NJIB’s Guide to 30+ New Jersey Events December 13 – 15, 2024
It’s the first official weekend of December and NJ is becoming a Winter Wonderland! There is plenty to do this weekend – from holiday markets and light shows to seasonal events there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So grab your jacket, invite some friends, and savor these festive autumn days before winter arrives! PLUS you can find NJIB at LSC After Dark: Cocktails and Candy Canes on Thursday 12/12 and at the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market on 12/14 and 12/15. Here is your guide to New Jersey Events from December 10 – December 15, 2024.
Are you looking for Light Shows and other Christmas/Holiday events? Be sure to check out our guide!
Check out our Event Guide for more events throughout the year. To submit your event, click here.
For more New Jersey Events and Adventures, follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.
New Jersey Events December 10 – 15, 2024:
Featured!
Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market: Wreck The Halls
December 13 – 15
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. 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!
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights
December 10 – 15
During the holiday season, individuals can enjoy a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, bathed in the glittering lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. Embracing the spirit of giving, visitors are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats. Admission is free, and attendees can engage in various activities such as visiting the carousel, touch tank, face painting, reptile house, farm, train, and gift shop (some activities may have associated fees). Reservations are not required. This special event offers a unique backdrop with some animals, focusing on an evening stroll through light displays and photo opportunities with friends and family. Seasonal activities include a s’mores station, Grinch weekend, and photos with Santa. While not all areas of the Zoo are open and accessible, visitors can explore the Touch Tank, Reptile House, and Farm to catch a glimpse of some animals.
Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange, NJ
Cost: Free
Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland
December 10 – 15, 5 pm – 10 pm
This holiday season, join for a light show that promises to enchant visitors of all ages. Our magical holiday event features all of the festive classics with a floral twist. There’s unique and interactive light displays at every turn, a Santa Claus experience, food trucks, bakery, gift shop, and makers market. You can also buy bunches of fresh-cut tulips and help plant bulbs for their 2025 season! Start your new holiday tradition at Holland Ridge Farms.
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ
Cost: Starting at $15 per person
Bell Works Fresh Holiday Markets
December 11 & 14, Wed 11 am – 4 pm, Sat from 12 pm – 5 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
LSC After Dark: Cocktails and Candy Canes
December 12, 6 – 10 pm
Drag, shopping, and a Mariah Carey Laser Show – Oh my! Liberty Science Center presents LSC After Dark, exclusively for guests 18 and up, every Thursday from 6:00 – 10:00 pm. A great party, delicious bites and drinks, and a twist of science! Each event features a fun theme with a menu to match, dance floor, live DJ, a full bar (for guests 21+) and planetarium and laser shows. And all of the museum’s exhibits are open, too. When you purchase LSC After Dark tickets, you help the nonprofit Liberty Science Center provide even more programs for our community and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: $25 at the door, save $3 buying online in advance
LuminoCity Winter Wonderland
December 12 – 15
The Luminocity Lights Festival in Freehold, NJ, is a dazzling winter wonderland that captivates visitors of all ages. This immersive light experience features larger-than-life illuminated displays, enchanting tunnels, and interactive installations inspired by nature, fantasy, and global cultures. As night falls, the festival’s vivid light sculptures transform the landscape into a magical realm, perfect for family outings, romantic strolls, and memorable photo opportunities.
Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 US-9, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $29+
Holiday Lights Hayride
December 12 – 15
Looking for family Christmas activities and holiday fun? Bring your family and friends for a festive holiday lights tractor-drawn hayride. Norz Hill Farm offers Hayride experiences complete with holiday lights, outdoor interactive displays, a spin by the animals, and perhaps a stop by Santa’s cornfield office! If you looking for family Christmas activities, Norz Hill Farm’s provides the best family fun and holiday lights in New Jersey.
Norz Hill Farm, 120 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ
Cost: $15
Downtown Candlelight Shopping
December 13
Candlelight Shopping features Santa, carriage rides, carolers and twinkling luminarias lining the quaint streets. With over 200 shops and restaurants offering distinctive gifts and friendly customer service, businesses along Kings Highway and Downtown Haddonfield’s charming side streets – which include Mechanic Street, Ellis Street, Tanner Street, Haddy Lane, Kings Court, and Haddon Avenue – welcome everyone to shop in their beautifully curated stores and find delightful holiday treasures. Discover an array of incredible gifts in distinctive shops, food/beverage establishments, and boutiques, while enjoying the festivities and town-wide twinkling décor.
