Top 20 New Jersey Events for Christmas Weekend 2022
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…because it is Christmas! Althought a lot of things are closed this weekend, I still found some things you can do like free events, last-minute shopping events, family-friendly events, holiday lights, and more. Let’s leave the house to explore what NJ has to offer (or not, you do you). These are my top 20 New Jersey Events for December 21 – 25, 2022.
For more events throughout the year, be sure to check out our Event Guide.
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Top 20 New Jersey Events for December 21 – 25, 2022:
Asbury Fresh Porta Holiday Pop Up Markets
December 22, 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 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
Procrastinator’s Night Out in Uptown Pitman
December 22nd, 5PM – 8PM
This season is always bananas, but this time you’re prepared! Even if you scribble your shopping list on your hand as you walk Uptown, our amazing shops, salons, and restaurants have what you need to accomplish it all in ONE night! Do stressed-out future you a solid and click “Going” to this shopping night, and you will wow all of your friends and family that you didn’t wait until the 24th
Uptown Pitman, NJ
Magical Holiday Express at DiDonato Family Fun Center
Now through December 23, Times Vary
All Aboard DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express! Train ride through millions of Christmas lights. Meet and Greet with Santa and his elves in his Workshop with Free photo op. Stories, photos, & chats with Mrs. Claus with Free photo op. Present from Santa. Holiday Movie tent and picture opportunity with everyone’s favorite Snowman. Cookie treat to enjoy. Walkthrough Holiday Village (with NEW paths for 2022!) Toy Market will be on site at their Pop-up Snack & Toy Cottage …and more!
DiDonato Family Fun Center, 1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ
Cost: $12.95-$24.95
Winter Wonderland Illuminated Walking Trail
Now through December 23, Times Vary
Your night begins with a stroll through the woods filled with fun snowmen and trees, illuminated boxes with miniature scenes, AND a fairy garden box! Further down the trail, you might even pass a secret gnome village! The path flows out of the woods and into our Live Christmas Tree fields. You’ll pass by a penguin igloo town, “fly by” BirdHouse Row, and watch out for a runaway toboggan!
Indian Acres Tree Farm, 111 Tuckerton Rd, Medford, NJ
Cost: $16 adults, Kids $12
Christmas In The Country Wine Trail
Now – December 24
Visit three of Warren County’s most unique farms, all within 4 minutes of each other: Mackey’s Orchard & Bakery, Flowerland Growers, and Four Sisters Winery. With a $5 minimum purchase at each farm, you will receive a stamp from each farm. You will receive a beautiful pair of Christmas in the Country Trail embossed wine glasses at your final stop.
783 County Road 519 Belvidere, NJ
Cost: Free
Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium
Now – December 24
See Santa in scuba gear swimming with sharks and the world’s tallest and smallest underwater Christmas trees. You’ll also want to check out the unique exhibits featuring touch tanks, penguins, hippos, and thousands of other aquatic animals. Reservations required
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
Cost: Price of Admission
The Village At Anne Ellen 2022
Select Dates Now – December 30
Your journey begins with a hayride through fields bringing you to the start of your own hallmark movie. You will follow winding pathways through Christmas lights and interactive displays transporting you into a Christmas wonderland like no other. Inside the village you will find many unique displays, from mesmerizing lights to incredible photo-ops. You will also find an array of interactive exhibits such as our post office, where you can write and send your letters to Santa, and a massive interactive wall of lights. Don’t forget to also check out the life-size gingerbread house and igloo!
