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It costs nothing to take in the display at Fanwood's Famous Christmas House. Photo courtesy of Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
It costs nothing to take in the display at Fanwood's Famous Christmas House. Photo courtesy of Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
12/1/24 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE Christmas events in New Jersey? Read on for dozens of great options. 

It's the most wonderful—and expensive—time of the year. While big-budget gifts take a toll on your wallet, our gift to you is this list of holiday events and FREE Christmas activities in New Jersey that don't cost a penny.

In a season where finances may be tight, treat the family to FREE and fun holiday festivities for the kids across New Jersey, including light spectaculars such as Lighting Up Nature Drive-Thru and small-town celebrations in areas like Dickens Village. 

Mark your calendars with these 30+ no-cost holiday events that take place nearly every day of the season. For more seasonal fun, don't miss our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for New Jersey Families. 

 

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Meet Santa at Bass Pro Shops for free this December. Photo courtesy of the retailer
Meet Santa at Bass Pro Shops for free this December. Photo courtesy of the retailer

Free Holiday Activities in New Jersey

Strolling Santa Claus in Chester

Chester
Select Saturdays and Sundays through Saturday, December 21, 2024
Catch Santa strolling along Main Street on weekend afternoons. Feel free to take "Santa Selfies." READ MORE

Holiday Harmonies in Red Bank

Red Bank
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, December 22, 2024
The streets of Red Bank come alive with holiday music every Saturday. Traditional carolers, choirs, brass bands, handbells, rock, folk, and jazz musicians bring their individual flavor of holiday tunes to the downtown sidewalks. READ MORE

Free Horse & Carriage Rides in Ocean City

Ocean City
Saturdays and Sundays through Saturday, December 22, 2024
Start off the holiday season on a scenic horse and carriage ride through downtown Ocean City. The rides are first-come, first-serve. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

Atlantic City
Daily through Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Bass Pro Shops welcomes visitors to make a holiday shopping trip more fun by adding a Santa visit to your outing. Pose for a free photo with Santa in-store. Reservations must be made online. READ MORE

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange
Select dates through Tuesday, December 31, 2023
Take a nighttime stroll through the Turtle Back Zoo to see more than 50 illuminated winter scenes and animal characters. Santa stops by the fun on select days.  READ MORE

Fleetwood Lights–A Christmas Lights House Display

Rockaway
Daily through Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Fleetwood Lights, a Christmas lights house display, features almost 19,000 light pixels that are synchronized to music, creating a holiday display that you will not forget.  READ MORE

Lilonsky Family Light Show

Smithville
Daily through Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Drive by this fun, family-run light display. Just sit in your car, tune your radio, and watch as the lights dance to the music. READ MORE

Marlin Christmas Wonderland

Sea Girt
Daily through Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Bring the family to enjoy this projection mapping and light show featuring Santa's Cabin, Home Alone, Nightmare Before Christmas, Griswolds Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, The Grinch, Gingerbread Houses, Singing Reindeer, Mountain Village and more. READ MORE

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Galloway
Thursdays through Sundays until Sunday, January 5, 2025
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

Fanwood
Daily through Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Stroll by Fanwood's Famous Christmas House, which boasts a spectacular 30,000-light display. Monetary donations are accepted to support the NJ Institute for Disabilities.  READ MORE

Toms River Winter Wonderland Weekend

Toms River
Friday, December 6-Saturday, December 7, 2024
Toms River hosts a weekend of fun to ring in the holiday season. A tree lighting kicks off the weekend and Santa arrives for photo-ops. Shop the Winter Village all weekend long for wares from local vendors, plus enjoy children's activities and music. READ MORE

Photos with Santa at South Arcade

Point Pleasant
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Jenkinson's South Arcade plays host to Santa Claus—and good little girls and boys who want to stop by and share their wish lists. Snap a free photo with the man in red and score half-price arcade play with a playcard. READ MORE

2024 WINTR Holiday Market

Maplewood
Saturday, December 7-Sunday, December 8, 2024
Get holiday shopping done at this village and makers market with gifts, food, entertainment, and local wares. Don't miss visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus kids' crafts and a hot chocolate truck. READ MORE

"A Dream is a Wish" Holiday Concert

Seaside Heights
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Come celebrate the holidays with four of your favorite princesses. Join in singing some of your holiday favorites like Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and more kid friendly holiday songs. READ MORE

Pictures with Santa on a Harley

Morris Plains
Saturdays, December 7 and 14, and Sunday, December 15, 2024
Pose for a super-cool photo with Santa on a Harley-Davidson. Pets are welcome. Donations of new and unwrapped toys support local families in need. READ MORE

