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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in New Jersey: Light Shows, Tree Lightings, and Santa's Arrival

This Thanksgiving weekend, take a walk through the light tunnel at Skylands Stadium. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium
This Thanksgiving weekend, take a walk through the light tunnel at Skylands Stadium. Photo courtesy of Skylands Stadium
11/24/23 - By Laurie Rein

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

Thanksgiving has arrived, so gobble up all the fun and festivities this long weekend has to offer. Seasonal drive-thru holiday light shows kick off the weekend, including the Skylands Stadium Light Show, and Santa makes his grand arrival at tree-lighting celebrations, including the one in tree lighting in Morristown.

With the holidays just around the corner, the long weekend is the perfect time to venture into NYC to check out the holiday sights, including the enchanting Santa's Winter Wonderland. If you prefer to keep it closer to home, take a drive to see New Jersey's Best Christmas Light Displays. Find more holiday fun in our Guide to the Holidays for NJ Families.

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

Note: None of these events are taking place on Thanksgiving Day – Thursday, November 23, 2023 – unless specifically noted.

 

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Santa dives into the Adventure Aquarium in Camden this Thanksgiving weekend. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Santa dives into the Adventure Aquarium in Camden this Thanksgiving weekend. Photo courtesy of the aquarium

Things To Do in New Jersey Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 with Kids

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Galloway–FREE
Thursdays (inclu. 11/23, Thanksgiving Day)-Sundays through Saturday, January 6
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Day Nature Walk

Kingston–FREE
Thursday, November 23
Before the big meal, get outside for some fresh air and exercise on a nature walk at the Mapleton Preserve. Participants look for nuts, fruits and seeds that turkeys may eat and enjoy the abundance and subtle beauty of late fall. READ MORE

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Jackson
Select dates through Monday, January 1
(details tba) 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

Palmer Square Tree Lighting

Princeton–FREE
Friday, November 24
Princeton's charming Palmer Square gets decked out in its holiday best with a little help from Santa. Jolly old St. Nick is on hand to help flick the switch on the 32,000 lights that illuminate the giant spruce. Come early to witness Ice Sculpture Philly at 2:30pm. READ MORE

Bergen County Winter Wonderland

Paramus
Wednesdays-Sundays through Monday, January 1
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 a Crafts Market Village. READ MORE

Christmas Underwater with Scuba Santa

Camden
Daily through Sunday, December 24
Adventure Aquarium invites holiday lovers to splash into the spirit of Fishmas for an experience worth writing to the North Pole. The fun includes Scuba Santa, Snowtunda and the World's Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree.  READ MORE

The 21st Annual Antique Toy Train Show

Deptford
Select dates through Sunday, January 28
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

Santa's Arrival at MarketFair

Princeton–FREE
Friday, November 24
Celebrate Santa's arrival at MarketFair with Oompa Loompas, an extreme dance dome, DJ Wonka for music and games, a chocolate fountain, face painting, balloon sculpting, story time with Mrs. Claus, and more. READ MORE

65th Annual Model Train Show

North Haledon
Select dates through Sunday, January 14
The Garden State Model Railway Club train show features two large layouts with train operations representing all eras, including specialty trains. Come see some of the famous trains of the past and present, including appearances by Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. READ MORE

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village

Augusta
Select dates through Saturday, December 30
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

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily through Sunday, December 31
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

Point Pleasant Beach Tree Lighting

Point Pleasant–FREE
Friday, November 24
Santa makes his way to Downtown Point Pleasant, featuring a DJ, horse-and-carriage rides, refreshments, and activities for children. Take your picture with Santa at Ocean County Music. READ MORE

Collingswood Tree Lighting

Collingswood–FREE
Friday, November 24
Santa descends from atop Borough Hall by way of the Collingswood Fire Dept.’s ladder truck to kick off the official Tree Lighting Ceremony. Choral groups sing as the town tree is lit up with twinkling lights. READ MORE

2024 Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar

Asbury Park–FREE
Friday, November 24 plus Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, December 17
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

Holidays in the Wildwoods

Wildwoods–FREE
Friday, November 24-Sunday, November 26
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

Arrival of Santa at iPlay America

Freehold–FREE
Saturdays through December 23
Kick off the holiday season and celebrate the arrival of Santa at iPlay America. This free event includes lots of festive activities, including no-cost photo ops with Santa. READ MORE

Santa's Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Cape May County Zoo

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, November 25
Santa Claus is coming to the Cape May Zoo and bringing plenty of festive holiday cheer. Enjoy live holiday music, an ice sculpture demonstration, bounce house, character appearances, performances and free treats for all. Plus, get a visit with jolly old St. Nick himself. READ MORE

Small Business Saturday Street Fair

South Orange–FREE
Saturday, November 25
Join South Orange Downtown for Small Business Saturday Street Fair on Village Plaza. Shop for finely crafted jewelry, apparel, accessories, art, food, and gift items made by many of the area’s finest local creators. READ MORE

Small Business Christmas

Bridgeton
Saturday, November 25-Sunday, November 26
Support small and local artisans and craftsmen all in one place. Dragon Village transforms into a Christmas Village to jump start the holiday season. Featured are pictures with Santa and the Grinch. READ MORE

Dickens Festival

Galloway–FREE
Saturday, November 25-Sunday, Novmber 26
Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company brings the spirit of Christmas back to Historic Smithville with Dickens Fest, which features a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. READ MORE

Totowa and West Paterson Fire Department Holiday Parade

Totowa–FREE
Saturday, November 25
The Totowa Borough Fire Department and the West Paterson Fire Department host the annual Holiday Parade of Lights, which features police vehicles, private business vehicles, and other various emergency service vehicles all decorated in holiday lights. READ MORE

PaleyLand Opening Weekend

Midtown West, Manhattan–FREE
Opens Saturday, November 25
PaleyLand returns with the arrival of Santa Claus and a packed schedule of weekend meet and greets, photo ops with beloved holiday characters, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the Elf, Blizz the Snowman, and a Toy Soldier. READ MORE

Santa's Arrival in Morristown

Morristown–FREE
Sunday, November 26
Santa Claus is coming to Morristown. Visitors can watch Santa light the town green, with holiday music and crafts, a vintage-style oversized rocking horse, ice sculpture demonstrations, free rides around the Green on a miniature electric trail. READ MORE

Santa's Winter Wonderland

South Street Seaport, Manhattan
Daily through Saturday, December 30
Closed on Thanksgiving
Step into a winter wonderland filled with decorations, illuminated trees, games, and activities. Families can snack with Santa seven days a week, or settle in for a full meal, sit in Santa’s sleigh, write a letter to Santa, play in Rudolph's game room, visit Santa's s'mores-making station, steal a kiss under the mistletoe, and more.   READ MORE

The Escape Game Atlanta

East Rutherford
Daily through Sunday, December 31
In The Escape Game, players are immersed into interactive rooms where they have to follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete missions in under 60 minutes. Each escape game provides a unique hands-on experience, designed for families, friends, and anyone else looking for an elevated unplugged adventure. The Escape Game’s rooms are also accessible—everyone can contribute to the action. Also, unlike a lot of escape games, none of the rooms are dark or scary. Whether you’re 8 or 80, a new player or an enthusiast, each person has a chance to save the day. You... READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Museum of American History at Deptford, NJ
Grand Arcade and Convention Hall
Totowa and West Paterson Fire Department Holiday Parade