Christmas 2018: A guide to New Jersey holiday events

“The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol” are just the cherries on top of your brandy alexander this winter holiday season as far as Central Jersey family fun is concerned. To help you plan the next six weeks, we've compiled a season-long list of can’t-miss merriment that will entertain the entire clan. Events are organized by date, just to make it your harried holiday life a little easier. And as events come in, we will continue to update this list on My Central Jersey. Happy holidays!

READ: 10 options for Thanksgiving takeout, dining in Central Jersey

READ: 37 places to see The Nutcracker in New Jersey, New York City and Pennsylvania

Through December

Artisan Holiday Show

Arts on Division Gallery, Somerville

As gifting season approaches, Arts on Division Gallery on Somerville’s fun Division Street pedestrian walk will present “The Artisan Holiday Show” featuring handmade gifts produced by local artists. Works include ceramics, silver, beaded jewelry, small sculptures, dream catchers, steam punk lamps, funky candles, ornaments, tapestries, tile coasters, silk-screened scarves and aprons, painted bottles, unique clothing, enamel art, prints, small drawings and original paintings. New inventory will be added throughout the run. Through Dec. 23, artsondivision.com. On weekends through December, carolers also will be strolling and singing along Main Street, and carriage rides will be available, weather permitting. For details, visit http://www.downtownsomerville.com/.

'Christmas in the Air'

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Hampton

The Playhouse’s annual Christmas celebration features new original songs, classic and traditional favorites, comedy sketches, and dance numbers. The production is the dinner theater’s most popular, so it sells out rather quickly. The Playhouse also serves lunch daily. Lunch and dinner include roast turkey with stuffing, eggplant rollatini, and gluten-free roasted vegetable kabob. Lunch also offers Yankee pot roast, fried jumbo shrimp platter, lemon pepper cod and chicken parmigiana. The dinner menu, served nightly except Sundays, also features roast prime rib, salmon with lemon dill sauce and chicken cordon bleu. Through Dec. 20, hhplayhouse.com.

Holiday in the Park

Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson

Six Flags Great Adventure lights up the nights as it transforms into a winter wonderland for Holiday in the Park featuring more than a million glittering lights, holiday entertainment, seasonal treats, Santa’s village and many of the park’s most popular rides. New in 2018 is “Wonder: A Cirque Spectacular Show,” featuring acrobats and dancers; Deck the Halls, a walk through massive holiday images; Holiday Craze Mirror Maze; “The Elf Who Saved Christmas!,” a high-spirited comedy about four caring elves, and a bird’s-eye view of the lights on the Parachute Training Center ride. Guests can ring in the New Year with a celebration on Dec. 31 featuring fireworks, music and more. Through Jan. 1, https://bit.ly/2PX1Aoq.

28th annual Holiday Model Train Exhibit

528 Rahway Ave., Barron Arts Center, Woodbridge

Except for Christmas Day, this free exhibit will be on display through Dec. 30 with more than 300 feet of track that features a moving operating playground and three towns — Main Street U.S.A., a small town in the snowy mountains, and the Boardwalk with a Ferris wheel and Tilt-A-Whirl — all surrounded by an operating monorail. Nearly a dozen different trains with four operating at all times.  The layout will be a complete walk-around-display viewed in the round. Display cases featuring several gauges from N-scale through G-scale will be on view. The curator is Michael Gelesky of the Colonia section of the townshp. He has been collecting trains since he was 5. The exhibit is free, but donations will be accepted and a reservation must be made at 732-634-0413. The displayed kicked off Nov. 30, with the lighting of the official Woodbridge Township Christmas tree at the center. Visit http://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/.

Festival of Trees

Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center, Basking Ridge

The festival is an indoor exhibit of decorated trees by various community groups and individuals. Highlights also will include live holiday music and the relaxing Snowflake Café with refreshments on the weekends. Through Dec. 28 (closed on Dec. 24 and 25), somersetcountyparks.org.

Holidays in New Brunswick

New Brunswick City Center

Festivities will include New Year’s Eve fireworks, Dec. 31 at Monument Square Park. Through Dec. 31, newbrunswick.com.

Dec. 22 

The Run Before Christmas: Santa Con 8K

Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton

’Twas the Run Before Christmas and all around the town, the Santas were jogging … nowhere was a frown! Organizers are certain that will be the case for this inaugural event co-produced by those behind the Main Street Half Marathon of Hunterdon. Runners should wear Santa suits. Register at santacon8k.itsyourrace.com. Visit redmill.org.

Holiday gifts for sale in Tewksbury

Tewksbury Historical Society Headquarters

The Tewksbury Historical Society Headquarters, located at 60 Water St. in the Mountainville section of Tewksbury, will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. selling unique holiday gifts. Among the items for purchase are Tewksbury afghans, Tewksbury Art Show notecards depicting winning works from past THS Art Shows, Tewksbury Church notecards and post cards depicting original historic scenes, editions of "Historic Notes on Fairmont, NJ"  by Freeman Leigh, prints depicting scenes in Mountainville by resident Charles Burrell and the "Tewksbury Auto Tour" booklet, a self-guided auto tour of Tewksbury. 

Dec. 24

Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Around the Christmas Tree

The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the County Manager invite residents to the annual “Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Around the Christmas Tree” at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec 24, outside Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy’s Chambers at the Union County Courthouse building, 2 Broad St., Elizabeth. Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados is the master of ceremonies, and County Manager Ed Oatman will deliver welcoming remarks. The event includes caroling, musical entertainment, and a visit from Santa. County employees Bill Lee will sing, and Glenn Merritt will play keyboards. The Raritan Valley Jerseyaires will also perform.

Dec. 27

'Rock & Roll Christmas Party' with The Mahoney Brothers

Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Hampton

For their holiday party, the Mahoney Brothers, combine their tributes to The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Buffett into a seasonal rock ‘n’ roll spectacle. The set combines hits by the icons, holiday favorites made more famous by them, and a sprinkling of originals. Visit hhplayhouse.com.

Staff Writer Bob Makin: 732-565-7319; bmakin@gannett.com