Weekend Happenings: Getting a Jump on the Holidays with Shows, Crafts & Santa

'Tis almost the season.  Thanksgiving is Thursday and it is  now close enough to the holidays that you can feel free to indulge in your favorite Christmas merry-making without seeming like the guy who leaves his Christmas lights up all year long.

And, of course, there's all that Christmas shopping that needs finishing. Didn't you vow last year to never again wait until the absolute last minute? Oh, never mind, that was me.

You will find a interesting selection of holiday event in this edition of South Jersey Weekend Happenings...

Atlantic City...

- Tropicana: Holiday Extravaganza, featuring a Broadway dance ensemble, thru 12/19, various times

- Borgata: Cedric the Entertainer, Fri. 11/21, Music Box

- Golden Nugget: Whiskey Revival Weekend, Fri-Sat. 11/21-22

- Golden Nugget: Comic Taylor Williamson, Fri. 11/21

- Tropicana: O.A.R., Sat. 11/22

- Borgata: Ace Frehley, Sat. 11/22

- Caesars: Greek singer George Dalaras

More fun things to do this weekend...

- Absecon: Be a part of Lite Rock 96.9 WFPG's Holiday Food Drive Sat. 11/21 from 11a-1p at the Absecon ShopRite and donate non-perishable food and cash for those in South Jersey who need it. You could win Fleetwood Mac at Boardwalk Hall tickets.

- Somers Point: The play "Santa and the Psychiatrist", Sandi Pointe Coastal Bistro, Fri-Sat. 11/21-22

- Galloway: A Night of Storytelling, Fri. 11/21 from 6:30-8:30p, Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge auditorium

- Somers Point: 67th annual Charity League Christmas Mart, Fri-Sat. 11/21-22, Greate Bay Country Club, crafts, pictures with Santa

- Mays Landing: Visit Santa Claus , Hamilton Mall, daily until Christmas

- Mays Landing: Atlantic County 4-H Model Train Display, second floor of Hamilton Mall

- Galloway: Absegami High School's Emanon Players present "Robin Hood", Fri-Sat. 11/21-22 @ 7p, sun @ 3p
- Egg Harbor Township: Fernwood Middle School presents "Beauty and the Beast", Fri-Sat 11/21-22 @ 7p

- Ocean City : Fine Art and Handcraft Festival, Sat-Sun.11/22-23, Music Pier

- Galloway: Stockton College presents Story Slam, Kramer Hall, Fri. 11/21 @ 7p

- Estell Manor: Christmas Chinese and Silent Auction, Elementary school 11/22 from 2-4p

- Egg Harbor Township: Fight Leukemia Fishing Tournament, Sat. 11/22 from 7a-4p

- Port Norris: Christmas Crafts Bazaar, Sat. 11/22 from 9a-2p, St. Anthony's Church, 856-367-7247

- Absecon: "Absecon's Got Talent", Sat.11/22 @ 7pm, featuring AGT's finalist Mara Justine, Holy Spirit High School auditorium

- Sea Isle: "Girls Weekend", Fri-Sun. 11/20-23

- Cape May Court House: The Nutcracker performed by the New Jersey Ballet, Sun. 11/23 @ 2p, Middle Township PAC

-  Hammonton: The Eagle Theatre presents the play "Into the Woods", Fri-Sun. 11/21-23