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

 2024 Central Jersey Christmas Events

Dickens' Days
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 29 - December 1, 2024 4:00 PM
Main St.
Clinton, NJ
This annual family event will transform Clinton into a Victorian Village. Take a trip back in time to Victorian Clinton and celebrate the season with Clinton's festive activities including horse and carriage rides, carolers, and more! There is no better place to experience the magic of the season than downtown Clinton during Dickens Days.

Princeton Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, November 29th, 2024; @ 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
On the Green
Downtown Princeton, NJ
This family event will feature music and entertainment by local groups with a mix of traditional and reimagined sing-a-long favorites that the whole family will enjoy. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that a certain jolly, white-bearded fellow flies in to help us light the 32,000 lights atop our giant spruce tree!

Red Bank Holiday Express Concert, Tree Lighting, & Holiday Activities
Friday, November 29th, 2024; beginning @6pm
Downtown
Red Bank, NJ
Kick off the season with the annual Holiday Express Concert & Town Lighting. Holiday Express will be rocking the streets with all of your favorite tunes. There will be entertaining events throughout Red Bank with the grand finale @ 8pm with the lighting of the Christmas Tree

Celebrate the Arrival of Santa!
Saturday, November 30, 2024; 11am - 1pm
iPlay America
110 Schanck Rd
Freehold, NJ
Cost: Free
Kick off the holiday season and celebrate the arrival of Santa at iPlay America! This Free event will include lots of festive fun and activities: Free photo opportunity with Santa! Santa will also be onsite every Sunday for Brunch at The Bistro 10 AM – 3 PM. Christmas carols performed by The Rock n' Roll Chorus! Free holiday photos with selfie snapshots! Holiday crafts to take home. A toy drive: Spread more holiday cheer! Donate a toy and get 2 hours of free unlimited, non-redemption video games. Forgot a gift?
Donate $5 towards gifts and get 2 hours of free unlimited, non-redemption video games.

Roxey Ballet's American Holiday Classic Nutcracker
November 30th, December 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 2024
Villa Victoria Theater
376 West Upper Ferry Road
Ewing Township, NJ
Roxey Ballet, Lambertville's renowned professional dance company, is proud to present its Annual Holiday Classic "The Nutcracker”.
This production regarded as the "most child-friendly production" features the company of professional dancers, students from the official school of the Roxey Ballet. It's a joyous and magical way to begin the holiday season. This performance provides the perfect introduction to ballet for children of all ages, with timeless classical music, beautiful costumes, special effects, and an accessible story.

Bradley Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 1st, 2024; 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Riley Park
Bradley Beach
Features live music, horse & carriage rides, hot chocolates, cookies, dance performnce, real snow, kids games, the arrival by Santa on a fire truck, and the tree lighting.

Jenkinson's Aquarium Secret Santa
December 1st, 2024; 10am until 5pm
Jenkinson's Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave.
Point Pleasant, NJ
Diving Santa is making a splash at Jenkinson's Aquarium! This festive tradition is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. Take in all aspects of marine life with a bit of holiday cheer!

Long Branch Tree Lighting in Pier Village
Sunday, December 1st, 2024; 4:30pm-6pm
Festival Plaza
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
This family fun event features a host of holiday activities including performances by the Long Branch High School Marching Band and Dance Team, Tim McLoone and the Shirley's, and a special appearance from Santa Clause.

Drumthwacket Holiday Open House
December 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 2024
Drumthwacket Foundation
354 Stockton Street
Princeton, NJ
Admission: Free. Guests must register in advance.
Drumthwacket serves as the stately home and grounds of the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey. Constructed on land that witnessed the 1777 Princeton battle for American independence, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of the most elegant of our nation's executive residences.
Drumthwacket is most festive during the holiiday season. Guests view six first-floor public rooms festively decorated by the Garden Clubs of New Jersey, enjoy holiday piano music in the Music Room and a sweet treat prepared by the Drumthwacket Chef. The format for all Open Houses is self-guided but Docents are available in every room to answer questions.

Asbury Park Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th, 2024; @5:30pm
Firemen's Park
(Sunset Avenue and Main Street)
Asbury Park, NJ
Kick off the holiday season in Asbury Park! Visit with Santa, enjoy holiday music and refreshments and celebrate with your neighbors.

Christmas in Ocean Grove
December 6, 7, 2024
Auditorium Square
21 Pilgrim Pathway
Ocean Grove, NJ
This weekend event will feature the Christmas Marketplace offering bargains on lightly-used Christmas treasures, a christmas concert, a childrens birthday party for Jesus, a Live Nativity, Christmas Tree Lighting & Carols, and The Arrival of Santa.

Downtown Somerville Holiday Jubilee
Friday, December 6th, 2024: from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m
Division Street & Main St
Somerville, NJ
There's festive music in the air with this family-friendly celebration highlighted by the spectacular tree lighting, visit from Santa, festive music and entertainment, and delicious holiday treats. The free event kicks off a magical holiday season brimming with unique shopping and dining experiences in award-winning Downtown Somerville.

Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting/Winter Village
Friday, Saturday, December 6th & 7th, 2024
Town Hall Courtyard
Washington Street
Toms River, NJ
The weekend holiday celebration begins on Friday with the Tree lighting with live entertainment at 5pm on Friday as Santa arrives on the fire truck at 7pm to light the tree. Photos with Santa will follow the tree lighting in Town Hall. Live music and entertainment. On Saturday, the celebration continues with the Winter Village with the courtyard transformed into a Winter Wonderland Village. Vendors, kid's activities, hot chocolate station, holiday music and more. Downtown businesses will be open.

Historic Allaire Christmas Lantern Tour
Saturday, December 7th, 2024; 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Historic Village at Allaire
Blacksmith Shop
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Cost: $45
Spend an evening strolling through the Historic Village at Allaire by candlelit lantern and enjoy the rich history of Christmas in the 1800s! Visit the Bakery, Blacksmith's Shop, Allaire Residence and more as your guided tour brings alive the spirit of Christmas past with traditions and holiday decorations to delight everyone. You will experience music, history & theater, as you create a new holiday tradition of our Christmas Lantern Tours! Its the best way to see the village at night and these are the final village tours of 2024 season.

Christmas on the Farm
Saturday, December 7th, 2024; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Lambertville, NJ
Parking & Admission are free.
Santa is coming to Howell Farm…not in a sleigh, but on a steam tractor! Visit Howell Farm this Saturday for Christmas crafts, live music, farm animal visits, and an opportunity to stroll through a decorated historic farmhouse – before meeting Santa when he arrives at 12:30. Stop by the visitor center to hear the Jugtown Mountain String Band play inside the barn...then find a spot around the craft table to recreate a paper Victorian angel ornament ($5 materials fee). Next walk up to the barnyard, where families can take selfies in the 1800s sleigh pulled by the horses on snowy days, and visit the blacksmith working in the farm's forge. The farmhouse will be open for tours, decked out in all its Christmas finery. Stop back at the visitor center for warm drinks, homemade cookies, lunch, and other light refreshments.

Seaside Heights Tree Lighting!
December 7th, 2024: 4:30pm until 7pm
Carousel Pavilion
Seaside Heights, NJ
Mayor Vaz will start the Ceremony at 4:30pm before Santa & Mrs. Claus arrives on a Fire Truck! There will be the HJ Boyd Singers will be performing some Christmas Carols for everyone. Tree Lighting happens at 5pm followed by Fireworks.
Enjoy Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus in the Carousel Pavilion at 5:15pm and enjoy Carousel rides until 7pm!

Christmas at Allaire
Sundays, December 8th & 15th, 2024: from 12 to 4pm
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Cost: Tickets can be purchased in advance for just $8 per person (children 2 and under admitted for free) or at the door (if available) for $10. Advanced purchase is highly recommended.
This event unfolds as the Village is transformed into an enchanting showcase of holiday cheer. Enjoy the warm glow of open hearths and candle-lit windows as you wander through the Village from the Chapel to Allaire House, amidst the joyful sound of live caroling and the whimsical tunes a harp. Sights, sounds, and activities designed to enchant both young and old for Christmas.

Santa Brunch Cruises
Weekends beginning Sunday, December 8th until the 22nd, 2024; Departing 10:30am
Seastreak Ferry Terminal at Highlands
326 Shore Drive
Highlands, NJ
Cost: $89 adults, $59 kids, $29 infants 2 years and under
This Brunch Cruise through NYC Harbor, features buffet of delicious breakfast favorites and local specialties for both adults and kids. Santa and Mrs. Claus will board from NYC after brunch is served. The entertainers will engage with the kids, spread good cheer, tell stories, and listen to everyone's holiday wishes! While the kids wait for their turn to visit Santa, games, activities, and balloon art will keep them entertained!

Belmar Christmas Light Show
December 13th & 21st, 2024: at 6 PM
Belmar Plaza
On the Connelly-Campion-Wright Building
704 Belmar Plaza
Belmar, NJ
Cost: The show is free, however they suggest donations of $25 for a family of 4 and $10 for an individual adult
Each show runs for approximately 20 minutes.
This popular Disney-quality show features tens of thousands of lights, color-changing carbon-dioxide cannons and pyrotechnics synchronized to music.
Proceeds from this event will benefit RallyCap Sports (www.rallycapsports.org), a nonprofit 501-c-3 charity that sponsors sports programs and builds facilities for children with disabilities.
Parking is located in the Belmar Mall parking lot and surrounding streets. Visitors are advised to arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to show time, dress warm, and carpool if possible.

Christmas Con NJ
December 13, 14, 15, 2024
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
Cost: $10 - $250
This three day festive annual gathering features more than 30 holiday movie celebrity fan-favorites, with celebrity panels where you will get an autograph and photo with your favorite stars, ugly sweater contests, photo booths, and more.

Lighting Up Nature Drive-thru
December 16th -19th, 2024;  6pm-8pm
Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center
1100 Double Trouble Road
Beechwood, NJ
Cost: Free
This evening drive tru features a lighting up of nature with holiday lights.

Ugly Sweater Party
Saturday, December 21st, 2024; @9pm
The Bistro at iPlay America
108 Schanck Rd
Freehold, NJ
Grab your quirkiest sweater and head to Miracle at iPlay America for our Ugly Sweater Party!
This celebration features over-the-top Christmas decorations, sweater contest with prizes, seasonal cocktails, and a lively holiday atmosphere, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season with friends.

More New Jersey Christmas Events