It’s the last weekend of 2016… and the first weekend of 2017! Happy New Year! We’ve found some family friendly fun for you this weekend. Enjoy!
First Night Morris (The Green, Morristown) will mark its 25th Anniversary on Saturday evening. This family friendly event will be host to over 80 performances at more than 24 venues around downtown Morristown. The downtown Morristown event begins at 4:45 PM, with fireworks at 9:15 PM. Admission allows access to all First Night Morris County performances. Tickets are $25 per person and children 4 and under are free. For more details including a full schedule and map of performances, visit the website.
Spend New Year’s Eve at The FunPlex (182 Route 10 West, East Hanover) on Saturday from 7:00 PM to 12:30 AM. Enjoy unlimited indoor attractions, music, buffet, refreshments, and $10 worth of Arcade value per person. Tickets are $49 in advance and $54 at the door. Anyone entering the facility must have a ticket. There will also be a midnight celebration with favors.
10th Annual Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo (560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange) will close on January 2, so there’s still some time to enjoy 50 animal and holiday-themed figures as they light up the night at Turtle Back Zoo. This Winter Wonderland will also include costumed characters and several exhibits will be open including the Sea Lion Sound, Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Tropical Currents Aquarium, and the Reptile Building. Admission is free, but the zoo is collecting non-perishable food items; new, unwrapped toys; and new or gently used winter coats. The Spectacular will be open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, December 30 through January 2, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Pip’s Island is a fun and interactive way for kids to explore STEM philosophies, emotional development, social responsibility and more. Located at Skylight Modern (537 W. 27th Street, NYC), this entertaining family show has various time slots available this weekend and through its closing date of January 8. Tickets are $50 per person. It is recommended for children ages 4-10. Older children are welcome, however, toddlers and babies are not due to the active and participatory nature of the show. You can read our full write-up from earlier this week.
Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland at Van Saun Park (216 Forest Avenue, Paramus) will be open on Saturday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM and on Sunday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Attractions include open air ice skating, kids’ beginner synthetic rink, additional kids’ activities, Bergen Express train ride, Santa’s North Pole Workshop, unlimited carousel rides, zoo entry and programming, indoor/outdoor beer garden, and food trucks. Tickets are $14 (plus $1.69 fee) per person and include skate rental. Children 5 and under are free. Food and beverages are not included in ticket price but are available for purchase. Tickets are available online.
iPlay America (110 Schanck Road, Freehold) will host its annual New Year’s Eve Party on Saturday at 7:30 PM. The NYE Party Pass includes a variety of unlimited rides, a DJ light show with party favors, confetti cannons, and prizes and giveaways all night long. There are other activities that will be open for an additional cost such as laser tag, ropes courses, bowling, and 4D theater. Dining options are available but not included. The NYE Party Pass is $$39.99 in advance and $49.99 at the door. Toddlers 2 and under are free. (https://www.iplayamerica.com/ )
For more upcoming events, check out the family friendly events, showcased in green, on Baristanet Calendar.