Last updated: November 11, 2024
Feel the joy of the festive season in Montclair! Our guide has all the top holiday events and activities. Whether you're a Montclair native or a holiday pilgrim, this guide reveals the city's seasonal soul.
One of the highlights of the season is the Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center, where a dazzling drive-through light display transforms the landscape into a sparkling wonderland. Families will also appreciate the Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village, featuring festive scenes and a charming marketplace. And the Polar Express is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it brings the classic holiday story to life with a magical train ride experience. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Guided holiday light tour with Santa and s'mores.
At Demarest Farms, experience a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Enjoy hot cocoa and treats by the fire pit in the retail farm market. Take pictures with Santa and make your own s'mores. The tour takes about 20-25 minutes, and you must tune your radio to 107.9FM.
Where: Hillsdale | More Info: Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
Over two million lights in a one-mile drive-thru course.
Skylands Stadium's Light Show & Christmas Village features a one-mile drive-thru course with over two million lights, a Christmas Village with shopping, food, and photo opportunities, including a visit with Santa and a S’mores Station.
Where: Augusta | More Info: Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
Extensive light and decoration display with Santa visits.
Fanwood’s Famous Christmas House is a spectacular display featuring over 30,000 lights and hundreds of decorations. The event includes a visit from Santa Claus and raises funds for the NJ Institute for Disabilities. The display is lit from 4:30 to 10 p.m. daily from Black Friday through January 8.
Where: Fanwood | More Info: Fanwood’s Famous Christmas House
Dazzling drive-through holiday light display with iconic characters and scenes.
At PNC Bank Arts Center, Magic of Lights features over 2 million sparkling lights, including a 32-foot-tall animated Holiday Barbie display, a supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas. The event offers a drive-through experience with various holiday light features, making it a memorable holiday celebration.
Where: Holmdel | More Info: Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Animated holiday light show with synchronized displays and holiday music.
Over 1.5 million lights are animated to some of your favorite holiday tunes in a ½ mile drive-through experience featuring 4 magic tunnels, giant holiday light displays, and 30’ tall Christmas trees.
Where: East Brunswick | More Info: The Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru
Traditional holiday celebration with festive music and Santa visit.
The Montclair Holiday Tree Lighting is an annual event in Church Street Plaza featuring holiday music, activities for kids, and a visit from Santa Claus.
Where: Montclair | More Info: Montclair Holiday Tree Lighting
Drive-through light display synchronized with holiday music
A spectacular display featuring thousands of lights and festive decorations set to an array of holiday music. Families can drive through the colourful paths and experience a delightful winter atmosphere, perfect for creating lasting memories together. Each twist and turn reveals new scenes that celebrate the joy of the season, making it a beloved outing for attendees.
Where: Newark | More Info: Dasher’s Lightshow
Community-driven holiday market with authentic German food and crafts.
The Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey, features 150 vendors offering handmade crafts, traditional German food, and live entertainment. The event includes a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and pony and wagon rides. Proceeds support local charities.
Where: Augusta | More Info: Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market
Family-friendly holiday celebration with activities and festivities.
Roxbury’s Annual Home for the Holidays is a fun-filled, family event that kicks off the holiday season with activities and festivities inside the library and two churches next door on Main Street in Succasunna.
Where: Succasunna | More Info: Roxbury’s Annual Home for the Holidays
Community-decorated trees with live holiday music.
The Festival of Trees at the Somerset County Park Commission's Environmental Education Center features an indoor exhibit of decorated trees by various community groups and individuals. Enjoy holiday music while viewing beautiful trees.
Where: Basking Ridge | More Info: Festival of Trees
Unique holiday celebration with steam tractor arrival of Santa.
Visit Howell Farm for Christmas crafts, live music, farm animal visits, and a chance to stroll through a decorated historic farmhouse before meeting Santa, who arrives by steam tractor. Enjoy warm drinks, homemade cookies, and unique gifts in the gift shop.
Where: Lambertville | More Info: Howell Farm Christmas
