Best Christmas Events in New Jersey
2023 Edition
Your Guide to New jersey's Top 2023 Christmas Events
Including Tree Lighting Celebrations, Festivals, Parades, and more
Discover the popular Christmas events and attractions in New Jersey, whether it's jingle bells, Christmas tree lighting, carol singing, or just reenactments of past New Jersey Christmas events.
The attractions during the Christmas season in NJ are always festive. Many of these events begin the day after Thanksgiving with the traditional start of the Christmas Holiday season.
Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.
Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.
Multi-date 2023 North Jersey Christmas Events
Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular November 9th 2023, thru January 14th, 2024; Thursdays & Sundays: 4pm-8pm, Fridays & Saturdays: 4pm-9pm
Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07653
Website/Tickets
Cost: $18/adult, $9/child- aged 3-17
Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo.
Let it Glow is a symphony of vivid glowing colors to tease your eyes and dazzle the mind. Come and enjoy an enchanting stroll throughout the zoo These larger than life lanterns are amazing in picture but stunning in person! With over 30 scenes, these hand-made artistic wonders are more breath-taking than the last! Its one of those things you need to see in person to truly appreciate.
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular
Friday, Saturday, Sunday November 17-19, 24-26, December 1-3, Nightly starting Friday, December 8th – Saturday, December 31st, 2023: (Closed December 24 & 25)
Turtle Back Zoo
Northfield Ave.
West Orange, NJ
Website
973-731-5800
Admission: FREE - Donation Recommended
Take a nighttime stroll through the Turtle Back Zoo to see more than 50 illuminated winter scenes and animal characters. Some of the zoo's vendors remain open for late-night snacks, including cocoa and cookies, and you can even grab a ride on the carousel (for a fee). Donations of non-perishable food items, new unwrapped toys, and new or gently used winter coats are appreciated and collected at the entrance.
Orchard of Lights - Drive Thru
From Wednesday November 22nd until Friday, December 29th, 2023
Demarest Farms
244 Wierimus Rd.
Hillsdale, NJ
201-666-0472
Website/Tickets On-line reservations only. You will not be able to purchase tickets at the farm market for Orchard of Lights. The tour takes about 20-25 minutes
Cost: $35/car
Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays, warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in our retail farm market Take pictures with Santa Make your own S'mores Listen to Santa's singing Reindeer.
Skylands Christmas Light Show & Christmas Village
November 22nd until December 30th, 2023
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Pl.
Augusta, NJ 07822
Website
973-383-7644
Cost:
Light Show:$29 per carload
Outdoor Village:FREE admission
With more than two million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-through course PLUS a new outdoor village, it's a must-see holiday attraction for your whole family.
Christmas Joy is coming back to Sussex County, Bigger, and Better than Ever. This Winter, Skylands Stadium will be Dazzled with Lights on a Mile Long Drive-Thru course that now goes ON THE FIELD. Plus a NEW & EXPANDED Outdoor Village & Winter Carnival. It's a Must-See Holiday Attraction for the Whole Family. The event is Safe, Spacious, and Distanced.
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Beginning
Friday, November 24, 2023 until Monday January 8, 2024; from dusk until 10pm
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
83 Patterson Road
Fanwood, NJ
Website
(908) 403-6486
This holiday display features spectacular 30,000-light display. There will be a special socially distant visit by Santa on Saturday, December 2nd from 4:30-7pm. Monetary donations are accepted to support the NJ Institute for Disabilities. Donations may be deposited in the dropbox by the display or online at https://www.njid.org/donate.
Holiday Train Show and Open House
November 24, 25, 26, December 2, 3, 9, 10, 2023; 11am - 6pm
The Model Railroad Club
295 Jefferson Ave
Union, NJ 07083
Website
(908) 964-9724
Event Cost: $10 Adults, $8 Seniors, $5 Children
The show features show train operations where special trains traverse the club's huge 11,000 square foot layout. Come see some of the famous trains of the past such as the Santa Fe's famous Super Chief and New York Central's 20th Century Limited.
Parents and kids can tour the trains and layout up-close. See how track is being hand-laid, how mountains and scenery are created, and find out about the planning and engineering that goes into the club's bi-level corkscrew loop. In addition to the HO-scale trains featured in the show, there are G-scale and N-scale layouts on display, a small play area, and gift shop.
Morristown Christmas Festival
Friday, December 1st Until Sunday, December 17th, 2023
The Morristown Green
10 N. Park Pl.
Morristown, NJ 07960
Website
Fre Admission
The Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green, presented by the Morristown Partnership promises once again to transform the downtown into a winter wonderland. For over 100 years, generations of residents and visitors have come to the heart of downtown Morristown to enjoy the magic of the Christmas season. It began in 1913 with a small group of festive volunteers lighting a single star atop one tree on the Morristown Green. Since that time, this tradition has spread holiday cheer to countless families with its addition of a Santa House, holiday music and crafts, a vintage-style oversized rocking horse, ice sculpture demonstrations, free rides around the Green on a miniature electric trail. All activities are free with the exception of a $10 fee for photos with Santa.
Newark Winter Village
December 6, 2023 until January 7, 2024
Mulberry Commons Park
Newark, N.J., NJ
Website/Tickets
Event Cost: Free Admission
Newark Winter Village has returned to Mulberry Commons Park. Located just outside of Prudential Center, the home arena of the New Jersey Devils, the event features on-ice go-karting, an ice-skating rink, and carnival games. Visitors can also rent a heated private igloo and enjoy food from local vendors.
In the past , the event drew thousands of visitors to Newark’s downtown district.
