Ashtyn Asay If RHONJ Christmas episodes are part of your comfort watch, this new holiday pop-up is going to be on your to-do list this season. The Brownstone in Paterson is getting the ultimate North Jersey holiday makeover: from November 27th through December 6th, the iconic New Jersey spot owned by the Manzo family will transform into Once Upon a Christmas. It’s a festive holiday experience complete with Santa’s office, a Winter Wonderland, an après-ski lounge, holiday food and drinks, family activities, and plenty of photo ops. The family’s longtime Paterson venue is trading its usual wedding and banquet setup for 10 days of over-the-top holiday fun. Here’s what to know about the holiday-inspired pop-up coming to The Brownstone.
The Brownstone’s Holiday Pop-Up
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According to the event’s website and our exclusive chat with Chris Manzo, Once Upon a Christmas is designed to feel like “a full holiday experience” — wander through themed spaces, grab a drink or bite at Bar Blitzen, write a letter to Santa, make holiday crafts, snap photos in a faux-snow Winter Wonderland, or cozy up in the Après Ski lounge.
The event is a short stint this year, according to Chris, taking place from November 27-December 6th, with hopes of having a longer time frame and even a Christmas tree lot outside next year.
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About The Brownstone
For anyone who watched The Real Housewives of New Jersey back in the day, The Brownstone is one of the pillars of New Jersey royalty (we’re being dramatic but also, iykyk). The Paterson venue is owned and operated by the Manzo family, who became one of New Jersey’s most recognizable reality TV families after Caroline Manzo joined the Bravo series RHONJ.
The Brownstone’s story goes back well before its reality TV days. Tom and Rita Clune established the business in 1947, creating what The Brownstone describes as ‘the first known non-hotel catering facility in the country.’ Albert “Tiny” Manzo later purchased the business after previously working there in the 1960s, and the family has continued operating the venue ever since.
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Sessions run throughout the day and evening, with programming ranging from brunch with Santa and holiday card photo sessions to DJ nights, live music, Christmas trivia, and a special character breakfast featuring Buddy the Elf.
Tickets range from $42 for a daytime session to $350 for an all-access pass valid throughout the 10-day event.
And yes, the possibility of seeing the Manzos in the wild is on the table, as the family is running the events firsthand. But: the question remains: Will sprinkle cookies be on the menu?
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