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‘Tis the season when holiday activities in NJ are gearing up, and there’s plenty of festive fun coming your way. Whether seeing sparkling light displays, visiting the big guy in a new place, or shopping at a European-style Christmas market, these upcoming holiday things to do are guaranteed to put everyone in the spirit until the New Year. Scroll down to make a list of these holiday activities in NJ and check it twice for family fun—no bah humbug here. (featured photo credit: @themagicoflights)

Get Set For Fun With Holiday Activities In NJ

A ride on The Polar Express really gets the family into a holiday mood. Photo Credit: NJ MOM

Take a ride to remember

All Aboard! Get on your holiday pj’s and get ready to take the ride of your life. Book a Santa train ride, sip hot cocoa, and give a list to the big guy, all while riding over the river and through the woods. From The Polar Express Train Ride with Delaware River Railroad Excursions to DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express—the whole family can get on board with tons of holiday spirit. 

Get lit at one of the tree lightings in NJ

One of the best holiday activities to kick off the season is to watch a gigantic tree get a festive glow-up. Make a date to attend one of the tree lightings that put on a big show, whether it’s a chance to glide across the ice in Palmer Square in Princeton or visit Santa’s Village at Cape May County Park & Zoo. And, of course, you can expect a visit from the man in red, who officially lights up the night. 

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Photo Credit: NJ MOM

Family fun at Renault Winery

Celebrate the holidays and a successful harvest with festive family activities all season at Renault Winery. Kids will love the Family Fun Nights every Friday in December with ice skating, arts and crafts stations, and hot chocolate. Or visit Santa Claus with Breakfast with Santa on December 1 or listen to Stories with Santa on Saturdays and Thursdays starting December 5. Parents can try signature cocktail flights at Cookies & Cocktails on December 5 and 26. On December 6, join in for the annual tree lighting, which will include photos with Santa, shopping with Renault makers, and ice skating. Sign up to make Holiday Hors D’oeuvres at the Chef’s Masterclass Series on December 12. On December 21, you can participate in the Reindeer Run 5K while the kids can try the 1 Mile Fun Run or sign up for the Winter Workshop: Yule Log Making on the same date. Finally, the kids won’t want to miss the Children’s Winter Ball on January 18, where they can dress up and bring their parents to the regal Champagne Ballroom for a night of dinner and dancing while meeting their favorite princesses and superheroes.
72 Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215

Share your wish list with Santa

He’s making his list and checking it twice—Santa Claus is coming to a town near you, and this year, why not visit him in your not-usual place? Dress the family in their best and take a seat next to Santa on his grand chair at the Bridgewater Commons, drive Santa’s virtual sleigh at Santa’s Flight Academy at The Mall At Short Hills, visit Santa by the lake at Johnson’s Corner Farm, or enter American Dream to have a snow day at Big Snow, get your wish list at Toys R’ Us and visit the big guy in the main courtyard. Make sure to send your letter at the North Pole Postal Company at Anne Ellen Tree Farm. Photo Credit: NJ MOM

Discover holiday movie magic IRL

Cue the Hallmark movie—if you want to experience glittery lights, traditional decorations, and lots of charm made even better after a fresh snowfall, there are a few places in NJ that will not disappoint. From the Victorian delights of Cape May to the glittering lights of Smithville, these towns go all out for the holiday season and turn into a Christmas wonderland. Get lost in the Victorian age in Cape May with Santa’s Trolley rides, visit a life-sized Gingerbread House and Santa’s Post Office at Anne Ellen Tree Farm, or take in the charms of traditional spots in Princeton for a Christmas village come-to-life experience. And what’s a Hallmark movie without gingerbread? Enter a sweet creation in a Gingerbread House Competition to show off your decorating skills.

