It’s the last weekend of 2025, and snow is on the way Friday night into Saturday! Here are 85+ events and things to do before and after the storm.
WEEKEND
Winter WonderLights
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
Wednesday – Sunday
Drive through 1.5 million animated lights that are synchronized to music from a local radio station. There are sparkling tunnels, 20-foot Christmas trees, towering 30-foot trees; winter wonderland scenes depicting Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Diwali; and a tribute to first responders and military heroes.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland
Watermark, 78 South St. at Pier 15, New York
Wednesday – Sunday
The whimsical waterfront holiday installation has dining, entertainment, Christmas trees, games, activities, heated glasshouses and lights displays, all with breathtaking views of NYC.
Patriots Week
Trenton
Friday – Saturday
Celebrate Trenton’s role in the Revolutionary War. The Colonial Ball on Friday is an era-themed party. The Battles of Trenton Reenactments take place at two times on Saturday; follow the soldiers as they march out to fight on the original battlefields. A “mini” look at American history takes place during “The Trouble with Trenton” interactive puppet show on Saturday.
Barnyard Under the Stars
Brookhollow’s Barnyard, Boonton
Friday – Saturday
Start with a 5-minute Holiday Thomas the Train Ride, then snap a holiday photo at the barnyard. You’ll also meet goofy goats, silly sheep and crazy cows who love to be fed snacks.
Night of Lights Light Show Extravaganza
Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill
Friday – Saturday
The 100-acre dairy farm becomes a Christmas wonderland with sparkling light displays and musical dancing tree light shows that you view from inside your car. After the 1.5-mile drive, stroll through the indoor walk-thru where you’ll see a life-sized snowglobe, a narrated Nativity scene and a singing Christmas tree before posing with Santa.
Winter Break Open Swim
Five Star Swim School
Saturday: Eatontown
Sunday: Cherry Hill
Kids can swim in a heated indoor pool with Christmas floaties, and then make holiday crafts.
New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Friday – Saturday
Ballerinas glide across the stage as Tchaikovsky’s iconic score is performed live by New Jersey Symphony.
Holiday Lights Hayride
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
Friday – Sunday
The festive holiday lights display is seen from the comforts of a tractor-drawn hayride. Check out the animals and pop by Santa’s cornfield office. When you get back to the farmhouse, warm up by the fire with cocoa and s’mores.
Holiday Square Market
Magnolia Landing, Jersey City
Friday – Sunday
This New York City-style holiday market will have decorations, festive stalls and a curated lineup of food and merchant vendors.
Old-Fashioned Christmas on the Farm & Walk-Through Light Show
Allaire Community Farm, Wall Twp.
Friday – Sunday
Stroll through the beautifully lit 25-acre farm, visit a festive 100-year-old barn-turned-Christmas market, watch classic holiday movies, marvel at the model train exhibit, and bring the kids to the new interactive game area. There are yuletide wagon rides and the return of the Polar Express Train, featuring dazzling light tunnels and a breathtaking 45-foot Santa.
Home for the Holidays With the Calamari Sisters
Broadway Theatre, Pitman
Friday – Sunday
The Calamari Sisters, who are public access cable TV stars, bring a Christmas show to the stage with Italian recipes, anecdotes, singing, dancing and comedy.
NY Waterway’s Winter Waterway Holiday Market
Midtown Terminal Ferry, NYC
Friday – Sunday
There will be more than a dozen food vendors, shopping at the indoor market, crafts, special activities for kids and visits with Santa (on select dates).
Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar
Untitled Hotel, New York City
Friday – Sunday
Fans of the self-described Queen of Christmas can write a letter to Mariah, sing along to her holiday hits, sip on Black Irish cocktails and take a photo with an album backdrop.
Seas & Greetings
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Pt. Pleasant
Saturday – Sunday
Holiday activities get a Jersey Shore twist, including appearances by Diving Santa, pictures with holiday princesses, the Bubble Snow Show, a holiday magic show, Fishmas Tales and ice skating.
