American Dream Announces Holiday Plans

(EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ) -- American Dream invites guests to spend the holidays at the one-of-a-kind center, as it transforms into a winter wonderland showcasing the very best in retail, dining and entertainment. Throughout the season, American Dream will be giving away incredible prizes, creating lasting memories and spreading joy throughout the community.

The celebrations begin on November 23 with Santa Claus’s arrival to the enchanting Holiday Dreamland and will run throughout the month of December.

“American Dream is the place to be this holiday season if you’re looking for a unique shopping experience and unforgettable family fun,” said Bryan Gaus, Senior Vice President and General Manager of American Dream. “Our retail collection is unmatched in the area, featuring a wide array of fashion choices for every age group and wish list. Guests can also enjoy our fine dining and state-of-the-art attractions, making this holiday season one to remember.”

Since the last holiday season, American Dream has added new stores, including Amouage, Balenciaga, Francesca’s, Garage, Gentle Monster, Gucci, Miniso, Rent the Runway and Time Vallee. The dining collection has expanded with Around the Clock Diner, H Mart Food Hall, Kung Fu Tea and Little Sheep. The attractions lineup has also grown with the arrivals of Bubble Planet, The GAMEROOM Powered by Hasbro, New Jersey Hall of Fame and Sesame Street Learn & Play. Additionally, Nickelodeon Universe has added the very popular Paw Patrol Hero Academy.

Santa’s Debut at Holiday Dreamland - Santa Claus is coming to town and will kick off the holiday season with a festive “Santa Spectacular” that includes a fun holiday performance followed by a celebratory parade led by St. Nick to his new home at Holiday Dreamland. Guests will receive a candy cane from IT’SUGAR and can decorate cookies at Marcus Live! November 23 at 11:00am; Dream Stage for the start of the parade; Marcus Live! For cookie decorating

Santa Photos and Santa Paws - Create picture perfect memories! Capture the magic of the season by taking a photo with Santa at his new home, Holiday Dreamland. Also, open on Sundays, don't miss this chance to make your holiday season merry and bright. Santa Paws Pet nights (dogs only) will take place on Mondays (December 2, 9 and 16) from 4:00pm – 7:00pm.  Now – December 24, including Sundays; Holiday Dreamland

Black Friday Weekend - This Black Friday, shop early and often, diving into incredible deals and discounts from over 250 retailers and 65 eateries with our extended shopping hours (Friday, November 29: 7:00am – 10:00pm; Saturday, November 30: 10:00am – 10:00pm). Early shoppers will also get to Spin to Win for instant prizes on Black Friday at 8:00am, 10:00am and Noon and on November 30 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. There will also be a special Characters of the Dream Parade on Black Friday at 9:00am, featuring the various characters and personalities that call American Dream home.

* American Dream’s extensive retail collection features: Artizia, Babies”R”Us. Balenciaga, Gucci, Hermès, IT’SUGAR, JD Sports, Toys"R"Us and Zara, For dining:  Marcus Live!, Jarana, Carpaccio, MrBeast Burgerand HMart Food Hall.

* Over 17 cuisines from around the world are represented at American Dream eateries, including Italian, Chinese, American, Peruvian, Korean and more.  

* American Dream is home to over 25 attractions, including Nickelodeon Universe (largest indoor theme park in Western Hemisphere); DreamWorks Water Park (largest indoor water park in North America), Sesame Street Learn & Play (only one in US), The GAMEROOM Powered by Hasbro, New Jersey Hall of Fame and Big SNOW (North America’s first and only indoor real-snow, year-round ski and snowboard park).

* Flagship Retail - The Avenue is highlighted by the largest Balenciaga in the world and features the largest Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Hermès and Saint Laurent in New Jersey and the only Saks Fifth Avenue, Alexander Wang, Gentle Monster, Ferrari, Jonathan Adler, Watches of Switzerland and Time Vallee in New Jersey; Retail flagships, include: Altar’d State, JD Sports, Ulta, Uniqlo and Zara; Largest in NJ: Foot Locker, H&M, Lids and Primark; Only in NJ: COS, Couture Kids, DeRucci Bedding, Urban Planet and Pop Mart.

Spin to Win - Throughout the holiday season, shoppers can Spin to Win for Instant Prizes, including electronics, clothing/accessories and gift cards.  November 29-30; Thursdays and Fridays in December; Court A

Breakfast with Santa Shrek - Celebrate the holidays enjoying a delicious breakfast at Marcus Live! with everyone’s favorite ogre Santa Shrek. December 7;  Marcus Live!

