Light up the Holidays! Starting December 15, 2022 | Explore Warren

 

Light up the Holidays! Starting December 15, 2022

"December is the month of light. It is full of the beauty of the love we can bring into our life."

In case you needed reminding, Christmas is coming (the goose is getting fat)! In addition, Hanukkah arrives this weekend, we mark Winter Solstice on December 21, and Kwanzaa begins December 26. Hence, the Explore Warren team is reflecting on the ways in which we are all connected.

The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year and the longest night for the official beginning of the winter season. Each day going forward, the days will slowly grow longer. Many cultures, religions and spiritual traditions have honored the winter solstice. Often, this time of great darkness has encouraged humanity to gather together and celebrate the rebirth and return to the light. This is found in many ancient religions, and seen in festivals and holidays such as Christmas. Feasts focusing upon gratitude and the offering of gifts have been celebrated for thousands of years. In spirituality, this celebration of the moon also symbolizes renewed energy and self-reflection.

Wanderings will be on hiatus next week, because, frankly, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day falling on a weekend this year, there are precious few events on our calendar that week. We hope you will all be safe and warm, celebrating this mashup of traditions with loved ones in your own special way.

We take this opportunity to wish you all the joys of the winter holiday season, however you choose to celebrate. We are grateful for all of our followers and partners. Happy Wanderings!

This Week: 

The Grey Man Group @ the Draught House

Thursday, December 15, 2022 - 7:30pm
The Draught House presents The Grey Man Group. Come get dinner and enjoy some great music.

Flowerland Under the Lights

Friday, December 16, 2022 -
5:00pm to 8:00pm
A wonderful night of twinkling lights, the scents of the season and sights of holiday with giveaways and refreshments at Flowerland.

NJCYB: The Nutcracker at Centenary Stage Co.

Friday, December 16, 2022 - 7:00pmSaturday, December 17, 2022 - 12:00pmSaturday, December 17, 2022 - 5:00pmSunday, December 18, 2022 - 3:00pm
An enchanting ballet and holiday favorite, The Nutcracker is a classic production for all ages. With the talented young dancers of the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet, Warren County's only non-profit ballet company, and featuring professional dancers from around the world, this production is sure to delight!

M Galleries presents Jake Jackson's Shakespeare Revue

Friday, December 16, 2022 -
7:00pm to 8:30pm
Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
7:00pm to 8:30pm
Sunday, December 18, 2022 -
2:00pm to 3:30pm
Jake Jackson's one-man show features 25 selected monologues and soliloquys performed in succession from the best of William Shakespeare's canon.

Dead-On Live plays Europe '72 @ Roy's Hall

Friday, December 16, 2022 - 8:00pm
Dead On Live for a special weekend before Christmas show as they pay tribute to one of the Grateful Dead’s most iconic records, Europe 72.

Winter Festival of Shows: YPW presents 'Stop the World - I Want to Get Off'

Friday, December 16, 2022 - 8:00pm to Sunday, December 18, 2022 - 2:00pm
Winter Festival of Shows presents Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, with book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newly. This is a thought-provoking tale about the fleeting nature of worldly success. The story follows Littlechap through all the highs and lows that life has to offer, and ultimately asks the question of what truly matters.

Santa, Wine and Shopping @ Brook Hollow

Saturday, December 17, 2022Sunday, December 18, 2022
Find those last minute gifts for all the wine lovers in your life from Chocolate Lover's Emporium and Silvery Moon Jewelry and Crafts. And grab a photo with Santa!

Breakfast with Santa @ Architects Golf Club

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
9:00am to 12:00pm
Ol' Saint Nick will be taking photos with good boys and girls and, of course, listening to their Christmas wish lists! Limited seating is available. You are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible.

Breakfast with Santa at the Brass Rail

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - 9:30amSunday, December 18, 2022 - 9:30am
Santa is coming to Phillipsburg and making a special stop at the Brass Rail for breakfast! Please call 908-454-0931 to reserve a seating (9:30am or 11:30am), as seating is limited!

