Thanksgiving weekend is right here (aka the unofficial begin to the vacation season), and we’re kicking off the festive spirit with a number of issues to maintain your crew busy through the days off. See over 2 million lights on the Christmas Mild Present & Village at Skylands Stadium in Augusta, see artwork come to life at Night time Kinds: Infinite Wave at Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton, or hearken to vacation music and watch the Cape Could Zoo tree be illuminated at Santa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at The Cape Could Zoo in Cape Could Court docket Home. And in case you are on the lookout for extra pleasure, take a look at issues to do that Thanksgiving in NJ. (featured picture taken at Night time Kinds: Infinite Wave at Grounds For Sculpture)
(Notice: It’s at all times finest to test forward for in-person occasions)
SPONSORED
Santa at Bridgewater Commons
Now by way of December 24
Right here Comes Santa Claus! Santa will welcome youngsters to the Middle Court docket on the Decrease Degree, the place he’ll sit amongst 23 garland-topped mild curtains and candy-cane-inspired twists. Youngsters can share their Christmas Want Listing with Santa and pose for photographs with him. Their faces will mild up for the numerous enjoyable Santa occasions, reminiscent of Santa’s Luau on November 30, Santa Cares Day on December 4 and 18 for a sensory-friendly expertise, Santa’s PJ Night time on December 7, and Santa’s Ugly Sweater Night time on December 14. Make certain to order your picture with the person within the pink go well with. And expertise the Christmas spirit this season with stay performances every Saturday afternoon of vacation carols and festive songs by New Jersey-based a cappella quartet The Village Carolers.
Bridgewater Commons, Decrease Degree and Middle Court docket, 400 Commons Means, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 218-0001
Christmas Mild Present & Village
November 23-December 30, dates and occasions differ (test ticket schedule for full particulars)
With over two million dazzling lights, your littles shall be amazed by all the flicker and shine on this mile-long course. Afterward, head to the village to identify Santa, go ice skating, dine on sizzling cocoa and s’mores, and play a number of festive-filled video games.
Value: $29 customary admission or $79 VIP admission
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Pl., Augusta, NJ 07822
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
November 23-January 1
Begin your engine to discover 32 acres of vacation mild shows at Demarest Farms. You may also heat up by the hearth pit with s’mores, get pleasure from sizzling cocoa and treats within the retail farm market, and take photos with Santa whereas listening to Santa’s reindeer singing.
Value: $35 per automotive
Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Rd., Hillsdale, NJ 07642
Vacation Mild Present on the Lake
November 24-January 6
Go to Historic Smithville to listen to your favourite vacation tunes synchronized to a novel mild show. There shall be over 120 Christmas timber, constructed from 50,000+ Christmas lights, magically floating atop Lake Meone within the heart of the village. An orchestrated present of lights dances throughout the water to Christmas music when the sky is darkish. The present will be seen from both aspect of the village and the bridge.
Value: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E Moss Mill Highway, Smithville, NJ 08205
thirtieth Annual City Lighting & Vacation Specific Live performance in Purple Financial institution
November 25
Essentially the most magical day in Purple Financial institution, this thirtieth annual occasion is one you received’t need to miss. Begin the day procuring on Broad Road, adopted by pre-show actions after which a Vacation Specific live performance, adopted by the primary occasion—the lighting of the Purple Financial institution Christmas tree.
Value: Free
Broad Road, Purple Financial institution, NJ 07701
Brookhollow’s Barnyard
Begins November 25, Friday, Saturday, and Sundays till January 6
Discover the farm and see all the lights for the vacation season. This 12 months, they’ll be doing a walk-through the place you possibly can see and feed animals from 4 PM to six:30 PM. Practice rides shall be obtainable through the walk-through; the drive-through shall be 7 PM – 8:30 PM.
Value: $9.50 for the walk-through (below two is free); $20 per automotive for the drive-through.
301 Rockaway Valley Highway, Boonton, NJ 07005
(973) 917-3060
Fanwood’s Well-known Christmas Home Grand Lighting
November 25 at 4 PM
Come to see Fanwood’s Well-known Christmas Home Mild up for the primary time this season. Donations are appreciated, and all donated cash goes to NJ Institute for Disabilities. The show is lit each night time from nightfall to 10 PM by way of January 8, 2023.
Value: Donations welcome
83 Paterson Highway, Fanwood, NJ 07023
Palmer Sq. Tree Lighting
November 25 at 5 PM
Come right down to Palmer Sq. for his or her annual tree lighting ceremony. That includes conventional Christmas music, stay performances, and even a go to from Santa, this occasion is a ravishing strategy to kick off the vacations as all 32,000 lights are lit for a stunning show.
