Events This Week in New Jersey from December 24-31, 2024

Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from December 24-31, 2024 along with our featured listings. New Jersey Stage offers previews of events throughout the Garden State as well as select shows in New York City and Philadelphia areas. Click on the title to go to the full preview. Jump to Featured Events, Music, Theatre, Event Listings.

Send press releases to [email protected] to have your events previewed at New Jersey Stage. There is no cost for preview articles. Featured listings are found in the NJ Stage calendar, reserved for advertisers, and provided with individual event pages for every performance. Event pages are also available for $10 per event (multiple performances count as a single event). Event pages are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

Joel McKinnon Miller stars as Scrooge in McCarter's "A Christmas Carol". (PRINCETON, NJ) -- Get ready to be transported to 19th-century London for McCarter Theatre Center's annual production of Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol. Led by veteran stage and screen actor Joel McKinnon Miller as Ebenezer Scrooge, the show runs from December 10-29, 2024, in the Matthews Theatre.

MPAC presents New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker with the New Jersey Symphony. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- New Jersey Ballet's presentation of the holiday favorite The Nutcracker comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for 14 performances from December 13-26, 2024. New Jersey Symphony under the direction of Constantine Kitsopoulos will provide live orchestral accompaniment.

Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Two Shows with Steve Forbert. (TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents two nights of Steve Forbert on December 27-28, 2024. Forbert is a true American treasure, a fact underscored by his 21st album, Daylight Savings Time, released earlier this year.

Saturday, December 28 - NBPAC presents The Great American SoulBook. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- The Great American SoulBook delivers a journey through the decades of Motown, R&B and other iconic soulful music that inspired generations. This is no oldies show. It is a high-energy tribute that highlights the music that made us groove, made us move, and filled dance floors and concert halls in the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond. See for yourself when the show comes to the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 8:00pm.

Saturday, December 28 - Ring In The New Year a few days early with Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could at Growing Stage. (NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage, The Children's Theatre of New Jersey is proud to present a special New Year's Eve Countdown Concert featuring 3 Time GRAMMY Nominees, Brady Rymer And the Little Band That Could on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 11:00am. New Year's Eve arrives a few days early at The Growing Stage with a musical celebration featuring dancing, sing-alongs and a special countdown to 2025 at NOON! It's a concert the entire family will never forget.

Saturday, December 28 - Gregory Burrus Productions presents Carrie Jackson & Friends Pre-New Years Eve Jam. (SHORT HILLS, NJ) -- Looking for a fun and exciting way to celebrate the upcoming New Year? Look no further than the Pre-New Year's Eve Jam at Par 440 on Saturday, December 28, 2024! This event featuring Carrie Jackson & Friends promises to be a night to remember, filled with live music, great food, and a lively atmosphere.

Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents their annual production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoast at State Theatre December 28-29, 2024. This beloved musical brings the Bible story of Joseph to life with unforgettable music, drama, and a touch of Elvis-inspired flair.

Saturday, December 28 - Celebrate New Year's Eve Experience on Saturday With Your Entire Family - Even The Little Ones - at The Growing Stage with a concert by Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could. (NETCONG, NJ) -- Want to share the New Year's Eve celebration experience with the little ones, but know they can't stay up that late? New Year's Eve arrives a few days early at The Growing Stage with a musical celebration on Saturday, December 28th featuring dancing, sing-alongs and a special countdown to 2025 at NOON! Join them as they welcome Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could for a New Year's Eve Countdown Concert your family will never forget.

Sunday, December 29 - Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Popa Chubby. (TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room will close out 2024 on Sunday, December 29th with the return of Popa Chubby - a musician who has been hard rocking the blues in his fierce and soulful way for more than 30 years. Doors are at 7:00pm, showtime is 8:00pm.

Tuesday, December 31 - State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna New Year's Eve Concert on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at 5:00pm. This is a joyful, lively experience and an annual State Theatre New Year's Eve tradition for 17 years..

Tuesday, December 31 - On New Year's Eve... Morristown Becomes a Stage. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- First Night Morris on December 31, 2024 is the biggest and brightest New Year's Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a magnificent, family-friendly, substance and alcohol-free celebration in the heart of Morristown. This year's program features over 70 performances at 23 venues located throughout downtown Morristown, live stream, on-demand access, 30+ Film Festival, complimentary parking, and shuttles starting at 4:30pm. All for one affordable admission price.

