Storybook Land transforms into a twinkling wonderland for the holidays. Photo courtesy of Storybook Land

Most Spectacular Holiday Light and Christmas Displays in New Jersey

It may be hard to believe, but Christmas is right around the corner, which means it's time to check out the amazing holiday light displays statewide. New Jersey really shines during the holidays, with many different ways to see some holiday sparkle—from walkthrough spectacles at amusement parks to over-the-top drive-thru displays, plus private homes and entire towns that go all-out with holiday light installations!

These sparkling holiday spectacles—some of which feature more than a million lights—are sure to impress even the grinchiest member of your family. So bundle up the kids and head out to one of these illuminating light shows before the sun sets on the Christmas season! Find even more ways to be merry in our Holiday Fun Guide.

Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining an appropriate distance.

Make the most magical time of the year even more special with a trip through the Magic of Lights. Photo courtesy of the Magic of Lights

Large-Scale Christmas Light Displays in NJ

Storybook Land's Christmas Fantasy With Lights – Egg Harbor Township

Select dates through Wednesday, December 30
Storybook Land hosts a fabulous holiday celebration, with Santa himself illuminating the park with more than 1 million lights. Children can visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus until December 23, when it’s time for them to return to the North Pole. This will be a socially distanced meeting, with plexiglass separation and face masks required for 2020. All rides, attractions, and snack bars are also open during this time.

Magic of Lights – Howell

Sundays through Thursdays through Saturday, January 2, 2021; closed Thursday, December 31
Magic of Lights is a mile-long drive-thru exhibit located at the PNC Bank Arts Center. Travel through a tunnel of lights and see the 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, the Night Before Christmas, and other scenes all from the safety of your own vehicle. Pay by the car in advance for discounted admission or snag a Dash Pass to jump the line.

Skylands Stadium hosts a drive-thru Christmas lights display
Stay toasty in your car as you drive through the display at Skylands. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium

Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show – Augusta

Select dates through Sunday, January 3, 2021
The 1-mile long, drive-thru show features breathtaking displays set to joyful holiday music. There are more than two million lights on display, including nativity scenes, twinkling snowflakes, skating penguins, and jolly snowmen. Check out the expanded outdoor village activities like photos with Santa, hot chocolate, carnival games, and more (for an additional fee). Admission to the drive-thru is priced by the carload. Discounted tickets can be purchased in advance.

Historic Smithville Lights on the Lake – Galloway Township

Thursday through Sundays through Sunday, January 3, 2021
This beautiful holiday show, featuring an orchestrated display of lights and music, makes Historic Smithville feel magical. More than 120 Christmas trees made with more than 100,000 lights float along Lake Meone, lit up in time with music after dark. Watch from either end of the village or on the bridge. In addition to the light show, you can enjoy the myriad shops and restaurants in the decorated village. FREE

Winter Walk in Taylor Park – Millburn

Daily through January 2021
Taylor Park turns on its Winter Walk lights up through January, offering plenty of time to take a scenic winter stroll. FREE

Brookhollow Barnyard – Boonton

Wednesdays through Sundays through Thursday, December 31
Following a summer-long drive-thru farm attraction, Brookhollow Barnyard has flipped the switch and is putting on an evening drive-thru light show all December long. Tickets are released daily at 10am for the following night's show, so set your alarm to snag one.

Winter Wonderlights is a spectacular drive-thru holiday light show in 2020
The fantastic Winter Wonderlights is a marvel of lights. Photo courtesy of the show

Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru – East Brunswick

Tuesday, December 1, 2020-Sunday, January 3, 2021
This popular Old Bridge residential display by the Apruzzi family moved to the Middlesex County Fairgrounds for 2019 and is back in 2020 as a drive-thru event. The Winter Wonderlights Spectacular features 1.5 million lights dancing to music along a half-mile drive.

