Central Jersey Christmas Events:
Best Holiday Events for 2019
Features Tree lighting events, festivals, concerts, 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: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. 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.
Multidate 2019 Central Jersey Christmas Events
Holiday in the ParkNovember 16, 2019 and runs weekends and select days through January 1, 2020
Six Flags
1 Six Flags Blvd.
Jackson, NJ 08527
Website & Tickets
This event features a holiday season with stunning light shows, illuminated, towering trees, the iconic smell of fresh pine and crisp peppermint filling the air and festive street vendors offer sweet and savory treats providing a multi-sensory journey of winter delights. Kids can join Santa in his workshop for a fun photo opportunity. Regardless of the weather forecast, a touch of magic ensures that snowflakes fall gently every evening.
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
November 22, 2019 thru January 4, 2020; Sunday - Thursday: Dusk to 10pm & Friday & Saturday: Dusk to 11pm
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $20-$30, standard vehicle
This popular Holiday event features more than a mile of festival and vibrant light displays celebrating the joy of the holidays. Experience the drive-through from the comfort of your car! At every turn, and in every direction, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular light displays and animations. Multiple holiday themes come to life with hundreds of sparking lights.
Festival of Trees
November 27, 2019 – January 5, 2020
Morven Museum & Garden
55 Stockton Street
Princeton, New Jersey
Website
Cost: Admission $10.00; Free for Friends of Morven
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. This year's theme invites visitors to enjoy the newly reimagined first and second floor galleries, featuring trees inspired by 18th through 20th century decor. 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, no formal tours are given during the Festival. Festival of Trees is open to the public during regular museum hours. No reservations are required. Museum ticket must be purchased to enter museum.
Polar Express
Trips run November 29, 30 December 1,6,7,8,13,14,15,20,21,22; Friday 6 & 8 pm, Saturday 2,4,6,& 8 pm, Sunday 2,4,6 pm
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.
Cook's Christmas Lights
November 30, 2019 - Jananuary 1, 2020; from 6pm -10pm Sunday - Thursday and until 11pm on Friday and Saturday.
1 Carlson Ct.
Jackson, NJ
Facebook page
The Cook's Christmas Lights display returns for its fifth year. This year's show is better than ever, featuring over 30,000 LED lights, a 1,008 bulb pixel matrix and 4 singing Christmas trees. Tune your radio to 100.9FM and enjoy the show.
Jenkinson's Aquarium Sea of Lights Holiday Festival
December 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, and 27, 28, 2019: from 6-9pm.
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, plus make and take crafts, face painting, even a scuba diving Santa and other special guests from the coolest new animated movie.
November 2019 Central Jersey Christmas Events
The Christmas Limited North Pole Express Saturday, Sunday, November 16, 17, 2019
RingoesTrain Station
108 John Ringo Road
Ringoes, NJ 08551
Website
Catch the train at RINGOES for a trip over the river and through the woods with Santa! The Christmas Limited is a slightly lower-key version of our popular North Pole Express. All the features you know and love, but without the elves. It's all about Santa!
Holiday Express Concert, Tree Lighting, & Activities
Friday November 29, 2019 @ 7pm
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 plus plenty of special guests starting at 7p.m. But you may want to come early to get a good spot and to hear and see the youth band of the Monmouth Conservatory. The holiday lights throughout town will be lit for the first time this season during the concert. The LIVE countdown will be around 8 p.m.
Princeton Tree Lighting Ceremony
On the Green
Downtown Princeton, NJ
Website
This family event will feature live music and a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. The tree will be a 65-foot Norwegian spruce decorated over 32,000 lights.
12th Annual Asbury Park Boardwalk Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 30, 2019; @ 6:30m
Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
Website
Admission: Free
The 12th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Boardwalk lights up The Grand Arcade within legendary Asbury Park Convention Hall. The tree is scheduled to light up the Grand Arcade at 6:45 pm preceded by live music, holiday cheer and followed by continued festivities and a visit from the man with the big white beard, Santa Claus himself. Please note, space is limited and subject to capacity. Please arrive early to ensure admission. This year's tree lighting also features the Asbury Park Bazaar, located inside Convention Hall and open until 10 pm. Start your holiday shopping with dozens of specialty vendors offering unique gift ideas you won't find at the mall.
Downtown Somerville Holiday Jubilee
Saturday, November 30, 2019; 5pm - 9pm
Division Street Plaza
Somerville, NJ
Website
This annual family event features Tree Lighting, Photos with Santa, Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides, Holiday Music, Entertainment and Refreshments to Highlight . Attendees will get to enjoy music and dancers in anticipation of Santa's arrival on board Somerville's vintage fire truck. Santa will light the towering tree, adorned with hundreds of energy efficient LED lights, and the holiday festivities will last all evening long
At 5:30pm Santa arrives and the tree lighting is at 5:45pm Carriage rides begin at 6pm.
December 2019 Central Jersey Christmas Events
The Annual Long Branch Tree Lighting in Pier VillageDecember 1, 2019; 4PM
Festival Plaza
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Website
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 a live performance by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys. This event will feature 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. To purchase ice skating tickets visit: https://iceatthepier.com There will be costumed characters, a meet & greet with Santa, and free mini train rides around Festival Plaza. The Pier Village Carousel will be open from 12PM – 9PM. Rates: $4 per ticket. Long Branch Student tickets $2.