Santa Brunch - Join us for a magical morning filled with holiday cheer as Santa joins us at Carpaccio for brunch. Bring the whole family for a heartwarming experience filled with delicious treats, festive activities, and, of course, meet Santa Claus himself.  December 14, 15, 21, 22;  Carpaccio

HOLIDAY THEMED ATTRACTIONS 

Nick The Halls - Get in the holiday spirit with Nick the Halls at Nickelodeon Universe! Create endless holiday memories for all with Santa SpongeBob greeting families and bringing holiday cheer. Be sure to stop by the Elf Workshop for holiday magic where elves can help you write a letter to Santa, decorate ornaments, and create festive crafts. Daily beginning November 10;  Nickelodeon Universe

Shrek The Halls - Get on Santa Shrek’s nice list and come celebrate the holiday season at DreamWorks Water Park! Everyone’s favorite Ogre will be decked out in Santa gear, ready for a photo op with the entire family. Daily beginning November 25; DreamWorks Water Park

Geoffrey’s Express - Guests of all ages are welcome to enjoy a train ride through American Dream on Geoffrey’s Express! Running daily beginning December 8; Toys"R"Us

Holidays at Hasbro - Enjoy The GAMEROOM Powered by Hasbro, the first-of-its-kind Entertainment Center featuring games, attractions, retail and dining. Try the specialty Holiday Coca Cola Float in a commemorative cup, or one of the other unique milkshakes from the Candy Land shake bar. Daily beginning November 25; The GAMEROOM Powered by Hasbro

Angry Birds: Holiday Party - Celebrate the holidays with Red the Angry Bird and win prizes for a hole-in-one, while working on arts and crafts projects and enjoying face painting and balloon artists.  December 21 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm; Angry Birds

Mirror Maze: Theme Maze - Navigate your way through the holiday-themed maze as festive lights and music play throughout the attraction. December 8 – January 4; Mirror Maze

TILT: Snack, Snap, n’Paint Classes - Enjoy themed artistry days, creating your own turkey or holiday card. November 24 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm; December 22 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm; TILT

Characters of the Dream Parade - Watch your favorite American Dream characters parade throughout the center and take pictures alongside your favorite friends.  November 23 at 3:00pm; December 22 at 3:00pm; Court A

Theme Night Public Skates - The Rink gets in the holiday spirit with festive, themed nights. American Dream invites guests to come skate on its NHL regulation sized ice rink. Throughout December; The Rink

LEGOLAND: Holiday Bricktacular Activities - Families can enjoy a winter wonderland of activities, festive decorations, including: Build To Give, Miniland Winter Wonderland takeover, Meet LEGO Santa or LEGO Gingerbread, Seasonal Scavenger hunt, and more.  November 29 – January 1; Legoland

SEALIFE: Twinkling Tides - Celebrate the holidays under the sea with thousands of lights under the seas. Enjoy over 10 interactive zones, spot Scuba Claus in the ocean tunnel, attend a Noon Years Eve celebration and a coldwater creature scavenger hunt. November 29 – January 1; Sealife

FESTIVE ENTERTAINMENT, SURPRISE AND DELIGHT MOMENTS 

The Dream Stage - American Dream will welcome local bands, artists and performers to take center stage all season. Select dates from November 25 to December 24

Holiday Greeters - Experience the warmth of the season at American Dream with our delightful holiday greeters spreading cheer and treats throughout the center. Our friendly elves will welcome you with smiles, guidance and sweet treats this holiday season. Let us elevate your shopping experience by adding a touch of joy and ease to make your visit merry and bright.  Fridays, Saturdays and peak shopping days

Winter Wonderland - Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland with a wintry landscape where snowflakes fall and twirl around you. Embrace the joy of the season as you stroll through our snow-covered wonderland, a perfect setting for unforgettable moments and holiday bliss.  All Season; The Garden 

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Gift Cards - Guests who purchase an American Dream gift card valued at $250 or more throughout the holiday season will receive a complimentary pass to Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park or DreamWorks Water Park.

Gift Wrapping - Stop by Guest Services for help wrapping your holiday gifts. Each purchase results in a donation made to charity.  December 7, 14, 21, 23 from 11:00am – 7:00pm.

American Dream, developed by Triple Five Group, is an unparalleled mix of world-class entertainment, retail and dining, comprising more than 3-million square feet just minutes away from New York City in East Rutherford, New Jersey. American Dream is home to leading attractions, including DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, Sesame Street Learn & Play, THE GAMEROOM Powered by Hasbro, New Jersey Hall of Fame, LEGOLAND Discovery Center, SEA LIFE Aquarium, Big SNOW Ski Hill, Dream Wheel – a 300-foot observation wheel overlooking the NYC skyline. American Dream's immersive luxury shopping and dining experience – The Avenue – features Saks Fifth Avenue, Hermès, Rolex, Cartier, Watches of Switzerland, Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Ferrari, Gentle Monster, Canada Goose, Carpaccio, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, and much more. The retail and dining collection is further expanded with flagship locations for Aritzia, H&M, PRIMARK, Uniqlo, Sephora and Zara; as well as the Toys"R"Us global flagship, the only standalone location in the U.S, the first-ever MrBeast Burger restaurant, world renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Marcus Live! and the world's first and only "candy department store," IT’SUGAR. 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Visual Arts Center of New Jersey to Celebrate Spring Exhibitions with a Community Day on June 6th

