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35+ Christmas and Holiday Events for NJ Toddlers and Preschoolers

Go on a hayride to see sparkling Christmas lights at Johnson's Corner Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Go on a hayride to see sparkling Christmas lights at Johnson's Corner Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
11/30/21 - By Laurie Rein

Sometimes they're naughty, sometimes they're nice, but no matter the mood, the holiday season is always a magical time for toddlers and preschoolers. New Jersey is home to dozens of jolly holiday events geared toward the younger set. Get wowed by animal-shaped Christmas lights at the stroller-friendly Turtle Back Zoo. Indulge in cookies and cocoa on a Polar Express train ride. And give your wish list to Santa Claus himself at a local meet and greet or catch his visit to Imagine That.

So, take a break from wrapping gifts and hiding elves on shelves to enjoy one of these 35+ preschooler-friendly Christmas activities guaranteed to put little ones in the holiday spirit. For more holiday fun, bookmark our Guide to Christmas for New Jersey Families.

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Take a magical ride to the North Pole on the Whippany Railway's Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the Polar Express
Take a magical ride to the North Pole on the Whippany Railway's Polar Express. Photo courtesy of the Polar Express

Preschool-Friendly Events All Season Long

Rahway Winter Wonderland

Rahway–FREE
Fridays December 3, 10, and 17
The city of Rahway hosts a pop-up winter celebration, with live music, hot chocolate, ice sculptures, bounce house, and Santa photos.  READ MORE

Holidays at Johnson's Corner Farm

Medford
Daily through Saturday, December 18
Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays–take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa, decorate Christmas cookies, roast marshmallows, and visit the Discovery Barn and Animal Farm. READ MORE

Santa's Comin' to Town

Chester
Sundays through December 19
Jolly Ol' Saint Nick strolls through downtown Chester, spreading holiday cheer and giving good little boys and girls a chance to join him in some 'Santa Selfies.' READ MORE

DiDonato's Magical Holiday Express

Hammonton
Daily through Thursday, December 23
Take a ride on this dazzling train through millions of Christmas lights. The fun includes meeting Santa, a gift from Santa, a holiday movie, cookies, and a walk through the Holiday Village. READ MORE

Christmas Wonderlands

Manalapan
Wednesdays through Sundays through Thursday, December 23
Enjoy a walk through a beautiful display of various vintage Christmas scenes from the early 1950s and '60s. Check out familiar characters like Mickey and Minnie, Olaf and Elsa, and so many more. Hop aboard a Christmas train. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

Atlantic City–FREE
Daily through Friday, December 24
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

Ferone Family Christmas Light Show

Toms River–FREE
Daily through Tuesday, December 28
This Toms River display hosts Disney Night every Tuesday, plus a brilliant light show each evening. Donations are accepted for a children's hospital. READ MORE

Christmas Fantasy With Lights at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Select dates through Thursday, December 30
Help welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to Storybook Land through the end of December. Each night at dusk, Santa appears at the chimney and waves his wand, magically lighting up the park. READ MORE

The Polar Express on the Morristown & Erie Railway

Whippany
Select dates through Thursday, December 30
Join a magical trip on the Polar Express, powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Each ticket includes fantastic entertainment, delicious hot chocolate, shortbread, and a keepsake sleigh bell to bring home. READ MORE

Holiday Model Train Show

Woodbridge–FREE
Daily through Thursday, December 30
Barron Arts Center presents its Annual Holiday Model Train Show, featuring the set up and design of Mike Gelesky. Now in its 31st year, the exhibit enchants visitors of all ages.  READ MORE

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange–FREE
Select dates through Thursday, December 31
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

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Sunday, January 2
Take a drive through this spectacular holiday light experience, which uses LED technology and digital animation. Tune your radio into a holiday soundtrack and wind past themed displays like "Christmas Around the World," "Toyland," "Nativity," and more. READ MORE

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily through Sunday, January 2
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes, with 12 trees, a tunnel of lights, a tribute to first responders, and stunning, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays synchronized to music playing in your car. READ MORE

A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney's Broadway Hits - CANCELED

Millburn
Wednesdays through Sundays, from Wednesday, December 1-Sunday, January 2
Broadway stars dazzle on stage at Paper Mill Playhouse as they perform songs from Disney's biggest Broadway shows. Performances include The Lion King, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Newsies, High School Musical, and Frozen. READ MORE

Bergen County Winter Wonderland

Paramus
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, January 2
Spend the day at Van Saun Park for wintertime fun–including skating, train rides, carousel rides, and much more. New this season is a second ice rink for bumper cars and the Crafts Market Village. READ MORE

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Select dates through Sunday, January 2
Diggerland shines this holiday season with a 1-mile drive-thru course covered in hundreds of twinkling lights. America’s only construction theme park is illuminated with holiday displays, and visitors can enjoy tasty treats. Stream its radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit. READ MORE

