30 Free Things to Do in New Jersey December 2019

November 29, 2019November 27, 2019 newjerseyisntboring

My favorite four letter word is FREE, so combining it with New Jersey Events is a win-win. I have listed 30 FREE Things to Do in New Jersey that include Christmas Lights, free movies, shopping events, and more!

30 Free Things to Do in New Jersey December 2019:

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights
Now – December 31, 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. “Selfies” with Santa Claus and a mailbox where children can send letters to Santa Clause at the North Pole will be available each night until December 22nd.
Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange, NJ

Downtown Candlelight Shopping
Fridays until December 20, 6PM – 9PM
The shops of downtown Haddonfield, NJ offer in-store holiday events as well as holiday entertainment, horse carriage rides, and special visits from Santa Claus.
Downtown Haddonfield, NJ

Bell Works Fresh Farmers & Makers Market
Wednesdays in December, 12PM – 5PM
A farmers and makers market is always a great opportunity to bond with the kids and expose them to new things. Shop over 20 local farmers, artists, and food makers. Your littles will love to watch the food demos, play the many kids activities, and visit the animal rescue.
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Rd, Holmdel, NJ

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show
Now – January 6, Dusk to 8:30PM
Enjoy popular songs of the holiday season synchronized with a dazzling Christmas tree light show sure to get you in the Holiday spirit. There are over 120 Christmas trees floating on peaceful Lake Meone, you can watch from either side of the lake.
615 East Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
December 1, 2, 7, 8, 15, 22, 23, 11AM – 6PM
The Asbury Park Holiday will feature over 200 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 Asbury Park Bazaar will take place in beautiful and historic Convention Hall, which will be transformed into a winter wonderland this holiday season. The Bazaar will feature live music and special performances, photos with Santa Sundays, a holiday photo booth, a 30 foot Christmas tree, fireplace lounge, kids art classes, and craft workshops. On Sundays, bring a toy or gently used coat for the AP Toy & Coat Drive or donate what you can and you will receive a 4×6 print of your Photo with Santa, along with copies of your photos emailed to you. Pets are invited to meet Santa as well!
1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ

First Friday Late Night: Old Fashioned Holiday
December 6, 5PM – 9PM
Get your holiday shopping done while listening to Christmas carolers up and down Main Street in Boonton. Enter your gingerbread house in the Best Gingerbread House In Boonton contest at the BMS office. Businesses will be open late for an evening of sales, socializing, dining, art, and shopping!
Main St, Boonton, NJ

Holiday on Haddon Township Festival
December 6, 7PM
Santa Claus is coming to town on Friday, Nov 30 for the annual “Holiday on Haddon” celebration. The “Parade of Lights” sponsored by the Westmont Fire Company No.1 will begin at 7:00 pm and make its way down Haddon Ave. to the municipal building. Decorated fire trucks, bands, floats, holiday characters and, of course, Santa will all be parading their way to the Township tree. The tree lighting ceremony will take place immediately following the parade where all of Santa’s helpers will be encouraged to magically light the tree. Afterwards, families are invited for refreshments at the Westmont Fire Company No. 1 and children will get a chance to sit on Santa’s lap before he returns to the North Pole. There is no rain date for the parade. Refreshments and photos with Santa will still be held at the Westmont Fire house in case of inclement weather.The Township will also be collecting unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items for the Annual Holiday Toy Drive that evening.
Haddon Ave, Haddon Twp, NJ
Cost: Free

Boro in Lights: Glassboro’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 6, 6PM – 9PM
Glassboro, in partnership with Kingsway Church, presents Boro in Lights, the annual holiday celebration and tree lighting, on Friday, December 6, 2019, from 6 to 9 pm in Downtown Glassboro and the Town Square. Ring in the holidays with:
Lighting of a 32 ft LED tree with over 19,000 lights
Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus + Grinch + Buddy the Elf
Horse and Carriage Rides
Live Nativity + Animals
Toys for Tots + Coat Drive
Live music and dance performances as the holidays come to life
Winter Ice Bar for adults over 21
Free Hot Cocoa, Coffee, and Pretzels
and MUCH MORE!
1 West High St, Glassboro, NJ

Roxbury’s 5th Annual Home For The Holidays Street Festival
December 7, 11AM – 4PM
Kick off the holiday season on Main Street in Succasunna for Roxbury Township’s 4th 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

