‘Tis the season for holiday cheer, and there’s nothing better than seeing the joy through your kids’ eyes at Christmas tree lightings in NJ. A favorite moment every year? Watching those little eyes light up when the tree begins to sparkle and glow. Towns across New Jersey are decking their trees for the holidays, and we’ve rounded up some of the best and brightest. So bundle up the fam, grab your hot cocoa, and plan to attend one of these upcoming events. And don’t miss the Drive Through Christmas Lights and Must-See Light Shows in NJ this holiday season. (featured photo credit: istock/salanyali)
25+ Christmas Tree Lightings in NJ
Annual Tree Lighting at Jersey Shore Premium Outlets
November 14 at 5 PM
Bring the family and get a head start on holiday cheer at this annual tree lighting. There will be live entertainment, face painting, and a visit with Santa.
Cost: Free
Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, 1 Premium Outlets Boulevard, Tinton Falls, NJ 07753
Cape May Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 21 at 5 PM
Get into the holiday spirit with a visit to Cape May’s historic Emlen Physick Estate, where Santa and his elves deck the grounds with thousands of lights and holiday decorations. Santa will light the giant Christmas tree at 7 PM followed by a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival
November 27 at 4 PM
Head to downtown Point Pleasant Beach for an evening of family-friendly holiday fun. Along with the annual tree lighting and Santa’s arrival by fire truck, there will be a live DJ, refreshments, kid’s activities, and free horse and carriage rides.
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, Arnold and Bay Avenues, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Rahway Annual Tree Lighting
November 27 at 2 PM
This is a fun holiday experience that includes a tree lighting followed by lots of festive fun that the entire family can enjoy and kick off this season together.
City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, NJ 07065
Sea Isle City Christmas Parade and Mayor’s Tree Lighting
November 27 at 6 PM
Grab the family and head to this event that begins with a holiday parade and ending at Excursion Park where Santa and the mayor will light the tree. You can sing along to holiday tunes, meet characters, and take a free photo with Santa.
Excursion Park, JFK Boulevard and Pleasure Avenue, Sea Isle City. NJ 08243
Palmer Square Tree Lighting
November 27 at 5 PM
Gather your crew and head to Palmer Square for a live ice carving, Dueling Pianos, and plenty of festive fun leading up to the grand tree lighting celebration. Enjoy great music, cheerful performances by Epic Soul and the Princeton High School Choir, and maybe even a surprise visit from Santa. This event is a wonderful way to kick off the holidays, with over 32,000 lights illuminating a dazzling display.
Palmer Square Green, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Collingswood Holiday Lighting Events
November 27 at 7 PM
Spend the season celebrating, starting with a Holiday Tree Lighting on November 27, Santa descends from atop Borough Hall by way of the Collingswood Fire Department’s ladder truck – just in time for the Borough’s official Tree Lighting Ceremony. Choral groups will sing as the town tree is lit with twinkling lights and season’s greetings are made by the Mayor and Commissioners. There will also be a live ice carving at 7:30 PM.
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Annual Town Lighting & Holiday Express Concert in Red Bank
November 27 at 6:30 PM
This annual gathering is the most magical day in Red Bank. Start the day shopping on Broad Street, then enjoy pre-show activities and a Holiday Express concert, and finally, the main event—the lighting of the Red Bank Christmas tree.
Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Festival of Trees and Winter Village
November 27-29 and December 5-6
It’s an outdoor holiday market with over 45 unique craft artisans ready to help you wrap up your seasonal shopping. The opening weekend coincides with the first weekend of The Festival of Trees. After visiting the German-style holiday market, step back into the Victorian era in Downtown Clinton with Dickens Days.
56 Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
Lighting Up Morristown
November 28 at 5 PM
This month-long family event starts the weekend after Thanksgiving with Santa’s arrival and a welcome ceremony. Enjoy family fun, complimentary treats, and entertainment on Morristown Green, plus the beautiful “Lighting of the Green,” featuring lights and wreaths throughout town—a tradition for over 100 years.
The Morristown Green, 10 N. Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960
Westfield Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
November 28 at 6 PM
It’s a festive evening with holiday cheer and community, kicking off the season. Santa will arrive by fire truck to light the Christmas Tree with special surprises and hot cocoa, and then the kiddos can take pictures with Santa on stage.
North Avenue Train Station, Westfield, NJ 07090
Woodbridge Township Winterfest and Light Parade
November 28 at 4 PM
Kick off the holiday before the big event with s’mores, ice skating, kids’ crafts, a twinkling-light parade, ice sculpting, horse-and-carriage rides, and a live DJ. At dusk, the tree gets a glow-up and a visit from the man in the red suit.
Cost: Free to enter
Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Santa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Cape May County Zoo
Can you keep a secret? Rumor has it that the zebras at the Cape May County Zoo brought Rudolph and his crew in through the back gates. See for yourself, and while you’re there, take your photo with the jolly man in the big red suit and ride aboard the holiday train. Catch a holiday performance, check out the ice sculpture demonstration, free treats, and so much more.
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 US 9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Long Branch Tree Lighting at Pier Village
November 29 at 4 PM
Kick off this year’s holiday season with this festive tree lighting at Pier Village. Bundle up your crew to take part in all the fun festivities, including ice skating, a performance by the Long Branch High School Marching Band and Dance Team, and a special visit from Santa Claus. After the tree is lit, shop while admiring the window displays and festive cheer.
Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Bordentown City Christmas Tree Lighting
Sing along to music and holiday songs before Santa arrives on a firetruck to light the tree when the sun sets. Bring toys that are no longer being played with and take a new-to-you toy home, or just bring a toy for donation.
Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown, NJ 08505
Downtown Jersey City Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting
December 1 at 5 PM
This annual lighting includes a combined tree and menorah lighting, gifts from Santa, cookies, and hot cocoa to warm up with and get into the holiday spirit.
Newark Avenue Pedestrian Mall, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Newport Tree Lighting
December 1 at 6 PM
Newport’s annual tree lighting takes place at Town Square Park. The waterfront setting makes this a unique experience and is a great way to kick off the holiday season.
Town Square Park, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Wildwood Christmas Tree Lighting
December 1 – Wildwood Crest, December 4- Wildwood Business Improvement District, December 4-6, Greater Wildwood Jaycees Downtown, December 5 – North Wildwood Tree Lighting
Welcome to the holidays in various locations around Wildwood. There are four tree-lighting ceremonies all around town, and we hear the big guy will appear at each one. Enjoy light refreshments, caroling, and more at these festive events.
A variety of locations in Wildwood, NJ
Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting
December 4 at 5:30 PM
Come down to the Downtown District of Toms River for some holiday fun. Starting with live entertainment at 5 PM, Santa will arrive on a fire truck to light the tree at 7 PM, followed by photos.
Courtyard of Toms River Town Hall, Toms River, NJ 08753
41st Annual Downtown for the Holidays
December 4 at 6 PM
Watch downtown Ridgewood transform into a holiday celebration with a tree lighting, Santa’s arrival, holiday music, Nutcracker dancers, and a touch-a-truck experience. Make sure you take the kids to meet the Grint and enjoy s’mores around the fire.
Downtown Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Boro in Lights
December 4 at 6 PM
Over 19,000 lights will light up the night on the Glassboro tree. There will also be photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-and-carriage rides, food trucks, cookie decorating, live performances, and lots of good cheer.
Glassboro Town Square, High Street West, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Hawthorne Christmas Tree Lighting
December 4 at 6 PM
Start the night with a fun and festive parade that steps off at 6 PM, followed by the tree lighting at 6:45 PM. There will also be visits with Santa, hot cocoa, cookies, light-up necklaces, and more holiday fun.
Borough Hall, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Holiday Jubilee in Somerville
December 4 at 5 PM
Somerville’s annual holiday tree lighting event kicks off the holiday season with entertainment, in-store events at participating businesses, caroling trolley rides, and a visit from the big guy in red. Also on hand will be the Sharpe Family Singers, known for their appearances on Broadway and America’s Got Talent.
Downtown Somerville, NJ 08876
Congress Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 4 at 6 PM
Travel to Congress Hall for this annual event that takes place on the Grand Lawn and watch the gorgeous tree light up for the season accompanied by live music from the Festival Choir.
Congress Hall, 25 Jackson Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
West Long Branch Tree Lighting and Skating In The Park
December 5 at 4 PM
It’s the time of year for holiday fun and this is a great place for this. Bundle up and bring the whole family to the tree lighting ceremony, ice skating, pony rides, bounce house, live music, food trucks, and more. The best part? Santa will be arriving at 6 PM.
Franklin Lake, Locust Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Seaside Heights Tree Lighting
December 5 at 12 PM
Make a full day of holiday fun on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk. The annual-tree lighting celebration included carousel rides, an iceless ice-sakting rink, festival snow, carolers, hot cocoa, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Clause.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, 410 Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Downtown Tree Lighting in Asbury Park
December 5 at 5:30 PM
Kick off the holiday season with a visit from Santa, festive music, holiday treats, and hot chocolate. This is one of the shore Christmas tree lightings in NJ that you won’t want to miss.
Press Plaza, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
2026 Tree Lighting & Winter Festival
December 5 at 12 PM
Bundle up and head to this fun event that will get you in the holiday mood. There will be a skating rink, horse-and-carriage rides, a petting zoo, delicious food trucks, and, to end the night, the tree lighting and a visit from Santa.
Belvidere Town Hall, 691 Water Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823
Nutley Christmas Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration
December 6 at 5 PM
Round up the little ones and head to this festive celebration. There will be photos with Santa, a mini train ride, horse-and-buggy rides, roasted chestnuts, donuts, and more holiday fun.
Town Hall, 1 Kennedy Drive, Nutley, NJ 07110
Westwood Home For The Holidays
December 5, the parade begins at 6 PM
Get ready for the holiday season with the return of Westwood’s beloved Home For The Holidays celebration, featuring tree lighting, jingle bell craft, and carolers. The parade will begin at 6 PM and include a visit from the big guy in red. This year’s theme is Everyone’s Favorite Holiday Movies.
Downtown Westwood, NJ 07675
Christmas Village at Veterans Park Gloucester
December 12 at 3 PM
This open-air holiday market will sell Christmas décor, gifts, Christmas trees, jewelry, and more at Veterans Park, with live music and food trucks. Santa will also be on the premises for a quick holiday photo, and free rides on the Carousel and Dizzy Dragons will be available for the little ones. The Mainstage choir will perform at 6 PM, followed by the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 PM, and you can warm up with a hot cup of cocoa during the event. The rain date is December 13.
Veterans Park, Clementon, NJ 08021
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