Whether you’re looking for something to do before Santa arrives or want to start a new Christmas Day tradition, these attractions in and around NJ are open on Christmas Eve and/or Day.
CHRISTMAS EVE
Christmas Underwater
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
You and your crew can take selfies with Scuba Santa, who will be diving daily in Ocean Realm among sea turtles, sharks and stingrays. Or, visit his magical workshop on land to take more pics. There will be snow flurries inside the Snowtunda, the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree, the Merry Fishmas Boris puppet show, and all your favorite sea creatures in their exhibits.
Light Show on the Lake
Historic Smithville, Galloway
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.
Christmas Wonderland
Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan
There are holiday light train rides, a vintage Christmas walk-through, reindeer rides, and last-minute shopping inside the market.
Night of Lights at Creamy Acres
Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill
Bundle up and take a hayride through their display while you sing along to Christmas classics.
Christmas House
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
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 Room, Santa’s Workshop and The Nightmare Before Christmas Room. There will be trivia and lots of photo ops.
Holiday Bricktacular Activities
LEGOLAND, American Dream, East Rutherford
The winter wonderland of activities include Build To Give, Miniland Winter Wonderland takeover, Meet LEGO Santa or LEGO Gingerbread, and a seasonal scavenger hunt.
Bergen County Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
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.
New Jersey Christmas Eve Signature Dinner Cruise
Lincoln Harbor Marina, Weehawken
Enjoy a chef-prepared buffet while taking in New Jersey and New York’s sweeping panoramas, like the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. There will be a fully stocked bar, games, and lively music from a DJ.
Grinch’s Grotto
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
This Grinch-themed bar has unique food and drink specials, plus tons of green decor.
Let it Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.
Christmas Eve Sing-Along
Palmer Square, Princeton
Welcome Christmas with lots of caroling on The Green.
Disney’s Frozen
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
The beloved movie starring Elsa, Anna and Olaf comes to the main stage.
Twinkles Holiday Story Time
The Village Shoppes, Williamstown
Families step into a Story Time Room where for 30 minutes, each kid becomes an official Sparkle Star Hero, and use props, shout clues, and help Twinkle the Tiny Reindeer solve puzzles in order to light the Christmas tree. Parents act as Sr. Elves who help their child. After the story, each child gets a Magic Password Card that sends them on a mini-quest through the Village Shoppes businesses for small gifts and treats.
Santa’s Hideaway Adventure
The Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City
Santa’s secret hideaway is located at the end of a virtual elevator adventure, which takes you from the AC Boardwalk to the North Pole. After spending 15 minutes snapping photos with Santa, you can snack on hot chocolate and cookies.
Miracle Bar
Multiple Locations
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.
Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
The open-air festival in the downtown offers ice skating, go karts, a marketplace, private heated pods and igloos.
New York
Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square, New York City
NYC’s largest Greenmarket transforms for the holiday season, with 150+ vendors selling gifts and goods for the season. The local restaurants, retailers and entertainers join in as well.
Holiday Lights Harbor Lights Cruises
Pier 83, New York City
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.
Holiday Train Show
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
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.
Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY
For this year’s fifth installation, the glittering winter trail will take you to an enchanted forest filled with art, music and special attractions.
Pennsylvania
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
City Hall and LOVE Park, Philadelphia, PA
Over 110 vendors offer unique Christmas giftware and European food specialties. Always a must-see is the famous German vendor Käthe Wohlfahrt, which features authentic German ornaments and Christmas gifts. Ride the historic, double-tier carousel and 65-foot Ferris Wheel. European food options include bratwurst, Raclette cheese, strudel, schnitzel, spätzle, Belgian fries and more.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
There will be more than 50 vendors from the Tri-State Area set up in picturesque white wooden booths decorated with Moravian stars. Christmas Village in Philadelphia will be set up across the street.
Illumination
Coca-Cola Park, Allentown, PA
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.
Holidays at Fonthill Castle
Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, PA
This Bucks County tradition transforms Henry Mercer’s historic home, which you can view during a holiday tour, on special Meander Days, or through a magical evening tour.
Santa’s Christmas Trains
Strasburg Railroad Museum, Ronks, PA
There’s no shortage of holiday train rides that travel through Amish Country: there’s brunch aboard Santa’s Paradise Express, a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” inside the first-class cars, and the Santa Claus Limited that has a visit with the big man himself.
Holiday Activities
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Themed activities include the sock skating rink under holiday lights; an hourly “snowball” fight; up-close moments with a live penguin, baby kangaroo and lemur; the Gingerbread Express mini train ride for kids; a demo making peppermint ice cream using liquid nitrogen; and laser shows inside the planetarium.