Bradley Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony
Sunday, December 1, 2019 @4 pm
Riley Park
Bradley Beach
732-776-2999
Website
Santa will arrive by Fire Truck Horse and wagon rides Bradley Beach. Refreshments & Entertainment and Santa Claus.
Highlands Tree Lighting
December 6, 2019 @6pm (Rain date Dec. 7th)
Huddy Park
Highlands, NJ
732-291-4713
Website
The event features music performances, holiday dancers, along with free hot chocolate, candy canes, horse and buggy rides and a visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
New Brunswick Tree Lighting
December 6, 2019; 5:00pm — 7:00pm
Monument Square
323 George St.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Website
732-545-4849
Cost: Free
This annual family event features the lighting of the 26-foot Tree at Monument Square Park. There will also be face painting, a photo booth, holiday music, cook-off competition, giveaways, and MORE! Santa Claus will also be arriving in style and bringing his friends Olaf, the Minion, and Rocco the Ram, who will be strolling through the downtown City Center, so bring the camera.
Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6, 2019; 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Town Hall Courtyard
Washington Street
Toms River, NJ
732-341-8738
Website
Annual Tree Lighting and the arrival of Santa Clause! Ceremony. Live holiday musical entertainment, reading of "A Christmas Carol" by Mrs. Claus, Santa arrives on fire truck at 7:00pm to light the town tree. Photos with Santa after tree lighting. Hot chocolate and cookies for sale by Fire Co. #1.
Asbury Park Downtown Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 7, 2019; @5:30 pm
Press Plaza
Cookman Ave. at Emory St
Asbury Park, NJ
Website
This is a whole family event featuring carolers from Alphabets Preschool, photos with Santa Claus, cookies and hot coca for all.
The Christmas Light Show
December 7th and 14th 2019; 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM (in the event of poor weather, the event may be rescheduled, please check website)
McCann's Restaurant
Spring Meadow Golf Course
4185 Atlantic Ave
Wall Township, NJ
Website
Returning to a new location after two years of absence, this new Christmas display promises to be better than ever.
This Christmas Light Show is a family tradition at the Jersey Shore. The show is a Disney quality production with an impressive displays of lighting, fog, and pyrotechnics synchronized to powerful concert quality sound!
Please plan on arriving about 20 - 30 minutes prior to show time! Ample time is needed to park and walk to the show.
The event is free but raises money for RallyCap Sports. RallyCap Sports is a nonprofit 501-c-3 charity that sponsors sports programs and builds facilities for children with disabilities. No ticket or fee is required for admission, however donations of $25 for a family of 4. and $10 for individual adults and couples are suggested.
Christmas on the Farm
December 7, 2019; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Lambertville, NJ 08530
609-737-3299
Website
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. Parking & Admission are free.
Spring Lake Candlelight Christmas Inn & House Tour
December 7, 2019: 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Breakers Hotel
1507 Ocean Ave
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Contact: 732-449-0577
Website
Enjoy a spot of tea at the magnificent Breakers Hotel to kick off this self-guided tour and then view our magnificent B&Bs, hotels & private homes decorated in holiday splendor.
Ocean Grove Victorian Holiday Festival & House Tour
December 7th, 8th, 2019
Ocean Grove, NJ
Website
Admission: Tickets are $35 Children under 12 not admitted to the House & Inn Tours.
Step back in time in Historic Ocean Grove for this special two-day Holiday event. 8 Houses and 4 Inns will be toured.
Breakfast with Santa
December 8, 2019; 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
iPlay America
110 Schanck Rd
Freehold, NJ 07728
Web Site
Email: info@iplayamerica.com
Event Cost: $free - $39.95
This annual event features a Breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a delicious hot breakfast buffet that includes an omelet station, assorted breakfast breads, yogurt and granola, pancakes, fresh fruit and more! While you are eating, Santa will walk around and visit with guests at their tables and Miss Sheri will be performing live! The whole family can get in on the fun and dance and sing along! Then, gather the whole family together for a picture with Santa Claus taken by our professional photographer with a free digital download.
Metuchen Holiday House Tour
Sunday, December 8, 2019; Noon -5pm
Metuchen, NJ
Website (On-line tickets available) $20advance, $25 at the door
Tour beautifully decorated homes, enjoy complimentary seasonal refreshments and visit the artisan's bazaar and raffle at The Old Franklin Schoolhouse, 491 Middlesex Ave, Metuchen NJ.
Christmas at Allaire
December 15, 22, 2019 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Farmingdale, NJ
Website
AdmissionL $8, under 2 free
This event is a celebration of the joys of Christmas past. Experience the sights and smells of an early American Christmas with hearth cooking, singing, dancing, wagon rides and St Nicholas! This is a day full of fun interactive programs. You can also bring your holiday cards to be sent from our historic post office located in the General Store. Bring your addressed envelopes with a stamp.
The Annual Christmas Delaware River Crossing Re-enactments
The reenactment is held each year on December 25 at 1 p.m.
Washington Crossing
1112 River Road
Washington Crossing, PA
Website
215-493-4076
This year's Re-enactment, will assemble at Washington Crossing State Park, Pennsylvania, and make their way across the Delaware River to New Jersey. The annual event commemorates the Christmas Day crossing made by Gen. George Washington and his troops in 1776. It was an historic undertaking that resulted in defeat of the Hessian troops in the Battle of Trenton.
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