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Last updated: November 11, 2024

Experience the joy of the holidays in Hillsborough! Our guide has all the exciting festive events. Whether you're a Hillsborough insider or an outsider looking in, this guide reveals the city's festive heart.

One standout event is the Holiday Lights Hayride at Norz Hill Farm, where visitors can enjoy a charming ride through beautifully illuminated landscapes. Alongside this, the Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms offers a dazzling display of festive lights combined with seasonal treats, showcasing the beauty of the season. And the Breakfast with Santa at Iron Peak is something you definitely don't want to miss as it provides a delightful morning filled with delicious food and the chance to meet Santa himself. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!

Contact information and details below.

Hillsborough Holiday Light Displays

What to Expect:

Holiday lights hayride with interactive animal displays and Santa visits.

Description:

At Norz Hill Farm, enjoy a holiday lights hayride through a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, interactive displays, and visits to Santa's cornfield office. Bundle up and take in the sights and sounds of Christmas while snuggling close to your loved ones. After the ride, warm up by the fire and enjoy hot cocoa and marshmallows, then explore the Home Farm Stand for delicious treats.

Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Holiday Lights Hayride at Norz Hill Farm

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What to Expect:

Traditional holiday celebration with Santa's arrival and festive lighting.

Description:

Join Hillsborough Township for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, a festive event featuring a beautifully lit tree, holiday music, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Christmas Tree Lighting

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What to Expect:

Guided holiday light tour with festive activities.

Description:

At Demarest Farms, take a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. Take pictures with Santa, make your own S’mores, and listen to Santa’s singing Reindeer.

Where: Hillsdale | More Info: Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms

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What to Expect:

Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with iconic characters and scenes.

Description:

At Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center, witness over a mile of spectacular light displays featuring larger-than-life Holiday Barbie, supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas. This drive-through holiday lights experience brings your favorite holiday scenes and characters to life with the latest LED technology and digital animations.

Where: Holmdel | More Info: Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center

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What to Expect:

Holiday celebration in a zoo setting

Description:

Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. Enjoy face painting, visit the carousel, reptile house, and farm, and participate in seasonal activities like the s’mores station and photos with Santa.

Where: West Orange | More Info: Holiday Light Show at Turtle Back Zoo

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What to Expect:

Live music and Santa's visit amidst 32,000 sparkling lights.

Description:

Join us at Palmer Square for the Annual Tree Lighting, a family-friendly event featuring live music, holiday shopping, and a visit from Santa. The giant spruce tree will be decked out in 32,000 sparkling lights, making it a very Jersey Christmas.

Where: Princeton | More Info: Palmer Square Annual Tree Lighting

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Hillsborough Holiday Markets and Shopping

What to Expect:

Family-friendly holiday activities and shopping.

Description:

Join us at Christmas on the Common for a family-friendly holiday celebration featuring food, live music, Santa photos, pony rides, and holiday shopping. The event is held annually on the first Sunday of December at Central Square Town Common in Bridgewater, MA.

Where: Bridgewater | More Info: Santa @ The Commons

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What to Expect:

Features a community-focused marketplace with local artisans and entertainment for all ages.

Description:

This lively market showcases a wide variety of artisanal goods, festive treats, and locally crafted products. Visitors can indulge in gourmet snacks, enjoy live music, and browse a selection of unique holiday gifts from regional vendors. A vibrant atmosphere filled with cheerful decorations enhances the community spirit of the season.

Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Flounder’s Kringle Market

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Hillsborough Holiday Shows and Entertainment

What to Expect:

Community-driven holiday celebration with floats and live performances.

Description:

The 38th annual Guild of Clinton Christmas Parade is a festive holiday event held in downtown Clinton, NJ, featuring floats, bands, and community participants celebrating the start of the Christmas season.

Where: Clinton | More Info: Christmas Parade

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What to Expect:

Heart-warming performance by special needs performers.

Description:

The Shining Stars Christmas Spectacular features a talented cast of performers with special needs who will sing and dance to your holiday favorites, including "The Twelve Days of Christmas," where the audience is invited to sing along.

Where: Rahway | More Info: Shining Stars Christmas Spectacular

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What to Expect:

Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey through Christmases past, present, and future.

Description:

A classic tale by Charles Dickens, adapted and directed by Lauren Keating, follows Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey through Christmases past, present, and future. Joel McKinnon Miller reprises his acclaimed performance as Scrooge, leading the audience through a transformative experience filled with music and merriment.

Where: Princeton | More Info: A Christmas Carol

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What to Expect:

Interactive show where audience members become performers.

Description:

Join Choir Choir Choir for an epic Queen sing-along where the audience becomes the performer. Unleash your inner Freddie Mercury and create harmonies that will blow the roof off the place.

Where: Princeton | More Info: Choir Choir Choir

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Hillsborough Other Holiday Activities

What to Expect:

Meet Santa while enjoying a breakfast buffet and holiday crafts.

Description:

Join Santa Claus for a special morning at Iron Peak Sports & Events, where families can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet and make holiday arts and crafts. This event is perfect for families looking to create lasting memories.

Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Breakfast with Santa at Iron Peak

Event Organizer?

What to Expect:

Multi-theme and multi-room tree exhibits with live holiday music.

Description:

The Festival of Trees at the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center is an indoor exhibit featuring decorated trees by various community groups and individuals. Enjoy live holiday music while viewing the beautiful trees.

Where: Basking Ridge | More Info: Festival of Trees

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