December 26 to January 1, 2024



Here is a look at upcoming events taking place from December 26 to January 1, 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, Kids, Community, Event Listings.

Send press releases to info@newjerseystage.com 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. Listings are also available for $10 a piece. Click here for more information on our event listings. Event listings are also included with every banner ad purchase. Banner ads run from $50-$100 for a full month of coverage.

New Jersey Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” at MPAC with music by New Jersey Symphony. (MORRISTOWN, NJ) — New Jersey Ballet’s presentation of the holiday favorite Nutcracker comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) for 13 performances beginning Friday, December 15 and running until Wednesday, December 27, 2023. New Jersey Symphony under the direction of Constantine Kitsopoulos will provide live orchestral accompaniment. A livestream of the Thursday, December 21 performance will also be available. Tickets range from $39-$79.

Friday, December 29, 2023 – State Theatre New Jersey Presents The Hip Hop Nutcracker. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — State Theatre New Jersey presents The Hip Hop Nutcracker on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 8:00pm. This is Tchaikovsky’s 130-year-old ballet reimagined as a holiday dance spectacle, will travel to STNJ this holiday season while celebrating the show’s 10th season. Tickets range from $39-$69.

Saturday, December 30, 2023 – The Growing Stage presents Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could on New Year’s Eve EVE. (NETCONG, NJ) — New Year’s Eve arrives a day early at the Growing Stage with a musical celebration featuring dancing, sing-alongs and a special countdown to 2024 at noon! Join them as they welcome Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could for a New Year’s Eve EVE (Saturday, December 30) your family will never forget. Showtime is 11:00am.

Saturday, December 30, 2023 – Jersey Arts TV: Black Nativity Brings Blessings to the Basie. Jersey Arts speaks to Darrell Lawrence Willis, Sr., Artistic Director of Dunbar Repertory Company and his team as they celebrate their latest production of “Black Nativity.”

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Broadway stars and Dancers from Dance Theatre of Harlem join NJ Festival Orchestra for New Year’s celebrations. (WESTFIELD, NJ) — On Sunday, December 31, 2024 at 7:00pm, under the baton of Maestro David Wroe, New Jersey Festival Orchestra again presents one of New Jersey’s most popular New Year’s Eve musical celebrations. This year’s performance, “The Great American Songbook,” promises a superb review of the best of Broadway’s song and dance showstoppers to herald the arrival of the New Year.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes on New Year’s Eve. (RED BANK, NJ) — There’s no better way to close out the year than seeing Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes in concert on New Year’s Eve. The band returns to the Count Basie Center for the Arts on Sunday, December 31, 2023 with an early show that begins at 6:00pm.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna: New Year’s Eve Concert. (NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — A New Year’s Eve tradition returns when State Theatre New Jersey presents Salute to Vienna – New Year’s Concert on Sunday, December 31, 2023 at 5:00pm. This concert recreates the beloved Neujahrskonzert, hosted each year in Vienna’s legendary Musikverein. The exuberant music of Johann Strauss and his contemporaries’ springs to vibrant life with selections from beloved operettas, elegant dances, lively overtures, and the beautiful Blue Danube Waltz.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Algonquin Arts Theatre presents Beginnings: A New Year’s Tribute to Chicago. (MANASQUAN, NJ) — Algonquin Arts Theatre will close out the year with New Year’s Eve concerts by Beginnings: a tribute to Chicago. The band will perform an early show at 6:00pm and return for an evening show at 9:00pm.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Jersey Arts Podcast: Ring in the New Year with The Jersey Tenors at Surflight Theatre. Jersey Arts speaks with Brian Noonan about what it takes to be a Jersey Tenor ahead of their Bubbly Bash at the Surflight Theatre on New Year’s Eve.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – The New Jersey Festival Orchestra Usher in the New Year With ‘The Great American Songbook’ and ‘Broadway Classics’. The New Jersey Festival Orchestra is ringing in the New Year with a superb revue from Golden Age classics to Broadway’s greatest hits in glorious symphonic splendor. Joining in the festivities are soloists direct from the Broadway stage and dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem along with Maestro David Wroe and the orchestra as they swing to favorites from America’s Great Songbook. There are two celebratory performances, one on New Year’s Eve (Dec 31, 7 p.m.) at Westfield High School and the other on New Year’s Day (Jan 1, 2:30 p.m.) at the Sieminski Theatre in Basking Ridge.

Wednesday, December 27, 2023 – NJPAC presents KEM and Marsha Ambrosius. (NEWARK, NJ) — New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) hosts a special evening with Soul artists KEM and Marsha Ambrosius on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at 8:00pm.

Thursday, December 28, 2023 – Aerosmith Announces Final Tour; Shows in Philly, Newark, and MSG Announced with Special Guest The Black Crowes. (NEWARK, NJ) — Four-time GRAMMY® award-winning and diamond-certified rock legends Aerosmith have announced PEACE OUT™ with special guest The Black Crowes. Fans will see one of the most significant American rock bands in history one last time during this not-to-be-missed final tour. Every night will celebrate the five decades of Aerosmith’s groundbreaking hits as they celebrate 50 years as America’s greatest rock band. Three shows in the area have been announced: Saturday, September 2nd at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia; Thursday, December 28 at the Prudential Center in Newark; and Friday, January 19, 2024 at MSG in NYC.

Friday, December 29, 2023 – 7th Annual Asbury Park Music Festival to Take Place at Wonder Bar. (ASBURY PARK, NJ) — Telegraph Hill Records will present the 7th Annual What A Wonderful Year (WAWY) music festival at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park on December 29th & 30th, 2023. Dubbed Asbury Park’s Annual Party, it’s traditionally the Jersey Shore’s most diverse and inclusive annual event, covering a broad range of genres and building unity in the music community.