Ticket prices are:
Ice Skating (includes skate rentals): $15.00 per adult (age 17 and up), $10.00 per child (under age 17), $10.00 for admission with own skates.
Igloo Rentals: $50 for up to five people, reservations are for one hour.
Go-Karts: $20 per person for general admission.
2023 North Jersey Christmas Events
Holiday Craft Show Morristown December 1, 2, 3, 2023: Friday 4 - 8 pm; Saturday 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday 101 am - 5 pm.
Morristown National Guard Armory
430 Western Ave.
Morristown, NJ 07960
845-331-7900
Website
Admission: Cash or check only. General $1, Seniors (62 and up) $9, Under 16 FREE
This weekend event features creative holiday items from 175 modern American makers from across the country. Savvy shoppers have the chance to wow their loved ones with one-of-a-kind holiday gifts they will never forget. In addition to 165 craft artists from across the country are various demonstrations and a gourmet specialty food boutique.
German Christmas Market of NJ
Friday, December 1, 10:00am - 9:00pm, Saturday, December 2, 10:00am - 9:00pm, Sunday, Dec 3, 2023, 10:00am - 5:00pm: Open Rain or Shine
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Rd,
Augusta, NJ
Website
Event Cost: Kids 12 & under: FREE (No ticket necessary), Veterans: FREE (No ticket necessary), Adults & teens (13 & up): $10 at the door, Seniors (65 & up): $7
Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of a German Christmas Market, Authentic Wooden Huts, Gifts, (100+ vendors) Entertainment, Food, Thousands of Lights, Christmas Trees, Snowflakes, Candy Cane Walkways and Visits from Santa Horse Drawn Carriage Wagon Rides around the fairgrounds complete with jingling sleigh bells!
The majority of our proceeds are donated to local Sussex County charities.
Hometown Holiday
Friday, December 1, 2023; 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Downtown
Washington Borough, NJ
Website
This family fun filled event features an evening with the Borough tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on the fire truck, music by DJ Rupe, free horse and carriage rides (weather permitting), vendors, selfies with Santa and every child receives a small gift. Free Victorian photo booth, strolling brass band, The Warren County Singers and other seasonal characters. Free kids crafts with Dove Environmental Education. Open house/shopping in stores and restaurants.
Annual Tree of Lights Festival
Saturday, December 2nd, 2023; @5:30pm (rain date Sunday, December 3rd)
Village Green
Mountain Blv'd
Watchung, NJ
Website
This year's event is dedicated to the Heros of the Watchung Little League. The ceremony will include music, fireworks, and more! Attendees can place a red light on our tree to honor a person, family, friends, and others. send honoree(s) name email to [email protected] after your transaction.
Deck the Halls!
Saturday, December 2nd. 2023
Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall
68 Lafayette Ave.
Morristown, N.J. 07960
Website Pre-registration is required.
973-267-3465
Cost: $30 plus tax
The one day only event will highlight the magic and wonder of Christmas past and feature holiday music on Acorn Hall's 1873 Chickering Grand Piano and Thomas Nast's most famous Christmas scenes at Macculloch Hall. Both sites will also feature festive photo opportunities and unique treasures in their respective gift shops.
Roxbury's Annual Home for the Holidays Festival
Saturday December 2, 2023; from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Roxbury Public Library
103 Main Street
Succasunna, NJ 07876
Web Site
Contact: (973) 448-2002 , [email protected]
Event Cost: Free
A fun-filled Holiday Festival inside the Library and two churches on Main St. Vendors, crafters, food & drink, music, free activities for kids, and of course Santa!
Feliz Navidad Holiday Music
Sunday, December 3, 2023: 3 pm
St. Luke's Episcopal Church
73 South Fullerton Ave
Montclair, NJ
Tickets
Suggested donation: adults $25, seniors $20, students $10, children under 12 free
Featuring Christmas music and traditions of Spain & Latin America, including Spanish Christmas Carols for audience participation. Reception following with Spanish delicacies.
Annual Liberty Tree Lighting Celebration
Saturday, December 9, 2023; from 2pm- 5:30pm
Jacobus Van derveer House
3055 River Road
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Website
(908) 396-6053
Free Event
Join in for complimentary hot cocoa and pretzels around the fire pit!
The celebration features Festive Music & Decorations, Live Historic Demonstrations, Free Photos with Santa, Surprise Holiday Pull, Poinsettia Sale, Decorating your own Gingerbread Man, Colonial Re-enactors, and more! The Tree Lighting begins at 5:30 pm.
Community Day: Winter Wonderland
Saturday, December 9, 2023 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Newark Museum of Art
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ
Registration
Cost: Free event, registration required
Celebrate holidays from around the world at this festive family favorite! Winter Wonderland features seasonal performances and activities, including acapella singers, step dancing and gift making. Local vendors will be on hand to fulfill all your holiday shopping needs as you immerse yourself in multicultural joy! Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
The Planetarium Show- Season of Light will lLight up the cold, dark season with this warm and bright holiday show! An exploration of many astronomical reasons behind seasonal traditions, Season of Light explores why we light up our lives during the December holiday season.
Great for families with kids ages 6+. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Festival of Trees
Sunday, December 10, 2023; @ 11:00pm - 3:30pm ( rain or shine)
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Avenue
Summit, NJ
Registration
Cost: Members $10; Non-Members $15. Children 3 and under are free.
This holiday event features a Multicultural Celebration of the Holidays. There will be arts and crafts that celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and the Solstice; musical entertainment; as well as food trucks; and holiday vendors. The highlight of the festival will be over 20 festive trees placed around the grounds decorated by local organizations, businesses and families!
More New Jersey Christmas Events
