Historic Smithville has some holiday fun for families including the Holiday Light Show, an orchestrated show of lights and music played out across the lake 5:30 - 8 pm, running until Jan. 2.

Each weekend in December, Smithville also offers a Christmas Train ride to see the decorated village, a Magical Talking Tree and a free story time with Mrs. Claus in her Christmas Cottage from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

On December 10 and 17, families can go to Fred and Ethel's Lantern Light Tavern for a buffet breakfast with Santa. There also will be a chance for a picture with Santa. For more information, call 609-652-0544.

The Yuletide Carolers in Westfield, part of Welcome Home to Westfield Holiday Events with lots of different activities and events, including carolers, holiday performances, holiday music in the downtown, festive concerts and more.

The Yuletide Carolers are Saturdays • Dec. 10 & 17  • 1 to 2 pm
"Dickens" attired carolers stroll throughout downtown
For information on the holiday events in Westfield, go here:

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever at the Villagers Theatre
December 10-18, 2011

In this hilarious holiday story, the two directors of the Christmas pageant at the local church are struggling with all the little complications of this annual production. But, this year, they have a new, and much bigger problem—finding parts in the pageant for the horrible Herdman kids—possibly the most creatively maniacal and totally dreadful group of siblings in history. These kids are a pack of lying, stealing, cussing, cigar smoking terrors…the boys, too! The last place anyone expected to see them was in church. But you will want to see them. And you won’t want to miss the mayhem—and the fun!—for there will be no silent night when the uncontrollable, unholy Herdmans drop like a ton of yule logs on the once peaceful story of Christmas!
General Admission - All tickets $10
Saturdays at 12NOON and 3:00PM, Sundays at 12NOON.
Reservations can be made via this web site under 'Tickets',
e-mail [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 732-873-2710
Group Rates available upon request.

Celebrate the holidays in Red Bank each weekend including December 17 and 18, with horse and carriage rides, carolers and a Gingerbread Walk. Get a photo with Santa at the Galleria between noon and 4 pm the first three weekends in December.

There will be Photos with Santa at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne until December 24. Santa's Hours at Bloomingdale's Exhibit Court will be: Monday - Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday 11 am to 6 pm and Christmas Eve: Open all mall hours.

Watson Highlanders Bagpipe Band perform throughout the downtown of Westfield
Saturdays • Dec. 3, 10 & 17 • 2 to 5 pm

part of Welcome Home to Westfield Holiday Events with lots of different activities and events, including carolers, holiday performances, holiday music in the downtown, festive concerts and more.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens at the Somerset Valley Players in Hillsborough

December 2-18
Friday & Saturday - 8PM
Sunday - 2PM
$17 for adults
$15 for students/seniors

Winter Wonder Lights at the Raritan Valley Planetarium
Saturday, December 3 (Dec 3 sold out)
Sunday, December 4
  Saturday, December 10 (Dec 10 sold out)
  Sunday, December 11 (Dec 11 sold out)
Saturday, December 17
Sunday, December 18
     show starts at  3:00 p.m.(Recommended for ages 6 - adult)
Listen to songs such as "Wizards in Winter," "Rockin' around the Christmas Tree," and "Jingle Bell Rock" while lasers dance on the dome overhead.

The Alien Who Stole Christmas at the Raritan Valley Planetarium
Saturdays & Sundays, December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18
2:00 p.m.

(Recommended for ages 6 - 10 accompanied by an adult)
Discover the stars visible in the winter sky.  Then follow Santa on a trip through the solar system when a friendly alien kidnaps.  The kids on the other planets need presents too, you know!

Holiday Lights on the Farm at Schaefer Farms in Flemington. Bring your family for a drive through light display. View thousands of colorful farm and holiday themed lights from the comfort of your own vehicle. Twinkling and glowing for your enjoyment from Thanksgiving through New Years. Holiday Lights on The Farm is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays 5:30 until 9:00pm and Fridays & Saturdays 5:30 until 10:00pm. The cost is $12.00 per carload, $17.00 per passenger van, and $27.00 per busload. Purchase a season pass for $45.00 per car load and enjoy the show again and again.
 
Santa Claus will be visiting the farm from 6:00 - 8:00PM Fridays and Sundays, and 6:00 - 9:00PM Saturdays the first three weekends in December, with an additional appearance on December 23rd. Photos with Santa available. Bring your family to visit him so he knows what they want under your tree.