Holiday shows & tree lightings

ENTERTAINMENT. Plenty of opportunities to feast, shop and celebrate.

| 04 Dec 2024 | 07:14

Thursday, Dec. 5

Holiday Concert: Broadway star Craig Schulman will perform Broadway classics and holiday favorites at 7 p.m. at Sussex County Community College’s Performing Arts Center, One College Hill Road, Newton. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for students, veterans and SCCC employees. They may be purchased online at sussex.simpletix.com

Friday, Dec. 6

Tree Lighting: 5 p.m. at municipal building, Newton.

Tree Lighting: Performance by students, hot chocolate, candy canes. 5:30 p.m. at Sandyston-Walpack School, 100 County Road 560, Layton. Organized by the SWS PTO.

Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: Crafts for children and hot chocolate at 6 p.m. Tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Santa arrives on firetruck at 6:40 p.m. at Hardyston municipal building, 149 Wheatsworth Road.

Cookies and Milk with Santa: 6 to 8 p.m. at Hardyston Elementary School. Organized by the Hardyston School District PTA.

Branchville Tree Lighting: Christmas carols and shopping. 6 p.m. in Branchville Town Center.

Annual Vernon Tree Lighting: Music and photos with Santa. 6:30 p.m. at Vernon Fire House, 537 County Route 515.

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting: Caroling with High Point Regional High School Chamber Singers. Photos with Santa. Small gift for each child. Crafts and hot cocoa in the cafeteria. 6:30 p.m. at Wantage Elementary School, 815 Route 23. Sussex Wantage PTO Scholastic Book Fair taking place at same time.

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Visit with Santa: Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m. Tree lighting at 7:30 p.m. Activities, entertainment, snacks and photos with Santa. Municipal building, 65 Main St., Sparta.

Saturday, Dec. 7

Breakfast with Santa: 9 to noon at First Presbyterian Church of Newton, 54 High St. $10 for adults and $5 for children. Cookie sale for $10 a pound. For information, call 973-383-4420.

Holiday Train Display: Sussex County Railroad Club will exhibit model trains with winter/holiday themes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sussex-Wantage library branch, 69 Route 639, Wantage. All ages welcome; no registration required.

Annual Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frankford Township School, 2 Pines Road, Branchville.

Mistletoe Market and Cookie Walk: Local crafters. Buy and fill containers of homemade cookies of your choice. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin, 11-13 Main St.

Yellow Frame Church’s 31st annual Holiday Home Tour: Tour, lunch and Santa’s Gourmet Shoppe from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1 Yellow Frame Road, Newton. Tickets are $35 for tour and lunch, $25 for tour only, $15 for lunch only. Call 973-383-3565 for tickets and information. Tickets also available at the door.

Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair: Vendors, crafts, gifts, music and food. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, 1911 Union Valley Road, Hewitt.

Winter Fest: Create natural decorations in evergreen swag workshops at 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:15 p.m. at Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, 136 Owens Station Road, Sussex. All materials supplied. Bring garden or work gloves for handling greenery. Craft table for children to make decorations and color a winter wildlife mural. At 11:30 a.m., there also will be story time. Hot chocolate and treats. Free to Friends members. $10 suggested donation per non-member adult. Register online at signupgenius.com/go/70A0948A9AF2BA5FB6-53395308-winter

Annual Santapalooza: Visible from shores of Greenwood Lake, N.Y., in the village and east arm starting about noon. Participants meet at 11 a.m. at Willow Point Marina, home of organizer Jersey Paddle Boards. For information, call 845-554-0787. Event benefits local food pantry.

Christmas Cabaret: Presented by the Pope John Players at 1 and 7 p.m. at Pope John XXIII Regional High School, 28 Andover Road, Sparta. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students; they are available at the door.

“Happy Holidays 2024”: Dance performances, including selections in jazz, modern, ballet, contemporary, tap, musical theatre and hip hop, by students of Dance Expression Dance Arts in Hamburg. Shows at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. in Sparta High School auditorium, 70 W. Mountain Road. Free for senior citizens age 62 and older; no ticket required. General admission tickets available at the door. For information, call 973-823-9500.

