OCEAN TOWNSHIPTownship of Ocean Historical Museum Shipwrecks, Life Saving and the Story of Takanassee. Through Jan. 31. Township of Ocean Historical Museum, 703 Deal Road. (732) 531-2136;OceanMuseum.org.
LINCROFTMonmouth Museum All Things Jersey: Annual Holiday Exhibition, trees and trimmings decorated by garden clubs and the Friends of the Monmouth Museum. Through Dec. 31. Changing Climate: Changing Weather, interactive exhibition on the history of weather andclimate change. Through Sept. 2. $7; members and children under 2, free. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Monmouth Museum, 765 Newman Springs Road. (732) 747-2266;monmouthmuseum.org.
NEWARKPaul Robeson Campus Center, Rutgers University — Newark Campus Lift-Off: Earthlings and the Great Beyond, exhibition based on ideas and issues about space. Through Jan. 9. Paul Robeson Campus Center, Rutgers University, Newark Campus, 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. (973) 353-1610;andromeda.rutgers.edu/artgallery.
ASBURY PARKShore Institute of the Contemporary Arts The Sum of Their Parts, creatures from mythology and ntasy. Through Feb. 24. Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts, 610 Cookman Avenue. (732) 483-4641;sica.org.
MORRIS TOWNSHIPMorris Museum The Art of the Brick: LEGO sculptures by Nathan Sawaya. Through Feb. 19. $7 to $10. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road. (973) 971-3700;morrismuseum.org.
CLIFTONClifton Arts Center The Practice of Art: Physicians as Artists, works by doctors from various backgrounds and disciplines. Through Dec. 31. $3. Clifton Arts Center, 900 Clifton Avenue. (973) 472-5499;cliftonnj.org/MiscDept/ArtsCenter.aspx.
MORRISTOWNMacculloch Hall Historical Museum Gone for a Soldier: Jerseymen in the Civil War, nearly 200 objects from free street magicthe Civil War. Through July 1. $5 to $6; children 12 and under, free. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Avenue.maccullochhall.org; (973) 538-2404.
Music and Dance
For Children
MONTCLAIRMontclair Art Museum The Spectacular of Vernacular, works by 26 contemporary artists. Through Dec. 31. Marina Zurkow: Friends, Enemies and Others, works by a digital media artist and 2011 Guggenheim Fellow. Through March 18. George Inness: Private Treasures, works from private collections in the Montclair area. Through April 1. Patterns, Systems, Structures: Abstraction in American Art, works from the permanent collection. Through May 19, 2013. $12 adults, $10 seniors and students; members and children under 12, free. Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Avenue.montclairartmuseum.org; (973) 746-5555.
TRENTONNew Jersey State Museum Laser Nutcracker Spectacular 3D, also featuring seasonal vorites, including Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Through Jan. 8. $5 and $7. New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street. (609) 292-6464;
NEW BRUNSWICKState Theater Toad the Wet Sprocket, folk-pop. Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. $25 to $45. State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue.statetheatrenj.org; (732) 246-7469.
MORRISTOWNAcorn Hall Victorian Christmas Celebration, holiday decorations, upside-down Christmas tree, entertainment, special events. Through Jan. 15. $3 to $6. Acorn Hall, 68 Morris Avenue.acornhall.org; (973) 267-3465.
A guide to cultural and recreational events in New Jersey. Items for the calendar should be sent at least three weeks in advance tonjtowns@nytimes.
CAPE MAYCape May Stage, The Robert Shackleton Playhouse This Wonderful Life, by Steve Murray, an adaptation of Frank Capra’s film It’s a Wonderful Life. Through Dec. 31. $15 to $35. Cape May Stage, the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank and Layette Streets.capemaystage; (609) 884-1341.
WEST NYACKLevity Live Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Pete Correale, an evening of stand-up comedy. Dec. 31 at 10 p.m. $30 and $60. Levity Live, 4210 Palisades Center Drive. (845) 353-5400.
HIGHLAND PARKHighland Park Public Library Spook Handy, folk singer, mily holiday concert. Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. Free. Highland Park Public Library, 31 North Fifth Avenue. (732) 572-2750;hpplnj.org.
HAMILTONGrounds for Sculpture Aerial Roots, outdoor exhibition of large-scale creations by Steve Tobin. Through summer 2012. White Hot: Expressions in Iron, more than 40 works by 9 artists. Through April 8. 2012 Outstanding Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture Awards Exhibition. Through April 22. Instrumental Transitions, sculptures by Michael Dunbar. Through April 22. $8 to $12; members and children under 5, free. Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Road. (609) 586-0616;groundsforsculpture.org.