Value: Free
Palmer Sq. Inexperienced, 40 Nassau Road, Princeton, NJ 08542
Avalon’s Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday
November 25-26
Kick off the vacation season in Avalon with an entire weekend of actions. On Friday, there shall be stay music, kids’s performances, character appearances, face portray, an artwork bar, crafts, giveaways, sizzling chocolate, a drive-in vacation film, and a parade that includes the Huge Man as a particular visitor. On Saturday, watch ice sculpting, take a photograph with Santa, get pleasure from bounce homes, carnival rides, and impediment programs, and comfy up with a number of cocoa.
Value: Costs differ
Avalon, NJ 08202
First Annual Christmas Block Occasion
November 25-27
Get pleasure from particular occasions each night time like a sizzling chocolate bar and procuring in your pj’s on Friday night time to a Youngsters vacation market and household enjoyable on Sunday Funday.
Value: Free to enter
3100 Atlantic Brigantine Blvd, Brigantine, NJ 08203
Vacation Occasions at Pier Village
November 25-27
You possibly can kick off the vacation season at this festive tree lighting at Pier Village with enjoyable actions, together with ice skating, Christmas caroling, and a particular go to from Santa Claus. After the tree is lit, get pleasure from procuring whereas wanting on the window shows and having fun with the festive cheer.
Value: Costs differ for every occasion
Pier Village, Lengthy Department, NJ 07740
Mannequin Practice Present
November 25-27, December 3-4, 10-11, and January 7-8
Obtained youngsters who love trains? There shall be operating steam and diesel trains on a 1200-square-foot mannequin structure, together with Thomas the Tank Engine and his associates. Youngsters can attempt operating trains on the youngsters’s structure or take a look at the brand new second railroad.
Value: Youngsters below 10 are free
575 Excessive Mountain Highway, North Haledon, NJ 07508
Asbury Park Vacation Bazaar
November 25-December 18, days could differ per location; test forward
Step into a standard Christmas market the place you possibly can store, have fun, and luxuriate in vacation decor and leisure in Asbury Park on the Grand Arcade. There can even be crafts and a vacation picture sales space.
Value: Free to enter
Grand Arcade of Conference Corridor, 1300 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
The Asbury Resort, 210 fifth Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Pageant of Bushes and Winter Village
November 25-27, December 3-18
It’s an out of doors vacation market with over 45 distinctive craft artisans prepared that can assist you wrap up your seasonal procuring. The opening weekend coincides with the primary weekend of The Pageant of Bushes. After visiting the German-style vacation market, step again into the Victorian period in Downtown Clinton with Dickens Days.
Value: Costs differ for every occasion
56 Predominant Road, Clinton, NJ 08809
Collingswood Vacation and Menorah Lighting Occasions
November 25-December 22
Spend the season celebrating, beginning with a Vacation Tree Lighting on November 25, a Vacation Parade on November 26, and the Neighborhood Menorah Lighting On December 2. Be sure to get your record to Santa (he’ll be round each weekend) and spend the night time of December 10 watching stay performances, listening to stay music, and strolling alongside the sidewalk admiring the festive lights.
Value: Costs differ per occasion
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Mild Present on the Lake
November 25-December 23
Collect ’spherical the hearth pits at Johnson’s Nook Farm’s Discovery Barnyard to roast marshmallows and watch the lake mild up on this breathtaking show. Remember to hop on the Christmas “Mild Present” Hayride to see extra of the farm lit up for the vacations.
Value: $7.95 and up
Johnson’s Nook Farm, 133 Church Rd., Medford, NJ 08055
(609) 654-8643
Go to with Santa at Johnson’s Nook Farm
November 25-December 23
Get able to snap a ton of photographs with Santa Claus at this occasion which options their well-known Mild Present on the Lake. Take a lighted hayride, enhance a Christmas cookie, and roast a s’extra on an open fireplace.
Value: Costs differ per exercise
Johnson’s Nook Farm, 133 Church Highway, Medford, NJ 08055
Christmas Underwater at Journey Aquarium
November 25-December 24
Dive into an underwater vacation present to see the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree, snow-like flurries within the Snowtunda, or Scuba Santa within the Ocean Realm. And don’t miss the 15,000 animals all through the aquarium to ring within the vacation spirit.
Value:$18.99 and up
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
Creamy Acre Farms Night time of Lights
November 25-December 24, choose dates
This dairy farm transforms each vacation right into a Christmas Wonderland crammed with big mild shows, a Musical Dancing Tree mild present, and dazzling shows, that are newly expanded with double the lights and scenes this season. There can even be concessions, a rustic retailer, and fireplace pits.
