A Festive Journey Through Central New Jersey's Christmas Events: 2024 Edition
Your Guide to the top 2024 Central Jersey Christmas Events
Including Tree Lighting Celebrations, Festivals, Parades, and more
Experience Holiday and Christmas events and attractions in Central 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
Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.
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Multi-date 2024 Central Jersey Christmas Events
Festival of Trees: Deck the Halls with Matzo Balls!
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 through Sunday, January 5th, 2025
Morven Museum & Garden
55 Stockton Street
Princeton, NJ
This annual tradition welcomes visitors to stroll the exquisite displays of creativity in their galleries, presented by community nonprofits, schools, garden clubs, and local groups.
This year's theme, Traditions & Celebrations, is inspired by Morven's history and the stories of its residents, from their current exhibition Morven Revealed: Untold Stories from New Jersey's Most Historic Home that include Governor Richard Hughes and his wife Betty Hughes. Learn the inspiring story of how "Deck the Halls with Matzo Balls!" became an annual tradition.
Holiday in the Park
Select Dates November 21st until January 1st, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd.
Jackson, NJ
Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park! Make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods, and your favorite thrilling coasters. From coasters to cocoa it's a holiday spectacular for the whole family!
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
November 22nd until January 4th, 2025
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
The Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of New Jersey's favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.
New Brunswick's Winter Wonderland for the Holidays
Nivember 23rd until December 31st, 2024
New Brunswick City Center
Monument Square Park
New Brunswick, NJ
Starting with the Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at the State Theatre on November 23rd, and contiuning each evening with a variety of entertaining events including, the popular Holliday Tree Lighting Celebration on Dec 5th that features many performers, and ending with the grand finale Fireworks show on New Years Eve.
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
Black Friday, November 29th - Sunday, December 22nd, 2024
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Ave
& The Asbury Hotel Every Sunday, December 1st - December 15th, 2024
Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free
This event showcases handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts by local and regional makers and small businesses, holiday music and entertainment, Photos with Santa, food & libations, craft workshops, kids activities, festive décor, music, and more. The Bazaar is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts" holiday markets held in Germany
Polar Express
Trips run November 29, 30, December 1,6,7,8,13.14,15,20,21,22, 2024
Lehigh Junction
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $38 Child and $48.00 Adult
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical hour and a half trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served by dancing chefs. Passengers listen to the classic children's book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. During the trip there is plenty of entertainment from our magical juggling chefs to our singing hobos! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip.
Old Fashioned Christmas on the Farm & Walk through Light Show!
November 29th - December 29th, 2024; Every Thursday - Sunday. 4-8 pm, Santa 5-7 pm
Allaire Community Farm
1923 Baileys Corner Rd
Wall Township, NJ
Admission:
(Pay at Door, No Advance Tickets) $6 Children 18 & under $10 Adults Children under 1 are free
This event features a magical lifesize Christmas village, with indoor and outdoor petting zoos, photos with Santa in the museum, relax & watch classic holiday movies and holiday displays in the pavilion, a Model Train House, and an historic 100-year-old Barn that has been converted into a farmer's market.
With the purchase of a Yuletide Wagon ride and or Polar Express tickets, you'll take a magical ride to visit the two tunnels of lights.
Winter Village -- Festival of Trees
November 29th, 30th, December 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 2024; 10am - 6pm
The Red Mill
56 Main St.
Clinton, NJ
This Annual Holiday Festival features a beautiful display of decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces that are available to win through our raffle. Experience over 40 artisan crafters, specialty foods and craft beer set inside the bucolic Red Mill Museum Village made even more special with holiday lights and decor throughout the grounds of the Red Mill Museum Village, amid the historic buildings.
The Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru
November 29, - December 31, 2024
Middlesex County Fairgrounds
655 Cranbury Road
East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $30 per car Sunday - Thursday $35 per car Friday and Saturday $40 per car for 12/20- 12/28
This drive-thru Christmas event features over 1.5 million lights animated to some of your favorite holiday tunes. They have 30' Christmas trees, 4 magical tunnels, a tribute to our first responders & US Armed Forces and tons of other stunning, larger-than-life holiday themed displays for the entire family – all synchronized to the music playing in your car!
This family holiday tradition takes you on a journey celebrating the season's wonderful holidays (Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali and Kwanzaa).
Park is a 1/2 mile long drive and open 7 days a week.
Cook's Christmas Lights Show
Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 30, 2024 and will run nightly through Jan 1, 2025. 6pm-10pm Sunday-Thursday, and 6pm-11pm Friday and Saturday
1 Carlson Ct.
Jackson, NJ
Free event - Donations gratefully accepted. 100% of donations go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The show has almost 8,000 pixels, including a 1,008 pixel matrix, 4 singing Christmas trees, snowflakes, multiple small trees and arches plus a 3,200 LED light spiral tree. All the lights are synchronized to music for a festive, entertaining show. This years show consists of 6 songs, running approx. 22 minutes on a continuous loop. When you come to enjoy the show they ask that you please shut off your lights and don't block any driveway
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
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.
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.
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 nature with holiday lights.
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