New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
December 2021

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 December Events & Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant
  
  Note: 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.
  

December 2021 Events & Things To Do .

Dasher's Newark Drive thru Christmas Light Show
Now until January 2nd, 2022: Seven days/week starting at 5pm until 10:30PM
Newark Moonlight Cinema
220 Orange St
Newark, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $30-$35/vehicle
This spectacular, unforgetable Christmas celebration features the syncing of over 1 million lights dancing to holiday music played through your car radio on 97.5 FM. The drive thru time is approximately 30 minutes.

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Now until January 30, 2022; Every Thursday thru Sunday , 4:00pm to 9:00pm
Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07653
Website/Tickets
Cost: $15/adult, $7.50/child
Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo.
Let it Glow is a symphony of vivid glowing colors to tease your eyes and dazzle the mind. Come and enjoy an enchanting stroll throughout the zoo These larger than life lanterns are amazing in picture but stunning in person! With over 30 scenes, these hand-made artistic wonders are more breath-taking than the last! Its one of those things you need to see in person to truly appreciate. Online reservations are recommended. The ticket includes a train ride.

Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Now thru January 2nd, 2022; Sunday - Thursday 5pm - 10 pm. Friday - Saturday 5pm - 11pm.m.
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
Website/Tickets
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.

An Old Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
Now until January 2, 2022 (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.

Skylands Christmas Light Show & Christmas Village
Now until January 9th, 2022
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.

Chanukah Drive-In Party
Thursday, December 2nd, 2021; 5:00 PM
Temple Emanu-El
756 East Broad Street
Westfield, NJ
908-232-6770
Website - Registration
Meet in the parking lot as we join together to Celebrate the Festival of Lights. We will sing songs with the clergy, eat from the Glazed and Confused Donut Truck, and watch the Chanukah Rugrats episode.

Wassail Day & Winter Encampment
Saturday, December 4, 2021: 11:00am-3:00pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 US Rt 9
Cape May, NJ
Website
The Village paths come alive with the sights and sounds of the holiday season at this event!
Select buildings will be open where guests can enjoy live music, hot beverages, and holiday treats served by historical interpreters in period clothing.

Hanukkah Fireworks at KBA
Sunday, December 5th, 2021; 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Kellman Brown Academy
1007 Laurel Oak Road
Vorhees, NJ
Website
Free; Open to the Community
This celebration of the festival of Lights features a Hanukkah candle lighting, songs, donuts, hot chocolate, crafts, games, and an awesome fireworks display.

Community Day: Winter Wonderland
Saturday, December 11, 2021; 10am-5pm
Washington Park
49 Washington St
Newark, NJ
Registration:
Step inside this Winter Wonderland for food, art, and festive fun! Our transformed Museum Garden presents Hip-Hop performances, music, and dance that celebrate holidays around the world. Local vendors Pure Joi Jewelry and Spicegrove will be on-site to satisfy all your holiday shopping needs! Grab food from Hot Dog Lady and Tonnie's Minis, and the first 300 people will receive a free treat from Tonnie's Minis!
Throughout the evening, be part of the creation of Newark's Harriet Tubman Monument by decorating ceramic tiles with your stories of freedom and liberation. The tiles will later be fired and integrated into the final design of the monument.

Jurassic Quest's Epic Indoor Event
Wednesday - Sunday, December 29, 2021 - January 2, 2022
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837
Website/Tickets
Tickets must be purchased online. Tickets are for timed entry.
Ticket Prices depend on options: from; $19 - $36
See over 100 life size animatronic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, T-Rex and an incredible 50 foot long Megalodon. Jurassic Quest is the world's largest, most popular dino event on tour with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Meet our trainers, baby dinos and see our walking dinosaurs in live interactive show. You don't want to miss the dinosaur rides, giant fossil dig, animal art tattoo, inflatables, science stations, crafts, games & MORE!
Quest Packs are a great add-on to your Jurassic Experience! The Explorer Pack comes with 3 dinosaur surprises. The Tracker Pack comes with 3 dino surprises PLUS crafts and activities to do at home. The Trainer Pack is the best value and includes 6 Incredible Dinosaur Surprises PLUS crafts and activities to take and do at home.

