ThanksChristmas: November 27 - December 12

Warren County Wanderings

“You can tell a lot about a person by the way they handle three things: a rainy day, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights.” –Maya Angelou

Ready or not, here it comes! The Holiday Season is upon us. This special two-week Wanderings edition aims to bridge the gap between Thanksgiving and Santa's first appearances, with Small Business Saturday in between. Oh wait - our first Santa visit will be on Black Friday already, at Blairstown’s Jingle Eve! Don’t worry, there will be many more opportunities to see the big guy, and even have breakfast with him, in the coming weeks.

Each of our downtown centers has special events, including tree lightings, to encourage you to shop small and local this season.

For those interested in handcrafted treasures - whether creating something yourself, or seeking crafty gifts made by others - Warren County has you covered! The weekend of December 7-8 is especially festive.

Centenary Stage Company’s Holiday Family Spectacular, A Christmas Carol, runs Nov. 29-Dec. 14, and two lucky Wanderings subscribers – Joanne B. of Voorhees and MaryAnn S. of Kempton, PA - won tickets by entering a previous drawing. Enjoy the show!

We know, it would be nice to enjoy a peaceful Thanksgiving before launching headlong into Christmas, but that’s the way it goes. So if you find yourself getting frustrated with that lost luggage and tangled light strings, scroll through this issue for some holiday cheer!

Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Wanderings!

Coming Up

A dynamic duo covering your favorite tunes.

Get ready, holiday bargain hunters and decor lovers! This Black Friday, skip the crowded department stores and head out to Alpha Firehouse for a jolly good time at the Jolly Junker Christmas Decor Rummage Sale!

Well-Sweep invites you to experience the serenity of their greenhouses, filled with unusual blossoms and exotic scents. There will be an informative lecture and tour as this is a wonderful way to learn about the rare and unusual.

Reservations are required for this free event.

Centenary Stage Company rings in the Holiday season with a lively version of Ebenezer Scrooge and his ghostly encounters come to life in a lavish and thrilling Broadway adaptation.

Experience a little bit of Christmas South of the Border.  Luminarias will light the indoor Cantina, where you will warm to traditional Mexican Christmas music.

Take part in this growing town tradition of locally sponsored tree lighting while enjoying hot cocoa, Christmas carols, visits from Santa and not to forget the light parade!

The Cellar Dwellars Band delivers powerhouse riffs with their eclectic style and an impressive skill set. These rock & roll youth weave their own innovative sound into the classics.

 Take a chance and spin-to-win up to $50 in BID Bucks, as well as other prizes! In order to spin the wheel, you must have spent at least $20 at any Hackettstown BID Business on Saturday, November 30. Take a chance and spin-to-win up to $50 in BID Bucks, as well as other prizes!

Stop by your favorite Washington Borough stores to get a head start on your Holiday shopping and DJ Mitch Hess spinning some holiday tunes at the stage in Pocket Park.

Jingle on Main is a festive Small Business Saturday event featuring over 50 local vendors, food and music, presented by the Blairstown Enhancement Committee and held throughout Blairstown's Historic Main Street.

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 for a fully adorned masterpiece.

Come visit Santa at the Phillipsburg Railroad Historians! This annual Santa Train will be the last open house of the 2024 season, so come out before everything is tucked away for the winter!

You're warmly invited to a delightful breakfast at Mainline Catering & Events! Enjoy a delicious spread featuring: Pancake & Waffle Station; Omelette Station; bacon & sausage; cereal; assorted pastries & breads; fresh juice, coffee, tea & soft drinks (adult beve

For those interested in a (free) special holiday candlelit tour of the Manor's main rooms in December, there are still a few spots left (guided tours are 11am, 12pm & 1pm and by reservation only). Family-friendly and kids are always welcome.

"Cubano Be, Cubano Bop" pays homage to the groundbreaking compositions of jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie and Chico O’Farrill.

Phillipsburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Phillipsburg hosts the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in Shappell Park in downtown Phillipsburg! Nearly 500 Phillipsburg children and their families will have the opportunity to see and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Come visit Father Christmas at the VanNest-Hoff-Vannatta Homestead! This is a free event for children and adults. Please bring your own camera. Sponsored by Historic Preservation Commission of Harmony Township and Harmony Historical Society.

Enjoy a live performance by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her friend, the Dew Drop Fairy, from the New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet.  There will also be a captivating reading of the classic tale and a fun dance class led by the fairies.  Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of "T

Create your own beautiful fresh evergreen 16″ wreath using various types of pine and holly. These contrasting greens will be wire-wrapped onto a metal-form; making a long-lasting attractive display. Add decorative pine cones and a colorful bow. Please bring gloves and pruning shears.

Step into the elegance of a bygone era with guided tours of Rutherfurd Hall, one of New Jersey’s architectural treasures.

Create your very own Christmas centerpiece, arrangement, mantelpiece or wreath with Flowerland! You can bring your own container or choose from their wonderful selection.

Don't miss out on a festive shopping experience throughout Belvidere! Map sponsored by the Neighborhood Preservation Program, this special event is the perfect chance to support local businesses while enjoying holiday cheer. 

It’s a fun-filled weekend for Hackettstown residents, and visitors featuring Holiday Bazaar Shopping and Dining Tent, businesses open late with specials and shop small offers and Santa parade, tree lighting and Santa selfies.

Your perfect holiday table decoration! Create a beautiful Christmas centerpiece using fresh greens and seasonal decor in this festive, hands-on workshop!

