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Christmas Weekend 2022 in New Jersey: 15 Festive Things To Do with Kids

Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays—take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa and more. Photo courtesy of the farm
Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays—take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa and more. Photo courtesy of the farm
12/21/22 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey over Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

It's a very merry Christmas weekend, and we've found plenty of fun things to do in New Jersey to celebrate it! Kick off the festivities at local celebrations like Summit's Miracle on Elm Street, where you can enjoy free drinks and ice skating, or meet Santa Claus in Ridgewood for free photos, if taking pictures with Santa is still on your holiday to-do list. It's also the last chance for a few favorite holiday outings that close this weekend, including the chance to see Scuba Santa at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden or take a holiday hayride at Johnson's Corner Farm in Medford.

The long weekend is the perfect opportunity to swing by holiday light shows you may have missed: the PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights and South Jersey Holiday Light Show are two of the best and they just happen to be open Christmas Day. You can find more holiday weekend fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for NJ Families and our packed Family Activity Calendar.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:​

Be sure to click through to each listing for all the details, including recommended ages and times.

 

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New Jersey Ballet's beloved annual tradition, The Nutcracker, enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike. Photo courtesy of the Mayo Performing Arts Center
New Jersey Ballet's beloved annual tradition, The Nutcracker, enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike. Photo courtesy of the Mayo Performing Arts Center

Things To Do in New Jersey Christmas Weekend with Kids

Holidays at Johnson's Corner Farm

Medford
Ends Friday, December 23
Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays–take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa, decorate Christmas cookies, roast marshmallows, and visit the Discovery Barn and Animal Farm. READ MORE

The Muppet Christmas Carol at UCPAC

Rahway
Friday, December 23
Catch a showing of The Muppet Christmas Carol on the big screen at UCPAC. The movie is preceded by an organ concert of holiday favorites played on the “Biggest Little Wurlitzer” half an hour before the movie begins. READ MORE

Miracle on Elm Street

Summit–FREE
Friday, December 23
Gather on Summit's Village Green to kick off the holiday break, with free hot beverages, bonfires, ice skating, music, and more.  READ MORE

New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker With New Jersey Symphony

Morristown
Friday, December 23 & Saturday, December 24
New Jersey Ballet's beloved annual tradition enchants youngsters and grown-ups alike with splendid dancing, eye-popping special effects and a touch of holiday magic, set to Tchaikovsky's iconic score performed live by New Jersey Symphony. READ MORE

Christmas Underwater at the Adventure Aquarium

Camden
Ends Saturday, December 24
Scuba Santa swims through the Adventure Aquarium alongside sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays during Christmas Underwater. Kids can see the world's tallest underwater Christmas tree amid submerged light displays. READ MORE

Santa Claus in Ridgewood

Ridgewood–FREE
Saturday, December 24
Visit Santa on Christmas Eve day at Van Neste Square's Santa House. Snap some photos while you're there. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Daily through Friday, December 30
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

South Jersey Holiday Light Show

Swedesboro
Daily through Saturday, December 31
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

Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland

West Berlin
Thursdays through Sundays through Sunday, January 1
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 (closed December 25)
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

Winter WonderLights Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily through Sunday, January 1
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 (closed December 25)
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
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

Winter Walk Snowflake Stroll in Taylor Park

Millburn–FREE
Daily through Sunday, January 15
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
Select dates through Sunday, January 15 (closed December 25)
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

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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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