Greater Morristown weekend preview: Bring on the holidays!

The Band of Merrymakers
The Band of Merrymakers
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Compiled by Kevin Coughlin

You want holiday music?  Check.

Holiday movies? Check.

Holly Walks?  Decorations? Gingerbread houses? Check. Check. Check.

Welcome to the 2016 holiday season in Greater Morristown!

Scroll down for all sorts of holiday-themed entertainment. See our handy calendar for even more activities–and add your own events, too.


THURSDAY, DEC. 1, 2016:

Project Homeless Connect  will provide referrals, services and useful items to those in need, from 10 am to 2 pm at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, at South Street and Miller Road in Morristown.

'A Child's Christmas in Wales,' at the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ.
‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales,’ at the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ.

The Great Swamp Watershed Association hosts a cordial tasting party from 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m to introduce newcomers to the organization. Thanks to an anonymous donor, admission is free to nonmembers, but reservations are required, and all attendees must be 21 or older.  For details, see GreatSwamp.org or call (973) 538-3500. Space is limited.

The Hyatt Regency Morristown holds it annual Christmas Tree lighting at 6 pm.  At 3 Speedwell Avenue.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales at 8 pm.  Tickets: $32-$75. At Drew University, 36 Madison Ave., Madison.

 

 

 


FRIDAY, DEC. 2:

Morning Yoga with Munah Hayes returns to the Morristown & Township Library at 9:30 a.m. Free. Bring a yoga mat. At One Miller Road, Morristown.

Whoever coined the phrase “You’re eating me out of house and home!” must have had the Gingerbread Wonderland & Craft Show in mind.  Scrumptious gingerbread houses can be viewed from 10 am to 7 :30 pm today, and every day through Dec. 11, 2016, at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.  Handmade crafts for sale on weekends; refreshments at Matilda’s Café.  Admission: $2; children under 2, free. At 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Township.  Call 973-326-7601.

gingerbread wonderland flyer 2016

The Morristown Fire Department is throwing a holiday  toy donation party from 5 pm to 9 pm on the Morristown Green. Bring your new, unwrapped toys for children aged 3 to 16, and enjoy live music and hot chocolate, shiny fire trucks, and a chance to meet Miss New Jersey.  The Marines will distribute the gifts to disadvantaged kids through its Toys for Tots program.

toys for tots 2016 poster

View hundreds of artistic Nativity scenes from around the world at the Community Crèche Christmas Celebration of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from 6 pm to 8:30 pm,  at 283 James Street in Morristown. Also on Saturday from 4 pm to 8:30 pm and Sunday, 2 pm to 7 pm.

Nativity scenes flyer Mormon church 2016

emmett otter jug-band christmas

 

The Morristown & Township Library presents a Christmas Movie Special SpectaclePee-Wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special and Jim Henson’s Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas — at 7 pm. Admission: Free. At One Miller Road, Morristown.

The County College of Morris Concert Choir and Wind Ensemble presents its Winter Music Concert at 7:30 pm, in the Student Community Center. Admission: Free. At 214 Center Grove Road in Randolph.

 

 

ccm concert poster 2016

 

Chorus Song Night at The Minstrel.
Chorus Song Night at The Minstrel.

It’s Chorus Song Night at The Minstrel in Morris Township. Sing along with Karyn Oliver, of the band No Fuss And Feathers; Ken & Pat Rolston; Dave Heistand; and Minstrel Program Chairman Mike Agranoff, at 7:45 pm. Admission: $9; children 12 and under, free. At the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Road.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales at 8 pm. See Thursday entry for details.

The Band of Merrymakers brings its mix of hits and holiday classics to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm. Openers: School of Rock Chatham. Tickets: $39-$69. At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008.

The Band of Merrymakers
The Band of Merrymakers

 


SATURDAY, DEC. 3:

The Gingerbread Wonderland & Craft Show continues from 10 am to 4:30 pm at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. See Friday entry for details.

Elizabeth Cobbs, author of 'The Hamilton Affair,' is coming to Morristown for the 2016 Holly Walk.
Elizabeth Cobbs, author of ‘The Hamilton Affair,’ is coming to Morristown for the 2016 Holly Walk.

See holiday decorations at five Greater Morristown historic sites for one discounted price, at this weekend’s Holly Walk.  It runs from 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and includes the Ford Mansion at Morristown National Historical Park, (Sat & Sun), The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall (Sat & Sun), Macculloch Hall Historical Museum and Gardens (Sat & Sun), the Schuyler-Hamilton House (Sat only) and the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms (Sat only).  Tickets: $30 in advance from the Morris County Tourism Bureau; $35 on the weekend (at Macculloch Hall in Morristown, cash or checks). Children 12 and under, free. Call 973-631-5151. Meet Elizabeth Cobbs, author of The Hamilton Affair, on Saturday at the Schuyler-Hamilton House and on Sunday at the Ford Mansion.

