Best Central Jersey Christmas Events
Your Guide to the top 2022 Central Jersey Christmas Events
Including Tree Lighting Celebrations, Festivals, Parades, and more
Experience Holiday and Christmas events and attractions in 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
Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.
Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.
Multi-date 2022 Central Jersey Christmas Events
Christmas Light Spectacular ShowThursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, beginning November 10th until December 23, 2022
Allaire Community Farm
1923 Baileys Corner Rd
Wall Township, NJ
Admission: $17 per person.
This specactular lights display features a Tractor drawn Hay Ride thru a beautiful Christmas light display, providing a holiday outing for all families to enjoy. Attendees get to see spectacular lights and dazzling displays while listening to Christmas music.
The farm also features the world's largest dreidel. Standing 30 feet tall, it's the largest known display of its kind in the world.
The event was created to feed the animals and fund programs that continue during the winter months when the farm is closed to the public and does not generate any revenue.
Allaire Community Farm is a 501(c)(3) NJ Non Profit with a mission of rescuing animals to rescue people of all ages with focus on special needs children and adults, including veterans with PTSD, teens with mental health issues, and local families battling cancer in our community.
Allaire Community Farm is operated and supported by over 200 volunteers year round.
Six Flags Great Adventure Holiday in the Park
Begining November 15 and runs weekends and select days through January 1, 2023
1 Six Flags Blvd.
Jackson, NJ 08527
Website/Tickets
Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park! Make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods, and your favorite thrilling coasters. From coasters to cocoa it's a holiday spectacular for the whole family!
Festival of Trees
November 16th, 2022 through January 8th, 2023
Morven Museum & Garden
55 Stockton Street
Princeton, New Jersey
Website/tickets Timed admission tickets are available for purchase on-line by clicking below and will be given priority.
Festival of Trees is an annual highlight of the holiday season showcasing a juried collection of trees and mantles displayed throughout the museum's galleries, upstairs and down. Area designers, artists, garden clubs, businesses, and non-profit organizations will adorn all of the Museum's galleries, including the second floor, with exquisite and whimsical holiday decorations. Docents will be available to answer questions,
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
November 18th - December 30th, 2022; Sunday - Thursday 5pm - 10 pm. Friday - Saturday 5pm - 11pm.
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
Website/Tickets
The Magic of Lights, a unique and dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience, is bigger and brighter than before with more than a mile of spectacular light displays that bring to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters. Don't miss the larger-than-life sparkling Christmas Barbie™ display, the supersized Bigfoot® Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas! Pile everyone into the car and experience more at the same low price! One carload, one price for the entire family.
Polar Express
Trips run November 25, 26,27, December 2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18, 2022
Lehigh Junction
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
877-872-4674
Website
Cost: Child $32.00 ( ages 2 to 12), Adult $42.00
Train Ride departs from Lehigh Junction located in the Historic Main Street area of Phillipsburg. On the train you will re-live the experience of the little boy in The Polar Express. The story focuses on a little boy who has been told by his friends that there is no Santa Claus. Unwilling to believe this, he lies awake in his bed on Christmas Eve, waiting for the sound of Santa's sleigh. Instead, he hears the hissing steam and squeaking metal of the Polar Express as it stops outside his window, ready to take him and other children to the North Pole. During your ride you will listen to this wonderful story, every child will be served hot chocolate and cookies Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join in on the magic of Christmas.
Winter Village -- Festival of Trees
Friday, Saturday & Sunday November 25th - 27th, 10am - 6pm, & Saturday & Sunday, December 3rd – 18th, 2022: 12-6pm
The Red Mill
56 Main St.
Clinton, NJ
908-514-8431
Website/Tickets
Tickets starting at $10
This Annual Holiday Festival features a beautiful display of decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces that are available to win through our raffle. Experience over 40 artisan crafters, specialty foods and craft beer set inside the bucolic Red Mill Museum Village made even more special with holiday lights and decor throughout the grounds of the Red Mill Museum Village, amid the historic buildings.
The Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru
November 25, 2022 - January 1, 2023; Open every night from 5:30pm -10pm. (Last car admitted will be at 9:45pm every night!)
Middlesex County Fairgrounds
655 Cranbury Road
East Brunswick, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: :$30 per car (tickets sold on-line)
This drive-thru Christmas event features over 1.5 million lights animated to some of your favorite holiday tunes. They have twelve 20' trees, the 200' tunnel of lights, a tribute to our first responders and tons of other stunning, larger-than-life holiday themed displays for the entire family – all synchronized to the music playing your in car!
