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.
Latest posts by Laurie
Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.
On this first weekend of December, local New Jersey towns are getting into the holiday groove with neighborhood celebrations, like Mount Laurel's Tree Lighting and Winter Festival, where kids can enjoy arts and crafts, snap photos with Santa, and nosh on tasty treats. Toms River hosts a Winter Wonderland Weekend, complete with a shoppable village, Santa appearances, and tons of kid-friendly fun.
Families can embrace the spirit of the season with a pair of fun Christmas concerts. Elf in Concert plays in Newark and Red Bank, while Cherish the Ladies brings A Celtic Christmas to the Union County Performing Arts Center.
Plus, New Jersey farms boast some holiday fun, including Celebrate the Season at Terhune Orchards and Festive Farmyard at Fosterfields.
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.
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. Annual winter festivals kick off the weekend, including Bergen County Winter Wonderland, featuring ice skating, train rides, and bumper cars. Santa makes his grand arrival at tree-lighting celebrations in Red Bank and Point Pleasant Beach.
Looking for FREE Christmas events in New Jersey? Read on for dozens of great options.
It's the most wonderful—and expensive—time of the year. While big-budget gifts take a toll on your wallet, our gift to you is this list of holiday events and FREE Christmas activities in New Jersey that don't cost a penny.
In a season when finances may be tight, treat the family to FREE, fun holiday festivities for the kids across New Jersey, including light spectaculars like Lighting Up Nature Drive-Thru and small-town celebrations like Dickens Village.
Mark your calendars with these 30+ no-cost holiday events that take place nearly every day of the season. For more seasonal fun, don't miss our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for New Jersey Families.
There's no shortage of opportunities for your little elves to pose for pictures with Santa in New Jersey when the big guy comes to town this Christmas. If your holiday budget is tight, check out free photos with jolly St. Nick at local events like Hometown Holiday in Washington Borough and shops like Harley-Davidson, where guests can pose with Santa and The Grinch on a motorcycle.
We've rounded up our favorites, and there are events all over the state listed below for you to snag that photo op.
For even more seasonal activities, check out our Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for NJ Kids, where we highlight our favorite places to have breakfast with Santa and plenty more holiday must-dos for New Jersey kids.
Breakfast with Santa on one of his visits to New Jersey is a great way for your kids to spend quality time with "the big guy." At these events, kids enjoy delicious food and share holiday wish lists with St. Nick.
And, of course, there will be time for some adorable photos. Read on for our roundup of where to have breakfast with Santa in New Jersey this holiday season.
Want more time with Santa? Book your ticket on a Christmas train ride, and find more seasonal activities in our Holiday Fun Guide.
Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events in New Jersey? Read on for our top picks in the Garden State in 2025.
Make your list—and check it twice—because we've got all the details you need for annual must-do holiday experiences and top Christmas events in New Jersey. These Christmas events and holiday activities, including annual favorites like PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights, and newcomer Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms, are sure to get everyone in the seasonal spirit over the next few weeks.
You can also stay up to date with family-friendly holiday fun in our Family Activity Calendar and find more Christmas events and holiday hoopla in our seasonal Holiday Guide for New Jersey Families.
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