Lighting Up Nature Drive-Thru

Beechwood
Friday, December 13-Monday, December 16, 2024
Take an evening drive through the Discovery Play Trail at Jakes Branch County Park, which is adorned with holiday lights.  READ MORE

A Casino Pier Christmas Meet & Greet

Seaside Heights
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Come say hi to two of your favorite characters this holiday season, plus enjoy free face painting. READ MORE

Celebrate the Holiday Season at Terhune Orchards

Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, December 7-Sunday, December 15, 2024
In December, Terhune Orchards turns into the North Pole with its special Winter Wonderland. Choose the perfect Christmas tree and wreath. Warm up by the bonfire with hot chocolate.  S’mores kits are available.  Terhune's own holiday cookie decorating kits are available all season. READ MORE

East Gate Square Photos with Santa

Mt. Laurel
Saturdays through December 21, 2024
Santa is coming to town at East Gate Square. Come to Santa's workshop, and take a free photo with Santa and his elves. Pets are welcome too.  READ MORE

Dickens Village

Maplewood
Saturdays from December 7-21, 2024
The Dickens Village returns to Maplewood for the holiday season. The Christmas Carol-inspired houses are decorated with fireplaces, stockings, and antique toys. Other activities include horse and wagon rides, a petting farm, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Nick Fedoroff Community Center Christmas Celebration

Cape May
Sunday, December 15, 2024
The free family fun includes a bouncy house, snacks, free Santa pictures, a photo booth, face painting, games and more. READ MORE

Chanukah Village Walk in Medford

Medford
Thursday, December 26, 2024
Experience Chanukah festivities on a stroll through Medford Village Park. Local vendors serve up latkes and donuts, a photo booth, crafts, music, and a firetruck. Stick around for the Grand Menorah Lighting at 6:15pm. READ MORE

South Orange Downtown Holiday Market

South Orange
Sundays, December 15 and 22, 2024
South Orange Downtown’s annual Holiday Market returns to Village Plaza, featuring an exciting mix of over 20 local artisan vendors and offering unique finds from both new sellers and returning favorites. READ MORE

Kwanzaa Festival and Marketplace

Newark
Saturday, December 21, 2024
This free Newark tradition honors the seven principles of Kwanzaa with joyous programs, including dance classes, storytelling, face painting, craft workshops, a Kwanzaa candle lighting ceremony, live performances, and much more. READ MORE

Holidays in the Wildwoods

Wildwood
Select dates through Sunday, December 22, 2024
Friends, family, and holiday cheer make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year in the Wildwoods. Seaside celebrations this winter include plenty of entertainment and activities to create family memories. Enjoy bonfires, parades, light shows, tree lightings, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Magical Talking Tree in Historic Smithvillle

Galloway
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, December 22, 2024
The Magical Talking Tree wakes up every weekend to talk to the young and young at heart. READ MORE

New Brunswick's Winter Wonderland

New Brunswick
Daily through Tuesday, December 31, 2024
New Brunswick is brimming with holiday festivities, including a tree lighting, carolers, Santa selfies, a Kwanzaa celebration, carriage rides, shows and more.  READ MORE

2024 Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar

Asbury Park
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, December 22,2024
Get in the holiday spirit at this festive and fun filled 2024 Holiday Bazaar in Asbury Park. The Bazaar is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts" holiday markets held in Germany and showcases handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts. READ MORE

Celebrate in Summit

Summit
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Get in the holiday spirit in downtown Summit with a celebration featuring live music, horse and carriage rides, live ice carvings, DJ Mr. Socks, and crafts with winter princesses.  READ MORE

Mill Race Holiday Village

Mount Holly
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Mill Race Village of Mount Holly welcomes holiday shoppers to its outdoor market, featuring local vendors, bakers and crafters for last minute shopping needs. Mr. & Mrs. Claus appear from 12-4pm for pictures with the kiddos. READ MORE

Car Menorah Parade in Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Chabad of Camden and Burlington counties hosts this unique South Jersey celebration of the Festival of Lights. Fire and police department vehicles are on hand to lead the parade of menorah-adorned cars.  READ MORE

Strolling Entertainment & Santa in Princeton

Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, December 22, 2024
Enjoy some extra holiday cheer every Saturday and Sunday afternoon on the Square, featuring carolers, Santa and more entertainment. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks in Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Bundle up and catch fireworks on the beach of Sea Isle City. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Downtown Red Bank
Fleetwood Lights - A Christmas Lights House Display
Lilonsky Family Light Show
Marlin Christmas Wonderland!
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Downtown New Brunswick
Grand Arcade and Convention Hall
Downtown Summit
JFK Boulevard Beach

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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