The Weekend: From Astronomy to Zoology
Entertainment opportunities for a holiday weekend.
Photos
With schools closed, and many businesses as well, this extended weekend offers more time for recreation. The tricky part is finding places to go that are open! To help with this dilemma, Patch has compiled a list of some suggested activities that are happening between Friday and Monday in our area. Read on for the details, and feel free to make your own suggestions in the Comments section. Enjoy!
Holiday Light Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo
The Turtle Back Zoo is dazzling with 40 lighted displays and more than 100,000 bulbs to brighten the holiday season. The gates are open, so bring your family and friends for an evening of strolling the zoo grounds and marveling at the beauty of light. Free; Friday and Monday 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; West Orange
Amateur Astronomers, Inc. - Informal Lecture and Views of the Night Sky
Looking for something a bit different to do this weekend? Consider watching the night sky through a powerful telescope at the William Miller Sperry Observatory on the Union County College campus. Amateur Astronomers will sponsor a free lecture to begin at 8:30 p.m. Free; Friday 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Cranford
Along with a special musical performance by Squeaky Clean, Winterfest will feature carnival attractions, games, food, crafts and prizes for a day of fun for the entire family at JCC MetroWest. $18; Sunday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; West Orange
Enjoy a classic holiday musical at the Paper Mill Playhouse with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Based on the beloved Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye film, this story of two famous song-and-dance men who stage a show in a scenic, snow-topped Vermont inn — and end up finding love with two singing sisters under the mistletoe. Fun, unforgettable music and production numbers make this show a must-see. $25 - $80; Friday and Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Millburn
Holiday Open House at the Grover Cleveland Birthplace
Go back in time with a visit to Grover Cleveland Birthplace. The Garden Club of the Caldwells has decked the halls with festive old-fashioned holiday decorations and will play recorded music of the era. Learn about the only US president born in the Caldwells, and his family and times. Children are invited to try the new "Activity Book". Free; Monday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Caldwell
Holiday Tours at Thomas Edison’s Home, Glenmont
"Holidays at Glenmont" is another opportunity to re-live history in a local setting. Glenmont was the home of Thomas Edison and his family, and is now a national historical park. The home will be decorated much as it was in Edison’s time, with the family china displayed on the Dining Room table with the scene completed with holiday cards that were received by the family. $7.00 includes the Glenmont Estate and the Laboratory Complex. Children under age 16 are free; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; West Orange
The Newark Museum is featuring the film Season of Light exploring the development of many of the world's endearing holiday customs, all of which involve lighting up the winter season—from Yule logs and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the lighting of the Hanukkah Menorah. “This show recounts the historical religious and cultural rituals practiced during the time of winter solstice—not only Christian and Jewish, but also Celtic, Nordic, Roman, Irish, Mexican and Hopi. It takes a look at some of our more light-hearted seasonal traditions as well: from gift-giving and kissing under the mistletoe, to decking the halls with greenery and candles. St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Santa Claus all drop by as well. Season of Light also explores the possible astronomical explanations for a "Star of Bethlehem": comets, meteors, supernovae, and planet conjunctions.” Adults $15; children under 12, seniors, and college students $9 - includes Museum & Planetarium admission; Saturday noon to 5 p.m. with film at 2 p.m.; Newark
Jazz musicians and vocalists are invited to Piano's Bar & Grill to join Tonia Ray and the boys as they cover great jazz standards, take on blues of all eras and incorporate all your talent into a fabulous full night of music to remember. Music buffs of all ages are welcome. Free, no cover, no minimum; Sunday at 7 p.m.; Bloomfield
Visit one of the largest, most detailed railroad models in New Jersey. The Model Railroad Club, Inc. is a club that stresses craftsmanship, education and prototypical operations, which is evident in one of the largest, most dynamic model railroad layouts in North America, available for viewing by the public. $5; Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Union
In This article
-
Holiday Light Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo
December 19, 2011 / December 20, 2011 / December 21, 2011 / December 22, 2011 / December 23, 2011 / December 26, 2011 / December 27, 2011 / December 28, 2011 / December 29, 2011 / December 30, 2011 / December 31, 2011 at 5:00 pm–9:00 pm -
Turtle Back Zoo
560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ -
Union County College
1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ -
-
JCC MetroWest
760 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ -
White Christmas
November 17, 2011 / November 19, 2011 / November 20, 2011 / November 23, 2011 / November 25, 2011 / November 27, 2011 / December 1, 2011 / December 3, 2011 / December 4, 2011 / December 8, 2011 / December 10, 2011 / December 11, 2011 / December 15, 2011 / December 17, 2011 / December 18, 2011 / December 22, 2011 / December 23, 2011 / December 24, 2011 at 1:30 pm
-
Paper Mill Playhouse
22 Brookside Dr, Millburn, NJ -
-
Grover Cleveland Birthplace
207 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ -
Holiday Tours at Thomas Edison’s Home, Glenmont
Weekly on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 10:00 am–4:00 pm -
Planetarium - Holiday Shows
Weekly on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 12:00 pm–5:00 pm -
Newark Museum
49 Washington St, Newark, NJ -
Piano's Bar & Grill
36 Broad St, Bloomfield, NJ -
