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 17 light shows in NJ this holiday season
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
November 17-December 23
Have your crew go all 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, taking a photo with your favorite snowman, as well as the Toy Market and Walkthrough Holiday Village.
Cost: $19.95-$24.95
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Let It Glow
November 9- January 14
It’s a holiday spectacular with stunning, larger-than-life lantern displays of animals and nature that will wow you and your littles. 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
Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland
November 17-January 1
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: $34.95
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Kick off the holiday fun at Six Flags Great Adventure. Photo Credit: Linda Weisenstein/Six Flags Great Adventure
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular
November 17-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, as well as train rides, carousel rides, visits to the Reptile House and Aquarium, and pony rides.
Cost: Donation recommended; additional fee for some attractions.
560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Magic of Lights New Jersey
November 17-December 30
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 that will surely put your whole crew in the holiday spirit.
Cost: $25 and up
PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
November 18-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.
Cost: $32.95 per person if bought in advance, $35.95 per person at the door.
Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Embrace the magic of lights at PNC Arts Bank Center. Photo Credit: @jsovs
Christmas Light Show & Village
November 22-December 30, dates and times vary (check ticket schedule for full details)
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.
Cost: $29 standard admission
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Pl., Augusta, NJ 07822
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
November 22-December 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
Holiday Light Show on the Lake
November 23-January 6
Visit Historic Smithville to hear your favorite holiday tunes synchronized to a unique light display. There will be over 120 Christmas trees, constructed from 50,000+ Christmas lights, magically floating 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. The show can be seen from either side of the village or from the bridge.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
An aerial view of the Skylands Stadium Christmas Lights Show Photo Credit: @SkylandsStadium
Holiday in the Park
November 24-January 1, select dates
Hit your favorite theme park at night to see it completely decked out in colorful lights and mingle with special guests, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Ride the roller coasters—there are plenty of smaller ones perfect for your kiddos—and enjoy the street entertainment that happens all over the park. Finish the night with a festive treat, like a cup of hot chocolate, yummy cider, and fried s’mores.
Cost: Prices vary
Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Township, NJ 08527
Christmas At The Farm
November 24-December 23
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.
Cost: $9.95 and up
Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Rd., Medford, NJ 08055
Creamy Acre Farms Night of Lights
2023 Dates TBA
Drive through a dairy farm transformed into a Christmas Wonderland filled with 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.
Cost: $35 per vehicle
448 Lincoln Mill Road, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
The Winter WonderLights
November 24-December 31
New Jersey’s largest animated holiday light show drive-thru 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: $30 per car or $125 VIP season pass per car; guests are encouraged to buy their tickets online.
655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Brookhollow’s Barnyard
Runs November-January
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 Underwater at Adventure Aquarium
November 24-December 24
Dive into an underwater holiday show to see the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree, snow-like flurries in the Snowtunda, or Scuba Santa in the Ocean Realm. And don’t miss the 15,000 animals throughout the aquarium to ring in the holiday spirit.
Cost:$18.99 and up
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
Sea of Lights Indoor Holiday Lights Spectacular
December 9-28, 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.
Cost: $10 and up
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
The Christmas Light Show
Dates and times to be released on 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 (the location is revealed after making a reservation). While this spectacular showcase of lights 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: A $25 donation is appreciated; reservations are required.
The exact location to be released on the ticketing website: Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Where do you love to see light shows in NJ?
Become an NJMOM Insider! For all the best things to do with your family around New Jersey, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter delivered right to your inbox each week, and don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured on our social media.
