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 a breakfast and 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.
Watch The Jersey City Nutcracker
329 Warren Street, Jersey City, NJ, 07302
December 8th to 23rd, 2023
Set to Tchaikovsky’s renowned orchestral score, Jersey City Nutcracker tells the story of two children’s city adventures, following them through fantasy, adversity, and celebration, with lessons about friendship and community.Choreographed and directed by Nimbus Artistic Director Samuel Pott, this adaption of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic is performed by a stand-out cast of professional dancers from Nimbus Dance joined by youth and adults from the community; familiar characters such as the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Rat King, and Drosselmeyer – all with a Jersey City twist! Set against jaw-dropping animated video projections by Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger, youth and adults alike are touched by this tale of Holiday spirit. Plus: surprise guest performers make unforgettable cameo appearances; stay tuned!Get your tickets HERE.
The Little Play Co
1400 Hudson St, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Thursday, December 14th, available 2 times during the day, at 10am or 4pm
How is it even possible that it is time for our 5th annual Gingerbread House Party, where happiness is homemade! $75 per child and 30 minutes of PLAY from 10:00-10:30am or 4:00-4:30pm. Gingerbread decorating will start promptly at 10:30am or 4:30pm. Gingerbread houses are pre-assembled and all sweets will be provided. Register online.
Christmas Tree Lighting
St Pauls The Apostile Church – 14 Greenville Avenue, Jersey City, NJ, 07305
Saturday, December 16th
Joy us for some joyful Christmas music, hot chocolate, family and friends to get in the Christmas Spirit. We will be lighting our two tall pine trees next to the church.
Winter Wonderland
453 MLK Drive, Jersey City, NJ, 07304
December 16th 2023, from 5 to 9pm
The Carrington Village Winter Wonderland is BACK!!!Join us for a Fun, Free and a Fantastic time with the family event. Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, this event is perfect for everyone. Bring the kids out to our winter wonderland and lights. Christmas treats, hot cocoa, crafts and pictures with Santa.We can’t wait to see you!
Hoboken’s Jingle Bell 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
100 Sinatra Drive South,Hoboken, NJ US 07030
December 16, 2023 at 9am
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, mini subs from Jersey Mikes Hoboken, and more! Details here. Join early to get the best rate.
Ferris Triangle Park
Sunday December 17th, from 3 to 5pm
With our pleasure we announce our annual tree lighting, Come enjoy hot cocoa with your friends and neighbors and design your own fun ornament and craft with our awesome artists Christine and Gina! All are welcome to bring their own ornament or decoration for the tree, planted in honor of Natasha, to symbolize our togetherness in the community. She would be so happy to see many old and new faces there to celebrate. We will have the Park looking it’s holiday best so Please come rain (hopefully NOT) or shine!
Holiday Caroling
Lincoln Park North – Corner of West Side and Gautier
December 17th from 5 to 7pm
Miracle on Mercer
Nov. 9th to Jan.1st. 2024
Enjoy a full Christmas cocktail and food experience at The Franklin Social. Book your table today.
West Side Santa
Friday Dec 22nd
Santa Claus is coming to town! December 23rd procession begins at 4:30 pm and ends at Lincoln Park by the gazebo/ fountain! Santa will be posing with kids and families in the gazebo 🎄🤍 Will have crafts and treats for kids ! Check the route here.
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 17, 2023 — January 7, 2024
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! The inspiration behind Lumino City Festival comes from the combination of the traditional art of Chinese lantern festivals with modern design and unique storytelling. It is also home to the world’s most skilled lantern artists and hosts an annual lantern festival that attracts more than two million people.
Luminaries At Brookfield Place
Brighten up the holidays with Brookfield Place! Luminaries, designed by the LAB at Rockwell Group, is inspired by the season’s sharing, giving, and community traditions. The installation features a canopy of colorful lights from hundreds of lanterns suspended among the palms. In addition, touchless wishing stations on the ground allow visitors to send a motion-activated wish to the canopy of lanterns above, prompting a magical display of lights and colors.
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
The Tree will be lit daily from 5am-12am until January 13th at 10:00pm. On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours and on New Year’s Eve it is lit from 5am to 9pm.
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 Polar Express
Nov. 24,25,26 Dec. 1,2,3,8,9,10,15,16,17
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 run-away 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. Enjoy Christmas carols, storytelling, sweet treats such as hot chocolate and cookies during the ride, and more. The top deck of a double-decker bus gives you views above the crowd, showing you views of NYC you’ve never seen before. This polar express NYC is undoubtedly an experience that can’t be missed.
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 17, 2023 – January 15, 2024 from 10 am to 6 pm
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 our outdoor mountainscapes and then watch trains zip past nearly 200 iconic New York landmarks under the warmth of the Conservatory. After dark, join us for NYBG GLOW and discover the beauty of our landscape and historic buildings, illuminated across the grounds. And don’t miss the return of our fan-favorite Bar Car Nights, 21-and-over evenings featuring the Holiday Train Show and curated cocktails. These special evenings feature music, experiences, food, and more—making for the ultimate night out this season.
Updated December 5th 2023