Friday, December 29, 2023 – 2nd Annual What A Wonderful Cheer Reception to Take Place at Transparent Clinch Gallery. (ASBURY PARK, NJ) — “What a Wonderful Year” (WAWY) music festival organizer, Telegraph Hill Records, has announced the return of the “What a Wonderful Cheer” pre-event on December 29, 2023, at Transparent Clinch Gallery from 4:30pm to 6:00pm. This reception is free and open to the public and serves to spotlight the nonprofits that benefit from WAWY ticket sales: The Project Matters (TPM) and “Asbury Park’s Got Talent” producer, Interfaith Neighbors (IFN).

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – Remember Jones to partner with Baseline Social to bring “A Brand New Year’s Eve!” to Fort Monmouth. (OCEANPORT, NJ) — National touring artist Remember Jones, known for his over-the-top, theatrical, funk/soul and rock music events and originals, has announced “A Brand New Year’s Eve!” at the new Baseline Social on Fort Monmouth in Oceanport. This will be the venue’s first concert and one of the first live indoor music events on Fort Monmouth in many years.

Cape May Stage presents “A Tuna Christmas”. (CAPE MAY, NJ) — Cape May Stage presents A Tuna Christmas from November 15 through December 30, 2023. Spend the holidays in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas! With twenty-two different characters, dozens of costume changes, and just two actors, this play is a fun-filled, satirical look inside the workings of a small town at Christmas.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents “A Midwinter Night’s Dream”. (MADISON, NJ) — The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) will conclude their 61st season with a slightly altered version of Shakespeare’s most popular comedy A Midwinter Night’s Dream. “Re-seasoned” by Bonnie J. Monte and Joseph Discher, with direction by Brian B. Crowe, this production is rife with magical winter wonderment and fun for the whole family. This holiday season do not miss being transported into the dazzling and frosty world of Shakespeare’s hilarious romantic comedy that is sure to warm the coldest hearts. This production will run December 6-31, 2023.

‘Twas the Night Before…’ by Cirque Du Soleil comes to Chicago and NY. (NEW YORK, NY) — Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) announced that the acclaimed family holiday theatrical – ‘Twas the Night Before… by Cirque du Soleil – is returning to both The Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre this holiday season. The holiday themed show will run concurrently at The Theater at Madison Square Garden and The Chicago Theatre for 28 performances each from December 7 through December 28. Tickets for both engagements go on sale to the general public on Friday, August 11, 2023 at 10:00am local time.

Dover Little Theatre Presents “Kinky Boots”. (DOVER, NJ) — Dover Little Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning hit, Kinky Boots, weekends from December 8-30, 2023. This high-energy and heartwarming show is set to captivate audiences with its dazzling performances, fun music, and powerful messages of acceptance and self-discovery. The production is directed by Ruthanne and Larry Pelham.

The Ma’ayanot H.S. Drama Society & Black Box Studios presents Roald Dahl’s “Matilda, the Musical”. (TEANECK, NJ) — The Ma’ayanot Yeshiva High School Drama Society, in ongoing partnership with Black Box Studios, presents Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Musical live on stage in the new Ma’ayanot Performing Arts Center (1650 Palisade Avenue) in Teaneck. Performances take place Tuesday, December 26 and Thursday, December 28 at 7:30pm each night.

Tuesday, December 26, 2023 – HACPAC presents Dinosaurs Dynamite!. (HACKENSACK, NJ) — Vicious velociraptors, adorable baby dinosaurs and a living, breathing and roaring T-Rex will take over the Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) for three performances taking place on Tuesday, December 26 and Wednesday, December 27, 2023.

Tuesday, December 26, 2023 – NJPAC presents Cirque Dreams Holidaze on December 26st. (NEWARK, NJ) — New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), known for bringing world-class entertainment close to home, presents new family shows for the entire family to enjoy presents Cirque Dreams Holidaze on Tuesday, December 26 at 7:00pm. The show is recommended for ages 5 and older.

Sunday, December 31, 2023 – The Last Dash of 2023 for Vets 5K. (LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ) — The Last Dash of 2023 for Vets 5K will take place on December 31, 2023 in Lake Hopatcong. Join them for one last dash to end the year. Run, walk, or SHINE your way to the finish. Help raise money to help our New Jersey Vets. Medal for all finishers. The race begins at 10:00am.

6:00pm – New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

1:00pm – New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

Thursday, December 28, 2023

7:00pm – Dark Star Orchestra at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

7:30pm – Popa Chubby at Lizzie Rose Music Room, 217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton

Friday, December 29, 2023

7:00pm – Dark Star Orchestra at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

8:00pm – The Hip Hop Nutcracker at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

8:00pm – Frontiers at The Vogel, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Saturday, December 30, 2023

11:00am – Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could at The Historic Palace Theatre, 7 Ledgewood Avenue, Netcong

4:00pm – Black Nativity at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

Sunday, December 31, 2023

4:00pm – First Night Morris 2024 at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), 100 South Street, Morristown

5:00pm – Salute to Vienna at State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick

6:00pm – Beginnings: A New Year’s Tribute to Chicago at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

6:00pm – Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank

7:00pm – New Jersey Festival Orchestra presents The Great American Songbook at Westfield High School, 550 Dorian Road, Westfield

9:00pm – Beginnings: A New Year’s Tribute to Chicago at Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees, Manasquan

Monday, January 1, 2024

2:30pm – New Jersey Festival Orchestra presents The Great American Songbook at Sieminski Theater, 8000 Fellowship Road, Basking Ridge