Experience Holiday and Christmas events and attractions in South 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.
Christmas Fantasy with Lights Parade
On selected dates, November 16th thru December 30th, 2024
Storybook Land
6415 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Come experience holiday magic right before your eyes!
On the first Night, November 19th, :join in as they welcome Mr. & Mrs. Claus to Storybook Land for the season! Meet and Greet with characters, enjoy festive tunes from the award-winning Fralinger String Band, and more!
Watch as Santa Claus appears in his chimney, waves his magic wand, and lights Storybook Land with over 1 million lights! All rides and snack bars are open!
DiDonato's Magical Holiday Express
November 16 - December 23, 2024
DiDonato's Family Fun Center
1151 S White Horse Pike
Hammonton, NJ
This holiday event features a ride on an exciting train through millions of Christmas lights. The fun includes meeting Santa, a gift from Santa, a holiday movie, cookies, and a walk through the Holiday Village.
Cape May Christmas Holiday Season
November 22nd until January 5th, 2025
Emlen Physick Estate
1048 Washington Street
Cape May, NJ
The Cape May Christmas holiday season kicks off with the tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 24, 2024, and continues every weekend as the town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.
Christmas memories at Johnson's Corner Farm
November 22nd – December 23rd, 2024
Johnson's Corner Farm
133 Church Rd.
Medford, NJ
Cost; Varies with activities
The Market is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with thousands of Twinkling lights attached to the wagons so that you are surrounded with at computerized light show set to the music of Christmas. Intensify your experience with a pair of 3D snowflake glasses that turn every light into a snowflake.
Their Musical Light Show Hayride that will take your family around the farm. You will be surrounded by a light show set to your family's favorite Christmas tunes. View the Farm with Decorated Barns, Tractors and Farmhouses.
Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Underwater
November 23rd - December 24, 2024
1 Riverside Dr.
Camden, NJ
Discover an incredible world of seasonal under-the-sea fun! Scuba Santa will be back in Ocean Realm, sharing Christmas cheer with kids (and animals!) of all ages! Explore even more holiday decor than ever before, including underwater light displays, festive new shows and the World's Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree!
Smithville Holiday Light Show On The Lake
Thanksgiving until January 6th, 2025
Historical Smithville
615 E. Moss Mill Rd.
Smithville, NJ 08205
Over 120 Christmas Trees made from over 50,000 Christmas lights, magically float on Lake Meone in the center of Historic Smithville. The moment darkness falls, an orchestrated show of lights and music is played out across the lake. The lights seem to dance and chase each other to the music all the while reflecting of the water's surface. This show can be seen from either side of the village as well as the bridge.
Cape May Seashore Lines Santa Express
Every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas, beginning November 30th until December 23rd, 2024
Cape May Seashore Lines
Reading Ave. & Mill Road
Tuckahoe, NJ
A Christmas Tradition for Atlantic and Cape May Counties. Ride the Seashore Lines on a historic, comfortable and fun train ride with Santa Claus, as Santa returns to visit with children (young and older!) on board The Santa Express!
Wildwoods' Family Holiday Celebration
November 29th until December 22nd, 2024
Downtown
Wildwood, NJ
The Wildwood's holiday celebrations features plenty of entertainment and activities to help Create Family Memories including, bonfires, parades, light shows, craft fairs, tree lightings, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and so much more.
Mullica Hill Lights on Main
Saturday, November 30th, 2024; 5 PM - 9 PM
South Main Street
Mullica Hill, NJ
Christmas will officially begin when the 60 foot Christmas is lit. Come join in the revelry, festivities and laughter! Carriage rides along Main Street. Delicious refreshments and drinks. Activities for the kids. Christmas carols, and a visit from Santa.
Santa's Tree Lighting Celebration at the Zoo
Saturday, November 30th, 2024; 3pm - 6pm
Cape May County Park and Zoo
707 U.S. 9
Middle Township, NJ
Cost: Free admission
The Ceremony and Lighting of the Tree will be at 5:00 P.M. Vendors with collectibles and crafts for sale including unique items from the Cape May County Associations of Zoo Keepers will be available from 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm. The Zoo will be open from 10 am to 3:30 pm. The celebration will include live holiday music by the John Walter Cape Community Band, bounce house castle & slide, character appearances, free treats for all and a visit by the jolly man himself in the red suit. Also don't miss the performance of "Elves Gone Wild."
Atlantic City Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 6th, 2024; 4:30pm - 6pm
Bally's Atlantic City Casino Resort
At the Yard
Atlantic City, NJ
Christmas holiday celebration
hosted by Joe Kelly & Jahna Michal from Cat Country 107.3 Morning Show will feature Visit with Santa as they light the 40 foot Christmas Tree. There will be complimentary hot chocolate, holiday treats, live DJ entertainment, and a photo booth. Get in the holiday spirit by donating a new unwrapped toy to the Toys for Tots toy collection or donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!
