WEEKEND

LumiNature
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Wednesday – Saturday
There will be light tunnels, sculptures, Christmas trees and nature-themed displays throughout the zoo. You can meet Santa and watch performances.

Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Wednesday – Saturday
Come for ice skating, carnival games, ice carving and a chance to take pictures with Santa at the North Pole. Tickets give you access to the zoo, carousel and train.

Big Apple Circus
Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Wednesday – Saturday
The beloved circus acts return for 7 weeks, with acrobatics, high-flying stunts and comedic action.

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
Wednesday – Sunday
The walk-through event has more than 50,000 illuminated tulips lighting up the flower fields, a light show from the windmill; illuminated pony rides on the weekends; interactive LED seesaws, swings, spinners and slides; photo ops with Santa inside his workshop; character meet-and-greets with Olaf, Elsa and The Grinch; magical snow flurry stations; and “snowball fights” inside a giant igloo snowball pit.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
Wednesday – Sunday
Chocolate lovers can enjoy their favorite rides, visit with Santa and his nine reindeer, meet Hershey characters dressed in their holiday best, and see more than 5 million sparkling lights.

A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Wednesday – Sunday
Santa’s Grand Illumination kicks off the holiday season, which includes a Hanukkah celebration, Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration on Christmas Eve, a Kwanzaa celebration, and New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Wednesday – Sunday
Millions of lights twinkle and hundreds of illuminated animals sparkle as you walk through six lantern trails. The Holiday Train and Enchanted Sea return, while new this year are snow tube slides, an ice throne and virtual snowball throwing.

GLOW: Light Show
217 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd., Washington Twp.
Wednesday – Sunday
The drive-thru experience has 2 million lights over the course of one mile. The displays are synched to music that you broadcast through your car radio. This year’s theme is Tinsel Turnpike, paying homage to all things Jersey.

Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
Wednesday – Sunday
For this year’s fifth installation, the glittering winter trail will take you to an enchanted forest filled with art, music and special attractions.

Snowland Celebration
Great Wolf Lodge, Scotrun, PA
Wednesday – Sunday
Known mostly for its indoor and outdoor water parks, Snowland takes the resort’s activities to a new level with visits with Santa, the Frosty Fest Family Dance Party, Snowland bingo and trivia, competition games, a themed scavenger hunt, and ‘Twas the Night Before Snowland Yoga Tails.

2026 First Day Hike
Forest Resource Education Center, Jackson
Get some fresh air during a brisk, 2.5-mile hike of the Pinelands.

Holiday Adventure
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Thursday
Christmas meets science along the LSC Winter Train Ride that stops in the Art and Science Pavilion, by sock skating on a synthetic rink, at live science shows and winter animal presentations – plus during holiday laser shows.

Ventnor City Polar Plunge and Winter Festival
Polar Plunge: Newport Avenue Beach, Ventnor City
Winter Festival: St. James Memorial Hall, Ventnor City
Thursday
Start your afternoon inside the church hall, where there will be inflatable games, music, a chili cookoff, and food and beer specials. Head out to the Atlantic for the plunge. Then, warm up at the afterparty at Ventnor Social.

Kwanzaa
The African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Thursday 
Learn about the seven principles of the holiday through music, dance, storytelling, kinara lightings and craft sessions.

The Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display
1600 Block of S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA
Thursday
Every holiday season, a group of neighbors go all-out with their Christmas decorations, offering a massive lights display that you can view while walking through the neighborhood.

First Day Walk
D&R Canal State Park, Lambertville
Thursday
The New Year’s hike along the canal towpath will be a moderately paced, 2.5-hour hike.

Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Thursday
More than 50 local artisans, designers, crafters and jewelers will be set up inside picturesque white wooden booths, adorned with the glow of Moravian stars.

Marlin Christmas Wonderland 
1326 Laurel Avenue in Sea Girt
Thursday
This year’s over-the-top Christmas display uses projection mapping and a light show to feature scenes from various Christmas movies. Tune your radio to 88.9 FM to hear synchronized music to the lights.

Check out our list of Polar Bear Plunges taking place on New Year’s Day.

Holiday Bricktacular
LEGOLAND New York Resort, Goshen, NY
Thursday – Saturday
There will be a tree lighting with LEGO Santa, brick-building activities and lots of holiday lights. New this year is Holiday Headquarters in LEGO City, plus decorated Brick Street, Bricktopia, LEGO Ninjago World and MiniLand.

Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
Thursday – Saturday
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways. Walk around at your own pace to see the international Christmas displays, train sets and festive gift shops.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY
Friday – Saturday
This impressive neighborhood is lit up with millions of lights, inflatables, displays and activations. Walk along or take a bus tour through the neighborhood.

Holiday Lights
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Friday – Saturday
Take a stroll through the zoo at night, which will be lit up by thousands of sparkling lights, plus 50 winter and animal characters. There will be a carousel, touch tank, viewings inside the reptile house, a farm, a pony track, a train and face painting – in addition to meet-and-greets with Santa, ice carving demonstrations, an appearance by the holiday princesses, and photo ops with superheroes and the Grinch. Make an evening of it and rent out an igloo in the picnic area, where you can sit inside a heated tent and have hot chocolate, s’mores and cookies.

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Friday – Saturday 
See more than 2 million lights in this drive-thru. In the Christmas Village, take a family photo and stop by the Hot Chocolate Bar and Winter Beer Garden.

Magic of Lights
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Friday – Saturday
This drive-thru has more than a mile of lights displays. About halfway through your drive, park at the Holiday Village, where you will see Santa, go ice skating, sit down for an outdoor holiday movie, and do arts and crafts.

Illumination
Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, PA
Friday – Saturday
Lehigh Valley shines bright with 1.5 million lights synchronized to music. But that’s not all: there are curling lanes, Santa’s Polar Express, hayrides with Mrs. Claus, a carousel, Nutcracker Suites that include a holiday buffet, and igloos.

Winter Light Spectacular
Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, PA
Friday – Saturday
This event has 1.2 million sparkling lights and displays placed throughout the zoo. Visitors will find classic holiday scenes, multiple fire pits, hot chocolate and s’mores, performances by different princesses, and photos with Santa.

Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
Friday – Sunday
The open-air festival in the downtown offers ice skating, go karts, a marketplace, private heated pods and igloos.

Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Multiple locations
Saturday – Sunday
Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can receive free general admission to various cultural attractions on the first full weekend of each month.

FRIDAY

Plate Smash & Dessert Par-Tea
Jane’s Tea House, Haddon Heights
You’ll be allowed to break plate against a safe, designated surface in a ritual meant to break free from old beliefs and past struggles from the previous year. You’ll start with tea and desserts, then move on to a guided meditation, followed by a candle lighting ritual and then the plate smashing. A tarot/oracle card reader will be on hand as well.

SATURDAY

Makerspace
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Kids ages 5 to 12 will use the 3D printer, build with LEGOs, make jewelry, experiment with the marble run, and code robots.

Youth Birding Hike
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Kids ages 10 to 16 will join a group interested in birding, whether they want to get started or find a new species.

SUNDAY

Experience the Battle of Princeton
Princeton Battlefield State Park, Princeton
Watch as historical re-enactors depict what an important part of the Revolutionary War was like in New Jersey.

Parent-Child Pasta Night
Kitchen a la Mode, South Orange
Kids ages 7 and up will team up with their parents to make hand-rolled orecchiette pasta, a creamy tomato sauce, and tiramisu featuring marscapone, cocoa and coffee-dipped ladyfingers.

ONGOING

Grinch’s Grotto
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
Through January 9
Your heart will grow three sizes during lunch, happy hour or dinner when you come to this Grinch-themed pop-up. Specialty cocktails will be made with flavors like cranberry, cinnamon and peppermint.

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo
Hudson Yards, New York City
Through January 5
More than 2 million twinkling lights (that’s 115 miles!) and 725 evergreen trees set the stage for ice skating, photos with Santa, holiday shopping – and even Santa’s Secret Speakeasy for adults, plus a special menorah lighting.

Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
Through January 5
The farm will be outfitted with 4 million dazzling lights, which you’ll see as you drive through the pathways or aboard the open-air wagon. Plan some time to see Santa’s Village, where there’s a Candy Cane Lane lights walk-thru, fire pits, and a gift shop.

Light Show on the Lake
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Through January 5
More than 120 Christmas trees decorated with over 50,000 Christmas lights magically float when darkness falls: a show of lights and music is played across Lake Meone.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Through January 5
This New York City holiday classic starring the Radio City Rockettes – with their infamous kickline —features The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and a Living Nativity.

Frostland Village
23 Euclid Ave., Pitman
Through the first week of January
The winner of an episode of 2024’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” was chosen for its yard full of restored and hand-painted animatronics, a 35-foot high tree made entirely of blow molds, a full bakery scene, and a hand-built treehouse scene.

Pillsbury Let It Dough Suite
Club Wyndham Midtown 45, New York City
Through January 6
Designed to be a holiday baking escape, you can rent this suite for two or three nights, and be treated to all the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and ready-to-bake cookies you’d like. The room itself features icing-draped walls, a cinnamon roll–inspired bedroom, frosted windows, and the scent of freshly baked cookies throughout. You can also call the Cookie Concierge to have additional baking supplies delivered on demand.

Fanwood’s Famous Christmas Houses
83 and 87 Paterson Rd., Fanwood
Through January 8
Every year, Gregory Roser creates a holiday display with 30,000 sparkling lights. Santa will make a special visit on Dec. 6.  Monetary donations are accepted on site to support the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.

Disney’s Frozen
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
Through January 11
The beloved movie starring Elsa, Anna and Olaf comes to the main stage. Certain dates will accommodate those needing ASL interpretation, open captioning and autism sensitivities.

Festival of Trees
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through January 11
Seventeen trees and mantels will be decorated and displayed throughout the museum, created by local community groups. Themes include All Aboard to Movie Magic; Family Game Night; A Tribute to Pollinators; and Fruit of the Holiday Spirit.