Enjoy eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles and more for Breakfast with Santa and get your photo taken with the big guy!

Adults, $10; Kids, $5; kids under 3 are free.

Hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary.

Ol' Saint Nick will be taking photos with good boys and girls and, of course, listening to their Christmas wish lists!

Warren County Technical School's annual Craft Show with more than 125 of the area's finest crafters and artisans will come together for this one-day juried event to display their unique handmade items. The event will feature door prizes, lunch options, bake sales, and more!

The 46th anniversary of a wonderful town-wide holiday event spans two days with seven buildings to explore full of holiday cheer! Be sure to visit Santa located in the Community Center for that special holiday photo. The proceeds of this event helps fund the Hope Township Recreation program.

Santa is coming to Asbury! The Muconetcong Watershed Association is decking the halls of the beautiful Historic Asbury Mill for your special holiday picture. There will be two shots set up, one for family photos and one for photos with Santa.

Learn how to make and enjoy cocktails made of wine and other ingredients to create lower-alcohol drinks. In these busy holidays, it is refreshing to have recipes for cocktails that are unique, delicious and safe enough to drink several! Bring your friends to this cocktail party.

A day of fun for all in Belvidere square with ice skating, Santa Paws photos, face painting, food truck, crafts, music and trackless train rides! And, of course, the lighting of Christmas tree with the arrival of Santa! And while you're at it, check out the Belvidere Shopping Trail.

A delightful afternoon High Tea, held in the beautiful mansion.

Kindly RSVP to Oxford's Delightful Bakery, 908-310-9718.

$55 per person. Space is limited.

 

The Phillipsburg Area Historical Society invites you to celebrate Roseberry Yule 2024! Carolers, roaring fire, snacks, historical speaker, house tour. Family friendly and free to the public.

Lonesome Found back to the taproom! Lonesome Found can often be found playing around the Poconos, bringing their unique sound to other breweries and bars. Playing a mix of rock, folk, country, and pop, we're excited to have these musicians in the brewery!

Tour through six historic homes and the Warren County Historical Society. This event is sponsored by the Belvidere Tree Lighting Committee and trolley transportation will be available.

Santa will arrive on the firetruck at 8am! Adults: $9; kids: $6; seniors: $7. Children age 2 and younger are free. Pay upon arrival. 
 

All-you-can-eat breakfast with Santa! Cost is $12/adult, $10/senior (65+), and $6/child. Kids younger than 5YO are free. Bring your camera!

This is a fun-filled kids' Christmas Cookie Decorating Workshop where little ones can get creative with icing and sprinkles with Doughs Sweets.

Jen Starr, artist with Paint Fusion, will walk you through a step by step workshop making a limited edition wooden winter porch sign. You get to choose the design. Brunch & Drinks will be available for additional purchase.

Indulge in a memorable day filled with wine, food, and the fun of barefoot grape stomping at Four Sisters Winery. Cost is $51.58/person + tax, which includes a formal wine tasting, a delicious dinner with dessert, and concludes with a tasting of specialty dessert wine.

All are invited to a Bluegrass Christmas Concert featuring Kelly Planner and The Perks. Kick off the Christmas season with fellowship, snacks and drinks at intermission.

Always a great show! Get in the festive spirit of the season as the Eric Mintel Quartet performs selections from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" as well as original compositions and holiday jazz standards. Please register online to attend. 

Enjoy a night of laughs with comedians Jeff Norris and Kevin Israel. Doors open at 7pm with light complimentary buffet and cash bar.

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased by calling 908-269-1231.

 

Decorated Chrismtas trees at Rossi Auto Group

Rossi is excited to announce Warren County Habitat for Humanity joining the festival along with longtime recipient Abilities of Northwest Jersey.

Belvidere Books - a new online business that plans to be an in-town presence in 2025 - invites the community to a pop-up event at the Community Center at Belvidere. The event includes story time reading of "Snowmen at Night" followed by crafts and baked goods provided by Talia's Bakery.

Whether it's your morning coffee, an afternoon tea break or hot cocoa by the fire, let Kerri from Art•stitution guide you through the paint process. All painting supplies provided with 2 coffee mugs to paint.

Continuing

Shop Phillipsburg's Holiday Market featuring Phillipsburg Farmers Market Food & Craft vendors, plus local shops!

November 17 - Mistletoe Magic Festival
November 24 - Customer Thanks
December 1 - Puzzle Swap
December 8 - Jolabokaflod Book Swap

Kathy's Kove invites everyone to shop for the holiday season at the 4th annual Fair Trade market, running from November into December, Wedneday through Sunday with an Extravaganza Opening Nov. 9.

Kathy's Kove invites everyone to shop for the holiday season at the 4th annual Fair Trade market, running from November into December, Wednesday through Sunday with an Extravaganza Opening Nov. 9.

Plan Ahead

As part of the Moravian Weekend Celebration in Hope, the Arts at St. Luke's is sponsoring a 1940s radio show presentation of "A Christmas Carol." The production, to be staged twice (Dec.

Hope's annual Moravian Christmas features 1,500 luminaries around the whole village. Guided lantern walking tours are Saturday only with reservations required. New this year are self guided tours with no reservations required.

Dive into the enchanting world of 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' at an exclusive Trivia Night hosted by Four Sisters Winery, for an evening filled with magic, games, and delectable treats.

Step into a world of intrigue and suspense in this immersive murder mystery experience that promises an evening of excitement and entertainment!

Swing into the holiday season with the Water Gap Singers, who wish you a Joyeux Noel by performinga variety of musical greetings of the season.