Downtown Haddonfield, NJ
Holiday Marketplace
December 13 & 14
Making a list and checking it twice? Come shop the Holiday Marketplace at the Parsippany Embassy Suites. You can stroll from suite to suite and find something unique for everyone on your list. Peruse the handmade and unique wares of 30+ vendors, get a chance to meet Santa, and more.
Embassy Suites in Parsippany, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Christmas Con NJ
December 13 – 15
This three day festive annual gathering features more than 30 holiday movie celebrity 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 of celebrities span from Hallmark, Lifetime and GAC Family movies.
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ
Cost: $10 – $250
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
December 13 – 15, 12 pm – 5 pm
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join The Bazaar for a festive and fun filled 2024 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.
2024 DATES & LOCATIONS:
** Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall
December 13 – 15, 20 – 22
** Asbury Park Bazaar at The Asbury Hotel
December 15 12-5 pm
Cost: Free to attend
Holiday Made in Monmouth
December 14, 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
Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Market at Abma’s Farm
December 14, 10 am – 4 pm
The ‘Weihnachtsmarkt’ Christmas Market at Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough, NJ, offers a magical holiday experience for all. Attendees can enjoy browsing local vendors, unique gifts, and hand-crafted holiday décor, while also indulging in food trucks, photos with Santa, and festive light displays. The market features a variety of a la carte activities, Christmas trees, hand-decorated wreaths, a petting zoo, and more. It’s the perfect event to embrace the holiday spirit, shop for unique gifts, and support local artisans and creativity.
Abma’s Farm, Hillsborough, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Pop-Up Holiday Market Tenafly
December 14, 11 am – 4 pm
The Borough of Tenafly and The Tenafly Chamber of Commerce are celebrating the winter holiday season with the Tenafly Holiday Fair, a festive event filled with family fun, shopping, and seasonal treats. Attendees can explore The Main Street Pops Holiday Market, which features a wide variety of local artisans and small businesses offering unique gifts for everyone on their list. The market includes an assortment of items such as fashion, accessories, jewelry, bath and body products, pet items, home décor, kids’ goods, fine art, photography, artisanal foods, sweet treats, and more.
Peace Plaza, 100 Riveredge Road, Tenafly, NJ
Community Day: Winter Wonderland
December 14, 12 pm – 5 pm
Celebrate holidays from around the world at this festive family favorite! Winter Wonderland features seasonal performances and activities, including acapella singers, step dancing and gift making. Local vendors will be on hand to fulfill all your holiday shopping needs as you immerse yourself in multicultural joy! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ
Cost: Free, registration required
Winterfest
December 14, 1 pm – 7 pm
This family event features a elebration 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
Cost: Free
Night Owl Market: Highland Park’s Artisan, Crafter and Maker Market
December 14
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
Sea of Lights Holiday Lights
December 14, 4 pm – 8 pm
Celebrate the season at the annual Sea of Lights Holiday and Lights Spectacular! Delight in various entertainment from 5-8 pm, featuring Santa’s photo sessions followed by his festive dive into the Aquarium tanks. 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
Cost: Cost per activity
Christmas in the Village
December 14 & 15, 10 am – 3 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
Cost: Free
Somerset County 4-H’s Holiday Craft Festival
December 14 & 15, 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
Flounder’s Annual Kringle Market
December 14 & 15, 11 am – 5 pm
Events on the Farm NJ proudly presents the 4th annual Flounder’s Kringle Market at scenic Carriage Farm in Hillsborough, in partnership with Visit Somerset County. Shoppers can explore over 35 unique vendors offering one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, all carefully selected by Marketspace Vendor Events to ensure quality and originality. Steps Together will be serving Flounder beer and warm cider from Bellemara, with all proceeds benefiting this impactful local charity. Central Jersey Nurseries will be at the heart of the market, featuring Christmas trees, wreaths, and holiday greenery. Attendees can enjoy live music from a brass quintet performing classic holiday songs, capture photos with Santa inside Flounder Brewing, and catch a festive dance recital by a local company on select days
2 Clerico Rd, Hillsborough, NJ
Cost: $10 per car
Montclair Flea Holiday Market
December 14 & 15, 11 am – 6 pm
Featuring the best curated vintage and handmade goods, tasty eats and full bar, music and the best holiday vibes.