Value: $30 per automobile
448 Lincoln Mill Highway, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Santa Claus is Coming to MarketFair
November 25-December 24
Seize the little ones and meet Saint Nick at MarketFair. Reservations are strongly really helpful however not required.
Value: Value for photographs
MarketFair, 3535 US Freeway 1, Princeton, NJ 08540
Winter Wonderland Illuminated Strolling Path
November 25-December 30
Take a stroll by way of the woods crammed with enjoyable snowmen and timber, illuminated packing containers with miniature scenes, and a fairy backyard field. Additional down the path, you would possibly even move a secret gnome village. The trail flows out of the woods and right into a stay Christmas tree area. You’ll move by a penguin igloo city, “fly by” BirdHouse Row and be careful for a runaway sled. After the path, make certain to cease by the bonfires for some sizzling chocolate and s’mores.
Value: $12 and up
Indian Acres Tree Farm, 111 Tuckerton Rd., Medford, NJ 08055
Dasher’s Lightshow
November 25-December 31
Drive by way of this dazzling present with shows synced to music in your automotive radio. The 25-30 minute present will dazzle your loved ones and put you into the vacation spirit.
Value: $29.95 and up
Newark Moonlight Cinema, 220 Orange Road, Newark, NJ 07103
The Winter WonderLights
November 25-January 1
New Jersey’s largest animated vacation mild present will dazzle your loved ones with over 1.5 million lights dancing to your favourite vacation music. The timber, the tunnels, and a tribute to first responders and US armed forces are only a pattern of what you will notice on the half-mile drive.
Value: $30 per automotive or $125 VIP season move per automotive; company are inspired to purchase their tickets on-line.
655 Cranbury Highway, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Vacation within the Park
November 25-January 1, choose dates
Hit your favourite theme park at night time to see it fully decked out in colourful lights and mingle with particular company, Santa and Mrs. Claus. Trip the curler coasters—loads of smaller ones excellent in your kiddos—and benefit from the road leisure all around the park. End the night time with a festive deal with, like a cup of sizzling chocolate, yummy cider, and fried s’mores.
Value: $49.99 and up
Six Flags Nice Journey, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson Township, NJ 08527
Bergen County Winter Wonderland
November 25-January 2
Glide right into a winter wonderland with a carousel and practice rides in Van Saun Park. Then lace up your skates and get out on the ice for a skate among the many lights and decorations.
Value: $5-$10
Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave Paramus, NJ 07653
Night time Kinds: Infinite Wave at Grounds For Sculpture
November 25-April 2
The entire household will like to see the Grounds of Sculpture reimagined after hours, with a multi-sensory mild and sound expertise designed to interact with the artwork and horticulture assortment. Spend the night outside exploring the lighting, sound, and video projection mapping, and be part of the interactive reveals, which can delight youngsters and adults.
Value: $22 and up
80 Sculptors Means, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Kick-off to Christmas Breakfast with Santa
November 26 at 9 AM
Santa Claus is coming to city—reserve your tickets to have breakfast with the person within the pink go well with.
Value: $10 per grownup and $5 per little one
Laurelton Hearth firm #1,1725 Route 88, Brick, NJ 08724
Collingswood Vacation Parade
November 26 at 10 AM
Come to this festive parade with seasonal leisure, together with marching bands, dancers, vacation characters, giants on stilts, floats, mummers, sports activities mascots, and stay music.
Value: Free
The parade will start at Zane Avenue at 10 AM and proceed to West Linden Avenue by way of the guts of historic Collingswood, NJ 08108
Remnantco Vacation Market
November 26 at 12 PM
Store at a seasonal pop-up market that includes native and regional handcrafted and classic items, artwork, images, meals vehicles, and dessert.
Value: Free to enter
25 Andrews Drive, Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Woodbridge Township Winterfest and Mild Parade
November 26 at 4 PM
Kick off the vacation with s’mores, ice skating, youngsters’ crafts, a light-weight parade, a go to from Santa, ice sculpting, a stay DJ, and tree lighting.
Value: Free to enter
Predominant Road, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Bordentown Metropolis Christmas Tree Lighting
November 26 at 4:30 PM
Music, songs, and Santa on the firetruck will convey a number of vacation spirit to Bordentown Metropolis this November.
Value: Free
Farnsworth Ave., Bordentown, NJ 08505
Palmyra Winter Night time Market
November 26 at 5 PM
When the solar goes down, prepare to buy, eat, hearken to music, and have enjoyable with the entire household.
