Holiday Season Must-Do’s
By Krystle J Bailey
Jingle bells are ringing, carolers are singing, and there is so much to fun to be having in our area this holiday season. From tree lightings and festivals to parades and meals with Santa, South Jersey is full of holiday cheer. Bundle up and fill your cup of Holiday joy with these local events.
Holiday Light Shows
Atlantic City Winter Wonderland Tree Lighting:
Saturday. December 1, 2018
5-7pm
The Claridge Hotel Atlantic City
Taking place outside of The Claridge Hotel on South Indiana Avenue, this family friendly event is free to all. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped, unopened gift to be donated to The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic CIty. The Christmas spirit filled evening is complete with hot chocolate, cookie decorating, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, family friendly games and activities and more. To complete the evening, the Claridge Hotel Christmas tree will be lit at 7pm complete with a live choir and countdown. Proceeds from the event will be donated to The Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City.
Tropicana Christmas Lights Show
Tropicana Casino & Resort
November 16 – December 27
Every hour beginning at noon, daily
Tropicana’s holiday light show is one that you do not want to miss this season. Lights, music, and the joy of the season fill The Quarter every hour on the hour from now through December 27th.
Storybook Land Christmas Fantasy
Storybook Land, EHT
November 11 – December 30th
Storybook Land has been providing holiday magic for over 25 years. Arrive before 5:00pm daily to witness Santa Claus appear in his chimney and light up the park with a flick of his magic wand. Over one million lights bring holiday cheer to this magical South Jersey playground. All rides, attractions, and snack bars are open until December 23. Closed 11/22, 12/24, and 12/25.
Smithville Holiday Light Show On The Lake
Smithville Shoppes
Thursday – Sunday, 5:30-8:30 through Christmas
Smithville, NJ always offers holiday fun. This year is no exception. Enjoy a holiday light show every weekend through Christmas on the lake at Smithville Shoppes. Story time with Mrs. CLaus, a Christmas train ride, a magical talking tree and more will make this Christmas experience one to be remembered.
Eat with Santa
December 8, 2018, 8am
Chickie’s & Pete’s EHT
For a $10 donation, per person, you wil be treated to breakfast along with one on one time with Santa and the full Chickie’s & Pete’s experience. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys For Tots.
December 8, 8:30am-10am
Hamilton Mall, Mays Landing
Enjoy breakfast in the food court with Santa and all of the good girls and boys. $6 tickets can be purchased at Customer Service.
December 10, 8am-12pm
Farmington Volunteer Fire Co, EHT
All you can eat and a visit from Santa – can’t get much better than this. The buffet costs $7 for adults, $5 for kids and is free for children under 3.
December 10 & 17
Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light Tavern
Make reservations ahead of time for the 9am breakfast with Santa in Historic Smithville at Fred & Ethel’s. Breakfast cost is $13.95 per person.
Through December 23
Breakfast with Santa Series
OCNJ
Breakfast with Santa will be held every Saturday and Sunday (8am-11am) from November 24th to December 23rd at a different Downtown Restaurant each week. Schedule is as follows.
Saturday, Dec. 1st— Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro 637 Asbury Avenue, (609) 399-3377.
Sunday, Dec. 2nd— Yianni’s Cafe OC 841 Asbury Avenue, (609) 391-1113.
Saturday, Dec. 8th— Arlenes on Asbury 624 Asbury Avenue, (609) 399-3639.
Sunday, Dec. 9th— Sunrise Cafe of Ocean City NJ 1200 Asbury Avenue, (609) 398-9300.
Saturday, Dec. 15th— Yianni’s Cafe OC 841 Asbury Avenue, (609) 391-1113.
Sunday, Dec. 16th— Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro 637 Asbury Avenue, (609) 399-3377.
Saturday, Dec. 22nd— Jon & Patty’s Coffee Bar and Bistro 637 Asbury Avenue, (609) 399-3377.
Sunday, Dec. 23rd— Arlenes on Asbury 624 Asbury Avenue, (609) 399-3639.
Parades
Christmas parades are an annual holiday tradition. Attend the parade in your hometown or check out your neighbors’ parades. Christmas parade schedule:
December 7, 5:30pm – Somers Point, NJ New Jersey Ave
December 7, 6pm – Ocean City, NJ on Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th streets.
December 8, 7pm – Hammonton, NJ, Downtown Hammonton Bellevue Ave.
December 8, 3pm – Atlantic City, NJ, Boardwalk from Vermont to Albany ave
Activities
The Nutcracker
December 7 & 8 at Stockton
December 15 & 16 at Caesars Circus Maximus Theatre
Atlantic CIty Ballet performs the Nutcracker at Stockton Performing Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased at either location or at acballet.org
Traditional Christmas Concert
December 8, 6:00pm
St. Peter’s Methodist Church, Ocean City
60-Voice Angelus Chorus, Tenor John Taylor, and the Tapestry String Quartet, directed by Richard Stanislaw. St. Peter’s United Methodist Church. 501 East 8th Street.
Mays Landing Holiday House Tour & Scavenger Hunt
Hamilton Historical Society
December 8, 2018
5pm-8pm
Event Cost $12/15
Enjoy a festive tour of Mays Landing’s Historic properties beautifully decorated for the season. Hamilton Townships Historic District began in 1756 when George May built a shipyard and trading post. Learn about the stories, businesses, and homes that have built Hamilton Township since.
Forever Forest
353 Bremen Ave, Egg Harbor CIty
Nov 9 – Jan 2, 2018
Visit website for hours – ForeverforestNJ.com
Create your holiday memories at Forever Forest in Egg Harbor City. Santa’s Hay Rides, Photos with Santa, light shows, ice skating, crafts with the elves, and more! The Forever Forest holds a charming tale within the acres. Your family can turn the pages of this astonishing story, which has been long held a secret until now. Book your tickets online. Christmas trees are also available for purchase.
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
DiDonato Family Fun Center
Hammonton, NJ
November 23 – December 31, 5pm-9pm
$14.95 pp
Admission to this magical wonderland includes a train ride through animated Christmas lights, Meet and Greet with Santa, holiday movie tent, photo opportunities, cooke treats, and more. Included in your ticket, you also receive one free round of bowling and 3D glow in the dark mini golf inside of the bowling alley.
With so much going on this holiday season, we know that this is just the beginning! If you know of a holiday event not on our list, send it to us on Facebook at Shore Local Newsmagazine or Instagram at Shore_Local and we will feature it on our social media!
Krystle J Bailey is a multimedia journalist, freelance writer, and self published author.
