The big ball drop in Times Square is an unforgettable New Year's Eve sight, if you can handle the crowds! Photo by Michael Hull
New Year's Eve Weekend in New York City with Kids: Best Ways to Count Down to 2026
The Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo shine brightly into the new year. Photo by Terria Clay/Bronx Zoo
New York City's Top Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year’s with Kids
The ball drops at noon at CMOM! Photo courtesy of the museum
New York City New Year’s Eve Guide 2025 for Families: Kid-Friendly Events, Fireworks & More
Winter fun for kids in New York City: Building a snowman is just the start of fun things to do with kids in NYC during winter
GUIDE
NYC Winter Vacation Guide: Best Getaways and Activities for Families
Bryant Park's Bumper Cars are a mainstay of late-winter fun in the park. Photo by Janet Bloom
Ultimate Winter Bucket List: 47 Best Things To Do with Kids in NYC
Museo del Barrio's The Three Kings Day Parade takes over the streets of East Harlem Photo by Mommy Poppins
Top Things To Do with Kids in NYC in January 2026, from MP Editors
Hit the ice at the scenic Mohonk Mountan House, which offers winter day passes to enjoy its spectacular resort amenities. Photo courtesy of the venue
23 Fun Winter Day Trips from NYC
See the skyline from a whole new vantage point on the Roosevelt Island Tram. Photo courtesy of NYCGo
Ultimate New York City Bucket List: 100 Things To Do in NYC with Kids Before They Grow Up
Kids as young as 14 can apply for an eco-focused internship at Alley Pond Park in Queens. Photo courtesy of the Alley Pond Environmental Center
Best Museum Programs in NYC for Teens
The 2025-2026 public school year for NYC kids starts on Thursday, September 4.
Here's the NYC Public School Calendar for 2025-2026
Get ready for back to school with all the right supplies, classes, and tips.
GUIDE
Back-to-School Guide 2025-2026
Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre and gives the popular Neflix show a prequel. Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
Best Broadway Shows for Kids and Families in 2025
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
Ultimate New York Bucket List: 100 Things To Do with Kids in NY State
Diving into the sprinkle pool at the Museum of Ice Cream is a great way to cure rainy day blues. Photo by Jody Mercier
47 Fun Indoor Activities in NYC for a Rainy Day
Vinland Playground got a fresh upgrade in Bay Ridge. Photo by NYC Parks/Daniel Avila
Jaw-Dropping New Playgrounds in NYC to Explore with Kids Now
Summer camps help kids develop social skills and have fun
GUIDE
NYC Summer Camp Guide
The Peninsula New York rolls out the red carpet for kids—and their grown ups!
Family-Friendly Hotels in New York City with Perks for Kids
Climb on platforms dangling from ropes at Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC's Best Playgrounds: 21 Parks Worthy of a Subway Schlep
There's always a cool new piece of public art to see and interact with in NYC. Photo by Jody Mercier
100 Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids
Brooklyn's Flying Apple offers action-packed fun for kids of all ages.
24 Best Kids' Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Discover the NYC-themed play space hidden inside the Toys
38 Free Things To Do Indoors in NYC: Free Places To Play Indoors on Cold and Rainy Days
Photo courtesy of PLAY Greenpoint.
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in NYC
Free activities for Kids in NYC include the Children's Museum of the Arts, which has pay-what-you-wish Thursdays from 4-6pm. Photo courtesy of the museum
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in NYC with Kids Guide
Visit the 180 Pool at the Crystal Springs Resort. Photo courtesy of the resort
14 Family-Friendly Weekend Getaways near NYC
Kids' classes like art lessons can help your NYC child grow and develop
GUIDE
Guide to NYC Classes for Kids
For an only-in-NYC experience, head to the Top of the Rock to enjoy the view. Photo by Jody Mercier
Best Attractions and Things To Do near NYC that are Kid-Friendly
Tea Around Town combines a sumptuous meal with a unique view NYC landmarks! Photo by Jody Mercier
25 Best NYC Tours for Families: From Boat Rides to Free Walking Tours and More
The American Museum of Natural History's blue whale is an NYC icon, and the entire museum is one of the best children's museums in NYC. Photo by R. Mickens/courtesy of AMNH
Best Museums for Kids in NYC: Children's Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in NYC
GUIDE
Guide to Kids' Birthday Parties in NYC
Registration is now open for the reasonably priced summer camps at YMCA locations in NYC.
Free and Cheap Summer Camps in NYC for Kids
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has 75 animal exhibits and is home to more than 7,000 animals. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
Best Aquariums to Visit from the NYC Metro Area with Kids
Get a Broadway-caliber serenade during a birthday dinner at Ellen's Stardust Diner.
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in NYC
Get a birds eye view of the skyline from the Edge observation deck at Hudson Yards. Plan a visit near sundown to watch the city lights come to life. Photo by Jody Mercier
3 Days in NYC with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom
Feed a crowd with extra large, classic, New York-style pizza slices without breaking the bank. Photo by Jody Mercier
NYC on a Budget: Cheap Things To Do and Money Saving Tips for Families
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
The Met offers pay-what-you wish admission at all times to New Yorkers and kids always attend for free. Photo by Jody Mercier
Free Museums and Free Museum Days in NYC for Kids
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
No visit to NYC is complete without an up-close encounter with the Statue of Liberty. Photo by Jess Laird
40 Best NYC Attractions to Do with Kids Right Now
Teach 'em to tie during downtime.
65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age
GUIDE
NYC Kids Summer Guide: 728 Best Festivals, Deals, Activities & Free Things to Do
Take a hike with your little one on a family day trip from NYC.
GUIDE
Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways for NYC Kids
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Hester Street Playground. Photo by Jody Mercier
GUIDE
Playgrounds & Parks NYC Guide
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Crafts for Kids Guide: Thousands of Craft Ideas
Explore modern humanity through all-new world-wandering exhibitions at Mmuseumm.
Weird, Wacky, and Wonderful Under-the-Radar Museums in NYC that Kids Love

