Things to do this weekend in Bergen County are many and varied. While the December holidays are nearly upon us, there’s more to do than just shopping. Take a look and enjoy yourself!
Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland
This is the 4th year in a row that Bergen County has it’s wildly popular Winter Wonderland at Van Saun Park in Paramus. This has become a major event here and opened last weekend. There is a beginner and regular outdoor ice skating rink (you can rent skates for $10), unlimited carousel and train rides, Santa’s Dome where you meet Santa and Mrs Claus, unlimited access to the zoon and all sorts of other activities for children plus a heated area too. Food trucks will be there and there’s a beer garden. This Saturday is the tree lighting at 6:30 pm. Disability Day is Dec 12th, Menorah lighting is Dec 22nd and Kwanza is celebrated Dec 23rd. There is a schedule of times and dates. Tickets from age 4 to 65 are $15 each.
Shirah Winter Concert in Tenafly 
. The Shirah Winter Concert celebrating Chanukah happens this Sunday at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. From 3 through 4:30 you will hear beautiful music in Hebrew and English celebrating the Festival of Lights. Open to the public, it’s $16 for members and $20 for non members. A reception follows too.
This concert is by the Thurnauer School of Music at the JCC. It has become one of the premier music schools in the NYC area. They put on 120 concerts annually. Check out their Facebook page.
Santa Saturday in Fort Lee
Come to Fort Lee this Saturday from 1-3 pm to meet Santa and enjoy Christmas fun. The Business District Alliance of Fort Lee is hosting this annual treat at the Richard & Catherine Nest Adult Activity Center located on 319 Main Street. Get your picture taken with Santa, listen to carolers and enjoy hot cocoa plus cookies and candy canes. Bring your entire family so you can take a group photo with Santa!
Bergen County Players in Oradell 
The Bergen County Players has a new musical play opening this weekend. Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure opens Friday and runs through Dec 22nd on weekends. This features music by the Beatles and works for both children and adults. Get your tickets before they’re sold out!
I’ve written before about this terrific live theater group along with others. We are so lucky to have so many excellent live theater options in Bergen County.
Model Train Shows
Don’t forget about model trains. Every Christmas season model train clubs open their doors to the public. While it’s a great fund raising event for the clubs, it’s also so much fun for everyone.
There’s also the Bronx Botanical Garden. While in New York City, it’s actually a short drive from Bergen County. Every year they put on a fantastic model train display that’s become an annual tradition for many folks. Go to my article on local model train shows that I just published. I have a list of local shows and links to the BBG’s from now through December. These holiday model train shows are held on weekends. This was an annual ritual for me when my son was a little boy.
New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker
What could be more traditional than the Nutcracker ballet? Go this weekend to the Bergen County Performing Arts Center for a real holiday treat. The New Jersey Ballet is an outstanding ballet company that has been recognized for it’s excellence many times over it’s long history. This world class company is notable for the fact that they leave their home and bring the beauty of ballet dance all over NJ. The nutcracker is a must and Bergen Pac is doing something very special on Sunday.
From 12 noon to 1 pm there will be an instrument petting zoo. This is an opportunity to touch, see and experience a variety of musical instruments. What could be cooler than that? Then you take your seat and see the Nutcracker Ballet. Tickets are still available for this weekend but they’re going fast.
Holiday Parades
Here’s something for you to check out by going to your own town’s website. This weekend many towns are having a holiday parade to boost their local business districts. These are always fun experiences for children and adults alike. Often this is accompanied at night by a Christmas tree lighting and later on you’ll find Menorah lightings as well.
Meet Me in St Louis
Because it’s the 75th anniversary of this classic and much beloved film, there are special screenings for the public on only 2 days. You can go to a movie theater to see this wonderful movie with Judy Garland on Sunday the 8th at 1pm or 4pm at the AMC Garden State 16 movie theater at Westfield’s Garden State Plaza.
This is the film where Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas was introduced. Most of us will also remember Clang Clang Went the Trolley. So take your family to see one of Hollywood’s best just the way your grandparents saw it in 1944. If you can’t make it on Sunday, the other date is Wednesday the 11th. Meet Me in St Louis probably will never have a screening like this again for at least another 25 years so don’t miss it.
Go out and have fun this weekend! There’s plenty of options as you can see. Need more information? Text or call me at 201-741-8490
