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Christmas Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Light Shows, Santa Visits, and More Things to Do

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12/20/24 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

It's a holly jolly Christmas weekend, and we've found plenty of fun things to do in New Jersey to celebrate! Kick off the festivities on Christmas Eve with music and a visit from Santa at Christmas Eve Sing-A Long in Palmer Square. Then step back into prehistoric times this weekend at Jurassic Quest at NJ Convention & Exposition Center, boasting more than 100 life-sized dinosaurs. 

Plus, the holiday weekend is the perfect time to experience seasonal spectaculars you may have missed, including PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights and Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show, both of which are open Christmas Day.

Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!

Want even more fun things to do this weekend? Our New Jersey Events Calendar is packed with great family activities every day of the week—and you can filter by age, location, or even FREE events!

Not on our newsletter list yet? Subscribe for FREE and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. Already subscribed? Share it with a friend and start planning your weekend together!

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Things To Do in New Jersey Christmas Weekend with Kids

Christmas Eve Sing-A-Long in Palmer Square

Princeton – FREE
Wednesday, December 24
Gather around on the Palmer Square Green to sing holiday songs. The Palmer Square Christmas Eve Brass Band leads the festivities, and attendees can expect a special visit from Santa after caroling. READ MORE

Basking Ridge Christmas Eve Community Sing

Basking Ridge– FREE
Wednesday, December 24
Families, friends, and guests are welcome to gather in Basking Ridge, and sing Christmas carols, wish good tidings, and then move on to their family traditions. Then join the community and celebrate the 100th anniversary as the Church bells begin ringing at 7 pm READ MORE

Winter Break Drop-in Activities at NJ State Museum

Trenton – FREE
Friday, December 26 and Saturday, December 27
Enjoy free winter break crafts offered at the New Jersey State Museum. The fun includes a snowflake science craft and a constellation lantern. READ MORE

Jurassic Quest at NJ Convention & Exposition Center

Edison
Saturday, December 27-Tuesday, December 30
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

Evergreen Walk and Craft at Liberty State Park

Jersey City – FREE
Sunday, December 28
Bundle up for a walk by the Liberty State Park Nature Center, where participants learn to identify different types of evergreens. A pinecone bird feeder craft follows. READ MORE

The 23rd Annual Antique Toy Train Show

Deptford
Friday, December 26-Sunday, December 28
The Toy Train Show features O and O-27 gauge toy trains from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines, with adjoining cars, race on two diverse platforms. READ MORE

Disney's Frozen at Paper Mill Playhouse

Millburn
Wednesday, December 24, Friday, December 26-Sunday, December 28
Paper Mill Playhouse welcomes Disney's Frozen to the stage. Sisters Elsa and Anna embark on magical, heartwarming journeys of love and self-discovery in this stage version of the beloved animated film. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Saturday, January 3 (open Christmas Day)
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

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Galloway – FREE
Daily through Tuesday, January 6 (open Christmas Day)
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Winter WonderLights 6th Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

Asbury Park – FREE
Daily through Sunday, December 28 (open Christmas Day)
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 2 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes, with a tunnel of lights and stunning, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays synchronized to music playing in your car. READ MORE

Bergen County Winter Wonderland

Paramus
Daily through Sunday, January 4 (closed Christmas Day)
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

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village

Augusta
Daily from Friday, December 26-Saturday, January 3
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, and memory-making photo-ops. Carnival rides round out the fun. READ MORE

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:

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From light displays to Santa meet-and-greets, our top NJ events are filled with holiday cheer. READ MORE

Guide to Free Fun Things To Do with NJ Kids

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Check out our mega-list of 100 free things to do with your family in NJ. READ MORE

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Winter is no reason to hibernate–try one of these fun activities in NJ. READ MORE

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Check out the dazzling holiday light displays at these NJ homes. READ MORE

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Skip the cooking on Christmas Day and enjoy a meal at one of these local restaurants. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

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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Read more articles by Laurie Rein.