Top 20 New Jersey Events for December 17 – 19, 2021
I couldn’t narrow it down to 10! Here are my top 20 New Jersey Events for December 17 –19, 2021. Lots of shopping events, holiday lights, Winter Wonderlands, and more! Christmas is right around the corner…
For more events throughout 2021, click here.
If you’d like to submit your event, click here.
For more New Jersey adventures, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.
PS: Come see me this Sunday!
Little Shop Of Holidays
December 19, 10AM – 4PM
Come hang out with me! Myself and other vendors will be at Joseph Varo’s Hairstylist for the Little Shop Of Holidays as we flip the Barber Shop into a Christmas Shop Every Sunday after Thanksgiving. There will be Carolers, Santa, and Local Crafters from the area.
169 Mercer St, Hightstown, NJ
Top 20 NJ Events for December 10 – 12, 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
New Egypt Flea Market Holiday Market
December 17, 5-8PM
Tis the season for some Sweet Pickin Holiday Shopping!!! The village will be filled with twinkling lights and Christmas cheer!!! Get some shopping done and a visit with Santa!!
933 Monmouth Rd, Cream Ridge, NJ
Downtown Candlelight Shopping
December 17, 6PM – 9PM, Last Minute Shopping Date on December 23
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
Sea of Lights
December 17, 18, 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
12th Annual Affordable Art Sale & Artisan Market
December 18, 12PM – 6PM
Come out to Gallery Aferro’s end-of-year Art Sale, Artisan Market, and 12th Annual Potluck Party! As the cold weather rolls in, our minds turn to gift-giving, delicious food, and community fun. That’s why Gallery Aferro is thrilled to welcome you to their annual art sale, artisan gift market and potluck party. While browsing the gallery walls, enjoy shopping the wares of diverse, local artisans and chowing down on delicious, multi-ethnic cuisine. Plus, a 50/50 cash raffle means you might win some walking-around money!
Gallery Aferro, 73 Market Street, Newark, NJ
Long Branch Holiday Bazaar
December 18, & 19, 12PM – 5PM
There will be food, vendors, and more at this Bazaar, with live music, holiday photo stations, craft workshops, and beautiful holiday décor. The holiday market is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” held in Germany. While you shop, enjoy delicious food and libations, and craft beers from Whitechapel Projects.
15 2nd Ave., Long Branch, NJ
A Very Merry Pop Up
December 18 & 19, 12PM – 5PM
Shop and stroll on the Asbury Park Boardwalk and celebrate the holidays at “A Very Merry Pop Up” every Sat & Sun until Dec 19, from 12-5 PM in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall in Asbury Park! Shop from 12 local vendors each day along with retail tenants Betty’s Icebox, Wanderlust, Carla Gizzi, Funhouse, Drift, Sanctum Handmade, and Asbury Park Roastery. Enjoy food & libations and entertainment at Asbury Oyster Bar.
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall in Asbury Park, NJ
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
December 19, 11AM – 6PM
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar, hosted by Asbury Park Bazaar & Asbury Hotel, will feature a curated roster of the best local and regional artists, vendors, and shops selling the cutest and coolest vintage, handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs, and more. The event will feature also feature music, holiday photo stations, craft workshops, and beautiful décor. The holiday market is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” held in Germany. While you shop, enjoy delicious food & libations from Asbury Hotel.The Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park, NJ
Handmade Holiday at The Woodland
December 19, 10AM – 4PM
Marketspace Vendor Events and The Township of Maplewood cordially invite you to the Handmade Holiday at The Woodland in bustling Maplewood, NJ. Admission is free, family-friendly, and open to the public.
The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood, NJ
