Last updated: November 11, 2024
You've found the best holiday guide for Jersey City! Let us show you all the top festive events and attractions. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide unlocks the festive spirit of Jersey City.
Popular events abound this holiday season starting with the Bryant Park Winter Village, where you can stroll through charming shops and enjoy seasonal treats. The Mariah Carey's “Christmas Time” Tour brings festive melodies and lively performances to the stage, making it a delightful experience for music fans. And the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular is something you definitely don't want to miss with its dazzling choreography and holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Jersey City Holiday Light Displays
Magic of Lights
- What to Expect
- Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with life-sized displays.
- Description
- Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including larger-than-life Holiday Barbie, Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs. Guests can enjoy their favorite holiday scenes and characters from the comfort of their own vehicles.
- Where
- Jersey City | More Info : Magic of Lights
Newport Holiday Lights
- What to Expect
- Live ice carving demonstrations and festive community activities.
- Description
- The Newport Holiday Lights event features a spectacular display of lights and decorations throughout the community, including live ice carving demonstrations and festive activities.
- Where
- Jersey City | More Info : Newport Holiday Lights
Lumino City Festival
- What to Expect
- Immersive light displays and interactive activities for all ages.
- Description
- LuminoCity Festival is an immersive light experience featuring over 40 stunning attractions and interactive elements. Dive into four captivating themes filled with dazzling light displays and interactive activities suitable for all ages. Enjoy food trucks, holiday gift shops, and special theme days packed with surprises.
- Where
- Jersey City | More Info : Lumino City Festival
Turtle Back Zoo Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo under sparkling lights and animal characters. Enjoy activities like face painting, a s'mores station, and photo ops with Santa and the Grinch.
- Where
- West Orange | More Info : Turtle Back Zoo Christmas
Demarest Farms Christmas
- What to Expect
- Guided holiday light tour with festive activities.
- Description
- Demarest Farms offers a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays, featuring a fire pit, 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 : Demarest Farms Christmas
Palmer Square Christmas
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday celebration with live music.
- Description
- Palmer Square Christmas features a festive tree lighting, live music, and family-friendly activities in downtown Princeton.
- Where
- Princeton | More Info : Palmer Square Christmas
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
- What to Expect
- Extensive holiday light display with unique handmade decorations.
- Description
- Fanwood's Famous Christmas House is a spectacular display of 30,000 Christmas lights and hundreds of figurines, showcasing a mix of homemade wooden creations and wire-frame ornaments.
- Where
- Fanwood | More Info : Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Jersey City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Local Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of local artisans and live music.
- Description
- The Local Holiday Market in Downtown Jersey City features handmade goods, local artists, and makers, with live music performances and a DJ throughout the weekend.
- Where
- Jersey City | More Info : Local Holiday Market
Bryant Park Winter Village
- What to Expect
- NYC's largest free-admission ice skating rink with unique shopping and dining experiences.
- Description
- Bryant Park Winter Village offers free ice skating, over 180 holiday shops, cozy igloos, and The Lodge for festive food and drinks. It's a premier destination for holiday shopping and activities in New York City.
- Where
- New York City | More Info : Bryant Park Winter Village
Jersey City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Jersey City Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- Holiday ballet performance with animated video projections and community involvement.
- Description
- Jersey City Nutcracker is a holiday production set to Tchaikovsky's renowned orchestral score, telling the story of two children's city adventure through fantasy, adversity, and celebration. Choreographed by Samuel Pott, it features a stand-out cast of professional dancers from Nimbus Dance joined by youth and adults, including familiar characters like the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Rat King, all with a Jersey City twist. The production is set against jaw-dropping animated video projections by Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger.
- Where
- Jersey City | More Info : Jersey City Nutcracker
Mariah Carey's “Christmas Time” Tour
- What to Expect
- Iconic holiday songs performed by a legendary artist.
- Description
- Mariah Carey's "Christmas Time" Tour is a spectacular celebration of holiday classics and fan-favorite hits, featuring timeless performances that bring the spirit of Christmas to life.
- Where
- New York City | More Info : Mariah Carey's “Christmas Time” Tour
Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular
- What to Expect
- Precision dance troupe with modern special effects.
- Description
- The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular is a grand holiday production featuring precision dance, elaborate costumes, and classic holiday music. The show combines traditional scenes with modern special effects, including fairy drones and 3D experiences, to create a visually stunning celebration of the holiday season.
- Where
- New York City | More Info : Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular
Derek Hough's “Dance for the Holidays” Tour
- What to Expect
- High-energy dance performances with a festive twist.
- Description
- Derek Hough's "Dance for the Holidays" is a high-energy live show featuring an incredible cast of dancers and musicians in a stunning stage production. The event brings holiday carols and modern pop hits to life through dance, showcasing incredible choreography and dance mastery.
- Where
- New York City | More Info : Derek Hough's “Dance for the Holidays” Tour
Jersey City Other Holiday Activities
Miracle on Mercer
- What to Expect
- Seasonal cocktails and snacks in a festive setting.
- Description
- Miracle on Mercer is a festive holiday pop-up at Franklin Social in Jersey City, offering holiday cocktails and festive snacks.
- Where
- Jersey City | More Info : Miracle on Mercer
Morven Museum & Garden Christmas
- What to Expect
- Artfully decorated galleries and porches by local businesses and organizations.
- Description
- Morven Museum & Garden's Christmas celebration features elegantly decorated galleries, mantels, and porches by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profit organizations. The event includes fire pits, twinkle lights, hot beverages, and hearty hors d'oeuvres, creating a warm atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
- Where
- Princeton | More Info : Morven Museum & Garden Christmas
Black River & Western Railroad Christmas
- What to Expect
- Meet Santa and enjoy holiday activities on a vintage train ride.
- Description
- Black River & Western Railroad offers a holiday-themed train ride from Flemington to the North Pole, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Christmas-themed short story reading, and festive activities.
- Where
- Flemington | More Info : Black River & Western Railroad Christmas
Maplewood Village Christmas
- What to Expect
- Miniature houses with fireplaces and antique toys.
- Description
- Dickens Village in Maplewood brings Charles Dickens' scenes from "A Christmas Carol" to life in miniature houses arranged in Ricalton Square. Each house features fireplaces, stockings, and antique toys, offering a unique and different experience. The event includes visits with Santa, horse and wagon rides, petting farms, music, and holiday readings.
- Where
- Maplewood | More Info : Maplewood Village Christmas
Nassau Inn Patio Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with a 65 ft. tall Christmas tree and outdoor skating rink.
- Description
- The Nassau Inn Patio Christmas features a 65 ft. tall Christmas tree in Palmer Square Green with 33,000 lights, outdoor eco-friendly Glice skating rink, and igloos for private outdoor dining.
- Where
- Princeton | More Info : Nassau Inn Patio Christmas