Let It Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thursdays-Sundays, through January 11
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.

Holidig Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
Diggerland, West Berlin
Select dates, through January 11
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive along 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction-based theme and water parks.

Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Through January 11
Either during the day or on select Holiday Train Nights, catch model trains as they zip through a display of almost 200 replicas of New York landmarks, each re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, pinecones, palm fronds and cinnamon sticks.

A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through January 11
Stroll through floating floral designs, marvel at festive trees and step into an extravagant floral shop. Outside, take in stunning light displays and treehouses. There are a half-million lights across hundreds of acres, plus fountain shows.

Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Select dates, through January 19
The winery grounds are open to families for ice skating, a holiday market, fire pits and live music. Special events include the Festival of Trees, live music at the rink, Stories with Santa, Cookies & Cocktails and an hors d’oeuvres masterclass.

Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History, Deptford
Thursday to Sunday, through February 1
See toy trains from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, including Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines. Plasticville buildings from the 1950s will give the platforms a vintage holiday appearance.

Winter at Dilworth Park
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, through February
The heart of Center City comes alive with outdoor ice skating, a topiary garden, the Wintergarden, a chalet-style cabin, charming fire pits, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, and Breakfast with Santa.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, NYC
Through March
Ice skate or chill in a rinkside chalet while looking at the magnificent tree, which stays lit through mid-January. 

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
Through March
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge while taking in the splendor of the giant Christmas tree. Shop more than 180 vendors selling gifts from around the world. And check out the bumper cars on ice.

Outdoor Winter Wonderland
Middletown Sports Camp, Middletown
Through March 8
This will be the place to skate, sip and shop during the holiday season, with its new winter festival that includes festive music, lights and décor; vendors; fire pits; igloos; and the center of it all, the outdoor ice skating rink.

Springsteen in Long Branch: An exhibition telling the story of Born to Run
Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch
Ongoing through 2026
Fifty years ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote the “Born to Run” album in West End, Long Branch. A new exhibit showcases his life at the Jersey Shore through photos, posters, album promo materials and mementos – like his green drum set from his first band, and a replica of the guitar used on the album cover.

SUE The T. Rex Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 25, 2026
The world’s most complete, most well-preserved T. rex skeleton is making a stop at LSC so you can see her bones, hear her growl and smell her breath (seriously!). There will be fossils on display, projection mapping of other prehistoric creatures, and a life-sized fleshed-out replica to show what the creature’s life was like in the Cretaceous era.

Q: What are some of the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend (January 2-4, 2026)?

A: This weekend (January 2-4, 2026) features family-friendly things to do across New Jersey and in NY and PA. Highlights include Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland at Van Saun County Park in Paramus, Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center in New York, the final weekend of U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, the GLOW: Light Show in Washington Twp., Liberty Science Center’s Holiday Adventure, and Newark Winter Village.

Q: What parts of New Jersey do these events cover?

The post Best Things to Do in New Jersey This Weekend (January 2-4, 2026) appeared first on NJ Family.

From guided first day hikes throughout NJ parks to free admission to select museums for Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders during the first weekend of the month, these activities during January have no admission fee.

January 1

Guided First Day Hikes
New Jersey State Parks are celebrating the new year and nation’s 250th anniversary with free, guided, first-day hikes through one of New Jersey’s state parks, forests or historic sites as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes program. See the full list here.

January 1 – 3

Kringle Cove
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Shop all weekend from different vendors set up each day at The Long Branch Holiday Bazaar. There will be a live DJ, craft workshops and face painting for kids. Kringle Cove will have each room decorated so that you feel like you’re in a holiday movie. Make your own s’mores or order pizza.

January 2 – 3

Holiday Lights
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Take a stroll through the zoo at night, which will be lit up by thousands of sparking lights, plus 50 winter and animal characters. There will be a carousel, touch tank, viewings inside the reptile house, a farm, a pony track, a train and face painting. Make an evening of it and rent out an igloo in the picnic area, where you can sit inside a heated tent and have hot chocolate, s’mores and cookies.

January 3 – 4

Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Multiple locations
Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can receive free general admission to various cultural attractions on the first full weekend of each month.

Here are the NJ museums:

• Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center St., Clinton
• Liberty Science Center, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
• Montclair Art Museum, 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair
• Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown
• The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St., Newark

January 9-10, 16-17

Fire & Frost Fun Winter Festival
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Watch as artists carve blocks of ice into sculptures, while others breathe and juggle fire. The kids can go on the Find Jack Frost scavenger hunt, while you grab them hot cocoa or cider from the Village Green. The shops and restaurants will be open late.

January 17

Special Olympics New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Plungers should dress up in costume, break out the plunge props, and make banners and signs before jumping into the icy waters of the Atlantic. After, plungers (and kids under 12) and have lunch inside the convention center. Note: spectators are frees, but plungers must fundraise.

Pier Village Ice Carving Competition 
The Blue Wave (Behind Wave Resort) 12 pm – 3 pm 
(Rain Date: January 18)
Watch skilled ice sculptors transform massive blocks of ice into stunning works of art. After enjoying the ice displays, spend the day shopping, dining out and gathering around  oceanfront firepits to warm up, sip hot cocoa, and enjoy the festive winter atmosphere.

January 31

The 33rd Fire & Ice Festival
Downtown Mount Holly, 10 am – 4 pm
Watch ice block carvers, participate in a chili tasting contest, make winter crafts, buy from area artisans and vendors, sample delights from the food trucks & beer tent, photo ops with characters, learn from Revolutionary War Re-enactors/demonstrators, watch dog sled demonstrations and more.

Ongoing Through 2026

Springsteen in Long Branch: An exhibition telling the story of Born to Run
Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch
Fifty years ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote the “Born to Run” album in West End, Long Branch. A new exhibit showcases his life at the Jersey Shore through photos, posters, album promo materials and artifacts – like his green drum set from his first band, and a replica of the guitar used on the album cover.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
8 Ski Spots to Check Out This Winter 
The Best Ice Skating Rinks in NJ
Are You Taking the Plunge? The Polar Bear Plunge, That Is!

The post The Best Free Things to Do in New Jersey in January (2026) appeared first on NJ Family.

It’s the last weekend of 2025, and snow is on the way Friday night into Saturday! Here are 85+ events and things to do before and after the storm.

WEEKEND

Winter WonderLights
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
Wednesday – Sunday
Drive through 1.5 million animated lights that are synchronized to music from a local radio station. There are sparkling tunnels, 20-foot Christmas trees, towering 30-foot trees; winter wonderland scenes depicting Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali; and a tribute to first responders and military heroes.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland
Watermark, 78 South St. at Pier 15, New York
Wednesday – Sunday
The whimsical waterfront holiday installation has dining, entertainment, Christmas trees, games, activities, heated glasshouses and lights displays, all with breathtaking views of NYC.

Patriots Week
Trenton
Friday – Saturday
Celebrate Trenton’s role in the Revolutionary War. The Colonial Ball on Friday is an era-themed party. The Battles of Trenton Reenactments take place at two times on Saturday; follow the soldiers as they march out to fight on the original battlefields. A “mini” look at American history takes place during “The Trouble with Trenton” interactive puppet show on Saturday.

Barnyard Under the Stars
Brookhollow’s Barnyard, Boonton
Friday – Saturday
Start with a 5-minute Holiday Thomas the Train Ride, then snap a holiday photo at the barnyard. You’ll also meet goofy goats, silly sheep and crazy cows who love to be fed snacks.

Night of Lights Light Show Extravaganza
Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill
Friday – Saturday
The 100-acre dairy farm becomes a Christmas wonderland with sparkling light displays and musical dancing tree light shows that you view from inside your car. After the 1.5-mile drive, stroll through the indoor walk-thru where you’ll see a life-sized snowglobe, a narrated Nativity scene and a singing Christmas tree before posing with Santa.

Winter Break Open Swim
Five Star Swim School
Saturday: Eatontown
Sunday: Cherry Hill
Kids can swim in a heated indoor pool with Christmas floaties, and then make holiday crafts.

New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Friday – Saturday
Ballerinas glide across the stage as Tchaikovsky’s iconic score is performed live by New Jersey Symphony.

Holiday Lights Hayride
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
Friday – Sunday
The festive holiday lights display is seen from the comforts of a tractor-drawn hayride. Check out the animals and pop by Santa’s cornfield office. When you get back to the farmhouse, warm up by the fire with cocoa and s’mores.

Holiday Square Market
Magnolia Landing, Jersey City
Friday – Sunday
This New York City-style holiday market will have decorations, festive stalls and a curated lineup of food and merchant vendors.

Old-Fashioned Christmas on the Farm & Walk-Through Light Show
Allaire Community Farm, Wall Twp.
Friday – Sunday
Stroll through the beautifully lit 25-acre farm, visit a festive 100-year-old barn-turned-Christmas market, watch classic holiday movies, marvel at the model train exhibit, and bring the kids to the new interactive game area. There are yuletide wagon rides and the return of the Polar Express Train, featuring dazzling light tunnels and a breathtaking 45-foot Santa.

Home for the Holidays With the Calamari Sisters
Broadway Theatre, Pitman
Friday – Sunday
The Calamari Sisters, who are public access cable TV stars, bring a Christmas show to the stage with Italian recipes, anecdotes, singing, dancing and comedy.

NY Waterway’s Winter Waterway Holiday Market
Midtown Terminal Ferry, NYC
Friday – Sunday
There will be more than a dozen food vendors, shopping at the indoor market, crafts, special activities for kids and visits with Santa (on select dates).

Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar
Untitled Hotel, New York City
Friday – Sunday
Fans of the self-described Queen of Christmas can write a letter to Mariah, sing along to her holiday hits, sip on Black Irish cocktails and take a photo with an album backdrop.

