NJ Mom

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience
2025-12-23 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-25 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | Crayola Experience, 30 Centre Sq Cir, Easton, PA, 18042, United States
Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and more! All this is in addition to our 20+ hands-on attractions!
Whether you’re visiting the Lehigh Valley area or a local looking for holiday fun close to home, Crayola Experience Easton is the #1 family destination for colorful, hands-on fun!

Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium
2025-12-23 10:30 - 16:00, 2025-12-24 10:30 - 16:00 | Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Dr, Camden, 08103, United States
Make a splash this holiday season with Underwater Santa!
Dive into a winter waterland where Scuba Santa swims among sharks, rays, and sea turtles, and the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree glows bright inside Shark Realm. Enjoy festive lights, indoor snow flurries, and dazzling holiday décor throughout the Aquarium. Plus photo ops, puppet shows, and sing-alongs that brighten spirits.
Don’t miss holiday favorites like the Snow-tunda indoor snow show, the Merry Fishmas, Boris! puppet performance, and the 12 Days of Fishmas song with our El-Fish helpers.
Santa’s first dive is at 10:30 AM on November 21!
It’s the most jaw-some way to celebrate the season underwater style!

Photos with Santa at Marketfair
2025-12-23 11:30, 2025-12-24 11:30 | MarketFair, 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ, 08540, United States
Bring your loved ones for a joyful photo experience surrounded by festive decor, twinkling lights, and traditional, timeless charm.
📍Location: Center Court (by Anthropologie)
🗓Dates: Open daily from November 22 – December 24 (CLOSED Thanksgiving Day)
Special Santa Events:
Santa & Friends Arrival Celebration: Saturday, November 22, 10:30 AM – 1 PM
Pet Photos with Santa: Sundays, November 30 & December 7, 4 PM – 7 PM
Sensory-Friendly Santa: Sunday, December 7, 9 AM – 10:30 AM
Reservations Recommended.
Walk-ups are always welcome and will be accommodated as time allows.

Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village
2025-12-23 12:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-24 12:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-25 12:00 - 20:00 | Mulberry Commons, Mulberry Common Parks, Newark, NJ, 07102, United States
November 29, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Downtown Newark & Mulberry Commons Park
Opening Day 4–8 p.m. | Wednesday, Thursday: 4-6 p.m. | Weekends 12–8 p.m.
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Newark’s most magical season is back! :snowflake::sparkles: From ice skating and go-karts to festive shopping and cozy igloos, the Newark Winter Village returns to Mulberry Commons Park as part of Downtown Newark for the Holidays—a citywide celebration filled with music, markets, and merry moments for all ages.
Browse the expanded Winter Marketplace with dozens of local vendors, sip seasonal cocktails, take a spin on the ice, or catch live performances from local artists and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Wednesdays are Community Days with special deals for Newark residents, plus Santa visits, “Learn to Skate” sessions, and twinkling décor that brings the magic of the season to life.
Beyond the Winter Village, explore festive programming across the Arts & Education District—like NJPAC’s Kwanzaa Fest, the Small Business Shopping Trail, and the Holiday Passport Challenge—all designed to showcase Newark’s creative energy and small business community.
Admission is free; tickets required for skating, go-karts, and igloos.

Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights
2025-12-23 16:30 - 21:00, 2025-12-24 16:30 - 21:00, 2025-12-25 16:30 - 21:00 | Bronx Zoo, Bronx River Gate Entrance | Intersection of Bronx River Parkway and Boston Road, Bronx, NY, 10460, United States
The Bronx Zoo’s Holiday Lights is back for another enchanting season of family-friendly fun. Featuring millions of lights, hundreds of wildlife lanterns, and an array of new and returning activities, the beloved winter festival welcomes visitors of all ages to make lasting memories at the Bronx Zoo. Guests will enjoy:
❄️ NEW Freeze Zone: A thrilling snow tube slide, epic illuminated ice-themed throne, snowmen photo ops, and virtual snowball throwing
🦚 Lantern Safaris: Stroll among more than 400 glowing wildlife lanterns spread across six geographically themed lantern trails.
🪼Enchanted Sea: The undersea world comes to life with interactive projections, a jellyfish celebration in lights, and NEW captivating puppetry.
🎄Light Show Experiences: Including a towering holiday tree with synchronized musical light performances and a dazzling walk-through Light Tunnel.
🚂 Holiday Train: The family-favorite kids’ ride returns for 2025.
🧊 Ice Carving: Witness expert artists craft wildlife art from giant ice blocks.
🪩 Illuminated Performers: Encounter and pose for photos with animal-themed illuminated performers.
🎭 Wildlife Theater: The Bronx Zoo’s own theater company leads puppet adventures and wildlife trivia.
☕️ Seasonal Treats: Warm up with hot cocoa, adult beverages, roasted s’mores, churros, pretzels, and more for purchase at in-house refreshment stations
Holiday Lights will run on select dates from November 21, 2025 – January 4, 2026. Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance. Visit BronxZoo.com/holiday-lights/tickets to view available dates and times or book an Any-Night ticket for the flexibility to visit when it works best for you.

