Best time to go to New Jersey

Christmas Lights 2024-2025

Plenty of things to do during the festive season

Dates: mid-November–early January

Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights

New Jersey may be a small state, but it has a lot to offer when it comes to holiday festivities! Hop on a Christmas train ride, cut down your own Christmas tree, visit a theme park or enjoy some of the best and largest light displays. There is no shortage of fun and adventure in New Jersey!

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson (November 24–December 31, 2023, selected dates)

Every winter Six Flags Great Adventure throws a spectacular holiday extravaganza. Holiday in the Park program runs from mid-November to early January featuring millions of glittering lights, great entertainment, and delicious seasonal treats. Stop by Santa’s village and try one of the thirty popular rides. Kids love the Carousel, Big Wheel and Tea Cups, the Adventure Seaport, and Bugs Bunny National Park areas. Thrilling coasters include Nitro, Batman: The Ride, The Green Lantern, Superman: Ultimate Flight, The Dark Knight Coaster, and Skull Mountain. The atmosphere in the park is magical with holiday light shows, illuminated trees and trails, and festive treats from numerous vendors.

Historic Smithville's Holiday Light Show, Smithville (November 23, 2023–January 6, 2024)

Every year Lake Meone at Historic Smithville and Village Greene becomes the site of a dazzling Holiday Light Show. From 5:30 to 8:30 pm during the holiday season, visitors can enjoy popular songs synchronized to a Christmas tree light show. There are over 120 Christmas Trees in the area adorned with over 50,000 Christmas lights, floating peacefully on Lake Meone. While music is playing, the lights seem to dance and chase each other. The show is especially impressive when viewed from the bridge.

Storybook Land's Christmas Fantasy with Lights, Egg Harbor Township (November 18–December 30, 2023, selected dates)

Storybook Land Park in Egg Harbour Township west of Atlantic City is a perfect place to boost the Christmas spirit before the holidays. The season kicks off by welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus to Storybook Land at Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade with favorite storybook characters on beautifully decorated floats. The parade ends with the arrival of Santa Claus and his magical lighting of the park. Every day following the lighting ceremony Santa Claus appears on his chimney at 5 pm, waves his magic wand, and lights the park with over one million lights. Try out the park's numerous rides and attractions!

Christmas in Cape May (November 17, 2023–January 1, 2024)

Victorian Cape May is a perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit. During the holidays, the picturesque seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village adorned with garlands of green pines, twinkling candles, and gaslights. Tour 1879 Emlen Physick Estate and imagine yourself living in the 19th century. Try the endless variety of fun and tasty events: festive trolley rides, house tours, themed dinners, and wine tastings.

Christmas Light Show & Village at Skylands Stadium, Augusta (November 22–December 30, 2023)

The impressive Christmas Light Show and Village at Skylands Stadium in Sussex county receives many visitors from New York City and Jersey City during the holidays. The event features more than two million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-through course. Christmas Light Show admission is $29 per vehicle. The Outdoor Christmas Village offers free admission and parking. Attractions include walk-through light displays, Santa’s Workshop, Skating Rink, eight-foot Polar Bear Statue, Yuengling’s Ice Cream Shop, and Hot Chocolate Bar, S’more Station, Carnival Games, and lots of Christmas shopping with local artisans.

Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green (December 1–17, 2023)

Stop by historic Morristown to enjoy its cozy Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green. Some local traditions are over one hundred years old! The month-long family-friendly event kicks off on the Sunday after Thanksgiving with Santa’s arrival and lighting ceremony. There are many family activities and entertainment, including the bright “Lighting of the Green” ceremony with thousands of lights and illuminated wreaths adorning streetlights. Kids enjoy Santa visits, ice sculpting demonstrations, holiday crafts, mini train rides around the Green, gingerbread house making, carols by local choirs, and free treats.

Last updated: by Olha Savych