(SUMMIT, NJ) -- On Saturday, June 6, 2026, the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey will celebrate its spring exhibitions with a Community Day event. The day, which will feature artist-led walks around Summit, a live podcast recording, and drop-in workshops, will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

---

"The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit" returns on June 9th

(NEWARK, NJ) -- GK Digital Ventures, in partnership with Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), has announced the return of "The Global Game: The Future of Soccer, Tech & Media Summit," set to take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Following its acclaimed inaugural edition, the second annual summit arrives at the most significant moment in U.S. soccer history: New Jersey is hosting eight matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup — including the Final — placing the Garden State at the center of a global spotlight.

---

Wine & BBQ Fest to Take Place in Sewell June 13-14

(SEWELL, NJ) -- FIRE UP YOUR SUMMER! After years of unforgettable summers at Washington Lake Park, the team behind the beloved Washington Lake Park Wine Festival returns to this stunning South Jersey destination—this time with a bold new twist. Get ready to kick off summer in smoky, savory style at the WINE & BBQ FEST, happening June 13-14, 2026 at Washington Lake Park in Sewell, New Jersey, from 12:00pm–5:00pm each day.

---

Red Mill Museum Village and Hunterdon Art Museum Partner for "The Peace Flag Project"

(CLINTON, NJ) -- The Red Mill Museum Village and the Hunterdon Art Museum, in collaboration with Handwork 2026, invite the public to celebrate the opening of "The Peace Flag Project," a fiber chain of hundreds of community-made flags displayed along the banks of the Raritan River and pedestrian bridge.

---

UBS Arena To Host International Soccer Watch Party on June 19th

(BELMONT PARK, NY) -- UBS Arena will host an International Soccer Watch Party, a public screening of two of the FIFA World Cup 26 (TM) matches on Friday, June 19 featuring USA v. Australia and Haiti v. Brazil. The fan-focused events will highlight all the excitement the tournament is bringing to the New York Metro area this summer and provide local residents with a unique way to experience these soccer matches together as a community.

---

2026 Princeton Festival to Take Place June 5-21 at Morven Museum & Garden

(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is pleased to announce that world-renowned bel canto soprano Sondra Radvanovsky and The Bacon Brothers, Michael and Kevin, are scheduled to perform at the 2026 Princeton Festival. At the core of the Festival, there is live opera with Festival veteran and current Met Opera star Toni Marie Palmertree returning to sing the title role in Puccini's Madama Butterfly. These major stars typify the quality of musical offerings to be found at this year's Festival which runs from June 5-21 on the grounds of Morven Museum & Garden.

---

Newark Restaurant Week Returns June 19-28 to Showcase the City's Global Flavors during FIFA World Cup 2026(TM)

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Taste the World: Newark Restaurant Week returns June 19-28, 2026, bringing together the city's celebrated restaurants, longtime local staples, and emerging destinations for 10 days of dining timed with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ festivities across the region.

---

Bergen County presents 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular

(RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ) -- County Executive Jim Tedesco, the County Board of Commissioners, and the Bergen 250 Initiative are excited to announce that Bergen County's 3rd Annual Star-Spangled Spectacular will return July 4, 2026 at Overpeck County Park. All are invited to attend this patriotic afternoon of family fun which will include live music, children's activities, over 20 food trucks, a beer and wine garden, carnival attractions, and stunning fireworks to conclude the evening over Overpeck Creek.

---

Passage Theatre Company presents 3rd Annual Word on Front festival

(TRENTON, NJ) -- Passage Theatre Company's third annual Word on Front event is set to be its biggest yet. In celebration of the United States of America's 250th Anniversary, the company is presenting Word on Front 250, three consecutive weekends of a variety of live arts from June 26 to July 12, 2026. This festival of spoken word, music, and solo performance will celebrate the untold and underrepresented stories of America.

---

Centenary Stage Company Announces Lineup for SUMMERFEST 2026

(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's SUMMERFEST 2026 is set to take center stage in the Lackland Performing Arts Center with four productions running through the summer months. SUMMERFEST will feature, A Taste of Ireland presented by Pace Live, The Wedding Singer, Four Sticks: The Music of Led Zeppelin, and Maltby & Shire's Closer Than Ever.