Experience the Best of New Jersey:
January 2025 Events and Festivals

Central  NJ January 2025
Festivals and Themed Events

Lumino City's "Wonder Journey" Festival
Now through January. 5, 2025
Freehold Raceway Mall
3710 US-9
Freehold, NJ
Lumino City uses light and imagination to turn creative ideas inspired by the world into stunning displays of light and color. The "Wonder Journey" festival will completely transform the Freehold Mall parking lot into a fantasy filled journey inspired by Alice in Wonderland. There will be larger-than-life scenes straight from the story — including the Wonderland Tea Party, the iconic butterfly seat and more.

Cutting, Splitting and Hewing at Historic Longstreet Farm
Sundays, January 5, & February 2, 2025: from 12-2:30 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm
44 Longstreet Road
Holmdel 07733
Free event
Come out to Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge; learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad ax to hew beams.

Experience the Battle of Princeton
Sunday, January 5th, 2025; 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
The historic Clarke House
500 Mercer Rd
Princeton, NJ
The Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) will mark the 246th anniversary of Battle of Princeton fought on Jan. 3, 1777- with its signature educational event, "Experience the Battle of Princeton".
A narrated reenactment of a portion of the Battle of Princeton will feature reenactors portraying Crown and Continental forces. Attendees will then have an opportunity to interact and converse with living historians and battle reenactors. Also, the New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution will join other hereditary organizations as well as representatives of legacy National Guard and British Army units whose antecedents fought at the battle in a wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial Grove behind the Colonnade on the battlefield.
Tours of the historic Thomas Clarke House, the only building on site remaining from the time of the battle, will also be offered beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Festival of Trees: Deck the Halls with Matzo Balls!
Now 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.

Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Now 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.

The Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru
Now until Sunday, January 5th, 2025
Middlesex County Fairgrounds
655 Cranbury Road
East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: :$30 - $40 per car (tickets sold on-line)
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).

Pine Barren Bonfires
Monday, January 13, 2025: from 6-8 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park
200 Georgia Road
Freehold, NJ
Cost: $15 per family of four; cash or check only (all ages, under 18 with adult)
There's something about a bonfire that's so magical. The flames dancing in the night, the smell of wood smoke in the air, and the feeling of warmth and companionship around the fire. Enjoy a winter evening with us at Turkey Swamp's council ring. There will be games, s'mores, and a full moon!
Please dress appropriately for the weather.

The Garden State RV and Camping Show
January 17 – 19, 2025
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
(Raritan Center Expo Hall)
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
This show will feature over 150,000 square feet of the latest in recreation vehicles, camping supplies & services, accessories, and information on campgrounds. The Garden State RV & Camping Show is the ideal place for camping families who are looking to purchase their first RV, upgrade their present RV or for the veteran camper to explore new camping adventures. Dozens of on-site exhibits will provide attendees with literature and information about premier family campgrounds throughout New Jersey and beyond.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 36th Annual Commemorative Breakfast
Friday, January 17, 2025; 7:30am - 9:30am
Ocean Place Resort & Spa
1 Ocean Blvd,
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: $40 Adults | $15 Youth | $400 Table of 10
The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County proudly celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The events features:
* Keynote: Raymond S. Santiago, Monmouth County Prosecutor
* Human Dignity Award: Pastor Terrence K. Porter, Pilgrim Baptist Church
* Togetherhood Champion Award: Itzel Perez-Hernandez, American Friends Service
* Social Responsibility Award: Congressman Andy Kim

Noodle Mountain
Activation dates are January 25, 2025, February 22, 2025, April 26, 2025, June 28, 2025, July 26, 2025, and August 30, 2025
Grounds for Sculpture
80 Sculptors Way
Hamilton, NJ
Noodle Mountain contemplates deeply personal memories, as well as the intergenerational histories of place, labor, and diaspora that food can conjure. Don't miss a special opportunity to see this complex sculpture be activated!

Wassailing the Apple Trees
Sunday, January 26th, 2025; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road
Princeton, NJ
Free Event - All ages
Enjoy dancing and singing and re-enactments of old English traditional rituals, as well as chanting and music making, toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting the lively words of praise for the New Year. Top the evening off by a bonfire, complete with marshmallows, and live music by the Spiced Punch Quartet playing traditional music using violins and flutes of many kinds Join the fun. Bring noise makers' drums, whistles, bells, clackers, or put a few pebbles in an empty coffee can with a lid. These will make a joyful and worthy noise to drive away any and all spirits.