Soak up the holiday spirit at a winter festival 

Bundle up and head outside to one of the many winter festivals where you can cozy up to a fire pit, shop for unique gifts, skate next to a twinkling tree, and sip hot cocoa among sparkling lights. Stop by Vinter Wonderland at Renault for tractor rides, skating, and fire pits, or experience the stunning light displays and festive music at the Christmas Light Show & Village at Skylands Stadium in Augusta. 

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Photo Credit: Ocean Casino Resort

Be mesmerized by the Sugarplum Fairy

The timeless story of the Nutcracker is a classic for all of the family to see, and watching the story of Clara, the Rat King, and Uncle Drosselmeyer come to life on stage is a real treat. Want something more contemporary?  Check out the latest holiday performances at one of the many venues, including NJPAC, across the Garden State.

Longwood Gardens is on the list of must-see holiday activities. Photo Credit: NJ MOM

Explore a one-of-a-kind experience

Or take a trip over the pond to Longwood Gardens for A Longwood Christmas, where you can see gorgeous light tunnels and trees decorated to the nines, warm up by blazing outdoor fire pits, watch miniature model trains rev their engines, and experience dazzling fountain shows. 

Celebrate the season of giving

Warm up the hearts of others and yourself during this giving season with charities in NJ. Whether you and your family decide to volunteer your time, donate to a cause, or donate used items, you can find a way to help those in need. Donate diapers and period supplies to a foundation like Moms Helping Moms or volunteer as a family to host a food drive—no deed is too small and much appreciated during the holiday season. 

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Photo Credit: Diggerland USA

Drive-thru magic at Diggerland USA

Experience all the holidays this season

With the first night of Hanukkah on December 25 and Kwanzaa on December 26, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the traditions all season. Watch the menorah lights come to life in Collingswood at their menorah lighting or see traditional African dance merge with Hip Hop at Forces of Nature Dance Theatre: Kwanzaa Celebration in Newark. 

Step into a nursery rhyme and get into the holiday spirit all at the same time with holiday activities in NJ. Photo Credit: NJ MOM, taken at Storybook Land

Take a holiday road trip

If your family is itching for a getaway, book a few days in Cape May for a dreamy holiday vacation. Spend the night at Congress Hall during their Winter Wonderland, book a breakfast with Santa, or shop for gifts at the charming downtown. Want a break this holiday season? Consider taking a road trip to a family-friendly resort decked out in all the finery and filled with lots of activities for the kids. 

Shop ’til you drop

Spend time looking for gifts at a winter market like those you’ll find abroad, where local makers, artists, and specialty vendors offer unique gifting ideas. Head to the Asbury Park Bazaar at the Convention Center in Asbury Park, which feels like a European shopping hall, or stop by the outdoor German Christmas Market in Augusta for an authentic experience. Or head to a mall in NJ where kids can get distracted with lots of built-in entertainment while you sneak in some gift shopping. 

The Turtle Back Zoo after dark for their Holiday Lights Display is one of those ideal holiday activities in NJ. Photo Credit: NJ MOM

See the zoos after dark

A zoo after dark with lights? Yes, please. Take a winter stroll through Turtle Back Zoo for their Holiday Lights Display with over 50 winter and animal characters. Head to the Bergen County Zoo for a Let It Glow Holiday Lantern Spectacular with a train ride and glowing lights. Or stop by the Cape May County Zoo for their tree lighting. And if fuzzy, soft creatures are more your speed, pose for cozy pics with gentle alpacas dressed for the holidays at one of the alpaca farms in NJ.

Illuminate the chilly nights

When the sun sets, bundle up to walk or ride in a winter wonderland of holiday light shows where the whole family will be in a merry mood. Take a walk through Allaire Community Farm‘s Old Fashioned Christmas display Holland Ridge’s newest event, U-Pick Tulips Winter Wonderland, a light show like no other. Don’t want to get out of the car? A drive-through Christmas display with decorated tunnels and trees, like the Magic of Lights in Holmdel or Winter WonderLights in East Brunswick, makes for a truly magical and memorable night. 

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