Newport Skates in Jersey City opens up this weekend, and will be open daily (weather depending, and excluding holidays).

(Jesse Brothers | The Jersey Journal)

NEWPORT SKATES OPENS: The chill of winter is finally hitting the air, and that means skating season is here. The fantastic Newport Skates ice skating rink opens for the season Friday. The rink, located outside the Newport apartment complex, will be open Monday to Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The rink will be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day. Admission is free for those with a Resident Discount Card. Private skating lessons are available. The rink is open for private rentals throughout the season. $7 admission, $6 skate rental. Friday 4 to 9 p.m. (then open seven days a week). 95 River Drive South, Jersey City. 201-626-7465.

EMO NIGHT AT HOUSE OF INDEPENDENTS: "Emo Night Brooklyn" returns to the House of Independents in Asbury Park for a night of screaming infidelities, and embodying the phrase "sic transit gloria." The music of the early 2000s "emo revival" -- Brand New, Taking Back Sunday, Dashboard Confessional, My Chemical Romance, and others will be played throughout the night. If this is the music you grew up to, consider this night a ride inside an epic, wailing time machine. $10. Friday, 9 p.m. 572 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park. 866-777-8932.

MARTIN LAWRENCE IN NEWARK AND ATLANTIC CITY: Actor/comedian Martin Lawrence performs three shows in New Jersey this weekend. The star of the FOX sitcom "Martin," and films such as "Bad Boys" and "Big Momma's House" brings his "Doin' Time: Uncut Live" shows to Caesar's in Atlantic on Friday and Saturday and the Prudential Center in Newark on Sunday. $65-$125. Friday, Saturday 9 p.m. 2100 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City. 609-348-4411. | $59-$210. Sunday, 7 p.m. 25 Lafayette Street, Newark. 973-757-6600.

WILDWOODS FAMILY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION: If you're looking for an event where you can do just about every holiday-related activity -- and for free -- make the trek to Wildwood. The Wildwoods Family Holiday Celebration kicks off Friday with the annual Jaycees Christmas Parade which culminates with the Christmas tree lighting at The Wildwoods Convention Center. There will be a holiday shopping bazaar happening inside the center starting at 6 p.m. On Saturday, the event will feature vendors, shopping, a hosts of local school choirs and bands, and a magician. If you want to catch a holiday film there's free screenings all day ranging from classics like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" to more modern features like "The Polar Express." Of course, no Christmas outing would be complete without a visit from Santa, who'll be arriving around 11:30 a.m. Free. Friday, 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, 609-729-9000.

BOTTOM OF THE BARREL WHISKEY EVENT AT STARLAND: Lovers of whiskey and bourbon can get their fill Saturday afternoon at Starland Ballroom. The concert venue turns into a whiskey bar when Jack Daniels and other popular brands set up shop. Attendees can sip on spirits from: Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, and various versions of Jack Daniels including Gentlemen Jack, Jack Fire, and Jack Honey. Guests can enjoy a virtual tour of the JD distillery in Lynchburg, TN as well as food from local food trucks such as: Oink and Moo BBQ, The Empanada Times, Johnny's Pork Roll, Gyros to Go and Giraldi Kabob. $25-$40. Saturday, 2 p.m. 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville. 732- 238-5500.

A DICKENS OF A MURDER: This is one of those unique holiday events you'll have to see to believe. The Palm Restaurant, at The Tropicana in Atlantic City, will present their annual production of "A Dickens of a Murder" as a part of their dinner-theater series. The plot of the show is as follows: Ebenezer Scrooge attends his nephew Fred's Christmas party, and is murdered. Who will solve the case? Why Sherlock Holmes, of course. And like any good dinner-theater show, Sherlock will be looking to members of the audience to help him find the killer. There will be a second show on December 18. $85 (includes three-course dinner and show), Sunday, 6 p.m. The Tropicana Casino and Resort, 2801 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, 609-344-7256.

2016 KEYPORT CANDLELIGHT HOUSE TOUR: The charming bayshore town of Keyport always steps up for Christmas. They do it so well they have even crafted a trolley tour to show off how well the townsfolk and business owners trim their trees and deck their halls. The annual Keyport Candlelight House Tour, sponsored and curated by the Keyport Historical Society, will run this Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m. You can take the tour by trolley or you can walk or drive yourself to all the locations on your map. These spots include many of the historic homes and buildings that comprise this up-and-coming Shore town. $18 (advance), $20 (day of). Saturday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ticket pick-up is at Espresso Joe's - 50 West Front Street, Calabrese Barbershop - 33 West Front Street and Keyport Public Library - 109 Broad Street. For ticket info call: 732-778-5786.

Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.