Best Christmas Events in New Jersey

Your Guide to New jersey's Top 2020 Christmas Events Including Tree Lighting Celebrations, Festivals, Parades, and more

Discover the popular 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.

COVID-19 executive orders in effect apply to indoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 10 people, effective November 23rd: Outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 150 people
The following indoor gatherings are exempt and may continue under the current rules – limited to 25% of a room's capacity, up to 150 people:

Indoor performance venues, including concert venues
Restaurants with bars, and lounges that serve food and drink, however, must remove bar seating and close their indoor premises for business by 10 pm.

With near term cancellations occurring at a rapid rate, and despite trying to remove them as soon as we learn of the cancellations or restrictions, we recommend viewers contact the event sponsors before heading out to a listed event to confirm their status.

Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as the event sponsors confirm this year's events.

Multi-date 2020 North Jersey Christmas Events

Skylands Christmas Light Show & Christmas Village
November 20th until January 3, 2021
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Pl.
Augusta, NJ 07822
Website
973-383-7644
Cost:
Light Show: $29 per carload (all tickets to be purchased at drive-thru entrance or box office, there are no online ticket sales) Save $3! Buy Advance Sale tickets at the box office (Monday–Thursday, 9–2 PM)
Outdoor Village: FREE admission
With more than two million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-through course PLUS a new outdoor village, it's a must-see holiday attraction for your whole family.
Christmas Joy is coming back to Sussex County…Bigger, and Better than Ever. This Winter, Skylands Stadium will be Dazzled with Lights on a Mile Long Drive-Thru course that now goes ON THE FIELD. Plus a NEW & EXPANDED Outdoor Village & Winter Carnival. It's a Must-See Holiday Attraction for the Whole Family. The event is Safe, Spacious, and Distanced.

Orchard of Lights
From November 24 until December 29, 2020
Demarest Farms
244 Wierimus Rd.
Hillsdale, NJ
201-666-0472
Website/Tickets
Cost: $35/car
Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays, warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in our retail farm market. • Take pictures with Santa • Make your own S'mores • Listen to Santa's singing Reindeer.

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Beginning Friday, November 27, until Friday, Jan 8, 2021; from dusk until 10pm
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
83 Patterson Road
Fanwood, NJ
Website
(908) 403-6486
This holiday display features spectacular 30,000-light display. There will be a special socially distant visit by Santa on Saturday, December 5 from 4:30-7pm. Monetary donations are accepted to support the NJ Institute for Disabilities. Donations may be deposited in the dropbox by the display or online at www.njid.org

Festival of Trees
December 5 - 12, 2020; 1pm - 6pm
The Barn at Highland Ridge Park
100 North Road
Chester, NJ.
Website
(908) 879-2202; or email info@srcnj.org
The Festival of Trees is a community celebration featuring a spectacular display of holiday trees in a winter-wonderland setting. The trees are individually decorated by families, businesses, and civic organizations and enjoyed by hundreds of people.
Santa will visit on Saturday, Dec. 5, 1:30-5; Sunday, 1-4; Tuesday & Thursday, 2-4; Wednesday & Friday , 3:30-6; Saturday, Dec. 12, 1-4. All CDC Guidelines will be in place. The wearing of masks, appropriate distancing and occupancy regulations of 25 attendees at a time will be followed.The majority of the trees are offered for silent auction during the week-long event. Local musical talents entertain Festival attendees while touring the spectacle.
Proceeds from the Festival support the activities and programs of the Senior Resource Center.

2020 North Jersey Christmas Events

Annual Colonial Christmas Market & Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 5, 2020; Noon - 5:30pm.
Jacobus Van derveer House
995 Route 202/206 South
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Website/Tickets Pre-purchasing admission tickets is encouraged.
The celebration begins with The Colonial Christmas Market from 12:00-4:00 pm (admission tickets required) Featuring Festive Music & Decorations, Live Historic Demonstrations, Free Photos with Santa, a Virtual Tour of the Jacobus Vanderveer House and more! The Tree Lighting follows 4:00-5:30 pm. Free admission to the community beginning at 4:00 pm Tree lighting at 5:00 pm "What the Holidays Mean to Me" Contest winner presented Our annual tree lighting celebration will take place directly following our Colonial Christmas Market festivities.

Holiday Craft Show Morristown
December 11, 12, 13, 2020: Friday 4 - 8 pm; Saturday 10 am - 6 pm; Sunday 11 am - 5 pm.
Morristown National Guard Armory
430 Western Ave.
Morristown, NJ 07960
845-331-7900
Website
General $10, Seniors (62 and up) $8, Under 16 FREE
This weekend event features creative holiday items from 175 modern American makers from across the country. Savvy shoppers have the chance to wow their loved ones with one-of-a-kind holiday gifts they will never forget. In addition to 165 craft artists from across the country are various demonstrations and a gourmet specialty food boutique.

5th Annual Live Nativity spectacular!
December 12th & 13th, 2020: 5 PM & 7 PM two performances each night.
Times Square Church, North Jersey Campus
450 Howard Blvd
Mount Arlington NJ
Website
(212) 541-6300
Free Admission
This live holiday event, located in the church's parking lot, features live animals, 23 actors, multiple set drama, professional sound and lighting, and live seasonal Christmas carols. Social distancing and masks required.
They are adhering to all CDC guidelines wearing masks outside and social distancing. Families are welcome to sit and social distance together. All cast members, musicians, and crew are COVID tested each day before the event for safety.