It’s the most magical time of the year, but who says you have to spend a ton of money on family fun? Check out these FREE things to do with the family all season long in NJ. Watch the city of Cape May transform into a Dickens Village at the Old Fashioned Christmas, take in all the holiday lights and festivities at the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo, or check out the magic of lights at a Holiday Light Show on the Lake in Smithville. Want to know where to see the big guy in the red suit? Check out our guide to visiting Santa in NJ. P.S. Most of the visits are free! (Featured photo taken at Turtle Back Zoo)

(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)

Free Holiday Things To Do In NJ

Holiday Makers Market
November 9-10 and December 14-15
Still need to do your holiday shopping? Head to this event in the greenhouse, where you’ll find over 30 vendors plus food trucks so you can grab a bite to eat while you shop ’til you drop.
Cost: Free
McNaughton’s Garden Center, 351 Kresson Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo
November 20-December 31, select dates
Take a stroll through this gorgeous holiday lights display with over 50 winter and animal characters. There will also be weekend Santa visits, a train, a carousel, pony rides, and more.
Cost: Free, donation recommended
Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052

Old Fashioned Christmas
November 21-December 31
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, Tree Lighting on November 21, and the Christmas Candlelight House Tours.
Cost: Free
Cape May, NJ 08204

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 21 at 5 PM
Kick off the holiday season with Santa and his elves as they light the gorgeous tree in Cape May. There will also be hot chocolate and baked goods to enjoy.
Cost: Free
Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

Horse & Carriage Rides
November 21-December 20, select dates
The town of Ocean City lights up during the holiday season, and you can take part in the fun with free horse and carriage rides with the whole family.
Cost: Free
6th & Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Holiday Light Show on the Lake
November 26-January 6
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

Palmer Square Annual Tree Lighting
November 27 at 5 PM
There’s nothing like getting the family together and watching the gorgeous tree in Palmer Square get lit for the holiday season. There will also be sing-along songs, an 11-man vocal harmony group, and maybe even a visit from the Big Guy from up North.
Cost: Free
Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
November 27-December 20, days may vary per location; check ahead
Step into a traditional Christmas market where you can shop, celebrate, and enjoy holiday décor and entertainment in Asbury Park at the Grand Arcade. 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 Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

Collingswood Holiday and Menorah Lighting Events
Fun begins November 27
Spend the season celebrating, starting with a Holiday Tree Lighting on November 27, a Holiday Parade on November 28, and the Community Menorah Lighting in December. Please make sure you get your list to Santa (he’ll be around every weekend) and enjoy caroling every Friday and Saturday evening in December while you shop, stroll, and dine.
Cost: Free
Collingswood, NJ 08108

Christmas at the Hangar
November 28 at 10 AM
Want a unique way to usher in the holiday season? Head to the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum to enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, live music, face painting, and more.
Cost: Free
500 Forrestal Road, Cape May, NJ 08204

Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village
November 28 at 10:30 AM
Get a head start on holiday shopping at this local maker festival on the boardwalk, which features artists, creatives, and vendors.
Cost: Free
Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260

Newton Holiday Parade
November 28 at 10 AM
Get into the holiday spirit at this parade that everyone in your family will love. There will be floats, vehicles, and marchers to watch and admire as they go by.
Cost: Free
Spring Street, Newton, NJ 07860

Holiday Open House
November 28 at 10 AM
Bring the little ones to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus where they will be giving out gifts for the holiday season. Then, tour the Victorian style house and museum complete with holiday music and decorations, play colonial era bowling Skittles, see the new exhibit on the 250th anniversary of the American independence with holiday refreshments.
Cost: Free
Ocean County Historical Society, Toms River, NJ 08753

Christmas Train Village
November 28-December 31 at 12 PM
All aboard for a miniature holiday experience in Spring Lake. This free Christmas train display recreates the town in miniature with model trains traveling through a festival holiday landscape.
Cost: Free
Duggan Hall, 313 Washington Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762

Holiday Dickens Fest
November 28-29 at 1 PM
The spirit of Christmas will be found in Smithville at this fun and festive holiday event. You will find an original musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol ” and holiday-themed art, artistry, and collectibles.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, Route 9 & Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205

Christmas Festival at The Morristown Green
Starts November 29
This month-long family event kicks off Sunday after Thanksgiving with Santa’s rooftop arrival and welcome ceremony. There will be family activities and entertainment on the historic Morristown Green, and the dazzling “Lighting of the Green” ceremony with brilliant lights and wreaths adorning streetlights town-wide—a 100+-year tradition! Each weekend throughout December, enjoy Santa visits and photos, holiday crafts, miniature train rides around the Green, gingerbread house & ornament making, music by local choirs and entertainers, storytelling, ice sculpting demonstrations, and complimentary treats.
Cost: Free
The Morristown Green, 10 N. Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960

Long Branch Tree Lighting at Pier Village
November 29 at 4 PM
Kick off this year’s holiday season at this festive tree lighting at Pier Village. There will be many fun activities, 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.
Cost: Free
Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ 07740

