With the holidays here, December is jammed-packed full of events. Here are just a few.
Mr. Ray
Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School
14 Vogt Drive, Bridgewater
- Saturday December 1, 2pm. Doors open at 1:30pm.
- Roy G. Biv, I’d Be a Dinosaur, and Music’s a Language (we all understand) are some of the original songs performed by popular children’s entertainer Mr. Ray.
- Tickets are $10 (floor section) or $8 (mezzanine section). Proceeds will benefit the EmPoWER Family Success Center, operated by non-profit organization EmPoWER Somerset.
- Visit the website or call (908) 722-4900 for more information.
Figure Sketches “On the Spot”
Bernardsville Public Library
1 Anderson Hill Road Bernardsville
- Saturday December 1, 10:30am – 3pm.
- Looking for the perfect holiday gift or a keepsake to capture your child’s appearance? Harding artist Tine Kirkland Graham’s quick pen and ink figure sketches with watercolor highlights capture the essence of a person’s form.
- Cost: $10/figure on paper, $20/figure on canvas. A percentage of sales benefits the library.
- Visit the library website or call (908) 766-0118 for more info or to reserve a spot.
Somerset Hills Community Chorus
Somerset Hills Performing Arts Center
25 Olcott Ave, Bernardsville
- Saturday December 1, 7pm.
- The Somerset Hills Community Chorus presents highlights from Handel’s masterwork and perennial holiday favorite, “Messiah, performed with an authentic Baroque orchestra and award-winning soloists.
- Tickets are $8-$20.
- Visit the website or call (973) 339-7719 for details.
Blood Center of New Jersey Blood Drive
Church of the Blessed Sacrament
1890 Washington Valley Rd, Martinsville
- Sunday December 2, 8am-1:30pm.
- Blood Drive conducted by Blood Center of New Jersey. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus #5959.
- Donors will receive $10 Shop Rite gift card.
- Visit the Blood Center website or call John Arcoleo at (908) 658-4898, Joe Beotsch at (908) 722-2132 or Bridget Schindo (973) 676-4700 x155 for more info.
Christmas with Jane Austen
Bouman-Stickney Farmstead
114 Dreahook Road, Whitehouse Station
- Sunday December 2, 1-4pm
- Come find out what it was like to celebrate Christmas in the Regency period. Open hearth cooking demonstration, dancing and crafts.
- Donations accepted.
- Visit the website or call (908) 236-2327 for details.
Santa Claus is Coming to Raritan
Raritan Municipal Building
22 First St., Raritan
- Sunday December 2, 2pm.
- Santa Clause Is Coming to Raritan. Mrs. Clause, Frosty and the elves will be there too. Free photos with Santa, hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
- Donate a new unwrapped toy to support local families. Tree lighting ceremony will follow the event.
- Visit the website or call (908) 722-4567 for more info.
Family Christmas Concert
First United Methodist Church of Somerville
48 W. High St, Somerville
- Sunday December 2, 4pm.
- Featured will be the Heavenly Handbells, directed by Susan Lippincott, and the Chancel Choir, directed by Michelle Di Bona.
- Free-will offering will be taken.
- Call (908) 725-1473 for more info.
Kwanzaa Celebration
Raritan Valley Community College
Route 28 and Lamington Road, North Branch
- Thursday December 6, 6-8pm.
- The public is invited to attend Raritan Valley Community College’s (RVCC) special cultural celebration of Kwanzaa. The event, which is free of charge, will be held in the Conference Center at the College’s Branchburg Campus.
- The program will feature a performance of music, dance and chant by the Kofi and Sankofa African Drum and Dance Ensemble.
- Call (908) 725-3420 for more info.
Splendid Life Meditation
Bernardsville Public Library
1 Anderson Hill Road Bernardsville
- Friday December 7, 10am.
- Join Fauzia Burke for Splendid Life Meditation. Learn to manage stress,and be happier and more creative.
- Free, no sign-up needed.
- Visit the library website or call (908) 766-0118 for more info.
Nutcracker Act II
Bernards High School Performing Arts Center
25 Olcott Avenue, Bernardsville
- Saturday December 8, 1pm and 4:30pm.
- Our family friendly production of “Nutcracker Act II, Clara’s Journey to the Kingdom of Sweets” gives you a glimpse of Clara’s magic world, featuring The Reperatory Dancers.
- The quick paced, multi-cultural scenes and vibrant costumes make the second act of the ‘Nutcracker’ enjoyable for all ages.
- Adults $22, seniors $20, students (18 and younger with ID) $10.
- Visit the website for more info.
Learn Guidelines for Choke Management
Bernardsville Public Library
1 Anderson Hill Road Bernardsville
- Monday December 10, 7pm.
- Be prepared for the unexpected emergency. Learn from Michelle York of Somerset Hills CPR, LLC how to stay calm and act quickly if your child chokes. This class is non-accredited, but follows American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines.
- Free. Advance sign-up is required as space is limited.
- Visit the library website or call (908) 766-0118 for more info.
BINGO Night!
Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School
14 Vogt Drive, Bridgewater
- Thursday December 13, 7pm.
- Middle Earth, a nonprofit serving youth for 40 years, invites the community to BINGO! Proceeds fund youth programs.
- Admission is $5 per person, which includes one three-on-board card. Prize payout is guaranteed at $1,300. There will be three 50/50 specials held throughout the night, as well.
- Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the game beginning at 7 p.m.
- Visit the website or call (908) 725-7223 for more information.
Middle Earth Breakfast Fundraiser for Leslie Ramirez
Applebee’s
640 Promenade Blvd, Bridgewater
- Saturday December 15, 8-10am.
- The Middle Earth youth will serve an excellent breakfast at Applebee’s to raise funds for Leslie Ramirez, an 11-year-old girl from Bound Brook. Leslie was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, but in August, their family lost their health insurance.
- Visit the website or call (908) 725-7223 for more info.
4-H Festival of Trees
Somerset County 4-H Center
310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater
- Saturday December 15 and 16, 10am-2pm.
- Come see homespun and upscale decorated holiday trees. Many crafted items for sale.
- Santa will be there both days to hear wishes and have pictures taken. Bring your camera.
- No admission, no charge for pictures with Santa.
- Visit the website or call (732) 932-5000, Ext. 584 for more info.