Seas & Greetings
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Pt. Pleasant
Saturday – Sunday
Holiday activities get a Jersey Shore twist, including appearances by Diving Santa, pictures with holiday princesses, the Bubble Snow Show, a holiday magic show, Fishmas Tales and ice skating.

Winter Wonderland Before Time
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University, Mantua Twp.
Saturday – Sunday
Celebrate the season with a prehistoric twist; the museum will be decked out in dinosaur-themed holiday décor, and there will be activities like an indoor snowball frenzy, campfire storytime, dinosaur “snow” digs and ornament-making.

A Christmas Carol
Matthews Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
The holiday tradition returns to the stage. Sunday includes a 1 pm relaxed performance.

Santa Express
Black River and Western Railroad, Flemington
Saturday – Sunday
When your kid boards the train, they’ll get a souvenir golden ticket before they meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. At the station stop in Ringoes, have a cookie and hot cocoa before checking out the model train displays.

FRIDAY

Santa Glow Roll Family Fun Skate
Millennium Skate World, Camden
Santa will join you on the ice for a glow skating party that lights up the rink. There will be music and specials at the café.

SATURDAY

PJ’s and Pancakes
The Pendry at Natirar, Peapack-Gladstone
This PJ-clad pancake breakfast takes place in The Gallery, featuring classic pancakes and toppings, and a family-friendly morning of winter break fun.

Community Awareness Series Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Daoud-David Williams Cultural Arts Center, Miller Branch Library, Jersey City
Celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa through music, poetry, ancestral remembrance, a candle lighting, African dance and drumming, and a community harvest.

SUNDAY

A Very GRACE-Ful Winter’s Tale
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
The GRACE Foundation’s Grace-ful Glee Club, whose choir members have autism spectrum disorder, created their own storybook of holiday songs. You’ll have access to the museum exhibits, too.

ONGOING

Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars
Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
December 24-31
The hour-long, outdoor experience uses nature and technology to tell the story of visiting stars descending to Earth before rising again to the night sky; it’s a one-mile pathway of cosmic light and sound.

Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience
Columbus Circle, New York City
December 25-31
To get to this speakeasy, you have to follow a winding path through eight immersive holiday installations – from gingerbread girls to rugged lumberjacks to living snowglobes. When you arrive, there will be Christmas-themed cocktails, fine dining, a live band, and a variety show performance.

Holiday Model Train Show
Barron Arts Center, Woodbridge
December 26-30 
Mike Gelesky designed and set up the entire display with lots of holiday cheer to celebrate the display’s 35th year.

Christmas Fantasy With Lights
Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp.
December 26-30 
Every night at dusk, Santa will wave his magic wand and light up the theme park. You can meet him after, or take Santa’s Fantasy Flight.

Winter Wonderland Illuminated Walking Trail
Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford
December 26-30 
Stroll through the woods and pass by snowmen and trees made with upcycled materials from the farm. You’ll see a fairy garden and a secret gnome village. Waddle past Penguin Igloo Town or fly by Birdhouse Row. There will be a tunnel of lights that snows down on you.

The Village at Anne Ellen
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan
December 26-30 
A hayride brings you to a village of 400,000 lights. Among the new attractions are an ice castle filled with penguins, and a Bear Workshop to make your own teddy bear. Old faves include the life-sized gingerbread house and a post office where you can send letters to Santa.

Orchard of Lights
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
December 26-30 
Take a ride through 32 acres of holiday lights and then warm up by the fire pit with hot cocoa. There’s a farm market, pictures with Santa, make your own s’mores, and Santa’s singing reindeer.

Holiday Lights Harbor Lights Cruises
Pier 83, New York City
December 26-30 
Holiday Harbor Lights Cruises offer a narrated view of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty. A special cruise on NYE includes a three-course dinner buffet, live DJ, open bar, views of New York’s fireworks, and a Champagne toast at midnight.

Hometown Pride: The Power of Sports in Middlesex County
Cornelius Low House Museum, Piscataway
December 26-28, 31
Middlesex County’s sports connections include the first-ever college football game played between Rutgers University and Princeton University; professional athletes and Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians. You will see high school trophies from the 1930s to the present, NFL golden footballs for pro athletes, balls from the highest-scoring high school athletes, uniforms from the 1930s to the present, and more.

Boardwalk Basketball Classic
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
December 26-31
One of the largest holiday co-ed high school basketball tournaments in the country comes to the Jersey Shore – with about 1,000 players.

Christmas House
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
December 26-31
Walk through a series of 10 rooms set up like movie scenes, with themes like the North Pole Movie Theater, the Christmas Eve Room, the Elf Command Center, the Harry Potter Rom, Santa’s Workshop and The Nightmare Before Christmas Room. There will be trivia and lots of photo ops.

Merry Mile of Lights
A. Casola Farms, Holmdel
December 26-31
The mile-long drive-through holiday trail has millions of dazzling lights and festive displays that you can see from your car. Any night, you can get a free hot chocolate from the Winter Wonderland Super Store. Plus, Friday to Sunday, trail riders also get free pictures with Santa. There will be free kids’ crafts, too.

Santa’s Steam Ride Train Ride
New Hope Railroad, New Hope
December 26-31
The restored passenger trains (which date back to the first half of the 20th century) are warm and cozy and decorated for the season. Cookies will be served on board, live music will play, and everyone will sing along to holiday tunes.

Holiday Adventure
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
December 26 – January 1
Christmas meets science along the LSC Winter Train Ride that stops in the Art and Science Pavilion, by sock skating on a synthetic rink, at live science shows and winter animal presentations – plus during holiday laser shows.

Kwanzaa
The African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA
December 26 – January 1
Learn about the seven principles of the holiday through music, dance, storytelling, kinara lightings and craft sessions.

Jurassic Quest
NJ Convention & Expo Center, Edison
December 27-30
Get up close to lifelike dinosaurs and take part in a bunch of activities, including digging for fossils, meeting adorable baby dinos, riding on some of the giant dinosaur replicas and building their own exhibits in the LEGO zone. There are science exhibits, science stations, floor puzzles, a glow zone, dinosaur bounce houses, and even a 35-foot derby track.

Harbaugh Village North Pole Experience
Harbaugh Village, Mullica Hill
December 27-31
You’ll literally feel like you’re in the North Pole with photos with Santa in the Evergreen, a reindeer stable, letter writing to Santa, holiday light displays, live entertainment, carousel rides, a boardwalk, sports games, ice skating, a vendor village and visits with elves.

Christmas Train Village
Duggan Hall, Spring Lake
December 27-31
The Duggan Building exhibits a re-creation of the beautiful town of Spring Lake via a train village.

Miracle Bar
Miracle on Centre at Cowan’s Public, 229 Centre St., Nutley
Miracle on Mercer at Franklin Social, 292 Barrow St., Jersey City
Miracle on George Street at Catherine Lombardi’s, 3 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
Miracle on Bloomfield at The Parkside Social, 706 Bloomfield Ave., Verona
Miracle at The Bistro, Inside iPlay America, 108 Schanck Rd., Freehold
Miracle at Avenue, Avenue, Pier Village, 23 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch
Miracle at Parkside Tavern, Parkside Tavern, 9 Speedwell Ave., Morristown
Through December 31
While the decor is Instaworthy on its own, the true star of the show is the cocktail menu at each location. Noteworthy drinks at Miracle locations include the Christmapolitan, a twist on the classic made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime and absinthe mist; and for those who have been naughty, there’s the Hot Buttered Rum, served hot. Other deliciously merry cocktails such as Carol Barrell, Snowball Old Fashioned, Koala Kooler and Christmas Cricket are sold in mugs and glasses you can purchase for your at-home Christmas parties.

The Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display
1600 Block of S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA
Through January 1
Every holiday season, a group of neighbors go all-out with their Christmas decorations, offering a massive lights display that you can view while walking through the neighborhood.

Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Through January 1 (closed Dec. 25)
More than 50 local artisans, designers, crafters and jewelers will be set up inside picturesque white wooden booths, adorned with the glow of Moravian stars.

Marlin Christmas Wonderland 
1326 Laurel Avenue in Sea Girt
Through January
This year’s over-the-top Christmas display uses projection mapping and a light show to feature scenes from various Christmas movies. Tune your radio to 88.9 FM to hear synchronized music to the lights.

Christmas Tram Tours
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Select dates, through January 3
Board their version of the Polar Express, which takes you along a lighted trail to Christmas Island, where holiday fun includes caroling, cute scenes, photo ops and a visit to Santa’s Workshop.

Holiday Bricktacular
LEGOLAND New York Resort, Goshen, NY
Select dates, through January 3
There will be a tree lighting with LEGO Santa, brick-building activities and lots of holiday lights. New this year is Holiday Headquarters in LEGO City, plus decorated Brick Street, Bricktopia, LEGO Ninjago World and MiniLand.

Kringle Cove
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Through January 3
Shop all weekend from different vendors set up each day at The Long Branch Holiday Bazaar. There will be a live DJ, holiday craft workshops and face painting for kids. Kringle Cove will have each room decorated so that you feel like you’re in a holiday movie. Make your own s’mores or order pizza. There will be pet photos with Santa on Saturday. You can make a reservation for Very Merry Brunchmas or the Christmas Carol Cocktail Experience.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY
Select dates, through January 3
This impressive neighborhood is lit up with millions of lights, inflatables, displays and activations. Walk along or take a bus tour through the neighborhood.

Illumination
Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, PA
Select dates, through January 3
Lehigh Valley shines bright with 1.5 million lights synchronized to music. But that’s not all: there are curling lanes, Santa’s Polar Express, hayrides with Mrs. Claus, a carousel, Nutcracker Suites that include a holiday buffet, and igloos.

Winter Light Spectacular
Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, PA
Select dates, through January 3
This event has 1.2 million sparkling lights and displays placed throughout the zoo. Visitors will find classic holiday scenes, multiple fire pits, hot chocolate and s’mores, performances by different princesses, and photos with Santa.

Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
Select dates, through January 3
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways. Walk around at your own pace to see the international Christmas displays, train sets and festive gift shops.

Holiday Lights
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Select dates, through January 3
Take a stroll through the zoo at night, which will be lit up by thousands of sparkling lights, plus 50 winter and animal characters. There will be a carousel, touch tank, viewings inside the reptile house, a farm, a pony track, a train and face painting – in addition to meet-and-greets with Santa, ice carving demonstrations, an appearance by the holiday princesses, and photo ops with superheroes and the Grinch. Make an evening of it and rent out an igloo in the picnic area, where you can sit inside a heated tent and have hot chocolate, s’mores and cookies.

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Select dates, through January 3 
See more than 2 million lights in this drive-thru. In the Christmas Village, take a family photo and stop by the Hot Chocolate Bar and Winter Beer Garden.

Magic of Lights
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Through January 3
This drive-thru has more than a mile of lights displays. About halfway through your drive, park at the Holiday Village, where you will see Santa, go ice skating, sit down for an outdoor holiday movie, and do arts and crafts.

LumiNature
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, through January 3
There will be light tunnels, sculptures, Christmas trees and nature-themed displays throughout the zoo. You can meet Santa and watch performances.

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
Through January 4
The walk-through event has more than 50,000 illuminated tulips lighting up the flower fields, a light show from the windmill; illuminated pony rides on the weekends; interactive LED seesaws, swings, spinners and slides; photo ops with Santa inside his workshop; character meet-and-greets with Olaf, Elsa and The Grinch; magical snow flurry stations; and “snowball fights” inside a giant igloo snowball pit.

Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Through January 4
Come for ice skating, carnival games, ice carving and a chance to take pictures with Santa at the North Pole. Tickets give you access to the zoo, carousel and train.

Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
Select dates, through January 4
The open-air festival in the downtown offers ice skating, go karts, a marketplace, private heated pods and igloos.

GLOW: Light Show
217 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd., Washington Twp.
Through January 4
The drive-thru experience has 2 million lights over the course of one mile. The displays are synched to music that you broadcast through your car radio. This year’s theme is Tinsel Turnpike, paying homage to all things Jersey.

Grinch’s Grotto
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
Through January 4
Your heart will grow three sizes during lunch, happy hour or dinner when you come to this Grinch-themed pop-up. Specialty cocktails will be made with flavors like cranberry, cinnamon and peppermint.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Select dates, through January 5
This New York City holiday classic starring the Radio City Rockettes – with their infamous kickline —features The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and a Living Nativity.

Big Apple Circus
Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Through January 4
The beloved circus acts return for 7 weeks, with acrobatics, high-flying stunts and comedic action.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
Through January 4
Chocolate lovers can enjoy their favorite rides, visit with Santa and his nine reindeer, meet Hershey characters dressed in their holiday best, and see more than 5 million sparkling lights.

A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Through January 4
Santa’s Grand Illumination kicks off the holiday season, which includes a Hanukkah celebration, Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration on Christmas Eve, a Kwanzaa celebration, and New Year’s Eve fireworks.

Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Select dates, through January 4
Millions of lights twinkle and hundreds of illuminated animals sparkle as you walk through six lantern trails. The Holiday Train and Enchanted Sea return, while new this year are snow tube slides, an ice throne and virtual snowball throwing.

Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
Through January 4
For this year’s fifth installation, the glittering winter trail will take you to an enchanted forest filled with art, music and special attractions.

Snowland Celebration
Great Wolf Lodge, Scotrun, PA
Through January 4
Known mostly for its indoor and outdoor water parks, Snowland takes the resort’s activities to a new level with visits with Santa, the Frosty Fest Family Dance Party, Snowland bingo and trivia, competition games, a themed scavenger hunt, and ‘Twas the Night Before Snowland Yoga Tails.

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo
Hudson Yards, New York City
Through January 5
More than 2 million twinkling lights (that’s 115 miles!) and 725 evergreen trees set the stage for ice skating, photos with Santa, holiday shopping – and even Santa’s Secret Speakeasy for adults, plus a special menorah lighting.

Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
Through January 5
The farm will be outfitted with 4 million dazzling lights, which you’ll see as you drive through the pathways or aboard the open-air wagon. Plan some time to see Santa’s Village, where there’s a Candy Cane Lane lights walk-thru, fire pits, and a gift shop.

Light Show on the Lake
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Through January 5
More than 120 Christmas trees decorated with over 50,000 Christmas lights magically float when darkness falls: a show of lights and music is played across Lake Meone.

Frostland Village
23 Euclid Ave., Pitman
Through the first week of January
The winner of an episode of 2024’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” was chosen for its yard full of restored and hand-painted animatronics, a 35-foot-high tree made entirely of blow molds, a full bakery scene, and a hand-built treehouse scene.

Pillsbury Let It Dough Suite
Club Wyndham Midtown 45, New York City
Through January 6
Designed to be a holiday baking escape, you can rent this suite for two or three nights, and be treated to all the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and ready-to-bake cookies you’d like. The room itself features icing-draped walls, a cinnamon roll–inspired bedroom, frosted windows, and the scent of freshly baked cookies throughout. You can also call the Cookie Concierge to have additional baking supplies delivered on demand.

Fanwood’s Famous Christmas Houses
83 and 87 Paterson Rd., Fanwood
Through January 8
Every year, Gregory Roser creates a holiday display with 30,000 sparkling lights. Santa will make a special visit on Dec. 6.  Monetary donations are accepted on site to support the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.

Disney’s Frozen
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
Through January 11
The beloved movie starring Elsa, Anna and Olaf comes to the main stage. Certain dates will accommodate those needing ASL interpretation, open captioning and autism sensitivities.

Festival of Trees
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through January 11
Seventeen trees and mantels will be decorated and displayed throughout the museum, created by local community groups. Themes include All Aboard to Movie Magic; Family Game Night; A Tribute to Pollinators; and Fruit of the Holiday Spirit.

Let It Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thursdays-Sundays, through January 11
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.

Holidig Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
Diggerland, West Berlin
Select dates, through January 11
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive along 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction-based theme and water parks.

Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Through January 11
Either during the day or on select Holiday Train Nights, catch model trains as they zip through a display of almost 200 replicas of New York landmarks, each re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, pinecones, palm fronds and cinnamon sticks.

A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through January 11
Stroll through floating floral designs, marvel at festive trees and step into an extravagant floral shop. Outside, take in stunning light displays and treehouses. There are a half-million lights across hundreds of acres, plus fountain shows.

Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Select dates, through January 19
The winery grounds are open to families for ice skating, a holiday market, fire pits and live music. Special events include the Festival of Trees, live music at the rink, Stories with Santa, Cookies & Cocktails and an hors d’oeuvres masterclass.

Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History, Deptford
Thursday to Sunday, through February 1
See toy trains from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, including Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines. Plasticville buildings from the 1950s will give the platforms a vintage holiday appearance.

Winter at Dilworth Park
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, through February
The heart of Center City comes alive with outdoor ice skating, a topiary garden, the Wintergarden, a chalet-style cabin, charming fire pits, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, and Breakfast with Santa.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, NYC
Through March
The twinkling lights on the magnificent Christmas tree are lit; view its beauty while you ice skate or chill in a rinkside chalet. See the beautiful golden angel statues in the courtyard, and walk down the block to Saks Fifth Avenue for its holiday lights show on the building’s façade.

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
Through March
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge while taking in the splendor of the giant Christmas tree. Shop more than 180 vendors selling gifts from around the world. And check out the bumper cars on ice.

Outdoor Winter Wonderland
Middletown Sports Camp, Middletown
Through March 8
This will be the place to skate, sip and shop during the holiday season, with its new winter festival that includes festive music, lights and décor; vendors; fire pits; igloos; and the center of it all, the outdoor ice skating rink.

Springsteen in Long Branch: An exhibition telling the story of Born to Run
Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch
Ongoing through 2026
Fifty years ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote the “Born to Run” album in West End, Long Branch. A new exhibit showcases his life at the Jersey Shore through photos, posters, album promo materials and mementos – like his green drum set from his first band, and a replica of the guitar used on the album cover.

SUE The T. Rex Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 25, 2026
The world’s most complete, most well-preserved T. rex skeleton is making a stop at LSC so you can see her bones, hear her growl and smell her breath (seriously!). There will be fossils on display, projection mapping of other prehistoric creatures, and a life-sized fleshed-out replica to show what the creature’s life was like in the Cretaceous era.

Q: What are some of the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend (December 26-28, 2025)?

A: This weekend (December 26-28, 2025) features family-friendly things to do across New Jersey and in NY and PA. Highlights include New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, Winter WonderLights at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds in East Brunswick, Patriots Week in Trenton, and the Night of Lights Light Show Extravaganza at Creamy Acres Farm in Mullica Hill.

Q: What parts of New Jersey do these events cover?

Celebrate Kwanzaa at These Events In and Around New Jersey

Where to Spend New Year’s Eve (and Day) in New Jersey

The post Best Things to Do in New Jersey This Weekend (December 26-28, 2025) appeared first on NJ Family.

The end of December means the beginning of celebrating Kwanzaa, which starts December 26 and features eight nights of culture and holiday traditions based on 7 principles. Learn more about the holiday at these events in and around New Jersey:

December 13

Kwanzaa
Montclair Public Library, Montclair
Free family-friendly festivities include the traditional pouring of libations and a discussion of the seven principles with Sister Kellia Sweatt; a Kwanzaa-inspired fashion show by the students of Payne Tech High School Fashion Club; a dance and drum performance by Umoja Dance Company, a traditional African Market, and face painting.

Kwanzaa Festival
Edison Job Corps Athletic Center, Edison
The NAACP Metuchen Edison Piscataway Branch presents an indoor marketplace focusing on culture and community.

