We’ve rounded up some fun and family friendly events to help you plan your weekend. Check ‘em out!
On Saturday, meet local writer Jorge Aguirre at East Side Mags (7 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair) from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Jorge is the writer of both Giants Beware and Dragons Beware, two fun and exciting books for children. Jorge will signing his work and chatting with his fans. East Side Mags was recently named Essex County’s Top Toy & Hobby Shop and ranked third place in the Best Specialty Store Category by Suburban Essex Magazine.
The West Hudson Arts & Theater Company (WHAT) will present Elf the Musical on Saturday at 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Performances are held at First Lutheran Church (65 Oakwood Avenue, Kearny). The original musical is based on the 2003 movie about Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag and is taken to the North Pole. He is raised as an elf, unaware he is human. This version of the show is 60-minutes and is tailored for a younger audience, as well as performed by young actors. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, and military.
Also on Saturday, NJPAC (1 Center Street, Newark) will present Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny at 2:00 PM. Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia brings a double-bill adaption of Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd’s beloved bedtime classics to life through puppetry and original music. This performance is for children ages 3 and up. Tickets start at $13.
Also on Saturday, the Morris Museum (6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown) will host Gingerbread Building Workshops, with sessions at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The museum will provide the kit and necessary supplies, you provide the imagination. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required. This event is $25 per house for members and $30 per house for non-members.
All weekend long, the Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South Street, Morristown) will present New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Performances will be on Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, and Sunday at 1:00 PM. Tickets start at $29. This favorite holiday event is recommended for children ages 4 and up.
On Sunday, the State Theatre of NJ (15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick) will present two performances of Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Christmas at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The show is performed in complete darkness and features dazzling visuals that light up the stage accompanied by music by Nat King Cole, Tchaikovsky, Mariah Carey, and more. Tickets are $25-$35.
The Montclair Historical Society’s Second Sunday Family Fun Day is this Sunday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Crane House and Historic YWCA (110 Orange Road, Montclair). This month’s focus is Holiday Happiness. Enjoy tours on the hour designed for the family and learn about different holiday traditions. There will also be story time and ornament making. Admission is pay as you wish.
For more upcoming events, check out the family friendly events, showcased in green, on Baristanet Calendar.