Best 2025 Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in New Jersey

The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
11/28/25 - By Laurie Rein

Make the most magical time of the year even more special with a visit to one of New Jersey's spectacular Christmas light displays. Our picks include holiday lights drive-thrus, where you can stay toasty in your car and journey through a sparkling course. At other Christmas lights displays in New Jersey, you can stretch your legs as you wander past holiday lights and experience the magic up close.

Whichever you choose, pile the kids in the car with some snacks, crank up the holiday tunes, and journey out to see one of these impressive holiday light displays in New Jersey.

Find more must-do holiday activities and ways to be merry in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for NJ Families. 

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The Magic of Lights spectacular returns to Holmdel this holiday season. Photo courtesy of PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights
The Magic of Lights spectacular returns to Holmdel this holiday season. Photo courtesy of PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

2025 Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus in New Jersey

Glow at Washington Township

Washington Township – FREE
Daily from Friday, November 28, 2025-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Take a magical drive through this synchronized light display in Washington Township, with the theme Glow to Bed: The Journey Through Time. Witness 8 million animated lights for a mile stretch. Reservations for time slots can be made online. READ MORE

Winter WonderLights Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily through Sunday, December 28, 2025
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

Lilonsky Family Light Show

Marlboro – FREE
Daily from Friday, November 28, 2025-Thursday, January 1, 2026
Drive by this fun, family-run light display. Just sit in your car, tune your radio, and watch as the lights dance to the music. READ MORE

Lighting Up Nature Drive-Thru

Beechwood – FREE
Friday, December 12-Monday, December 15, 2025
Take an evening drive through the Discovery Play Trail at Jakes Branch County Park, which is adorned with holiday lights.  READ MORE

Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village

Augusta
Select dates through Saturday, January 3, 2026
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

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Saturday, January 3, 2026
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

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Select dates through Sunday, January 11, 2026
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
Take in the glittering and festive decorations at the Village at Ann Ellen. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Take in the glittering and festive decorations at the Village at Ann Ellen. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Walk-Through Christmas Light Displays in New Jersey

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms

Cream Ridge
Daily through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Holland Ridge Farms debuts a magical, walk-through light show, featuring 50,000+ illuminated tulips, millions of twinkling lights, a windmill music and light show, drone show nights, character visits, an igloo snowball pit and much more. READ MORE

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Smithville – FREE
Select dates from Thursday, November 27, 2025-Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Select dates through Tuesday, December 30, 2025
It's that magical time of year when Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights. Take your car on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Then, visit Santa, warm up by the fire pit, and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. READ MORE

The Village at Anne Ellen

Manalapan
Select dates through Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Take an interactive evening stroll through the Village's Christmas experience. A hayride brings guests through the Christmas tree fields to the walking paths, which feature unique and brilliant displays. Don't miss the life-sized gingerbread house and igloo.  READ MORE

Christmas Fantasy With Lights at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Select dates through Wednesday, December 31, 2025
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 with over 1 million lights. READ MORE

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange – FREE
Select dates through Saturday, January 3, 2026
Take a nighttime stroll through the Turtle Back Zoo to see more than 50 illuminated winter scenes and animal characters. Stop by the Touch Tank, Reptile House, train and more.  READ MORE

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular

Paramus
Select dates through Sunday, January 11, 2026
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

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.
Recent Articles By Laurie Rein:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.