New Jersey Events December 6 – 10, 2023
It’s December and the holiday season is in full swing! New Jersey has a lot of great festivals and events this weekend including foodie events, free activities, and much more. Check out our list of the top New Jersey events from now until December 10.
For more Christmas Light Shows, click here. For more Holiday events this December, click here.
Always check the weather and the event links before you attend in case of cancellations and rescheduling.
For more New Jersey events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.
For more New Jersey adventures and New Jersey Events, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.
New Jersey Events December 6 – 10, 2023:
Come see New Jersey Isn’t Boring at Bell Works Fresh on December 6 and the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market December 9 & 10
Bell Works Fresh Holiday Markets
Wednesday, December 6, 11 am – 4 pm and Saturday, December 9, 1 pm – 6 pm
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
Cost: Free
South Orange Open-Air Holiday Market
December 7, 3 pm – 7 pm
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
Cost: Free
Ugly Sweater Shop and Stroll
December 7, 4 pm – 7 pm
The grand Holiday Season Shopping Kickoff unfolds on Thursday, December 7th, from 4 pm to 7 pm, as organizers shut down W. Front Street to create an inviting space for a festive gathering. Attendees are encouraged to don their best Ugly Sweaters as they partake in an evening of dining, shopping, and strolling. The ambiance will be further enhanced with lively music provided by Milestone Entertainment, promising a joyful start to the holiday shopping season.
W Front St, Keyport, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Christmas Con NJ
December 8 – 10
This three day festive annual gathering features more than 30 holiday movie celebtity fan-favorites, with celebrity panels where you will get an autograph and photo with your favorite stars, ugly sweater contests, photo booths, and more. Santa’s “nice” list from across Hallmark, Lifetime and GAC Family movies includes: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis, Randy Quaid, and many More!
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ
Cost: $10 – $250
Holiday Made in Monmouth
December 9, 10 am – 4 pm
Over 200 vendors of products made in Monmouth County will be on display and for sale in time for the holiday season. Made In Monmouth is a program for both vendors and visitors to encourage people to shop locally and to create new and important items that the public will want to buy! All events are free to both vendors and the public.
Brookdale Community College, Collins Arena, Lincroft, NJ
Cost: Free
Winterfest
December 9, 1 pm – 7 pm
This family event features a celebration of all things winter that will warm your heart. It’s a magical setting on the grounds of Historic Smithville Park. You will find wandering carolers dressed in Victorian attire, holiday activities for all ages, including live entertainment, a wine and mulled cider tent, a Holiday Marketplace, ice skating, ice carving, art exhibits curated for the season, and, of course, Victorian Santa!
Historic Smithville Park, 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton, NJ
Sea of Lights Holiday Lights
December 9, 4 pm – 8 pm
Celebrate the season at the annual Sea of Lights Holiday and Lights Spectacular, taking place on December 9th, 16th, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, and 28th from 4-8 pm each night. Delight in various entertainment from 5-8 pm, featuring Santa’s photo sessions on December 9th, 16th, 22nd, and 23rd, followed by his festive dive into the Aquarium tanks on December 27th & 28th at 5 pm & 6:30 pm. Exciting new holiday entertainment includes Princess Sweets & Treats with the Winter Princess & Queen, Elf Storytime, Snow-ville Shows, Eyes of the Wild Animal Shows, and character meet-and-greets with the happy reindeer and dancing snowman from a beloved “chilly” movie. This festive extravaganza unfolds inside the Jenkinson’s Pavilion and Jenkinson’s Aquarium
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
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Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market: Wreck The Halls
December 9 & 10, 10 am – 5 pm
If you’re craving hot cocoa and warm sweaters we can’t think of a better way to celebrate the birth of a new holiday season by getting down with the best vendor selection in the tri-state area, the region’s finest food trucks, local, live music, and more going down at the Cure Insurance Arena from 10 am-5 pm each day. Featuring more than 400+ different small businesses, artists & makers each day with indoor vendors, live music, food trucks, celebrity guests, live tattooing and more!Cure Arena, 81 Hamilton Ave) Trenton, NJ
Cost: $15 at the Door (cash only, good for both days), Kids 10 & under are always free!
Christmas in the Village
December 9 & 10, 10 am – 4 pm
Bundle up for some fun indoor and outdoor shopping in the Historic Village! Shop local, support local artists and makers while supporting the farm. Make a dent in your Christmas shopping at the Handmade Holiday Craft Fair at Whitesbog Historic Village. Handmade Arts & Crafts exhibitors will be spread throughout the historic village, free wagon rides and a candy cane hunt on the woodland trails! Hot cocoa and cookies, live music, and even more! There will be a range of art, crafts, and gifts. Warm-up at a fire pit and roast some marshmallows! Take pictures in front of the lovely cottages. Photos with Santa provided by Pemberton Recreation!
Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Browns Mills, NJ
Somerset County 4-H’s Holiday Craft Festival
December 9 & 10, 10 am – 3 pm
Join the Somerset County 4-H Association for their annual, free to attend, Holiday Craft Festival. This two-day event will be filled with holiday cheer including a very special visit from Santa Claus with his Red Santa Sleigh which is great for photo opportunities, a gingerbread house contest that is open for all to participate in, a running train display by the Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters, as well as plenty of handmade craft vendors and local artisans to help you with your holiday stocking stuffers!
Ted Blum 4-H Center 310 Milltown Road Bridgewater Township, NJ
Cost: Free
Holiday Pop Up Market at the Basie Center
December 9 (11 am – 8 pm) & 10 (11 am – 4 pm)
FRESH markets will be hosting a two-day holiday market at the Basie Center on December 9 & 10 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!
Count Basie Theater, Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Free
Flounder’s Annual Kringle Market
December 9 & 10, 11 am – 5 pm
Flounder’s Kringle Market returns on December 9th and 10th, presented by Events on the Farm NJ at the picturesque Carriage Farm. Hand-picked artisans from Marketspace Vendors will be offering the finest crafts, and libations will be served by Steps Together for visitors’ enjoyment, all while supporting families in need in the area. As attendees wander the market, they can savor the delightful sounds of Flounder’s Brass Band playing nostalgic classics. It’s advised not to forget to look out for Mr. & Mrs. Claus as they stroll through the market before heading to the brewhouse for free pictures. For all holiday decorating needs, visitors can find fresh wreaths, garlands, and trees at Central Jersey Nurseries’ tree lot right in the heart of the market. A vendor list will be posted closer to the event, as the organizers are spreading it out a little and adding more vendors. The Christmas joy continues after the market ends on Saturday with the Vintage Vibe Tribe bringing their jazz Merry Little Holiday to the Barn!
2 Clerico Rd, Hillsborough, NJ
Cost: $10 per car
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
December 9 & 10, 12 pm – 5 pm
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join The Bazaar for a festive and fun-filled 2023 Holiday Bazaar in Asbury Park! The Bazaar is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” holiday markets held in Germany and was rated the best holiday market in New Jersey by Food & Wine. The Holiday Bazaar will showcase handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts by local and regional makers and small businesses, holiday music and entertainment, Photos with Santa, delicious food and libations, craft workshops, kids activities, festive décor, music, and more. Check out all the details below and mark your calendars for a magical holiday season you won’t forget.
2023 DATES & LOCATIONS:
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall
Asbury Park Bazaar at The Asbury Hotel
Cost: Free to attend
Artist & Maker Market Happy Holiday Market
December 9 & 10, 12 pm – 6 pm
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. Their 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
Cost: Free
Off the Wall Holiday Market
December 9 & 10, 12:30 pm to 5:30 pm
A large selection of fine art by local and regional artists that work with a variety of mediums. There will also be an artisan market that consists of a multitude of different individually curated and handcrafted pieces. The market will be open on weekends throughout December.
West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction, NJ
Cost: Free
Night Owl Market: Highland Park’s Artisan, Crafter and Maker Market
December 9 from 4 pm – 8 pm & December 10 from 12 pm – 4 pm
Visit downtown Highland Park for specialty outdoor markets featuring a rotating variety of local artists, artisans, and crafters! #ShopSmall and do all your holiday shopping downtown. Located in the public square by the pavilion next to 212 Raritan Ave.
212 Raritan Ave, Highland Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Festival of Trees
December 10, 11 am – 3:30 pm ( rain or shine)
This holiday event features a Multicultural Celebration of the Holidays. There will be arts and crafts that celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and the Solstice; musical entertainment; as well as food trucks; and holiday vendors. The highlight of the festival will be over 20 festive trees placed around the grounds decorated by local organizations, businesses and families!
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Avenue, Summit, NJ
Cost: Members $10; Non-Members $15. Children 3 and under are free.
Hanukkah Fireworks at KBA
December 10, 4:30 pm
This event features Hanukkah candle lighting, games, music, sweet treats, and a spectacular fireworks display! All activities will be held outdoors.
Kellman Brown Academy, 1007 Laurel Oak Road, Vorhees, NJ
Cost: Free; Open to the Community Registration is encouraged