Cook's Christmas Lights Show
Saturday after Thanksgiving, November 26, 2022 and will run nightly through Jan 1. 2023. 6pm-10pm Sunday-Thursday, and 6pm-11pm Friday and Saturday
1 Carlson Ct.
Jackson, NJ
Facebook page
Free event - Donations gratefully accepted. 100% of donations go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The show has almost 8,000 pixels, including a 1,008 pixel matrix, 4 singing Christmas trees, snowflakes, multiple small trees and arches plus a 3,200 LED light spiral tree. All the lights are synchronized to music for a festive, entertaining show. This years show consists of 6 songs, running approx. 22 minutes on a continuous loop. When you come to enjoy the show they ask that you please shut off your lights and don’t block any driveway
Long Branch Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, & Sunday, November 26th - December 11th, 2022, 12-5 pm
Whitechapel Projects
15 2nd Avenue
Long Branch, NJ
Website
Cost: Free
This event
features a curated roster of the best local and regional artists, vendors, and shops selling the cutest and coolest vintage, handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs, and more. The event will feature also feature music, holiday photo stations, craft workshops and beautiful holiday décor. The holiday market is inspired by the traditional "Weihnachtsmarkts" held in Germany.
While you shop, enjoy delicious food & libations and craft beers from Whitechapel Projects.
Whitechapel Projects (WCP) is a gorgeous arts, food and cultural venue in Long Branch, NJ featuring a sustainable restaurant and bar inspired by local ingredients, products and community collaboration; craft nano-brewery; 8,000-square-foot outdoor beer garden; enclosed outdoor courtyard; and a multi-purpose, 2,100-square-foot indoor space.
Roxey Ballet's American Holiday Classic Nutcracker
November 26th - December 4th, 2022
Villa Victoria Theater
376 West Upper Ferry Road
Ewing Township, NJ
Website
609-397-7616
Event Cost: $57.50 - $59.50
Roxey Ballet, Lambertville's renowned professional dance company, is proud to present its Annual Holiday Classic "The Nutcracker”.
The production directed by Mark Roxey, co-founder of this acclaimed professional company, features the company of professional dancers, students from the official school of the Roxey Ballet, The Mill Ballet School, and members of the community. More than 200 costumes are featured designed by Alicia Worden and Nilda Roxey with lighting designed by Jeffrey Goldstein.
New Brunswick's Winter Wonderland for the Holidays
December 2, 2022 to January 2, 2023
New Brunswick City Center
Monument Square Park
New Brunswick, NJ
Website
Starting with the Ice Carving Demonstrations, The Victorian Strolling Carolers, and Tree Lighting at Monument Square Park on Friday, December 2nd, and every day through until the New Year, the season will be filled with multiple activities celebrating the holidays creating a Winter Wonderland of festivities in New Brunswick!
Enjoy live ice carving demonstrations while Hub City Sounds provides musical entertainment before the tree lighting ceremony and bask in the glow of the holiday tree as we flip the switch amongst carolers and friends. Make your plans to join in on the fun and make a night out with shopping, beauty services, fine dining, and entertainment!
Christmas at Allaire
Sunday, December 4th, 11th, and 18th, 2022: from 12 to 4pm
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Tickets
Cost:
Tickets can be purchased in advance for just $8 per person (children 2 and under admitted for free) or at the door (if available) for $10. Advanced purchase is highly recommended.
This event features
the Village being transformed into an enchanting showcase of holiday cheer. Enjoy the warm glow of open hearths and candle-lit windows as you wander through the Village from the Chapel to Allaire House, amidst the joyful sound of live caroling and the whimsical tunes of the harp and the dulcimer. Sights, sounds, and activities designed to enchant both young and old for Christmas. Be sure to bring your cameras and your holiday cheer along as you forge a new family holiday tradition in the form of a Christmas visit to the Historic Village at Allaire.
Jenkinson's Aquarium Sea of Lights Holiday Festival
December 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 27th & 28th, 2022from 4-8pm each night (entertainment 5-8pm)
Jenkinson's Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave.
Point Pleasant, NJ
732-892-0600
Website
This annual Holiday festival features the Aquarium done up with the holiday spirit with hundreds festive lights and decorations.
This holiday event incluudes treats, crafts, pictures with Santa, games, Diving Santa and Holiday Entertainment! The Aquarium, Sweet Shop, Aquarium Gift Shop, Pavilion & Pavilion Arcade will be open! Photos with Santa – December 9th, 10th, 16th & 17th Diving Santa – December 27th & 28th
2022 Central Jersey Christmas Events
Holiday Craft Show @ The Historic Village at Allaire Saturday, November 19, 2022; 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire State Park
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Farmingdale, NJ
Website/Tickets
Admission is $5 per person 6 years old and up. All proceeds of the day to benefit the educational programming at the Historic Village at Allaire!