Duffield’s Christmas Festival
December 7, 11AM – 4PM
Celebrate the season with artisan gift vendors, gingerbread decorating, hot chocolate bar and a very picturesque, country Christmas photo area! Mr.and Mrs. Claus will be attendance and taking photos! Get your Christmas photo taken by a professional photographer @endlesssmilesphotography! You will get a free link to the photographers website for your picture IF you bring a canned good or unwrapped toy to the event! (Generosity and request of the photographer) All toys go to the Toys for Tots.
Duffield’s Farm, 280 Chapel Heights Rd, Sewell, NJ

23rd Annual Verona Fair in the Square
December 7, 12PM – 5PM
The 23nd 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 7, 4:30PM – 9PM
Venture back to a simpler, magical time for children and grown-ups alike. This will be the 29th 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

2019 Long Branch Holiday Celebration
December 7, 5PM – 7PM
Enjoy holiday goodies, cookies, and hot cocoa while listening to the LB Middle School Honors Choir and watching the tree and menorah lighting. Come one, come all, have a cookie, have a ball!
Between City Hall & The Library (328 Broadway), Long Branch, NJ

Washington Twp Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Village
December 7, 5PM – 9PM
Be sure to join Mayor Gattinelli and Town Council at our annual tree lighting ceremony. We will have all of the usual favorites, including hot chocolate and cookies in our heated tent, carols by the WTHS Choir, guest appearances by Frosty the Snowman, Mickey & Minnie Mouse and of course our guests of honor, Santa and Mrs. Claus! All new this year will be a Christmas Village, sponsored by the WT Chamber of Commerce, so you can even do some shopping!
Washington Lake Park, Sewell, NJ

Downtown Hammonton’s Holiday Tree Lighting
December 7, 6PM – 9PM (Rain Date Dec 8)
This event features horse and carriage rides, live entertainment, a living nativity, Historical Society Museum tours and a visit from Santa to magically light up the town’s Christmas tree. What more could you ask for?
Bellevue Ave & Central Ave, Hammonton, NJ

Somerville’s Holiday Lights Parade
December 7, 6PM – 10PM
The annual Somerville parade features dozens of vehicles decked out with lights. Prizes are given out for the best-decorated fire and emergency vehicles, personal floats vehicle, and best-decorated houses and/or businesses along the parade route.
Main St, Somerville, NJ

Jersey City Oddities Market
December 8, 12PM – 6PM
The Jersey City Oddities Market Returns on December 8th! Join the fun at Harborside Atrium from 12pm-6pm for an afternoon of antiques, oddities, natural history, and original artwork. Featuring 70+ vendors, artists, and collectors. Live magic acts by C. Cooper and more TBA
Harborside Atrium, Jersey City, NJ

Lake Mohawk German Christmas Market
December 7 & 8, Sat 10AM – 9PM, Sun 10AM – 5PM
The Lake Mohawk boardwalk turns into a winter wonderland during the German Christmas Market. A biergarten, food market, live wood-carvings, all-day entertainment and a special visit from St. Nicholas will spread some Christmas cheer. A portion of the funds raised benefit local charities and organizations.
Lake Mohawk Country Club & Sparta Train Station, Sparta, NJ

Kick Off the Holiday Season at Terhune Orchards
December 7 & 8, 12PM – 6PM
Come to Terhune Orchards for holiday festivities. Enjoy fun for the whole family with wagon rides and visiting our barn yard of animals. You can choose the perfect Christmas tree and wreath. Sample delicious Terhune Orchards Gift Basket “ingredients” – homemade baked goods, cheeses, apple butter and more. Choose the perfect gift for everyone on your list from the unique selection of gift baskets, with Terhune Orchards fruit, baked goods, and even wine. Hand packed and ready for local delivery or shipping.From 12-4pm you can visit with Santa in our barnyard. In the wine tasting room from 12pm-6pm, try our award winning wines and warm up with our hot mulled wine.
Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road Princeton, NJ

Pitman Winter Village 2019
December 7 & 14, 5PM – 9PM
Visit Uptown Pitman and be transported to the charm of a Victorian Holiday! Find unique and handmade gifts in our stores and from more than 30 special vendors in our holiday shopping village. Visit Santa or ride the free trolley. Toast a marshmallow at one of the cheerful bonfires, try some wassail, and stroll along with Victorian costumed actors beneath the Holiday lights Uptown. This event is rain or shine. In the event of rain vendors will display their wares at Sunset Auditorium on Laurel Ave.
Uptown Pitman, NJ

