A Preview to New Jersey Holiday Festivals & Drive-Thru Lights
It may be the beginning of November, but we’re excited for the holiday season! While we finalize our list of the best things to do for the holidays, here’s a quick preview of what to expect this year. From holiday markets and family-friendly events, this guide covers the diverse happenings across the Garden State.
For more events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.
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Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Begins November 6th, Thursday – Sundays thru January 11, 2026
Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo.
Let it Glow is a symphony of vivid glowing colors to tease your eyes and dazzle the mind. Come and enjoy an enchanting stroll throughout the zoo These larger-than-life lanterns are amazing in the picture but stunning in person. With over 30 scenes, these hand-made artistic wonders are more breathtaking than the last.
Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ
Cost: Tickets available on Eventbrite
The Village at Anne Ellen
Begins November 8 – December 30
Embark on an enchanting adventure through a quaint winter wonderland, beginning with a nostalgic hayride through our Christmas tree fields. As you step off the wagon, you’ll be transported into a mesmerizing Christmas tale brought to life with twinkling lights and captivating displays. Wander along wooded pathways, soaking in the festive atmosphere and timeless holiday magic at every turn.
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan, NJ
Cost: $24 – $26, kids $12 – $14
Diggerland Drive-Thru Light Show
Begins November 14 – January 2026
Embark on an extraordinary experience at the Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show hosted by Diggerland, the unique construction theme and water park. Visitors can drive through the park, witnessing a spectacular light show, holiday displays, and enchanting tunnels, and tune in to the dedicated radio station to infuse their car with the festive spirit. Diggerland invites families to make this drive-thru holiday event a cherished tradition.
100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ
Cost: $37.99 per car
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
Begins November 15. Select Dates until December 23
This holiday event features a ride on an exciting train through millions of Christmas lights. The fun includes meeting Santa, a gift from Santa, a holiday movie, cookies, and a walk through the Holiday Village.
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, 1151 S White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ
Cost: $22.95+
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
November 15 – December 30, dates and times vary
In the most magical time of the year, Storybook Land invites visitors to join the enchantment. At 5:00 pm each night, Santa Claus waves his magic wand, illuminating Storybook Land with over 1 million lights for the holiday season. Tickets are available for either weekdays (Mondays through Thursdays) or weekends (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays).
Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Cost: Cost of Admission
Festival of Trees
Begins November 19, 2025 through January 11, 2026
Morven Museum & Garden’s uplifting annual Festival of Trees returns for its 20th Anniversary, transforming the historic mansion’s galleries with an abundance of creative trees and mantels, each uniquely decorated by 17 community partners, representing local non-profits, schools, garden clubs, and artists.
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Included with museum admission: $12 for adults; $10 for seniors (ages 60+), youth ages 7-18, students with ID, and active military or veterans with ID. Free for ages 6 & younger.
Family Christmas Activities at Johnson’s Corner Farm
November 21 – December 23
Join together by the fire pits at Johnson’s Corner Farm’s Discovery Barnyard to toast marshmallows and witness the lake illuminate in a stunning display. Don’t miss out on the Christmas “Light Show” Hayride for a festive journey through more of the farm adorned with holiday lights.
Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Rd., Medford, NJ
Cost: Varies
Christmas Underwater
November 21 – December 24
In the spirit of the season, Adventure Aquarium presents their annual Christmas Underwater. Guests can experience the festive magic as Scuba Santa takes a dive with sharks, sea turtles, and rays, spreading Christmas cheer to all visitors. Both on land and sea, holiday surprises await, featuring the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree and enchanting snow-like flurries in the Snowtunda.
Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
Cost: Cost of Admission
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Begins November 21. Every day until January 3, 2026
The Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of New Jersey’s favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.
PNC Bank Arts Center, Exit 116, Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: $27+
Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Show Drive Thru
Begins November 21
Winter WonderLights, New Jersey’s largest animated holiday light show, returns for the 2025 season with an even more spectacular experience, starting November 21 at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds in East Brunswick. This year’s show promises expanded holiday magic, complete with new features and returning favorites. Guests can enjoy the festivities from the warmth of their own vehicles, tuning in to a synchronized radio station to experience festive music alongside stunning light displays as they drive through the animated winter wonderland.
655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ
Cost:$35 per car from Sunday through Thursday, and $45 on Fridays and Saturdays.