Winter Wonderland Before Time
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University, Mantua Twp.
Saturday – Sunday
Celebrate the season with a prehistoric twist; the museum will be decked out in dinosaur-themed holiday décor, and there will be activities like an indoor snowball frenzy, campfire storytime, dinosaur “snow” digs and ornament-making.
A Christmas Carol
Matthews Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
The holiday tradition returns to the stage. Sunday includes a 1 pm relaxed performance.
Santa Express
Black River and Western Railroad, Flemington
Saturday – Sunday
When your kid boards the train, they’ll get a souvenir golden ticket before they meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. At the station stop in Ringoes, have a cookie and hot cocoa before checking out the model train displays.
FRIDAY
Santa Glow Roll Family Fun Skate
Millennium Skate World, Camden
Santa will join you on the ice for a glow skating party that lights up the rink. There will be music and specials at the café.
SATURDAY
PJ’s and Pancakes
The Pendry at Natirar, Peapack-Gladstone
This PJ-clad pancake breakfast takes place in The Gallery, featuring classic pancakes and toppings, and a family-friendly morning of winter break fun.
Community Awareness Series Annual Kwanzaa Celebration
Daoud-David Williams Cultural Arts Center, Miller Branch Library, Jersey City
Celebrate the seven principles of Kwanzaa through music, poetry, ancestral remembrance, a candle lighting, African dance and drumming, and a community harvest.
SUNDAY
A Very GRACE-Ful Winter’s Tale
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
The GRACE Foundation’s Grace-ful Glee Club, whose choir members have autism spectrum disorder, created their own storybook of holiday songs. You’ll have access to the museum exhibits, too.
ONGOING
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars
Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
December 24-31
The hour-long, outdoor experience uses nature and technology to tell the story of visiting stars descending to Earth before rising again to the night sky; it’s a one-mile pathway of cosmic light and sound.
Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience
Columbus Circle, New York City
December 25-31
To get to this speakeasy, you have to follow a winding path through eight immersive holiday installations – from gingerbread girls to rugged lumberjacks to living snowglobes. When you arrive, there will be Christmas-themed cocktails, fine dining, a live band, and a variety show performance.
Holiday Model Train Show
Barron Arts Center, Woodbridge
December 26-30
Mike Gelesky designed and set up the entire display with lots of holiday cheer to celebrate the display’s 35th year.
Christmas Fantasy With Lights
Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp.
December 26-30
Every night at dusk, Santa will wave his magic wand and light up the theme park. You can meet him after, or take Santa’s Fantasy Flight.
Winter Wonderland Illuminated Walking Trail
Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford
December 26-30
Stroll through the woods and pass by snowmen and trees made with upcycled materials from the farm. You’ll see a fairy garden and a secret gnome village. Waddle past Penguin Igloo Town or fly by Birdhouse Row. There will be a tunnel of lights that snows down on you.
The Village at Anne Ellen
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan
December 26-30
A hayride brings you to a village of 400,000 lights. Among the new attractions are an ice castle filled with penguins, and a Bear Workshop to make your own teddy bear. Old faves include the life-sized gingerbread house and a post office where you can send letters to Santa.
Orchard of Lights
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
December 26-30
Take a ride through 32 acres of holiday lights and then warm up by the fire pit with hot cocoa. There’s a farm market, pictures with Santa, make your own s’mores, and Santa’s singing reindeer.
Holiday Lights Harbor Lights Cruises
Pier 83, New York City
December 26-30
Holiday Harbor Lights Cruises offer a narrated view of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty. A special cruise on NYE includes a three-course dinner buffet, live DJ, open bar, views of New York’s fireworks, and a Champagne toast at midnight.
Hometown Pride: The Power of Sports in Middlesex County
Cornelius Low House Museum, Piscataway
December 26-28, 31
Middlesex County’s sports connections include the first-ever college football game played between Rutgers University and Princeton University; professional athletes and Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians. You will see high school trophies from the 1930s to the present, NFL golden footballs for pro athletes, balls from the highest-scoring high school athletes, uniforms from the 1930s to the present, and more.
