The holiday season is always a magical time of year, but certain celebrations are more enchanting than others. While most New Jersey towns offer something special each Christmas, there are a few that truly stand out. Abundant with holiday cheer, the Christmas spirit thrives in these charming Garden State locales.
- Cape May
Flickr/LeGaulois29 There’s no place quite like Cape May at Christmastime. Take a trolley tour to see holiday lights or a candlelit walking tour of local estates decked out for the season. You can also enjoy the West Cape May Christmas Parade (12/3), Hospitality Nights at the Washington Street Mall, special appearances by Santa throughout town and One Christmas Carol at the Cape May Stage.
- Ocean City
Facebook/Ocean City NJ This family-friendly shore town does the holiday season right. Enjoy free horse and carriage rides, Christmas trolley rides, breakfast with Santa, a Christmas Parade (12/2), holiday dash (mile run) and A Very Ocean City Christmas holiday show.
- Morristown
Facebook/Morristown Partnership Morristown participates in the Holly Walk, a two-day event (12/3-12/4) that tours historic sites specially decorated for the holidays. Participating venues (Ford Mansion, Macculloch Hall, Stickley Museum and more) will be hosting themed events as well. Morristown also celebrates with Christmas on the Green, featuring ice sculpture demonstrations on select days.
- Princeton
Flickr/Peter Roome Head to Palmer Square for the Christmas Tree lighting on November 25th and enjoy a Santa’s Helper walking tour with the kids. This tour will teach children some holiday history along with must-know info about reindeer food and the average height of an elf. Other Princeton events include the Festival of Trees at Morven Museum and The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre.
- Freehold
Facebook/Freehold Township Have breakfast or brunch with Santa (Sweet Lew’s/American Hotel), take in the tree lighting with a prize wheel, take the PBA Santa Train or Jolly Trolley and enjoy carolers downtown (12/8 + 12/15).
- Red Bank
Flickr/Jazz Guy This town is filled with fun throughout the holiday season. Take part in the Holiday Hunt for a chance to win prizes, enjoy unique window displays, hop on a horse-drawn wagon (free!), come for the tree lighting and choose from a selection of holiday shows at the Count Basie Theatre. Don’t miss the Santa Parade on 11/25.
- Chester
Facebook/I Love Chester Visit Alstede Farms for Santa’s Country Corner, watch ice sculptures being made and enjoy strolling carolers and “Holiday Helpers,” giving away gift certificates downtown.
- Ocean Grove
Flickr/Shawn Perez Visit for the Victorian Holiday Festival on December 10th and 11th. The event features a Christmas tree lighting, live nativity pageant, caroling and tours of local inns, homes and tents decorated for the holidays.
- West Orange
Facebook/Turtle Back Zoo From the free holiday lights spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo to the free guided Holley Trolley tours in Llewellyn Park (12/3), this town is perfect for enjoying the holidays on a budget. Visitors can also enjoy a holiday craft show and Christmas tree lighting.
- Fairfield
Facebook/Christmas Ice Caverns Fairfield is home to the Christmas Ice Caverns, an enchanting holiday display. Animated characters adorn the 10,000 square foot set-up at Jody’s Silk Florist and Patio Center, sure to be a treat for everyone. You’ll also enjoy the Winter Wonderland event on 12/4, featuring an iceless ice skating rink, interactive snow globe, horse & carriage rides and more.
Where’s your favorite holiday celebration in New Jersey? For more Christmas fun in the Garden State, check out these 10 light displays.
Flickr/LeGaulois29
There’s no place quite like Cape May at Christmastime. Take a trolley tour to see holiday lights or a candlelit walking tour of local estates decked out for the season. You can also enjoy the West Cape May Christmas Parade (12/3), Hospitality Nights at the Washington Street Mall, special appearances by Santa throughout town and One Christmas Carol at the Cape May Stage.
Facebook/Ocean City NJ
This family-friendly shore town does the holiday season right. Enjoy free horse and carriage rides, Christmas trolley rides, breakfast with Santa, a Christmas Parade (12/2), holiday dash (mile run) and A Very Ocean City Christmas holiday show.
Facebook/Morristown Partnership
Morristown participates in the Holly Walk, a two-day event (12/3-12/4) that tours historic sites specially decorated for the holidays. Participating venues (Ford Mansion, Macculloch Hall, Stickley Museum and more) will be hosting themed events as well. Morristown also celebrates with Christmas on the Green, featuring ice sculpture demonstrations on select days.
Flickr/Peter Roome
Head to Palmer Square for the Christmas Tree lighting on November 25th and enjoy a Santa’s Helper walking tour with the kids. This tour will teach children some holiday history along with must-know info about reindeer food and the average height of an elf. Other Princeton events include the Festival of Trees at Morven Museum and The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol at McCarter Theatre.
Facebook/Freehold Township
Have breakfast or brunch with Santa (Sweet Lew’s/American Hotel), take in the tree lighting with a prize wheel, take the PBA Santa Train or Jolly Trolley and enjoy carolers downtown (12/8 + 12/15).
Flickr/Jazz Guy
This town is filled with fun throughout the holiday season. Take part in the Holiday Hunt for a chance to win prizes, enjoy unique window displays, hop on a horse-drawn wagon (free!), come for the tree lighting and choose from a selection of holiday shows at the Count Basie Theatre. Don’t miss the Santa Parade on 11/25.
Facebook/I Love Chester
Visit Alstede Farms for Santa’s Country Corner, watch ice sculptures being made and enjoy strolling carolers and “Holiday Helpers,” giving away gift certificates downtown.
Flickr/Shawn Perez
Visit for the Victorian Holiday Festival on December 10th and 11th. The event features a Christmas tree lighting, live nativity pageant, caroling and tours of local inns, homes and tents decorated for the holidays.
Facebook/Turtle Back Zoo
From the free holiday lights spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo to the free guided Holley Trolley tours in Llewellyn Park (12/3), this town is perfect for enjoying the holidays on a budget. Visitors can also enjoy a holiday craft show and Christmas tree lighting.
Facebook/Christmas Ice Caverns
Fairfield is home to the Christmas Ice Caverns, an enchanting holiday display. Animated characters adorn the 10,000 square foot set-up at Jody’s Silk Florist and Patio Center, sure to be a treat for everyone. You’ll also enjoy the Winter Wonderland event on 12/4, featuring an iceless ice skating rink, interactive snow globe, horse & carriage rides and more.
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