PARSIPPANY — The first full weekend of December offers many holiday-themed events in and around Parsippany ranging from Santa visits to appeal to our youngest residents to a nearby Ugly Sweater pub crawl.
Topping our list of local festivities is Friday night’s annual Snowflake Festival hosted in the Lake Hiawatha. The event appeals to families, as the main event is Santa. And, Saturday is our town’s annual Christmas tree lighting at Town Hall on Route 46, which is followed by another Santa opportunity inside the building. Information for both events are detailed below.
Friday, December 6, 2019
From 6-7:30pm, The Friends of Lake Hiawatha continue to sponsor their annual Snowflake Festival at the Gazebo on North Beverwyck Road. The free event features photos with Santa, hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes and caroling by the Girl Scouts. There will be raffles for boys and girls bicycles, as well.
Holiday Wine Tasting at the Morris Museum from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Benefits will go to Homeless Pets. Sponsored by St. Hubert’s. Tickets cost $60 and can be purchased online.
Saturday, December 7
Parsippany – Town Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa’s Visit from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visit Santa, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. Please bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Parsippany Food Bank.
Parsippany Applebees on Route 46 will have a breakfast with Santa fundraiser beginning at 8:30 a.m. All proceeds will be donated to the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program which distributes new toys to underprivileged children. Advanced reservations are required. Call or visit Applebee’s to purchase tickets. Payment required – $10.00. Free for children under age two. $10.00 per adult, $5.00 per child Day of $6.00 per adult, $5.00 per child.
Boonton Kings Grocery Store – 12-4pm with have a Holiday Food Tasting. Live entertainment and holiday tasting.
Morristown has its 8th annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl beginning at 13 South Street at 3:00 p.m. The ugliest sweater gets a prize. $10-$15 per person; must be 21 or older. Visit the website for full details.
Sunday, December 8:
Cerbo Garden Center Trees for Troops in Parsippany. From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Volunteers from the military and other local community groups load up trailers with fresh-cut Christmas trees bound for delivery. There will be food, hot beverages, and more. Plus WDHA-FM will be broadcasting live to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
Montville Pathways is hosting The Little Mermaid Play and Holiday Party Fun at 2:00 p.m. Santa will be onsite and candy canes and photo opportunities are on the menu. Tickets range up to $10.00 per person. Visit the website for more details.
The Wayne PAL will hold a Holiday Flea Market and Gift Fair from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1 PAL Drive in Wayne. The event is free and features handmade arts and crafts, holiday-themed gifts and more. Details are available here.
All Weekend
Morristown hosts a Holly Walk – a historic house tour December 6 to December 8. Times Vary. $30.00 per person. Locations include the Ford Mansion, Macculloch Hall, Stickley Museum and more. Visit this website for full details.
From now through December 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, the Turtleback Zoo puts on its annual Holiday Lights spectacular. The free event has over 50 sparkling animal and winter characters. Donations of new toys, non-perishable food items and gently used coats are gladly accepted for neighbors in need. Santa meet and greet and personally taken photos are free – Santa is onsite December 6-8, 13-15 and 20-23. Some activities may be at additional cost. The train, carousel, reptile house, aquarium, Essex Farm and Pony rides are open.
From December 6-15, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays through 7:30 p.m., Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown hosts its Gingerbread Wonderland show of local talent creating ornate gingerbread houses. Weekends also feature a craft show. $2.00 per person. You can view the flyer here.
The annual Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green runs thru December 22. Hours for December 6 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., December 7 and 8 12 Noon to 7:00 p.m. Activities include a Santa visit, beautiful lighting to observe when the sun goes down and a fun, little-kid mini train ride. Be sure to see schedule for special events.
Thru December 24 at the Short Hills Mall. Santa’s Flight Academy is a personalized holiday adventure. Each visiting cadet receives a flight crew badge then, as an elite member of Santa’s flight crew, is fitted with a virtual flight suit. From there, the cadet partners with a helpful elf to inspect and power Santa’s sleigh using a series of interactive stations. The visit culminates with a snowfall dance party and, of course, time with Santa. Santa’s Flight Academy is free to all with a variety of optional photo packages to purchase.
