November 22
Holiday Wreath Workshops
10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Fee: $15 per person; advanced reservations required
Hancock House State Historic Site
(856) 935-4373
Sponsor: Friends of the Hancock House Inc. and Hancock House State Historic Site
Note: Partially ADA accessible
Adults will learn how to assemble and beautify a centerpiece and decorations using fresh greens. Bring garden clippers and gloves. Space is limited, call ahead for reservations.
Wreath Decorating Workshop 
1:00 p.m.
Fee: $28.00 per Person; advanced reservations required
Allaire State Park, Historic Allaire Village
Sponsor: Allaire Village Inc.
(732) 919-3500
Ring in the season with the Edwards Christmas Tree Farm in its wreath-decorating workshop! From luxurious ribbons and sparkling bulbs to elegant sprays of berries and seasonal holly- you are limited ONLY by your imagination! Space is limited, call ahead for reservations.
Wreath-Making Workshops
10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Fee: $25 members, $30 non-members; advanced reservations required
Ringwood State Park , Skylands Manor
Sponsor: NJBG Skylands Association
(973) 962-9534
In these two workshops, led by Pat Grossi, you'll learn how to assemble and decorate wreaths to grace your home, using a variety of fresh and dried materials. You'll make a wreath for the Holiday Open House and one to take home with you. Materials provided; bring clippers and any special ribbon you might wish. Call ahead for reservations.
November 23
A 19 th Century Thanksgiving
Noon to 3 p.m.
Fee: None
Allaire State Park, Historic Allaire Village
Sponsor: Allaire Village Inc.
(732) 919-3500
The day begins with an authentic Thanksgiving Service at the Village Chapel, Christ Episcopal Church, where the Rite Reverend Thomas Tanser, Howell Works Company minister of 1836, will deliver his Harvest Sermon. Visitors are then invited to the home of the Howell Works Company Manager, James Parshal Smith, where a traditional Thanksgiving Feast is being prepared over the open hearth. The delicious aroma of turkey fills the kitchen as period clad Historic Interpreters demonstrate the arts of 19 th Century cooking. While waiting for the turkey to brown, there will be hands-on demonstrations of cider pressing and opportunities to join in some 19 th Century games.
November 28
After the Turkey, Natural History Hike
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Fee: None; advanced reservations required
Round Valley Recreation Area, South Lot
(908) 236-6355
Do you feel like you have to work off some of yesterday's gravy? Join other hikers at the South Lot to burn some Thanksgiving calories and explore the habitat of the turkeys.
November 28, 29 and 30
The Christmas Express – Train Rides with Santa
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $5 per person; advanced tickets required; every rider needs a ticket
Allaire State Park , Pine Creek Railroad
Sponsor: NJ Museum of Transportation
(732) 938-5524
Ride our train through the beautiful Allaire State Park. Santa Claus will walk through the train and visit each child. This is a family trip all are sure to enjoy! Train leaves every half-hour. If you missed the advance ticket sale now is your chance to purchase the few remaining tickets. This event sells out every year!
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December
December 4, 5, 6 and 7
The Manor House - 'A Traditional Holiday'
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and $3 children
Ringwood State Park , Skylands Manor
Sponsor: NJBG Skylands Association
(973) 962-9534
The Manor House is decorated floor-to-ceiling for the holiday season, celebrating this year's theme, 'A Traditional Holiday.' It's a totally different look every year, so don't miss this spectacular annual display! Champagne receptions each evening. Group tours by prior reservation.
December 6
Lusscroft Farm Holiday Event
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $3.00 per person; children under 12 free
High Point State Park , Lusscroft Farm
(973) 875-4800 ( High Point Park Office)
Sponsor: Heritage and Agriculture Association
Note: For more information visit www.lusscroftfarm.com
This event will celebrate the agricultural heritage of Sussex County by highlighting today’s farmers with their value added products. The Manor will be decorated for the holidays and photos from the second annual Lusscroft Photography Contest will be on display. Sussex County farmers will have jelly, salsa, honey and honey products, holiday bulbs and flowers, soaps and other products for sale. And, if you buy a bottle of Lusscroft label wine, Spring House Creamery cheese, and the 2008 Lusscroft ornament, we will provide basket wrapping ready for the holidays! There will be educational exhibits and displays on the second floor of the Manor House. A bake sale will help toward restoration efforts at Lusscroft. Light refreshments will be available.
