New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
December, 2020

At this time, and until further notice,  COVID-19 executive orders  in effect:

• Indoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people,
• Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 150 people The following indoor gatherings are exempt and may continue under the current rules – limited to 25% of a room's capacity, up to 150 people: Indoor performance venues, including concert venues
• Restaurants with bars, and lounges that serve food and drink, however, must remove bar seating and close their indoor premises for business by 10 pm.
  

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

This Edition's Contents...

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

December 2020 Things To Do

As of the date of the publication, the listed activities have not been cancelled, However, with cancellations occurring at a rapid rate, we recommend viewers contact the event sponsors before heading out to a listed event to confirm their status.

Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Now until January 2nd, 2021: Sunday - Thursday 5pm - 10 pm. Friday - Saturday 5pm - 11pm.
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $25-$35, standard vehicle
This popular Holiday event features more than a mile of festival and vibrant light displays celebrating the joy of the holidays. Experience the drive-through from the comfort of your car! At every turn, and in every direction, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular light displays and animations. Multiple holiday themes come to life with hundreds of sparking lights.

South Jersey Holiday Lights
On selected nights until December 30, 2020; Opens at 5pm
Bridgeport Speedway
83 Flood Gate Rd
Swedesboro, NJ 08085
(856) 213-2838
Tickets - Tickets bought online are $23per, Prices at the gate are $25 per car.
The South Jersey Holiday Light Show is the only drive-through holiday light spectacular in Southern New Jersey! Featuring dozens of dazzling, larger-than-life holiday themed displays to delight the entire family! Visitors are welcomed to bundle up in their car, pack a favorite snack or beverage and tune their radio to enjoy the synced light performance as they travel the more than 1 mile route through the holiday light show!
The show is approximately 20-25 minutes long.

Skylands Christmas Light Show & Christmas Village
Now until January 3, 2021
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Pl.
Augusta, NJ 07822
Website
973-383-7644
Cost:
Light Show: $29 per carload (all tickets to be purchased at drive-thru entrance or box office, there are no online ticket sales) Save $3! Buy Advance Sale tickets at the box office (Monday–Thursday, 9–2 PM)
Outdoor Village: FREE admission
With more than two million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-through course PLUS a new outdoor village, it's a must-see holiday attraction for your whole family.
Christmas Joy is coming back to Sussex County…Bigger, and Better than Ever. This Winter, Skylands Stadium will be Dazzled with Lights on a Mile Long Drive-Thru course that now goes ON THE FIELD. Plus a NEW & EXPANDED Outdoor Village & Winter Carnival. It's a Must-See Holiday Attraction for the Whole Family. The event is Safe, Spacious, and Distanced.

.An Old Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
Now through January 1, 2021 (Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas )
Cape May, NJ
Website
This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.
The Holiday season kick-off with the Holiday Tree Lghting Ceremony on Nevember 21st. followed by Physick Family Christmas House Tours, Holiday Lights Trolley Rides through Cape May's Historic District to see festively decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs, and play Christmas music.

Skating On The Square
Now until February 27, 2021; Thursday – Friday, 4pm – 7pm Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 3pm & 4pm – 7pm (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
Hulfish Street (behind the Nassau Inn Hotel)
Princeton, NJ
Website
Cost: $10 cash per person/ $12 card card.
Start new traditions this holiday season at Palmer Square's "eco-friendly" outdoor synthetic skating rink!
Bring your own skates or borrow ours! (skate rental included in ticket price) ALL skaters/guardians must sign the electronic waiver to be eligible to participate! Please sign in advance for a contactless experience at the rink.

Ocean City Train Show
December 5, 6, 2020: 10am – 4pm. Saturday and 10am – 4pm Sunday. .
historic Music Pier
Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace
Ocean City, NJ
Website
For more information call 609-399-6111
Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for children.
Large model train displays are featured every holiday season at this resort's popular Train Show and Sale.
The show features colorful working displays that delight children and adults alike plus vendors who sell trains, parts, accessories and memorabilia suitable for year around and holiday exhibits. The stage of the Music Pier will highlight a working exhibit of Gauge 1 railway trains by thy South Jersey Garden Railroad Society. The exhibit is a favorite of children, as they can sit on stage and watch large models circle through colorful foliage and forest settings. Members of the Society will discuss outdoor garden exhibits and youngsters will be permitted to take the controls of the display.

Festival of Trees
December 13, 2020; @ 11:00pm - 3:30pm ( rain or shine)
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Avenue
Summit, NJ
Tickets
Cost: Members $5; Non-Members $10
This holiday event features a Multicultural Celebration of the Holidays. There will be arts and crafts that celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and the Solstice; musical entertainment; as well as food trucks; and holiday vendors. The highlight of the festival will be over 20 festive trees placed around the grounds decorated by local organizations, businesses and families!
Due to COVID, there will be two time slots: 11 am to 1 pm and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm with a limited number of participants for each. While pre-registration is not required, it is strongly recommended. 

Morris County First Night
December 31, 2020; 9:15pm - Midnight
Website
First Night® Morris County began in 1992 and is the LARGEST First Night® in New Jersey, attracting nearly 10,000 participants each year. An alcohol-free and substance-free celebration of arts and culture, First Night® Morris County attracts families, seniors, singles and anyone looking for an exciting way to ring in the New Year!
With the Dazzling Light Up The Night show at 9:15pm and a Midnight Countdown to Welcome in the New Year at Midnight. This year, the program will be a virtual event we will bringing together thousands through a virtual program with an unmatched array of performances!

Seasonal 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

This Months Featured Restaurant

Stonehouse at Stirling Ridge
Warren, NJ
Website
Very attractive decor, an architectural gem in the style of a spacious California modern rustic lodge. Serves food prepared with locally grown, natural ingredients.
Open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve & New Years Day
Restaurant review