Demarest Farms Orchard of Lights – Hillsdale

Select dates through Tuesday, December 29
The Orchard of Lights is a 32-acre drive-thru of brilliant holiday light displays. Treat the kids to hot cocoa and treats at the retail farm market, take pics with Santa, and don't miss Santa’s singing reindeer. Reservations required.

South Jersey Holiday Light Show – Swedesboro

Select dates through Wednesday, December 30
New for 2020, Bridgeport Speedway transforms into a huge new drive-thru Christmas lights display. On this mile-long route, guests pass by large frames covered in bright lights depicting scenes like Santa distributing presents, falling snowflakes, flickering candles, and other holiday favorites.

Holiday Light Displays at Houses in North Jersey

Camuso Family Christmas Display of Livingston – Livingston

This walkthrough display (featuring lights, decorations, and motorized characters) was first put up more than 50 years ago by Ernest Camuso, and families have enjoyed the holiday treat ever since. The Camuso family continues the tradition in Mr. Camuso's memory and accepts donations for the St. Barnabas Burn Foundation. FREE

Martorana Christmas House – Wayne

396 Fairfield Road
Continuing their annual tradition since 2013, 100+ holiday inflatables decorate the Martorana home along with tons of lights and other decorations. Inflatables are up 9am-midnight, and lights are turned on from 4pm-midnight. Follow the Facebook page for updates in case of inclement weather.

Fleetwood Lights – Rockaway

32 Fleetwood Drive
Nearly 19,000 lights synchronized to music illuminate this beautiful home display in Morris County.

The Gress House Holiday Light Spectacular supports "Decorations For Donations" to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network of Mountainside, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the family

Holiday Houses and Local Light Displays in Central Jersey

The Gress House Holiday Light Spectacular – Union Beach

14 Johnson Avenue
This home, featured on ABC's The Great Christmas Light Fight, has thousands of dazzling lights, hundreds of plastic figures, inflatables, and more to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network of Mountainside, N.J. No parking is allowed on Johnson; try Broadway and walk to the display.

Forrest Trail Circle Holiday Light Show – Toms River

Forrest Trail Circle
Interesting and familiar animations are projected onto this home in this unique and popular display set to music.

Johnny's Hazlet's Holiday Lights are spectacular
Johnny's Hazlet Holiday Light Extravaganza lights up the neighborhood at Christmastime. Photo courtesy of the venue via Facebook

Johnny's Hazlet Holiday Lights – Hazlet

3 Bauer Avenue
This show draws tons of fans every year to see two dozen inflatable decorations and more than 75,000 lights. Cars must park on side streets and walk to the display. For 2020, visitors are asked to wear masks. Anyone who wants to enter the property must have their temperatures checked. Viewers can walk through the walkway back to the street.

Christmas at the Nietzer's – South Plainfield

201 Hamilton Boulevard
Set to 30 minutes of music, this house glows with a rainbow of lights and highlights the Christmas Story. Tune your radio to 89.3 FM for the full effect. Visitors are asked to stay in their cars this season. Donations are accepted to support the Mission and Outreach Fund of First Baptist Church of South Plainfield, of which Jesse Nietzer is the pastor.

The Cook's Christmas Lights – Jackson

1 Carlson Court
This home has more than 35,000 dancing lights synchronized to six songs. The homeowners collect donations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Koenig family mounts a holiday light show synchronized to music
The Koenig's Family Holiday Light Spectacular is a pixel animated light show. Photo courtesy of the family

Koenig's Family Holiday Light Spectacular – Bayville

11 North Island Road
Tune your radio to 87.9 and check out this awesome display with tons of light synched to a diverse soundtrack of 14 songs.

The Christmas Light Show – Wall Township

2020 dates pending, reservations required
The Christmas Light Show returns for the 2020 Christmas season in a new location at Spring Meadow Golf Course. Each show runs for approximately 25 minutes, and reservations are required. The show is free, but suggested donations are $25 for a family of 4 and $10 for an individual adult. Donations support RallyCap Sports, a charity that sponsors sports programs for children with disabilities.