Friday, Dec. 13 at 11 a.m.: A very Krampus Christmas
Holiday fun with an attitude. Kickin It with Krampus is sponsored by South Vineland Firehouse Tattoo (SVFT), 2721 S. Main Rd., Vineland. “We are celebrating all things spooky and divine on Friday, Dec. 13. Our favorite holiday jolly man, Tattooed Santa, will make an appearance. There’ll be hot cocoa, French macarons, a DJ and the SVFT Holiday Market for “creepy” Christmas shopping. The festival also will feature a Plinko board, where to win, your disk has to end up in the right slot at the bottom of the board. The local business is also partnering with a local charity to collect toys, goods and clothing for families in need.
December 14-15: True meaning of Christmas
Follow the Star experience with more than 500 nativity displays at the All Saints Parish Hall, 621 Dock St., Millville. Bring your family and friends to this free event and experience the true meaning of Christmas. Sponsored by All Saints Parish and the Knights of Columbus Council 1778.
Sunday, Dec. 14: Crafts and cookies
Join your friends at 10 a.m. at Millville Public Library, 210 Buck St., Millville for a Jingle Ball holiday get-together. Plan on enjoying some crafts, snacks and (naturally) a story, plus an appearance from a “special” visitor. Hmm. Who could it be? Call 856-825-7087 to register.
Sunday, Dec. 15: Rockin Christmas concert
Twelve Twenty-Four, a Holiday orchestra show, will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Levoy Theatre, 126 N. High St., Millville. Established in 2002, the group is the nation’s original and longest running tribute to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Expect a high-energy, full-scale holiday rock orchestra concert, featuring everyone’s favorite rock-edge holiday music as well as their own holiday creations. This is a six-piece rock band, multi-piece string section with a variety of performers. It’s suitable for all ages.
Monday, Dec. 16: A Celtic Christmas
A Taste of Ireland will add a Celtic flavor to your Christmas season at the Levoy Theatre, 126 N. High St., Millville. Doors open at 6:30, show begins at 7:30 p.m., runtime is 95 to 105 minutes, plus intermission. Direct from an off-Broadway season, A Taste of Ireland features talented Irish dancers and musicians and brings the spirit of Christmas to life. The show is packed with Irish wit, traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads and all the best Christmas carols. The show bridges the gap between energetic folk music, Irish dancing, and modern tap styles. Cost: $45 to $60 per person, plus fees.
Tuesday, Dec. 17 through Thursday, Dec. 31
Ride the Trolley: Cape May might just be the prettiest place to get in the holiday spirit. Throughout December, Cape May puts its best foot forward, offering visitors a tour of its Victorian sights during an evening trolley tour, while Christmas music plays. Bring a lap blanket or snuggle with a loved one. Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for children. Advance reservations recommended because tours sell out quickly. Tours available throughout the entire month of December. For more information: visit capemaymac.org or call 609-884-5404.
Wednesday, Dec. 18: Put down the shopping bags
Attention last-minute shoppers: Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ )will help keep you in a jolly mood during their Holiday Concert at the Cumberland Mall at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18. Be sure to take a break from all the sweater shopping, put down your bags and sing along to some of the Christmas carols and other seasonal favorites. “The holiday season concerts are always the highlight of every performance year,” said Joseph Akinskas, adjunct professor, campus band director, RCSJ.
Thursday, Dec. 19 (now through the end of 2024): Light up your life
The Lawlor family loves to give back and celebrate Christmas with style. Best part: It’s all enjoyed from your car. You don’t even need to know the Lawlors to go and pay a visit at their home, located at 182 Porchtown Road in Elmer (Pittsgrove Township) for their annual Lawlor Lights event. Yep, this family light display is free for everyone to soak up. You may, however, consider digging into your pocket to make a donation for Toys for Tots and local food banks. Take a trip around the family’s circular driveway and tune your radios to 88.1 FM to enjoy the music. The shows start on the hour and last about 40 minutes. Music is played over your speakers by the radio station, so lights are synchronized with the tunes. It features more than 95,000 lights. Shows on Sunday to Thursday begin at 5 p.m. and continue every hour, with the last show at 9 p.m. Shows on Fridays and Saturdays begin at 5 p.m., with the last show at 11 p.m. On Jan. 1 at 1 a.m., the light show will end.
