The weekend is here! Take a look at some of the fun and family friendly events happening in our area.
On Saturday, the Montclair Art Museum (3 South Mountain Avenue, Montclair) will host a Family Art Adventure from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This hour-long, drop-in event allows children age 5 and up with an adult companion to explore and discuss art and participate in activities around the galleries and sculpture garden. Tickets are $15 per family for non-members, $6 per family for members.
Also on Saturday, NJPAC (1 Center Street, Newark) will host Forces of Nature Dance Theatre: Kwanzaa Celebration at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. The performance combines the elements of modern dance, traditional West African dance, ballet, hip-hop, and martial arts. The special guest for the evening will be internationally acclaimed poet and author Sonia Sanchez. Tickets are $29-$45.
Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn) will feature The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe on Saturday at 10:00 AM. This musical is based on C.S. Lewis’ story of four children in war-torn England who accidentally enter the land of Narnia by climbing through a magic wardrobe. This show is for children ages 6 and up. Tickets are $12.75.
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 and 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $29. This favorite holiday event is recommended for children ages 4 and up.
The State Theatre of NJ (15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick) will present performances of American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker this weekend. Show times are Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM, and Sunday at 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Tchaikovski’s original score will be performed by a live orchestra to accompany ARB’s professional dancers as well as students from Princeton Ballet School. Tickets are $35-$75.
If you’re looking for a different kind of Nutcracker, check out The Hip Hop Nutcracker at NJPAC (1 Center Street, Newark) on Saturday at 3:00 PM. Rap legend Kurtis Blow is special guest MC for this holiday mash-up for the whole family. An adaptation of the classic holiday story, the story comes to life in a contemporary urban setting.
Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will host Storytime with Mrs. Claus in the New Education Center throughout the weekend. Listen to a story, then meet one of Mrs. Claus’ animal friends. Light refreshments and a holiday cookie will be served. This event is appropriate for children 12 and younger and children must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets and advance registration are required for all who attend. Storytimes are held daily through Wednesday, December 23rd at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM.
On Sunday, the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra (NJIO), in collaboration with the Summit Chorale, presents its annual Family Holiday Concert at Temple Sinai (208 Summit Avenue, Summit). Beginning at 3:00 PM, this free, one-hour event will feature seasonal favorite music and is intended for families with children. After, members of the orchestra will host an “Instrument Petting Zoo,” giving children a chance to try out a variety of instruments.
Also on Sunday, Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive, Millburn) will present Frosty the Snowman at 10:00 AM. The classic holiday song has inspired this new story of a young orphan who discovers magic in a stolen hat. Billy and Frosty take a New York City adventure and learn about the real magic of the holidays: love. This show is for children age 4 and up.
For more upcoming events, check out the family friendly events, showcased in green, on Baristanet Calendar.