CHRISTMAS DAY
New Jersey Christmas Day Signature Brunch Cruise
Lincoln Harbor Marina, Weehawken
Stay inside the cozy heated interior for a brunch buffet and bottomless mimosas, then go upstairs to the open-air deck to see sweeping sights of the NYC skyline. This fun-filled holiday brunch includes a live DJ, dancing, games, a fully stocked cash bar.
CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY
GLOW to Bed: The Journey Through Time
Visit GLOW, Washington Twp.
This year’s mile-long holiday lights drive-thru has a theme of The Tinsel Turnpike.
Nick the Halls
Nickelodeon Universe, American Dream, East Rutherford
Santa SpongeBob will greet families inside the theme park. At the Elf Workshop, elves can help you write a letter to Santa, decorate ornaments, and create festive crafts.
Winter WonderLights
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
The drive-through is synchronized with a radio station. This year will offer six light tunnels and bigger displays. Returning favorites are giant Christmas trees (two 30-foot trees, and 11 20-foot trees), and tributes to first responders and U.S. Armed Forces.
Fanwood’s Famous Christmas House
83 Paterson Rd., Fanwood
This holiday display features 30,000 sparkling lights. Monetary donations are accepted on site to support the New Jersey Institute for Disabilities.
A Christmas Carol
Matthews Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
There are two Christmas Eve shows based on the Charles Dickens classic.
Shrek The Halls
DreamWorks Water Park, American Dream, East Rutherford
Shrek will be decked out in Santa gear for photo ops inside the heated water park.
Marlin Christmas Wonderland
1326 Laurel Ave., Sea Girt
This year’s over-the-top Christmas display uses projection mapping and a light show to feature scenes from various Christmas movies. New for 2025 is Santa’s Toy Factory, the Candy Cane Lane Projection Show, an 8-foot Santa with reindeer, an expanded Christmas tree farm, new Nightmare Before Christmas characters, and a Disney Christmas Village. Tune your radio to 88.9 FM to hear synchronized music to the lights.
Holidig Drive Thru Light Show
Diggerland, West Berlin
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive through 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction theme park.
Magic of Lights
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
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.
Kringle Cove
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Kringle Cove will have each room decorated so that you feel like you’re in a holiday movie. Christmas Day will offer up a free community meal.
New York
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge, where you can get food and drinks 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.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
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. Then walk across the street to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree; or down the block for the SAKS Fifth Avenue light show or a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, NYC
The twinkling lights on the magnificent Christmas tree will be lit through January 10. 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, which returns this season. This year, with a ticket to Top of the Rock, you can meet Santa, have a private viewing area of the tree, and then rent a private chalet overlooking the skating rink.
The Elf Bar: Christmas Pop-Up Experience
Continental Sports Bar and Lounge, New York City
All eyes are on you as hundreds of elf figurines are set up around the bar. There will be elf cocktails and elf-themed games, plus lots of photo ops against a magical Christmas backdrop.
Big Apple Circus
Lincoln Center, New York, NY
The beloved circus acts return with acrobatics, high-flying stunts and comedic action.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland
Watermark, 78 South St. at Pier 15, New York
The whimsical waterfront holiday installation has dining, entertainment, Christmas trees, games, activities, heated glasshouses and lights displays, all with breathtaking views of NYC.
Santa’s Secret Immersive Holiday Experience
Columbus Circle, New York City
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. Note: Christmas Eve is sold out.
Shine Bright at Hudson Yards Presented by Wells Fargo
Hudson Yards, New York City
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.
Dyker Heights Christmas Lights
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, NY
This impressive neighborhood is lit up with millions of lights, inflatables, displays and activations. Walk along or take a bus tour through the neighborhood.
Pennsylvania
A Very Furry Christmas
Sesame Street Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration takes place on Christmas Eve, with lots of holiday activities on both days, plus access to some of the park rides.
The Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display
1600 Block of S. 13th St., Philadelphia, PA
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.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA
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 on Christmas Eve. ZooAmerica and the Sweet Lights drive-thru will also be open on Christmas Eve. Only Sweet Lights will be open on Christmas Day.
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
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.
Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars
Abington Art Center, Jenkintown, PA
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.
Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
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.
Snowland Celebration
Great Wolf Lodge, Scotrun, PA
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.
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the Koziar property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways to the trees. Character versions of Rudolph and Frosty greet you to say hello. There are a series of snack shops and gift shops throughout. You follow the arrows around the pathways to check out every corner of this dazzling scene, which includes light displays, a railroad, exhibits and houses you can walk through.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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Read More:
This Year’s Must-See Holiday Attractions
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Lights in NJ
These Epic Christmas Bars Are Open in NJ