Sample A Civil War Christmas from noon to 5 pm at Historic Speedwell. Re-enactors from the 2nd NJ Brigade stage a soldiers winter encampment and  Officers’ Ball.  Admission: $7 adult, $6 senior, $5 for children 4-16. On Speedwell Avenue, Morristown. Call 973-275-6550.

The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green kicks into high gear from noon to 7 pm, courtesy of the Morristown Partnership. Here is the itinerary:

  • Noon to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. — Santa visits and photos (Santa House)
  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Ornament Painting with Pinot’s Palette (Limited Seating, Tent)
  • 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Sponsor exhibitors:  Power Home Remodeling, The Education Association of Morris and Renewal by Andersen (Tent)
  • 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Ornament Painting with Pinot’s Palette (Limited Seating, Tent)
  • 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Ice sculpting demonstration (Outdoors)
  • 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Miniature train rides (Outdoors)

Video:Santa’s arrival at the 2016 Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. See Thursday entry for details.

The Sanctuary Concert Series in Chatham presents a salute to A Prairie Home Companion, featuring Robin and Linda Williams with Pat Donahue, at 8 pm. Admission: $30, call 1-800-838-3006. At the Presbyterian Church, 240 Southern Blvd.

Robin and Linda Williams
Robin and Linda Williams

The world premier of Saving the Great Swamp: Battle to Defeat the Jetport is at Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center at 8 pm.  All tickets are gone for this free event; call 973-539-8008 to inquire about cancellations.

saving the great swamp poster

 

The Drew University Chorale and Choral Union presents pieces from Antonio Vivaldi, and also from retiring music professor Norman Lowrey, at 8 pm. Admission: $5 at the door; students, free. At Drew, 36 Madison Ave., Madison.

Drew University Chorale
Drew University Chorale

SUNDAY, DEC. 4:

You’re never too old–or too young–for volunteerism. Learn more at the monthly parenting lecture at 8:45 am in the Presbyterian Parish House at 65 South St. in Morristown.

The Morris County Winter Farmers Market returns at 10 a.m.to Morristown’s Alexander Hamilton School, where it will be every Sunday (except Christmas and New Year’s Day) through April 9, 2017, from 10 am to 2 pm.  It’s a joint effort of the Foodshed Alliance Farmers’ Access Network, Grow it Green Morristown and the school, at 24 Mills St.

morris county winter farmers market 2016 poster

The Gingerbread Wonderland & Craft Show continues from 10 am to 4:30 pm at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. See Friday entry for details.

The Holly Walk continues from 11 am to 4 pm at three Greater Morristown historic sites. See Saturday entry for details.

The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green continues from noon to 7 pm, courtesy of the Morristown Partnership. Here is the schedule:

  • Noon to 3 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. – Santa visits and photos (Santa House)
  • 1 to 3 p.m. – Gingerbread house making (Tent)
  • 1 to 5 p.m. – Sponsor exhibitors:  Power Home Remodeling and Renewal by Andersen (Tent)
  • 3 to 4 p.m. – Storytime with Anna and Elsa (Tent)
  • 4 to 6 p.m. – The Mayo Performing Arts Company singing holiday favorites! (Tent)
  • 2 to 6 p.m. – Miniature train rides (Outdoors)

A Civil War Christmas concludes from noon to 4 pm at Historic Speedwell. See Saturday entry for details.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales at 2 pm and 7:30 pm. See Thursday entry for details.

Morristown’s Temple B’Nai Or hosts its Holiday Shopping Event from 2 pm and 5 pm. Handmade, unique items and gifts. Vendors include Lularoe, 31, Scensy, Stella & Dot. Admission: Free, but you are asked to donate an unwrapped toy, for distribution by the Morristown Fire Department. At 60 Overlook Road, near the Thomas Jefferson School.

temple b'nai or holiday fair

Fireside Mystery Theatre presents An Afternoon of Holiday Haunts, an old-styled radio variety show, live at 3 pm on the Bickford Theatre stage in Morris Township. Tickets: $20 general public, $10 children/students. At the Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road.

Fireside Mystery Theatre

Broadway Christmas Wonderland: The Holiday Show comes to Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center at 3 pm and 7 pm. Tickets: $39-$69.  At 100 South St. Call 973-539-8008.

broadway christmas wonderland

The Mike Treni Big Band performs a solid brass Christmas concert at 6 pm, at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown. Admission: Freewill offering. At 57 E. Park Place (on the Green).

The Mike Treni Big Band will perform at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown.
The Mike Treni Big Band will perform at the Presbyterian Church in Morristown.

 

 

 

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