It’s all about the holidays this weekend. Santa will ride all over town on a fire truck, Choruses will sing, families will compete in the Hanukkah Olympics, and an orchestra will inspire you with magnificent music. Read on for the details of these events and others, and feel free to make your own suggestions for weekend fun in the Comments section. Enjoy the holidays!
Where/When: All over Verona; Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.
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Why Go? Actually, no need to go anywhere – Santa will ride the fire truck all over town! When he rides down your street, be sure to come out to say hello, and you will get a candy cane from a firefighter.
Pricing: Free
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Where/When: , 151 Fairview Ave, Verona; Sunday at 4 p.m.
Why Go? Enjoy an afternoon of holiday music performed by the Verona-Cedar Grove Chorus, a volunteer group of people who love to sing. Conducted by Director Denise Bastanza.
Pricing: $10, Seniors/Students $5
Where/When: , 760 Northfield Ave, West Orange; Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Why Go? Families with children in grades kindergarten through 6th grade are invited to join in Olympics-style fun and games at this Hanukkah Party. Families will compete together on a team in swimming games, Hanukkah Apache Relay Race, and parent tug-of-war. Children under 4 will be entertained in the Hanukkah Playroom. Prizes, Sufganiyot, and Latkes for all!
Pricing: $25
Where/When: , 22 Crestmont Rd, Verona; Friday, Saturday and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.
Why Go? Kip’s Castle, built in 1905 to replicate a medieval Norman Castle, is decorated in the style of 1928, complete with a 9-foot Christmas Tree. Open in December for public touring, the former home of Frederic Ellsworth Kip and his wife, Charlotte, showcases magnificent Tiffany stained-glass windows, a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and wonderful architecture.
Pricing: Free
Where/When: Essex County Environmental Center, 621b Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland; Saturday at noon
Why Go? Holiday treats need not be bad for you to be delicious! Learn to prepare three kinds of organic cookies without wheat or sugar cane to taste and take home. One of the cookies will be gluten-free, one vegan, and one a surprise! Take home the recipe cards for home baking!
Pricing: $10
Where/When: The Shultz House, 30 N Mountain Ave, Montclair; Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
Why Go? The Shultz House will be open for the last tour of the season, while the Verona High School Jazz Choir carols for your entertainment.
Pricing: $8 for adults, $5 for children, with special holiday pricing of a max of $25 per family. Members are free.
Where/When: Chill, 312 Bloomfield Ave, Montclair; Saturday and Sunday noon to 9 p.m.
Why Go? Over 40 local bands will perform their original version of a holiday song, competing for a $1000 grand prize. Come listen, play pool or arcades, and enjoy great food.
Pricing: $20/day or $30 for both
Where/When: , 359 Central Ave, North Caldwell; Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Why Go? Take a 42-piece symphony orchestra, add an all-professional chorus, featuring leading soloists from the New York City Opera, The New York Grand Opera and the New Jersey State Opera, and put them together under the directorship of renowned priest-conductor the Reverend Alphonse Stephenson, and you have a magnificent evening of holiday music. Not to be missed!
Pricing: $35
