Enjoy Christmas Underwater at the Adventure Aquarium
From November 24 through December 24, 2023, plunge into unbe-reef-able, under-the-sea holiday fun with a holly-jolly array of activities during the Christmas Underwater special event at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden.
Scuba Santa is back, diving in Ocean Realm with sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and other fishy friends. He’ll appear in the Panoramic Window to wave hello to kids of all ages! Be awed by the world’s tallest underwater Christmas tree. And twirl around in magical “flurries” in the new and improved Snowtunda.
Year-round, Adventure Aquarium wows with 15,000+ aquatic animals, like the Northeast’s largest collection of sharks, the world’s only aquarium-dwelling hippos and popular little blue penguins and African penguins.
Christmas Underwater is included with daily tickets and memberships. Advance purchase or member reservations are strongly recommended, as tickets may not be available at the door due to hourly capacity limits. Book your visit today!
Unwrap Camden’s Other Riverside Delights
While in Camden, be inspired by art exhibitions, programs and community projects at Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts (you can preview current exhibitions here). Explore the Battleship New Jersey, a floating museum that’s the largest and most decorated battleship in U.S. Naval history. The truly interactive tours will have you climbing into the 16” gun turret, navigating narrow passageways and more, as crews did in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The Battleship is expected to go into dry dock for repairs for approximately eight weeks starting January or February of 2024, so be sure to contact the office prior to your visit.
Discover several locations on New Jersey’s Black Heritage Trip Itineraries, such as an Underground Railroad stop, LaUnique African American Bookstore & Cultural Arts Center and Corinne’s Place, a family-owned favorite dishing up soul food classics.
Check off two restaurants on the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail. Donkey’s Place cooks up a cheesesteak Bourdain claimed “should be a national landmark,” while Tony & Ruth’s Steaks serves lip-smacking cheesesteaks and breakfast sandwiches.
More to Love, Close By in Collingswood
You’ll find plenty of things to do in neighboring Camden, too, at destinations bursting with gift shopping, dining, nightlife and events.
Charming Collingswood transforms into a winter wonderland with holiday festivities, including parades, singers and snow downtown, free visits with Santa (including a sensory-friendly experience with Old St. Nick on select dates) and more than a quarter-million lights twinkling along tree-lined streets. Take in a show at the Scottish Rite Auditorium and enjoy distinctive restaurants and shops like Il Fiore, Bespoke home + life, The Candy Jar by 1892, Clutter Vintage and Cynplicity Artisan Soap Co. Or, create a truly unique gift for a loved one at All Fired Up, the paint your own pottery studio.
Happy Holidays from Haddonfield and Haddon Township
In Haddonfield, stroll a picturesque downtown and greet Haddy, the landmark sculpture commemorating the world’s first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton, a Hadrosaurus foulkii unearthed here in 1858. It’s one of many outdoor sculptures—spot them all on this self-guided walking tour.
Eclectic shopping spans Button Shy (a publisher of pocket-sized games), The English Gardener Gift Shop (specializes in British Isles items), Happy Hippo Toys and Haddonfield Record Exchange. Dine and drink at places such as Crepe N Shake, Jersey Java & Tea Co., Downtown Cookies and Kings Road Brewing Company.
Bring your little elves to Ritz Theatre Company (Haddon Township) for the Ritz Kidz production of The Search For Santa (December 20 – 23, 2023). Then try Peace Love Pickles, the “real dill” home of the original pickle sandwich, which uses pickles instead of bread!
Or head to The Pour House (Westmont location) for a relaxed vibe complemented by elevated gastropub fare, a seasonal menu and a hearty craft beer selection.
Sweet Gatherings in Cherry Hill and Pitman
Cherry Hill provides lots of fun places to be together, including the Amazing Escape Room and Bury the Hatchet axe throwing. Dine at local favorites Amy's Omelette House and Silver Diner. And, of course, score loads of gifts – and get your annual photo with Santa – at Cherry Hill Mall.
Head to the Broadway Theatre of Pitman for A Christmas Carol (December 8 – 17, 2023). Linger for Uptown Pitman's distinctive shops and restaurants.
Settle Here for a Long Winter’s Nap
Select from the area’s great accommodations, like Hilton Garden Inn Camden Waterfront Philadelphia, Holiday Inn, Philadelphia/Cherry Hill and The Inn on Holly (Pitman), a Victorian home turned festive bed and breakfast.
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