21 st Annual Yuletide Tour 
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Fee: None; donations welcome
Hancock House State Historic Site
(856) 935-4373
Sponsors: Friends of the Hancock House Inc. and Hancock House State Historic Site
Note: Partially ADA accessible
Twenty-first Annual Award Winning Tour of Salem City Houses, churches, other unique buildings and the historic Hancock House. Live Music, historic demonstrations and more. Tickets are $10 in advance for larger tour and available at local shops or contact Salem Main Street Program (856) 935-8800. The tour of the Hancock House is free and will show off a holiday historic kitchen and cooking theme.
December 6 and 7
Christmas at Allaire
Noon to 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $6 per adult; $4 per child; additional fees for horse and wagon rides
Allaire State Park, Historic Allaire Village
Sponsor: Allaire Village Inc.
(732) 919-3500
Throughout the weekend long event there will be carolers wandering the streets of the Historic Village, setting the proper holiday mood, while special programs at the Historic Christ Church will feature period music, both vocal and instrumental. Visitors to the Historic Village can go to see our annual display of Christmas Trees through the Ages featuring a Tree of Paradise, a Pyramid Tree and many more. Exhibits are held at the Enameling Building Exhibition Hall and a $1.00 minimum donation is suggested.
December 6, 7, 13 and 14
33 rd Annual Victorian Christmas at Ringwood Manor
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and $3 children under 10
Ringwood State Park , Ringwood Manor
(973) 962-2240
Sponsor: Women’s Club of West Milford and the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society
Note: ADA accessible
Join the Women’s Club of West Milford, the Ringwood Manor Citizen Advisory Committee, and Ringwood State Park Staff in celebrating the 33 rd Annual Victorian Christmas at Ringwood Manor. Tour the Manor, decorated in authentic 19 th century holiday decor, with guides in period costumes leading you from room to room. Craft vendors will have hand-made items available- get that perfect last-minute gift!
December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21
The Christmas Express – Train Rides with Santa
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $5 per person; advanced tickets required; every rider needs a ticket
Allaire State Park , Pine Creek Railroad
Sponsor: NJ Museum of Transportation
(732) 938-5524
Ride our train through the beautiful Allaire State Park. Santa Claus will walk through the train and visit each child. This is a family trip all are sure to enjoy! Train leaves every half-hour. If you missed the advance ticket sale now is your chance to purchase the few remaining tickets. This event sells out every year!
December 7
'Christmas with the Critters' - Kid’s Christmas Program
1 p.m.
Fee: None; advanced reservations required
Cape May Point State Park, Park Museum
(609) 884-2159
Note: ADA accessible
Cape May Point State Park presents 'Christmas with the Critters.' Enjoy a holiday party with the park animals. Meet and touch snakes, turtles, lizards and frogs. Cookies and soda after the kids clean up. With new Christmas crafts to hang on the tree (Twas' the night before Christmas mice and Toy Soldiers) you don't want to miss this event! Only 40 children (ages 3 to 12 years old) can participate. Call ahead for reservations.
Holiday Candlelight Tours
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $5 suggested donation; advanced reservations required
Rockingham Historic Site
(609) 683-7132
Sponsors: Rockingham Association, Montgomery High School Live Historians and Stony Brook Garden Club
Note: Partially ADA accessible
Rockingham State Historic Site's largest annual event invites visitors to tour Washington's farmhouse residence decorated in 18 th century restraint. Refreshments will be available. Space is limited, call after November 25 to register.
Holiday’s Diversion
Noon to 5 p.m.
Fee: None
Wallace House Historic Site
(908) 725-1015
Observe what an eighteenth-century Christmas celebration would be like at the Wallace House. Decorated in historic setting and live music complete the festive evening.
December 12 
'A Christmas Carol' Performance
8 p.m.
Fee: $15 per person; advance ticket purchase required
Allaire State Park, Historic Allaire Village Chapel
Sponsor: Allaire Village Inc
(732) 919-3500
A Christmas Carol is a Victorian tale of an old and bitter man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of one night. Mr. Scrooge is a financier who has devoted his life to the accumulation of wealth. He holds anything other than money in contempt, including friendship, love and the Christmas season. Performed by three talented actors, enjoy the condensed version of this classic tale, wrote by Charles Dickinson himself.
