Top 15 New Jersey Events for Christmas Weekend
It’s Christmas Weekend! Some of us are traveling, but for those that are staying local this weekend – don’t worry! There’s plenty to do! I’ve pull 15 events that will be sure to put a smile on your face.
For more events throughout 2021, click here.
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Top 15 NJ Events for December 24– 26, 2021:
Winter WonderLights
Now – January 2, 2022, 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: $28 per car, $100 season pass
New Brunswick’s Winter Wonderland
Now– January 3, 2022
New Brunswick City Center is YOUR Host for the Holidays! Starting with the annual Tree Lighting at Monument Square Park on Friday, December 3rd, 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
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. “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
Smithville Village’s Holiday Light Show
Now – January 3, 2022 (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
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 – $35
Diggerland Drive-Thru Light Show
Now- January 2, 2022, 5:30PM – 9:30PM
2021 marks the second 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: $29.95 per card
Back to Nature Home & Garden Christmas Market
Now – December 24
Back to Nature is proud to reopen their annual December month-long holiday village (now safer than ever), the Christmas Market! Santa is staying in the North Pole this year but Back to Nature is still decked out with several pop-up holiday photo ops to satisfy your social media and holiday card needs! Plus live music, an outdoor fire pit, and a delectable food truck every weekend in December, you won’t want to miss this year’s very special Christmas Market. While taking your holiday card pictures, don’t forget to browse around for holiday décor, gifts, and of course, your Christmas tree!
Back to Nature Home and Garden, 3055 Valley Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ
South Jersey Holiday Light Show
Now – December 30
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: $23
Magic of Lights
Now – January 2, 2022
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
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
Now – January 9
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.
Schedule: November 23, 26-30, all of December until January 9, 2022 from 5:30pm – 9:30pm
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, NJ
Cost: $35 per car
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
Skylands Stadium’s Light Show and Christmas Village
Now – January 9
Visit Your Favorite Stadium for the Holidays and Experience Our Outdoor Christmas Village Full of Cool Attractions Including Drive-Thru Lightfest, Outdoor Skating Rink, Photos With Santa, S’mores Station, Local Artisan Shops, Carnival Rides, and Seasonal Food & Drink
Skylands Stadium, Augusta, NJ
Cost: $29 per car
Festival of the Trees
Now – January 9, 2022
Festival of Trees is an annual highlight of the holiday season showcasing a juried collection of trees and mantles displayed throughout the museum’s galleries, upstairs and down. This year’s Festival opens earlier and stays open even longer into 2021!
55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ
Cost: $10, Kids 6 and under are free
Sea of Lights
December 26, 27, 28, 4PM – 8PM
The Holiday Lights Spectacular returns this December 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 26th, 27th & 28th from 4-8pm each night (entertainment 5-8pm) at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. The winter wonderland includes treats, crafts, pictures with Santa*, games, Diving Santa*and Holiday Entertainment!
*Photos with Santa: December 10th, 11th, 17th & 18th (5-8pm)
*Diving Santa: December 26th, 27th & 28th (6:15-7:15pm and 7:45-8:45pm)
Point Pleasant Boardwalk, Point Pleasant, NJ
Cost: Varies per event
Christmas in Cape May
Now – January 2, 2022
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
