Nine Things To Do Around NJ During Holiday Break

Santa has come and gone and left a gaggle of hyperactive over-sugared children in his wake and many parents are looking for things to do to get their progeny out of the house over holiday break. Fortunately, Patch has a list of destinations families can get to on less than a tank of gas.

Westfield Rink

Westfield transformed the basketball courts at Gumbert Park into a temporary ice skating rink that is open for business this holiday week. This holiday week the rink has extra public activities planned. Activities are slated nearly all day from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

For more information, and a detailed calendar of events, visit the rink's website.

Millburn's Winter Walk Holiday Lights

The popular Winter Walk in Millburn's Taylor Park is a festive destination that families can visit as long as the weather holds out. The trees along the path are wrapped in lights, the enormous polar bear is the perfect setting for family photos, and the bridge is adorned with hundreds of lights that reflect into the stream that runs along the Main Street section of the park. The path continues along the Main Street entrance, over the bridge near the Bauer Center. There are even numerous restaurants to warm up in afterwards. This destination will be open to the public until Jan. 24.

For additional information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 973-379-1198 or email to roxanne@millburnshorthillschamber.org or visit the website.

Nutcracker At The MAYO Performing Arts Center

The longest running original professional production of the Nutcracker in New Jersey has several holiday week performances at the MAYO Performing Arts Center in Morristown. This year marks the 48th anniversary of New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker. Performances are:

Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 27 at 1 p.m.

For more information, visit the website.

Six Flags Great Adventure Holiday in the Park

New Jersey's most famous theme park is open through Jan. 1 with Holiday in the Park. Six Flags Great Adventure has transformed the park into a winter wonderland with holiday sing-a-longs, festive foods and even a fireworks celebration.

Also the roller coaster and rides will be running as well. Great Adventure will be open from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.

For more information, visit the website.

Sea of Lights Spectacular at Jenkinson's Aquarium

The Sea of the Lights Spectacular at Jenkinson's Aquarium offers guests the chance to walk through different holiday themed areas while viewing the exhibits at your own pace. Visitors will have the opportunity not only to take pictures with Santa, but they will have a chance to see him SCUBA dive.
Remaining 2018 dates for Sea of Lights Holiday Lights Spectacular are Dec. 26-28 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aquarium Admission is $8 per person.

The character appearances during Sea of Lights Mini Holiday Shows are as follows:

• Dec. 26 – Ice Princess, Ice Queen and Friendly Snowman
• Dec. 27 – Glass Slipper Princess, Yellow Dress Princess and Poison Apple Princess
• Dec. 28 – Hawaiian Princess, Mermaid Princess and Princess of Avalor

For more information, visit the website.

Bergen County’s Third Annual Winter Wonderland

The annual Winter Wonderland at Van Saun County Park is back and it features two ice-skating rings, four food trucks, adult beverages at the Winter Wonderland Ice Bar, and carnival-style rides and holiday games.

There are giant tinsel candy canes, festive decorations, and a massive Christmas tree in the middle, decorated with multicolored ornaments. General admission tickets cost $15. Children 3 and younger are free. Tickets for members of the military, veterans, and senior citizens cost $10. Admission includes unlimited skating and rides, and skate rental.

For more information, including the events calendar, or to purchase tickets, visit the website.

Holiday Lights Spectacular at the Turtle Back Zoo

One of Essex County's most-anticipated holiday displays is still up and running at the Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.

As usual, the zoo's popular, free "Holiday Lights Spectacular" includes a collection of more than 50 light-bedazzled displays throughout the facility. Zoo staff will be taking donations of non-perishable food items, new toys and gently used coats. (Learn more about this local event here)

The display will be open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. every night from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.

For more information, visit the website.

Skiing At Mountain Creek

Those looking for a more active escape for the holiday week can had over to Vernon's Mountain Creek ski resort. The location has four mountain peaks and eight lifts. Snow making machines ensure there is ample snow on the ground and the resort has three dedicated terrain parks and options for every skill level.

For more information, visit the website.

Storybook Land

Santa may have returned to the North Pole, but Egg Harbor's Storybook Land is keeping the lights on the attractions open. Opened in 1955, Storybook Land allows guests to walk through favorite stories and nursery rhymes a children’s classics are interspersed with new family rides and attractions.

For the holiday week the park is open from Dec. 26 through Dec. 30 from 4:30 p.m. through 9 p.m.

For more information, visit the website.

(Photo courtesy of Patch archives)

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