Anticipating holiday joy in Garfield? Our guide will lead you to all the festive events! From lifelong residents to holiday visitors, our guide is your ticket to Garfield's festive magic.
One event to explore is the German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairgrounds, where you can savour traditional treats and discover handmade gifts under twinkling lights. The Winter Lantern Festival enchants visitors with stunning light displays and vibrant installations, creating a whimsical winter wonderland. And the Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a spectacular drive-through light show set against the backdrop of cozy holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Garfield
- German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairgrounds (Augusta)
- Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms (Hillsdale)
- Winter Lantern Festival (East Rutherford)
- South Jersey Holiday Light Show (Holmdel)
- Newark Winter Village (Newark)
- Christmas in Cape May (Cape May)
- Smithville Village’s Holiday Light Show (Galloway)
- Holland Ridge Winter Wonderland Market (Cream Ridge)
- Holiday Lights Spectacular at Jenkinson’s Aquarium (Point Pleasant)
- Festival of Trees (New Brunswick)
See these and even more events listed below!
Garfield Holiday Light Displays
Holland Ridge Winter Wonderland Market
What to Expect:
30,000 illuminated tulips in a glowing field.
Description:
Holland Ridge Farms presents a spectacular holiday event featuring 30,000 illuminated tulips, fresh-cut tulips, and U-plant tulip bulbs. The event includes a holiday makers market, exclusive photo activations, festive food and sweet treats, and Santa's workshop with interactive activities.
Where: Cream Ridge | More Info: Holland Ridge Winter Wonderland Market
Winter Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Dazzling display of handmade Chinese lanterns with live performances and interactive activities.
Description:
The Winter Lantern Festival features over 1,000 handmade Chinese lanterns, live performances, and interactive activities. Each location offers a unique experience with stunning LED light displays, food vendors, and a gift shop. The festival includes live entertainment by the Zigong Acrobatic Troupe and various rides and games for kids.
Where: East Rutherford | More Info: Winter Lantern Festival
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
What to Expect:
Guided holiday light tour with Santa and s’mores.
Description:
Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays at Demarest Farms. Warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. Activities include taking pictures with Santa, making your own s’mores, and listening to Santa’s singing reindeer.
Where: Hillsdale | More Info: Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms
South Jersey Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with iconic characters and festive scenes.
Description:
A drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including a larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie display and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Holmdel | More Info: South Jersey Holiday Light Show
Smithville Village’s Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on historic village grounds.
Description:
Smithville Village's Holiday Light Show features over 120 floating Christmas trees decorated with more than 50,000 lights, synchronized to popular holiday music. The display can be seen from either side of the village and the lake's bridge, creating a spectacular light show each evening.
Where: Galloway | More Info: Smithville Village’s Holiday Light Show
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Jenkinson’s Aquarium
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday entertainment with Santa and animal shows.
Description:
Join us for the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Jenkinson’s Aquarium, featuring photos with Santa, holiday treats, Diving Santa, and various forms of entertainment each night from 5-8 PM.
Where: Point Pleasant | More Info: Holiday Lights Spectacular at Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Winter Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional Chinese lanterns and live circus performances.
Description:
The Winter Lantern Festival features over 1000 handmade Chinese lanterns, live entertainment, and fun activities for all ages, including a gift shop, rides, and games.
Where: East Rutherford | More Info: Winter Lantern Festival
Garfield Holiday Markets and Shopping
German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairgrounds
What to Expect:
Authentic German market with community fundraising.
Description:
The German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairgrounds is a non-profit event celebrating the Christmas holiday with traditional German food, drinks, and vendors. It raises funds to distribute back into the community, having donated over $620,000 since its inception.
Where: Augusta | More Info: German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairgrounds
Cherry Hill Holiday Makers Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local handmade products.
Description:
The Cherry Hill Holiday Makers Market is a two-day event featuring over 30 local vendors selling handmade products, including jewelry, honey, knitting, baking, candles, and more. Enjoy delicious food from local food trucks and explore the variety of items available.
Where: Cherry Hill | More Info: Cherry Hill Holiday Makers Market
Off The Wall Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique artisan-made products and original fine art.
Description:
The Off the Wall Holiday Market at West Windsor Arts Center features a juried selection of original, affordable art and artisan handcrafted items. Local and regional artists showcase their work in various mediums, including oil paints, acrylics, photography, and mixed media. The market also includes individually curated, handcrafted items such as jewelry, pottery, and home decor. Each purchase supports the artists and the center's mission to cultivate artistic talent.
