If you're still looking for a fun way to celebrate the holidays this month, there is no shortage of events taking place in South Jersey.
From train rides to trolley rides, from live shows including "A Tuna Christmas" to the Christmas Day production of "Lo Mein, Latkes & Laughter," the family-friendly holiday events continue throughout the region.
'Scrooge' at Elaine's Dinner Theater
Elaine's Dinner Theater's popular rendition of "Scrooge" is back in Cape May as Parker Smith returns to play the title character for the 17th year.
The light-hearted version of the traditional "Christmas Carol" is intended for the whole family and includes rolls, choice of soup or salad, entree, sides, dessert, coffee and tea. Appetizers and other drinks are extra. A children's menu also is available.
Entrees include crab cake; pork loin with black bean corn salsa and orange chile sauce over rice; tuscan shrimp with bowtie pasta; blackened tilapia with shrimp over Mexican rice; seared salmon with mini crab cake and Hollandaise sauce; or New York strip steak with Bordelaise sauce.
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29, with 4 p.m. shows Dec. 23 and 30.
Tickets, priced at $44.95 for adults, $34.95 for teens and $24.95 for children, are available by calling 609-884-1199. Elaine's is located at 513 Lafayette St., Cape May. For more information, go to
4H Model Railroad train display
Come see the Atlantic County 4H Model Railroad Club's display of model trains inside the Shore Mall for the final time this year, due to the closing of the mall. The display is located directly across from the Jersey Shore Children's Museum and the DMV, both inside the mall.
The Shore Mall is located at 6725 Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township. Trains are running 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call Craig Garwood at 609-703-5975.
'A Tuna Christmas' at Cape May Stage
"A Tuna Christmas," the hilarious sequel to the hit comedy, "Greater Tuna," continues its run at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse through Dec. 30.
Director Marlena Lustik takes the audience through a hilarious 24-hour yuletide journey of 24 comical characters being performed by only two multi-talented actors, Turner Crumbley and Jody Cook.
"A Tuna Christmas" will run 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday evenings, and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse, 405 Lafayette St., Cape May. Tickets are $35 adults, $30 seniors and $15 students. The show runs for two hours with intermission.
Call 609-884-1341 or go to www.capemaystage.org.
'A Little Nutcracker' at Mainland
New Motion Dance Studio will present "A Little Nutcracker" 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, inside the Mainland High School Auditorium in Linwood. This shortened version of the holiday classic is performed by the students of New Motion Dance Studio and is perfect for the whole family to enjoy.
Mainland High School is located at 1301 Oak Ave., Linwood. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children. Call the dance studio at 609-927-3004 or buy tickets at the door.
Cape May Christmas tours, trolley rides
The city of Cape May is offering plenty of holiday cheer with a full schedule of tours and holiday displays:
Ghosts of Christmas Past Trolley Rides: A member of the East Lynne Theater Company will regale riders with a Victorian holiday ghost tale while riding through the festively decorated Historic District. Adults are $10; children 3 to 12 are $7. Rides take place Friday, Dec. 21, Saturday, Dec. 22, Sunday, Dec. 23, and nightly from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31. Hours vary. Tour begins and ends at Washington Street Mall at Ocean Street. Advance reservation strongly recommended.
Holiday Lights Trolley Rides: Ride through Cape May's Historic District to see decorated inns and homes, as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs, and play Christmas music. Rides last about 30 minutes and cost $10 per seat. Rides are offered nightly through Dec. 31. Hours vary. Tours leave from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington Street at Ocean Street.
Lamplighter Christmas Tour: Relive the memories of Christmas past on this self-guided evening tour of five of Cape May's finest Bed and Breakfast inns, specially decorated for the holidays. Innkeepers will share their holiday spirit at each location. The tour also includes a visit to the Carriage House Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate where you can see "An Old-Fashioned Christmas" exhibit while enjoying warm beverages and traditional cookies. Adults: $20; children ages 3 to 12 are $15. Tours run from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 29.
Physick Estate Christmas Tour: Visit the 1879 Physick Estate, Cape May's only Victorian house museum, decorated in authentic Victorian style. Learn about Victorian Christmas decorations and traditions on this guided daytime tour. The tour also includes a visit to the Carriage House Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate where you can see "An Old-fashioned Christmas" exhibit. Adults: $10; children ages 3 to 12 are $5. Tours take place daily. Hours vary. No tours Tuesday, Dec. 25.
Santa's Trolley Rides: Bring the kids to the Physick Estate on weekends for a ride around Cape May with stories and songs led by Mrs. Claus. Santa will greet children with a sweet in the Carriage House. All seats are $8. The last trolley ride takes place Saturday, Dec. 22. Advance reservation strongly recommended.
For more information on any of the rides or tours, call the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC) at 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or go to www.capemaymac.org for more information.
'Lo Mein, Latkes & Laughter' at JCC
The Milton & Betty Katz JCC will host an evening of "Lo Mein, Latkes & Laughter" 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25. The evening will include a kosher Chinese buffet and a comedic hypnotism show with Ronny Romm. Through his powers of persuasion, Romm will take the voluntary members of audience on an unforgettable journey into the human mind.
This event is open to the entire community. The cost is $15 per person, $10 for children and includes dinner and interactive show. Call Josh Cutler at 609-822-1167, ext.138 or
email JCutler@jccatlantic.org.
'Santa Express' train rides continue
The popular Santa Express train rides have returned this year. Cape May Seashore Lines operates the trains, which run between Richland and Tuckahoe Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 22 and 23. The last Santa "Starlight" Express will operate Thursday, Dec. 20. During each ride, Santa walks through the train and spends time with each child.
Online ticket purchases are highly recommended as train rides sell out quickly. Adult tickets are $15, and tickets for children ages 2 to 12 are $10. Cafe and lounge car tickets are $25 and include light refreshments. All tickets are round trip. The Richland Village Train Station is located at 1275 Harding Highway in Richland. The Tuckahoe Village Train Station is located at Railroad Avenue and Mill Road. For more information and a detailed train schedule, go to www.the-santa-express.com.
