🌻Things To Do in Jersey 12/19-12/21

Happy Hanukkah + Santa is Getting Ready for the big day!

December 17, 2025

Happy Hanukkah to everyone celebrating! Wishing you all the light, latkes, and love. Speaking of latkes - I saw an interesting thread on Facebook about team sour cream or team applesauce. I voted team “soursauce”, because Grandma Millstein would not have it any other way! Would love to hear your preference! 🕎

And for the Christmas crew—word on the street is Santa's got the reindeer fueled up and ready to go. 🎅 

Event listings might be a little light around here for the next couple weeks, but don't worry—I'm already deep in adding mode for 2026! There will be PLENTY for you to do!

📣 Speaking of 2026, I have a favor to ask!

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As an example of improvements based on feedback - I recently asked what other types of weekly reads you would like and you can see the survey results below.

🚨 Based on these results I will be launching additional weekly editions for North, South and Central areas in the new year. Stay tuned for details on how to customize what you are subscribed to.

Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton NJ

9th Annual Deck The Hall - Festival of Trees

Every day through 1/3/26
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
Free
View a collection of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.
Visit Event Website →

NJ Photo Expo

12/20/2025
Bergen County Camera, Westwood
Free
Join Bergen County Camera for all things camera.
Visit Event Website →

Holiday Light & Architecture Tour

12/20/25
Bordentown
$25 adults, $15 children
Guided walking tour to see the lights and historic architecture.
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Winter Wonderland Festival

12/19/2025
Roosevelt Park, Camden
Free
From 5-8pm see live performances, Christmas characters, food trucks, trackless train rides and so much more in the holiday inspired community event.
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Emlen Physick Estate Tour

12/16-12/21/2025
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Free
See Cape May’s Victorian House Museum, the 1879 Emlen Physick House, decorated in true Victorian style for Christmas on this holiday tour. This 18 room mansion was one voted the most beautiful building in NJ.
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Christmas Trolley Rides

12/17-12/21/2025
Cape May
$20 adult, $15 children, under 3 free
Hear stories of Christmases long ago while enjoying a trolley ride through the historic streets of Cape May.
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Kwanzaa Family Festival & Marketplace

12/20/2025  · 1-7:30pm
NJPAC, Newark
Free
A Kwanzaa celebration that features programs and cultural immersion.
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Montclair Flea

12/20/2025 & 12/21/2025
Lackawanna Station, Montclair
Free
Curated vendors offering everything from festive décor and handmade gifts to vintage treasures.
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A Christmas Carol Live Radio Play

12/18 - 12/21/25
Miles Square Theatre, Hoboken
$40 adult, $25 children under 12 and seniors
The Charles Dickens holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast, complete with vintage commercials for fruitcake (extra-fancy).
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Hoboken Holiday Market

12/21/25
Monroe Center, Hoboken
Free
Over 100 artisans and makers with special events.
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Photos with Santa & Custom Labeled Wine Bottles

12/21/2025
Old York Cellars, Ringoes
$25 for custom wine bottle, Santa is free

Santa visits at Old York Cellars with the option to create a custom labeled wine bottle from your visit.
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Holly Jolly Market

12/20/2025 & 12/21/2025
MarketFair, Princeton
Free
Holiday market with 30+ vendors, gift-wrapping, Santa, kids letter writing and more.
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Morven Museum & Garden’s Festival of Trees

Runs through 01/11/2026
Morven Museum, Princeton
$10-$12, under 6 free
Beautifully decorated holiday trees adorn the Morven Museum.
Visit Event Website →

MIDDLESEX COUNTY
View all upcoming Middlesex County events ➜

The Nutcracker Ballet

12/18/2025 - 12/21/2025
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
$40+
Celebrate American Repertory Ballet's annual Nutcracker tradition with your family!
Visit Event Website →

New Jersey Jerk Festival & Benefit

12/20/2025
Supreme Eventz, Dunellen
$10+
Celebrate Caribbean culture while supporting families in Jamaica affected by Hurricane Melissa.
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Ebenezer Scrooge's Big Jersey Christmas Show

12/17/2025 - 12/21/2025
Arthur Laurents Theater, New Brunswick
$35+
Enjoy a live show featuring a classic Christmas story with a local twist.
Visit Event Website →

The World’s Largest Toy Drive

The World’s Largest Toy Drive partners with Trina’s Kids Foundation to help children living in extreme poverty experience a bit of holiday joy.

This is the 12th anniversary of this event and this year they will be collecting unwrapped gifts for children ages 1-18 who need some cheer this year.

From 9am - 4pm on December 21st you can drop off your donations at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford.

Annual Festival of Trees Long Brach

12/19/2025 - 12/21/2025
West End Arts Center, Long Branch
Free
A holiday event that features over 40 trees decorated by local businesses, games, events and more.
Visit Event Website →

Allaire Christmas by Candlelight

12/19/2025 - 12/20/2025
Allaire Village, Farmingdale
$45
90-minute guided tour by candlelight through the historic Allaire Village.
Visit Event Website →

Holiday Spectacular & Train Display

12/20 & 12/21
InfoAge Science and History Museum, Wall Township
$12 adults / $8 kids (reduced admission with unwrapped toy donation)
Model trains, holiday magic, fascinating history and Santa at this historic venue.
Visit Event Website →

Sports Card Convention

12/20/2025 - 12/21/2025
iPlay America, Freehold
$10, under 10 free
Card collectors and dealers, bringing collectibles, novelties, sports card memorabilia & more
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New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker With New Jersey Symphony

12/19/2025 - 12/21/2025
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
$47+
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.
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Holiday Light Spectacular

12/19/2025 & 12/20/2025
Corliss Park Lake, Waretown
$20 per vehicle
Drive-thru light show at Corliss Park in Ocean County.
Visit Event Website →

Seas & Greetings

12/20/2025
Point Pleasant Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach
Prices vary based on activities
Step into a winter wonderland done boardwalk style. Visit Santa, go ice skating, enjoy the fun house and aquarium - all ready to bring the holiday cheer.
Visit Event Website →

Wade Preston Christmas

12/20/2025
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
$30
Two shows from Wade Preston, a piano man who plays plenty of Billy Joel.
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Santa Clause Special Train Ride

12/19/25 & 12/20/25
South Woodstown Station, Woodstown
$40 adults, $30 children, $5 toddlers
60-minute Christmas themed train ride. Santa visits with all families and hands out a gift to all children. 
Visit Event Website →

Flounder's Kringle Market

12/20/25 & 12/21/25
Carriage Farm, Hillsborough
$10 per car
5th annual Kringle market features vendors, music, Santa and more.
Visit Event Website →

UNION COUNTY
View all upcoming Union County events ➜

The Polar Express - Popcorn & Pajamas

12/20/25
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
$10
Come in your PJ’s for a fun family movie night with crafts and a screening of the move.
Visit Event Website →

WARREN COUNTY
View all upcoming Warren County events ➜

Alpaca Llama Jingle

12/20/25 & 12/21/25
Hidden Brook Ranch, Blairstown
$25
A Christmas event like no other! Llamas and Alpacas will spread their holiday cheer, meet Santa, treats, music and more.
Visit Event Website →

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