Residents can give back in South Jersey at a local toy run or participate in holiday festivities down the shore or in the city.
The holidays are in full swing across the region this weekend. Residents can give back in South Jersey at a local toy run or participate in holiday festivities down the shore or in the city. Check out this list of some of the holiday activities taking place this weekend.
In Winslow Township
- Pets have the chance to meet Santa Claus on Saturday as Pet Photos with Santa comes to Winslow Animal Hospital. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Santa will be taking photos with pets. A $15 donation is requested, which will support local animal shelters. Call (856) 875–1323 to reserve your time slot. The Winslow Animal Hospital is located at 640 Sicklerville Road in Sicklerville.
In Gloucester Township
- Santa Brunch is Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Enjoy bagels, donuts, refreshments, fun and games. Don’t forget to bring your camera and get your picture taken with Santa. This event is free, but please bring a new unwrapped toy for a child in need. An adult must accompany children. It will be held at the Gloucester Township Recreation Center, located at 80 Broadacres Drive, Clementon.
- The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Sunday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Park on Chews Landing Road in Clementon. Join Mayer Dave Mayer and council as they light the tree. Entertainment will be provided by Mainstage Center for the Arts.
In Berlin
- Saturday, Dec. 10 is another opportunity to meet old Saint Nick. Virtua Berlin in hosting Breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. Enjoy a light breakfast and bring a camera for a photo with Santa. There will be fun activities for the kids. Space is limited. Call 1–888-VIRTUA-3 to make an appointment.
- On Saturday, Dec. 10, a “Historic Holiday Tour” will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Stroll the Village Square and enjoy an old-fashion holiday “story.” Ride the trolley or self-tour decorated historic homes and properties throughout the town such as the railroad station and the old post office. The trolley will pick up residents at Village Square and loop around the White Horse Pike throughout the day. Hot chocolate and holiday bites will be served at various stops. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at www.downtownberlin.com. If you don’t purchase tickets in advance, you can purchase them the day of at Village Square. Each ticket also gains admission to The Vault from 6:30 to 9 p.m. where the history museum of Victor Records will be presented along with entertainment, a vintage toy display and miniature train village. The Vault is located at 150 S. White Horse Pike.
In Marlton
- Girl Talk of Marlton will be unveiling a new “Wish Wall” on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Evesham Library from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Wish Wall is dedicated in the memory of late Marlton native and singer Christine Grimmie. Residents are encouraged to come out and write their wish on the wall. The Wishwall Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to social community outreach, will help possibly grant wishes posted on the wall. The event is free and open to the public.
In Voorhees
- HOPE Church’s Worship Arts Ministry presents “Imagine” at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11. With music, drama and dance, the show will imagine and experience royalty wrapped in rags and majesty in a manger.
- Another chance for pets to see Santa will happen Dec. 10 and 11 when the big jolly elf visits the Animal Welfare Association at 509 Centennial Blvd. for its Share the Love Adoption Weekend. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests and their pets can get a photo with Santa while also enjoying refreshments, games, giveaways and more. And if you’re looking for a new furry family member, the AWA is offering special adoption discounts all weekend, too.
In Mt. Laurel
- One of the largest living nativities in the area continues in Mt. Laurel this weekend with Fellowship Community Church’s 25th annual live nativity event. From 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 visitors can walkthrough 13 indoor and outdoor scenes, with homemade cookies and hot chocolate awaiting them at the end. The walkthrough is free to visit. For more information and directions, visit www.livingnativity.org.
In Cherry Hill
- Help brighten a child’s day at Virtua Hospital this holiday season and participate in the sixth annual Carz N’ Toyz Toy Run. The event takes place on Saturday morning, beginning at Caffe Aldo Lamberti. At 9 a.m., participants will gather ay the restaurant and enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast. At 10 a.m., a police escort will lead a caravan of cars and truck full of more than 1,000 toys to Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. A human chain will pass the gifts from the truck into the hospital. For more information, visit www.carzntoyz.org.
- Residents can get into the holiday spirit at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church on Saturday as the Garden State Chorale performs its 85th annual Christmas Concert. Performances will take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The concert includes sacred and secular music, including some interesting new arrangements of carols and other holiday favorites. Proceeds from the concert help to fund the chorale’s annual scholarship program. Tickets are available at reduced advanced-sale donation prices of $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for students. Plenty of parking is available at the church. For more information about the group, tickets or for driving directions to the venue, visit the Chorale’s website, www.gschorale.org.
In Mullica Hill
- A holiday tradition returns to Mullica Hill this weekend as the Mullica Hill Merchants Association holds its 43rd annual Christmas House Tour on Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m. The event takes place in Mullica Hill Village along Main Street. Seven homes and churches will open their doors to show off their finest Christmas decorations. Santa will be there along with carolers and live music. There will readings of “A Christmas Carol” at Old Town Hall and an old-fashioned tree display at Four Seasons. The cost is $10 to attend. Visit www.mullicahill.com for more information.
At the Jersey Shore
- Ring in the holidays in Wildwood this weekend at the ninth annual Family Holiday Celebration. On Saturday, there will be a variety of family-friendly activities, pictures with Santa and a holiday bazaar. All Saturday activities will take place at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Admission is free on Saturday. Visit www.wildwoodholiday.com for a full list of entertainment and activities.
In Philadelphia
- The Delaware River will be lit up for holidays on Saturday during the annual Parade of Lights. Beginning at 11 a.m., the Independence Seaport Museum at 211 South Columbus Boulevard will host a variety of holiday activities. At 5:30 p.m., the parade will begin as boats decorated in thousands of lights float down the Delaware River. Boats will pass the Battleship New Jersey on the Camden Waterfront, Winterfest on Penn’s Landing and then loop back to the museum. For more information on the event, visit www.phillyseaport.org/lights.
- A winter wonderland will take over East Passyunk on Saturday as the neighborhood hosts its second Artic Avenue Festival beginning at 11 a.m. The event includes live ice carving, an ornament show, cocktail crawl, holiday music and more. For a full list of activities, visit www.visiteastpassyunk.com/events/arctic-ave–holiday-second-saturday.php.