Friday, Dec. 20: Christmas Village, anyone?
Bring on the hot chocolate: Alloway Christmas Village, sponsored by Ranch Hope, will be held at the Alloway Municipal Complex, 49 S Greenwich St., Alloway. Yes, Alloway will hold its first-ever Christmas Village from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, December 20, Alloway Township Municipal Complex. For families and friends to celebrate the warmth and joy of the season. Local vendors, lots of food and fun activities are planned. Stroll through the holiday market, where local artisans and vendors will sell crafts and gifts. Enter the Gingerbread House Contest, where local schools show off their best decorating skills in a friendly competition. Kids may visit Santa, too, and take a photo. The event is free.
But wait! There’s more!
Drive-by Camels: Ranch Hope will be holding a Live Nativity Drive-Through at its location at 45 Sawmill Road in Alloway. The drive-through will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free. The live nativity will feature camels, donkeys, goats and sheep, courtesy of Barnyard Friends LLC.
Friday, Dec. 20: Third Friday
The Millville Historical Society will participate in this month’s Third Friday activities from 6 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 20. As part of the event, the 1798 Baracha Dunn House, directly next to the Millville Historical Society at East Main and Second Street, will be festively decorated and open for tours. Look for a large exhibit of vintage photos in the display, “Millville in a Winter Wonderland.”
Saturday, Dec. 21: Countdown to Christmas Day:
Support the arts! Point-and-click shopping is so impersonal. Here’s a little good news: Gifts that are handcrafted and more thoughtful are closer than you may think. Here are three local spots with gifts you certainly won’t find on Amazon or Walmart websites.
• Millville’s Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, 22 N. High St., has filled its gallery with everything from hand-thrown pottery, jewelry and blown glass. The sale, called “Artful Giving,” features a variety of artwork from some of the best artists in South Jersey. Gifts ranging in price and size and will be sold through Dec. 31. Purchases support local artists! Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information: rrcarts.com.
• Dragon Village, 97 Trench Rd., Bridgeton. Never strolled through these unique shops? You’re in for a treat. About a dozen stores make up Dragon Village. Look for everything from cute little gnomes and other adorable trinkets at Whimsey Hut, to handmade chocolates at Kristen’s Chocolate-Dipped Kreations as well as a shop where you can paint your own work of art, Ceramic Oasis. Did we mention the 3-D store, Kustom Krafts, that makes its own Pokémon and other collectibles? Yeah, that, too. And we’re just scratching the surface here. Explore and find something truly different for your has-everything auntie or even the family weirdo. Village hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. More information: shoppesatdragonvillage.com.
• WheatonArts, 1501 Glasstown Road, Millville, is another spot to stroll and shop for unique handmade gifts. Museum shops such as the General Store, Paperweight Shop and the Gallery of Fine Craft are open with extended hours to accommodate holiday shoppers. Stores will be open Thursday through Sunday, through December. Online shopping is also available. More information: wheatonarts.org.
Sunday, Dec. 22: Sweet and spicy Christmas movies
First, the sweet: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22: It’s A Wonderful Life movie showing on the big screen in Levoy Theatre, 126 N. High St., Millville. Cost. $8, plus fees. Enjoy a big-screen showing of Jimmy Stewart’s performance as George Bailey, who learns just how important one life is. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Need something a little spicier? Take the kids to see The Nightmare Before Christmas at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 at Levoy Theatre, 126 N. High St., Millville. Cost: $9, plus fees. The pumpkin king just longs to spread the joy of Christmas, but his mission puts Santa in jeopardy. Runtime: 75 minutes.
Monday, Dec. 23 (as well as Dec. 22 and Dec. 24):
Sing His praises: Calvary Chapel of Vineland, 4630 Mays Landing Rd., Vineland, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ at 7 p.m. on Dec. 22 and 23; at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 during its Christmas Choir Celebration. Enjoy a night filled with joy and worship. Free. ccv.org/events.
Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24-25:
Kids in Jammies welcome: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2384 E. Landis Ave., Vineland. Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, services at 4 and 7:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve; 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day service, where parents are welcome to bring children in their pajamas. Light refreshments will be served after the service.
