Whether you’re looking for gifts or just want to sneak in a visit with the big guy, a winter market is the best way to get in a festive mood and start a new tradition. Take the family on a trip to one or more of these truly special and seasonal spots, starting in November and through the season, where you can enjoy the decor at the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar, shop and cozy up with drinks at the 9th Annual Winterfest, and experience an authentic Weihnachtsmärkte (German Market) at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Feeling festive? Make sure you don’t miss the light shows and places where Santa will make his rounds this season. (featured photo credit: istock/anyaberkut)
20 Winter Markets In NJ Where You Can Shop And Feel Festive This Holiday Season
Holiday Craft Market
November 8
The Stafford Township EMS Auxiliary sponsors this Holiday Craft Market with over 50 local craft vendors, photos with Santa, holiday music, and food vendor trucks.
600 N Main Street, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Winter FRESH
November 9, 23, December 14, January 11, 25, February 8, 22, and March 8, 22
This indoor food and farm market is perfect for shopping with all your favorite Asbury FRESH food vendors.
Cost: Free
66 South Main Street, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Festival of Trees and Winter Village
November 28-30 and December 6-7
This outdoor holiday market has 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 into merry England in Downtown Clinton for Dickens Days.
56 Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
Owl Markets: Highland Park’s Artisan and Crafter Holiday Markets
November 28-30, December 13-14
Shop small in downtown Highland Park at the outdoor holiday market featuring local artists, artisans, crafters, and food vendors. There will be live music, free arts and crafts, and Santa, too.
212 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
November 28-December 21, days may vary per location; check ahead
Shop this traditional Christmas market and enjoy holiday decor and entertainment in Asbury Park at the Grand Arcade, Asbury Hotel, and Whitechapel Projects. There will also be crafts and a holiday photo booth.
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
The Asbury Hotel, 210 5th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Whitechapel Projects, 15 2nd Avenue, 15 2nd Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Bell Works Fresh Holiday Market
November 29-December 20, select dates
If the weather outside looks frightful, head to this indoor market, which features 75 local farmers, food purveyors, local artisans, and more.
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Asbury Fresh Pop-Up at Porta
November 30, December 7, 21
Experience a warm and toasty holiday market season in good ol’ Asbury Park. Shop locally curated vendors and enjoy pizza and festive drinks.
Porta, 911 Kinsley Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Village in Union Township
December 5-6
Shop, let the littles ride the trackless train, or get some hot chocolate at the hot cocoa area (there is a beer garden there, too). There will also be food trucks, a cookie station, Santa’s workshop, and an ice skating rink.
1976 Morris Avenue, Union Township, NJ 07083
2025 Weihnachtsmärkt German Christmas Market of New Jersey
December 5-7
Who says you need to fly to Germany to experience an authentic Weihnachtsmärkt? Sussex County Fairgrounds is home to the largest annual Christmas market in the state, complete with a Biergarten, food trucks and vendors, a petting zoo, and tree lighting (proceeds are donated to local charities). Your littles will enjoy a special visit from St. Nicholas and Mrs. Claus.
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
9th Annual Winterfest
December 6
Bring your crew to enjoy holiday music, kid-friendly activities, and a special appearance by Santa. The outdoor market will offer unique gifts from area artisans and vendors, delicious treats and eats, and a beer garden.
51 Haddon Avenue, Haddon Township, NJ 08108
Winter Wonderland Weekend in Toms River
December 6
Washington Street in Downtown Toms River will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland Village where vendors will sell great gifts for the holiday season. Kids’ activities, a hot chocolate station, and holiday music will also be there.
33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Verona’s Fair In The Square
December 6
Verona’s Civic Center will transform into a festive wonderland with over 100 vendors, entertainment, face painting, balloon artistry, photos with Santa, and lots of food options. The annual tree lighting will take place at 4:30 PM that day.
600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, NJ 07003
48th Annual Hope Christmas Craft Market
December 6-7
Bring the whole family to shop, snack on festive treats, shop for holiday gifts, and visit the man in the red suit.
Various locations townwide, parking available at 407 Hope-Great Meadows Road, Blairstown, NJ 07825
Cape May City Crafts at Christmas
December 6-7
You’ll find something for everyone on your list at Cape May’s Annual Crafts at Christmas Show, where makers and artists display their handmade and original works. Comb the aisles of the legendary Convention Hall for maker goods like jewelry, soaps, candles, and artwork.
714 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
Noyes Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village
December 6-7
The holiday bazaar is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmärkte” in Germany. There will be live music, arts and crafts activities, pictures with Santa, a Gingerbread contest, and shopping from local artists and makers throughout the two event days.
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Main Street Pops Holiday Artisan Market
December 7, 14, and 21
Look for handmade goods and unique finds on Sundays in December. You’ll find lots of gift ideas, including jewelry, home goods, and artisanal foods.
770 Jackson Street Plaza @Monroe Center, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Holiday Wonderland and Christmas Market
December 13
This winter festival in NJ has everything from vendors to fire pits. There will be live entertainment and shopping, and don’t forget to take a family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Heritage Park, 67 West Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Happy Holiday Market
December 13-14 and 20-21
Last-minute gifting is inevitable, so why not stop by for live music, food, and gifts made by local artisans? You’ll find that and more at this festive market in historic Jersey City. It offers a unique opportunity to shop directly from emerging new makers and established artists, find one-of-a-kind items, and meet the people who made them.
Grove Street PATH Plaza and The Ashford Rooftop, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Countdown to Christmas in Hopatcong
December 13-14
With 50-plus vendors, free admission, and 50/50s, get in the holiday spirit and shop until you drop.
40 Maxim Drive, Hopatcong, NJ 07843
Main Street Pops Holiday Market Tenafly
December 14
What’s better than an artisan market and community concert? This Tenafly market has a live concert, kids’ activities, festive food, and local vendors.
Peace Plaza, 1 Piermont Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670
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