30+ Free New Jersey Events December 2022

Is your favorite four-letter word FREE? Of course, it is! Good thing there’s plenty of free, fun entertainment going on in NJ all month long in December. Be sure to put these free events on your calendar.

Due to the ongoing restrictions and safety regulations with Covid-19, please verify these events before attending in case of any last-minute cancellations. And always check the weather!

For more events throughout the year, be sure to check out our Event Guide.

If you’d like to submit your event, click here.

For more New Jersey adventures, follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.

Free New Jersey Events for December 2022:

Smithville Village’s Holiday Light Show
Now – January 6, 2022 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM)
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on lake Meone and light up to the music around you.  It is an orchestrated show of lights and music played out across the lake.
​​615 East Moss Mill Road, Galloway, NJ

Holiday on Haddon Township Festival
December 2, 7PM
Santa Claus is coming to town during Haddon Township’s annual “Holiday on Haddon” celebration on Friday, December 2nd along Haddon Avenue. The celebration kicks off at 7:00 p.m. with the “Parade of Lights,” sponsored by the Westmont Fire Company No. 1. Decorated fire trucks, bands, floats, holiday characters, and Santa will parade along Haddon Avenue to the Haddon Township Municipal Building where all of Santa’s helpers will be encouraged to help Santa light the tree. Haddon Township will also be collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items for the Annual Holiday Toy & Food Drive during the event.
Haddon Ave, Haddon Twp, NJ

New Egypt Flea Market Holiday Market
December 2 & 9, 5-8PM
Tis the season for some Sweet Pickin Holiday Shopping!!! The village will be filled with twinkling lights and Christmas cheer!!! Get some shopping done and a visit with Santa!!
933 Monmouth Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights
December 2 – 4, 9 – 31(closed Dec 24 & 25), 5PM – 9PM
About 50 animal and holiday-themed figures will light up the winter night in Turtle Back Zoo and the surrounding Essex County South Mountain Recreation Complex. Over 100,000 lights will illuminate figures of bears, tigers and elephants, along with holiday lights designed to look like wooden soldiers, stars and winter scenes. Several animal exhibits will be open, including the Sea Lion Sound, Essex Farm, Tam-ring Gibbons Reserve, Tropical Currents Aquarium and the Reptile Building. Myrtle the Turtle, the mascot of Turtle Back Zoo, and several of his winter friends will be on hand to greet visitors at the Zoo.
Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange, NJ
Cost: Free. Donations accpeted

Ocean Grove Holiday Festival and Christmas in Ocean Grove
December 3, 10AM – 4PM
A Holiday Festival Arts & Crafts show! Come shop amazing crafter & artisan booths. It’s a day full of fun, food, and festivities. Local businesses offer a wide variety of unique and special gifts for everyone on your holiday list. Stick around for the choir, live nativity, a tree lighting with carols, Santa’s arrival, and a Christmas Celebration Concert.
Crafters, artisans, and live music- Main Ave., Ocean Grove, NJ
Choir, nativity, tree lighting, and Santa- Auditorium Square, Ocean Grove, NJ

Roxbury’s Annual Home For The Holidays Street Festival
December 3, 11AM – 3PM
Kick off the holiday season on Main Street in Succasunna for Roxbury Township’s Annual Home for the Holidays. You can shop, eat, meet Santa, listen to music and take a free carriage ride with jingle-belled horses! They’ll have food trucks, vendors selling unique gifts, and strolling carolers singing holiday songs. Explore “Santa Land” inside the Library from 1-4PM where you can get a photo with Santa, listen to holiday book readings, and do fun crafts. Enjoy hot drinks and homemade treats.
103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ

Pitman Winter Village
December 3, 11AM – 4PM
Visit Uptown Pitman for a special holiday shopping engagement! Find unique gifts in our stores and from more than 30 hand-craft vendors located on Ballard Avenue. Visit Santa at Ballard Park! Make a craft, play games, and listen to live music while you shop. Then grab a bite to eat at one of our fantastic restaurants! This event is rain or shine.
Ballard Ave & Park, Uptown Pitman, NJ