Value: Free to enter
20 West Broad Road, Palmyra, NJ 08065
Annual Vacation Toy Drive
November 26 at 6 PM
Costume for the North Pole and produce a toy or Amazon reward card for a kid within the hospital to brighten their day. Then go to Santa and luxuriate in a sizzling chocolate bar, s’extra’s station, popcorn, fireplace pits, vacation music, and many vacation enjoyable.
Value: Toy donation
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Totowa and West Paterson Hearth Dept. Vacation Parade
November 26 at 6 PM
Kick off the vacation season with a festive parade of lights, together with fireplace vehicles, floats, and emergency automobiles, with a vacation glow up and many leisure.
Value: Free
Parade Route: 515 Union Blvd in Totowa to 1070 McBride Ave in Woodland Park
Santa’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Cape Could County Zoo
November 26
Can you retain a secret? Rumor has it that the zebras on the Cape Could County Zoo introduced Rudolph and his crew in by way of the again gates. See for your self, and whilst you’re there, take your picture with the jolly man within the large pink go well with and journey aboard the vacation practice. Catch a vacation efficiency, the ice sculpture demonstration, free treats, and far more.
Value: Free
Cape Could County Park & Zoo, 707 US 9 North, Cape Could Court docket Home, NJ 08210
Dickens Pageant in Smithville
November 26-27
See an unique musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ heartwarming story, by Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Firm carried out on their moveable outside stage. Go to the outlets and eating places after the present, together with the Smithville Practice and Carousel.
Value: Costs differ
Route 9 & Moss Mill Highway, Smithville, NJ 08205
Bell Works Contemporary Vacation Market
November 26-December 10, choose dates
If the climate exterior appears to be like frightful, you possibly can nonetheless store at this indoor market with 75 native farmers, meals purveyors, native artisans, and extra.
Value: Free to enter
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Nook Highway, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Lengthy Department Vacation Bazaar
November 26-December 11, Saturdays and Sundays
Convey the household to this vacation custom that includes music, meals, and children’ craft workshops on Saturday. Households can even meet particular vacation characters and take memorable photographs on the Instagram-worthy selfie station with the Grinch, Elf on a Shelf, and Frosty the Snowman.
Value: Free to enter
Whitechapel Initiatives (WCP), 15 2nd Ave, Lengthy Department, NJ 07740
No Extra Grist For the Mill
November 27 at 11 AM
Rejoice the top of the milling season and the beginning of the vacations because the mill grinds the final of 2022’s corn. Enhance a paper stocking, take a selfie in a sleigh, and sip on a cup of sizzling cocoa within the early Twentieth-century Cow Barn. Then discover the 18th-century home and see the gristmill in motion.
Value: Free
62 Walnford Highway, Higher Freehold, NJ 08501
Lengthy Department Tree Lighting at Pier Village
November 27 at 4 PM
Kick off the vacation season this 12 months at this festive vacation tree lighting at Pier Village. There shall be many enjoyable actions, together with ice skating, a efficiency by the Lengthy Department Excessive Faculty Marching Band and Dance Crew, and a particular go to from Santa Claus. After the tree is lit, get pleasure from procuring whereas wanting on the window shows and having fun with the festive cheer.
Pier Village, Lengthy Department, NJ 07740
Asbury Contemporary Pop-Up at Porta
November 27, December 4, and December 8
Expertise a heat and toasty vacation market season in good ol’ Asbury Park. Store domestically curated distributors and luxuriate in pizza and festive drinks.
Value: Free
Porta, 911 Kinsley Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Santa’s Arrival in Morristown
November 27-December 18
Come right down to The Morristown Inexperienced and take within the magic of the season. Go to and take Santa photos in NJ to make this vacation season one to recollect. Santa can even be on the Christmas Pageant on December 2 and can go to till December 18.
Value: Free
The Morristown Inexperienced, 10 N. Park Place, Morristown, NJ 07960
Ongoing Occasions
DiDonato’s Magical Vacation Specific
Now-December 23
Have your crew go all aboard for a Christmas mild show ending with a meet and greet with Santa and his elves. Don’t miss the Vacation Film tent and take photographs along with your favourite snowman, Toy Market, and Walkthrough Vacation Village.
Value: $12.95-$24.95
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
(609) 561-3040
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
Now-December 30, dates and occasions differ; Santa visits till December 23
Santa Claus is able to wave his magic wand and light-weight the park with over a million lights for the vacation season. Your littles will love seeing the park glow after darkish and be thrilled to go on rides and sights (all open at night time) throughout this magical time.
Value: $27.95 per individual if purchased upfront, $30.95 per individual on the door.
Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
(609) 646-0103
Magic of Lights New Jersey
Now-December 30
Expertise the dazzling lights show completely from the consolation of your automotive. Set your radio to their mild present station, after which get pleasure from festive music as you drive by way of a merry association of Christmas lights, timber, and decorations that may certainly put your entire crew within the vacation spirit.
Value: $20 and up
PNC Financial institution Arts Middle, 116 Backyard State Pkwy, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 203-2500
South Jersey Vacation Mild Present
Now-December 31, dates and occasions differ
Get within the festive spirit at this drive-through vacation mild present that includes dozens of dazzling shows and scenes celebrating the whole lot your loved ones loves about this season. Activate the automotive radio to a station that syncs the sunshine present with vacation tunes as you drive among the many twinkling lights on the mile-long route.
Value: $25 per automotive; tickets should be bought upfront
Bridgeport Speedway, 83 Flood Gate Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
(856) 467-4407
Turtle Again Zoo Vacation Lights Spectacular
Now-December 31, choose dates
Seize your winter coat and prepare to walk by way of the Essex County Turtle Again Zoo to see over 50 winter and animal characters. The occasion will function weekend Santa visits, in addition to practice rides, carousel rides, visits to the Reptile Home and Aquarium, and pony rides.
Value: Donation really helpful, further payment for some sights.
560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
(973) 731-5800
Holidig Drive-Through Mild Present at Diggerland USA
Now-January 1
America’s solely building theme and water park shall be decked out in a drive-through show of glowing lights, tunnels, vacation shows, and extra. As you drive by way of the reveals, tune into Diggerland USA’s radio station to get into the vacation spirit.
Value: $34.95
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
(856) 768-1110
Outdated Normal Christmas
Now-January 1
See the seaside city of Cape Could rework right into a Dickens village simply in time for the vacations. Don’t miss free occasions just like the Winter WonderWalk on November 18, excursions of the Physick Property, Tree Lighting on November 19, and the Christmas Candlelight Home Excursions. In addition they have a Lamplighter Christmas Tour and Santa’s Trolley Excursions all through the season.
Value: Costs differ
Cape Could, NJ 08204
Vinter Wonderland
Now-January 2
Rejoice a profitable harvest at Renault Vineyard with a captivating and festive expertise for all ages. Youngsters will love the ice skating, tractor rides, and stay leisure whilst you get pleasure from connoisseur eating and wines. Santa Claus involves city in December to mild the Christmas tree, learn a vacation story, and eat breakfast with the youngsters (reservations required).
Value: Costs differ
72 Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor Metropolis, NJ 08215
Monmouth Museum Vacation Practice Show
Now-January 8
Youngsters will love seeing this nostalgic show that includes Lionel Trains winding by way of an over 30ft exhibit of cities, mountains, cities, and extra. Alongside the trains, the Predominant Gallery hosts a 20ft Vacation Tree and Pat Brentano’s “Contemplate the Bushes” present.
Value: Free
Monmouth Museum, 765 Newman Springs Highway, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Let It Glow
Now-January 15
It’s a vacation spectacular on the Bergen County Zoo with wonderful, larger-than-life lantern shows of animals and nature which can be awe-inspiring. Stroll by way of the reveals up shut, then take a practice journey by way of the zoo.
Value: $9 and up
Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652
Winter Stroll
Now-January 15
Go to Taylor Park and luxuriate in magical mild shows as you stroll alongside a path on the lake’s edge. After you and your loved ones benefit from the lights, go to Millburn’s distinctive retailers and eating places. The park is lit from 4:30 PM till 10:00 PM nightly.
Value: Free to enter
100 Predominant Road, Millburn, NJ, 07041
Winter Wonderwalk Cape Could
Now-Winter 2023
Get pleasure from free admission to the grounds of Cape Could’s solely Victorian Home Museum, the Emlen Physick Property, because it’s been reworked for the vacation season. Stroll the grounds and look at enjoyable and kooky shows of celebrations through the Victorian period.
Value: Free
Emlen Physick Property, 1048 Washington St., Cape Could, NJ 08204
RWJBarnabas Well being Occasions
Wholesome Youngsters in Hannah’s Kitchen
November 22 at 4:30 PM
Are available in individual or be part of nearly for this hands-on cooking for ages 8-12. Your little one will learn to cook dinner with nutritious components, easy methods to learn a recipe, kitchen security ideas, measuring strategies, and study knife expertise.
Value: Free
On-line or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Neighborhood Well being and Wellness Middle at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Middle, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Turn into an NJMOM Insider! For all the most effective issues to do with your loved ones round New Jersey, join our weekly publication delivered proper to your inbox every week, and don’t neglect to tag your photographs #NJMOM and @njmom for an opportunity to be featured on our social media.