Wildwood Christmas Tree Lighting
December 1 – Wildwood Crest, December 4-6, Greater Wildwood Jaycees Downtown, Wildwood Business Improvement District, and December 5 – North Wildwood Tree Lighting
Welcome in the holidays in a variety of locations around Wildwood. There are four tree-lighting ceremonies all around town, and we hear the big guy will be making an appearance at each one. Enjoy light refreshments, caroling, and more at these festive events.
Cost: Free
A variety of locations in Wildwood, NJ

New Brunswick Winter Wonderland Bazaar 2026
December 3 at 4 PM
Head to downtown New Brunswick for this festive outdoor holiday market featuring local makers, artists, vintage sellers, specialty foods, and small businesses. There will be two heated shopping tents so you can enjoy the cold weather comfortably.
Cost: Free
Monument Square, New Brunswick, NJ 08901

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 with the big guy. This is one of those free holiday things in NJ that you won’t want to miss.
Cost: Free
Courtyard of Toms River Town Hall, Toms River, NJ 08753

Holiday Jubilee in Somerville
December 4 at 5 PM
A night of live entertainment featuring The Sharpe Family Singers, 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 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, photo ops, and a winter model train display.
Cost: Free
Glassboro Town Square, High Street West, Glassboro, NJ 08028

Holiday on Haddon
December 4 at 7 PM
Ring in the holiday season with a parade of lights with decorated fire trucks, characters, floats, and bands, a tree lighting ceremony, and photos with Santa. A collection will be happening for unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items.
Cost: Free
Haddon Avenue, Haddon Township, NJ 08108

Ocean City Christmas Parade
December 4 at 6 PM
This annual parade is a family favorite with marching bands, characters from favorite movies like The Grinch followed by an appearance from Santa Claus himself on a horse-drawn carriage.
Cost: Free
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Lavallette’s Hometown Christmas Weekend
December 4-5
Spend the weekend enjoying festive activities followed by the town’s annual tree lighting complete with Santa, hot cocoa, and famous sugar cookies.
Cost: Free
Downtown Lavallette, NJ 08735

Winter Wonderland in Toms River
December 5 at 11 AM
The courtyard at Town Hall in Downtown Toms River will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland Village, where vendors will sell great holiday gifts. There will also be kids’ activities and crafts, face painting, holiday music, and holiday story time.
33 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

Somerville Holiday Lights Parade
December 5 at 6 PM
Get into the holiday spirit at this annual event, which features all the lights you want to see, followed by an appearance by the one and only Santa. This is the 15th annual lights parade so it will be bigger and better than ever.
Cost: Free
170 East Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876

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.
Cost: Free
Downtown Westwood, NJ 07675

Cape May City Crafts at Christmas
December 5-6
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

Atlantic City Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village
December 5-6
The holiday bazaar is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmärkte” in Germany. Throughout the two event days, there will be nonstop live music, an indoor Biergarten, arts and crafts activities for children and adults, pictures with Santa, and shopping from local artists and makers.
Cost: Free
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Historic Downtown Jersey City Happy Holiday Market
December 5-6 and 12-13
Last-minute gifting is inevitable, so why not stop by for live music, food, and gifts made by local artisans? You’ll also find kid activities, hot cocoa, and a photo booth at this festive market in historic Jersey City.
Cost: Free
Grove Street PATH Plaza and The Ashford Rooftop, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Lighting Up Nature
December 11-14
Get into the car and spend the evening looking at the lights as they make the night brighter as the park is transformed into a neighborhood-style light show where you can sit back, drive through, and take it all in.
Cost: Free
Jakes Branch County Park, 1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood, NJ 08722

Holiday Wonderland and Christmas Market
December 12 at 11 AM
This winter festival in NJ features everything from vendors to fire pits to an ice sculpture artist. There will also be live entertainment and shopping, and don’t forget to take a family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Cost: Free
Heritage Park, 49 West Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050

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. Rain date is December 13.
Cost: Free
Veterans Park, Clementon, NJ 08021

Hammonton Fire Department Christmas Parade
December 12 at 7 PM
This Christmas parade features floats, vehicles, and fire trucks all lit up for the Christmas season. This year’s theme is “A Red, White, and Blue Christmas.”
Cost: Free
Downtown Hammonton, N. Liberty and Egg Harbor Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037

New Year’s Eve Fireworks
December 31 at 8 PM
Bring your chairs, blankets, and warm clothes to experience a beautiful fireworks display on the sand. The show starts at 8 PM, so you’ll have plenty of time to celebrate without staying up til midnight.
Cost: Free
JFK Boulevard Beach, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243

New Year’s Eve Bash and Giant Blueberry Drop
December 31 at 10:30 PM
Wrap up 2026 in a festive environment, complete with live music and fireworks, and welcome in 2027 with a countdown and a blueberry drop in front of Town Hall at the Blueberry Capitol of the World.
Cost: Free
100 Central Avenue, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Become an NJ MOM Insider—sign up for the NJ MOM newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family, filled with in-the-know tips for NJ moms. And be sure to follow @NJMOM on social for all the latest info and family fun.