The Nai-Ni Chen Dance company celebrates Lunar New Year in a Jersey City performance this weekend. Photo courtesy of the dance company
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Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family
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Step into Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City for Christmas pictures. Photo courtesy of the venue
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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
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The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
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Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Turtle Back Zoo is all decked out for the holiday season, which means there are lots of great photo ops.
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Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
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'Tis the sea-son for Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
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Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Take a stroll through the Twinkle Tunnel at Six Flags Great Adventure's Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
Take a stroll through the Twinkle Tunnel at Six Flags Great Adventure's Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
12/17/23 - By Laurie Rein

The upcoming Christmas vacation may be the best time to take part in New Jersey's family-friendly, must-do holiday activities—especially if your kids have already moved on from their presents. From spectacular light displays to cold-weather fun, there's plenty to do during days off from school.

Most New Jersey schools are closed from Monday, December 23, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025, allowing plenty of time to experience the holiday highlights you may have missed in the hectic run-up to Christmas. It's also the perfect time to plan a winter day trip, visit an enchanting Christmas town, or bundle up for a visit to a theme park.

Be sure to check out our Family Activity Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide for more great ideas.

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More Awesome Things to Do With Kids Over Christmas Vacation:

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Enjoy the Winter Wonderlights Spectacular in East Brunswick from the safety of your car. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Enjoy the Winter Wonderlights Spectacular in East Brunswick from the safety of your car. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner

Things To Do With Kids in New Jersey Over Christmas Vacation

Dinosaurs Dynamite

Hackensack
Tuesday, December 26-Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Take a step back in time at this live musical, featuring Field Station Dinosaur's Mighty T-Rex plus vicious velociraptors and adorable baby dinosaurs. READ MORE

Winter Break Drop-in Activities

Trenton–FREE
Daily from Tuesday, December 26-Friday, December 29, 2023
Enjoy the free winter break programs offered daily at the New Jersey State Museum. The fun includes crafts and stories. READ MORE

Jurassic Quest at NJ Convention & Exposition Center

Edison
Daily from Thursday, December 28-Monday, January 1, 2024
The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center goes back to prehistoric times when it hosts this over-the-top dinosaur attraction. More than 100 life-sized, animatronic dinos roar to life, plus kids can hop on dinosaur-themed rides and take part in interactive shows and inflatable attractions. READ MORE

Happy Almost New Year's Eve - December 30 Celebration

Avalon–FREE
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Revel in the new year with a kid-friendly celebration, featuring dancing, crafts, cookies and apple juice "champagne." READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks from Battleship New Jersey

Camden
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Enjoy the New Year’s Eve Fireworks over the Delaware River from the historic deck of Battleship New Jersey. Enjoy music, face painting, food concessions, and bar service. READ MORE

First Night Morris County

Morristown
Sunday, December 31, 2023
First Night Morris County, in its 32nd year, is the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a magnificent, family-friendly, substance- and alcohol-free celebration in the heart of Morristown. READ MORE

New Year's Eve at iPlay America

Freehold
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Ring in the new year in style at iPlay America New Year’s Eve Celebration, with a night of rides, games, party favors, confetti cannons, DJ, giveaways, and more. READ MORE

Sea of Lights at Jenkinson's

Point Pleasant
Select dates through Thursday, December 28, 2023
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

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Saturday, December 30, 2023
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

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange–FREE
Select dates through Sunday, 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

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village

Augusta
Select dates through Saturday, December 30, 2023
Sussex County’s favorite stadium hosts this dazzling winter wonderland, showcasing a mile-long drive-thru course glittering with displays and an enchanting Christmas Village full of fun activities, delicious treats, memory-making photo-ops, and much more. READ MORE

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Daily through Sunday, January 7, 2024
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

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Jackson
Select dates through Monday, January 1, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure transforms into a holiday wonderland with millions of glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, and a little flurry of magic nightly. Visit the North Pole Village, and hop aboard many popular rides.  READ MORE

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily through Sunday, January 31, 2023
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

Bergen County Winter Wonderland

Paramus
Select dates through Monday, January 1, 2024
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

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular

Paramus
Select dates through Sunday, January 14, 2024
The Bergen County Zoo is illuminated with holiday cheer in the evening all season long. Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed, creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo. READ MORE

Newark Winter Village

Newark
Wednesdays through Sundays through Sunday, January 7, 2024
Newark Winter Village, a much-loved holiday tradition, returns for the season to transform downtown Newark into a winter wonderland. Visitors can enjoy ice skating, ice go-karts, games and activities, an open-air holiday marketplace with local vendors, and cozy heated private igloos with hot cocoa and treats. READ MORE

Holiday Dreamland at American Dream

East Rutherford
Daily through Sunday, December 31, 2023
Spend the day at American Dream this holiday season, where there’s a new way to holiday.  Check off your shopping list with over 200 stores, dine at one of the trendy restaurants, and save time to play at DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, and dozens of other attractions. READ MORE

Christmas House Paramus

Paramus
Select dates through Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Christmas House Paramus is returning with a highly anticipated grand opening. This innovative attraction promises to enrich holiday memories, immersing visitors in a beautiful walk-through of all things Christmas. READ MORE

Wild Kratts Ocean Adventure Exhibit

Jersey City
Select dates through May 2024
Young explorers are invited to dive in and explore ocean habitats. Using Wild Kratts technology and the powers of science and teamwork, kids and their families join the Wild Kratts team to solve problems, help marine animals, and foil the villains’ nefarious plans. READ MORE

The 21st Annual Antique Toy Train Show

Deptford
Select dates through Sunday, January 28, 2024
The train show features toy trains from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Lionel, Marx, and American Flyer engines, with adjoining cars, race on two platforms. Vintage Plasticville buildings from the 1950s augment the display. READ MORE

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