These Attractions are Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day In and Around NJ

There's plenty of festive fun happening December 24 and 25

ADVENTURE AQUARIUM / Christmas Underwater

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

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 will be train rides every Thursday to Sunday; and Santa is on site from Wednesday to Sunday. You can get a Christmas tree here, too, which was grown on the farm.

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.

Twinkling Tides
Sea Life Aquarium, American Dream, East Rutherford
Celebrate the holidays under the sea with thousands of lights under the sea. Check out more than 10 interactive zones decked in holiday décor. Spot Scuba Claus in the ocean tunnel on select dates. During the Coldwater Creature Scavenger Hunt, grab the holiday scavenger hunt map when you start your journey and discover cool creatures that thrive in the cold.

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.

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.

Meet Santa
The Shops at Riverside, Hackensack
Aside from photos with Santa, you ask when he pauses for storytime as he reads “The Night Before Christmas.”

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.

Santa @ The Commons
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
Meet Santa in the Center Court for photos. Mention NJ Family to receive $5 off of your photo package.

Simon Santa Photo Experience
Menlo Park Mall, Edison
There will be a Santa Arrival Party & Parade on November 9. Welcome Santa’s arrival with carolers, a juggling stilt-walker, a DJ dance party, crafts, and giveaways. Then join Santa in a parade around the mall. Caring Santa is an exclusive event for children with special needs and their families. Reservations are required for this private, sensory-friendly experience on December 8. Pet photos will be available on November 17 and December 1.

Grinch’s Grotto
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
This Grinch-themed bar will hold special events with the Grinch himself on select nights.

Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! Exhibit
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
There are a series of immersive zones that let kids go on George’s adventures in the city, on the farm and in outer space. The exhibit includes the operation of wheels and pulleys, three holes of mini golf, a space rocket, a sidewalk produce stand, a vacation in the country, a farm visit, a city park playset, a busy wall, and a museum that has the original manuscript.

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 Green, Princeton
Welcome Christmas with lots of caroling.

Blue Whale: The World’s Biggest Animal
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
The exhibition tells the story of the 60-ton whale that washed ashore in Trout River, Newfoundland, in 2014. You’ll see the enormous skeleton of a recovered blue whale and discover how whales evolved, the size of their heart, how they communicate, their decline, what’s being done to protect them, and how scientists are using DNA to unlock some of the secrets of these elusive creatures.

Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Through January 1, 2025
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.

Santa’s ‘Twas the Night Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Come to the theme park for a dazzling Christmas Eve celebration in the Sesame Street Neighborhood. You’ll send off Santa Claus on the night of his Big Ride.

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.

CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY

GLOW to Bed: The Journey Through Time
Visit GLOW, Washington Twp.
You’ll experience the excitement of Christmas Eve through the eyes of a child, until you “wake up” on Christmas morning. The route is 1.2 miles long – and has a very specific 8,847,360 animated lights synchronized to music – that you see as you drive through the property.

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.

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.

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.

Festival of Trees
Downtown Cranford
Holiday trees will be set up in storefront windows, decorated by families and organizations from Cranford. People walking around the downtown area will see all of the trees, and vote for their favorite.

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 house has an over-the-top Christmas display that uses projection mapping and a light show to display scenes from Home Alone, The Nightmare Before Christmas, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, The Grinch and Frozen. Plus, see Santa’s cabin, gingerbread houses, singing reindeer, the North Pole Post Office, a mountain village, Mickey & Friends and more. Tune your radio to 88.9 FM to hear synchronized music to the lights. While you’re there, you can donate to Jersey Pits Rescue.

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.

Big Apple Circus: Hometown Playground
Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, New York, NY
The circus show has soaring acrobats, stunts, comedy, mischief, and cute performing dogs.

Tianyu Lights Festival
Citi Field, Flushing, Queens, NY
Intricate light sculptures, vibrant displays, and a story about a young boy who returned from a trip to the Amazon pull you into a storybook adventure at this Chinese traditional lights festival.

A Very Furry Christmas
Sesame Street Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Throughout the season, meet Mr. Claus at Santa’s Furry Workshop, an interactive walk-through experience, and at Santa’s Christmas Dine. There will be shows like Elmo’s Christmas Wish, A Very Merry Sesame Street Sing-Along, the Furry Friends Holiday Dance Party, and the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree Light Show.

A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
The gardens come alive with bright lights and glittery tinsel. New for the season is A Taste of Christmas in the Fountain Room, and the new 1906 dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the iconic Main Fountain Garden. This is part of Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience, a revitalization project that expanded exhibitions, programs and events on the grounds.

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.

Read More:
This Year’s Must-See Holiday Attractions
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Lights in NJ
These Epic Christmas Bars Are Opening in NJ

 

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