Kwanzaa Tales
Burlington County Library, Westampton
Tahira, a storyteller, musician, vocalist and songwriter, will combine storytelling with music to explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

December 14

Kwanzaa Storytime
Fire Me Up! Studio, Cranford
The group will read Lil’ Rabbit’s Kwanzaa by Donna L. Washington, and then create a kinara-themed pottery piece to honor the traditions of family. Open to kids age 2 and up.

December 18

New Brunswick Community Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, New Brunswick
Held in conjunction with the New Brunswick Area NAACP’s Year End Meeting, the event will include food, drinks, poetry, live music and dance performances.

December 20

Kwanzaa Family Festival & Artisan Marketplace
NJPAC, Newark
Dec. 20
There will be performances from local dance troupes, Kwanzaa rituals, dancing and drumming classes, face painting, storytelling and a full marketplace.

December 23

Kwanzaa 365 Kinara Lighting Ceremony
Trenton City Hall, Trenton
The lighting ceremony celebrates Kujichagulia, which is the principle of self-determination.

December 26 – January 1

Kwanzaa
The African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Learn about the seven principles of the holiday through music, dance, storytelling, kinara lightings and craft sessions.

Kwanzaa
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
As part of the season-long A Very Furry Christmas Celebration, the holiday transitions to a Kwanzaa celebration during the last week of the year. December 31 includes a NYE fireworks display.

December 27

Community Awareness Series Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Daoud-David Williams Cultural Arts Center, Miller Branch Library, Jersey City
Celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa through music, poetry, ancestral remembrance, a candle lighting, African dance and drumming, and a community harvest.

December 28

Kwanzaa
Please Touch Museum, Philadelphia, PA
Families can create a painting of a Kwanzaa table in the Creative Arts Studio, and join Mister Boom Boom in the theater where he will perform with his African drum circle.

Through December 28

Winter Wonderlights
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
Although this isn’t specifically a Kwanzaa celebration, the drive-through of 1.5 million animated lights that are synchronized to music from a local radio station includes scenes depicting Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali.

December 28 – 29

Kwanzaa Celebration: Verses of Unity
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, New York City
Asase Yaa will perform an interactive Kwanzaa concert, artist Lillian Young will lead families in painting a mixed media mural, kids can create their own print based on Adinkra symbols from Ghana, and families can paint with corn as a symbol of community.

December 29

Kwanzaa Celebration
Plainfield Performing Arts Center, Plainfield
The evening will include African storytelling, a traditional candle ceremony, spoken word, dance, food, a make-and-take activity and a tailored Kwanzaa program.

December 30

Friends of JBAAR Kwanzaa 2025
Newark Public Library, Newark
The Friends of the James Brown African American Room (JBAAR) will offer Kwanzaa arts and crafts for kids and families with STEAM Urban, a special candle lighting ceremony led by the Friends of JBAAR, and a musical performance by Victor Daze.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
This Year’s Must-See Holiday Attractions
Our Mega Guide to Holiday Lights in New Jersey

The post Celebrate Kwanzaa at These Events In and Around New Jersey appeared first on NJ Family.

Looking for some staycation ideas in between those cozy PJ days at home? Here are some of our favorite things to do over the holiday break:

1. Go on a Science Adventure
Liberty Science Center has its ongoing exhibits open, plus the new SUE the T. Rex exhibit, which is the most complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton in the world. The Infinity Climber and the Touch Tunnel are always favorites, plus during Holiday Adventures you can get up close to animals on select dates. Be sure to book a laser show inside the planetarium.

2. Head Outdoors
Take the kids skiing, snowshoeing or ice skating close to home. Take a First Day Hike  on January 1st or dare to jump in the ocean at a Polar Plunge.

3. Hit the Circus
 Get tickets to the newest Big Apple Circus in New York City (through January 4).

4. Go Bowling
Head to a local alley with your crew; curly fries optional. Or level up with a trip to Albatross in Edison, which not only has 24 lanes with an upscale vibe, but also 18 holes of movie-themed mini golf.

5. Go Karting or Hit the Driving Range
Your teens will love hitting the karting track at Supercharged in Edson. There are two tracks that make up the longest indoor karting track in the world! There’s also axe throwing, bumper cars, a Drop & Twist tower and dozens of arcade games. Topgolf is next door, too. RPM Raceway in Jersey City has a must-see multi-level electric go-kart track, too.

6. Take in the Holiday Lights
There’s still time to see light shows and holiday houses all over New Jersey.

7. Go Prehistoric
Check out Jurassic Quest, a hands-on exhibit where you will see life-sized dinos roaming around the convention center. Or head to Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, where you can see similar dino displays inside, but also dig for real fossils outside in the quarry.

8. Bring History to Life
Get a glimpse of our Revolutionary History during Patriots Week throughout Trenton, where there will be a Colonial Ball, battle reenactments and a puppet show. You can also watch as a series of flags from the Civil War are unveiled. The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia has a special exhibit on the Declaration of Independence, in addition to General George Washington’s war tent, a true-to-life narration by the indigenous peoples, a ship replica you can walk in, and a kid-friendly discovery zone.

9. Take a Day Trip
Visit some of the most Christmassy towns in New Jersey, like Vernon Twp. (home of Mountain Creek Ski Resort), the Wildwoods, Lambertville, Morristown and Cape May. A holiday visit to NYC and Philly is always on our list and no trip is complete without a stop at Bryant Park and the Rockefeller Christmas tree in NYC and LOVE Plaza in Philly.

10. Inspire the Kids Creativity
Art studios around NJ are offering camps for the week; Around the Corner Art Center in Freehold Twp. and Marlboro will assign your kids projects like painting on canvas, sculpting, and painting with acrylic. All Children’s Art Center of NJ, with studios in Boonton, Bound Brook and Denville, has art camp plus theater and acting classes.

11. Sign up for a Mini Camp
Camps offer a fun, hands-on way for kids to keep the learning going while school is out. Campers at Tenafly Nature Center’s Winter Break Camp will hike along scenic trails to see wildlife, make crafts, listen to stories and play games that are winter-themed. Iron Peak Sports & Events has School’s Out Camps later this month, where kids will hang on the climbing walls, make crafts, watch a movie, and play on the sports fields.

12. Head to a Museum
Plan a day trip to the Newark Museum of Art in Newark, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton (which has different, free workshops planned each day), or Imagine That!!! in Florham Park. Many of our best museums offer free admission.

13. Hit the Arcade
Play some old-school pinball at Silverball Retro Arcade in Asbury Park, add on bowling to your visit to DiDonato Family Fun Center in Hammonton, or compete in the G.I. Joe laser tag arena at The Gameroom by Hasbro at American Dream. Dave & Buster’s has multiple locations around the state, where you can grab a beer while the kids play Skee-ball or air hockey.

14. Plan a Day at American Dream
American Dream in East Rutherford is a massive complex with shopping, restaurants, Nickelodeon Universe, Big SNOW, LEGOLand Discovery Center, SeaLife aquarium, the DreamWorks Water Park, an ice skating rink, Angry Birds Mini Golf and blacklight mini golf. Visit TiLT Museum and Paradox Museum for exhibits that guarantee awesome pics. The Dream Wheel – a 300-foot observation wheel that overlooks NJ and NYC – has a family promo through January 15 that gives a discounted ride plus photo options. Check out our reels on Instagram for a preview.

15. See the NYC Skyline on a Cruise
Leaving on City Cruises from Weehawken or Circle Line from Manhattan, you can board a boat and take in in all the views of the NJ and NY skylines.

16. Get in Your Ride Fix
Sesame Place in Langhorne, PA is open on select days through January 4, and has special Kwanzaa and New Year’s parties planned.

17. Take to the High Seas
Battleship NJ in Camden lets you walk through three floors of the decommissioned Naval ship that is docked in the Delaware River. You can lie in the sailors’ bunks, walk through the mess hall, and even see the ship’s jail. The Intrepid Museum in NYC offers a similar experience, with the addition of the world’s first space shuttle, a nuclear weapons-carrying submarine, dozens of military aircraft, a supersonic spy plane, and the world’s fastest commercial airliner (the Concorde).

18. Burn Off Some Energy
New Jersey has its share of indoor sports complexed where kids can get out their zoomies during winter break. Branchburg Sports Complex has fields and courts for basketball, baseball, flag football and lacrosse, plus a laser tag arena, arcade, play maze and batting cages. Iron Peak Sports & Events in Hillsborough has sports fields, plus climbing walls, field games, a golf house an arcade, duckpin bowling and aerial ropes.

19. Ring in the New Year Early
Celebrate 2025 at a Noon Year’s Eve party, where festivities to welcome the new year include kid-friendly parties.

20. Treat Yourself to a Spa Day
SoJo Spa Club in Edgewater has epic NYC views and a vibe that is unmatched. Aside from the outdoor heated infinity pool that overlooks NYC, the spa has tons more to offer inside, where you can book an appointment for a massage, Korean body scrub, acupressure, or a volcanic sand bath. There’s a healthy lunch menu and you can book an overnight stay at the hotel.

Don’t forget to check our list of Things to Do This Weekend for more ideas on how to keep the kids occupied. Plus, we rounded up fun NYE parties the kids will enjoy!

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
This Year’s Must-See Holiday Attractions
99 Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey
These NJ Restaurants Will Serve Your New Year’s Dinner
Where To Spend Your New Year’s in New Jersey

The post 20 Things to Do With the Kids Over Winter Break appeared first on NJ Family.

Would you brave a swim in the icy Atlantic on a winter’s day? For Polar Bear enthusiasts, a plunge into the icy cold Atlantic Ocean is an annual New Year’s tradition.

If you’re looking to participate in a Polar Bear Plunge this year (yes, we know it’s not for everyone – but you can bundle up and watch from the shoreline), here are a few to choose from along the Jersey Shore, or you can head to New York and join the polar bears at Coney Island.

Make sure you check for updates before heading to the Shore.

