Cape May | Southern Shore Region
Guide your sleigh to Cape May! This Victorian beach town turns into a captivating winter wonderland that’s an absolute must-see with festivities November 22, 2024 through January 5, 2025. Take a themed trolley ride. Go on candlelight house tours and enjoy tree-lighting ceremonies at Cape May City, the Emlen Physick Estate and Congress Hall. Add live shows and shopping, including at Washington Street Mall, to the mix and you’ll feel like the star in your very own Christmas movie.
Mullica Hill | Delaware River Region
This beloved town really decks the halls! Stroll down Main Street and tour private homes, historic buildings and churches during the 49th Annual Mullica Hill Christmas House Tour December 14, then dash to Harbaugh Village for the North Pole Experience December 5 – 22 and Winter Skatefest December 26 – December 31. Oh, what fun – elves, ice skating, fire pits, a vendor village, Santa’s workshop and, of course, the big guy himself.
Historic Smithville | Greater Atlantic City Region
Smithville is one of those lakeside towns that makes you smile any time of year. But the charm is off the charts here during the holidays. All December long, enjoy festive shopping, Holiday Train Rides, a daily Light Show on the Lake from 5:30pm – 8:30pm, a Magical Talking Tree (check website for dates and times), S’mores on the Greene Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 5pm – 8pm, Breakfast with Santa at Fred and Ethel’s Lantern Light (reservations required) and a lot more.
Collingswood | Delaware River Region
Jingle all the way to this South Jersey town, where holiday cheer starts in November and lasts through the new year. Enjoy the Holiday Tree Lighting November 29, Holiday Parade November 30, Community Menorah Lighting December 13, free weekend Santa visits on Haddon Avenue at Extraordinary ED, and more than a quarter-million lights decorating the tree-lined streets. Fridays and Saturdays in December, shop Downtown Collingswood to the sounds of live carolers. Free parking during December too!
Red Bank | Shore Region
Santa himself will be stocking up on holiday cheer in Red Bank this year. Enjoy an amazing downtown decked in its twinkling, merry best, the annual Christmas tree lighting, shopping, dining and holiday events like the Red Bank Holiday Event Concert. Shopping galore, dining, holiday lights, horse and carriage rides and holiday shows at the famed Count Basie Center for the Arts make it even more merry. Check the Borough of Red Bank website for details and times for these and other Christmas-time events.
Atlantic City | Greater AC Region
This gaming town is always dazzling, but during the holiday season, it really shines. Dash over to the Tinseltown Holiday Experience for tree lightings, pop-ups, holiday shopping and oh so much more. Like the Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village at Noyes Arts Garage (check website for details), Boardwalk Hall’s Festival of Trees December 11, the Luminary Light Festival at Absecon Lighthouse on December 7, the Winter Wonderland Parade on December 7 (rain date December 8) and more.
Salem | Delaware River Region
This South Jersey town is whimsical and a little bit magical too. Get ready for Salem City’s Magic of Christmas Parade December 7 at 11 am, followed by the 37th Annual Salem Yuletide Tour of Homes also on December 7 from 1pm – 6pm. And capture the spirit of the season during Salem County Christmas at the Salem County Fairgrounds December 13 – 15. Food trucks, selfies with Santa, activities for the kids, the list goes on and on.
Ocean City | Southern Shore Region
This seaside oasis scores high with families year-round, and at holiday time, love for this town soars! The flurry of fun begins with events including the Ocean City Downtown Christmas Kickoff on November 25 and continues with the Christmas Parade, St. John’s Christmas Bazaar on December 2, the Ocean City Train Show on December 3 and the Holiday Spectacular held at the Music Pier on December 16. Horse and carriage rides and photos with Santa are available too.
Princeton | Central Jersey Region
There’s a ho, ho, whole lotta history in Princeton and oodles of Christmas spirit too. Admire the streets and sensational stores flaunting their best holiday décor. Head to the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Palmer Square November 29. Shop to the sounds of strolling musicians and indulge in winter’s tastiest treats. Come back for Holiday Trolley Tours December 14 – 15, glides on Palmer Square’s synthetic ice rink and ongoing holiday events like the Annual Festival of Trees at Morven Museum & Garden.
Lambertville | Central Jersey Region
This riverside town is the “Antiques Capital of New Jersey” so it’s not a shock that the holiday experiences here are so, well, timeless. Count on fabulous eateries and quaint shops to be definite crowd-pleasers. And the lineup of exciting shows taking the stage at Music Mountain Theatre including White Christmas November 1 – 17, are definite must-sees too. Check the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce website for details on upcoming events that usually include the Holiday Parade, tree lighting and festive walking tours of the town.
Elizabeth | Gateway Region
Joy is everywhere along the light-lined streets in Elizabeth town at Christmas time. Not only is it named one of the best cities in New Jersey for holiday shopping with gift go-tos like The Mills at Jersey Gardens, but it offers a lot of history too. Unwrap the spirit of the holidays at Liberty Hall Museum decked with festive décor from the 1700s to today. And pull up a chair with friends and family at diverse eateries serving everything from Latin cuisine to robust Italian fare.
Augusta | Skylands Region
The Skylands Region goes big during holiday time. This North Jersey town is home to an amazing German Christmas Market held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds and one of the largest drive-through light shows in the state – the Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show & Village. Millions of lights, breathtaking holiday displays and a Christmas village where you can go ice skating, enjoy tasty winter treats, warm up by a fire pit, sip cocoa and meet with Santa after the show. It’s one of New Jersey’s most magical adventures – for any age!
Morristown | Skylands Region
Experience a sleigh-full of classic holiday cheer at this time-honored NJ Christmas town. Explore the downtown area with spectacular lights, decorations, and historic sites like Macculloch Hall, which hosts holiday-themed tours and seasonal events for the whole family. And don’t miss Santa’s Arrival and the Lighting of the Morristown Green December 1. Enjoy a vintage-style rocking horse, mini train rides, ice sculpture demos, photos with Santa, live performances and more.
Vernon | Skylands Region
Looking for an immersive holiday getaway? You’ll find it at Crystal Springs Resort, nestled in this action-packed North Jersey town. Members and guests of Minerals Hotel and Grand Cascades Lodge will love Christmas Corner featuring winter wagon rides, mini tree decorating, a live nativity scene, marshmallow roasting, jolly games and holiday photo ops. Plus, Frosty’s Cantina and the Courtyard are home to a magical wonderland with activities for kids and parents too! And if you love to ski and snowboard, check out nearby Mountain Creek.
Chester | Skylands Region
Cheery is the word for this cherished town in Morris County. If you love a truly traditional Christmas in a chic town with a relaxed country vibe, this is it. Explore over 80 trendy stores, savor distinctive dining and classic Christmas events like visits with Santa, horse and carriage rides, outdoor holiday music, holiday craft fairs and sculpted ice works. Be sure to admire the early American buildings decorated in their holiday finery too!
Discover more NJ Christmas towns, plus events and things to do in every season and every region of the Garden State. And for more trip inspo, our free NJ Travel Guide and e-newsletter are always big hits. As always, check with your destinations before you go for the latest dates, times and details.