Boardwalk Basketball Classic
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
December 26-31
One of the largest holiday co-ed high school basketball tournaments in the country comes to the Jersey Shore – with about 1,000 players.
Christmas House
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
December 26-31
Walk through a series of 10 rooms set up like movie scenes, with themes like the North Pole Movie Theater, the Christmas Eve Room, the Elf Command Center, the Harry Potter Rom, Santa’s Workshop and The Nightmare Before Christmas Room. There will be trivia and lots of photo ops.
Merry Mile of Lights
A. Casola Farms, Holmdel
December 26-31
The mile-long drive-through holiday trail has millions of dazzling lights and festive displays that you can see from your car. Any night, you can get a free hot chocolate from the Winter Wonderland Super Store. Plus, Friday to Sunday, trail riders also get free pictures with Santa. There will be free kids’ crafts, too.
Santa’s Steam Ride Train Ride
New Hope Railroad, New Hope
December 26-31
The restored passenger trains (which date back to the first half of the 20th century) are warm and cozy and decorated for the season. Cookies will be served on board, live music will play, and everyone will sing along to holiday tunes.
Holiday Adventure
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
December 26 – January 1
Christmas meets science along the LSC Winter Train Ride that stops in the Art and Science Pavilion, by sock skating on a synthetic rink, at live science shows and winter animal presentations – plus during holiday laser shows.
Kwanzaa
The African American Museum, Philadelphia, PA
December 26 – January 1
Learn about the seven principles of the holiday through music, dance, storytelling, kinara lightings and craft sessions.
Jurassic Quest
NJ Convention & Expo Center, Edison
December 27-30
Get up close to lifelike dinosaurs and take part in a bunch of activities, including digging for fossils, meeting adorable baby dinos, riding on some of the giant dinosaur replicas and building their own exhibits in the LEGO zone. There are science exhibits, science stations, floor puzzles, a glow zone, dinosaur bounce houses, and even a 35-foot derby track.
Harbaugh Village North Pole Experience
Harbaugh Village, Mullica Hill
December 27-31
You’ll literally feel like you’re in the North Pole with photos with Santa in the Evergreen, a reindeer stable, letter writing to Santa, holiday light displays, live entertainment, carousel rides, a boardwalk, sports games, ice skating, a vendor village and visits with elves.
Christmas Train Village
Duggan Hall, Spring Lake
December 27-31
The Duggan Building exhibits a re-creation of the beautiful town of Spring Lake via a train village.
Miracle Bar
Miracle on Centre at Cowan’s Public, 229 Centre St., Nutley
Miracle on Mercer at Franklin Social, 292 Barrow St., Jersey City
Miracle on George Street at Catherine Lombardi’s, 3 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
Miracle on Bloomfield at The Parkside Social, 706 Bloomfield Ave., Verona
Miracle at The Bistro, Inside iPlay America, 108 Schanck Rd., Freehold
Miracle at Avenue, Avenue, Pier Village, 23 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch
Miracle at Parkside Tavern, Parkside Tavern, 9 Speedwell Ave., Morristown
Through December 31
While the decor is Instaworthy on its own, the true star of the show is the cocktail menu at each location. Noteworthy drinks at Miracle locations include the Christmapolitan, a twist on the classic made with vodka, elderflower, dry vermouth, spiced cranberry sauce, rosemary, lime and absinthe mist; and for those who have been naughty, there’s the Hot Buttered Rum, served hot. Other deliciously merry cocktails such as Carol Barrell, Snowball Old Fashioned, Koala Kooler and Christmas Cricket are sold in mugs and glasses you can purchase for your at-home Christmas parties.
The Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display
1600 Block of S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA
Through January 1
Every holiday season, a group of neighbors go all-out with their Christmas decorations, offering a massive lights display that you can view while walking through the neighborhood.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Through January 1 (closed Dec. 25)
More than 50 local artisans, designers, crafters and jewelers will be set up inside picturesque white wooden booths, adorned with the glow of Moravian stars.