Verona Fair in the Square
December 3, 12PM – 5PM
The 25th annual festival for Verona and its surrounding communities celebrates the upcoming holiday season with crafters, vendors, entertainment and children’s activities. Food and beverages will be sold. Celebrations include the arrival of Santa and traditional tree lighting.
600 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ

Medford Dickens Festival
December 3, 4:30PM – 9PM
Venture back to a simpler, magical time for children and grown-ups alike. This will be the 30th year that Main Street in Medford will be transformed into a quaint winter wonderland, featuring holiday festivities galore with an old-time flair. The festival is free and typically attracts more than 10,000 people from Medford and many surrounding communities. Locals never fail to catch up with old friends on the street; there’s something for everyone!
Downtown Medford, NJ

Westwood Home For The Holidays
December 3, 5PM
Get ready for the holiday season with the return of Westwood’s beloved Home For The Holidays celebration, which features a tree lighting, library storytime, live music, ice sculpting, and more. The event will kick off with performances from local dance troupes along Center Avenue at 5:00 p.m. Local marching bands, scout troops, service organizations, and more will parade down Westwood Avenue to Veterans’ Memorial park. Following the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will assist in the lighting of the tree.
Downtown Westwood, NJ

Downtown Somerville Holiday Lights Parade 2022
December 3, 6PM – 10PM
Prizes given out for the best decorated fire and emergency vehicles, personal floats vehicle, and best decorated houses and/or businesses in Somerville,
Main St, Somerville, NJ

Downtown Toms River Winter Wonderland
December 3 & 4, 12PM – 6PM
The courtyard will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland Village. Vendors, kid’s activities, hot chocolate station, holiday music and more. Downtown businesses will be open.
Toms River Town Hall, 33 Washington St, Toms River, NJ

Atlantic City Holiday Bazaar
December 3 & 4
Celebrate your holidays at the Atlantic City Holiday Bazaar at the Arts Garage at Stockton College on Saturday & Sunday, December 3rd and 4th from 12-5 pm! Enjoy shopping in beautiful art & crafts-focused event space in the heart of Atlantic City this holiday season. Plus photos with Santa, food, music, and libations.
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ

Bell Works Fresh Holiday Markets
December 3, 7, 10, 14, 17 & 21, Wednesdays from 11AM – 4PM, Saturdays from 2pm – 7pm
A series of shopping events featuring a curated collection of 75 local handmade artists & makers coming together for a holiday celebration.
Bell Works 101 Crawfords Corner Road Holmdel, NJ

Long Branch Holiday Bazaar
December 3 & 4, December 9 & 10
Celebrate your holidays at the Long Branch Holiday Bazaar 2022! Enjoy shopping indoors and outside under a giant tent at a beautiful arts, food and cultural venue in Long Branch, NJ this holiday season.

The Long Branch Holiday Bazaar will feature a curated roster of the best local and regional artists, vendors, and shops selling the cutest and coolest vintage, handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs, and more. The event will feature also feature music, holiday photo stations, craft workshops and beautiful holiday décor. The holiday market is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” held in Germany. While you shop, enjoy delicious food from WCP. Visit our Naughty or Nice bar for craft beers, wine, and specialty Cocktails including hot chocolate and hot toddies (you can choose from spiked or non-spiked).
Whitechapel Projects, 15 Second Ave, Long Branch, NJ

Cheer the Holiday Season Weekend at Terhune Orchards
December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, and 17 & 18, 12PM – 5PM
Join us for holiday festivities. Enjoy fun for the whole Family – a visit to our barnyard of animals. Choose the perfect Christmas tree and wreath. Let us help you with holiday shopping. A unique selection of gift baskets, with Terhune Orchards fruit, baked goods, and even wine – perfect for anyone on your list! Warm up by the bonfire with hot chocolate. Roasting marshmallow kits are available. Try our award-winning wines in the wine tasting room from 12 pm-5 pm and warm up with our hot mulled wine. Enjoy live music from 1 pm-4 pm. Visits with Santa from 12-3pm on December 10, 11, 17 & 18.
330 Cold Soil Rd. Princeton, NJ