Las Posadas at Villa Milagro

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
11:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday, December 18, 2022 -
11:00am to 5:00pm
Celebrate Las Posadas, a traditional early California/Mexican celebration of the journey of Joseph and Mary in search of lodging. Enjoy a bite of bocadillos, small bites of Mexican tidbits and a sip of Feliz Navidad for your journey through for the Holidays.

Holiday Photo with an Alpaca or Llama!

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
11:00am to 3:30pm
Reserve a spot to visit the ranch for a holiday photo with an Alpaca or Llama. Spend some time relaxing with the herd and get some holiday shopping done at the gift store!

Mini Christmas Tree Class @ Well-Sweep

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Decorate two mini faux pine Christmas trees with dried flowers of various colors and textures, and a bow.

Barefoot Grape Stomping at Four Sisters Winery

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Formal wine tasting followed by dinner and dessert, paired with dessert wine. An educational wine cellar tour describes the processes of wine making and then off with the shoes and socks for the ever-popular Barefoot Grape Stomping!

Ugly Xmas Sweater Party @ Buttzville Brewing

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - 6:30pm
Wear your tackiest holiday outfit and enter to win special prizes! There'll be fun games and excellent music from Kim & the Clairvoyants to keep the party going all evening!

Christmas Themed Trivia @ Brook Hollow

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
7:00pm to 9:00pm
Searching for all the trivia buffs who have what it takes to compete in a Christmas themed Trivia Night! Prizes to be awarded to the top 3 competing teams.

Ugly Sweater Contest and Live Music @ The Sand Bar

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - 8:00pmSunday, December 18, 2022 - 3:00pm
Live music this weekend at The Sand Bar featuring Ten Gallon Matt and Dr. Dick along with an opportunity to wear your best ugly sweater Sunday!

Christmas at Country Gate Players

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - 8:00pmSunday, December 18, 2022 - 2:00pm
Christmas at Country Gate features music to get even the Grinch himself ready for the holiday season with yuletide favorites and plenty of comic diversion along the way, this is a wonderful show for your entire family.

Caren Kennedy Trio @ Brass Rail

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
8:30pm to 11:30pm
Rockin at Brass Rail is the Caren Kennedy Trio!

Bombed Opera Live @ Bea McNally's

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - 9:00pm
Bombed Opera live this weekend!

Ugly Sweater Party at the Draught House

Saturday, December 17, 2022 - 9:00pm
Celebrate the season with DJ Jeff, giveaways, drink specials & prize for the ugliest sweater!

Special Encore Victorian Christmas Tour at Shippen Manor

Sunday, December 18, 2022 -
1:00pm to 4:00pm
The Victorian Christmas tours at Shippen Manor were quickly filled, so a special Encore Tour is scheduled with three time slots available, by reservation only.

Arts and "Crafts" Christmas Cookie Tree Decorating Class

Sunday, December 18, 2022 -
2:00pm to 5:00pm
Jackie of Longcore Bakes will guide you through the process of several different icing techniques and help you assemble a Christmas cookie tree. Enjoy local craft beer with your cookies!

Christmas Carol Sing-a-long and Potluck Dinner @ FUMC of Blairstown

Sunday, December 18, 2022 -
5:00pm to 7:00pm
Join FUMC for an evening of Christmas music, food, and fellowship. Enjoy singing your favorite carols followed by a potluck dinner.

Santa's Coming to Oxford

Sunday, December 18, 2022
Listen for the sirens and prove that all Oxford residents deserve to be on the nice list as Santa is coming to town!
Continuing: 

December Live Music @ Tiptons

Friday, December 16, 2022 - 7:00pmSaturday, December 17, 2022 - 8:00pm
Enjoy good food and live music at Tiptons in December. This week features The PS Experiment and Lifeboat.

December Music @ Panther Pub

Friday, December 16, 2022 - 8:00pmFriday, December 23, 2022 - 8:00pmFriday, December 30, 2022 - 8:00pmSaturday, December 31, 2022 - 8:00pm
Live music this weekend with Brian and Brian.

Brook Hollow Live Music in December

Saturday, December 17, 2022 -
2:00pm to 5:00pm
The wines are being poured and the week looks great for Brook Hollow's music line-up featuring Rich Berry and George Baier.

