21 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New Jersey for Kids

Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival

Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events in New Jersey? Read on for our top picks in the Garden State in 2024. 

Make your list—and check it twice—because we've got all the details you need for annual must-do holiday experiences and top Christmas events in New Jersey. These Christmas events and holiday activities in New Jersey are sure to get everyone in the seasonal spirit over the next few weeks. 

You can also stay up to date with all the family-friendly fun in our Family Activity Calendar and find more Christmas events and holiday hoopla in our seasonal Holiday Guide for New Jersey Families.

25 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities on Long Island

LuminoCity returns to Long Island for its fifth year at Eisenhower Park. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events on Long Island for kids? Read on for our top picks.  

We've rounded up dozens of family-friendly holiday activities worth adding to your calendar this season, including lantern shows, drive-thru light shows, and more.

Walking through the annual LuminoCity and driving through the Jones Beach Light Show attractions are always highlights of this season. There's something about the warm, bright lights that puts me in a ho-ho-holiday mood.

Of course we also love the freebies too, like the Animated Story at Hicks Nurseries and Huntington Holiday Spectatular. These are are must-visit for us. 

We've got plenty more ways to make seasonal memories in our Long Island Guide to Holiday Fun.

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Westchester

Journey through illuminated tunnels at Lumina - A Magical Lights Experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard.  Photo by the author

This year's must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in Westchester include a wintry mix of spectacles, tree lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, and other fun. We’ve got the lowdown on top holiday attractions to keep your family’s spirits high.

Whether you’re looking for a drive-thru holiday lights display or a Christmas event outside in the frosty air, we’re highlighting can't-miss holiday activities in Westchester below. Westchester's many festive holiday displays include Holiday Lane at American Christmas, a walk-through Christmas wonderland featuring more than 100,000 twinkling lights, friendly animatronic characters, and nine enchanting themed areas.

Families can also drive through 100-foot light tunnels and meet Santa and other characters at the Westchester Winter Wonderland's Drive-Thru Holiday Light Extravaganza.

Find even more ways to celebrate the season in our curated Christmas and Holiday Guide for Westchester Families. We're busy populating our Family Activity Calendar with loads of fun throughout the holidays, so keep close tabs to stay informed.

Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in New York City for Kids

The Tianyu Lights Festival transforms the Citi Field parking lot into a magical holiday destination with larger-than-life lanterns and kid-friendly activities. Photo courtesy of the festival

When it comes to holiday activities in NYC, locals know that even though there's a week of Kwanzaa, eight nights of Hanukkah, and 12 days of Christmas, the holiday season in NYC really lasts from early November through New Year's Eve. That's almost two months of only-in-NY holiday activities and special Christmas events.

Of course, not all Christmas events and holiday activities are created equal. That's why we've rounded up the absolute best ways to get into the spirit of the season. Here is our curated list of must-do holiday activities and Christmas events in NYC in 2024. Consider this seasonal bucket list our gift to you. Below, we're detailing a dozen NYC Christmas events and holiday activities sure to give your family a season of happy memories.

Our picks for New York City's top holiday activities are a mix of classic favorites, like the star-studded Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and newcomers, including a revival of Annie starring Whoopi Goldberg at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. You'll find plenty more family-friendly seasonal celebrations in our New York City Holiday Guide, which includes picks for everything from holiday day trips to the best Nutcracker ballets for kids, and more sweet seasonal treats.

Veterans Day Weekend 2024 in Westchester and the Hudson Valley: Best Things To Do

Celebrate  Diwali: The Festival of Lights at the Pelham Arts Center. Photo courtesy of the center

Looking for the best things to do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Families can get a head start on the holiday festivities this Veterans Day at the opening weekend of American Christmas's Holiday Lane, or enjoy traditional Indian music, dancing, and more at Pelham Art Center's Diwali Celebration.

Veterans Day 2024 also means the return of many tributes in local towns, including the Yorktown Veterans Day Parade and a Veterans Day Commemoration at St. Paul's Church in Mt. Vernon. 

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