Bergen County's Winter Wonderland Returns to Van Saun Park in Paramus on Nov. 27

The skates come out in Paramus the day after Thanksgiving. Bergen County's Winter Wonderland returns to Van Saun County Park on Friday, Nov. 27, for an 11th season of open-air ice skating, Blitzen's Bumper Cars and carousel rides, the county said.

The event runs through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027, at the park, 216 Forest Ave. Along with the rink, the county lists live entertainment, food trucks and a beer and wine garden, with Bergen New Bridge Medical Center as presenting sponsor. Opening day runs from noon to 9 p.m., with a ribbon cutting at 6 p.m.

A visit takes some planning. From Nov. 27 through Dec. 20, the county lists regular hours of 4 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays, and it is urging people to buy tickets ahead of time, especially for popular skating sessions. "You don't have to travel far to experience the magic of the holiday season," County Executive James J. Tedesco III said.

The big nights are already set. The Christmas tree lighting, along with the winner of the municipal tree decorating contest, is Saturday, Dec. 5. The menorah lighting is Wednesday, Dec. 9, when Winter Wonderland is open from 4 to 9 p.m., and the kinara lighting is Sunday, Dec. 27. Each ceremony starts at 6 p.m.

Over the holidays, the schedule opens up. Winter Wonderland is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Dec. 23, Dec. 26 through 30, and Jan. 1 and 2. It closes at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, is closed on Christmas Day, and wraps up Jan. 3 with hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at BergenCountyWinterWonderland.com; the county's announcement does not list prices.

Source: Bergen County.

Photo: The Van Saun Park carousel in Paramus (file photo). TMBLover / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0