It’s that time again ladies and gents….the weekend! From an ugly sweater bar crawl, a holiday marketplace, presents for pups and where to get free drinks if you have a December birthday..there is something for everyone this weekend. What do you have planned??
Presents for Shelter Pups: Friday, December 9th-Saturday, December 25th
It’s a Wonderful Life at MST: Friday, December 9th-Sunday, December 18th
See this treasured film LIVE at Mile Square Theatre now through December 18th. Get your tickets here to enjoy this festive treat with the whole family. Located at 1400 Clinton Street in Hoboken.
Eighty x Andco Holiday Pop-Up Shop: Friday, December 9th to Friday, December 16th
Beginning this Friday through Friday, December 16th, &CO will transform their lounge into a holiday pop-up shop. This shop will feature a curated selection of products by local Jersey City businesses and artists including: Billykirk, Prosper Rough Design Co., Niroma Studio Hill and VelezInspiralized: Turn Vegetables into Healthy Katie Cadamatre Nathaniel ‘Natty’ Adams & many more. Located at 201 Montgomery Street in Jersey City.
Raising the Bar: Friday, December 9th from 1:00PM-3:00PM
This training program is designed to help create a safer community and encourage accountability for all. This first FREE training session is for bartenders, bar owners and other establishments that serve alcohol. RSVP by contacting Anna at 201-418-1004. Located at CarePoint Health {308 Willow Avenue in Hoboken}.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Party: Friday, December 9th from 3:30PM-5:30PM
NJMOM will host their annual Winter Wonderland this Friday. This holiday party is for kids ages 9 months – 9 years and will include arts & crafts, holiday photos, raffles, gift bags, story time and a hot chocolate bar – yesssss. Get your tickets here. Located at 1145 12th Street in Hoboken.
Holiday Night at Roig Gallery: Friday, December 9th from 5:00PM-9:00PM
Visit Roig Gallery this Friday evening to experience live music, a Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream cart, hot chocolate, treats and to see all of Ricardo’s newest pieces of art! Located at 252 First Street in Hoboken.
Wicked Wolf’s {December} Birthday Bash: Friday, December 9th from 10:00PM-1:00AM
Have a birthday in December? Wicked Wolf is celebrating EVERY birthday in December this Friday evening with drinks on the house and half priced drinks for all your friends. This is an RSVP only event and will be held 10pm-1am. RSVP here and don’t forget to bring a valid ID.
Zumba Kids Class at Retro Fitness: Saturday, December 10th from 11:00AM-12:00PM
This Saturday, visit Retro Fitness for a FREE Zumba kids class – parents welcomed! This class is for kids 3-12 years of age and will take at 130 Washington Street in Hoboken. In lieu of a class fee, please bring a toy to donate to their toy drive for Toys for Tots.
W Kodak Jewelers Holiday Party: Saturday, December 10th from 11:00AM-8:00PM
W Kodak Jewelers is proud to present their holiday party this Saturday. From 11:00AM-8:00PM, you can enjoy bloody marys, mimosas and hors d’oeuvres while you peruse their collection. Located at 1123 Hudson Street in Hoboken.
Holiday Marketplace: Saturday, December 10th from 12:00PM-4:00PM
The Hudson County Community College will host a holiday marketplace this Saturday. Enjoy a day perusing over 70 local vendors, live music, hot apple cider or hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, giveaways and more. Attendance is free but the Student Government Association asks that you please bring toys and clothing to benefit children and families in need this holiday season. Located at 161 Newkirk Street in Jersey City.
Elite Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl: Saturday, December 10th from 1:00PM-12:00AM
Dress in your “ugliest”?? This Saturday, you can participate in an ugly sweater bar crawl including bars such as: The Shannon, Willie Mcbrides, Wicked Wolf Tavern, Black Bear Bar & Grill, 1 Republik , Texas Arizona and more. Get your tickets here.
Meditation Class at Modern Sage: Sunday, December 11th at 11:00AM
Wind down from your weekend with a little morning meditation. Visit Modern Sage to experience this hour guided mediation that will help reduce stress, reduce insomnia, give clarity and help develop a connection with oneself. All are welcome for just $10. Located at 351 2nd Street in Jersey City.
Upcoming Weekday Events
Monday, December 12th – Hoboken Girl’s 12 Days of Giveaways begins! Follow us here for deets.
Monday, December 12th at 6:00PM- Ugly Sweater Cross-Chamber Holiday Mixer – register here.
Monday, December 12th at 8:00PM – Star Wars trivia at Maxwell’s.
Tuesday, December 13th from 11:00AM-3:00PM- 6th Borough Market’s Holiday Bazaar.
Wednesday, December 14th at 5:00PM- The annual Hoboken Christmas tree lighting {previously rescheduled due to rain} – located at City Hall.