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, and 17 & 18
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar will feature a curated roster of the best local and regional artists, vendors, and shops selling the cutest and coolest vintage, handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs, and more. The event will feature also feature music, holiday photo stations, craft workshops, kids activities, and beautiful décor. The holiday market is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” held in Germany. While you shop, enjoy delicious food & libations!
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall: Black Friday Bazaar, Friday, Nov 25 and Every Sat & Sun, Nov 26-Dec 18, 12-5 PM
The Asbury Hotel: Every Sunday, Nov 27 – Dec 18, 1-6 PM
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, Asbury Park, NJ
The Asbury Hotel,  Asbury Park, NJ

Bergenfield High School Holiday Flea Market & Gift Fair
December 4, 9AM – 4PM
This holiday event brings in vendors that offer gift items, crafts, and stocking stuffers. There will be tables displaying an array of quality merchandise such as handbags, sports collectibles, jewelry for all ages, clothing, gift items, video games, vintage jewelry, gloves & scarves, toys, perfumes, antiques & collectibles, garage/tag sale items all at bargain prices.
80 South Prospect Ave, Bergenfield, NJ

Asbury Fresh Porta Holiday Pop Up Markets
December 4, 8 & 22. Sundays from 12PM – 4PM, Thursdays from 5PM – 9PM
A series of shopping events featuring a curated collection of 25 local handmade artists & makers coming together for a holiday celebration.
Porta Asbury Park 911 Kingsley Street Asbury Park, NJ

South Orange Open-Air Holiday Market
December 8, 15, & 22, 1PM – 6PM
South Orange Village Center Alliance and Investors Bank present an outdoor shopping experience this Holiday season featuring local SOMA retailers and many of the area’s finest local artisans and craftspeople selling finely crafted jewelry, apparel, accessories, art, and gift items. The market will feature holiday music and seasonal treats creating a festive & fun holiday experience in downtown South Orange.
Sloan Street Parking Lot, South Orange, NJ

Holiday Pop Up Market at the Basie Center
December 9 – 111
FRESH markets will be hosting a three-day holiday market at the Basie Center on December 9, 10, and 11* that will feature a highly curated collection of 50 local makers, handmade gifts, and unique presents. This event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Adult beverages, soft drinks and snacks will be available to purchase! More info on the Facebook Event. *I will only be there Friday night.
Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ

DecemberFest Pop-up Handmade Holidays Night
December 10, 5PM – 9PM
From home décor, candy, art, gourmet items, toys and games to comic books, entertainment and wellness experiences, and so much more – Collingswood has all your gift-giving needs covered! So, shop ALL the stores, grab a bite, then swing by Haddon and Woodlawn for a special holiday edition local maker’s market featuring one-of-a-kind art and other handmade items. Live music, fire pit lounge and wine hosted by Visit South Jersey.
BONUS: It’s Second Saturday with music and arts all throughout the downtown!
Downtown Collingswood, NJ

Bayshore Holiday Bazaar 2022
December 10 & 11, 12PM – 5PM
Celebrate your holidays at the 2nd Annual Bayshore Holiday Bazaar co-hosted with Bayshore + Beyond on Sat & Sun, Dec 10 & 11, 12-5 PM, at the Shore Casino in Atlantic Highlands, NJ!
The Bayshore Holiday Bazaar will feature:
HOLIDAY SHOPPING: Grab perfect gifts from a curated selection of local vendors selling the cutest and coolest vintage, handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, and more.
HOLIDAY PHOTO STATION: Grab your friends and family and snap a photo at our beautiful Insta-worthy holiday photo station.
FESTIVE HOLIDAY TUNES, HOT DRINK BAR, FOOD & SPIRITS: While you shop enjoy a curated holiday playlist and delicious hot drinks, food and libations from Shore Casino. ⁠
The event is free, all ages, pet friendly, and indoors.
Shore Casino, 1 Simon Lake Dr, Atlantic Highlands, NJ