Over 130 crafters, Allaire artisans, floral exhibits, historic demonstrations, and more to kick off the holiday season in style! Join in for their Christmas and Holiday Craft Show and Historic Demonstrations throughout the village. Local artists will be demonstrating their work. Paintings, pottery, textiles, and more! They will have craft demonstrations at the Carpenter, Blacksmith, and Tinsmith shops! General Store, Bakery, Food Truck - Pilsen Gourmet, Twisted Steaks, Best Day Ever - will be open throughout the day!
Dickens' Days
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 25, 26, 27, 2022
Main St.
Clinton, NJ
908-730-8800
Website
This annual family event will transform Clinton into a Victorian Village. Take a trip back in time to Victorian Clinton and celebrate the season with Clinton's festive activities including horse and carriage rides, carolers, and more! There is no better place to experience the magic of the season than downtown Clinton during Dickens Days.
Princeton Tree Lighting Ceremony
On the Green
Downtown Princeton, NJ
Website
This family event will feature live music and a visit by Santa. The tree will be a 65-foot Norwegian spruce decorated over 32,000 lights.
Holiday Express Concert, Tree Lighting, & Activities
Friday, November 25th, 2022; beginning @5:30pm
Downtown
Red Bank, NJ
Website
Kick off the season with the annual Holiday Express Concert & Town Lighting. Holiday Express will be rocking the streets with all of your favorite tunes.
@ 5:30pm Holiday Dance and Music Performance at the Red Bank Train Station
6:45pm. Santa and Mrs. Claus parade down Monmouth to Broad Street
7:00pm Holiday Express Concert begins (stage located on Broad Street near Garmany)
8:00pm Tree lighting
The Annual Long Branch Tree Lighting in Pier Village
Sunday, November 27th, 2022; 5pm-6pm
Festival Plaza
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Website
732-222-7000
This family fun event features the Pier Village ice skating rink, mini train rides, meet & greet with Santa, a live marching band, costumed characters, stilt walkers, carousel rides, dancers and live performances by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys and the Long Branch High School Marching Band and Dance team. The ice rink, Ice at the Pier, will be open from 10am-9pm. There will be costumed characters, a meet & greet with Santa, and free mini train rides around Festival Plaza.
Bradley Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, November 27, 2022; 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Riley Park
Bradley Beach
732-776-2999
Website
Santa will arrive by Fire Truck Horse and wagon rides Refreshments & Entertainment and Santa Claus.
Celebrate the Arrival of Santa!
Sunday, November 27, 2022 ; 11am - 1pm
iPlay America
110 Schanck Rd
Freehold, NJ
Website
Cost: Free
This free event will include tons of festive fun including:
Photo-op with Santa, Holiday crafts to take home, Christmas Carols performed by The Rock n’ Roll Chorus!
Spread more Holiday cheer, donate a toy and get 2 hours of FREE unlimited non-redemption video games!
Asbury Park Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 2nd, 2022; @5:30pm
Firemen's Park
(Sunset Avenue and Main Street)
Asbury Park, NJ
Website
Kick off the holiday season in Asbury Park! Visit with Santa, enjoy holiday music and refreshments and celebrate with your neighbors.
Downtown Somerville Holiday Jubilee
Friday, December 2, 2022; 5pm - 9pm
Division Street & Main St
Somerville, NJ
Website
There's festive music in the air with a DJ, ice skating, tree lighting, horse drawn carriage rides, frozen characters, a visit from Santa, photos, Holiday musical performances, hot cocoa, cookies, and more,
Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting/Winter Village
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, December 2, 3, 4, 2022; 5:00 PM to 7 PM
Town Hall Courtyard
Washington Street
Toms River, NJ
732-341-8738
Website
The weekend celebration begins with the Tree Lighting on Friday, with Live entertainment at 5pm. Santa arrives on the fire truck at 7pm to light the tree. Photos with Santa will follow the tree lighting in Town Hall. Live music and entertainment.
On Saturday & Sunday, The courtyard will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland Village. Vendors, kid's activities, hot chocolate station, holiday music and more. Downtown businesses will be open.
Christmas on the Farm
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Lambertville, NJ 08530
609-737-3299
Website
Parking & Admission are free.
Revisit the 1900 era on a horse drawn wagon to help shock and pick corn, and return to the barnyard to help shell it, grind it, and bake it into cornbread. Children are invited to join the fun of cutting and decorating the tree before St. Nick arrives to hear their Christmas wishes and give out cookies and coal as the case may be. Throughout the day there will be farmhouse tours, live music, wagon rides, and a children's craft program. In the Visitor Center, there is hearty lunch fare, a gift shop featuring the farm's own honey, maple syrup and popcorn ... and a 2-seater sleigh perfect for taking family portraits.