Christmas in the Country Trail

Mackey’s Orchard, Flowerland Growers and Four Sisters Winery invite your family to enjoy a fun-filled day of Christmas trees, baked goods, wine tasting and much more on the Christmas in the Country Trail! You will receive a pair of commemorative trail wine glasses with a $5 minimum purchase at each farm.

Sunday Brunch Music @ Asbury Coffee Mill

Sunday, December 18, 2022 - 11:00am
Enjoy Sunday brunch at Asbury Coffee Mill this week with Avoiding Foreclosure.

December Music @ Little Ridge Vineyards

Sunday, December 18, 2022 -
1:00pm to 4:00pm
Enjoy great wines along with the music of Jeni Hackett this weekend.
Plan Ahead: 

Solstice Stroll @ Pequest Trout Hatchery

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 -
10:00am to 12:00pm
Pequest invites everyone on a short 2 mile hike on the shortest day of the year to explore the diverse habitat of the Pequest valley and discuss how different cultures celebrate the winter solstice.

Blairstown Menorah Lighting

Wednesday, December 21, 2022 - 6:30pm
Blairstown's annual public Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration invites all to join in the fun and the initial lighting of the brand new 9' menorah, along with refreshments, music and children's gifts.

Ugly Sweater Contest @ Panther Pub

Thursday, December 22, 2022
Put on your best ugly sweater, come dine at Panther Pub and be entered to win a $25 Panther Pub Gift Card, a signature Panther Pub Pint Glass and a complimentary House Potato Chip appetizer.

Thursday Trivia @ Czig Meister Brewing Co.

Thursday, December 22, 2022 - 7:00pmThursday, December 29, 2022 - 7:00pm
Need something to do with family coming into town or friends? Czig Meister's is hosting their Thursday trivia night

Festive Party @ Man Skirt Brewing

Friday, December 23, 2022 - 7:00pm
Strut your stuff in your most impressive holiday attire for a chance to win prizes!

2022 TubaChristmas Belvidere

Saturday, December 24, 2022 - 4:00pm
Come out to the Warren County Courthouse on Christmas eve for an old fashioned sing-along and performance of TubaChristmas. All listeners and musicians of Euphonium, Baritone, Tuba, and Sousaphone are welcome regardless of age or experience.

Holiday Greenhouse Tour at Well-Sweep Herb Farm

Friday, December 30, 2022 - 2:00pm
Experience the pleasure of Well-Sweep's greenhouses, filled with unusual blossoms and exotic scents. Free, but call (908) 852-5390 to reserve a spot for an informative lecture-tour of its collection of herbs from around the world.

Please be advised that we do our best to make sure the information in this message is accurate at the time it is sent. But things happen, plans change, weather can be fickle... you get the idea. Please click on the links provided to other websites to obtain further details and updates.

We hope you've found this to be informative, and now feel inspired to come out and explore Warren County!

Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership
C/o Warren County Public Information Dept.
tourism@co.warren.nj.us | ExploreWarren.org
165 County Route 519 South - Belvidere, NJ 07823
908-475-6580 / 800-554-8540

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Coming Up: 

Flowerland Under the Lights

A wonderful night of twinkling lights, the scents of the season and sights of holiday with giveaways and refreshments at Flowerland.

NJCYB: The Nutcracker at Centenary Stage Co.

An enchanting ballet and holiday favorite, The Nutcracker is a classic production for all ages. With the talented young dancers of the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet, Warren County's only non-profit ballet company, and featuring professional dancers from around the world, this production is sure to delight!

Winter Festival of Shows: YPW presents 'Stop the World - I Want to Get Off'

Winter Festival of Shows presents Stop the World – I Want to Get Off, with book, music, and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newly. This is a thought-provoking tale about the fleeting nature of worldly success. The story follows Littlechap through all the highs and lows that life has to offer, and ultimately asks the question of what truly matters.

Breakfast with Santa @ Architects Golf Club

Ol' Saint Nick will be taking photos with good boys and girls and, of course, listening to their Christmas wish lists! Limited seating is available. You are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible.

Breakfast with Santa at the Brass Rail

Santa is coming to Phillipsburg and making a special stop at the Brass Rail for breakfast! Please call 908-454-0931 to reserve a seating (9:30am or 11:30am), as seating is limited!

Las Posadas at Villa Milagro

Celebrate Las Posadas, a traditional early California/Mexican celebration of the journey of Joseph and Mary in search of lodging. Enjoy a bite of bocadillos, small bites of Mexican tidbits and a sip of Feliz Navidad for your journey through for the Holidays.

Holiday Photo with an Alpaca or Llama!

Reserve a spot to visit the ranch for a holiday photo with an Alpaca or Llama. Spend some time relaxing with the herd and get some holiday shopping done at the gift store!

Barefoot Grape Stomping at Four Sisters Winery

Formal wine tasting followed by dinner and dessert, paired with dessert wine. An educational wine cellar tour describes the processes of wine making and then off with the shoes and socks for the ever-popular Barefoot Grape Stomping!

Christmas at Country Gate Players

Christmas at Country Gate features music to get even the Grinch himself ready for the holiday season with yuletide favorites and plenty of comic diversion along the way, this is a wonderful show for your entire family.

Santa's Coming to Oxford

Listen for the sirens and prove that all Oxford residents deserve to be on the nice list as Santa is coming to town!

Dried Flower Christmas Tree with Lights @ Well-Sweep Herb Farm

Create a beautiful 12” miniature Christmas tree with tiny lights and flowers to decorate your table for the upcoming holiday. Start with an artificial pine tree and cover it with a string of lights, adding accents of dried flowers grown at Well-Sweep. Reservations required.

Breakfast with Santa at the Brass Rail

Santa is coming to town and he is making a special stop at the Brass Rail for breakfast with six seatings Saturday and Sunday and a character artist doing framed portraits. Please call 908-454-0931 to reserve your spot!

Breakfast with Santa @ Architects Golf Club

Ol' Saint Nick will be posing for photos with boys and girls and listening to their Christmas wish lists! Limited seating is available; you are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible.

Santa's Coming to Oxford

Listen for the sirens and prove that all Oxford residents deserve to be on the nice list as Santa is coming to town!

The Nutcracker at Centenary Stage Co.

An enchanting ballet and holiday favorite, The Nutcracker is a classic production for all ages. With the talented young dancers of the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet, Warren County's only non-profit ballet company, and featuring professional dancers from around the world, this production is sure to delight!

Las Posadas at Villa Milagro

Celebrate Las Posadas, a traditional early California/Mexican celebration of the journey of Joseph and Mary in search of lodging. Enjoy a bite of bocadillos, small bites of Mexican tidbits and a sip of Feliz Navidad for your journey through for the Holidays.

 
Continuing: 
 
Plan Ahead: 

Solstice Stroll @ Pequest Trout Hatchery

Pequest invites everyone on a short 2 mile hike on the shortest day of the year to explore the diverse habitat of the Pequest valley and discuss how different cultures celebrate the winter solstice.

Blairstown Menorah Lighting

Blairstown's annual public Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration invites all to join in the fun and the initial lighting of the brand new 9' menorah, along with refreshments, music and children's gifts.

Ugly Sweater Contest @ Panther Pub

Put on your best ugly sweater, come dine at Panther Pub and be entered to win a $25 Panther Pub Gift Card, a signature Panther Pub Pint Glass and a complimentary House Potato Chip appetizer.

2022 TubaChristmas Belvidere

Come out to the Warren County Courthouse on Christmas eve for an old fashioned sing-along and performance of TubaChristmas. All listeners and musicians of Euphonium, Baritone, Tuba, and Sousaphone are welcome regardless of age or experience.

Holiday Greenhouse Tour at Well-Sweep Herb Farm

Experience the pleasure of Well-Sweep's greenhouses, filled with unusual blossoms and exotic scents. Free, but call (908) 852-5390 to reserve a spot for an informative lecture-tour of its collection of herbs from around the world.