New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
December, 2018

The month of December is filled with entertainment that include concerts and theatre at the largest NJ venues, and holiday festivals and events for families to welcome in the New Year.

This Edition's Contents...

• Popular DecemberEvents and Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant
  

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event

Popular December, 2018 Events and Things To Do

Skylands Christmas Light Show & Village
Now until December 30, 2018 (The Christmas Light Show & Village will be open rain, snow, or shine on select dates and time)
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383-7644
Website/Schedule
Tickets: Light Show: $20 per carload
Tickets can be purchased at the gate and box office only.
This awesome Christmas light show features more than 2 million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-thru course. It's a must-see holiday attraction for your whole family. On your drive, tune in and listen to festive holiday music on WSUS 102.3 FM. After your drive, stop by the free Christmas Village at the Event Center. Santa will be on hand to take a photo, play games and indulge in hot beverages and snacks.

An Old Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
Now   through January 1, 2019 (Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas )
Cape May, NJ
Website
The wonders of the season come to life in "An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit: Holiday Traditions through the Years," at the Carroll Gallery in the Physick Estate Carriage House. Experience a breathtaking exhibit of holiday traditions complete with a giant Christmas tree, a Dickens Village, model trains, nostalgic photos from Christmas past, and more!
Cape May Visitors Guide

Atlantic City Annual Tropicana Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Daily shows continue until Thursday, December 27, 2018 (presented every hour starting at noon)
Tropicana Casino & Resort
Brighton Avenue and the Boardwalk
Atlantic City, NJ
Website
Tropicana makes the season bright with the official Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Musical Light Show in The Quarter. The free Holiday Musical Light Show features a 35-foot ornately decorated tree with festive lights synchronized to the sights and sounds of the season. Tropicana's partners delight Tree Lighting attendees with samples from A'dam Good Deli, A'dam Good Sports Bar, Broadway Burger Bar, Carmine's, Hooters, La Petite Creperie, Mrs. Field's Cookies, Zeytinia and more.

Atlantic City Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 1st, 2018 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The Claridge Hotel
123 South Indiana Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ
1-844-224-7386
Website
The family-friendly event will take place outside of the hotel at the historic Brighton Park. Admission to the event is free, however guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift to be donated to The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City. The Winter Wonderland event will have a special appearance and photo opportunities with Santa Claus, a hot chocolate station, as well as a cookie decorating station. The Bass Pro Shop of Atlantic City will also be supporting the event by providing additional family-friendly activities aligned with the holiday season. The evening will conclude with the Claridge Hotel's annual tree lighting ceremony taking place at 7 p.m. featuring a live choir who will be performing leading up to the lighting and assist with the ceremony countdown.
Proceeds from this event will benefit The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City.

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sat Dec 1, 2018; 7:00PM
Boardwalk Hall Arena - Boardwalk Hall
Tickets

Craig Ferguson
Fri Dec 7, 2018; 9:00PM
Borgata Music Box
Tickets

Holiday Craft Show Morristown
December 7, 8, 9, 2018: Friday 4 - 8 pm; Saturday 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday 11 am - 5 pm.
Morristown National Guard Armory
430 Western Ave.
Morristown, NJ 07960
845-331-7900
Website
General admission is $9 (includes unlimited re-entry); seniors are $8; children under 6 are free.
This weekend event features creative holiday items from 160 modern American makers from across the country. Savvy shoppers have the chance to wow their loved ones with one-of-a-kind holiday gifts they will never forget. In addition to 165 craft artists from across the country are various demonstrations and a gourmet specialty food boutique.

Jenkinson's Aquarium Sea of Lights Holiday Festival
December 14, 15, 21, 22 and 26-28, 2018: from 6-9pm.
Jenkinson's Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave.
Point Pleasant, NJ
732-892-0600
Website
This annual Holiday festival features the Aquarium done up with the holiday spirit with hundreds festive lights and decorations, plus make and take crafts, face painting, even a scuba diving Santa and other special guests from the coolest new animated movie.

Penn & Teller
Sat Dec 15, 2018; 8:00PM
Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Tickets

NJ State Museum - Planetarium Shows
December 22, 23, 2018
NJ State Museum
205 West State Street
Trenton, NJ
Website
Sceheduled Planetarium Shows:
One World, One Sky - 11:00 am
Earth Moon Sun - 12 pm
Dinosaurs at Dusk - 1:00 pm
Laser Holiday Magic - 2:00 pm
Dark Universe - 3:00 pm

Atlantic City New Years Eve Fireworks
December 31, 2018 @9pm
Tropicana Hotel
2831 Boardwalk
Atlantic City
Website
The awesome fireworks show is best viewed from the boardwalk outside the casino.The show, designed by Fireworks by Grucci, will be displayed from the beachfront and will include intricately designed scenes and vivid effects including Grucci high aerials and grand illuminations.
It is recommended that you get there by 8 pm to avoid the crowds and get a good spot.