Celebrate New Year's Eve with a Fireworks Dinner Cruise
December 31, 2021
Boards 9:30 PM - Cruises 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Spirit of New Jersey
Lincoln Harbor Marina
Weehawken, New Jersey
Website
This celebration features a three-hour cruise and offers amazing views of New York City's sensational skyline, a delicious dinner buffet, a DJ for your dancing entertainment, with their talented wait staff singing solos, a premium open bar and a champagne toast at midnight. Stunning views of the illuminating fireworks display at the Statue of Liberty sponsored by Spirit Cruises as synchronized music accompanies the show in perfect harmony.

Morris County First Night
December 31, 2021; 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. Our Live & Virtual Program features over 30 Performances, 80+ Screenings, 12 In-Person Venues, 1 Streaming Venue, and 1 On-Demand Venue. All Tickets include access to First Night Morris County 2022 on December 31, 2021, and On-Demand access to all Films and Virtual Performances from January 1st – 3rd, 2022. Early-Bird Tickets (Buttons) start at $25 and $90 for a 4-Pack ($22.50 Each) through December 21.

First Night Ocean City
December 31, 2021
Ocean City, NJ 08226
609-525-9300
Website
The non-alcoholic, family friendly event features more than 70 opportunities to catch 30 different shows and activities at 21 venues throughout town. You will find entertainment that satisfies every taste and age group.
The grand finale is the Fireworks display shot off at midnight from the 5th Street Beach

New Year's Eve Fireworks aboard the Battleship New Jerseey
December 31, 2021; @ 4:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Battleship New Jersey
100 Clinton Street
Camden NJ 08103
Website/Registration
Tickets: $10
Watch fireworks over the Delaware River from the historic deck of the Battleship New Jersey! Enjoy live music, food concessions, a cash bar for adults, and have the chance to fire a Gun Salute.
Proceeds go to the on-going restoration of the Battleship, a non-profit museum and memorial. $10.00 Parking All guests must: Sign a COVID-19 Waiver of Liability before boarding and maintain social distancing.
Fully vaccinated guests and children under 3 are not required to wear face coverings. NO chairs, food, or alcohol can be brought aboard Members: Register or sign-in above to receive your free tickets.
For $200, take-in the Admirals VIP New Year's Fireworks experience for a guided tour at 3:30 P.M., followed by a view of the fireworks from the navigation bridge – where the captain would have commanded the ship from! This special experience is limited to just 30 guests.

New Year's Eve in New Brunswick With Fireworks
December 31, 2021; Celebration begins at 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.
Come to Monument Square between 11:30 and midnight. They will have a DJ spinning some tunes to warm us up. Then we'll count down to begin the new year with a spectacular

Giant Blueberry Drop on NYE in The Blueberry Capital of the World
December 31, 2021: 10:00 pm - 11:59 pm
Hammonton Town Hall
100 Central Avenue.
Hammonton, NJ
Free Event
Website
609-567-9014
mainstreethammonton@ymail.com
Hammonton is known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World."
This festive family celebration will ring in the the new year with great food, free party giveaways, live band, FIREWORKS and plenty of good cheer.
When the town clock strikes midnight, a giant blueberry will drop from high above the festivities and signal the official start of 2019.
The giant 10-foot-in-diameter lighted blue metal ball is almost as large as the one now in New York City's Times Square, which is 12 feet in diameter.
The blueberry is computer-controlled with hundreds of lights and more than 10 feet in diameter, which is almost as large as the famous ball dropped in New York City's Time Square.

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

Anthony David's
Hoboken, NJ
Website
Anthony David's is a New Jersey Chef-Inspired Casual Dining experience and one of the best Italian restaurants in Italian rich Hoboken.
Restaurant review

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

The Best Christmas Themed Events in New Jersey - Your guide to Christmas in New Jersey: Popular Holiday celebrations and things to do

Your Guide To The Best New Year's Eve Parties In New Jersey - Features the popular New Year's Eve celebrations held in night clubs and hotels that have overnight accommodations with an option of making your New Years celebration extra special.

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