Tuesday, December 31 - Broadway Stars and Dancers from Dance Theatre of Harlem join NJ Festival Orchestra for New Year's celebration. (WESTFIELD, NJ) -- A Westfield tradition returns Tuesday, December 31, 2024 with the New Jersey Festival Orchestra's New Year’s Eve performance "Broadway Through the Ages," and with a new start time of 5.00pm.

Paper Mill Playhouse presents Irving Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical. (MILLBURN, NJ) -- Paper Mill Playhouse presents Irving Berlin's White Christmas: The Musical from November 27 to December 29, 2024. Based on the classic 1954 holiday film, it is a Technicolor Broadway musical extravaganza. The production is directed by Paper Mill's Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee.

"ANNIE" returns to New York City for the First Time in a Decade. (NEW YORK, NY) -- Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment), Carolyn Rossi Copeland Productions, Inc. and Crossroads Live North America recently announced full casting for the limited engagement of iconic Tony Award-winning musical ANNIE at The Theater at Madison Square Garden which runs from December 4, 2024 through January 5, 2025. This run marks the return of ANNIE to New York City for the first time in a decade.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "A Christmas Carol". (MADISON, NJ) -- Gather the family and rediscover the joy and magic of Charles Dickens' classic tale this holiday season as A Christmas Carol returns to the Main Stage of the acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ). This production plays at The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University from December 4-29, 2024.

Luna Stage's "Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library" Gets A New 5 Week Run Off Broadway. (NEW YORK, NY) -- Congrats to Luna Stage! Due to critical acclaim and an incredible run of sold out performances at 59E59 Theaters, Luna Stage's New York premiere of Jenny Lyn Bader's Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library, directed by Ari Laura Kreith, is extending and moving to Off-Broadway's WP Theater for a limited five-week engagement, December 10, 2024 – January 12, 2025.

Click on the title to go to the event page for complete information on the show.

Tuesday, December 24 @ 12:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Tuesday, December 24 @ 1:00pm - New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker With New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Tuesday, December 24 @ 4:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Thursday, December 26 @ 1:00pm - New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker With New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Thursday, December 26 @ 6:00pm - New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker With New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Thursday, December 26 @ 7:30pm - Joey Diaz at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Friday, December 27 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Friday, December 27 @ 7:00pm - Sal Vulcano at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Friday, December 27 @ 7:30pm - Frontiers: The Ultimate Journey Tribute Band at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Friday, December 27 @ 7:30pm - Steve Forbert at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton

Friday, December 27 @ 9:30pm - Sal Vulcano at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Saturday, December 28 @ 11:00am - New Year's Eve EVE Countdown to 2025 Concert with Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong

Saturday, December 28 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Saturday, December 28 @ 2:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Saturday, December 28 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Saturday, December 28 @ 7:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Saturday, December 28 @ 7:00pm - So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Saturday, December 28 @ 7:30pm - Gregory Burrus Productions Presents Carrie Jackson & Friends Pre-New Years Eve Jam and Open Mic at Par 440 Restaurant & Lounge, 440 Parsonage Hill Rd, Short Hills

Saturday, December 28 @ 7:30pm - Steve Forbert at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton

Saturday, December 28 @ 8:00pm - NBPAC presents The Great American SoulBook at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), 11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Sunday, December 29 @ 1:00pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Sunday, December 29 @ 2:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Sunday, December 29 @ 5:30pm - A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre Center (Matthews Theater), 91 University Place, Princeton

Sunday, December 29 @ 7:00pm - Middlesex County Plays-In-The-Park presents "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Sunday, December 29 @ 7:00pm - Worship Live Holiday Tour at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood

Sunday, December 29 @ 7:30pm - Popa Chubby at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton

Tuesday, December 31 @ 4:00pm - First Night Morris 2025 at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Tuesday, December 31 @ 5:00pm - Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

Tuesday, December 31 @ 6:00pm - Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank. ** NOTE: This show has been cancelled upon news that Southside Johnny has retired from touring due to health issues effective immediately.

Tuesday, December 31 @ 6:00pm - Tusk: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Tuesday, December 31 @ 9:00pm - Tusk: Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

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.

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"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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Hallmark Stars Take the Stage at The Carteret PAC on July 22nd during First-Time Multi-City Tour Experience Hallmark Stars Live

(CARTERET, NJ) -- Hallmark and Gershwin Entertainment are proud to announce Hallmark Stars Live presented by Michaels, a new live tour kicking off at URSB Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 7:30pm where some of the network's most beloved stars step off screen and onto the stage. Hosted by fan-favorite Nikki DeLoach (A Grand Ole Opry Christmas), the tour will feature Hallmark mainstays for a night where the cameras are off – and the stories keep rolling.