If your New Year’s resolution is to spend more time with the family, then we’ve got a bunch of festivals this month to kick off the new year. Enjoy ice carving, delicious food, live music, and local vendors all in one place at the 33rd Annual Fire and Ice Festival in Mount Holly, find sweets, face painting, and a kids zone at Dessertopia in Morristown, or celebrate Muslim Heritage Month with scholars, artists, comedians, athletes, and food vendors at the Muslim Heritage Month Festival in Edison. And if you like your fun without breaking the bank, make sure you check out our guide to free things to do this month, too. (featured photo credit: iStock/Liudmila Cheklova)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
WinterFest Ice Skating
Weekends in January
Is there anything better than lacing up some skates and gliding on the ice with the family? Bundle up for the cold winter weather and spend the day on skates.
Cost: Skate rentals and rink admission prices vary
Copper River Park, Cuthbert Boulevard and Park Avenue, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Winter Market by Grow It Green Morristown
Sundays in January at 9:30 AM
This Sunday morning market is a partnership with Grow It Green Morristown. Each week, you’ll find a revolving list of local vendors who offer a great assortment of cheeses, produce, prepared foods, and baked goods.
Convent Train Station, Convent Road, Morris Township, NJ 07960
Christmas in Cape May
January 1
Catch the last blast of the holidays with the seaside town of Cape May. 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 Trolley Tours throughout the season.
Cape May, NJ 08204
Asbury FRESH Winter Farmers Market
January 1 and 25 at 10 AM
This indoor market in the atrium offers a variety of treats. Also, don’t miss the non-food offerings from wellness practitioners, crafters, and artists.
66 South Main Street, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
January 1-3
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 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
Magic of Lights New Jersey
January 1-3
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
Glow! to Bed: A Journey Through Time
January 1-4
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
U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms
January 1-4
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 2026. 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
January 1-6
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. 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
Let It Glow
January 1-11
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
Vinter Wonderland
January 1-19
Celebrate a successful harvest at Renault Winery with a charming and festive experience for all ages. Kids will love ice skating, tractor rides, and live entertainment, while you enjoy gourmet dining and wine.
Cost: Prices vary
72 Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Muslim Heritage Month Festival
January 3-4
Celebrate Muslim Heritage Month at this family-friendly event filled with scholars, artists, comedians, athletes, food vendors, and more.
Cost: $20 per person, children under 8 are free
Edison Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837
Experience The Battle of Princeton
January 4 at 9:30 AM
This event is fun for all the history buffs in your family and celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary. During the day, you can witness British and American reenactments of the Battle of Princeton, talk with living historians, participate in a memorial wreath-laying ceremony, tour the historic Thomas Clarke House, and more.
Cost: $10 per adult ages 15+ and free for kids under 14 or active military members
Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
NJ Meadowlands Eagle Festival
January 11 at 10 AM
Celebrate this magnificent bird with walks and talks, music, and children’s educational activities, and see live raptors from Flat Rock Brook. Before you come, have the kids draw or paint eagle-themed artwork and bring it in to receive a prize while supplies last.
Cost: Free
Richard W. DeKorte Park, 1 DeKorte Park, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
Winter FRESH
January 11 and 25
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
Wildwood Comic Con
January 17 at 10 AM
Kicking off the Comic Con season, this event features comic books, guest appearances, vendors, artists, and so much more.
Cost: $10; children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Dessertopia
January 24 at 11 AM
Get ready for the ultimate cheat day filled with endless sweets, an adult beverage bar, specialty dessert beverages, vendors, a DJ, and face painting. Sample cupcakes, cookies, waffles, ice cream, pastries, pies, puddings, and chocolate with the family.
Morristown Armory, 430 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Fire and Ice Festival
January 31
Looking for ice carving, delicious food, live music, and local vendors all in one place? Then head to this 33rd annual festival, sure to delight even the smallest members of your family.
Downtown Mount Holly, NJ 08060
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