January 1

Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge
The Berkeley Hotel, Asbury Park
This event supports Hazlet’s Hope Network and The Samaritan Center at The Jersey Shore.

Polar Bear Plunge – Plunge for a Purpose
Landshark Bar & Grill, Resorts Casino & Hotel, Atlantic City
The plunge raises money for the Cancer Support Community New Jersey at Gilda’s Club.

Brigantine Polar Bear Plunge
16th/17 Street Beach, Brigantine
Celebrate 100 years of service from Brigantine’s police, fire, public works and lifeguard members during this plunge.

Polar Bear Plunge
Essex Avenue Beach, Margate
Robert’s Place will hold its 31st annual plunge into the ocean.

First Day Plunge
Music Pier, Eighth Street side, Ocean City
Part of the First Day (New Year’s Day) festivities in Ocean City include the Polar Plunge and First Day 5K.

Ventnor City Polar Plunge and Winter Festival
Polar Plunge: Newport Avenue Beach, Ventnor City
Winter Festival: St. James Memorial Hall, Ventnor City
Start your afternoon inside the church hall, where there will be inflatable games, music, a chili cookoff, and food and beer specials. Head out to the Atlantic for the plunge. Then, warm up at the afterparty at Ventnor Social.

Polar Bear Plunge
Coney Island Beach, Brooklyn, NY
The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing club in the U.S., dating back to 1903.

January 17

Special Olympics New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Plungers should dress up in costume, break out their plunge props, and make banners and signs before jumping into the icy waters of the Atlantic. After, plungers (and kids under 12) and have lunch inside the convention center. Note: spectators are free, but plungers must fundraise.

2026 LADACIN Plunge
Manasquan
Lifetime Assistance for Developmental and Challenging Individual Needs (LADACIN) Network hosts the plunge, which invites you to warm up at Leggett’s Sand Bar and Restaurant for a party after your swim.

February 7

Patriot Polar Plunge
Sea Girt
Support the LIFT Fund for veterans at Habitat for Humanity, which provides critical home repairs for veterans in Monmouth County. The ceremony is in honor of State Trooper and National Guardsman Juan Fajardo. There is an after-party with breakfast at Rod’s Tavern.

Valentine Plunge
Manasquan
Show your “love” by collecting donations for ALS patients.

February 28

Polar Bear Plunge
Seaside Heights
Dress up, bring props and join thousands of brave jumpers from around the state who are supporting Special Olympics New Jersey athletes.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
Where to Spend New Year’s Day in New Jersey
Free Things To Do in January in New Jersey
Best Fairs and Festivals in New Jersey in January

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If you’ve been to a Jurassic Quest event, you know to expect gigantic photorealistic dinosaurs (some move and roar), dino shows, a giant fossil dig and more fun designed for your biggest little dino fans.

Jurassic Quest® will take over the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center in Edison over the holiday break (from December 27-30) and tickets are on sale. This four-day event was designed to take families on a journey through 165 million years of history, from the Triassic to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Visitors can get up close to lifelike dinosaurs and take part in a bunch of activities, including digging for fossils, meeting adorable baby dinos, riding on some of the giant dinosaur replicas and building their own exhibits in the LEGO zone. There are science exhibits, science stations, floor puzzles, a glow zone, dinosaur bounce houses, and even a 35-foot derby track.

Organizers say Jurassic Quest works with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is replicated accurately, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur and feathers. From the largest predators to baby dinos, dinosaurs are grouped in realistic scenes with others in their eras to allow visitors to imagine what it was like when these dinos roamed Earth millions of years ago.

Jurassic Quest will be held at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center in Edison from December 27 to 30. Hours are 12 to 8 pm on Saturday, 8 am to 8 pm on Sunday and Monday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesday. Tickets are sold in different blocks of times. You can buy tickets in advance at jurassicquest.com, or on site. Ticket prices range from $22 for general admission; to $36 for Kids Ultimate Admission for kids, which includes access to dinosaur rides, the T. Wrecks Raceway, fossil digs, and dinosaur-themed inflatable attractions; or the Kids Dino-Mite Experience for $85 that adds on Fast Lanes for popular rides, a special meet-and-greet session, and VIP credentials valid for face painting and a green screen photo experience. Taxes and fees apply.

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Read More:
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There’s nothing like taking the kids sledding after a snowstorm! We’ve rounded up some of the most popular spots throughout NJ to go sledding below. Make sure to check first to see if the area is open and accessible (and you’re not trespassing!) and read our sledding safety tips story before you head out.

Atlantic County

Franklin Boulevard, Absecon

Nature Reserve, Egg Harbor Twp.

Old Port Road, Galloway

Bergen County

Bear Mountain, Fort Lee

Van Saun County Park, River Edge

PIP Park, Fort Lee

Citizens Park, Ridgewood

Hillside Elementary School, Closter

Northern Valley Regional High School, Demarest

Midland School, Paramus

Ridgefield Park High School, Ridgefield Park

Thomas Jefferson Middle School, Fair Lawn

Samuel Nelkin County Park, Wallington

Cobblestone Hill, Carlstadt

Lincoln Woods, Rutherford

Froggy Park, Tenafly

Votee Park, Teaneck

Borough Hall, New Milford

New Milford Town Hall, New Milford

Atkins Glen Park (The Sand Pit), Park Ridge

Ramsey High School, Ramsey

Burlington County

Laurel Acres Park, Mount Laurel

Mill Creek Park, Willingboro

Stokes Hill, Moorestown

Memorial Park, Cinnaminson

Steinhauer Hill, Maple Shade

Tomlinson Park, Medford

Camden County

Bellmawr Hockey Rinks, Bellmawr

Centennial Field, Haddonfield

Audubon Lake Park, Audubon

Bunker Hill Road, Cherry Hill

Frank Donio Memorial Park, Sicklerville

Blueberry Hill Trail, Gibbsboro

Erlton School Park, Cherry Hill

Haddonfield Hill, Haddonfield

Haddon Lake Park, Haddon Heights

Penn Hill, Pennsauken

Cape May County

Stone Harbor Golf Club, Cape May

Cumberland County

Waltham Park, Millville

Union Lake Cluffs, Millville

Essex County

Atkins Glen Park, Glen Ridge

Brookdale Park, Bloomfield

South Mountain Reservation, West Orange/Millburn

Nishuane Park, Montclair

Montclair University, Montclair

Pulaski Park, Bloomfield

Riker Hill Park, Livingston

Cedar Hill, Livingston

Fisher Field, North Arlington

Flood’s Hill, South Orange

Reinheimer Park, Nutley

Carteret Park, Glen Ridge

Maplewood Memorial Park, Maplewood

Mountainside Park, Montclair

Branch Brook Park, Newark

Verona Park, Verona

Gloucester County

Chestnut Branch Bark, Mantua

Hudson County

Bunny Hill, Kearny

Veterans Memorial Field, Kearny

Braddock Park, North Bergen

Bayonne County Park, Bayonne

Hunterdon County

Old Belle Mountain Ski Area, Lambertville

Musconetcong Gorge Preserve, Bethlehem

Sledding Hill at Tuccamirigan Park, Flemington

Voorhees State Park, Glen Gardner

Cold Brook Reserve, Tewksbury

Hoffman Park, Union Township

Round Valley Recreation Area, Clinton

Mercer County

Behind the Ewing Municipal Building, Ewing

Mercer County Technical Schools Sypek Center, Pennington

Hamilton Township Library, Hamilton

Sunnybrae Baseball Field, Pleasant Drive, Hamilton

Near Gropps Lake, off Tetemer Road, Yardville

Hibernian Club, Hamilton

Belle Mountain, Titusville (Hopewell Twp.)

Veterans Park, Hamilton Twp.; or on the side near Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Mercer County Park, West Windsor

Rosedale Park, Pennington

Cranbury Park, Cranbury

Johnson Park, Princeton

Hughes Drive, Hamilton

Banchoff Park, Ewing

Ben Franklin Elementary School, Lawrenceville

Federal City Road Water Basin, Lawrenceville

Springdale Golf Course, Princeton

Bunker Hill Golf Course, Princeton

McGill’s Hill, Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville

Middlesex County

Devil’s Hill, Thompson Park, Perrineville Road, Monroe Twp.

Donaldson Park, Highland Park

East Brunswick High School, East Brunswick

Ethel Road, Edison

Roosevelt Park, Edison

Buccleuch Park, New Brunswick

Red Barn Hill, New Brunswick

Samsel Upper Elementary School, Sayreville

Woodlot Park, South Brunswick

Monmouth County

Thompson Park, Lincroft

Atlantic Highlands Elementary School, Atlantic Highlands

Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Manalapan

Cheesequake State Park, Matawan/Old Bridge

Holmdel Park, Holmdel

Telegraph Hill Park, Holmdel

Howell Public Library, Howell

Oak Glen Park, Howell

Wolf Hill Recreation Area, Oceanport

Beacon Hill Country Club, Middletown

Howell Public Library

Ivy Hill Park, Aberdeen

Morris County

Hacklebarney State Park, Long Valley

Lewis Morris County Park, Morristown/Harding/Mendham

Jockey Hollow, Morristown

Tower Hill Sled Run, Mountain Lakes

Greenview Park, Pequannock

Buck Hill Tract, Mendham

Tourne County Park, Boonton

Chubb Park, Chester

Highland Ridge Park, Chester

Gillette School, Gillette

Mountain Way Park, Morris Plains

Brundage Park, Randolph

Central School, Stirling

Ocean County

Ocean County Park, Lakewood

Beaver Dam Hill, Point Pleasant

60 Acre Park, Jackson

Windward Beach Park, Brick

Passaic County

Garett Mountain, Clifton

Eastside Park, Paterson

William Paterson University, Paterson

Ringwood State Park, Ringwood

Goffle Brook Park, Hawthorne

Clove Road and Long Hill Road, Little Falls

Osborne Terrace and Lake Drive West, Wayne

Bubbling Springs Park, West Milford

Salem County

Fort Mott State Park, Pennsville

Somerset County

Duke Island Park, Bridgewater

Somerset County Vo-Tech High School, Bridgewater

Chimney Rock Park, Martinsville

Greenwood Meadows Park, Warren

Phillips Field, Brookdale

Hillside School, Bridgewater

Warren Township Municipal Building, Warren

Village School, Montgomery

Bayberry School, Watchung

Watchung Lake, Watchung

Sussex County

Hopatcong State Park, Hopatcong

High Point State Park, Sussex/Wantage

One College Hill Road, Newton

Swartswood State Park, Stillwater Twp.

