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The Turtle Back Zoo holiday lights show in West Orange is one of our top picks for family fun this Christmas. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
The Turtle Back Zoo holiday lights show in West Orange is one of our top picks for family fun this Christmas. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
11/9/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events in New Jersey? Read on for our top picks in the Garden State in 2025. 

Make your list—and check it twice—because we've got all the details you need for annual must-do holiday experiences and top Christmas events in New Jersey. These Christmas events and holiday activities, including annual favorites like PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights, and newcomer Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms, are sure to get everyone in the seasonal spirit over the next few weeks. 

You can also stay up to date with family-friendly holiday fun in our Family Activity Calendar and find more Christmas events and holiday hoopla in our seasonal Holiday Guide for New Jersey Families.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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Insider Tips for Families Enjoying Holiday Fun in New Jersey

  • Purchase tickets in advance when possible, especially for in-demand light shows and holiday trains, which have limited seating.
  • Weekdays may draw a smaller crowd than weekends for popular events, including Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights, which is definitely a zoo on weekends!
  • Maximize your holiday budget by checking out events that are FREE, such as tree lightings and carriage rides.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Experience a train ride through a gorgeous display of Christmas lights at DiDonato's Family Fun Center. Photo courtesy of DiDonato's
Experience a train ride through a gorgeous display of Christmas lights at DiDonato's Family Fun Center. Photo courtesy of DiDonato's

Best Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in NJ for Kids in 2025

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular

Paramus
Select dates from Thursday, November 6-Sunday, January 11, 2026
The Bergen County Zoo is illuminated with holiday cheer in the evening all season long. Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed, creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo. READ MORE

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Select dates from Friday, November 14-Sunday, January 11, 2026
Diggerland shines this holiday season with a 1-mile drive-thru course covered in hundreds of twinkling lights. America’s only construction theme park is illuminated with holiday displays, and visitors can enjoy tasty treats. Stream its radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit. READ MORE

Christmas Fantasy With Lights at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Select dates from Saturday, November 15-Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Help welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to Storybook Land through the end of December. Each night at dusk, Santa appears at the chimney and waves his wand, magically lighting up the park with over 1 million lights. READ MORE

DiDonato's Magical Holiday Express

Hammonton
Select dates from Saturday, November 15-Tuesday, December 23, 2025
All aboard DiDonato's Magical Holiday Express! Experience a train ride through millions of Christmas lights, meet Santa and his elves in his workshop, chat and take photos with Mrs. Claus, and so much more. READ MORE

Morven's Festival of Trees

Princeton
Select dates from Wednesday, November 19-Sunday, January 11, 2026
Morven’s 20th annual winter exhibition, Festival of Trees, has become a must-see holiday tradition. Come enjoy the museum’s elegant galleries, mantels, and porches artfully decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs, and nonprofit organizations. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily from Friday, November 21-Saturday, January 3, 2026
Take a drive through this spectacular holiday light experience, which uses LED technology and digital animation. Tune your radio into a holiday soundtrack and wind past themed displays like "Christmas Around the World," "Toyland," "Nativity," and more. READ MORE

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms

Whippany
Daily from Friday, November 21-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Holland Ridge Farms debuts a magical, walk-through light show, featuring 50,000+ illuminated tulips, millions of twinkling lights, a windmill music and light show, drone show nights, character visits, an igloo snowball pit and much more. READ MORE

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange – FREE
Select dates from Friday, November 21-Saturday, January 3, 2026
Take a nighttime stroll through the Turtle Back Zoo to see more than 50 illuminated winter scenes and animal characters. Stop by the Touch Tank, Reptile House, train and more.  READ MORE

Winter WonderLights 6th Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily from Friday, November 21-Sunday, December 28, 2025
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 2 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes, with a tunnel of lights and stunning, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays synchronized to music playing in your car. READ MORE

Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Select dates from Saturday, November 22-Tuesday, December 30, 2025
It's that magical time of year when Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights. Take your car on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Then, visit Santa, warm up by the fire pit, and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. READ MORE

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at Physick Estate

Cape May – FREE
Saturday, November 22, 2025
The Physick Estate hosts this festive evening to kick off the holiday season. The fun begins with a concert by The John Walter Community Band, followed by a Physick Estate Open House, and finally Santa's tree lighting.  READ MORE

Free Horse & Carriage Rides in Ocean City

Ocean City – FREE
Saturdays from November 22-December 20, 2025
Start off the holiday season on a scenic horse and carriage ride through downtown Ocean City. The rides are first-come, first-serve. READ MORE

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Smithville–FREE
Thursdays through Sundays from Thursday, November 27-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Cape May Seashore Lines Santa Express

Tuckahoe
Select dates from Saturday, November 29-Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Take a ride on the train at Cape May Seashore Lines with Santa this holiday season. Board the train at Richland Village or Tuckahoe Village for a 85-minute ride.  READ MORE

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

Fanwood – FREE
Daily from Friday, November 28-Thursday, January 8, 2026
Stroll by Fanwood's Famous Christmas House, which boasts a spectacular 30,000-light display. Monetary donations are accepted to support the NJ Institute for Disabilities.  READ MORE

Santa's Tree Lighting Celebration at the Cape May County Zoo

Cape May – FREE
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to the Cape May Zoo and bringing plenty of festive holiday cheer. Enjoy live holiday music, an ice sculpture demonstration, bounce house, character appearances, performances and free treats for all. Plus, get a visit with jolly old St. Nick himself. READ MORE

Toms River Winter Wonderland Weekend

Toms River – FREE
Select dates from Friday, December 5-Saturday, December 6, 2025
Toms River hosts a weekend of fun to ring in the holiday season. A tree lighting kicks off the weekend and Santa arrives for photo-ops. Shop the Winter Village all weekend long for wares from local vendors, plus enjoy children's activities and music. READ MORE

Palmer Square Menorah Lighting

Princeton – FREE
Wednesday, December 16, 2025
Celebrate Hanukkah at Palmer Square's annual menorah lighting ceremony. Enjoy music and activities in addition to the lighting.  READ MORE

The Polar Express on the Morristown & Erie Railway

Whippany
Select dates through Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Take a magical trip on the Polar Express, powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Each ticket includes fantastic entertainment, delicious hot chocolate, shortbread, and a keepsake sleigh bell to bring home. READ MORE

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other 2025 Holiday Shows for Kids in New Jersey

Multiple dates and locations
Get in the holiday spirit with live performances of holiday classics. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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