Looking for some holiday cheer, a holiday spectaculor, a musical, a traditional performance?

It’s great to get dressed up and venture out to enjoy a show, a concert, a play. NJ KIDS’ has gathered a list of our favorite venues. Go see the classic ballet Nutcracker, enjoy the symphony, or a holiday performance featuring live interactive music and dance. Wander around winter wonderlands, admire holiday decorated tress, light displays train shows. NJ has loads of holiday extravaganzas. Here’s our guide to the holidays. 

Don't miss these holiday performances: 

Centennial Gala & Concert with Yo-Yo Ma
Nov 12, 2022
Celebrating 100 years of musical excellence, innovation and inclusion, join Music Director Xian Zhang and your favorite orchestra musicians including Wynton Marsalis, with an infusion of jazz melodies, the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma to perform the king of cello concertos and dancers from New Jersey Ballet. 

Laser Holiday Family Show at Novins Planetarium, Ocean County College
Nov 25 - 26, 2022
This laser concert features classic holiday favorites like “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” modern hits such as “Jingle Bell Rock” and unique renditions of timeless songs. “Laser Holidays” is a fun experience for everyone and gives new meaning to the term “holiday lights”. 

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical
Nov 27, 2022, Mayo PAC

The Sound of Music
Dec 2, 2022–Jan 1, 2023 
Paper Mill Playhouse

A Joyful Noise
Dec 3, 2022, Victoria Theatre at NJPAC
A New Jersey Synphony family concert. Come ready to sing, dance and clap along! Spotlighting celebrated artists from Newark and beyond, the New Jersey Symphony lauds the power of the first instrument—the human voice—with a gospel music-inspired holiday extravaganza. 

The Nutcracker
Dec 3-4, 2022, Bergen PAC

American Repertory Ballet The Nutcracker
Nov 25 -27, 2022, McCarter Theatre Ctr
Dec 3 and 5, 2022, Union County PAC
Dec 16-18, 2022, State Theatre NJ
American Repertory Ballet will perform with a live orchestra. Dec 5 s sensory friendly.

Recycled Percussion
Dec 9, 2022, NJ PAC
The turbo-charged drummers will create their own unique brand of high-energy “junk rock” by transforming everyday objects into percussive instruments. At every performance, you get a drumstick and an unusual instrument to join in the fun. 

A Very Electic Christmas
Dec 13, 2022, NJ PAC
Light up the holidays with the magical, glow- in-dark storytelling.

Handel’s Messiah
Dec 16, 2022 Princeton
Dec 18, 2022 Newark
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
NJ Symphony Music Director Xian Zhang will conduct Handel’s incomparable classic Messiah. Joining Xian and the musicians will be the talented singers of Montclair State University, who will delight audiences as they sing the glorious “Hallelujah Chorus.”

New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony
Dec 16-27, 2022, Mayo PAC
New Jersey Ballet’s beloved annual tradition enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike with splendid dancing, eye-popping special effects and a touch of holiday magic, set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by New Jersey Symphony.

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
Dec 17, NJ PAC
NJPAC’s original holiday extravaganza remixes and reimagines Tchaikovsky’s ballet with supercharged hip hop choreography.
Expect twists, turns and tons of fun that celebrates love, community and the magic of the season.

The Nutcracker at NJPAC
Dec 18, 2022, NJ PAC
The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine’s holiday spectacle transports you to a dazzling winter wonderland in this special matinee performance with toy soldiers and colorful characters.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Dec 26, 2022, NJ PAC
Over 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, the finest singers, original music and seasonal favorites celebrate Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas and New Year’s in a two-hour, breathtaking spectacle. Soaring acrobatics, gravity-defying feats and extravagant theatrical production numbers.

The Queen’s Cartoonists Holiday 
HurrahYule Love it!
Dec 23, 2022, State Theatre NJ
Keenly aware of all things holiday-oriented and completely ridiculous, musical ensemble The Queen’s Cartoonists have set out to find the best of the best (and best of the worst) holiday-related cartoons, films, and jazz. Bring the entire family to this hilarious holiday concert! The show includes traditional holiday vocal numbers (“White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah”), paired with jazz arrangements and classic cartoon characters (Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny, Popeye the Sailor Man, Porky Pig, and more!).

Dragons and Mythical Beasts 
Jan 15, 2022, State Theatre NJ
Calling all brave heroes! Enter into a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical new show for the whole family! This Olivier Award-nominated show comes to the U.S. direct from the West End, from the creators of the international smash hit Dinosaur World Live, who bring spectacular puppets to life.

Llama Llama Live!
Feb 5, 2023, State Theatre NJ
A new musical inspired by the bestselling Llama, Llama Red Pajama series by Anna Dewdney and the new Netflix series!