Where: Princeton Junction | More Info: Off The Wall Holiday Market
Winterfest Market
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday market with Santa photos and local artisans.
Description:
Join us at Haddon Square for a family-friendly event featuring holiday music, fun activities for kids, and a special appearance by Santa. Browse unique gifts from area artisans, enjoy delicious treats from local food vendors, and visit the Beer Garden for seasonal brews and cocktails.
Where: Haddon Twp. | More Info: Winterfest Market
Noyes Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village
What to Expect:
Unique holiday market with a gingerbread village contest and live music.
Description:
The Noyes Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village at the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University features craft vendors, photos with Santa, a gingerbread village contest, live music, a toy drive, and local food and drinks. Enjoy handmade items, create a free ornament, and shop with a 20% discount in the Noyes Museum Gift Shop.
Where: Atlantic City | More Info: Noyes Holiday Market and Gingerbread Village
Holiday Flea Market & Gift Fair
What to Expect:
Indoor holiday market with diverse vendor offerings.
Description:
The Bergenfield High School Holiday Flea Market & Gift Fair features approximately 50 vendors selling a variety of items including arts & crafts collectibles, handbags, sports collectibles, jewelry, clothing, gift items, video games, vintage jewelry, gloves & scarves, toys, perfumes, and gently used items. The event is held indoors in the cafeteria and gym, offering a wide range of quality merchandise at bargain prices.
Where: Bergenfield | More Info: Holiday Flea Market & Gift Fair
Santa Spectacular Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique, handcrafted goods from local artisans.
Description:
The Santa Spectacular Holiday Market is a vibrant gathering where local artisans and makers showcase their unique, handcrafted goods. The event features a diverse array of vendors selling gifts and seasonal items, creating a dynamic shopping experience that fosters community engagement.
Where: Hoboken | More Info: Santa Spectacular Holiday Market
Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Unique handcrafted items from local vendors.
Description:
The Hawthorn Woods Holiday Craft Fair offers a wide variety of unique and handcrafted items from local vendors, including home decor, holiday gifts, and specialty foods. Attendees can find the perfect treasure for themselves or anyone on their holiday gift list.
Where: Hawthorne | More Info: Holiday Craft Fair
AWA Pawliday Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Holiday shopping and pet-friendly activities.
Description:
Join Animal Welfare Association for a festive event featuring holiday shopping, Santa and Grinch photos, kids' games, and food trucks. It's a fun-filled afternoon for pets and their people to enjoy together.
Where: Voorhees | More Info: AWA Pawliday Winter Wonderland
Wayne Valley Holiday Craft Show
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with diverse vendors.
Description:
The Wayne Valley Holiday Craft Show features over 300 exhibitors offering a variety of arts, crafts, retail items, and gifts. Enjoy festival foods, outdoor cafes, and live music in a festive atmosphere.
Where: Wayne | More Info: Wayne Valley Holiday Craft Show
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique, handmade gifts and local artisans.
Description:
The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market features over 50 local vendors offering handmade goods, jewelry, beauty products, and art. It transforms Dilworth Park into a vibrant winter setting with diverse food options and a relaxed atmosphere.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Mid-Winter Antique Show
What to Expect:
Live artist demonstrations in glass and pottery studios.
Description:
The Mid-Winter Antique Show at WheatonArts features approximately 40 quality dealers showcasing a wide array of antique furniture, books, ceramics, glass, jewelry, linens, memorabilia, paper, toys, pottery, primitives, and vintage accessories.
Where: Millville | More Info: Mid-Winter Antique Show
Garfield Holiday Shows and Entertainment
New Jersey Film Festival
What to Expect:
Hybrid festival with in-person and virtual screenings.
Description:
The New Jersey Film Festival is a 43rd bi-annual event showcasing a diverse array of independent, classic, international, and experimental films. It features both in-person and virtual screenings, with special guest appearances by film directors, producers, and actors. The festival includes a variety of films, including romance features, documentaries, and short animations, all available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show dates.