Wednesday, December 14th from 6:30PM-9:30PM- Hoboken Shelter’s 13th Annual Silent Auction – more info & tickets here.
Wednesday, December 14th from 7:00PM-8:30PM- The Traveling Grape with Lourdes of the Vine – tickets & more about this class on Cabernet Sauvignon here.
Thursday, December 15th from 4:00PM-9:00PM- Holiday trunk show at The Modern Sage – free chakra readings, jewelry and other goodies.
Thursday, December 15th from 6:00PM-10:00PM- Liberty Science Center After Dark: Space Cantina – more info & tickets here.
Thursday, December 15th from 7:00PM-8:30PM- Holiday Cake Decorating Class at Hoboken Public Library – more info here.
What will you do this week{end}? We hope it’s a good one xo
2025 Blood Drive Dates for the Hoboken + Jersey City Area
According to the American Red Cross, the hardest time to collect blood is at the start of the new year. While we are almost two months into 2025, it is still the cold and flu season, which means it's more important now than ever for Hudson County locals to take their time to donate blood. Luckily, there are blood drives happening all across our community over the next few months. The Hoboken Girl has compiled a list of blood drives and locations to give blood in the local area. Keep reading for a list of blood drives in Hoboken, Jersey City, + beyond.
Types of Blood Donations
According to the American Red Cross, there are four types of blood donations — all of which are necessary to save lives.
Whole Blood Donation: This kind of donation is the most common type of donation and consists of collecting a full pint of blood — plasma, red cells, platelets, and all. This donation typically takes one hour to complete.
Power Red Donation + Double Red Blood Cell: Power red donations, which are also referred to as double red blood cell donations, involve safely giving two units of red blood cells instead of one, which is the usual amount collected during a regular red blood cell donation. During this process, which can take about one and a half hours, the cells become separated from the other components of the blood. The red cells collected from a power red donation are usually given to trauma patients, and newborns, and used in emergency transfusions.
Read More: A List of Hoboken + Jersey City Non-Profits to Donate to Year-Round
Platelet Donation: In a platelet donation, only the platelets are taken from the blood. This process can take anywhere from two and a half hours to three hours. "A single donation of platelets can yield several transfusable units, whereas it takes about five whole blood donations to make up a single transfusable unit of platelets," according to the American Red Cross.
Plasma Donation: This kind of donation involves donating just the plasma, which is separated from the other blood components during the process. Plasma donations take about an hour and 15 minutes and are used during trauma situations to help stop a patient from bleeding.
Blood Drives in Hudson County
March
Stevens Institute of Technology | 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken
March 14th | 12PM - 5PM
This blood drive takes place on March 14th at the University Center Complex at Stevens Institute of Technology. This drive will run from 12PM to 5PM. The American Red Cross will collect both whole blood and power red. See here to schedule an appointment.
Catholic War Veterans Post 1612 | 18 West 23rd Street, Bayonne
March 22nd | 8AM - 2PM
The American Red Cross will collect whole blood and power red donations at the Catholic War Veterans Post 1612 in Bayonne on March 22nd. This drive will occur from 8AM to 2PM. To schedule an appointment to donate, see this link.
Union City High School | 2500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Union City
March 26th | 7AM - 4PM
Union City High School on JFK Boulevard will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on March 26th. The drive will collect both whole blood and power red donations from 7AM to 4PM. To learn more and to schedule an appointment, click here.
Hoboken Public Library | 500 Park Avenue Hoboken
March 31st | 12PM - 6PM
The New York Blood Center will host a blood drive in the meeting room of the Hoboken Public Library on March 31st. The drive will collect whole blood and double red cells and take place from 12PM to 6PM. Time slots are available every 15 minutes. To schedule an appointment, see this link.
May
Peninsula Lodge No. 99 F. & A. M. | 888 Avenue C, Bayonne
May 6th | 12PM - 5PM
Hudson County locals can head to the Peninsula Lodge No. 99 F. + A.M. on May 6th for an American Red Cross blood drive. Both whole blood and power red donations will be collected from 12PM-7PM. To learn more and to sign up, click here.
July
Peninsula Lodge No. 99 F. & A. M. | 888 Avenue C, Bayonne
July 25th | 2PM - 5PM
The Peninsula Lodge No. 99 F. + A.M. will host another blood drive on July 25th. The American Red Cross will collect whole blood and power red donations from 12PM-7PM. To learn more and to sign up, click here.
See More: Organizations + Non-Profits to Give Back to in Montclair
Bonus
American Red Cross | 257 Cornelison Avenue, Jersey City
American Red Cross has a donation center on Cornelison Avenue in Jersey City. Unlike a donation drive, locals can donate blood at any time at a designated center. This location is open Monday to Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM.