Messy Play in Basking Ridge
2025-12-25 09:30 - 10:30, 2025-12-26 09:30 - 10:30 | Covenant Chapel, 127 W. Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, 127 W. Oak Street, Basking Ridge, NJ, 07920, United States
Children and their grown-ups will enjoy an hour of Messy Play. Ideal for children ages 1.5 to 5 years old, classes are child-led with process art and sensory stations. Purposeful play stations, designed by an early childhood educator, foster your child’s natural curiosity while building cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Children can play where they want, when they want, how they want. There’s no wrong way to play!

The Nutcracker at the Mayo Performing Arts Center
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
The Nutcracker has returned to Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, with performances through December 27. The full 2-hour ballet will feature NJ Ballet’s professional company, with more than 100 students from the NJ School of Ballet, and Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed live by the New Jersey Symphony for splendid dancing, eye-popping special effects, and a touch of holiday magic. This year, they are offering a sensory-friendly performance on December 26 at 1 PM. This beautiful performance is designed to create a supportive, welcoming environment for those with sensory sensitivities. There will be modulated sound and light levels, a relaxed atmosphere where the audience can feel comfortable vocalizing and leaving and re-entering the seating area as needed, fidget toys, and noise-reduction headphones available upon request.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
With over two million brilliant lights, your littles will be amazed by all the sparkle and shine on this mile-long course. Afterward, head to the village to spot Santa, listen to live music, dine on hot cocoa and s’mores, and shop at local artisan shops.
Cost: $29,99
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822

Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Start your engine and explore 32 acres of holiday light displays at Demarest Farms. You can also warm up by the fire pit with s’mores, enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market, and take pictures with Santa while listening to Santa’s reindeer singing.
Cost: $35 per car
Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642

Magic of Lights New Jersey
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Experience the dazzling light display entirely from the comfort of your car. Set your radio to their light show station and enjoy festive music as you drive through a merry display of Christmas lights, trees, and decorations.
Cost: $27 per car
PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, NJ 07733

Winter WonderLights
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
New Jersey’s largest animated holiday light show will dazzle your whole family with over 1.5 million lights dancing to your favorite holiday music. The trees, the tunnels, and a tribute to first responders and US armed forces are just a sample of what you will see on the half-mile drive.
Cost: $35-$45 per car, depending on the date, or $100 unlimited season pass per car; guests are encouraged to buy their tickets online
655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Drive-thru America’s only construction theme and water park, and enjoy the lights, tunnels, holiday displays, and more. Don’t forget to tune into Diggerland USA’s radio station to get into the holiday spirit.
Cost: $37.99 per vehicle
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091

Glow! to Bed: A Journey Through Time
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Take a ride through Gloucester County’s ultimate animated light show in the heart of South Jersey and a winner on The Great Christmas Light Fight show. See over 8 million animated lights and the joy through a child’s eyes, from the anticipation on Christmas Eve to the joys of Christmas morning. This mile-long display synchronized to music on your car radio will not disappoint.
217 Berlin-Cross Keys Road, Williamstown, NJ 08081

Let It Glow
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
It’s a holiday spectacular with stunning, larger-than-life lantern displays of animals and nature that will wow you and your littles. You can walk through the exhibits up close, then take a train ride through the zoo.
Cost: $9 and up
Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652

Brookhollow’s Barnyard
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Explore the farm and see all the lights for the holiday season with all your favorite barnyard friends–this is one of those holiday light shows in NJ that you won’t want to miss.
Cost: Information coming
301 Rockaway Valley Road, Boonton, NJ 07005

Christmas House Freehold
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Soak up New Jersey’s #1 Christmas attraction with the whole family, where you will find a fully immersive experience. This 45+ minute walk-through has everything Christmas, from lights and a Snow Room with falling snow to the North Pole Movie Theater and a Tropical Christmas with a beach setup. There are also special character rooms, like Harry Potter and The Nightmare Before Christmas, with meet-and-greets and special surprises.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 US 9, Freehold, NJ 07728

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
With a combination of tulips and the holidays, this brand-new event is budding with potential. See an illuminated field of over 50,000 stunning life-like tulips, watch the drone show on select nights, be a part of special light-up photo opportunities, and even visit Santa’s Workshop. You can also help plant new bulbs that will bloom in 2025. Don’t miss the chance to try some hot chocolate and their fresh stroopwafels while you are there, too.
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514

Holiday Light Show on the Lake
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
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. You can catch the show from either side of the village or right on the bridge.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205

Newark Winter Village
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Enjoy the winter with the family at this annual village that includes ice skating with bumper cars, go-karts, festive shopping, cozy igloos, and seasonal cocktails for the adults.
Cost: Admission is free
Mulberry Commons, Newark, NJ 07102

9th Annual Deck the Hall: Festival of Trees
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Want to see a winter wonderland? This festive event features dozens of decorated trees.
Cost: Free
Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The Village at Anne Ellen Tree Farm
2025-12-26 08:00 - 17:00 | NJ
Step into an immersive world of lights, shops, festive cheer, and cozy holiday scenes. And before you leave, grab a hot cocoa and festive treats.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Anne Ellen Tree Farm, 114 Daum Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
