It’s that time of year when everything sparkles, and we’re here for it with lots of holiday fun with the family this weekend. See Historic Smithville and Lake Meone get a glow up at the Holiday Light Show on the Lake in Smithville, kick off the holiday season with a visit from Santa, festive music, holiday treats, and hot chocolate at the Fireman’s Park Tree Lighting in Asbury Park, or enjoy music, ice skating, carolers, dancing, photos with Santa, and more at the Holiday Jubilee in Somerville. Want to find out more about the winter festivals happening? Check out our guide to all the winter festivals here. (featured photo credit: iStock/Jodi Jacobson)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert
December 6-8, select locations
Watch this beloved movie come alive on the stage, presented by The New Jersey Symphony. The show features the complete film with the score performed live to the picture.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
December 6 – Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
December 7 – NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
December 8 – State Theatre NJ, 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting
December 6 at 5 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 with the big guy.
Cost: Free
Courtyard of Toms River Town Hall, Toms River, NJ 08753
Fireman’s Park Tree Lighting in Asbury Park
December 6 at 5:30 PM
Kick off the holiday season with a visit from Santa, festive music, holiday treats, and hot chocolate.
Cost: Free
Fireman’s Park, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Holiday Jubilee in Somerville
December 6 at 5 PM
Bundle up and enjoy Base Entertainment and ice skating with the family. Then, at 7:30 PM, there will be live entertainment featuring music, carolers, dancing, and a visit from Santa. Following Santa’s arrival and the holiday tree lighting, enjoy more holiday fun, including free carriage rides, photos with Santa, hot cocoa and cookies, holiday crafts, and more.
Cost: Free
Downtown Somerville, NJ 08876
Boro in Lights
December 6 at 6 PM
Get lit in Glassboro when 19,000 lights sparkle on the tree. There will also be photos with Santa, The Grinch, and Buddy the Elf, horse and carriage rides, cookie decorating, live performances, and an Ice Bar for mom and dad.
Cost: Free
Glassboro Town Square, High Street West, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Christmas Walk and Christmas Tree Lighting
December 6 at 5 PM
Gather the whole family for a night of festive fun, including pictures with Santa, open houses, musical performances, a candy cane express train, and more. At 6 PM, the Christmas tree will be lit.
Cost: Free
Downtown Bay Head, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Caroling in Collingswood
December 6-7
Get a jump start on your holiday shopping in the town of Collingswood while you listen to carolers who will be singing some Christmas tunes.
Cost: Free
Zane School, 801 Stokes Ave, Collingswood, NJ 08108
Old Fashioned Christmas
December 6-8
See the seaside town of Cape May transform into a Dickens village just in time for the holidays. Don’t miss free events like the Winter WonderWalk, tours of the Physick Estate, and the Christmas Candlelight House Tours. They also have a Lamplighter Christmas Tour and Santa’s Trolley Tours throughout the season.
Cape May, NJ 08204
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
December 6-8 – Grand Arcade of Convention Hall & December December 8 at The Asbury Hotel
Step into a traditional Christmas market at the Grand Arcade in Asbury Park, where you can shop, celebrate, and enjoy holiday decor and entertainment. There will also be crafts and a holiday photo booth.
Cost: Free
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
The Asbury Hotel, 210 5th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Holiday Light Show on the Lake
December 6-8
Visit Historic Smithville to hear your favorite holiday tunes synchronized to a unique light display. Over 120 Christmas trees, constructed from 50,000+ Christmas lights, will magically float atop Lake Meone in the center of the village. When the sky is dark, an orchestrated show of lights dances across the water to Christmas music. The show can be seen from either side of the village and the bridge.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo
December 6-8
Take a stroll through this gorgeous holiday lights display with over 50 winter and animal characters. There will also be Santa visits (weekends only), a train, a carousel, pony rides, and more.
Cost: Free, donation recommended
Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Holiday Market in the Park in Hopatcong
December 7
The tree lighting and a visit from St. Nick are at dusk but come earlier to explore the holiday market. There will be free hot chocolate, prepackaged cookies, and ornaments for the kids. The rain date is December 8.
Cost: Free
Modick Park, 28 Hopatchung Road, Hopatcong, NJ 07843
8th Annual Winterfest Market
December 7
Bring in the holiday season with decorated holiday music, fun activities for the kids, shopping, and, of course, Santa. Pictures with Santa will be from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, and the rain date for the event is December 8.
Cost: Free
Haddon Square, 51 Haddon Avenue, Haddon Twp., NJ 08108
Winter Wonderland in Toms River
December 7
Head to the town hall in Toms River, which transforms into a Winter Wonderland Village with vendors and unique holiday gifts. There will also be kid’s activities, a s’mores station, food trucks, and holiday music.
Cost: Free
33 Washington St., Toms River, NJ 08753
Somerville Holiday Lights Parade
December 7
Get into the holiday spirit at this annual event, which features floats and firetrucks decked out in lights, followed by a visit from the Big Guy in Red.
Cost: Free
170 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Christmas Parade and Lighting Event in Somers Point
December 7 at 6 PM
Get in the holiday spirit with this Christmas parade and lighting event. Santa will attend the lighting to visit with all the little ones.
Cost: Free
City Hall, Somers Point, NJ 08244
Westwood Home For The Holidays
December 7, 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 Twinkle, Shine, and Glow.
Cost: Free
Downtown Westwood, NJ 07675
Wildwood Christmas Tree Lighting
December 7 – North Wildwood Tree Lighting
Welcome in the holidays in a variety of locations around Wildwood. There are four tree-lighting ceremonies around town, and we hear the big guy will appear at each one. Enjoy light refreshments, caroling, and more at these festive events. New this year is Wildwoods December Restaurant Week.
Cost: Free
A variety of locations in Wildwood, NJ
Bell Works Fresh Holiday Market
December 7
If the weather outside looks frightful, you can still shop at this indoor market with 75 local farmers, food purveyors, local artisans, and more.
Cost: Free
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Cape May City Crafts at Christmas
December 7-8
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.
Cost: Free
714 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
Winterfest 2024
December 8
Head to the 26th annual Winterfest, where you will find holiday shopping, sweet treats, music, and delicious food. You can also wander through selfie stations and Santa’s Workshop, where the little ones will make Santa.
Cost: Free
Cinnaminson Township High School, 1197 Riverton Road, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Warren Township Holiday Festival
December 8
A bonfire, tree lighting, and fireworks are just the beginning of this winter festival in NJ. There will also be horse and carriage rides, a petting zoo, an iceless skating rink, food vendors, and free hot chocolate.
Cost: Free
46 Mountain Blvd., Warren, NJ 07059
Collingsweird Holiday Bizarre
December 8 at 11 AM
Into oddities? Head to this event for an afternoon of local weirdness, 55 artisans and makers, food trucks, a bar, and free tote bags for the first 100 visitors.
Cost: Free
Collingswood Grand Ballroom, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood, NJ 08108
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown
Every Thursday at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown is back! Join us every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM for swimming, fun, and socializing. Children and caregivers love our padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM. A lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
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