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, 114 Daum Road Manalapan, NJ
Cost: $22, Kids $12
Smithville Village’s Holiday Light Show
Now – January 6, 2023 (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
Festival of Trees
Now– January 8, 2023, Wednesdays through Sundays from 10AM – 4PM
Morven’s annual winter exhibition has become a must-see holiday tradition. Visitors enjoy the museum’s elegant galleries, mantels, and porches artfully decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profit organizations. The installation is open to the public during regular museum hours, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ
Cost: $10, Seniors, Students, and Kids $8
New Brunswick’s Winter Wonderland
Now – December 31
New Brunswick City Center is YOUR Host for the Holidays! Starting with the annual Tree Lighting at Monument Square Park on Friday, December 2nd, and every day through until the New Year, the season will be filled with multiple activities celebrating the holidays creating a Winter Wonderland of festivities in New Brunswick! Come out for activities such as Horse Drawn Carriage Rides, Live Ice Sculpture and Glass Blowing Demonstrations, Sip & Paint Nights, Holiday Themed Bars and Cocktail Specials, Date Nights, and Local Boutique Shopping!
Various Locations in New Brunswick, NJ
Dasher’s Lightshow Newark
Now – December 31
Ayana and Siree Morris, owners of Moonlight Cinema, are partnering with Dasher’s Lightshow, one of the fastest growing holiday light companies in the country, to bring an immersive “Drive-Thru Christmas Light Show” to Newark. Families can connect their vehicle’s radio to 97.5 FM to listen to their favorite holiday tunes and watch the hundreds of thousands of lights dance and blink in sync with the music. The light show is open seven days a week, starting at 5 p.m. with the latest entry at 10:30 p.m.
20 Orange St, Newark, NJ
Cost: $30+
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
Now – December 30
Join Demarest Farms during the most magical time of year and experience the joy and wonder of the Orchard of Lights. Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays, warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in their retail farm market. Take pictures with Santa, make your own s’mores, listen to Santa’s singing Reindeer, and more.
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, NJ
Cost: $35 per car
Magic of Lights
Now – December 31
Schedule: Sunday – Thursday 5PM – 10PM. Friday & Saturday 5PM – 11PM
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, 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the gate
South Jersey Holiday Light Show
Now – December 31
The South Jersey Holiday Light Show is the premiere drive-through light show in Southern New Jersey. They proudly feature dozens of dazzling displays to delight the entire family. The show is approximately 20-25 minutes long.
Bridgeport Freeway, 83 Flood Gate Rd, Swedesboro, NJ
Cost: $25
Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show & Village
Now– December 30
Christmas Oasis Features Drive-Thru Lightfest, Photos With Santa, Live Music, S’mores Station, Local Artisan Shops, and Seasonal Food & Drink. The event features a One Mile Long Drive Thru, with over 2 Million+ Lights. Plus Ride the Ferris Wheel & Carousel, Skate the Rink, Take a Family Photo, and stop by the Winter Beer Garden!
Skylands Stadium, Augusta, NJ
Cost: $29 – $79
Diggerland Drive-Thru Light Show
Now – January 1, 2023
2022 marks the third holiday light show at Diggerland, and you won’t want to miss this! Experience a light show like no other. Drive a course through America’s only construction theme & water park to witness lights, holiday displays, tunnels, and our very own radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit!
Diggerland USA, Berlin, NJ
Cost: $34.95 per card
Winter WonderLights
Now – January 1, 2023, 5:30PM – 10PM
Over 1.5 million lights are animated to some of your favorite holiday tunes. Guests are welcome to bundle up in their car, bring their snacks/beverages, and tune their radio to enjoy the show to give you an incredible experience.
655 Cranbury Rd East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $30 per car, $125 season pass
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights
Now – December 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
Renault Winery Resort and Golf Vinter Wonderland
Now – February 26, 2023
The Renault Winery grounds have been transformed into a festive winter wonderland! Come experience the Outdoor Renault Rink, designed for skaters of all ages and skill levels! Then, take a stroll through their Champagne Patio Garden and enjoy their spectacular holiday lighting displays. Sip on a Renault seasonal wine or warm up with a hot signature cocktail! Grab a quick, casual bite outside or make a dining reservation inside their newly renovated Tasting Room.
Renault Winery, 72 Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ
Cost: Free to enter. Activity costs vary