PRINCETONMorven Museum and Garden Morven Museum and Garden Festival of Trees, the former governor’s mansion adorns its galleries with holiday trees decorated by businesses and organizations. Through Jan. 8. $5 and $6. Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. 55 Stockton Street. (609) 924-8144;morven.org.
NEW BRUNSWICKJane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum Two Venetian Masters: Canaletto and Domenico Tiepolo, Etchings From the Arthur Ross Foundation. Through Jan. 8. At/Around/Beyond: Fluxus at Rutgers, including sculptural objects, assemblages, prints, books, films, sound works and photographs. Through April 1. Popcorn and Starbaby: Children’s Book Illustrations by Frank Asch. Through June 24, 2012. In the Search of an Absolute: Art of Valery Yurlov, solo exhibition. Through June 3. $5 and $6. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton Street;zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu; (732) 932-7237.
DEMARESTMikhail Zakin Gallery Aipotu: Visions, group exhibition of contemporary artists. Through Jan. 17. Mondays through Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mikhail Zakin Gallery, 561 Piermont Road. (201) 767-7160;tasoc.org.
free street magic Events in New Jersey,Seasonal
TRENTONOld Barracks Museum Patriots’ Week, a festival featuring the Patriots 5K run, a lecture on Trenton’s Molly Pitcher, and a screening of the silent film Janice Meredith. Dec. 27 through Jan. 1. $6 to $8; members and children under 5, free. Mondays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack Street. (609) 396-1776;barracks.org.
MADISONMuseum of Early Trades and Crafts Harp Ensemble Concert, Odarka Stockert and fellow harpists. Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. $5 and $10. Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, 9 Main Street.rosenet.org/metc; (973) 377-2982.
Theater
PRINCETOND&R Greenway Textures and Trails, exploring trails and nature through uncommon media. Through Feb. 10. D & R Greenway, One Preservation Place.drgreenway.org; (609) 924-4646.
NEWARKThe Newark Museum Patchwork From Folk Art to Fine Art, tracking the evolution of quilts from functional women’s folk art to textile artworks intended for display. Through Dec. 31. Present Tense: Arts of Contemporary Africa, works from the permanent collection. Through Jan. 1. $6 and $10; members free. Skies Alive! Bird Migration in the Garden State, interactive exhibition. Through January. Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. The Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street. (973) 596-6550;newarkmuseum.org.
PRINCETONPrinceton University Art Museum Multiple Hands: Collective Creativity in 18th-Century Japanese Painting. Through Jan. 22. Pattern/Picture, installation featuring photographs from the museum’s collection that explore the dynamic range between graphic pattern and illusionistic image. Through Feb. 5. Object of Devotion: Medieval English Alabaster Sculpture from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Through Feb. 12. Lee Friedlander: Cars and the New Cars, featuring photographs of cars in the American scene. Through Feb. 5. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Princeton University Art Museum, Nassau and Witherspoon Streets.artmuseum.princeton.edu; (609) 258-3788.
TEANECKPuffin Cultural Forum The Tim Horner Octet, jazz. Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. $10. Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way. (201) 836-3499;puffinculturalforum.org.
MORRIS TOWNSHIPMorris Museum Storybook Forest, trees decorated by schoolchildren. Through Dec. 31. Free with museum admission; $7 and $10. Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road.morrismuseum.org; (973) 971-3700.
HALEDONAmerican Labor Museum/Botto House Nationafree street magic Events in New Jerseyl Landmark Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ Members’ Art Exhibit, photography, paintings and videos about labor and immigrants. Through Dec. 31. Suggested donation, $3 to $5; members and children under 12, free. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m., and by appointment. American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark, 83 Norwood Street. (973) 595-7953;labormuseum.org.
Comedy
ENGLEWOODEnglewood Public Library Patty M. Kearns, Teaneck author, reading from her new book, In Tumble’s World. Dec. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Free. Englewood Public Library, 31 Engle Street. (201) 568-2215;englewoodlibrary.org.
WESTFIELDWestfield High School That’s Entertainment, with the Westfield Symphony Orchestra. A cabaret-style New Year’s Eve celebration of the golden age of the American musical, with Sandra Joseph, Minda Larsen, Peter Lockyer and Maxime de Toledo. Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. $40 and $70. Westfield High School, 550 Dorian Road. (908) 232-9400;westfieldsymphony.org.
