A Festive Journey Through New Jersey's Christmas Events: 2024 Edition

Guide to the best Christmas Events in New Jersey

Your Guide to New jersey's Top 2024 Christmas Events
Including Tree Lighting Celebrations, Festivals, Parades, and more

Discover the popular New Jersey 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.

iPlay America NYE 2024


Ring in the New Year in style! Join us for the Ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration from 7PM to 1AM at iPlay America! Enjoy a night of rides, games, party favors, DJ, giveaways, and more!

Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.

Multi-date 2024 North Jersey  Christmas Events

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
November 7th, 2024 - January 12th, 2025
Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ
Cost: $20/adult, $10/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. Tickets include a walk through the zoo and a train ride! The evening event also has fire pits and s'mores kits.

Orchard of Lights - Drive Thru
From Friday, November 22nd until Friday, December 29th, 2024
Demarest Farms
244 Wierimus Rd.
Hillsdale, NJ
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.

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular
Friday to Sunday, November 22 – 24, Friday, November 29 – Wednesday, December 4 Friday, December 6 – Tuesday, December 31. Closed December 24 & 25 5pm – 9pm
Turtle Back Zoo
Northfield Ave.
West Orange, NJ
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.

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Friday, November 29, 2024 - Wednrsday, January 8, 2025, from dusk until 10pm
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
83 Patterson Road
Fanwood, NJ
This holiday display features spectacular 30,000-light display. 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.

Skylands Christmas Light Show & Christmas Village
Begining last weekend in November until end of 2024
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Pl.
Augusta, NJ 07822
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.

Holiday Train Show and Open House
November 29, 30, December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 2024: 11am - 6pm
The Model Railroad Club
295 Jefferson Ave
Union, NJ
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.

Newark Winter Village
Saturday, November 30th until January 8th, 2025
Mulberry Commons Park
Newark, N.J
Event Cost: Free Admission
Experience the beauty of Newark during our winter village, located just outside of Prudential Center, the home arena of the New Jersey Devils. A stylish open-air festival overlooking beautiful downtown Newark with curbside eats, ice skating, and marketplace. Enjoy food and hot beverages from selective local businesses inside one of our cozy heated private pods or igloos.

Morristown Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 1st until Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
The Morristown Green
10 N. Park Pl.
Morristown, NJ
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 $15 fee for photos with Santa.

2024 North Jersey Christmas Events

German Christmas Market of NJ
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 6, 7, 8, 2024: Open Rain or Shine
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Rd,
Augusta, NJ
One of the largest Christmas Markets in NJ. Visitores will get to 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 the proceeds are donated to local Sussex County charities.

Hometown Holiday
Friday, December 6, 2024 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Downtown
Washington Borough, NJ
This family fun filled event features an evening with the Borough tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on the fire truck, There will be live DJ, free holiday hay 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.

Annual Tree of Lights Festival
Saturday, December 7, 2024; @5:30pm
Village Green
Mountain Blv'd
Watchung, NJ
This event is dedicated to the Educators of Watchung. 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 treasurer@watchungems.org after your transaction.

Berkeley Heights Winter Walk Holiday Celebration
Saturday, December 7, 2024; 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Downtown Berkeley Heights, NJ
This famiy Festive celebration his year's Winter Walk will feature over 80 activities and performances, including an artificial ice rink, horse and carriage rides, life-size snow globes, a trackless train, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and much more. Enjoy live music, dance performances, and games for all ages as Springfield Avenue is transformed into a winter wonderland. The festivities culminate with the Berkeley Heights Tree Lighting ceremony at Peppertown Park (Plainfield Ave & Sherman Ave) at 6:00 PM followed by a Fireworks show.

Colonial Christmas Township Tree Lighting Celebration
Saturday, December 7th, 2024; from 3pm- 5:30pm
Jacobus Van derveer House
3055 River Road
Bedminster, NJ 07921
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! Santa will arrive at 3:30pm, the Liberty Tree will be lit at 5:30pm

Roxbury's Annual Home for the Holidays Festival
Saturday December 7, 2024; from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Roxbury Public Library
103 Main Street
Succasunna, NJ
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!

Festival of Trees
Sunday, December 8th, 2024: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm ( rain or shine)
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Avenue
Summit, NJ
Registrion required for reduced cost
Cost: Members $7; Non-Members $12. Children 3 and under are free.
This holiday event features a Multicultural Celebration of the Holidays.The day's activities will include arts and crafts for Kwanzaa, Christmas, Hanukkah, and the Winter Solstice, games, stories, musical entertainment, a story walk, photo opportunities with Santa, as well as food vendors and a holiday market.The highlight of the festival will be over 20 festive trees placed around the grounds decorated by local organizations, businesses and families!

Warren Holiday Festival
Sunday, December 8th, 2024; 4pm - 7pm
Municipal Complex
46 Mountain Blvd,
Warren, NJ
This family holiday celebration feaures a a bonfire @ 4:16pm, a visit by Santa, carnival games, food trucks, horse and carriage rides, petting zoo, an iceless skating rink, a tree lighting @ 6:15pm, and fireworks @7pm

Holiday Craft Show Morristown
December 13-15, 2024
Morristown National Guard Armory
430 Western Ave.
Morristown, NJ
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.

Community Day: Winter Wonderland
Saturday, December 14th, 2024: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Newark Museum of Art
49 Washington Street
Newark, NJ
Registration
Cost: Free event, registration required
This event celebrates the winter holidays around the world, including Flamenco for Dia De Los Reyes, a Kwanzaa theatrical performance, and a lively Latin band for Parrandas. Stroll through the galleries with carolers, enjoy a magical light show, and participate in art-making activities. Families can also create their own ornaments for our community Christmas tree while sipping hot chocolate. There will be food and drinks available for purchase. Enjoy free general admission to the Museum all day during Community Day.

South Orange Downtown Holiday Market
Sunday, December 22, 2024: 10am until 4pm
Village Plaza
20-32 Village Plaza
South Orange, NJ
Free Admission
This year's market will feature an exciting mix of over 20 local artisan vendors, offering unique finds from both new sellers and returning favorites. In addition to the market vendors, visitors can explore the vibrant downtown and support the unique brick-and-mortar businesses that make South Orange special. It's the perfect opportunity to shop small and discover one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list.

More New Jersey Christmas Events

Guide to best Central-NJ Christmas-events
Guide to best Guide to best South NJ Christmas Events