Andover Park, Andover

Union County

Meisel Park, Springfield

Kramer Manor Park, Scotch Plains

Briant Park, Summit

Lucent Hill, New Providence

Raritan Road, Cranford

Memorial Field at Cranford High School, Cranford

Lenape Park, Cranford

Hughes School, Berkeley Heights

The Pit Ball Field, Clark

Unami Park, Garwood

Hillside High School, Hillside

Echo Lake Park, Westfield

Hoffman Park, Union Twp. (Hampton)

Warren County

Allamuchy Mountain State Park, Hackettstown

Meadows Breeze Park, Washington

Where is your favorite place to go sledding?

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Whether you’re looking for something to do before Santa arrives or want to start a new Christmas Day tradition, these attractions in and around NJ are open on Christmas Eve and/or Day.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Underwater
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
You and your crew can take selfies with Scuba Santa, who will be diving daily in Ocean Realm among sea turtles, sharks and stingrays. Or, visit his magical workshop on land to take more pics. There will be snow flurries inside the Snowtunda, the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree, the Merry Fishmas Boris puppet show, and all your favorite sea creatures in their exhibits.

Light Show on the Lake
Historic Smithville, Galloway
More than 120 Christmas trees decorated with over 50,000 Christmas lights magically float when darkness falls: a show of lights and music is played across Lake Meone.

Christmas Wonderland
Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan
There are holiday light train rides, a vintage Christmas walk-through, reindeer rides, and last-minute shopping inside the market.

Night of Lights at Creamy Acres
Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill
Bundle up and take a hayride through their display while you sing along to Christmas classics.

Christmas House
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
Walk through a series of 10 rooms set up like movie scenes, with themes like the North Pole Movie Theater, the Christmas Eve Room, the Elf Command Center, the Harry Potter Room, Santa’s Workshop and The Nightmare Before Christmas Room. There will be trivia and lots of photo ops.

Holiday Bricktacular Activities
LEGOLAND, American Dream, East Rutherford
The winter wonderland of activities include Build To Give, Miniland Winter Wonderland takeover, Meet LEGO Santa or LEGO Gingerbread, and a seasonal scavenger hunt.

Bergen County Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Come for ice skating, carnival games, ice carving and a chance to take pictures with Santa at the North Pole. Tickets give you access to the zoo, carousel and train.

New Jersey Christmas Eve Signature Dinner Cruise
Lincoln Harbor Marina, Weehawken
Enjoy a chef-prepared buffet while taking in New Jersey and New York’s sweeping panoramas, like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. There will be a fully stocked bar, games, and lively music from a DJ.

Grinch’s Grotto
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
This Grinch-themed bar has unique food and drink specials, plus tons of green decor.

Let it Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.

Christmas Eve Sing-Along
Palmer Square, Princeton
Welcome Christmas with lots of caroling on The Green.

Disney’s Frozen
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
The beloved movie starring Elsa, Anna and Olaf comes to the main stage.

Twinkles Holiday Story Time
The Village Shoppes, Williamstown
Families step into a Story Time Room where for 30 minutes, each kid becomes an official Sparkle Star Hero, and use props, shout clues, and help Twinkle the Tiny Reindeer solve puzzles in order to light the Christmas tree. Parents act as Sr. Elves who help their child. After the story, each child gets a Magic Password Card that sends them on a mini-quest through the Village Shoppes businesses for small gifts and treats.

Santa’s Hideaway Adventure
The Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City
Santa’s secret hideaway is located at the end of a virtual elevator adventure, which takes you from the AC Boardwalk to the North Pole. After spending 15 minutes snapping photos with Santa, you can snack on hot chocolate and cookies.

Miracle Bar
Multiple Locations
While the decor is Instaworthy on its own, the true star of the show is the cocktail menu at each location. Noteworthy drinks at Miracle locations include the Christmapolitan, a twist on the classic made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime and absinthe mist; and for those who have been naughty, there’s the Hot Buttered Rum, served hot. Other deliciously merry cocktails such as Carol Barrell, Snowball Old Fashioned, Koala Kooler and Christmas Cricket are sold in mugs and glasses you can purchase for your at-home Christmas parties.

Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
The open-air festival in the downtown offers ice skating, go karts, a marketplace, private heated pods and igloos.

New York

Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square, New York City
NYC’s largest Greenmarket transforms for the holiday season, with 150+ vendors selling gifts and goods for the season. The local restaurants, retailers and entertainers join in as well.

Holiday Lights Harbor Lights Cruises
Pier 83, New York City
Holiday Harbor Lights Cruises offer a narrated view of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty. A special cruise on NYE includes a three-course dinner buffet, live DJ, open bar, views of New York’s fireworks, and a Champagne toast at midnight.

Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Either during the day or on select Holiday Train Nights, catch model trains as they zip through a display of almost 200 replicas of New York landmarks, each re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, pinecones, palm fronds and cinnamon sticks.

Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
For this year’s fifth installation, the glittering winter trail will take you to an enchanted forest filled with art, music and special attractions.

Pennsylvania

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
City Hall and LOVE Park, Philadelphia, PA
Over 110 vendors offer unique Christmas giftware and European food specialties. Always a must-see is the famous German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt, which features authentic German ornaments and Christmas gifts. Ride the historic, double-tier carousel and 65-foot Ferris Wheel. European food options include bratwurst, Raclette cheese, strudel, schnitzel, spätzle, Belgian fries and more.

Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
There will be more than 50 vendors from the Tri-State Area set up in picturesque white wooden booths decorated with Moravian stars. Christmas Village in Philadelphia will be set up across the street.

Illumination
Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, PA
Lehigh Valley shines bright with 1.5 million lights synchronized to music. But that’s not all: there are curling lanes, Santa’s Polar Express, hayrides with Mrs. Claus, a carousel, Nutcracker Suites that include a holiday buffet, and igloos.

Holidays at Fonthill Castle
Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, PA
This Bucks County tradition transforms Henry Mercer’s historic home, which you can view during a holiday tour, on special Meander Days, or through a magical evening tour.

Santa’s Christmas Trains
Strasburg Railroad Museum, Ronks, PA
There’s no shortage of holiday train rides that travel through Amish Country: there’s brunch aboard Santa’s Paradise Express, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” inside the first-class cars, and the Santa Claus Limited that has a visit with the big man himself.

Holiday Activities
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Themed activities include the sock skating rink under holiday lights; an hourly “snowball” fight; up-close moments with a live penguin, baby kangaroo and lemur; the Gingerbread Express mini train ride for kids; a demo making peppermint ice cream using liquid nitrogen; and laser shows inside the planetarium.

CHRISTMAS DAY

New Jersey Christmas Day Signature Brunch Cruise
Lincoln Harbor Marina, Weehawken
Stay inside the cozy heated interior for a brunch buffet and bottomless mimosas, then go upstairs to the open-air deck to see sweeping sights of the NYC skyline. This fun-filled holiday brunch includes a live DJ, dancing, games, a fully stocked cash bar.

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY

GLOW to Bed: The Journey Through Time
Visit GLOW, Washington Twp.
This year’s mile-long holiday lights drive-thru has a theme of The Tinsel Turnpike.

Nick the Halls
Nickelodeon Universe, American Dream, East Rutherford
Santa SpongeBob will greet families inside the theme park. At the Elf Workshop, elves can help you write a letter to Santa, decorate ornaments, and create festive crafts.

Winter WonderLights
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
The drive-through is synchronized with a radio station. This year will offer six light tunnels and bigger displays. Returning favorites are giant Christmas trees (two 30-foot trees, and 11 20-foot trees), and tributes to first responders and U.S. Armed Forces.

Fanwood’s Famous Christmas House
83 Paterson Rd., Fanwood
This holiday display features 30,000 sparkling lights. Monetary donations are accepted on site to support the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.

A Christmas Carol
Matthews Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
There are two Christmas Eve shows based on the Charles Dickens classic.

Shrek The Halls
DreamWorks Water Park, American Dream, East Rutherford
Shrek will be decked out in Santa gear for photo ops inside the heated water park.

Marlin Christmas Wonderland
1326 Laurel Ave., Sea Girt
This year’s over-the-top Christmas display uses projection mapping and a light show to feature scenes from various Christmas movies. New for 2025 is Santa’s Toy Factory, the Candy Cane Lane Projection Show, an 8-foot Santa with reindeer, an expanded Christmas tree farm, new Nightmare Before Christmas characters, and a Disney Christmas Village. Tune your radio to 88.9 FM to hear synchronized music to the lights.

Holidig Drive Thru Light Show
Diggerland, West Berlin
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive through 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction theme park.

Magic of Lights
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
This drive-thru has more than a mile of lights displays. About halfway through your drive, park at the Holiday Village, where you will see Santa, go ice skating, sit down for an outdoor holiday movie, and do arts and crafts.

Kringle Cove
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Kringle Cove will have each room decorated so that you feel like you’re in a holiday movie. Christmas Day will offer up a free community meal.

New York

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge, where you can get food and drinks while taking in the splendor of the giant Christmas tree. Shop more than 180 vendors selling gifts from around the world. And check out the bumper cars on ice.

Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
This New York City holiday classic starring the Radio City Rockettes – with their infamous kickline — features The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and a Living Nativity. Then walk across the street to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree; or down the block for the SAKS Fifth Avenue light show or a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, NYC
The twinkling lights on the magnificent Christmas tree will be lit through January 10. View its beauty while you ice skate or chill in a rinkside chalet. See the beautiful golden angel statues in the courtyard, and walk down the block to Saks Fifth Avenue for its holiday lights show on the building’s façade, which returns this season. This year, with a ticket to Top of the Rock, you can meet Santa, have a private viewing area of the tree, and then rent a private chalet overlooking the skating rink. 

The Elf Bar: Christmas Pop-Up Experience
Continental Sports Bar and Lounge, New York City
All eyes are on you as hundreds of elf figurines are set up around the bar. There will be elf cocktails and elf-themed games, plus lots of photo ops against a magical Christmas backdrop.

Big Apple Circus
Lincoln Center, New York, NY
The beloved circus acts return with acrobatics, high-flying stunts and comedic action.

Santa’s Winter Wonderland
Watermark, 78 South St. at Pier 15, New York
The whimsical waterfront holiday installation has dining, entertainment, Christmas trees, games, activities, heated glasshouses and lights displays, all with breathtaking views of NYC.

Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience
Columbus Circle, New York City
To get to this speakeasy, you have to follow a winding path through eight immersive holiday installations – from gingerbread girls to rugged lumberjacks to living snowglobes. When you arrive, there will be Christmas-themed cocktails, fine dining, a live band, and a variety show performance. Note: Christmas Eve is sold out.

Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo
Hudson Yards, New York City
More than 2 million twinkling lights (that’s 115 miles!) and 725 evergreen trees set the stage for ice skating, photos with Santa, holiday shopping – and even Santa’s Secret Speakeasy for adults, plus a special menorah lighting.

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY
This impressive neighborhood is lit up with millions of lights, inflatables, displays and activations. Walk along or take a bus tour through the neighborhood.

Pennsylvania

A Very Furry Christmas
Sesame Street Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration takes place on Christmas Eve, with lots of holiday activities on both days, plus access to some of the park rides.

The Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display
1600 Block of S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA
Every holiday season, a group of neighbors go all-out with their Christmas decorations, offering a massive lights display that you can view while walking through the neighborhood.

Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
Chocolate lovers can enjoy their favorite rides, visit with Santa and his nine reindeer, meet Hershey characters dressed in their holiday best, and see more than 5 million sparkling lights on Christmas Eve. ZooAmerica and the Sweet Lights drive-thru will also be open on Christmas Eve. Only Sweet Lights will be open on Christmas Day.

A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Stroll through floating floral designs, marvel at festive trees and step into an extravagant floral shop. Outside, take in stunning light displays and treehouses. There are a half-million lights across hundreds of acres, plus fountain shows.

Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars
Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
The hour-long, outdoor experience uses nature and technology to tell the story of visiting stars descending to Earth before rising again to the night sky; it’s a one-mile pathway of cosmic light and sound.

Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
The farm will be outfitted with 4 million dazzling lights, which you’ll see as you drive through the pathways or aboard the open-air wagon. Plan some time to see Santa’s Village, where there’s a Candy Cane Lane lights walk-thru, fire pits, and a gift shop.

Snowland Celebration
Great Wolf Lodge, Scotrun, PA
Known mostly for its indoor and outdoor water parks, Snowland takes the resort’s activities to a new level with visits with Santa, the Frosty Fest Family Dance Party, Snowland bingo and trivia, competition games, a themed scavenger hunt, and ‘Twas the Night Before Snowland Yoga Tails.

Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the Koziar property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways to the trees. Character versions of Rudolph and Frosty greet you to say hello. There are a series of snack shops and gift shops throughout. You follow the arrows around the pathways to check out every corner of this dazzling scene, which includes light displays, a railroad, exhibits and houses you can walk through.

Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.

Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!

Read More:
This Year’s Must-See Holiday Attractions
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Lights in NJ
These Epic Christmas Bars Are Open in NJ

The post These Attractions are Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day In and Around NJ appeared first on NJ Family.

The best gifts don’t always come wrapped in pretty packages. These ideas will make memories your kids will never forget.

Venture to an Indoor Water Park

Make reservations for Christmas break at Camelback’s Aquatopia, Kalahari or Great Wolf Lodge or plan a day trip to Island Waterpark, DreamWorks Water Park or Big Kahuna’s. These resorts have the perfect water temperature year-round and the kids will love breaking out their swimsuits in the winter.

See a Broadway Musical

Get tickets for Wicked, which is even more wildly popular now thanks to the movie releases, or The Lion King, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton or & Juliet. It’s a great choice for families with children who are neurodivergent.

Have an Animal Encounter

Aside from walking across the Shark Bridge and petting sting rays in the Touch Tank at Adventure Aquarium, you can ask about how you can snorkel with sharks (for real!). Sea Life Aquarium at American Dream has an Underwater Ocean Tunnel where you can watch thousands of tropical fish, sharks and rays. Popcorn Park Animal Refuge lets you feed some of its animals in rehabilitation. At Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in Highland, NY, the whole family can go horseback riding and spend time at the indoor water park.

Make a Scientific Discovery

Liberty Science Center has a 40-foot-long, 13-foot-high T. Rex on display, the world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus skeleton. Admission to the massive complex includes the planetarium, the Touch Tunnel, the Infinity Climber, and a 3D theater. Down south, Edelman Fossil Park & Museum has indoor and outdoor explorations, from a real rock quarry where you can dig for fossils, to life-like dino and marine mammal dioramas inside.

Buy a Season Pass to an Amusement Park

Instead of a day trip to ride the coasters, get a discounted season pass they’ll enjoy in all seasons (many parks extend their opening days through the winter holidays). Try Dorney Park or Six Flags Great Adventure Resort for the thrill seekers in the family, or Sesame Place for little ones.

Plan an Overnight Experience

The American Museum of Natural History, Intrepid Museum, Adventure Aquarium, and Battleship New Jersey all offer out-of-this-world sleepovers. Find the one that suits them best and plan ahead (these events sell out way ahead of time!).

Take Them to a Concert or Play

There are many theaters in New Jersey where you can see shows like Blippi, Kidz Bop, Sesame Street Live! and Disney on Ice. Wrestling matches are fun, too, whether you get tickets to a WWE show, or head to a local, amateur match. And it’s not too early to snag tickets for Barefoot Country Music Festival, which brings stars like Post Malone, Kelsea Ballerini, Shaboozey and Miranda Lambert to The Wildwoods in June.

Spend the Day at American Dream

What can’t you do at this gigantic mall complex in East Rutherford? Kids can go indoor snowboarding at Big SNOW, play mini golf, ride rollercoasters at Nickelodeon Universe, ice skate on the rink, or enjoy some water fun at the Dream Works Water Park. The Sesame Street Play & Learn Center caters to young fans of Elmo and Big Bird, while teens and adults will love checking out the popular grocery chain H Mart and its huge food hall. Visit TiLT Museum and Paradox Museum for exhibits that guarantee awesome pics. Test your competition skills at Ninja Kidz! Action Park, The Great Big Game Show, Bam Kazam or The Gameroom Powered by Hasbro.

Catch a Game

Maybe the most coveted sports gift this season is tickets to the FIFA World Cup, coming to NJ next June. During the winter, check the schedule for our own New Jersey Devils, or for the New York Sirens women’s pro hockey team, which both call Prudential Center home. Come spring, Minor League Baseball kicks off. Or, spring for a VIP meet-and-greet package, like at Woodbridge Brewing Co.

Tap Into Their Adventurous Side

For active youth, head to Big SNOW at American Dream, where you can ski down the slopes year-round. They can go tubing or ride a Sno-Go Bike. To up the ante, buy them a package of ski lessons. Kids under 18 who want to skydive but aren’t old enough can visit iFly in Paramus or Edison, which simulates the experience in a controlled environment. Or let them test their speed skills at RPM Raceway in Jersey City, where they can virtually race against the pros. Drive out to Pennsylvania for Skirmish Paintball, which often offers discounts and free days on holidays.

Plan a VIP Camping Experience

If your kids like to camp, elevate their experience by going glamping at Six Flags Great Adventure Resort. You’ll stay in a private suite, but the highlight is seeing the animals in the safari up close, feeding the giraffes and spending time at Great Adventure and Hurricane Harbor. You can also rent a cabin, instead of a tent, at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in the Pine Barrens, where you can enjoy swimming, water inflatables, arts and crafts, game nights and more cartoon-themed fun.

Head to The City (Either One) For Fun

Treat the kids to a day in NYC at the Museum of Ice Cream, with its 14 interactive art installations and a large indoor sprinkle slide. Color Factory has a confetti-filled park, major ball pit and lots of NY scenes to play in. They can get their hands dirty at The Sloomoo Institute, where they not only make their own slime but play with it and in it. The Children’s Museum of Manhattan offers a full slate of family-friendly activities on the daily.

Or travel over the other bridge (Ben Franklin, that is) for time in Philadelphia, where you can visit the Liberty Bell (for free!), learn about America’s history at the Museum of the American Revolution, get a glimpse of the Universal Studios theme parks at the Franklin Institute, see a play at the Arden Children’s Theatre, take a bus tour of the city, and of course try a Philly cheesesteak.

Treat Your Teens (and Yourself) to Relaxation

Plan a visit with your teen to SoJo Spa Club in Edgewater, where you can spend the day swimming in indoor and outdoor hot tubs, sweating in the saunas, relaxing during a treatment (like a massage or the volcanic sand bath) or napping on a hot stone bed.

Let Them Choose Their Own Adventure

What do the kids really want? More quality time with you! Take a day off from work when they’re off from school and let them plan their perfect day. It might mean eating cupcakes for lunch and dinner, but you’ll love it as much as they do.

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The post Our Favorite Experience Gifts To Give the Kids for the Holidays appeared first on NJ Family.