The festive week, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are just beginning, so why not catch the last blast of holiday fun with the fam this weekend? Go back in time at the largest and most realistic Dinosaur Exhibit at Jurassic Quest in Edison, glide on the ice for a night of Hanukkah-themed fun at Chanukah on Ice in Mt. Laurel, or take in the last of the holiday light shows around the state. Want to find out more about the winter festivals happening? Check out our guide to all the winter festivals here. (featured photo taken at Jurassic Quest)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Christmas-Themed Play & Swim
December 26 at 10 AM
Come to a special Christmas-themed event at Five Star Swim School, where little ones will enjoy a morning of swimming, fun, and socializing. There will also be Christmas snacks, crafts, and holiday pool floats.
Cost: $15 per child
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way #2, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Ventnor City Menorah Lighting
December 26 at 5 PM
Come out for the second night of Hanukkah when this South Jersey menorah gets lit on the Sacramento side of Ventnor City Hall.
Cost: Free
6201 Atlantic Avenue, Ventnor City, NJ 08406
Fire and Ice Chanukah in Morristown
December 26 at
Come light up the night with this festive event featuring a giant ice menorah, stilt walker, magician, doughnuts, hot drinks, gelt, prizes, music, and more.
Cost: Free
Pioneer Park at HQ Plaza, Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Christmas Light Show & Village
December 27-29
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: TBA
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Pl., Augusta, NJ 07822
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
December 27-29
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 Rd., Hillsdale, NJ 07642
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
December 27-29
Santa Claus is ready to wave his magic wand and light the park with over one million lights for the holiday season. Your littles will love seeing the park glow after dark and be thrilled to go on rides and attractions (all open at night) during this magical time.
Cost: $37.99 per person if bought in advance, $41.99 per person at the door.
Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Old Fashioned Christmas
December 27-29
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
Magic of Lights New Jersey
December 27-29
Experience the dazzling lights display entirely from the comfort of your car. Set your radio to their light show station, and then enjoy festive music as you drive through a merry arrangement of Christmas lights, trees, and decorations.
Cost: Prices to be announced
PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Winter WonderLights
December 27-29
New Jersey’s largest animated holiday light show will dazzle your 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: $30-$40 per car depending on the date or $75 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 USA
December 27-29
At America’s only construction theme and water park, you can see trucks, equipment, and scenery lit up for the season. As you drive on the course, you’ll discover tunnels, festive treats, and many lights along the way. Don’t forget to tune into Diggerland USA’s radio station to get into the holiday spirit.
Cost: $36.99
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Glow! to Bed: A Journey Through Time
December 27-29
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
8th Annual Deck the Hall: Festival of Trees
December 27-29
Want to see a winter wonderland? This festive event features dozens of decorated trees.
Cost: Free
Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Jurassic Quest
December 27-29
Go back in time at the largest and most realistic Dinosaur Exhibit on tour, featuring true-to-detail (and size) dinosaurs, including a 60-foot-long, sky-scraping Spinosaurus, an 80-foot-long Apatosaurus, and gigantic life-size T.rex. Kids will have a blast at the one-of-a-kind raptor training experience, riding dinosaurs, meet and greets with baby dinos, a bounce house, games, and inflatables. Plus, they can participate in Fossil Digs, Jurassic Jeeps, Crafts & Coloring Station, Fossil Experience, and The Quest – an interactive challenge that leads adventurers through 10 clues with the chance to earn a reward.
Cost: Ticket prices vary, starting at $22
New Jersey Convention and Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, NJ 08837
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo
December 27-29
Stroll through this gorgeous holiday lights display with over 50 winter and animal characters. Hop on the train, ride a carousel, and enjoy seeing a few of the animals at night.
Cost: Free, donation recommended
Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
2024 Holland Ridge Farms Winter Wonderland
December 27-29
This new walk-through experience at Holland Ridge Farms brings spring to the holiday season with over 30,000 light-up tulips, a lit windmill, and millions of lights throughout the farm. Don’t leave without enjoying the delicious treats from food trucks, festive music, fire pits, and a Santa photo experience.
Cost: $7 per person ages 3 and up
Holland Ridge Farms, 108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
The Village at Anne Ellen Tree Farm
December 27-29
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
24th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
December 27 at 5 PM
This is an event that is meant to be a celebration of family, community, and culture. There will be African storytelling, a traditional candle ceremony, spoken word, dance, and delicious cultural food.
Cost: Free
Plainfield Performing Arts Center, 724 Park Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Chanukah on Ice
December 28 at 7:30 PM
Head to Igloo Ice Rink in Mt. Laurel for a night of Hanukkah-themed fun. All ages can enjoy gelt, the giant menorah lighting, festive music, and refreshments. Admission includes doughnuts, a skate rental, and drinks.
Cost: $15 at the door
3033 Fostertown Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Paw Patrol Live: “A Mighty Adventure”
December 28 at 10 AM
Have a little one who loves Paw Patrol? Head to this fun show, where you will watch the beloved show come alive on stage and be a part of one of the pups’ adventures.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Bergen County Menorah Lighting Ceremony
December 28 at 6:30 PM
As part of the Bergen County Winter Wonderland, there will be a beautiful ceremony to light the menorah.
Cost: Free
216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652
KidsFit in Motion
December 28 at 9 AM
This lively weekend class will help young children improve their mobility, flexibility, and coordination through various fitness games and dance moves. Fun Fitness is for children ages 5-7 with a parent or guardian. Wear sneakers! For more information or to register, contact Kerri Likakis, MS, RDN, at 973-926-7371 or Kerri.Likakis@rwjbh.org.
Cost: Free
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112
Sponsoring Facility: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Nutcracker Suite
December 28 at 11 AM
This annual tradition is a great way to keep the holiday cheer alive and watch local kids perform the Nutcracker Ballet.
Cost: $25 per adult; kids 3 and under are free
Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Hanukkah Hoopla
December 29 at 3 PM
Bring your menorah for community lighting and enjoy dancing, latkes, gelt, crafts, and dreidel play.
Cost: $5 per family
Hanover Township Community Center, 15 North Jefferson Road, Whippany, NJ 07981
Car Menorah Parade and Light Up The Night Celebration
December 29 at 4 PM
Bring your crew to see the car-top Menorah and giant Dreidel lead the parade with a police escort through the streets of Cherry Hill. There will also be a menorah music truck, classic and antique cars, and first responder vehicles. The parade route finishes at the Barclay Center, with glow fun, a giant Dreidel truck, a fire juggler, latkes, donuts, and gelt for all ages.
Cost: Free
1925 Kresson Road to the Barclay Center, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Chanukah Celebration
December 29 at 4 PM
This celebration has so much fun, from donuts and hot latkes to a grand menorah lighting and arts and crafts. Make sure you are there for the gelt drop.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
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 a.m., starting October 3rd, for a morning of 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 a.m. 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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