Come visit the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo with your family and friends during our Holiday Lights Spectacular!  *A Frozen Princess Ball (5:30pm - 8:00pm) Featuring Elsa and Anna every night!
Come meet and greet some of your favorite Princess characters when you visit the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo during select nights of our Holiday Lights Spectacular. Featuring Elsa and Anna every night! Located at the Picnic Pavilion. Princesses sponsored by Perfect Princess Parties NJ (perfectprincesspartiesnj.com) Professional photos available for purchase.
*SANTA! at gazebo by Bear House. Come take a photo with Santa and drop off your letter in our North Pole mailbox. Professional photos available for purchase.
*Ice Sculpture on the amphitheater stage from approximately 5 - 6:30pm
*S\'mores station by Sea Lion Sound
*Face Painting in Touch Tank
*Warm up and see some animals in our indoor exhibits like the Reptile House or Touch Tank
*Donation Drop off is located in the parking lots before you enter Holiday Lights


Friday, Saturday, Sunday: November 18 – December 11
Every Night: December 12 – January 2, 2017
Closed: December 24 & 25
5pm to 9pm 
Free Admission
Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. Celebrate the season of giving by bringing donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats. Different themed activities featured each December weekend makes visiting extra exciting!

Several holiday events in Red Bank. Please note certain activities take place on select dates.


Holiday Harmonies
Traditional carolers, choirs, brass bands, rock, folk, jazz & blues musicians bring holiday tunes to the sidewalks of Red Bank! Musicians are stationed at various locations throughout the business district from 12pm to 3pm.
12.06.14 | 12pm to 3pm
12.13.14 | 12pm to 3pm
12.20.14 | 12pm to 3pm



Free Classic Horse and Wagon Rides
Take a FREE horse and wagon ride through the Red Bank Business District and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season. You can board the horse & wagon at one of two Locations: 11 Bridge Avenue (in front of Danny's Steakhouse) & and 26 Broad St (near Robinson's Ale House). Sponsored by Pauline Poyner.
12.06.14 | 1pm to 5pm
12.13.14 | 1pm to 5pm
12.20.14 | 1pm to 5pm

Photos with Santa
The Galleria, 2 Bridge Avenue
This annual event pleases kids and adults alike! Come out and meet Santa and have your picture* taken. Sponsored by The Galleria & TSS Photography. Every Saturday & Sunday from 12pm-4pm in the Galleria at 2 Bridge Avenue. *Picture packages are available for purchase.
11.29.14 - 12.21.14 | 12pm-4pm

Red Bank Menorah Lighting
12.17.14 | 6:00PM
Red Bank Train Station
Join us for the annual Red Bank Menorah Lighting for the lighting of the candles, prayers and songs. Presented by Rabbi Sultar of B'Nai Israel in Rumson.

Sunday, December 14, 2:00 to 4:00
Miller-Cory House Museum, 614 Mountain Avenue, Westfield, NJ

A celebration of Italian Christmas traditions, including a short presentation, children's activities, and preparation of Italian holiday recipes over the Miller-Cory House Museum's  open hearth.
Admission is $3 age 13 and older; $2 ages 3-12 and free age 2 and under. 

908-232-1776 or email [email protected]

Runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 21
Fridays at 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $15.00
Saturdays & Sundays at 4:00 p.m. Adults $20, Children & Seniors $15
(90 min with a 15-min intermission)

The Nutcracker presented at the Growing Stage transforms the classic holiday ballet into a fully formed theatrical production laced with the music of Tchaikovsky.  The mysterious Uncle Drosselmeir brings his niece, Clara, a very special gift, a Nutcracker.  After the family has gone to bed, Clara sneaks downstairs to see her gift.  As the clock chimes twelve, the adventure begins!  Clara and the Nutcracker, who is really a prince, journey through the Land of Sweets, battle an army of mice, sail on the Lemonade Sea, rescue the Sugar Plum Fairie and finally reclaim the Prince’s crown from the Dowager Mouse Queen and her inept son.  It’s a delicious holiday treat for the entire family!

Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township is where Santa comes up his chimney to wave his magic wand to light the spectacular display of thousands of lights for the Holiday Season. At 5 pm, through December 23, Santa will light the Park and he and Mrs. Claus will be in their chalet to greet children (weather permitting). The display of more than one million lights will be open to visitors through December 30 (weather permitting).

Photos with Santa and more on weekend in December in Morristown. See website for updates.

Schedule subject to change - Weather Permitting
Photos with Santa $10 - Cash, check and all major credit cards accepted.


Saturday, December 13
12-3 PM & 4-7 PM Santa Visits & Photos
1-3 PM Santa Bag Making 
1-5 PM Mini Train Rides (Weather permitting, our electric train will not run in heavy rain. Power permitting, the cold weather affects battery life.)  
5 PM  The Mayo Performing Arts Company, singing traditional and Broadway holiday favorites

Sunday, December 14
12-3 PM & 4-7 PM Santa Visits & Photos
1-3 PM Snowflake Making 
1-5 PM Mini Train Rides (Weather permitting, our electric train will not run in heavy rain. Power permitting, the cold weather affects battery life.)    
2-5 PM Ice Sculpting Demonstration 
4-5:30 PM Original Music School Christmas Sing-Along 
6-7 PM Kat Zangari singing Christmas Carols

Friday, December 19
5-8 PM Santa Visits & Photos
5-8 PM Mini Train Rides (Weather permitting, our electric train will not run in heavy rain. Power permitting, the cold weather affects battery life.) 

Saturday, December 20
12-3 PM & 4-7 PM Santa Visits & Photos
1-3 PM Gingerbread House Making 
1-5 PM Mini Train Rides (Weather permitting, our electric train will not run in heavy rain. Power permitting, the cold weather affects battery life.)  
2-5 PM Ice Sculpting Demonstration 
4-5:30 PM Original Music School Christmas Sing-Along 
3-4 PM Tuba Christmas
6-7 PM Kat Zangari singing Christmas Carols

Sunday, December 21
12-3 PM & 4-7 PM Santa Visits & Photos
1-3 PM Ornament Making
1-4 PM Decorate Luminaries
1-4 PM Macculloch Hall Historical Museum Family Craft Activity 
1-5 PM Mini Train Rides (Weather permitting, our electric train will not run in heavy rain. Power permitting, the cold weather affects battery life.)  
2-5 PM Ice Sculpting Demonstration 
6-7 PM Kat Zangari singing Christmas Carols
5-7 PM Winter Wonderfest Luminary Parade presented with Morris Arts

Monday, December 22
5-8 PM Santa Visits & Photos
5-8 PM Mini Train Rides (Weather permitting, our electric train will not run in heavy rain. Power permitting, the cold weather affects battery life.)  
5-8 PM WDHA/WMTR

Elf

Fridays until Jan. 2 - 1:30 and 7 pm shows
Saturdays and Sundays until Jan. 4 - 1:30 and 7 pm shows
Other dates as well.
Tickets $36 and up
Ages 4 & up

Based on the 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, Elf is the fantastical holiday musical for the entire family! This is the hilarious and joyous tale of Buddy, an orphan who is mistakenly transported to the North Pole and raised by Santa's elves. Now, as a grownup, he embarks on a journey to discover his true identity.  It's a holiday treat for your whole family. Performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse. 

Conversation Club: Join us on select Thursday evenings one hour before curtain for an informal, informative gathering. You'll learn more about the performance you're about to see and perhaps catch a glimpse of the stage being set. PLEASE NOTE: There will be NO Conversation Club on Thursday, Jan 1.

The Director's Viewpoint: One hour before curtain on the first Wednesday of this show we host a pre-show discussion in the Renee Foosaner Art Gallery.

Q&A With The Cast: On the fourth Saturday of each production, stick around for a lively Q&A with cast members directly following the matinee performance.