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.
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Collingswood Holiday Parade
Saturday, November 30, 2024; beginning at 10 am
Downtown,
Collingswood, NJ
The parade features lively seasonal entertainment, including marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, giants on stilts, floats, mummers, sports mascots and live music!
The parade will begin at Zane Avenue and continue to West Linden Avenue, through the heart of historic Collingswood.
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!
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!
Glassboro's Boro In Lights
December 6, 2024: 6 pm - 9 pm
Glassboro Town Square
1 High St W
Glassboro, NJ
Admission: Free
This festive family friendly for all ages celebration ushers in the holiday season with a captivating display of lights, music, and community spirit. The celebration will be enhanced with food trucks, selfie stations, and festive activities.
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 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.