Where: New Brunswick | More Info: New Jersey Film Festival
Garfield Other Holiday Activities
Hometown Holiday
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Description:
Hometown Holiday is a family-friendly evening featuring the borough tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a fire truck, live DJ, free holiday hay rides, vendors, and a Victorian photo booth. Enjoy free kids' crafts, strolling brass band music, and seasonal characters. The event also includes a Menorah Lighting Ceremony and a gingerbread house making contest.
Where: Washington Borough | More Info: Hometown Holiday
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Celebrating diverse holiday traditions with decorated trees.
Description:
The Festival of Trees at the American Hungarian Foundation features a hybrid exhibit with decorated trees in the AHF gallery and downtown New Brunswick. Local organizations have decorated the trees with handmade ornaments and cultural traditions, showcasing various holiday customs from around the world.
Where: New Brunswick | More Info: Festival of Trees
Newark Winter Village
What to Expect:
Heated private igloos for cozy dining.
Description:
Newark Winter Village is a stylish open-air festival in downtown Newark featuring ice skating, go-karts, and a marketplace with food and hot beverages from local businesses.
Where: Newark | More Info: Newark Winter Village
Christmas in Cape May
What to Expect:
Victorian-style holiday tours and decorations.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas in Victorian Cape May with self-guided walking tours, trolley rides, and visits to beautifully decorated homes and historic landmarks. Enjoy festive music, carolers, and holiday traditions that bring the town to life.
Where: Cape May | More Info: Christmas in Cape May
SnowFest
What to Expect:
Interactive winter celebration with Santa, Grinch, and Olaf.
Description:
Join us for SnowFest at the Historic Wicoff House Museum, featuring Santa, Grinch, and Olaf, hot chocolate, snowcones, smores, crafts, and a new museum scavenger hunt.
Where: Plainsboro | More Info: SnowFest
Newark Winter Village
What to Expect:
Heated private igloos for cozy dining.
Description:
Newark Winter Village is a stylish open-air festival in downtown Newark featuring ice skating, go-karts, and a marketplace with local eats and drinks.
Where: Newark | More Info: Newark Winter Village
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Celebrating diverse holiday traditions through decorated trees.
Description:
The Festival of Trees at the American Hungarian Foundation features a hybrid exhibit with decorated trees from various countries and cultures, including local organizations and international representations, with special holiday musical performances and refreshments.
Where: New Brunswick | More Info: Festival of Trees
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lodi (2 miles)
- Elmwood Park (2 miles)
- Passaic (2 miles)
- Clifton (3 miles)
- Hackensack (4 miles)
- Paterson (4 miles)
- Fair Lawn (4 miles)
- Nutley (5 miles)
- Paramus (5 miles)
- Teaneck (5 miles)
- Montclair (6 miles)
- Belleville (6 miles)
- Bloomfield (6 miles)
- Palisades Park (6 miles)
- Ridgewood (7 miles)
- Bergenfield (7 miles)
- Englewood (7 miles)
- North Bergen (8 miles)
- Cliffside Park (8 miles)
- Fort Lee (8 miles)
- Kearny (8 miles)
- West New York (8 miles)
- Union City (8 miles)
- West Orange (9 miles)
- Wayne (9 miles)
- East Orange (9 miles)
- Morningside Heights (9 miles)
- Washington Heights (10 miles)
- Orange (10 miles)
- Harlem (10 miles)
- Manhattan (10 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (10 miles)
- Morris Heights (10 miles)
- Hoboken (10 miles)
- Newark (11 miles)
- East Harlem (11 miles)
- University Heights (11 miles)
- Jersey City (11 miles)
- Kings Bridge (11 miles)
- Tremont (11 miles)
- Mott Haven (11 miles)
- Melrose (11 miles)
- Fordham (11 miles)
- Morrisania (11 miles)
- Yonkers (12 miles)
- East Tremont (12 miles)
