Things to do during your Christmas vacation in NJ
There are plenty of things to do during your Christmas vacation in NJ, do not miss this opportunity to find out what they are! While you can take your family ice skating, building a snowman, skiing or just spend a nice day outside, the Christmas season is perfect for participating in some of the amazing events during December and January.
Children look forward to meeting and taking pictures with Santa, while the parents look for fun things to do for the kids during their Christmas vacation in NJ. Winter holidays are the happiest time of the year for many people. It is when all families gather to spend quality time together. It is the time of the most beautiful festivities, filled with plentiful food and drinks. If you are looking for the perfect vacation destination during the winter, one of the best places you can visit is New Jersey. There are plenty of things to do during your Christmas vacation in NJ.
Pay a visit to Johnson’s Corner Farm
Johnson’s Corner Farm, located at 133 Church Road in Medford, NJ is going to be a place of fun and entertainment till the 23rd of December 2025! Some exciting things to do include –
- Christmas Light Show Hayride – There is a beautiful show presenting thousands of lights.
- Light Show + Discovery Barn and Animal Farm
- Visit with Santa: Santa is looking forward to seeing all the children again this year.
They have Light Show Hayrides, Thousands of Twinkling Lights to see, Light Show on the Lake, Roast a S’more on the open Fire and decorate a Christmas Cookie. Enjoy the Fire and Lights in the Discovery Barnyard, watch the Lightshow on the Lake in the Animal Farm! You can check out their Christmas cafe. Join Santa and Mrs Claus for Breakfast on the weekends.
The Polar Express Ride
Another fantastic train experience is The Polar Express ride. It started in November, but if you haven’t visited it by now, have no fear! The event closes on December 30th and trains don’t run on the 31st, so you have plenty of time to take your family on an amazing winter journey!
The ride starts at Whippany Station, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany. It is a bit pricey. For 2025, the tickets start at $65 for adults and $57 for children (coach class, value tickets). Standard Departures: $78 Adult, $70 Child (2-11), Premium Departures: $90 Adult, $80 Child (2-11). A $12 parking pass is required for each vehicle, and your ticket confirmation will serve as your parking pass. You also get tickets for Sensory Friendly rides. However, if your young ones are younger than 2 years, they can take the ride for free!
During the ride, you will enjoy entertainment events while drinking hot chocolate and eating crunchy cookies. A word of caution: this is a Polar ride, so dress warmly!
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights event
Another free event awaits all interested in visiting Turtle Back Zoo. The event started on November 21st, and it ends on December 31st. It is open to all ages! Enjoy the nighttime stroll with your loved ones while watching spectacular winter scenes and animal characters. This features Santa Visits, Train rides, Carousel rides, a Reptile House, Essex Farm, and Pony Rides.
Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters.
5pm to 9pm nightly
Thursday, November 20 : Zoo Members Only Holiday Lights
Friday to Sunday, November 21 – 23
Daily Friday, November 28 – Saturday, January 3
(CLOSED December 24, December 25 & January 1)
Admission is FREE, Reservations are not required.
Celebrate the season of giving by bringing donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats.
Winter Wonderland Festivity
If you ask the locals, they will tell you that one of the reasons for living in Bergen County is most definitely the Winter Wonderland event. Head out to Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ, anywhere from November 28th, 2025, till January 4th, 2026. During that time, you can enjoy many events, such as ice skating, kids’ games and activities, unlimited Express train and Carousel rides, Workshops, Beer garden, food trucks and much more. The schedule is usually packed, so make sure to check for availability before you go.
Holiday Tree Lighting Celebrations
There are no winter holidays without a decorated Holiday tree. There are so many places to check out the beautifully lit trees. Tree lighting ceremonies are a favorite of the holiday season. Usually, these events have other entertainment like music, kids’ activities, etc, along with the lighting ceremony. Each neighborhood has its own schedule. Some have it early in December, while others have it closer to Christmas.
Bring your kids and take photos with Santa and the Elves, sing along with carolers, or dance to a live DJ performance. Some other activities that will entertain both you and your children are carnival games, a live DJ, a trackless train, and ice-carving demonstrations.
Holiday Markets
Come the holiday season, you have numerous holiday markets popping up in every neighborhood park and plaza. It is a joyful event with the community coming together to shop, eat, and be entertained. Children enjoy these too since many of them incorporate kids’ activities and entertainment.
Ice-skating
This is a quintessential thing to do during the holiday season. There are a number of Ice skating rinks open in and near Jersey City that can keep the whole family active and entertained for the full day. Needless to say children of all ages love this.
The Elf on the Shelf – fabulous Christmas musical!
Watching a Christmas musical with your loved ones is an opportunity to enjoy some music, accompanied by funny stories and children’s laughter. You have many shows, concerts, orchestras, and musicals, amongst other events, to catch at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ. Check here for more details.
Dive Into Christmas Underwater at Camden
We can’t really talk about things to do during your Christmas vacation in NJ without mentioning the Dive Into Christmas Underwater event in Camden. From Nov 23 to Dec 24, 2024, Adventure Aquarium at 1 Riverside Drive in Camden, New Jersey will be host to many families and their friends. ”Tis the sea-son for Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium, presented by Shriners Children’s Philadelphia. Jingle all the way to see Scuba Santa dive with sharks, sea turtles, and rays, sharing Christmas cheer with all who come to visit. Discover holiday surprises on both land and sea, including the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree and magical snow-like flurries in the Snowtunda.’
About the Author:
Angie Sims used to work in the travel industry for 6 years, and now she works in the relocation industry. For the last 3 years, she has been specializing in helping people with their domestic and international relocation. She is also a full-time mom and a part-time blog writer. From her own experiences, she writes about traveling and moving with children on her blog.
Updated Dec 3, 2025