December 13 and 20
Holiday Candlelight Lantern Tours
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fee: $10 per person; advanced ticket purchase required
Allaire State Park, Historic Allaire Village
Sponsor: Allaire Village Inc.
(732) 919-3500
Our popular Holiday Candlelight Lantern Tours offer visitors a glimpse of the Historic Village at night as authentically-clad historic museum interpreters lead groups through the lantern-lit streets of the Village bedecked in Holiday splendor. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to catch a glimpse of the past and enjoy many of the historic buildings through the enchantment of candlelight as costumed interpreters explain the various Holiday customs of the time.
December 13
Music of Christmas
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: None
Indian King Tavern Museum
(856) 429-6792
Sponsor: Friends of the Indian King Tavern Museum, Inc.
Listen to the beautiful melodies from the trio in the bar room or make your way to the second floor where Rich Carty, a multi-talented musician will play the hammered dulcimer for the Christmas season. For more information visit www.indiankingfriends.org.
Holiday Wreath Making
1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Fee: None; pre-registration required
Washington Crossing State Park, Nature Center
(609) 737-0609
Note: Partially ADA accessible
Fresh cut wreaths smell wonderful and add charm to your winter decorating scheme. Join the Nature Center staff and learn how to identify several species of evergreens. Afterward design your own unique evergreen wreath with clippings from these trees.
December 14
Victorian Christmas at Historic Batsto Village
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fee: $2 per person
Sponsor: Wharton State Forest, Historic Batsto Village
(609) 561-0024
When one visits Batsto Village today, it is like a step back in time. As you walk through the village streets and look into the restored buildings, you can almost visualize an earlier time and a different way of life. Participate in a Victorian Christmas as volunteers in costume explain what a Christmas may have been like in the past.
December 19 and 20
The Nature of Winter: A Feast of Rural Traditions
Friday, 11 a.m. to noon and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Fee: None; pre-registration required
Kittatinny Valley State Park
(973) 786-6445
Note: For adults; ADA accessible
Many icons of the holiday season are borrowed from the Winter Solstice celebration. While mostly viewed as decorative today, these items once had deep symbolic significance. During this program, participants will learn how people around the world embrace the cycle of the seasons, and discover Nature at the heart of our own popular holiday traditions.
December 20
'The Christmas Night Crossing' Lecture
2 p.m.
Fee: None
Washington Crossing State Park, Visitor Center Museum
(609) 737-9303
Note: ADA accessible
Using dioramas and letters from the participants, resource interpretive specialist, Clay Craighead will give a lecture on the significance of the Christmas Night Crossing and the Battle of Trenton.
December 25
The Christmas Day Crossing Reenactment
1 p.m.
Fee: None
Washington Crossing State Park
(609) 737-9303
Note: ADA accessible
Commemorate the 232 nd anniversary of George Washington's famous Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River by viewing the annual reenactment. The portrayal begins in Pennsylvania and crosses over into New Jersey. Although the show can be viewed from both states, participants can enjoy a less crowded view of the soldiers on the New Jersey side.
December 27 
Grover Cleveland Birthplace Holiday Open House
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: None
Grover Cleveland Birthplace State Historic Site
Sponsors: Grover Cleveland Birthplace Memorial Association and staff
(973) 226-0001 or gcmuseum@gmail.com
Visit Grover Cleveland Birthplace, decorated for the holidays by the Garden Club of the Caldwells. Experience 1830’s hands-on activities for children and listen to recorded music of the era. Enjoy light refreshments.
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January
January 1
First Train Ride of the Year
Noon
Fee: None
Allaire State Park , Pine Creek Railroad
Sponsor: NJ Museum of Transportation
(732) 938-5524
Come take a ride on the train through scenic Allaire State Park. Train leaves at promptly noon and all are welcome.
24 th Annual New Year’s Day Hike
10 a.m.
Fee: None
Kittatinny Valley State Park, Footbridge Park
Sponsor: Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee
(908) 684-4820
Bring in the new year with an exhilarating hike through Kittatinny Valley State Park.
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