- Gramercy Park (12 miles)
- Livingston (12 miles)
- Irvington (12 miles)
- Astoria (12 miles)
- East Village (12 miles)
- Long Island City (13 miles)
- New York City (13 miles)
- Hunts Point (13 miles)
- Chinatown (13 miles)
- The Bronx (13 miles)
- Financial District (13 miles)
- Van Nest (13 miles)
- Maplewood (13 miles)
- Sunnyside (14 miles)
- Parkchester (14 miles)
- Wakefield (14 miles)
- Greenpoint (14 miles)
- Hillside (14 miles)
- Unionport (14 miles)
- Williamsburg (14 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (14 miles)
- Woodside (14 miles)
- Mahwah (14 miles)
- Mount Vernon (15 miles)
- Bayonne (15 miles)
- Millburn (15 miles)
- Jackson Heights (15 miles)
- Union (15 miles)
- Maspeth (15 miles)
- College Point (15 miles)
- East Elmhurst (15 miles)
- Elmhurst (16 miles)
- Elizabeth (16 miles)
- Throgs Neck (16 miles)
- Park Slope (16 miles)
- Corona (16 miles)
- Spring Valley (16 miles)
- Parsippany (16 miles)
- Bushwick (16 miles)
- Whitestone (17 miles)
- Ridgewood (17 miles)
- Middle Village (17 miles)
- Sunset Park (17 miles)
- Glendale (17 miles)
- Rego Park (17 miles)
- Summit (17 miles)
- Greenburgh (18 miles)
- Roselle (18 miles)
- Flatbush (18 miles)
- Forest Hills (18 miles)
- Kensington (18 miles)
- Brooklyn (18 miles)
- Borough Park (18 miles)
- Cranford (18 miles)
- Brownsville (18 miles)
- Cypress Hills (18 miles)
- East Flatbush (18 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (18 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (19 miles)
- Dyker Heights (19 miles)
- Woodhaven (19 miles)
- East New York (19 miles)
- Linden (19 miles)
- Bayside (19 miles)
- Richmond Hill (19 miles)
- New City (19 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (20 miles)
- Briarwood (20 miles)
- Westfield (20 miles)
- Canarsie (20 miles)
- Bath Beach (20 miles)
- Ozone Park (20 miles)
- Queens (20 miles)
- New Springville (20 miles)
- Flatlands (20 miles)
- Bensonhurst (20 miles)
- Rahway (21 miles)
- Jamaica (21 miles)
- Hillside (21 miles)
- Gravesend (21 miles)
- White Plains (21 miles)
- Howard Beach (21 miles)
- South Ozone Park (21 miles)
- Scotch Plains (21 miles)
- Hollis (22 miles)
- West Milford (22 miles)
- Harrison (22 miles)
- Carteret (22 miles)
- Coney Island (22 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (22 miles)
- Staten Island (22 miles)
- Queens Village (22 miles)
- Brighton Beach (22 miles)
- Great Kills (23 miles)
- Plainfield (23 miles)
- Ossining (23 miles)
- Cambria Heights (23 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (24 miles)
- Woodrow (24 miles)
- North Plainfield (24 miles)
- Laurelton (24 miles)
- Elmont (24 miles)
- Randolph (25 miles)
- Port Chester (25 miles)
- Rosedale (25 miles)
- Glen Cove (25 miles)
- Basking Ridge (26 miles)
- Franklin Square (26 miles)
- Valley Stream (26 miles)
- South Plainfield (26 miles)
- Far Rockaway (27 miles)
- Perth Amboy (27 miles)
- Garden City (27 miles)
- Hempstead (29 miles)
- Rockville Centre (29 miles)
- Edison (30 miles)
- Oceanside (30 miles)
- Uniondale (30 miles)
- Peekskill (30 miles)
- Piscataway (30 miles)
- Baldwin (31 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (31 miles)
- East Meadow (31 miles)
- Long Beach (31 miles)
- Hicksville (32 miles)
- Freeport (32 miles)
- Sayreville (32 miles)
- Kiryas Joel (32 miles)
- Stamford (32 miles)
- New Brunswick (33 miles)
- Somerset (33 miles)
- Merrick (33 miles)
- Middletown (34 miles)
- Bridgewater (34 miles)
- Plainview (35 miles)
- North Stamford (35 miles)
- Old Bridge (35 miles)
- South Old Bridge (35 miles)
- East Brunswick (35 miles)
- Massapequa (36 miles)
- Darien (36 miles)
- Huntington Station (37 miles)
- Hillsborough (39 miles)
- Marlboro (40 miles)
- Copiague (40 miles)
- East Norwalk (40 miles)
- Long Branch (40 miles)
- Dix Hills (41 miles)
- Lindenhurst (41 miles)
- East Northport (41 miles)
- West Babylon (41 miles)
- Deer Park (42 miles)
- Middletown (42 miles)
- Commack (43 miles)
- Westport (43 miles)
- Newburgh (43 miles)
- West Islip (44 miles)