Get ready to light up your nights—everyone will feel merry, bright, and festive after a stop at one or two of these spectacular light shows in NJ. Whether you check them out on a shimmering lake, find them at your favorite amusement parks after dark, or see millions of twinkling animated displays, these wonderful and dazzling shows will put your family in the holiday spirit this season. Scroll down to where you can find bright nights and a merry good time. (featured image photo credit: Historic Smithville)

The Best 19 Light Shows In NJ This Holiday Season

North Jersey Light Shows 

Let It Glow – November-January
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.  
Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652

Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms – November 21-December 29, select dates
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.
Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ 07642

Christmas Light Show & Village – November 21-December 30
Drive through a beautiful exhibit that twinkles with over two million dazzling lights, where everyone will be amazed by all the sparkle and shine on this mile-long course. Afterward, head to the village to spot Santa, go ice skating, dine on hot cocoa and s’mores, and play lots of festive-filled games.
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular – November 20-December 31, select dates
Grab your winter coat and get ready to stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo to see over 50 winter and animal characters. The event will feature weekend Santa visits, train and carousel rides, visits to the Reptile House and Aquarium, and pony rides.
560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052

Brookhollow’s Barnyard – Opens November 27
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.
301 Rockaway Valley Road, Boonton, NJ 07005

Central Jersey Light Shows 

Christmas House Freehold – November-January
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 all things Christmas from lights and a Snow Room to the North Pole Movie Theater and a Blockbuster Christmas room, this will quickly become a yearly tradition.
Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 US 9, Freehold, NJ 07728

Holiday in the Park – November 21-January 3, select dates
Opening again this year, this event features immersive holiday-themed lands, elaborate decorations, nightly tree-lighting spectacles and so much holiday fun.
Six Flags, 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527

Maple Leaf Farms Christmas Wonderland– Opens late November
Ready for beautiful lights and tons of Christmas cheer? Head to the Maple Leaf Farms Christmas Wonderland where you will find festive lights, classic Christmas vibes, and activities including reindeer rides, train rides, a Christmas walkthrough with Santa, and Christmas trees. Stop at one of the bonfire pits and grab a s’mores kid where you can roast marshmallows and get cozy. 
Maple Leaf Farm, 525 US-9 South, Manalapan, NJ 07726

Magic of Lights New Jersey – November 20-January 3
Experience the dazzling light 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 that will surely put your whole crew in the holiday spirit.
PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, NJ 07733

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms – Opens November 13
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. 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

Winter WonderLights – November 20-January 3
New Jersey’s largest animated holiday light show drive-thru will dazzle your whole family with over 2 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.
655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Sea of Lights Indoor Holiday Lights Spectacular – December, select dates
Where else can you see an actual diving Santa Claus but at Jenkinson’s in Point Pleasant Beach? The Indoor Holiday Lights Spectacular also includes treats, crafts, pictures with Santa, games, and entertainment.
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

The Christmas Light Show – Two nights only in December, check the ticketing website
One of the most popular holiday light shows in NJ returns this Christmas season with more lights than ever before, set to holiday music. While this spectacular light show is free to the public, a suggested donation of $25 will benefit RallyCap Sports, a charity that sponsors sports programs and builds facilities for children with disabilities. 
Cost: FREE but a donation is appreciated
704 Belmar Plaza, Belmar, NJ 07719

South Jersey Light Shows 

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland – November 20-January 3
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.
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091

Christmas Fantasy with Lights – November 14-December 30, dates and times vary; Santa visits until December 23
The magic of Christmas has taken over Storybook Land for one of the most unforgettable light shows in NJ. 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, as well as be thrilled to go on rides and attractions (all open at night) during this magical time.
Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express – November 14-December 23
Have your crew go aboard a train ride through millions of Christmas lights and then do a meet and greet with Santa and his elves in his workshop. Don’t miss the Holiday Movie tent, photo ops with your favorite snowman, and the Toy Market and Walkthrough Holiday Village.
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037

Christmas At The Farm – November 23-December 17
Gather ’round the fire pits at Johnson’s Corner Farm’s Discovery Barnyard to roast marshmallows and watch the lake light up in this breathtaking display. Be sure to hop on the Christmas “Light Show” Hayride to see more of the farm lit up for the holidays. 
Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Road, Medford, NJ 08055

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. 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

Creamy Acre Farms Night of Lights – Opens end of November
Drive through a dairy farm transformed into a Christmas Wonderland, featuring huge light displays, a Musical Dancing Tree light show, and dazzling displays newly expanded with double the lights and scenes this holiday season. There will also be concessions, a country store, and fire pits.
448 Lincoln Mill Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062

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