10th Annual Boro In Lights
Friday, December 6th, 2024: 6pm-9pm
Glassboro Town Square
Glassboro, NJ
Free Admission
This festive family friendly celebration ushers in the holiday season with a captivating display of lights, music, and community spirit. There will be food trucks, selfie stations, festive activities, and more.
Congress Hall Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 6th, 2024; 6pm - 8:30pm
Congress Hall Hotel
215 Beach Ave. (bet. Congress & Perry streets)
Cape May, NJ
This holiday event features Live Music on the Congress Hall Lawn by their Festival Choir culminating with the tree lighting ceremony.
@8pm the Tree Lighting Ceremony begins after the sing-along where every one will join in the count down as they throw the switch!
Ocean City Christmas Parade
Friday, December 6th, 2024: 6:00 PM
Ocean City, NJ
Parade begins on Asbury Avenue from 6th Street and continues to 11th Street
Renault Winery Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6th, 2024; 6pm - 9pm
Renault Winery Resort
72 N Bremen Avenue
Egg Harbor City, NJ
Tree lighting at 6:30pm
The magnificent Christmas tree made from historic barrels, casting a warm and festive glow over our historic estate. This joyous occasion marks the official beginning of our vintner wonderland festivities. Photos with Santa and Ice Skating will be open for all in attendance!
West Cape May Tree Lighting & Christmas Parade
Friday, Saturday, December 6th & 7th, 2024 @5pm
West Cape May, NJ
The Borough's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place the Friday before the Community Wide Christmas Parade. The ceremony will commence at 6:00pm in Wilbraham Park.
On Saturday, @ 5pm,
the parade marches through town beginning at the West Cape May Volunteer Firehouse heading South on Broadway, turning East on Perry, and finishing its route through to the end of Carpenter Lane in the City of Cape May. Each year a small group of volunteers assemble creating an unforgettable hometown memory, made possible by the donations received through out the year by the Community and its guests!
Annual Dickens Festival
Saturday, December 7, 2024; 4:30pm - 9pm ( Rain or Shine )
Main Street
Medford, NJ
Admission is free
This annual family event transforms downtown Medford into a Victorian-era Christmas wonderland. The event features:
Holiday Carolers * Great Food * Hot Chocolate * Magic, Comedy, Juggling * Live Presentations.
Atlantic City Winter Wonderland Parade
Saturday, December 7th, 2024: 10:00am - 12:00pm (rain date December 8th)
Atlantic City, NJ
From tree lighting ceremonies and dazzling displays to spectacular holiday pop-up experiences, live shows, a Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village, Cocktail-Mocktail Trail, the largest Winter Wonderland Parade in the resort's history, holiday shopping, and much more, it will be the coolest time of year to visit AC.
The parade route will be along Atlantic Avenue from Albany Avenue to South Carolina Avenue.
Spectators can grab a spot anywhere along Atlantic Avenue or in Center City Park to enjoy the festivities. Following the parade, a meet and greet with Santa Claus and the Mayor will take place at Center City Park on South Carolina Avenue and Bacharach Blvd. along with a drill team performance battle with the bands to conclude the event.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 7th, 2024; (5 p.m)
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard
1st & Central Avenues
North Wildwood, NJ
Admission: Free
Festive ceremony will take place at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard. The Christmas tree lighting event includes music, refreshments, a self-guided free tour of lighthouse, and Santa Claus!
Ship Bottom Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 7, 2024 @1pm - 3pm (rain date December 8th)
On Long Beach Blvd. from 5th-25th Streets.
Ship Bottom, NJ
The parade
steps off at 1pm along Long Beach Blvd from 5th to 25th Streets.
Somers Point Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 7th, 2024: @ 6pm
Somers Point, NJ
The parade begins at 6pm at Dawes Avenue and continues along Shore Road to City Hall, 1 W. New Jersey Ave. Somers Point. Volunteer Fire Companies 1 & 2 will escort Santa Claus to City Hall where the tree lighting will take place after the parade. Parade participants can include floats, vehicles, bands, and walkers.
Wassail Day & Winter Encampment
Saturday, December 7, 2024 11:00am-2:00pm
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 US Rt 9
Cape May, NJ
Admission for Wassail Day is $10, for adults & $5.00 for children, FREE for HCSV Members
The Village paths come alive with the sights and sounds of the holiday season at this event!
There will be hands-on crafts, live music, hot beverages and holiday treats served by historically clothed interpreters. Visitors can meet Father Christmas in the Country Store and enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride throughout the festively decorated Village grounds for a small donation. Vote for your favorite wreath! The Country Store will be open and stocked with unique holiday gift ideas including Artisan crafts for the home, books, jewelry, toys and old fashioned candy. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available for $3.00 per person, weather permitting.
Noyes Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village
Saturday & Sunday, December 14th, 15th, 2024: from 12-5 pm
Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University
2200 Fairmount Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: Free
This family friendly event features a premium selection of vendors display and sell handmade items at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University. Santa will be flying in for photos! From noon to 2:00 p.m., families and children are welcome to have a free portrait taken with Santa by a professional photographer. There will be food, music, a gingerbread contest, craft kits, and make-and-take activities.