First Night of 2019 Aboard the Battleship
December 31, 2018 @ 4:00 pm – January 1, 2019 @ 12:30 am
Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
62 Battleship Place
Camden, NJ 08103
Website
The Battleship will open her decks for guests to watch the 6pm or Midnight SugarHouse New Year's Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront. We'll have music, food concessions and bar service. We will open her decks two hours before each show – 4pm for the 6pm fireworks show and 10pm for the midnight show. Come aboard for just a $10 donation per person. All proceeds go to the on-going restoration of the Battleship, a non-profit museum and memorial. Fire the 5-inch gun at the conclusion of the 6pm and Midnight Fireworks! We'll offer chances for guests to pull the trigger and fire this historic gun on New Year's Eve!
Tickets are available by calling 866-877-6262 ext. 108, or at the Battleship's Ticket Office, open every day from 9:30am to 3pm, except Christmas Day, and prior to both the 6pm and Midnight shows on New Year's Eve. Both SugarHouse New Year's Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront shows are free to Battleship Members.

First Night Ocean City
December 31, 2018
Ocean City, NJ 08226
609-525-9300
Website
The non-alcoholic, family friendly event features live entertainment and of course there will be fireworks at midnight shot off from the 5th ave. Beach. Entertainment will be highlighted by The Fabulous Greaseband, a seven-member "Best of the '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s Rock 'n' Roll Party Band." Their highly entertaining and energetic delivery of the greatest dance songs ever written has kept the group on top for the last 40 years!

Seaside Heights - First Night
December 31, 2018
On the boardwalk
1-800-732-7467
Website
Enjoy a day filled with entertainment and begin a lasting family tradition. Starting at 12 noon until 5 PM with a Fireworks Display at 5pm

New Year's Eve in New Brunswick
December 31, 2018; Celebration beginsat 11:30 PM
Monument Park at George Street and Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ
Website
Ring in the New Year with Fireworks and a DJ. The Restaurant Guys, aka Stage Left Steak owner Francis Schott and Catherine Lombardi owner Mark Pascal, will present the city's ninth annual fireworks extravaganza. The spangled display will be shot off the roof the Heldrich Hotel.

Morris County First Night
December 31, 2018
Website & Tickets
Morris County First Night is a non-alcoholic event in Morristown that takes place from 4:45pm-midnight. Over 400 artists and 80 performers are scheduled to attend this year's celebration. Free parking and shuttle bus service will be provided. For one unbelievably reasonable price, you have dozens of venues to choose from, showcasing world-class talent with performances designed especially for kids, teens, young adults, families, and not-so-young adults. If that's not enough, First Night sets off not one but two separate fireworks displays – one at 9:15pm and another at midnight!

This Month's Frequently Asked Question

Question: Kids Snow Sledding; Where are the best places to go snow sledding in NJ?

Answer: New Jersey has many hills with public parks for safe, family snow sledding. Some of the top snow sledding hills and parks are:
Allamuchy Mountain State Park
Hackettstown, NJ, 908-852-3790 - A 7,000 acre designated natural area, they are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
Holmdel Park
Holmdel, NJ 732-946-9562 - The park is open for sledding when there is two or more inches of snow on the ground. Park hours are from 8am-7pm, Sunday through Thursday, and from 8am-9pm Friday and Saturday.
Chestnut Branch Park
Mantua Township; 856-415-9999 - Rest rooms are located in the building near the pavilion.
For information on many more top snow sledding hills and parks, visit Best NJ Sledding Hills

New Jersey Restaurant Reviews - New Jersey has over 23,000 restaurants and finding about them is often times a time consuming task. Find a restaurant in a town of your choice with comprehensive restaurant reviews.

This Month's Featured Restaurant:
The Manor
West Orange, NJ
This landmark restaurant is set in an elegant country house with acres of magnificent gardens. They offer holiday dinners including both brunch and four-course, a la carte dining experiences for Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Read review

Top Ten Things To Do in December - The top ten seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages.

December 2018 Events - This months events includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Christmas Events - Includes festivals, tree lightings, and other Holiday themed events

Best Holiday Dining - New Jersey's best restaurants for holiday dining for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve.

Monthly Events - This page has links to events that appear in future months, usually 3-4 months in advance. The Monthly newsletter that you are receiving includes many of the events found on the pages.