The 2nd Annual Marketspace at Westfield
December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 10AM – 6PM
The Marketspace at Westfield will be open during the first three consecutive weekends in December. This downtown storefront will feature a revolving selection of local, handmade wares and vintage collectibles. Don’t miss live entertainment, DIY craft classes for kids, and complimentary photos with Santa at The Marketspace at Westfield 2019.
177 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ

The Barron Arts Center’s Annual Holiday Concert Featuring “The Jazz Lobsters Big Band”
December 13, 7:30PM – 10PM
“The Jazz Lobsters Big Band” will perform their big band holiday show for the Barron Arts Center’s Annual Holiday Concert on Friday, December 13th at 7:30 pm. at Woodbridge High School, located at 1 Samuel Lupo Place, Woodbridge, NJ. Join us for traditional standards and holiday favorites! No Reservations Necessary! Admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend. Please call the Barron Arts Center for more information at (732) 634-0413.
Woodbridge High School, located at 1 Samuel Lupo Place, Woodbridge, NJ.

Free Holiday Movies at the Paramout Theater
December 13 & 20, 7PM – 9PM
Bring the whole family to a free screening of a classic Christmas movie at the historic Paramount Theatre. Come early to shop and grab a great meal on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Make sure you stop by the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar for all your holiday shopping items. December 13: A Christmas Story, December 20: It’s a Wonderful Life
Paramount Theatre, 1300 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ

‘Winter Wonderland Run
December 15, 11AM
The Highlands Business Partnership’s 1st Annual Winter Wonderland Run will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2019at 12PM. Registration is FREE and begins at 11AM. The event is sponsored by Windansea, 56 Shrewsbury Avenue, where the run will begin and end. There will be a post-run celebration with costume contests, live music and food and drink specials. They 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.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!
Windansea, 56 Shrewsbury Avenue, Highlands, NJ

Family Winter Hike at the NJ Botanical Gardens
December 15, 1PM
Time for a winter hike? This one is an easy, child-friendly hike in the Garden’s woodlands, where you’ll learn a bit about the plants and animals around you in a hike designed to fit the group. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes.
2 Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ

Community Christmas Event
December 21, 5PM – 8:30PM
Family friendly event. Accepting donations that go towards American Cancer Society. Decorations, hot chocolate. Santa, live holiday music.
311 Harrison Ave, Blackwood, NJ

Nacho Muthas Holiday Popup
December 21 & 22, 12PM – 8PM
Nacho Muthas Holiday Popup is a fun foodie market celebrating the holidays. There will be an array of vendors on hand offering local artisan eats & treats including prepared & packaged items — many of which are perfect for holiday gifts! The popup will take place steps from the mall’s East entrance, re-purposing the space formerly housing burger chain Steak ‘n Shake. It is located directly next to clothing & outerwear‎ retailer LL Bean.
Paramus Park, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ
Cost: Free

Battles of Trenton Reenactment
December 28, 11AM
Come experience our annual winter reenactment during Trenton’s Patriots Week Celebration! On Saturday, December 28th, be immersed in history as you are surrounded by reenactors portraying the soldiers who fought during the Battles of Trenton, which ultimately shaped the destiny of the Revolutionary War and our nation. Follow the troops through the streets and watch as they relive the events of these fateful battles. Come back to interact with the soldiers, take tours of the oldest free-standing military barracks in North America, and visit The Quartermaster’s Store. What better way to celebrate New Jersey’s revolutionary history than by celebrating this crucial Trenton victory? Experience the excitement of the Battle of Trenton live! Following the all-night crossing and nine-mile march from McKonkey’s Ferry with a sleet storm at their backs, Washington’s little army of 2,400 men and 18 cannons arrived in Trenton around 8 AM on the morning of December 26, 1776.
101 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ

Seaside Heights – First Night
December 31, 12PM – 5PM
Enjoy a day filled with entertainment and begin a lasting family tradition. Starting at 12 noon until 5 PM with a Fireworks Display at 5pm.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ

Atlantic City New Years Eve Fireworks
December 31, 9PM
The awesome fireworks show is best viewed from the boardwalk outside the casino.The show, designed by Fireworks by Grucci, will be displayed from the beachfront and will include intricately designed scenes and vivid effects including Grucci high aerials and grand illuminations. PS. It is recommended that you get there by 8 pm to avoid the crowds and get a good spot.
Tropicana Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, NJ

More Ideas of Things You Can Do this Fall/Winter: