Our Guide To Holiday Activities and Events In & Around Jersey City
The season of happiness, delicious foods, cozy fires, snowy days, and family are upon us! Invite your family for breakfast and a picture with Santa in Jersey City! There are plenty of events in Jersey City that truly bring out the holiday cheer for you and your loved ones to enjoy! Please check out our guide to Holiday activities and events in & around Jersey City, and check out their website to plan it better.
Annual Holiday Extravaganza – Pavonia Branch Library
Pavonia Branch Library presents the 3rd Annual Holiday Extravaganza, Caroling in the Park. Come and sing along with the Pavonia Branch staff at Hamilton Park (Gazebo) as they sing popular Christmas carols and holiday songs. Lyrics will be provided. All ages are welcome. You can look forward to some hot cocoa.
When: Dec 17, 4 pm – 5: 30 pm
Where: Hamilton Park Gazebo
Winter Wonderland
Hoboken Housing Authority and Familyhood present Winter Wonderland. Join them for some nice holiday cheer! Celebrate with friends and family and receive toys for children of all ages. Please pre-register for the gifts.
When: Dec 13, 2025, 4pm – 7pm
Winter Festival – Educational Arts Team & Liberty State Park
Organized by Educational Arts Team & Liberty State Park, this Winter Festival will be a magical day full of crafts, hot cocoa, caroling, and photos with the Grinch & Santa!
When: 13 Dec 2025, 11 am – 3 pm
Where: 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, CRRNJ Train Terminal, 11AM – 3PM ( Free validated parking in Lot 8)
Thomas Ice Cream Cafe
214 Jefferson St. Hoboken
Join them for an afternoon of holiday cheer and sweet treats. Enjoy hot cocoa, delicious desserts, and a festive visit with Santa.
When: 13 Dec, 2025, 4 pm – 7 pm
Where: 214 Jefferson St., Hoboken
Parents’ Night Out Holiday Party
225 Hutton St.
Celebrate the season with a festive Parents’ Night Out Holiday Party at @thehuttonjc! Join us on Tuesday, 12/16 at 7:30 pm for good vibes, yummy drinks, and easy conversation.
Book that babysitter and come with your partner, a parent friend, or fly solo and mingle — all are welcome. No RSVP, no cover — just show up, order what you like, and enjoy a holiday night out with the community.
Holiday Night Out
13 Dec 2025, 3 pm – 7 pm
Hoboken Business Alliance brings you the Holiday Night Out. You can look forward to shopping, dining, deals, workshops, specials and more. Some of these would be based on first-come, first-served.
Holiday Tree Lighting – Hoboken
Come and watch the tree lighting at the 11th Street Island in Hoboken. It is scheduled for Thursday, 11 December 2025, 5 pm to 6:30 pm.
Hoboken Park Tree Lighting Ceremony
Columbus Park Gazebo, Clinton St. between 9th and 10th St.
Join for a wonderful evening filled with music, snacks, and entertainment for the family. The tree lighting will take place on December 12, 2025. Festivities begin at 6 pm at the Columbus Park Gazebo.
Hoboken for the Holidays
Holidays are a fun time in Hoboken. There’s the free holiday hop bus every weekend through December 21st, 2025. Main Street Pops Holiday Artisan Market at 770 Jackson Plaza, HBA’s night out Kickoff at City Hall on the 13th of December, are some of the other events to look forward to in Hoboken.
Holiday Market Series – Main Street Pops
Save the dates for the annual MSP HOLIDAY MARKET SERIES!
They are back again by popular demand for the first three Sundays in December and there’s lots of holiday festivities planned.
The plaza at 770 Jackson St in Hoboken will be transformed into a magical Holiday Vendor Village, where visitors can shop for unique gifts and celebrate the season. Each Sunday will offer different holiday fun so check back for details soon.
Happy Holiday Market
The countdown to the merriest market of the year is ON! We’re tying the bows, decking the plaza, and getting ready for cozy vibes, festive finds, and holiday magic. You can expect 150+ artists, makers, treats, photo ops, Santa visits, rooftop brunch, and holiday cocktails.
When: December 13, 14, 20 & 21 | 11AM–6PM
Where: Grove St PATH Plaza + The Rooftop at The Ashford in Downtown Jersey City
The Ashford Holiday Market
Get into the holiday spirit with the Ashford Holiday Market! Shop unique gifts, handmade goods, festive treats, and support local creators this season. Perfect for last-minute shopping, holiday cheer, and community vibes all month long!
When: Dec 13, 14, 20, 21, 2025, 11 am – 6 pm
Where: The Ashford, JC
Hoboken Community Center’s Annual Holiday Market
Dec 14th, from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
The HCC Pantry team is spreading holiday cheer early! Our Annual HCC Holiday Market returns. Hoboken Community Center’s 6th Annual Holiday Market will be held on Sunday, Dec 14th, from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm., at the Hoboken Multi-service Center, located at 124 Grand Street, Hoboken. The Holiday Market is an opportunity for our neighbors in need to select holiday gifts for their families, including their children, young adults and other household members. The market is free for customers. Item limits per household. Shoppers must be 18 years + to participate. Shoppers can register the day of the holiday market if they are not current pantry clients.s. A joyful way to celebrate the season and give back to our community!
Cordero PTA Holiday Market
158 Erie Street, JC – Gym
It’s that time of the year again, the Holiday Market is coming! The PTA is happy to announce that the Holiday Market will be happening on December 11, from 5 pm-7 pm! See the details about the Holiday Market. They will be hosting dozens of vendors and the focus is on gifts under $15. This is a good chance for the kids to shop as well.
Holiday Market at Harry’s Daughter, JC
Dec 14, 2 pm – 9 pm
Harry’s Daughter, JC is launching a curated Holiday Market. There will be a live DJ, hot and cold cocktails, hot chocolate, and lots of cheer.
The Holiday Square Market
The Holiday Square Market officially arrives on November 28 — and it’s bringing a sleigh-full of fun with it! Every week we’ll have new vendors, treats, gifts, and artisanal goodies ready for you to shop, taste, and explore. From cozy winter bites to handmade treasures, you’ll have endless reasons to keep coming back.
When: 11.28.25 to 12.28.25
Where: Magnolia Landing, 136 Magnolia Ave. Jersey City
Hoboken’s Jingle Bell 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
100 Sinatra Drive South,Hoboken, NJ US 07030
December 13, 2025
Run along Hoboken’s picturesque waterfront with priceless views of the Manhattan Skyline. All participants will get officially timed results (age group awards), receive a complete Santa suit, professional photos, music on course, hot chocolate at the finish line, chip timing and race bib, and more! Details here. Join early to get the best rate.
Bayside Park – Holiday Tree Lighting
Join Bayside Park Neighborhood and the Grinch (for photos with the kids in the warming station) at the Richard Street Entrance for music, hot chocolate and snacks while we make ornaments, decorate, and light the Bayside Holiday Tree!
When: Dec 17, 2025, 6 pm
Where: Richard Street Entrance
Holiday Tree Lighting – Arlington Park
Join Friends of Arlington Park for music, hot cocoa, making ornaments, and decorating the Arlington Holiday tree.
When: 16 Dec, 2025, 6:30 pm
Where: Grand St. and Arlington Ave., JC
Christmas Mercadito
Join us at our Christmas Mercadito, where you can shop for those special gifts, enjoy great food and sales, while supporting local vendors and makers! Share the joy of the season with us!
When: 20 Dec, 2025, 12 pm – 5:30 pm
Where: 407 Palisade Ave. Jersey City
Hoboken Holiday Banding
Hoboken Holiday Banding is brought to you by Projected Images of Hudson County and The Hoboken Historical Museum. This will be an evening of music and good cheer. There are several performers lined up. Doors open at 4:30 pm. This is a paid event and there’s an admission fee of $15.
Chanukah Concert at Green Acres Mall
Green Acres Mall, NY – 11581
Dec 13, 2025
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a live Chanukah concert featuring Aryeh Kunstler. Join us for a joyful evening of music and celebration. Enjoy a live performance by Aryeh Kunstler on Saturday, December 13 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Green Acres, Center Court (in front of Primark and Uniqlo).
Sweet treat alert! Enjoy complimentary traditional kosher jelly donuts from Geffen Gourmet (while supplies last).
Miracle on Mercer
Nov. 7th, 2025 to Jan 4th, 2026
Enjoy a full Christmas cocktail and food experience at The Franklin Social. Book your table today. Check out their full miracle events, including brunch with Santa, New Year’s party and more.
Bryant Park Winter Village
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is Manhattan’s winter wonderland. Enjoy New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink. The European inspired open-air market, Holiday Shops by Urbanspace Markets, features artisans from New York and around the world. Located along Bryant Park’s allées, plazas, and terraces, the Shops are housed in custom-designed, “jewel box” kiosks. Enjoy local crafts, artisan provisions, and exquisite gifts from around the world.
Holiday Lights at the Bronx Zoo
November 21, 2025 — January 4, 2026
Stop by the Bronx Zoo for a family holiday festival. During the evenings, the park comes to life with holiday cheer as immersive light displays, custom-designed animal lanterns, and animated light shows sparkle across the zoo. The celebration includes festive entertainment, seasonal treats, the Holiday Train, and classic holiday music. The walk-through experience is a beloved tradition, enchanting and fun for all ages.
Lumino City Festival
Various Locations
Lumino City Festival features all-new light art installations spanning several acres! Each of the three parks illuminates the night with beautiful sculptures inspired by nature, history, and magic! Themed “Fantasy Winter Fairyland,” this year’s original light art designs turn frosty magic into reality. Journey with Lumi and be amazed as towering sculptures illuminate the park, transforming it into an immersive dazzling fairytale world and a starry holiday dream.
Share the thrill of discovery and make lasting memories by dressing up for our theme nights. Let the whole family enjoy becoming someone or something new! Some of our theme nights change from event to event, but none are to be missed!
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Tree will be lit daily from 5 am to 12 am until mid-January. On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours.
The holidays in NYC begin at Rockefeller Center. Whether it’s a visit to the iconic Christmas Tree, a skate on the ice at The Rink, seeing the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, or exploring attractions and fun things, there’s a magic here that can’t be denied. And it’s a holiday tradition you’ll want to make your own. The heart of the holiday season officially begins on December 3, when the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is lit for the first time during the live “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” broadcast. After being wrapped with more than 50,000 multicolored LED lights and crowned with a dazzling Swarovski star, the Tree will shine nightly through mid-January 2026.
The Polar Express
Various dates in Nov and Dec, 2025
All Aboard The Polar Express at the Delaware River Railroad Excursions operated by the non-profit New York Susquehanna & Western Technical & Historical Society. Families have been traveling to ride this special edition of The Polar Express from all over the world. Inspired by the runaway hit movie produced by Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. and the award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg, this holiday favorite comes to life as you and your family ride The Polar Express.
Experience the joy of singing songs with our roaming hobos, be amazed at our Juggling Chef, and make your wishes in person to Santa himself! The Polar Express in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, is sure to become an annual holiday tradition for the whole family. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join in on the magic of Christmas.
North Pole Express by TopView
All aboard! Grab your North Pole Express tickets and join us for a magical trip to the “North Pole” this holiday season. No more hassles of going out of town, the North Pole Express by TopView departs right in the center of NYC – Midtown Manhattan. Meet Santa in New York! It’s the North Pole, New York style.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year to visit the Big Apple, so get your whole family on the Nice List with a round-trip ticket to our very own North Pole NYC.
Take in the sights of New York’s winter wonderland, hear thrilling Christmas stories from our very own resident elf, and enjoy chocolate treats and hot cocoa on your way to see Saint Nick. Tell Santa your deepest wishes and get a special good luck sleigh bell – all for a holiday experience you’ll cherish forever.
NYC: Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
Experience the annual Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes. Enjoy Santa Claus, Toy Soldiers, a Nativity scene, famous NY department store windows, Rockefeller Christmas Tree, and more.
Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden
November 15, 2025 through January 11, 2026
The Holiday Train Show returns bigger than ever with more trains and an all-new, outdoor train display. Start on the lawn to capture your perfect holiday photos at their outdoor mountainscapes. The timeless magic of rail travel fills NYBG with seasonal cheer as model trains travel over famous bridges and through familiar city settings, bringing nearly 200 twinkling landmark replicas—including new surprises for 2025/2026—to life under the glass of the warm and welcoming Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Get up close to see these miniature masterpieces, each one meticulously crafted from plant parts like palm fronds, pinecones, and cinnamon sticks. Outside on the Conservatory Lawn, a glowing mountain-scape brimming with even more trains and picture-perfect moments is yours to explore..
Updated Dec 11, 2025