1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, NJ
Cost: Free
Holiday Pop-Up Weekend at the Basie Center
December 14 (11 am – 8 pm) & 15 (11 am – 4 pm)
Fresh Markets returns to the Basie Center for a one-of-a-kind holiday pop up event featuring unique vendors and gifts.
The Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St, Red Bank, NJ
Cost: Free
Noyes Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village
December 14 & 15, 12 pm – 5 pm
All ages are welcome to attend the Noyes Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village! Enjoy live music from pianist Denis Brousse, family photos with Santa, craft activities for all ages, local food and drink vendors, and shopping from local artists and vendors. Donate an unwrapped toy for the Ducktown AC Toys for Tots drive. Compete for cash prizes and vote on your favorite gingerbread house in the Gingerbread Village.
2200 Fairmount Ave, Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: Free
Artist & Maker Market Happy Holiday Market
December 14 & 15, 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 14 & 15, 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm
The artists and artisans at the Off the Wall Holiday Market pour a great deal of love and dedication into their work, and it truly shines through. Each purchase not only supports their efforts but also furthers the mission to cultivate the artist within everyone. Don’t miss this chance to shop one-of-a-kind, artisan-made creations, ranging from fine art pieces to unique, handcrafted items. This is the largest show of the year, and it runs across weekends throughout the holiday season, giving ample time to find that perfect gift. Visitors are invited to enjoy a wonderful experience, complete with complimentary refreshments and more, making it an ideal outing with friends this holiday season.
West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction, NJ
Cost: Free
The Metuchen Cookie Walk
December 15, 8 am – 2 pm
The Metuchen Cookie Walk is an annual holiday fundraiser for the Fuccile Foundation, which provides financial assistance to local families impacted by the tragedy. The premise of the Metuchen Cookie Walk is simple: bake, buy, give. Local residents bake thousands of homemade cookies that are then sold at the walk. Cookie Walk attendees purchase either a small ($10) or large ($20) box (or multiple boxes!) to fill with the homemade cookies.
400 Grove Ave, Metuchen, NJ
Cost: $10-$20
Handmade Holiday at The Woodland
December 15, 10 am – 4 pm
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
Cost: Free
Main Street Pops Holiday Market
December 15, 11 am – 4 pm
Main Street Pops invites everyone to join in the holiday celebrations this December with a series of festive events. Featuring a live ice sculpture carving demonstration. In addition to fun events, there will be a curated selection of artisan vendors offering unique gifts for everyone on your list, including fashion, accessories, jewelry, bath and body products, pet items, home décor, kids’ products, fine art, photography, artisanal foods, sweet treats, and more.
1401 Adams Street, Under 14th Street Viaduct, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: Free
Shoppes at the Arcade Holiday Vendor Market
December 15, 12 pm – 4 pm
The Shoppes at the Arcade in Asbury Park, New Jersey will host a holiday vendor market on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 12–4 PM. The market will feature small businesses selling a variety of items, including stocking stuffers, gifts, and presents. The Shoppes at the Arcade encourages shoppers to support the local economy by shopping small.
The Shoppes at the Arcade, 658 Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Holiday African-American Book Fair
December 15, 2 pm – 5 pm
The Holiday African-American Book Fair invites attendees to 801 S. Washington Ave for a day dedicated to celebrating African-American authors. Visitors can explore an array of incredible books, discover new stories, meet talented authors, and connect with fellow book enthusiasts. This in-person event offers a wonderful opportunity to support Black writers and honor their contributions to literature.
New Market Fire Company, 801 S. Washington Ave, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: Free
Hanukkah Fireworks at KBA
December 15, 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
South Orange Open-Air Holiday Market
December 15, 3 pm – 7 pm
Discover over 20 local artisans and craftspeople showcasing their finest: from handcrafted jewelry and trendy apparel to delectable treats, captivating art and one-of-a-kind gifts!
Village Plaza, South Orange, NJ
Cost: Free