20th annual Santa Claus Parade: Santa will leave the firehouse at 3 p.m. to travel through Sandyston with the township’s Volunteer Fire Department. He will return to the firehouse at 5:30 p.m. to meet residents. There will be refreshments and a treat for each child. The parade is rain or shine.

Christmas Festival of Lights: Songs and lighting of 30 decorated trees donated by members from 4 to 8 p.m. at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 246 Woodport Road, Sparta. Live Nativity and visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their helpers. Free admission. Hot chocolate, cookies, breads and muffins will be provided. Donations of nonperishable pet food welcome to support Father John’s Animal House and Hopatcong Animal Shelter.

Sunday, Dec. 8

Breakfast with Santa: Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon and home fries. 8 to 11 a.m. at McAfee Fire Department, Route 94. Santa will arrive at 8:30 a.m. for photos. $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $8 for children. Children age 4 and younger admitted for free. Please bring a new unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots, Hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary.

Breakfast with Santa: 8 to 11 a.m. Hosted by Branchville Hose Company #1, 1 Railroad Ave.

Breakfast with Santa: 8 to 11 a.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars, 85 Mill St., Newton. $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call 973-383-7169 to reserve seats.

Santa Breakfast: Breakfast, games, crafts and more. Visit and photo opportunity with Santa. 9 to 11 a.m. at Lafayette House. Tickets are $39 for adults and $27 for children if purchased by Nov. 25. Babies younger than 1 admitted for free. Advance ticket purchase required; no tickets at the door. Tickets available online at jwcsparta.org/santa-breakfast Presented by the Junior Woman’s Club of Sparta.

Breakfast with Santa: 9 a.m. to noon at American Legion Post 289, 177 Lincoln Ave., West Milford. Donation of $10 a person. Children age 10 and younger admitted for free. For information, call 973-728-9831.

Sussex County Youth Orchestras concert: Free admission. 3 p.m. at High Point Regional High School, 299 Pidgeon Hill Road, Sussex.

Live Nativity: Live animals, crafts for children and refreshments. All are welcome. 5 p.m. at Frankford Plains United Methodist Church, 99 Plains Road, Augusta. For information, call 973-702-0334.

Friday, Dec. 13

A Very Merry Spookmas: Holiday night market with music, shopping and Friday the 13th flash tattoos from 5 to 10 p.m. at Belcher Run Plaza, 1590 Union Valley Road, West Milford.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Breakfast with Santa: 9 a.m. at Upper Greenwood Lake Clubhouse, 435 N. Lakeshore Road, Hewitt. $18 for adults, $16 for children age 2 and older, and $1 for children age 2 and younger.

Cookie Bake Sale: Variety of homemade cookies, including gluten-free; breads; and nuts. Gloves provided and must be worn. 10 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas of Aquin Church, 53 Kennedy Ave., Ogdensburg. 973-827-0360. Snow date: Saturday, Dec. 21.

9th annual Toy Drive and Photos with Santa: Bring a new in-box toy or gift card. No pets. 10 a.m. to noon at Highlands Family Success Center, 1801 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Hewitt. Call 973-506-6575 to register.

Christmas Fair at Sussex County Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market: Photos with Santa Al-paca. 4-H clubs will be selling handmade crafts and items. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta.

Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar and Adoption Event: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta. Sponsored by Eleventh Hour Rescue.

Wreaths Across America: Ceremony at noon followed by placement of wreaths at Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 75 N. Church Road, Sparta. Sponsor a wreath for $17 online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=ED40E033-F9A6-4EF1-ADD1-623E0E182BF6&pageIds=21274,171871

Wreaths Across America: Ceremony at noon followed by placement of wreaths at Old Newton Burial Ground, 79 Main St. Sponsor a wreath for $17 online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=E10BB44E-6C83-422F-B8AC-BB7C0AAD5B23&pageIds=150500,150499

Wreaths Across America: Ceremony at noon at Veterans Memorial Park in front of municipal building, 1480 Union Valley Road, West Milford. Placement of wreaths afterward at West Milford Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 1452 Union Valley Road. To sponsor a wreath for $17, go online to wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=EF85C27E-4439-4513-A3E7-6C31EE627D29&pageIds=142570,0

“The Nutcracker”: Presented by the Centre for Dance Artistry at 1 p.m. at Newton High School. Tickets are $22. Purchase them online at thecentrefordanceartistry.com/cda-store/

Operation Toy Train: Santa arrives on train at 2:40 p.m. at Newfoundland Station, 1667 Green Pond Road. Bring a new unwrapped toy.

