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker
Featuring Live Orchestra and Choir
Dec. 13-15
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
732-246-7469; stnj.org
arballet.org
The Nutcracker ROCKS
Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s original story, choreographer Gabriel Chajnik translates the Victorian-era Nutcracker from the bustles and ruffles of the 1890s to contemporary times in this premiere from the Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater.
Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 21 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. & 8 p.m.;
Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Ave., Deal Park
732-531-9106 ; www.axelrodartscenter.com
The Nutcracker
The Atlantic City Ballet and The Garden State Philharmonic
Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m.
Strand Center for the Arts
400 Clifton Ave., Lakewood
Tickets: $40 Orchestra, $50 Loge, $25 Mezzanine & Tier, $20 Seniors, $15 Students
732-367-7789; strand.org
Music
Music at Saint Mary’s presents Messiah
The Saint Mary Chamber Orchestra and Choral Society’s presentation of George Frederik Handel’s timeless oratorio, Messiah. Under the direction of Maestro Christopher M.C. Deibert, conductor, the Advent/Christmas portion of this work will be performed in its entirety along with excerpts from the second and third parts.
Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Saint Mary Church
256 Augusta St., South Amboy
Free admission ($15 donation suggested)
Journey From Johannesburg
Written and performed by Toby Tobias; accompanied by electric guitar and bass.
Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.
The JCC of Middlesex County
1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison
Free and open to the community as space allows.
Advance registration recommended.
732-494-3232
Archadia Chorale to Sing 2019 Holiday Concert
“Cheer, Cheer, Cheerio – A British Christmas!”
The Arcadian Chorale led by Music Director Marina Alexander will present its holiday program, “Cheer, Cheer, Cheerio- A British Christmas!” Handel’s “Dettingen” Te Deum for chorus, orchestra, and bass solo will be the featured work. Anthems and carol settings by contemporary British composers will fill out the second part of the program, as well as a selection of holiday favorites. The Chorale will be joined by the Christian Brothers Academy Mens Chorus for this performance.
Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
St. Rose of RC Lima Church, 16 McLean St., Freehold
A second performance of”Cheer, Cheer, Cheerio– A British Christmas!” will be held at Holy Spirit RC Church, 705 Second Ave., Asbury Park, with the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Handel’s Messiah as the grand finale, plus a community carol sing.
Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
Tickets: General Admission $20, Seniors $15, Students with ID $10.
732-583-4007; www.arcadianchorale.org
Out of Darkness into Light
Voices Chorale NJ performs a concert of choral music.
Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.
Pennington Presbyterian Church
13 Main St., Pennington
Dec. 21 at 4 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church
33 Mercer St., Princeton
Advance ticket prices: $20 general admission; $10 students and children
Tickets at the door: $25 general admission
www.voiceschoralenj.org
Monmouth Civic Chorus presents Messiah & More Concert
Dec. 22 at 4 p.m.
Features expanded selections from Handel’s Messiah, intertwined with the original settings of holiday classics.
Count Basie Center for the Arts
99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
Tickets: Premium seating – $45 adult, $40 senior, $35 group (10 or more), $15 student
Regular seating – $30 adult, $27 senior, $25 group (10 or more), $10 student
732-933-9333 ; www.monmouthcivicchorus.org
The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County Presents T-Klez
T-Klez klezmer band returns to the JHMOMC, playing a Chanukah Holiday Concert
Dec. 25, at 2 p.m.
The Jewish Heritage Museum
310 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold
Admission: $18 members, $20 non-members
Reservations are recommended
732-252-6990; www.jhmomc.org
For Kids
The Nutcracker
The Paper Moon Puppet Theatre
Plays through the holidays
General Public Performances are on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
All seating is $10
First Avenue Playhouse
123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands
732 291-1216; www.papermoonpuppettheatre.com
Kids! Holmdel Public Library Children’s Storytimes
Dec. 12 and 19
Bouncing Bunnies and Curious Cubs Storytime – Ages 18-36 months (with parent/caregiver) from 10-10:30 a.m.
Creativity Corner – Storytime and Art – Ages 3-5 years from 11-11:30 a.m. or 2- 2:30 p.m.
Holmdel Public Library
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel
732-946-4118; monmouthcountylib.org
Please call or check the website for the venue to determine if the event is taking place or has been rescheduled.