NEW BRUNSWICKMuseum of the American Hungarian Foundation Hungarian Masterworks: From Impressionism to Modernism, works from the Jill A. Wiltse and H. Kirk Brown III Collection. Through Feb. 17. Donation: $5. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 4 p.m. Museum of the American Hungarian Foundation, 300 Somerset Street.hstrial-pzekaz.homestead; (732) 846-5777.
WEST ORANGELuna Stage A staged reading of Shakespeare’s King Lear, Andre Braugher, Ami Brabson, Suzzanne Douglas, Frankie Faison and others. Jan. 7 and 8. $100 and $125. Luna Stage, 555 Valley Road. (973) 395-5551;lunastage.org.
BEDMINSTERThe Center for Contemporary Art Revisiting Landscape: Paintings by Wes Sherman. Jan. 6 through Feb. 25. The Center for Contemporary Art, 2020 Burnt Mills Road.ccabedminster.org; (908) 234-2345.
MORRISTOWNMayo Performing Arts Center The Best of Broadway: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Jan. 6 at 8 p.m. $37 to $52. Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street. (973) 539-8008;mayoarts.org.
Spoken Word
NEWARKThe Newark Museum Christmas in the Ballantine House: Feasting With Family and Friends, Victorian decorations and evergreens. Through Jan. 8. $6 and $10. Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. The Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street. (973) 596-6550;newarkmuseum.org.
LONG BRANCHNew Jersey Repertory Company, Lumia Theater Bakersfield Mist, comedy by Stephen Sachs. Through Jan. 22. $25 to $40. New Jersey Repertory Company, Lumia Theater, 179 Broadway. (732) 229-3166;njrep.org.
TEANECKPuffin Cultural Forum The Writing’s on the Wall: Labor in the U.S., depicting the history of labor and unions and the development and decline of workers’ rights using photos, posters, placards and representations of murals. Through Feb. 7. Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way. (201) 836-3499;puffinculturalforum.org.
An Elvis Christmas is just as valid as a Bing Crosby Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas or a Lady Gaga Christmas.
PATERSONLambert Castle Museum New Year’s Champagne Toast With the Lamberts. Dec. 30, 7 to 9 p.m. $25. Lambert Castle Museum, 3 Valley Road. (973) 247-0085;lambertcastle.org.
MADISONF.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theater, Drew University A Christmas Carol, adaptation by Neil Bartlett. Through Jan. 1. $10 to $70. F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theater, Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue.njshakespeare.org; (973) 408-5600.
MORRISTOWNMayo Performing Arts Center The Nutcracker, the New Jersey Ballet. Through Dec. 26. $19 to $59. Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street. (973) 539-8008;mayoarts.org.
PRINCETONHistorical Society of Princeton Einstein at Home, a glimpse of the scientist’s personal side. Through Jan. 16. $4; members free. Tuesdays through Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. Historical Society of Princeton, 158 Nassau Street. (609) 921-6748;princetonhistory.org.
MONTCLAIRWellmont Theater Dark Star Orchestra. Dec. 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. $35 to $75. Wellmont Theater, 5 Seymour Street. (973) 783-9500;wellmonttheatre.
NEWTONSus County Community College Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, adapted by Paul Meacham. Through Dec. 30. $20 to $28. Sus County Community College, 1 College Hill Road.tristateactorstheater.org; (973) 875-2950.
MORRISTOWNFirst Night Morris County, 80 events at 24 sites, the Arts Council of the Morris Area. Dec. 31, 7 p.m. to midnight. $20 and $25. Various locations. (973) 455-0708;firstnightmorris.
HACKENSACKEdward WilliamsHall, Fairleigh Dickinson University Passion From the Heart Exhibit, paintings by Jose Acosta. Through Jan. 20. Edward Williams Hall, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 150 Kotte Place. (201) 692- 2449.fdu.edu.
MORRISTOWNGallery at 14 Maple Remembrance of Things Past, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Through Feb. 15. Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and by appointment. Gallery at 14 Maple, 14 Maple Avenue.morrisarts.org; (973) 285-5115.
NEWTONVILLEThe African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art, tracing the history of basketry in Africa and America. Through Jan. 7. Free. The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey, 661 Jackson Road. (609) 704-5495;aahmsnj.org.
JERSEY CITYLiberty Science Center The 12 Days of Science, including, on various days, a live animal show and a lab where milies can do experiments. Through Jan. 1. $11.50 and $15.75. Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Boulevard. (201) 253-1310;lsc.org.