Holiday Light Show on Lake Meone

Smithville–FREE
Daily through Thursday, January 6
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Historic Smithville Village's Lake Meone. Visit any day of the week between 5:30pm and 8:30pm to catch a choreographed light show synchronized to music. READ MORE

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

Fanwood–FREE
Daily through Saturday, January 8
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

Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show

63rd Annual Model Train Show

North Haledon
Select dates through Sunday, January 9
The Garden State Model Railway Club presents the 63rd Annual Model Train Show. Check out running steam and diesel trains of all kinds on the 1,200-square-foot HO scale layout, including Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. READ MORE

Antique Toy Train Show

Deptford
Thursdays through Sundays through Sunday, January 30
Check out a variety of vintage toy trains, from 27 gauge toy trains of the '30s, '40s and '50s  to Lionel, Marx, and American Flyer Engines. Plasticville accessories from the '50s add to the displays. READ MORE
The viewing windows at Dickens Village in Maplewood are just the right height for little visitors. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
The viewing windows at Dickens Village in Maplewood are just the right height for little visitors. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Preschooler-Friendly Holiday Events in December

Town of Newton Tree Lighting

Newton–FREE
Friday, December 3
Ring in the holiday season at Newton's tree lighting celebration. The fun includes holiday music, refreshments, letters to Santa, and a Santa meet-and-greet. READ MORE

Toms River Winter Wonderland Weekend

Toms River–FREE
Daily, Friday, December 3-Sunday, December 5
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

Ocean City Train Show

Ocean City–FREE
Saturday, December 4-Sunday, December 5
Head over to Ocean City's historic Music Pier for this annual train spectacular, featuring large size model trains in colorful settings. Check out vendors with trains, accessories, memorabilia, and other novelties. READ MORE

Tumbles Morning Out With Santa

Princeton
Saturday, December 4
Bring your entire family for a fun day at Tumbles. Activities include storytime, music and movement, an obstacle course, crafts, an open gym, open tumble zone, and free digital photos with Santa. READ MORE

Meet and Greet with Santa at Countryview Farm Nursery

Monroe–FREE
Saturday, December 4
Spend time with Santa Claus in the new structure at the farm's Christmas tree grove. Santa is on his sleigh and ready for photos. Plus, enjoy free hot cocoa.  READ MORE

Gigi and Mario Restaurant Welcomes Santa

Edgewater–FREE
Saturday, December 11
The recently opened casual pizzeria and restaurant is celebrating the holidays with a special visit from Santa Claus. Bring the kids for a free photo to be cherished for years to come. READ MORE

Ice Carving Demonstrations

Chester–FREE
Sunday, December 12
The amazingly talented ice carvers from Sculpted Ice Works are on hand in Downtown Chester to transform blocks of ice into seasonal works of art.  READ MORE

Santa Claus Visits Imagine That

Florham Park
Sunday, December 12
Santa Claus and his elves swing by Imagine That for pictures with visitors. This event is included with general admission. Every child receives a gift and T-shirt from Santa, while supplies last. READ MORE

Festival of Trees 2021

Summit
Sunday, December 12
The Reeve's-Reed Arboretum's second annual Festival of Trees features crafts and activities celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and the Solstice, plus musical entertainment, food trucks, and holiday vendors. READ MORE

Dickens Village

Maplewood–FREE
Saturdays, December 4, 11, and 18
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

Christmas at Allaire

Farmingdale
Sundays December 5, 12, and 19
Step back in time and celebrate Christmas at Allaire with a day full of holiday cheer. The magic of Christmas past is resurrected in this old-time affair. Warm up near an open hearth, observe candle-lit windows throughout the village, participate in Victorian holiday celebrations, and enjoy live caroling. READ MORE

Lighting Up Nature Drive-Thru

Beechwood–FREE
Saturday, December 18-Sunday, December 19
Take an evening drive through the Discovery Play Trail at Jakes Branch County Park, which is adorned with holiday lights.  READ MORE

WNTR Holiday Village & Makers Market

Maplewood–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, December 19
WNTR Holiday Village and Makers Market features fun for the whole family. Activities include music, hot cocoa, a human-sized snow globe, and pictures with Santa. READ MORE

The Wayne Train Show

Wayne
Sunday, December 19
Meet the area's premier model train dealers at this Wayne exhibition. The show includes operating layouts, test tracks, train repairs, and refreshments. READ MORE

The Elf on the Shelf Christmas Musical-CANCELED

Red Bank
Thursday, December 23
The Elf on the Shelf returns to Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre in a festive musical production, featuring an original story and score, dazzling sets and costumes, and wondrous moments. READ MORE

Sea of Lights at Jenkinson's

Point Pleasant
Select dates from Friday, December 10-Tuesday, December 28
Head down to the boardwalk this Christmas season during Jenkinson’s Sea of Lights. This indoor, holiday lights spectacular takes place inside Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Don't miss character visits, treats, entertainment, Santa photos, and diving Santa. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Downtown Chester
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
South Jersey Museum of American History
Countryview Farm Nursery
Downtown Chester
Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre