Calendar of Events

Events Calendar

Welcome to the calendar – your reliable resource for upcoming events in Union County!

Scroll below and explore the upcoming educational programs, networking mixers, career opportunities, and inclusive recreational activities taking place in your community. Whether you want to go ice skating with Santa or paint like Picasso, you can experience the joy of the seasons through our vibrant and engaging events that the whole family will love. Be sure to check back often for updates!

For the latest Union County news, visit ucnj.org/press-releases/.

Winter Activities

Tickets are $8 each – includes skate rental, two hour timed entry, hot chocolate and a cookie.

Tickets must be must be purchased in advance at warinancopark.com

December 7th & 8th (Sat and Sun)

December 14th & 15th (Sat and Sun)

Tickets can be purchased online at themodelrailroadclub.org or at the door

At the Door: $10/adult, $5/child, $8/seniors

Children age 2 and under admitted FREE. 

The Holiday Train Show and Open House at Union County’s Model Railroad Club runs on weekends from Friday November 29 to Sunday, December 15

The show features show train operations where special trains traverse the club’s huge 11,000 square foot layout.

Parents and kids can tour the trains and layout up-close, and get an insider’s peek at the expansion that’s currently under construction. See how track is being hand-laid, how mountains and scenery are created, and find out about the planning and engineering that goes into the club’s bi-level corkscrew loop. In addition to the HO-scale trains featured in the show, there are G-scale and N-scale layouts on display, a small play area, and gift shop.

By popular demand in celebration of our 75th anniversary we are pleased to announce that Jenny is coming home. Each hour at the bottom of the hour Jenny will make a return to tell her story of growing up on along our Trenton Northern railroad.

DATES

  • Three Weekends: Nov 29-Dec 1, Dec 7-Dec 8, and Dec 14-15
  • Opening Day, Fri, Nov. 29 – 11 am – 6 pm       
  • Saturdays (Nov 30, Dec 7 & 14), 11 am – 6 pm
  • Sundays (Dec 1, Dec 8 & 15), 11am – 6pm
  • Jenny show times: 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30, 5:30

LOCATION

  • The Model Railroad Club, Inc. – Free Parking! 
  • Jefferson Avenue, off Route 22 East, Union Township, NJ 
  • (Behind The Home Depot)
  • Building is Wheelchair-Accessible.

TICKETS & INFO

PRESS CONTACT:

Tim McCollum | 908-964-9724 | tim.mccollum@tmrci.org

The Model Railroad Club, Inc. is a tax-exempt public charity affiliated with the Union County, NJ Department of Parks and Community Renewal.

All proceeds support the operations of The Model Railroad Club, Inc., one of the largest railroad clubs in New Jersey. The Club has approximately 170 volunteer members who help to fulfill the mission of the club to educate the general public about the railroads and the industries they served in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas.

Parents with children ages 3 and under are invited to our Toddler Time program at the Trailside Nature & Science Center to connect with the natural world. Activities will take place on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. or Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m., as indicated below. Please dress appropriately for the outdoors and bring a baby carrier or sling as strollers are not recommended. Maximum 4 family members per class.

The fee is $10 for residents, and $12 for non-residents. Registration is required. Click here to register or visit ucnj.org/trailside for more information.

For event cancellations or changes, please contact Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org.

Saturday, November 23rd: Naturally Artistic

Our Back to Nature walks are an excellent way for families with children ages 4 and older to spend time together in the great outdoors, enjoying Union County’s largest park, the Watchung Reservation.

The fee is $8 for residents and $10 for non-residents. Registration is required for adults and children. Click here to register or visit ucnj.org/trailside for more information.

For event cancellations or changes, please contact Trailside Nature and Science Center at 908-789-3670 or visit ucnj.org.

Saturday, November 23rd: Lenape Life

Sensory Friendly

Activities for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs

December 14th

Click here to register. To learn more about our inclusive events, visit ucnj.org/dhs/opdsn/.

Visit the Office for Persons with Disabilities & Special Needs for additional events and more information.

Activities and Services for Seniors

Farmers Market vouchers are now available for eligible Union County seniors. Each eligible senior can obtain a $50 e-benefit card to purchase “Jersey Fresh” fruits, vegetables, and herbs at participating Farmers Markets.