Marlin Christmas Wonderland
1326 Laurel Avenue in Sea Girt
Through January
This year’s over-the-top Christmas display uses projection mapping and a light show to feature scenes from various Christmas movies. Tune your radio to 88.9 FM to hear synchronized music to the lights.
Christmas Tram Tours
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Select dates, through January 3
Board their version of the Polar Express, which takes you along a lighted trail to Christmas Island, where holiday fun includes caroling, cute scenes, photo ops and a visit to Santa’s Workshop.
Holiday Bricktacular
LEGOLAND New York Resort, Goshen, NY
Select dates, through January 3
There will be a tree lighting with LEGO Santa, brick-building activities and lots of holiday lights. New this year is Holiday Headquarters in LEGO City, plus decorated Brick Street, Bricktopia, LEGO Ninjago World and MiniLand.
Kringle Cove
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Through January 3
Shop all weekend from different vendors set up each day at The Long Branch Holiday Bazaar. There will be a live DJ, holiday craft workshops and face painting for kids. Kringle Cove will have each room decorated so that you feel like you’re in a holiday movie. Make your own s’mores or order pizza. There will be pet photos with Santa on Saturday. You can make a reservation for Very Merry Brunchmas or the Christmas Carol Cocktail Experience.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY
Select dates, through January 3
This impressive neighborhood is lit up with millions of lights, inflatables, displays and activations. Walk along or take a bus tour through the neighborhood.
Illumination
Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, PA
Select dates, through January 3
Lehigh Valley shines bright with 1.5 million lights synchronized to music. But that’s not all: there are curling lanes, Santa’s Polar Express, hayrides with Mrs. Claus, a carousel, Nutcracker Suites that include a holiday buffet, and igloos.
Winter Light Spectacular
Lehigh Valley Zoo, Schnecksville, PA
Select dates, through January 3
This event has 1.2 million sparkling lights and displays placed throughout the zoo. Visitors will find classic holiday scenes, multiple fire pits, hot chocolate and s’mores, performances by different princesses, and photos with Santa.
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
Select dates, through January 3
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways. Walk around at your own pace to see the international Christmas displays, train sets and festive gift shops.
Holiday Lights
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Select dates, through January 3
Take a stroll through the zoo at night, which will be lit up by thousands of sparkling lights, plus 50 winter and animal characters. There will be a carousel, touch tank, viewings inside the reptile house, a farm, a pony track, a train and face painting – in addition to meet-and-greets with Santa, ice carving demonstrations, an appearance by the holiday princesses, and photo ops with superheroes and the Grinch. Make an evening of it and rent out an igloo in the picnic area, where you can sit inside a heated tent and have hot chocolate, s’mores and cookies.
Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Select dates, through January 3
See more than 2 million lights in this drive-thru. In the Christmas Village, take a family photo and stop by the Hot Chocolate Bar and Winter Beer Garden.
Magic of Lights
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Through January 3
This drive-thru has more than a mile of lights displays. About halfway through your drive, park at the Holiday Village, where you will see Santa, go ice skating, sit down for an outdoor holiday movie, and do arts and crafts.
LumiNature
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, through January 3
There will be light tunnels, sculptures, Christmas trees and nature-themed displays throughout the zoo. You can meet Santa and watch performances.
U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
Through January 4
The walk-through event has more than 50,000 illuminated tulips lighting up the flower fields, a light show from the windmill; illuminated pony rides on the weekends; interactive LED seesaws, swings, spinners and slides; photo ops with Santa inside his workshop; character meet-and-greets with Olaf, Elsa and The Grinch; magical snow flurry stations; and “snowball fights” inside a giant igloo snowball pit.
Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Through January 4
Come for ice skating, carnival games, ice carving and a chance to take pictures with Santa at the North Pole. Tickets give you access to the zoo, carousel and train.
Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
Select dates, through January 4
The open-air festival in the downtown offers ice skating, go karts, a marketplace, private heated pods and igloos.
