Carteret Christmas Events & Things to Do 2025
Your complete guide to the best christmas events in Carteret and surrounding areas
Carteret welcomes the Christmas season with festive events, Christmas markets, and Santa visits clustered around the downtown waterfront and borough center. Seasonal parades and local holiday gatherings add small-town warmth while vendors offer seasonal crafts and treats under bright neighborhood lights. From festive tours to family gatherings and community performances like Peter Noone & Herman's Hermits: An Old English Christmas, Carteret’s holiday activities bring friends and families together for joyful celebrations.
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Christmas Shows
20 eventsStage adaptation of the beloved holiday film 'Elf'.
Christmas Markets
19 eventsAuthentic Danish Christmas market with Scandinavian goods and treats.
Christmas Lights
11 eventsDazzling drive-through holiday light experience
Christmas Parties
6 eventsFestive night out supporting arts education.
Other Christmas Activities
40 eventsFree family holiday party with Santa photos
Editor's Picks (6)
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Elf The Musical
(New Brunswick)
Stage adaptation of the beloved holiday film 'Elf'.
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Dyker Heights Christmas Lights Tour
(Brooklyn)
Spectacularly decorated homes in Dyker Heights.
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Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
(Holmdel)
Dazzling drive-through holiday light experience
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Candlelight Christmas Concerts in New York
(New York)
Candlelit classical concerts of Christmas music
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Holiday Spirits: Festive Night Out
(New Brunswick)
Festive night out supporting arts education.
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Kids Christmas Party with Pictures with Santa
(Cranford)
Free family holiday party with Santa photos
This Week / Coming Up (6)
Christmas Giving Opportunities Near Carteret
Give back this holiday season with volunteering and charitable opportunities in Carteret.
Christmas Extravaganza and Toy Giveaway 2024
Community toy giveaway with Santa Claus
View Our Interactive Map for More Events Around Carteret
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Carteret Christmas FAQ
The biggest annual events include the Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting at Carteret Park and seasonal performances at the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center, such as Luminare Christmas and Holiday Dreams shows.
Carteret celebrates with a blend of traditions including a menorah lighting during Hanukkah, horse and buggy rides at the Holiday Festival, and community chorales, reflecting the town’s diverse cultural heritage.
Neighborhoods around Carteret Park and residential streets near Cypress Street are known for their festive displays, offering a welcoming atmosphere for walking or driving tours of holiday lights.
Christmas markets and local artisan vendors can be found at Carteret Park during the Holiday Festival and at community centers near Carteret, where seasonal craft fairs and vendor stalls are hosted throughout December.
Free activities include enjoying neighborhood light displays, attending the Holiday Festival with its free entertainment and treats, and visiting local parks decorated for the season.
Families will enjoy the Holiday Festival’s photos with Santa, horse and buggy rides, holiday chorales, and kid-friendly performances at the Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center.