Visitors are invited to bring canned goods for contribution to the farm's Share the Harvest Program, which this year has produced 28,000 lbs. of grain products, fresh vegetables, eggs and woolen wear for local food banks and pantries. Toys for Tots is also accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys to help bring joy to America's less fortunate children this holiday season.
Christmas in Ocean Grove
Saturday, December 3rd, 2022; 10 am - 8pm
Bishop Janes Tabernacle
Auditorium Square Park
Ocean Grove, NJ
Website
Free Event
This event features, a christmas concert, a childrens birthday party for Jesus, a Live Nativity, Christmas Tree Lighting & Carols, and The Arrival of Santa.
The Monmouth Moms' Annual Holiday Festival
Sunday, December 4, 2022: 11am - 3pm
Bell Works
101 Crawfords Corner Road
Holmdel, NJ
Registration
Admission is free. Registration is required.
This family celebration features a day full of local vendors, food for sale, visits with Santa, character picture station, entertainment, free gift bags for the first 250 attendee, and more! Join in the fun with: - KIDS Holiday Activity Zone - Face Painting, Balloon Animals, and Art Activity by The Muse Art Studio - Characters Visits - Storytime - Holiday activities with Snapology of Monmouth County.
Christmas Con NJ
December 9, 10, 11, 2022
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
Tickets
This three day festive annual gathering features more than 30 holiday movie celebtity fan-favorites, with celebrity panels where you will get an autograph and photo with your favorite stars, ugly sweater contests, photo booths, and more.
Santa's "nice" list from across Hallmark, Lifetime and GAC Family movies includes: headliner Lacey Chabert and official Jonathan Bennett, as well as Danica McKellar, Jesse Metcalfe, Victor Webster, Marc Blucas, Will Kemp, Paul Campbell, Kimberley Sustad, Brant Daugherty, Andrew Walker, Nikki DeLoach, Tyler Hynes, Autumn Reeser, Jen Lilley, Katrina Law, Taylor Cole, Jesse Hutch, Rachel Boston, Kristoffer Polaha, Cindy Busby and Bethany Joy Lenz
Belmar Christmas Light Show
Saturday, December 10, 2022; Shows at 5 PM and 6:30 PM
Belmar Plaza
On the Connelly-Campion-Wright Building
704 Belmar Plaza
Belmar, NJ
Website
Cost: The show is free, however they suggest donations of $25 for a family of 4 and $10 for an individual adult
Each show runs for approximately 20 minutes.
This popular Disney-quality show features tens of thousands of lights, color-changing carbon-dioxide cannons and pyrotechnics synchronized to music.
The shows producer and operattor is Atlanticus Innovations LLC, an engineering and show design company. All individuals involved with the show volunteer their time to assist Atlanticus Innovations in producing a low cost, high production value, charitable event.
Proceeds from this event will benefit RallyCap Sports (www.rallycapsports.org), a nonprofit 501-c-3 charity that sponsors sports programs and builds facilities for children with disabilities.
Parking is located in the Belmar Mall parking lot and surrounding streets. Visitors are advised to arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to show time, dress warm, and carpool if possible.
Lighting Up Nature Drive-thru
December 16, 17, 18, 19, 2022: 6:00pm - 8PM
Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center
1100 Double Trouble Road
Beechwood, NJ 08722
(732) 281-2750
Website
Cost: Free
This evenimg drive tru features a lifghting up nature with holiday lights.
Ocean Grove Holiday Craft Festival
December 3rd, 2022; 10pm - 4pm (Rain or Shine)
Downtown
Main Ave
Ocean Grove, NJ
Website
732-774-1391
Free admission
This event features artisans & craft makers, with live music by Terry and The Hats, and the Band of Strays
Historic Allaire Christmas Lantern Tours
Saturday, December 17, 2022; 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Historic Village at Allaire
Blacksmith Shop
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $35 - $45.
Spend an evening strolling through the Historic Village at Allaire by candlelit lantern and enjoy the rich history of Christmas in the 1800s! Visit the Chapel, Bakery, Blacksmith's Shop, Allaire Residence and more as your guided tour brings alive the spirit of Christmas past with traditions and holiday decorations to delight everyone. You will experience music, history & theater, as you create a new holiday tradition of our Christmas Lantern Tours! Its the best way to see the village at night and these are the final village tours of 2022season.
Advance ticket purchase is required for this event, capacity is limited! Each tour is an outdoor walking tour, with various stops/walk-throughs of our historic buildings along the way. Please prepare accordingly. Not recommended for young children.
