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.

Latest posts by Laurie

34 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in New Jersey for Kids 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/21/2025 - 8:31am

It costs nothing to take in the display at Fanwood's Famous Christmas House. Photo courtesy of Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

Looking for FREE Christmas events in New Jersey? Read on for dozens of great options.

It's the most wonderful—and expensive—time of the year. While big-budget gifts take a toll on your wallet, our gift to you is this list of holiday events and FREE Christmas activities in New Jersey that don't cost a penny.

In a season when finances may be tight, treat the family to FREE, fun holiday festivities for the kids across New Jersey, including light spectaculars like Lighting Up Nature Drive-Thru and small-town celebrations like Dickens Villa ge.

Mark your calendars with these 30+ no-cost holiday events that take place nearly every day of the season. For more seasonal fun, don't miss our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for New Jersey Families.

Santa Sightings, Holiday Light Shows, and More Things To Do this Weekend in New Jersey

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/21/2025 - 8:29am

Wave to a swimming Santa at Adventure Aquarium in Camden. Photo courtesy of Adventure Aquarium

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's a merry and bright weekend with the kickoff of favorite seasonal light spectaculars, including the FREE Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights, with illuminated winter scenes and animals. Check out the brand new U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms, adorned with illuminated flowers, a drone show and character visits.

Plus, get ready for Santa's arrival at MarketFair in Princeton and ready for a swim at Adventure Aquarium's Christmas Underwater.

Pictures with Santa in New Jersey in 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Tue, 11/18/2025 - 6:48am

Step into Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City for Christmas pictures. Photo courtesy of the venue

There's no shortage of opportunities for your little elves to pose for pictures with Santa in New Jersey when the big guy comes to town this Christmas. If your holiday budget is tight, check out free photos with jolly St. Nick at local events like Hometown Holiday in Washington Borough and shops like Harley-Davidson, where guests can pose with Santa and The Grinch on a motorcycle.

We've rounded up our favorites, and there are events all over the state listed below for you to snag that photo op.

For even more seasonal activities, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for NJ Kids, where we highlight our favorite places to have breakfast with Santa and plenty more holiday must-dos for New Jersey kids.

Breakfast with Santa in New Jersey in 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/14/2025 - 11:41am

Warm up with Alstede Farms' delicious farm-to-table brunch with Santa. Photo courtesy of the farm

Breakfast with Santa on one of his visits to New Jersey is a great way for your kids to spend quality time with "the big guy." At these events, kids enjoy delicious food and share holiday wish lists with St. Nick.

And, of course, there will be time for some adorable photos. Read on for our roundup of where to have breakfast with Santa in New Jersey this holiday season.

Want more time with Santa? Book your ticket on a Christmas train ride, and find more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.

21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New Jersey for Kids in 2025

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Sun, 11/09/2025 - 8:57am

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

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.

Veterans Day Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Best Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 11/07/2025 - 9:57am

The Bergen County Zoo's holiday lantern show, "Let It Glow," opens this week. Photo courtesy of the zoo

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

Many New Jersey students are looking forward to a 4-day NJEA Convention, pre-Veterans Day weekend, and we've got plenty of ideas for how to keep kids busy.

The holiday season is off to a bright and early start with the kickoff of Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular, with larger-than-life glowing animals throughout the Bergen County Zoo. The malls are also gearing up for the holidays, with Westfield Garden State Plaza hosting the Big Santa Lighting and Drone Show.

For more school break fun, check out 25 Things to Do in New Jersey During November 2025 School Holidays, and with the holiday season starting to rev up, check our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.

15 Best Things To Do in NJ with Kids November 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 10:16am

Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights this season as its popular Orchard of Lights returns for another holiday run. Photo courtesy of the farm

November brings loads of things to do in the Garden State as New Jersey gears up for holidays that include Veterans Day and Thanksgiving—and then it's full steam ahead to the holiday season!

If you're hoping for a mellow month following Halloween's sugar high, that's just not going to happen! Holiday lights illuminate the season at favorite holiday light shows like the PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights, Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms, and the new U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms.

Plus, Santa starts making his rounds later in the month at Cape May County Zoo's Santa's Tree Lighting Celebration and the Holiday Tree Lighting at Physick Estate.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Halloween Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Laurie Rein on Fri, 10/31/2025 - 10:10am

New Jersey is decked out for Halloween and there are plenty of great events to check out. Photo courtesy of Cape May

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Halloween weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

It's time to scare up some fun this weekend, which kicks off with Halloween festivities! There are plenty of Halloween activities to choose from on Friday, including Howl-O-Ween at Turtle Back Zoo, which has treat stations peppered throughout the grounds. Hoboken hosts its celebrated Ragamuffin Parade and Costume Contest, with music, floats, and creative costumes.

Celebrations continue over the weekend in honor of Day of the Dead, with activities in Princeton featuring strolling mariachis and skull decorating, and in Jersey City, with Mexican artists, dance groups, and more family fun.

We've got more seasonal treats in our New Jersey Halloween Guide, including our picks for the best places to trick-or-treat in New Jersey.

Laurie Rein

Latest posts by Laurie

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