GLOW: Light Show
217 Berlin-Cross Keys Rd., Washington Twp.
Through January 4
The drive-thru experience has 2 million lights over the course of one mile. The displays are synched to music that you broadcast through your car radio. This year’s theme is Tinsel Turnpike, paying homage to all things Jersey.
Grinch’s Grotto
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
Through January 4
Your heart will grow three sizes during lunch, happy hour or dinner when you come to this Grinch-themed pop-up. Specialty cocktails will be made with flavors like cranberry, cinnamon and peppermint.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Select dates, through January 5
This New York City holiday classic starring the Radio City Rockettes – with their infamous kickline —features The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and a Living Nativity.
Big Apple Circus
Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Through January 4
The beloved circus acts return for 7 weeks, with acrobatics, high-flying stunts and comedic action.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
Through January 4
Chocolate lovers can enjoy their favorite rides, visit with Santa and his nine reindeer, meet Hershey characters dressed in their holiday best, and see more than 5 million sparkling lights.
A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Through January 4
Santa’s Grand Illumination kicks off the holiday season, which includes a Hanukkah celebration, Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration on Christmas Eve, a Kwanzaa celebration, and New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights
Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Select dates, through January 4
Millions of lights twinkle and hundreds of illuminated animals sparkle as you walk through six lantern trails. The Holiday Train and Enchanted Sea return, while new this year are snow tube slides, an ice throne and virtual snowball throwing.
Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
Through January 4
For this year’s fifth installation, the glittering winter trail will take you to an enchanted forest filled with art, music and special attractions.
Snowland Celebration
Great Wolf Lodge, Scotrun, PA
Through January 4
Known mostly for its indoor and outdoor water parks, Snowland takes the resort’s activities to a new level with visits with Santa, the Frosty Fest Family Dance Party, Snowland bingo and trivia, competition games, a themed scavenger hunt, and ‘Twas the Night Before Snowland Yoga Tails.
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo
Hudson Yards, New York City
Through January 5
More than 2 million twinkling lights (that’s 115 miles!) and 725 evergreen trees set the stage for ice skating, photos with Santa, holiday shopping – and even Santa’s Secret Speakeasy for adults, plus a special menorah lighting.
Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
Through January 5
The farm will be outfitted with 4 million dazzling lights, which you’ll see as you drive through the pathways or aboard the open-air wagon. Plan some time to see Santa’s Village, where there’s a Candy Cane Lane lights walk-thru, fire pits, and a gift shop.
Light Show on the Lake
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Through January 5
More than 120 Christmas trees decorated with over 50,000 Christmas lights magically float when darkness falls: a show of lights and music is played across Lake Meone.
Frostland Village
23 Euclid Ave., Pitman
Through the first week of January
The winner of an episode of 2024’s “The Great Christmas Light Fight” was chosen for its yard full of restored and hand-painted animatronics, a 35-foot-high tree made entirely of blow molds, a full bakery scene, and a hand-built treehouse scene.
Pillsbury Let It Dough Suite
Club Wyndham Midtown 45, New York City
Through January 6
Designed to be a holiday baking escape, you can rent this suite for two or three nights, and be treated to all the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and ready-to-bake cookies you’d like. The room itself features icing-draped walls, a cinnamon roll–inspired bedroom, frosted windows, and the scent of freshly baked cookies throughout. You can also call the Cookie Concierge to have additional baking supplies delivered on demand.
Fanwood’s Famous Christmas Houses
83 and 87 Paterson Rd., Fanwood
Through January 8
Every year, Gregory Roser creates a holiday display with 30,000 sparkling lights. Santa will make a special visit on Dec. 6. Monetary donations are accepted on site to support the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.
Disney’s Frozen
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
Through January 11
The beloved movie starring Elsa, Anna and Olaf comes to the main stage. Certain dates will accommodate those needing ASL interpretation, open captioning and autism sensitivities.
Festival of Trees
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through January 11
Seventeen trees and mantels will be decorated and displayed throughout the museum, created by local community groups. Themes include All Aboard to Movie Magic; Family Game Night; A Tribute to Pollinators; and Fruit of the Holiday Spirit.
Let It Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thursdays-Sundays, through January 11
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.
Holidig Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show
Diggerland, West Berlin
Select dates, through January 11
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive along 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction-based theme and water parks.
Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Through January 11
Either during the day or on select Holiday Train Nights, catch model trains as they zip through a display of almost 200 replicas of New York landmarks, each re-created from natural materials such as birch bark, pinecones, palm fronds and cinnamon sticks.
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through January 11
Stroll through floating floral designs, marvel at festive trees and step into an extravagant floral shop. Outside, take in stunning light displays and treehouses. There are a half-million lights across hundreds of acres, plus fountain shows.
Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Select dates, through January 19
The winery grounds are open to families for ice skating, a holiday market, fire pits and live music. Special events include the Festival of Trees, live music at the rink, Stories with Santa, Cookies & Cocktails and an hors d’oeuvres masterclass.
Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History, Deptford
Thursday to Sunday, through February 1
See toy trains from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s, including Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines. Plasticville buildings from the 1950s will give the platforms a vintage holiday appearance.
Winter at Dilworth Park
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, through February
The heart of Center City comes alive with outdoor ice skating, a topiary garden, the Wintergarden, a chalet-style cabin, charming fire pits, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, and Breakfast with Santa.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, NYC
Through March
The twinkling lights on the magnificent Christmas tree are lit; view its beauty while you ice skate or chill in a rinkside chalet. See the beautiful golden angel statues in the courtyard, and walk down the block to Saks Fifth Avenue for its holiday lights show on the building’s façade.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
Through March
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge while taking in the splendor of the giant Christmas tree. Shop more than 180 vendors selling gifts from around the world. And check out the bumper cars on ice.
Outdoor Winter Wonderland
Middletown Sports Camp, Middletown
Through March 8
This will be the place to skate, sip and shop during the holiday season, with its new winter festival that includes festive music, lights and décor; vendors; fire pits; igloos; and the center of it all, the outdoor ice skating rink.
Springsteen in Long Branch: An exhibition telling the story of Born to Run
Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch
Ongoing through 2026
Fifty years ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote the “Born to Run” album in West End, Long Branch. A new exhibit showcases his life at the Jersey Shore through photos, posters, album promo materials and mementos – like his green drum set from his first band, and a replica of the guitar used on the album cover.
SUE The T. Rex Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 25, 2026
The world’s most complete, most well-preserved T. rex skeleton is making a stop at LSC so you can see her bones, hear her growl and smell her breath (seriously!). There will be fossils on display, projection mapping of other prehistoric creatures, and a life-sized fleshed-out replica to show what the creature’s life was like in the Cretaceous era.
Got questions about this weekend’s events?
We pulled together a quick FAQ to help.
Q: Do I need tickets or reservations?
A: Some of the bigger attractions (musicals, outdoor light shows, Santa trains) do require tickets, and popular times can sell out. It’s important to check the event link in our guide for details, times, date, pricing, availability and weather before you head out.
Q: Does the list include both indoor and outdoor events?
A: You’ll find a mix of indoor shows, markets, and museums, along with outdoor winter light displays and festivals.
Q: What are some of the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend (December 26-28, 2025)?
A: This weekend (December 26-28, 2025) features family-friendly things to do across New Jersey and in NY and PA. Highlights include New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, Winter WonderLights at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds in East Brunswick, Patriots Week in Trenton, and the Night of Lights Light Show Extravaganza at Creamy Acres Farm in Mullica Hill.
Q: What parts of New Jersey do these events cover?
A: We include family events happening throughout North, Central, and South Jersey, plus more events in New York and Pennsylvania.
Q: Where can I find more events near me?
A: This weekend’s roundup is a comprehensive list, but you can also browse more upcoming events on our calendar.
Q: How can I stay updated on more things to do in New Jersey?
A: Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
These Attractions Are Open on Christmas Eve and Day