Holiday Market in the Park in Hopatcong
December 10 & 18
Join the fun on Saturday, December 10th (rain date December 11th) from 3pm to 8pm for a fun night under the lights as we kick off the holiday season! Shopping with 100+ vendors begins at 3pm which includes local crafters, businesses, community groups, food trucks and more! Santa arrives at 6pm in time for the Tree lighting and photos with his fans!! Free kid activities also begin at 6pm presented by the Hopatcong Recreation Department! On December 18, you can do some last minute shopping from 11AM – 3PM
Modick Park, 28 Hopatchung Road, Hopatcong, NJ

Artist & Maker Market Happy Holiday Market
December 10, 11, 17 & 18, 12PM – 6PM
The Artist & Maker Market is an open-air bazaar featuring locally created fine art and premium hand-crafted goods. Artist & Maker Market connects artists and artisans with the Jersey City & metro NYC community. Our mission is to support handmade goods as an alternative to mass-produced items and work to cultivate small businesses and entrepreneurship by providing a thriving place for them to sell.
Grove Street PATH Plaza and The Ashford Rooftop, Jersey City, NJ

5th Annual Santa Fun Run
December 11, 11AM
The Highlands Business Partnership’s 5th Annual Santa Fun Run will be held on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 11AM. Registration is FREE and begins at 11AM, Run begins promptly at 12PM. The event is hosted and sponsored by Proving Ground, 56 Shrewsbury Avenue, where the run will begin and end. There will be a post-run celebration with costume contests, and food and drink specials. Come early and bring the kids for Breakfast with Santa, 10AM-1PM. There will be a special brunch menu (additional cost) and Free Photo with Santa. Runners of all ages are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes are mandatory! Santas, Elves, Reindeer, Grinches, Ugly sweaters, wear your craziest holiday attire! There will be a costume contest with cash prizes following the run! Categories include Best Family, Best Male, Best Female and Best Child!
The event will be collecting toy donations for the Highlands Fire Department Toys For Tots program, and canned goods and non-perishable items for the food pantry.
Proving Ground 56 Shrewsbury Ave., Highlands, NJ

Howell Farmers’ Market Winter Holiday Market 
December 11, 11AM – 5PM
Shop with local Makers, Crafters, and Foodies for those holiday gifts!!!
4567 Route 9 North, Howell, NJ

Holiday Fest at Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn
December 17 & 18
Experience two days of festive family fun along the banks of the Delaware River at Lambertville Station Inn & Restaurant’s Holiday Fest. Enjoy delicious seasonal food and drinks, browse through tables of over local specialty vendors, be entertained by local school choirs, and visit and take photos with Santa! Lambertville Station is proud to be partnering with local food pantry, Fisherman’s Mark. Please help by bringing canned and non-perishable food items. For every canned good donated, you will receive one raffle ticket for a chance to win a one-night stay at the hotel! Come and be merry on Saturday, December 17th 11:00 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, December 18th 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
11 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

Handmade Holiday at The Woodland
December 18, 10AM – 4PM
Marketspace Vendor Events and The Township of Maplewood cordially invite you to exhibit your work at Handmade Holiday at The Woodland in bustling Maplewood, NJ. Admission is free, family-friendly, and open to the public.
60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood, NJ

Collingswood Menorah Lighting
December 22, 6PM
On December 2, be a part of a Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Celebration at the Lumberyard Garden and enjoy an evening of fun for the whole family with music, latkes, donuts, dreidels, and choco-gelt.
Collings and North Atlantic Avenues, Collingswood, NJ