Christmas Shows, Hanukkah Celebrations and Kwanzaa Festivals

Looking for some holiday cheer, a holiday spectaculor, a musical, a traditional performance?  This is the season to be spending time with those we love and remembering what we are thankful for. No matter how cold it is outside, it’s great to get dressed up and venture out to enjoy a show, a concert, a play. No matter where you go, be ‘on the go’ with the kids ...with NJ Kids. Enjoy the celebrations! 

Holiday Shows at NJ PAC
1 Center Street, Newark

  • Hip Hop Nutcracker
    Dec 19.   Last season’s holiday sensation returns! Rap legend Kurtis Blow is special guest MC for this hip-hop holiday mash-up for the whole family
  • Holiday Express
    Dec 10.  This rock’n’soul concert features the Jersey shore’s most philanthropic musicians, performing holiday hits to benefit those less fortunate.
  • Kwanzaa Festival
    Dec 19.  Celebrate the Nguzo Saba with NJPAC in its 17th year of the Kwanzaa Children’s Festival and Marketplace. Create and participate in the Arts and Crafts Village, dance, sing and explore the rhythms and culture from the African tradition and celebrate Cameroon as our featured Country of Honor.A special celebration of Newark 350 

One Desire: A Gospel Christmas Celebration at Berrie Center For Performing And Visual
505 Ramapo Valley R oad, Mahwah
Dec 13.  Join us for a Gospel Christmas Celebration as One Desire shares their joyful song and performance in the spirit of the holiday season

A Christmas Story The Musical at the Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Drive, Millburn
Nov 25 – Dec 13.  Ralphie wants only one thing for Christmas: An Official Red Ryder® Carbine-Action 200-shot Range Model Air Rifle. A Christmas Story: The Musical is the hilarious account of Ralphie’s desperate quest to ensure that this most perfect of gifts ends up under his tree this Christmas

Holiday Shows at bergenPAC
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood

  • New Jersey Ballet presents Nutcracker 
    Dec 5 – 6.  The first-rate traditional production never fails to enchant youngsters and grownups alike with splendid dancing, colorful costumes and scenery, eye-popping special effects, and a touch of holiday magic.
  • An Irish Christmas
    Dec 18.   An Irish Christmas brings just about everything to the table – joy, hope, laughter, friendship, and celebration of life through storytelling, music, song, and dance.  Take a journey through Christmas in Ireland and celebrate the great traditions of Irish mythology, enjoy superb music-making, singing of Christmas carols and great storytelling.
  • A Christmas Carol
    Dec 20.  A Christmas Carol captures both the humorous and touching moments of the classic story with witty dialogue and fresh new songs, conveying Dickens' original message that the holiday season should be a "kind, forgiving, charitable time," a sentiment which still rings true today.

Eileen Ivers at Berrie Center For Performing And Visual Arts 
505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah
Dec 6.  Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul capture the spirit and magic of the season in their heartwarming holiday show. Nine-time All-Ireland Fiddle Champion and music star of Riverdance, Eileen Ivers will change the way you think about the violin. Hailed as one of the great innovators and pioneers in the Celtic and World Music genres, Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today. 

Holiday Shows Broadway Theatre of Pitman
South Broadway, Pitman

  • Frosty The Snowman 
    Dec 6.  Frosty the Snowman is a jolly, happy soul made of snow and coal - and an old magician's hat that brings him to life! Frosty brings his friends along to the North Pole so that he can keep cold. But are they aware that the magician is secretly following them? Come see this holiday musical perfect for the whole family
  • Twas the Night Before Christmas - Live on Stage  
    Dec 12 – 18.  Christmas Eve at Mr. Malcom's house is a bit unsettled-the children are quarreling, and the cat is hunting for two mice who have entered the house! Will someone save the day? Could it be good ol' Saint Nick? This holiday season, sing along to some Christmas classics as you watch the retelling of one of the most legendary poems ever written! 

Bergen Sinfonia Holiday Concert at Ciccone Theatre
400 Paramus Road, Paramus
Dec 19.   a festival of light classical and holiday music.The program includes orchestral gems by Mozart, Bizet, Faure, Smetana and a collection of Leroy Anderson favorites made famous by the Boston Pops Orchestra. A perfect event for the whole family! Come early and hear the Canadian Brass Carols played by the orchestra’s brass section in the lobby before concert.

Holiday Shows at  at MAYO Performing Arts Center
100 South Street, Morristown

  • Christmas from Dublin with the Three Irish Tenors
    Dec 4.  Celebrate a genuine Irish Christmas with tenors Ciaran Nagle, Karl Scully and Dillon McCartney, performing seasonal favorites in an evening full of warmth, charm and music direct from the Emerald Island.
  • Mannheim Steamroller Christmas.  
    Dec 5.  The spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of the #1 Christmas music artist in history! America’s favorite holiday celebration for over 30 years features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects that bring the magic of the holidays to life.
  • New Jersey Festival Orchestra “Home for the Holidays” 
    Dec. 6.  Home for the Holidays will present popular holiday favorites as well as curiosities to welcome in the holiday season. Traditional carols, holiday brass and a host of signature versions of familiar fare will delight including Mykola Leontovych’s atmospheric Carol of the Bells, and Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and Christmas Festival.  Featured artists from MPAC’s Performing Arts School presenting a diverse spectacle of holiday and Broadway classics will charm and remind that it’s family and friends that make this time of the year so special.
  • New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra 
    Dec 11-13, 18-20, 23-24, 26.  The 45th anniversary of this annual tradition features orchestral accompaniment by New Jersey Symphony Orchestra! This seasonal favorite enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike with splendid dancing, eye-popping special effects and a touch of holiday magic.

Holiday Shows at State Theatre
15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick

  • Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
    Dec 21. The Musical Come see all of your favorite characters from the special including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius  and, of course, Rudolph, as they come to life in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:
  • Nutcracker
    Dec 18-20.  Tchaikovsky’s glittering score, performed by a live orchestra, joins ARB’s professional dancers with students from Princeton Ballet School to tell the story of a young girl and how a mysterious gift brings about enchanted dreams and fantastical scenes. 

Broadway Holiday Show at Resorts Casino Hotel
1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
 Nov 8 - Dec 29.  BROADWAY HOLIDAY SHOW presents a magical journey through Broadway and the holiday season featuring the best music from your favorite Broadway shows and many seasonal classics.  Atlantic City, NJ. 

Atlantic City Ballet Presents The Nutcracker at Celebrity Theater - Claridge Hotel
Park Pl, Atlantic City
Dec 18 – 20. The Nutcracker is a treasured classic that tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. Embarking on a wondrous journey through the Kingdom of Snow and the Land of Sweets, Clara encounters many unforgettable and timeless characters. Young and old alike will experience the many magical moments, of this beloved holiday ballet.

Tropicana's Holiday Magic at Tropicana Casino And Resort
2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
Nov 15 - Dec 18.  Tropicana’s Holiday Extravaganza is a dance ensemble of 10 dancers and two female singers who will light up the spirit of the Holidays. From Jingle Bells to Carol of the Bells, this ensemble will make you remember what the Holidays are all about. A magnificent Holiday themed set with hundreds of costumes, the dancers and singers will make you believe in miracles, fairytales and in Santa!

Newark Museum Sunday Holiday Performance
49 Washington Street, Newark
Dec 6. HaZamir: The International Jewish High School Choir.