U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland
November 21 – January 4, 2026
Holland Ridge Farms transforms into New Jersey’s most magical holiday walkthrough, offering an unforgettable experience for families, friends, and anyone seeking festive photo opportunities. Visitors can wander through millions of twinkling holiday lights and displays, including over 50,000 illuminated tulips brightening the flower fields. A windmill music and light show takes place every 30 minutes, with special drone light shows from December 18–20. Guests can visit Santa’s Workshop for photos, meet favorite characters like Olaf, Elsa, and the Grinch, and enjoy illuminated pony rides on weekends. Interactive light seesaws, swings, spinners, and slides add to the fun, along with a giant igloo snowball pit filled with more than 75,000 “snowballs” and magical snow flurries perfect for dreamy photos. Throughout the farm, visitors can sip hot chocolate, sample festive beer, wine, and cocktails, and indulge in treats from local food trucks and the bakery. The holiday experience also includes a charming gift shop, cozy heated cabins with cookies and cocoa, and even fresh-cut tulip bouquets available from the greenhouse.
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ
Cost: $17 age 3 and up M-TH – $20 age 3 and up F-SUN
An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
Begins November 22. Events conclude on January, 2026
What better place to get into the true spirit of Christmas than Victorian Cape May? This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.
Cape May, NJ
Skylands Stadium’s Light Show and Christmas Village
Select Dates November 22 – January 2026
Visitors are invited to their favorite stadium for the holidays to explore an outdoor Christmas Village featuring various attractions. Highlights include a Drive-Thru Lightfest, an outdoor skating rink, opportunities for photos with Santa, a S’mores station, local artisan shops, carnival rides, and a selection of seasonal food and drinks.
Skylands Stadium, Augusta, NJ
Cost: $29 per car
Jingle Fest Craft Show
November 23, 10 am to 5 pm
The Jinglefest Craft Fair returns to Wayne Hills High School, featuring 100 exhibitors with unique arts and crafts perfect for holiday shopping. Hosted by the Wayne Hills Senior Class and promoted by P.J.’s Promotions, this event offers a variety of items, including holiday décor, ceramics, jewelry, fine art, charcuterie boards, hand-painted ornaments, metal and resin art, and more. Food, drinks, kettle corn, and homemade pickles will be available.
Wayne Hills High School, 272 Berdan Ave., Wayne, NJ
Cost: $3
Swedish Christmas Fair
November 23, 10 am – 3 pm
The Swedish Christmas fair has something for everyone; there is a great selection of food items, crafts, and gifts. Swedish handicrafts like handmade Christmas decorations, linen, and wooden items plus a variety of cheeses, herring, and other Swedish delicacies as well as home baked goods (bread, cookies, and cakes) are available for you to buy. Glögg, a typical Swedish spiced holiday drink, is also being offered. There are raffles with wonderful prizes, and activities for younger children. A highlight of the fair is the beautiful Lucia pageant and her choir singing and lightening up the holiday season at 1:30pm, a beautiful and truly unique Swedish tradition! The Swedish Christmas Fair is hosted by the NJ Chapter of SWEA, Swedish Women’s Educational Association. SWEA is a global nonprofit organization promoting Swedish language, culture, history, and tradition.
26 Northview Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ
Cost: Admission is $2
Holiday Light Show at Historic Smithville
Begins November 27. Every Day until January 6
Experience the magic as over 100 Christmas trees appear to float on Lake Meone, lighting up in sync with music for a mesmerizing show of lights and sound. This orchestrated holiday spectacle runs Thursday through Sunday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning November 28 through January 5. Historic Smithville also offers 50 unique shops, 7 dining options, a carousel, a train ride, cozy lodging at the Colonial Inn, and over 26 free weekend events. The show starts at dark and continues until 8:30 p.m.
615 East Moss Mill Rd. Smithville, NJ
Cost: Free
New Providence Holiday Walk
November 28, 5 pm – 7 pm
This annual holiday family event features Santa’s grand arrival, followed by a lively performance by the New Providence HS marching band, and the grand finale fireworks display.
Downtown New Providence, NJ
Cost: Free
Dickens Days
November 28 – 30
Dickens Days is an annual festival in Clinton, New Jersey, that transforms the town into a Victorian village for a holiday celebration. During the event, which typically takes place over a weekend in late November or early December, visitors can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, storytelling, and performances by local artists. The festival also features specific attractions like a Winter Craft Village, Santa’s Workshop, and the Community Tree Lighting ceremony
Main St, Clinton, NJ
Polar Express
Begins November 28, Select Weekends
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical hour and a half trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served by dancing chefs. Passengers listen to the classic children’s book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. During the trip there is plenty of entertainment from our magical juggling chefs to our singing hobos! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip.
Lehigh Junction, 99 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $38 Child and $48.00 Adult
Winter Village at the Red Mill Museum
November 28 – 30
Marketspace Vendor Events joins The Red Mill Museum Village’s 16th Annual Festival of Trees and Dickens Days to present the Winter Village at The Red Mill in 2025. This five-day, family-friendly holiday market offers festive shopping in a heated outdoor setting with more than 50 local craft artisans, food trucks, and daily activities. Guests can stroll through the Festival of Trees, enjoy the Victorian charm of Dickens Days with theatrical carolers and horse-drawn carriage rides, and capture memories at the event’s photobooth. The market is dog-friendly, and general admission (free for children six and under) supports the museum.
56 Main St, Clinton, NJ
Old Fashioned Christmas on the Farm & Walk through Light Show
November 28 – December 28 (Fri – Sun)
Upon arrival, families can head to Allaire Community Farm’s historic 100-year-old Barn, transformed into a festive Farmers Market. Amidst a charming Christmas village display, they can obtain admission, feed bags, Polar Express tickets, Yuletide wagon ride tickets, and enjoy warm hot chocolate. Exiting the market, the journey into the Farm unfolds like a magical Lifesize Christmas village, offering a preview of the upcoming adventure. With indoor and outdoor petting zoos, Santa photo ops, holiday movies, a Model Train House, and a picturesque holiday ambiance, visitors are immersed in festive spirit. Opting for a Yuletide Wagon ride or Polar Express tickets adds magic, guiding families through tunnels of lights, the Mighty Christmas Village, and outdoor paddocks with various animals. The event proceeds directly support the nonprofit organization’s mission, benefiting rescued animals and programs for special needs individuals, teens with mental health issues, and Veterans with PTSD throughout the winter season.
1923 Baileys Corner Rd, Wall Township, NJ
Cost: $6 Children 18 & under, $12 Adults, Children under 1 are free
Christmas at the Hangar
November 29, 10 am – 4 pm
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum invites the community to celebrate the holiday season at Christmas at the Hangar, a free event that transforms its WWII-era aircraft hangar into a festive winter wonderland. Guests can enjoy live music, meet Santa Claus, shop from local artisan vendors, and take part in family-friendly activities including kids’ crafts, free face painting, and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. The event also offers raffle baskets, photo ops, and 20% off all gift shop purchases. Leashed dogs are welcome, and visitors are encouraged to dress warmly for the occasion.
500 Forrestal Road, Cape May, NJ
Cost: Free
Dickens Festival
November 29 & 30, 1 pm – 7 pm
Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company returns to Historic Smithville with the Spirit of Christmas, presenting a two-day outdoor “Dickens Fest” featuring an original musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. This rendition of Charles Dickens’ classic tale follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey from greed to redemption, bringing audiences along as he encounters the Ghosts of Christmas and transforms into a joyful Father Christmas.
615 East Moss Mill Rd. Smithville, NJ
Cost: Free
HP Night Owl Markets
November 29 & 30, December 13 & 14
Join downtown Highland Park for their outdoor holiday markets featuring local artists, artisans, crafters and food vendors! #ShopSmall and do all your holiday gift shopping downtown. Come by the markets to browse unique, handmade goods, and to enjoy live music, free arts and crafts, and other festive activities.
Municipal Lot between 2nd & 3rd Ave, Next to 212 Raritan Ave, Highland Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Seas and Greetings
December 13, 20, 27 & 28, 12 pm – 5 pm
This holiday season, Jenkinson’s Boardwalk brings festive seaside magic to life with Seas & Greetings, a new daytime holiday celebration running December 13, 20, 27 & 28 from 12–5 PM. Guests can enjoy Photos with Santa, visits from Holiday Princesses, the dazzling Fun House holiday lights display, and the enchanting Bubble Snow and Holiday Magic Shows. Families can also experience Diving Santa and Fishmas Tales at the Aquarium, meet strolling holiday characters, and enjoy festive face painting. Plus, visitors can glide across the shorefront ice rink December 27–31 and savor seasonal sweets from Jenkinson’s Sweet Shop—all set against the sparkling backdrop of the Jersey Shore.
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
