Take a dip at Raging Waters or one of New Jersey's other terrific water parks. Photo by David Howarth
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Holiday Break in New Jersey: 25+ Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's Eve

Take a stroll through the Twinkle Tunnel at Six Flags Great Adventure's Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
Take a stroll through the Twinkle Tunnel at Six Flags Great Adventure's Holiday in the Park. Photo courtesy of Six Flags
12/18/22 - By Laurie Rein

The upcoming holiday break may be the best time to take part in New Jersey's family-friendly, must-do holiday activities—especially if your kids have already moved on from their presents. From spectacular light displays to cold-weather fun, there's plenty to do during days off from school.

Most New Jersey schools are closed from Monday, December 26, through Sunday, January 1, 2023, allowing plenty of time to experience the holiday highlights you may have missed in the hectic run-up to Christmas. It's also the perfect time to plan a winter day trip, visit an enchanting Christmas town, bundle up for a visit to a theme park, and party into the new year.

Be sure to check out our Family Activity Calendar and Holiday Fun Guide for more great ideas.

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Enjoy the Winter Wonderlights Spectacular from the safety of your car. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
Enjoy the Winter Wonderlights Spectacular from the safety of your car. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner

Things To Do in New Jersey Over Holiday Break

Sea of Lights

Point Pleasant
Tuesday, December 27-Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Head down to the boardwalk this Christmas season during Jenkinson’s Sea of Lights. This indoor, holiday lights spectacular takes place inside Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Don't miss crafts, treats, entertainment, Santa photos, and diving Santa. READ MORE

Winter Break/Patriots Week Drop-in Activities

Trenton–FREE
Wednesday, December 28-Friday, December 30, 2022
Stop by the museum during your holiday break for two awesome free activities that include storytime and drop-in art. These programs repeat each day. READ MORE

Jurassic Quest

Edison
Daily from Thursday, December 29-Sunday, January 1, 2023
The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center goes back to prehistoric times when it hosts this over-the-top dinosaur attraction. More than 100 life-sized, animatronic dinos roar to life, plus kids can hop on dinosaur-themed rides and take part in interactive shows and inflatable attractions. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Friday, December 30, 2022
Take a drive through this spectacular holiday light experience, which uses LED technology and digital animation. Tune your radio into a holiday soundtrack and wind past themed displays like "Christmas Around the World," "Toyland," "Nativity," and more. READ MORE

Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights

West Orange–FREE
Select dates through Saturday, December 31, 2022
Take a nighttime stroll through the Turtle Back Zoo to see more than 50 illuminated winter scenes and animal characters. Santa stops by the fun on select days.  READ MORE

South Jersey Holiday Light Show

Swedesboro
Select dates through Saturday, December 31, 2022
Cruise through a mile-long route of dazzling, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays. Visitors are welcome to bundle up in their car, pack a favorite snack or beverage, and tune their radio to enjoy the musically synced light performance. READ MORE

2022 Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village

Augusta
Select dates through Friday, December 30, 2022
Sussex County’s favorite stadium hosts this dazzling winter wonderland, showcasing a mile-long drive-thru course glittering with displays and an enchanting Christmas Village full of fun activities, delicious treats, memory-making photo ops, and much more. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Celebration at iPlay America

Freehold
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Ring in the new year with rides, games, food, and family-friendly fun. The celebration features unlimited rides, a live DJ, party favors, giveaways, and dining options. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Fireworks from Battleship New Jersey

Camden
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Enjoy the New Year’s Eve Fireworks over the Delaware River from the historic deck of Battleship New Jersey. Enjoy music, food concessions, and bar service. READ MORE

Happy Noon Year

Avalon–FREE
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Revel in the new year with a kid-friendly celebration, featuring stories, entertainment, snacks and apple juice champagne. READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve Celebration

Hammonton–FREE
Saturday, December 31, 2022
The countdown to noon is on! Enjoy games, crafts, food, hats, noise makers and surprise appearances. The confetti countdown happens at noon. READ MORE

First Night Morris County 2023

Morristown
Saturday, December 31, 2022
First Night Morris County 2023, in its 31st year, is the biggest and brightest New Year’s Eve celebration in New Jersey, providing a magnificent, family-friendly, substance- and alcohol-free celebration in the heart of Morristown. READ MORE