MADISONMuseum of Early Trades and Crafts Thomas Nast’s Influence on History at the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts. Ryan Hyman, the F. M. Kirby curator of collections at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, discusses how the cartoonist’s illustrations influenced iconic American symbols. Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. $3 and $5. Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, 9 Main Street.rosenet.org/metc; (973) 377-2982.
RED BANKTwo River Theater Honk! A Musical Tale of the Ugly Duckling, based on the iry tale. Through Jan. 1. $25 and $55. Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Avenue. (732) 345-1400;trtc.org.
MADISONMuseum of Early Trades and Crafts Whimsies: Ken Olsen and the Folk Art Tradition. Through Jan. 15. $3 and $5; members and children under 6, free. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, 9 Main Street. (973) 377-2982;rosenet.org/metc.
Museums and Galleries
PRINCETONCatch a Rising Star Comedy ClubNew Year’s EveComedy Show, with RC Smith and Adam Kerr. Dec. 31 at 8 and 10 p.m. $40 and $55. Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club, Hyatt Regency, 102 Carnegie Center.catcharisingstar/princeton.html; (609) 734-4053.
NEW BRUNSWICKGeorge Street Playhouse The Nutcrackerand I, musical comedy by Gerard Alessandrini and Peter Brash. Through Dec. 31. $26.50 to $73.50. George Street Playhouse, 9 Livingston Avenue.gsponline.org; (732) 246-7717.
MORRIS TOWNSHIPMorris Museum Art in Motion, In Motion Dance Company. Dec. 29 at noon and 2 p.m. $5 with museum admission, $7 and $10. Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road. (973) 971-3700;morrismuseum.org.
WEST ORANGETurtle Back Zoo Es County Holiday Lights Spectacular, with 50 figures illuminated by 100,000 lights. Through Jan. 1. Free. Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue. (973) 731-5800;turtlebackzoo.org.
CLINTONHunterdon Art Museum 2011 Members Exhibition. Through Jan. 7. Leslie Pontz: Shaping Space. Through Jan. 15. Deconstructing Nature, group show. Through Jan. 29. Donation: $5. Tuesdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center Street. (908) 735-8415;hunterdonartmuseum.org.
MORRIS TOWNSHIPMorris Museum Toyland Family Festival, a day of indoor activities, including decorating a jingle bell and a reading of the book The Polar Express. Dec. 27 at 11 a.m. $7 to $15. Choo-Choo Charlie’s Magic Show. Ages 4 to 7. Dec. 27 at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. $12 and $15. The Snow Queen, a Hans Christian Andersen tale presented by the Hudson Vagabond Puppets. Ages 3 to 12. Dec. 28 at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. $12. Making New Year’s Eve noisemakers. Ages 3 to 12. Dec. 30, 1 to 3 p.m. Brain Teasers 2, a hands-on exhibition of 20 puzzles designed to challenge problem-solving skills. Through Dec. 31. $5 with museum admission, $7 and $10. Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road. (973) 971-3700;morrismuseum.org.
RED BANKCount Basie Theater Black Nativity, a retelling of the Nativity story performed by a black cast of singers, actors, dancers and musicians. Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. $19.50 and $24.50. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes New Year’s Eve. Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. $29.50 to $99. Count Basie Theater, 99 Monmouth Street.countbasietheatre.org; (732) 842-9000.
HASBROUCK HEIGHTSBananas Comedy Club Vic Dibitetto. Dec. 31 at 8 and 11 p.m. $25 and $35. Jim David. Jan. 6 and 7. $15. Bananas Comedy Club, 283 Route 17 South.bananascomedyclub; (201) 727-1090.
NEW BRUNSWICKState Theater Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, musical, Middle County’s Plays-in-the-Park. Dec. 26 at 2 and 8 p.m.; Dec. 27 and 28 at 8 p.m. $7. The Hero’s Fire, works by Wagner, Scriabin and Stravinsky, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jacques Lacombe with Yevgeny Sudbin, pianist. Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. $20 to $85. For tickets:njsymphony.org; (800) 255-3476. Cendrillon, by Massenet, live from the Royal Opera House in London. Jan. 8 at 2 p.m. $22. State Theater, 15 Livingston Avenue. (732) 246-7469;statetheatrenj.org.
RED BANKArt Alliance of Monmouth County 100 Square Inches, a memorial to the window artist Ebba Osborne, who died Sept. 10. Through Jan. 4. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Art Alliance of Monmouth County, 33 Monmouth Street.artallianceofmonmouth.org; (732) 842-9403.
