Holiday shows & events

Friday, Dec. 13

A Very Merry Spookmas: Holiday night market with music, shopping and Friday the 13th flash tattoos from 5 to 10 p.m. at Belcher Run Plaza, 1590 Union Valley Road, West Milford.

Saturday, Dec. 14

Breakfast with Santa: 9 a.m. at Upper Greenwood Lake Clubhouse, 435 N. Lakeshore Road, Hewitt. $18 for adults, $16 for children age 2 and older, and $1 for children age 2 and younger.

Cookie Bake Sale: Variety of homemade cookies, including gluten-free; breads; and nuts. Gloves provided and must be worn. 10 a.m. to noon at St. Thomas of Aquin Church, 53 Kennedy Ave., Ogdensburg. 973-827-0360. Snow date: Saturday, Dec. 21.

9th annual Toy Drive and Photos with Santa: Bring a new in-box toy or gift card. No pets. 10 a.m. to noon at Highlands Family Success Center, 1801 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Hewitt. Call 973-506-6575 to register.

Christmas Fair at Sussex County Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market: Photos with Santa Al-paca. 4-H clubs will be selling handmade crafts and items. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta.

Winter Wonderland Holiday Bazaar and Adoption Event: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta. Sponsored by Eleventh Hour Rescue.

Christmas in the Village: Jefferson Museum, decorated as “Candy Land Christmas,” will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission. 315 Dover-Milton Road, Jefferson.

Wreaths Across America: Wreaths will be laid at 10 a.m. at Glenwood Cemetery, 926 County Highway 517, Vernon.

Wreaths Across America: Ceremony at 11:45 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park in front of municipal building, 1480 Union Valley Road, West Milford. Placement of wreaths afterward at West Milford Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 1452 Union Valley Road. To sponsor a wreath for $17, go online to wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=EF85C27E-4439-4513-A3E7-6C31EE627D29&pageIds=142570,0

Wreaths Across America: Ceremony at noon followed by placement of wreaths at Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 75 N. Church Road, Sparta. Sponsor a wreath for $17 online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=ED40E033-F9A6-4EF1-ADD1-623E0E182BF6&pageIds=21274,171871

Wreaths Across America: Ceremony at noon followed by placement of wreaths at Old Newton Burial Ground, 79 Main St. Sponsor a wreath for $17 online at wreathsacrossamerica.org/Shop/Product/597?tid=E10BB44E-6C83-422F-B8AC-BB7C0AAD5B23&pageIds=150500,150499

“The Nutcracker”: Presented by the Centre for Dance Artistry at 1 p.m. at Newton High School. Tickets are $22. Purchase them online at thecentrefordanceartistry.com/cda-store/

Operation Toy Train: Santa arrives on train at 2:40 p.m. at Newfoundland Station, 1667 Green Pond Road. Bring a new unwrapped toy.

Christmas Festival: Tree lighting, Nativity scene, photos with Christmas characters, snowball fights, make your own gingerbread house, crafts and refreshments. 3 p.m. at Sparta Evangelical Free Church, 385 Houses Corner Road, Sparta.

Operation Toy Train: Free children’s games, crafts, model train display, robotics demonstration, visit by Smokey the Bear and Touch-a-Truck display. 1 to 6 p.m. at Sparta Train Station, 30 Station Road. Santa arrives on train at 3:55 p.m. Bring a new unwrapped toy. Ice cream and baked goods available for purchase.

Operation Toy Train: Train arrives at 4:50 p.m. (please arrive at 4 p.m.) at Veteran’s Memorial Park, 50 Vernon Crossing Road, Vernon. Bring a new unwrapped train. Santa will be there.

Sunday, Dec. 15

Yuletide Stroll: 11 a.m. on Main Street in Stillwater.

Frankie’s Christmas Spectacular: Entertainment, photos with Santa, tricky tray, vendors, cookie decorating, face painting and food from noon to 5 p.m. at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7248, 66 Main St., Sparta. Admission is one new unwrapped toy per child. All proceeds to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Ronald McDonald House.

Weis Winter Wonderland: Sustainability fundraiser. Second-hand gift market, nature crafts, campfire and hot cocoa. 1:30 to 4 p.m. at 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood. No registration required. For information, call 973-835-2160.

Franklin Band’s Holiday Concert: 2 p.m. in the Franklin Borough School auditorium, 50 Washington Ave. Free admission; donations appreciated.

Joint Advent Lessons and Carols Service: Choir singers from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Sparta and Church of the Messiah in Chester will sing a wide range of Advent hymns. Readers will present lessons of the Advent season. 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s, 85 Conestoga Trail, Sparta.

Christmas by the Fire: Festive night of singing Christmas carols outside. 5 p.m. at the Plant Church, 1693 Union Valley Road, West Milford. Free admission. Dress warmly.

Saturday, Dec. 21

Santa at Greendell Station: See Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at 12 Wolfs Corner Road, Greendell. Organized by the Lackawanna Cutoff Historical Committee, which is working to restore a historic train station and establish it as the Greendell Station Museum.

Holiday Train Display: Sussex County Railroad Club will exhibit model trains with winter/holiday themes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dorothy Henry library branch, 66 Route 94, Vernon. All ages welcome; no registration required.

Christmas Market: Shopping from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sussex United Methodist Church, 15 Bank St. Soup, coffee, hot chocolate and tea available for purchase.

Sunday, Dec. 22

Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols: 7 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church, 62 Main St., Newton. Free admission; free will offering request.

Tuesday, Dec. 24

Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Santa will tour with the Ogdensburg Fire Department. Time to be announced.

Wednesday, Dec. 25

14th annual Christmas Day dinner: From 1 to 4 p.m., the Wantage United Methodist Church will serve a dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, veggies, stuffing and dessert or lasagna as an alternative. For children, chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese. Reservations required for time slots at 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3 and 3:30 p.m. Call 973-875-4488 or send a text to Melissa at 973-997-1822. Leave your name, phone number, how many coming, which dinner is preferred and time you will arrive. Pick up and free local delivery available. Pick-ups and deliveries between 4 and 5 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 26

Menorah Lighting: Hanukah Celebration of Lights at 7 p.m. at Vernon Township Fire Department, County Road 515.

Send information about events to editor.ann@strausnews.com