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Select dates through Sunday, January 1, 2023
Diggerland shines this holiday season with a 1-mile drive-thru course covered in hundreds of twinkling lights. America’s only construction theme park is illuminated with holiday displays, and visitors can enjoy tasty treats. Stream its radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit. READ MORE

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Jackson
Select dates through Sunday, January 1, 2023
Six Flags Great Adventure transforms into a holiday wonderland with millions of glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, and a little flurry of magic nightly. Visit the North Pole Village, and hop aboard many popular rides.  READ MORE

Dreamland at American Dream

East Rutherford
Daily through Sunday, January 1, 2023
Dream big this holiday season at American Dream, a one-stop shop for shopping and entertainment. Festivities include Nick the Halls at Nickelodeon Universe, Shrek the Halls at DreamWorks Water Park, menorah lighting and Skate with Santa. READ MORE

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily through Sunday, January 1, 2023
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes, with 12 trees, a tunnel of lights, a tribute to first responders, and stunning, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays synchronized to music playing in your car. READ MORE

Bergen County Winter Wonderland

Paramus
Daily through Monday, January 2, 2023
Spend the day at Van Saun Park for wintertime fun including skating, train rides, carousel rides, and much more.  READ MORE

Holiday Light Show on Lake Meone

Smithville–FREE
Daily through Friday, January 6, 2023
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Historic Smithville Village's Lake Meone. Visit any day of the week between 5:30pm and 8:30pm to catch a choreographed light show synchronized to music. READ MORE

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer at Liberty Science Center

Jersey City
Select dates through Sunday, January 15, 2023
Take part in challenges with Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael at this  action-packed exhibition. Stop by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ underground lair and leap into action to solve puzzles, navigate mazes, and conquer obstacles. READ MORE

Winter Walk Snowflake Stroll in Taylor Park

Millburn–FREE
Daily through Sunday, January 15, 2023
Take a brilliant walk through Taylor Park's winter wonderland. The trees along the path are wrapped in lights, and the bridge is adorned with hundreds of lights reflecting into the stream that runs along the Main Street section of the park.  READ MORE

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular

Paramus
Thursdays through Sundays through Sunday, January 15, 2023
The Bergen County Zoo is illuminated with holiday cheer in the evening all season long. Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed, creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo. READ MORE

Newark Winter Village

Newark
Wednesdays through Sundays through Sunday, January 29, 2023
Newark Winter Village, a much-loved holiday tradition, returns for the season to transform downtown Newark into a winter wonderland. Visitors can enjoy ice skating, Go-Karts,  games and activities, an open-air holiday marketplace with local vendors, and cozy heated private igloos to enjoy hot cocoa and treats. READ MORE

Antique Toy Train Show

Deptford
Thursdays through Sundays through Sunday, January 29, 2023
Check out a variety of vintage toy trains, from 27 gauge toy trains of the '30s, '40s and '50s  to Lionel, Marx, and American Flyer Engines. Plasticville accessories from the '50s add to the displays. READ MORE
Take in the glittering and festive decorations at the Village at Ann Ellen. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Take in the glittering and festive decorations at the Village at Ann Ellen. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala

Family-Friendly Outings in New Jersey for Christmas break

Family-Friendly Bowling Alleys in New Jersey

These are the best NJ bowling alleys, from classic lanes to high-tech venues. READ MORE

Best Kid-Friendly Museums in Northern New Jersey

Learn about art, science, music, and history at these kid-friendly museums. READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in New Jersey for Kids and Families

Here's where you can hit the ice in the Garden State this winter. READ MORE

Where To Go Ice Skating Indoors with Kids in NJ

20+ NJ rinks that are perfect for an indoor skating sesh with the kids. READ MORE

New Jersey's Dazzling Holiday Lights Drive-Thru and Walk-Through Christmas Light Shows

Check out one of NJ's stunning outdoor light shows this season. READ MORE

Most Spectacular Holiday Light and Christmas Displays in New Jersey

NJ lights up for the holidays at these dazzling decorated homes. READ MORE

Best Snow Tubing near New Jersey for Families

These snow tubing parks in and around NJ offer cold-weather thrills. READ MORE

Hit the Serene Columbia Trail for a Family-Friendly Hiking Adventure

A waterfall, fairy houses, and an easy stroll—what's not to love about this hike? READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

New Jersey Convention & Expo Center
Avalon Free Public Library
Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park
South Jersey Museum of American History
Camuso Family Christmas Display

About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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