Christmas Festival: Tree lighting, Nativity scene, photos with Christmas characters, snowball fights, make your own gingerbread house, crafts and refreshments. 3 p.m. at Sparta Evangelical Free Church, 385 Houses Corner Road, Sparta.

Operation Toy Train: Free children’s games, crafts, model train display, robotics demonstration, visit by Smokey the Bear and Touch-a-Truck display. 1 to 6 p.m. at Sparta Train Station, 30 Station Road. Santa arrives on train at 3:55 p.m. Bring a new unwrapped toy. Ice cream and baked goods available for purchase.

Operation Toy Train: Train arrives at 4:50 p.m. (please arrive at 4 p.m.) at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 50 Vernon Crossing Road, Vernon. Bring a new unwrapped train. Santa will be there.

Sunday, Dec. 15

Yuletide Stroll: 11 a.m. on Main Street in Stillwater.

Weis Winter Wonderland: Sustainability fundraiser. Second-hand gift market, nature crafts, campfire and hot cocoa. 1:30 to 4 p.m. at 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood. No registration required. For information, call 973-835-2160.

Franklin Band’s Holiday Concert: 2 p.m. in the Franklin Borough School auditorium, 50 Washington Ave. Free admission; donations appreciated.

Joint Advent Lessons and Carols Service: Choir singers from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Sparta and Church of the Messiah in Chester will sing a wide range of Advent hymns. Readers will present lessons of the Advent season. 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s, 85 Conestoga Trail, Sparta.

Christmas by the Fire: Festive night of singing Christmas carols outside. 5 p.m. at the Plant Church, 1693 Union Valley Road, West Milford. Free admission. Dress warmly.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Santa at Greendell Station: See Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at 12 Wolfs Corner Road, Greendell. Organized by the Lackawanna Cutoff Historical Committee, which is working to restore a historic train station and establish it as the Greendell Station Museum.

Holiday Train Display: Sussex County Railroad Club will exhibit model trains with winter/holiday themes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dorothy Henry library branch, 66 Route 94, Vernon. All ages welcome; no registration required.

Christmas Market: Shopping from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sussex United Methodist Church, 15 Bank St. Soup, coffee, hot chocolate and tea available for purchase.

Sunday, Dec. 22

Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols: 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 62 Main St., Newton. Free admission; free will offering request.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Santa will tour with the Ogdensburg Fire Department. Time to be announced.

Send information about events to editor.ann@strausnews.com

ONGOING EVENTS
Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village: Mile-long drive-thru holiday light show. Indoor Christmas Village open from 5 p.m. until close. Photos with Santa. Winter beer garden. Through Dec. 30. 94 Championship Place, Augusta. Tickets start at $29. Buy them online at vivenu.com/seller/sussex-county-miners-oiwj
49th annual Victorian Christmas: The first floor of Ringwood Manor, 1304 Sloatsburg Road, is decorated for the holidays and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays through Sundays Nov. 29-Dec. 15. Tickets available at the door for $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens age 62 and older, and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children age 5 and younger are admitted for free. Victorian Christmas Evening Concerts are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased online at ringwoodmanor.org/evening-christmas-concerts.html For information, call 973-962-2240 or go online to ringwoodmanor.org
German Christmas Market of New Jersey: Vendors, entertainment and family activities. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta. Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 in advance for ages 13 and older; $7 at the door and $5 in advance for senior citizens age 62 and older. Free admission for veterans and children age 12 and younger. Buy tickets online at tickets.njstatefair.org/tickets Most of the proceeds are donated to Sussex County charities.
“Tis The Season To Sing - A Holiday Sing Along”: Presented by the West Milford Players at 7:30 p.m. Friday Dec. 6 and Saturday Dec. 7 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8 at the West Milford Presbyterian Church, 1452 Union Valley Road. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased online at thewestmilfordplayers.org
Christmas in the Village: Jefferson Museum, decorated as “Candy Land Christmas,” will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Free admission. 315 Dover-Milton Road, Jefferson.