For more information about the Farmers’ Market nutrition program, or any services provided by the Division on Aging and Disability Resource in the Union County Department of Human Services, call 1-888-280-8226, or visit online at www.ucnj.org/dhs/aging.

Residents seeking information about services for seniors and their care givers can come to Union County’s Aging Services Kiosk events and meet in person with professional staff for guidance on senior programs and resources, including help with filling out applications and forms.

ASK is a program of the Union County Department of Human Services through the Division on Aging and Disability Resources, serving seniors age 60+ and their care givers. Staff at the ASK events can help seniors and care givers connect with a variety of services including home delivered meals, respite care, home care, adult day care and support services for caregivers.

Any Union County senior or care giver can visit any ASK event, regardless of their hometown. No appointment or pre-registration is needed. Visit ucnj.org/aging for upcoming dates.

NEW! Volunteer Opportunities in 2025

Start the New Year with purpose and generosity by volunteering in your community!

If you love gardening, have a passion for teaching, and want to contribute to your community, consider joining the Master Gardeners of Union County!

The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County is now recruiting volunteers for the 2025 Master Gardener Program, offering residents 18 years and older interested in volunteering the opportunity to learn or enhance their gardening and horticulture skills while assisting Rutgers professionals in educating the public. Click here to register or visit the Master Gardeners website at mastergardeners-uc.org/ for more information.

Are you passionate about the environment and eager to create a positive impact in your community?

  Look no further than the Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program! This dynamic program empowers individuals to learn from leading scientists and environmental experts about critical issues facing New Jersey. For more information or to register for the Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program,visit go.rutgers.edu/RES2025. If you are committed to environmental stewardship, willing to learn, and ready to volunteer, this program is for you!

For more volunteer opportunities, click here or visit ucnj.org/rce.

Conferences & Networking Events

Stay tuned for upcoming networking mixers and conferences in 2025. For the latest updates, visit ucnj.org.

Recycling

For more information, please visit ucnj.org/recycling.

Cultural Events Around the County

Dec. 13
7:30 pm
FREE HOLIDAY CONCERT

Westfield Community Band – 35th Annual Holiday Concert

Enjoy fabulous holiday music at this annual free concert, as the Band performs traditional, popular and contemporary holiday selections, along with guest singers – the Edison Intermediate School Broadway Singers

Edison Intermediate School Auditorium
800 Rahway Ave., Westfield

Dec. 13 @ 8 pm
Dec. 14 @ 8 pm
CONCERT

The Celebration Singers’ Winter Concert

Come enjoy beautiful choral music at The Celebration Singers holiday concert, “Hearth, Harmony and the Journey Home.”

Dec. 14
4 pm
HOLIDAY CONCERT

Concord Singers – Keep Yo’ Lamps

The Concord Singers will perform choral music inspired by sacred traditions and the winter solstice. Bask in the glow of harmonies radiating from diverse musical styles and genres from around the world, with choral works by Abbie Betinis, Josef Rheinberger, Rosephanye Powell, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Uzee Brown Jr., Camille Saint-Saëns.

Tickets: $20

Calvary Episcopal Church
31 Woodland Ave., Summit

Dec. 14
7:30 pm
HOLIDAY CONCERT

Summit Chorale – Winter Holiday Concert: Dona Nobis Pacem

Marking the anniversary of the December 1944 Battle of the Bulge, Summit Chorale will perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’s powerful Dona Nobis Pacem from 1936, a beautiful anthem for peace, composed with hope of avoiding a second World War. Featured soloists are Soprano Julia Lamon and Baritone Christian Waugh. The Chorale will also perform Christmas songs that Americans would have heard on the radio in the World War II era, including “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” “Happy Holiday,” “White Christmas,” “Let It Snow!” and more. Ring in the holiday season with this one-of-a-kind musical event.

Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 at the Door

Faith Lutheran Church
524 South St., New Providence

Jan. 25, 2025
3 pm
FREE CONCERT

Annual Free Family Concert by the Plainfield Symphony

Save this Saturday afternoon for the popular Free Family Concert performed by the Plainfield Symphony. Perfect for all ages. Concert will be performed live and livestreamed

Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church
716 Watchung Ave., Plainfield

Venue is wheelchair-accessible with lift to performance area, accessible restrooms and accessible parking places