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The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College turns into Ocean County’s holiday stage in December, with eight seasonal shows between Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 20, 2026. Here is the full lineup, from family matinees to big band swing, with dates, times and ticket prices.
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A Christmas Carol
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Main Stage, Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 1 p.m.
- Cost: $20 adults, $17 children 12 and under
Yates Musical Theatre for Children brings Dickens to the stage in a musical version of the story, with Scrooge visited by three spirits on Christmas Eve, plus Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and an original score. It is part of the Grunin Center Family Series, and every attendee needs a ticket regardless of age.
OCC Concert Band: Magic of the Season
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Main Stage, Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, 7 p.m.
- Cost: $28 adults, $24 seniors, $14 children 12 and under
The OCC Concert Band’s annual holiday concert, conducted by Anthony Tafrow, mixes symphonic arrangements, classic carols and lively holiday pieces. The college also hints at a surprise appearance by a jolly figure in a red suit.
Judy Collins: Sweet Judy Blue Eyes, Farewell
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Main Stage, Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 7 p.m.
- Cost: $70 Level 1, $65 Level 2
The Grammy-winning folk singer-songwriter brings her farewell tour to Toms River, with folk classics and her own songs from a career of more than 50 years. Fans will not want to miss this one.
Westminster Concert Bell Choir
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Main Stage, Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Friday, December 11, 2026, 7 p.m.
- Cost: $25
The choir’s Winter Concert features holiday classics and original works for handbell choir, played on what the Grunin Center describes as the world’s largest range of handbells and Choirchime instruments.
Broadway for the Holidays
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Black Box Theater, Building 11B, Grunin Center for the Arts, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Friday, December 11, through Sunday, December 20, 2026: Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
- Cost: $26 adults, $24 seniors, $22 students
The OCC Repertory Theatre Co. puts on a high-energy holiday revue of Broadway classics and contemporary favorites, with vocals, choreography and seasonal surprises. Seating in the Black Box is general admission.
The Sunday, December 13, matinee is already listed as sold out, so grab seats for one of the other seven performances soon.
The Nutcracker
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Main Stage, Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Saturday, December 12, 2026, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Cost: $20 adults, $17 children 12 and under
Ballet for Young Audiences presents a condensed, narrated version of the holiday ballet made for kids, following Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to a magical realm. It is a great first ballet for little ones, and like every Family Series show, each attendee needs a ticket.
Tartan Terrors Celtic Christmas Spectacular
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Main Stage, Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Saturday, December 19, 2026, 7 p.m.
- Cost: $48 and $42
The Tartan Terrors blend Celtic and classic Christmas music with Hogmanay tunes, mixing foot-stomping Celtic rock, comedy and step dancing into one loud, joyful night.
Jukebox Saturday Night: Swingin’ Holiday Spectacular
- Town: Toms River
- Where: Main Stage, Grunin Center for the Arts, Ocean County College, 1 College Drive, Toms River
- When: Sunday, December 20, 2026, 3 p.m.
- Cost: $40
Jukebox Saturday Night, a revue of the great big bands of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, closes the season with holiday classics, selections from Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite and a tribute to Louis Prima and Gia Maione Prima, all with a jazzy twist.
Tickets for every show are sold through the Grunin Center box office and website. With one performance already sold out weeks ahead, it pays to book early, especially if you are planning a family outing around the start of holiday break.
Want more holiday shows and seasonal fun? Keep checking Shop Ocean County for things to do across Ocean County all December long.
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