16 cool holiday events in SJ

OK, so any minute now the dining room will look like the war room after a "Chopped'' turkey challenge.

And then many of us will quickly shift our focus from Thanksgiving to Christmas.

Home for the holidays? There are tons of fun family events to enjoy close to home, everything from holiday wine trails to Santa in a scuba diving suit.

Get your 'G' Boys fix for Christmas

Visit South Jersey has powered up a sampling of just some of the cool events to keep us merry and bright. Enjoy tours of historic homes and villages, handcrafted works by local artisans, even opera.

For more information, visit www.VisitSouthJersey.com.

WinterFest returns, bigger and better

Christmas Celebration at Adventure Aquarium

Beginning Friday: Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Celebration'' tradition is back in the Wonderland Theatre with visits from Scuba Santa, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, magical elves and more. Kids can bring their letters to Scuba Santa.

Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden,

http://www.adventureaquarium.com/Contact-Us

Johnson’s Farm Holiday Fun

Beginning Friday: Holiday lights, horse drawn carriages and goodies for the whole family, plus some visits from the guy in the red suit..

133 Church Road, Medford.

http://johnsonsfarm.com/event_calendar/

Holiday Wine Trail Weekend

Friday through Sunday: Admission is free. Tours and tastings are $10, which includes glass. Enjoy the fireplace in the Enoteca European-style wine bar, or the bonfire in the courtyard. Music by Sam Lamont from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

117 Sharptown-Auburn Road, Pilesgrove.

http://www.auburnroadvineyards.com/event/holiday-wine-trail-weekend-5/

Holiday shopping for art lovers

Pitman Grove Annual Holiday Light Village

Friday through Dec. 31: Bundle up and come visit a massive Christmas display arranged by the Hagerty family. Donations accepted.

North Avenue, Pitman.

Holiday Happenings at Historic Smithville Village (Atlantic County)

Through Jan. 1: Do your holiday shopping by stepping back in time to Colonial Smithville. In December, this village transforms into a winter wonderland.

http://colonialinnsmithville.com/blog/events/december-smithville/

Breakfast with Santa at Camden Children’s Garden

Dec. 5, 12 and 19: Visit the Camden Children's Garden for a buffet breakfast with Santa Claus prepared by Tortilla Press. Children’s tickets include: catered brunch, Garden admission, printed picture with Santa, holiday crafts, a ride on the Garden Carousel and Arrow River Train. Reservations required.

http://www.camdenchildrensgarden.org/events/

Holiday happenings in downtown districts

Woodstown by Candlelight

Dec. 4: Take an evening tour of Woodstown to enjoy decorated homes, churches and local businesses in this Colonial town. Do some shopping and visit the annual crafts fair. Live music, carolers and wassail and cookies round out the fun.

http://www.woodstownbycandlelight.org/

Holiday Open House at the Alice Paul Institute

Dec. 5: Get in the spirit of the season at the Holiday Open House featuring holiday florals from the Mount Laurel Garden Club and more from 2 to 4 p.m..

128 Hooten Road, Mount Laurel,

http://www.alicepaul.org/newsevents/

Salem Yuletide House Tour

Dec. 5: Stroll the streets of historic Salem and visit Colonial and Victorian era homes, churches and museums decked out for the season. Enjoy living history re-enactments, musical performances, shopping for antiques, collectibles and crafts. Tickets $10.

http://www.salemcitynj.com/18701.html

Tomasello Winery Holiday Opera Gala

Dec. 6 and 13: Enjoy fine food, wines and operatic arias. Matinée gala begins at 2 p.m. and lasts about four hours. Tickets are $75 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuity. Reservations and payment are required in advance and tickets are mailed 10 days prior to the event. Tickets are non-refundable.

225 White Horse Pike, Hammonton.

http://www.tomasellowinery.com/opera_galas.asp

Victorian Holiday Celebration in Historic Smithville (Burlington County)

Dec. 6: Smithville Park will host a visit from St. Nick, who will arrive in the afternoon. Festivities will include ice carving demonstrations, tours of Smithville Mansion decorated for the holidays, entertainment, kids’ activities, and a holiday marketplace where you can purchase unique gifts. Victorian performers, activities, re-enactors and vendors add to the fun.

http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/573/Annual-Festivals

Washington Township Christmas House Tour

Dec. 7: This tour marks the 50th anniversary of Wedgwood Women's Club. Tour includes Duffield's Farm Market (along with Mary and David Duffield's home), St. Charles Borromeo Church and Kennedy Hospital, all of which are celebrating a 50th year..

http://www.wedgwoodwomensclub.com/2015christmashousetour.html

Haddonfield Holiday Home Tour

Dec. 9: This historic town pulls out all the stops for the holidays. Five distinctive Haddonfield homes will open their doors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. for the annual Haddonfield Holiday House Tour. Proceeds benefit Markeim Art Center. Stop by the “Holiday Cottage” from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. in the Markeim Art Center (corner of Lincoln Avenue and Walnut Street) to buy holiday items and this year's limited edition hand-blown “Haddonfield Friendship Ball.” There will also be an art exhibit of our local artists. Refreshments will be served.

http://www.ifchaddons.org/whatsnew.htm

Mullica Hill Christmas House Tour

Dec. 12: Tour the town from 2 to 7 p.m. to see historic homes, churches and buildings on the Christmas House Tour. See the original architecture and beautiful decor of homes dating back to the early 1700s. There will be live music, carolers, Civil War strollers and, of course, Santa. There will be a reading of the Dickens classic "A Christmas Carol" at Old Town Hall, as well as open house specials and refreshments at many shops. Tickets are $8 in advance $10 the day of the event.

http://www.mullicahill.com/mullica-hill-new-jersey-calendar.html

Two Bridges Wine Trail Holiday Trolley Tour

Dec. 12 and 13: Visit the wineries of the Two Bridges Wine Trail by trolley. Each tour lasts approximately five hours, and includes tastings from four wineries.

http://twobridgeswinetrail.com/trolley

Three House Holiday Tour

West Hill, Green Hill and Peachfield, three homes in Burlington County, each feature a unique architectural style. Green Hill is built in the Italianate style, West Hill in the Federal style and Peachfield in Colonial Revival. Tour all three houses for $10, all within a two-mile trek.  Each house will be serving holiday treats. Tours begin at 1 p.m., continue until 4 p.m. Begin your three-house tour at any location. Reservations are recommended.

http://www.colonialdamesnj.org/events/

For more information

Facebook: Visit South Jersey
Twitter: @VisitSJersey
Instagram: @Visit_South_Jersey

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