New Jersey has almost 10,000 farms across the Garden State, according to the 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture. During the Christmas season, many turn their picking fields into winter wonderlands. Here’s where to see holiday lights (in and near New Jersey) while shopping at the local market and getting to see some very sweet animals, too.
BARNYARD UNDER THE STARS
Brookhollow’s Barnyard, Boonton
Fri.-Sat., Nov. 28-Dec. 28
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.
CHRISTMAS AT CARRIAGE FARM
Flounder Brewing Co. at Carriage Farm, Hillsborough
Nov. 27-Dec. 23
flounderbrewing.com
The Christmas season kicks off on Thanksgiving Eve, when the Christmas tree lot opens. Adults can come back for a mini concert by the Bryan Hansen Band. There will be special holiday releases by Flounder Brewing – like St. Nick Christmas Ale, Naughty St. Nick and Ichabod’s Revenge – and Bellemara Distillery’s Holiday Cocktail Menu featuring the Peppermintini, Cranberry Gin & Tonics, and Chai Espresso Martinis. You can rent a Bellemara winter igloo, get tickets to a radio-show style performance of Die Hard, watch a banjo show by Tony Trischka and his band, or see A Charlie Brown Christmas Live. And Flounder’s annual Kringle Market takes place over four days, with 45+ makers, a brass band, carolers, food trucks, snack vendors, photos with Santa inside the brewhouse, meet-and-greets with Buddy the Elf and The Grinch, Holiday Music in the Barn.
CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND
Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan
Wed.-Sun., Nov. 28-Dec. 24
Aside from the huge market that has all your Christmas and Hanukkah needs, there are visits with Santa and outdoor train rides; plus, you can get your Christmas tree from a selection that’s grown on the farm.
HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
Nov. 23-Jan. 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.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS HAYRIDE
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
Select dates, Nov.-Dec.
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.
HOLIDAYS AT JOHNSON’S CORNER FARM
Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford
Nov. 21-Dec. 23
Hop on the Christmas Light Show Hayride, which takes you past The Light Show on the Lake, where thousands of lights are synced to music. Pop by the animal farm, decorate Christmas cookies and roast s’mores by the campfire.
KOZIAR’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
Select dates, Nov. 1-Jan. 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.
MERRY MILE OF LIGHTS
A. Casola Farms, Holmdel
Wed.-Sun., Nov. 28-Dec. 28
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 kid’s crafts, too.
NIGHT OF LIGHTS LIGHT SHOW EXTRAVAGANZA
Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill
Select dates, Nov.-Dec.
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, narrated Nativity scene and a singing Christmas tree before posing with Santa.
OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM & WALK-THROUGH LIGHT SHOW
Allaire Community Farm, Wall Twp.
Fri. – Sun., Nov. 28 – Dec. 28
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.
ORCHARD OF LIGHTS
Demarest Farms, Hillsdale
Select dates, Nov. 22–Dec. 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.
TULIPS: WINTER WONDERLAND
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
Nov. 14-Jan. 4
This mega spring tulip and fall sunflower farm “plants” a walk-through of 50,000 illuminated tulips. There will be a winter market, food trucks, illuminated seesaws and swing sets, pony rides, Santa’s Workshop, and holiday treats.
THE VILLAGE AT ANNE ELLEN
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan
Select dates, Nov. 8-Dec. 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.
WINTER WONDERLAND ILLUMINATED WALKING TRAIL
Indian Acres Tree Farm, Medford
Select dates, Nov. 21-Dec. 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.
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Read More:
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