You've found the best holiday guide for Jersey City! Let us show you all the top festive events and attractions. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, our guide unlocks the festive spirit of Jersey City.
Popular events abound this holiday season starting with the Bryant Park Winter Village, where you can stroll through charming shops and enjoy seasonal treats. The Mariah Carey's “Christmas Time” Tour brings festive melodies and lively performances to the stage, making it a delightful experience for music fans. And the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular is something you definitely don't want to miss with its dazzling choreography and holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Jersey City
- Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular (New York City)
- Mariah Carey's “Christmas Time” Tour (New York City)
- Bryant Park Winter Village (New York City)
- Derek Hough's “Dance for the Holidays” Tour (New York City)
- Lumino City Festival
- Magic of Lights
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra's The Lost Christmas Eve Tour (Various)
- Mannheim Steamroller's Holiday Tour (Various)
- Jersey City Nutcracker
- Pentatonix's Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Various)
See these and even more events listed below!
Jersey City Holiday Light Displays
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with life-sized displays.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including larger-than-life Holiday Barbie, Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs. Guests can enjoy their favorite holiday scenes and characters from the comfort of their own vehicles.
Where: Jersey City | More Info: Magic of Lights
Newport Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Live ice carving demonstrations and festive community activities.
Description:
The Newport Holiday Lights event features a spectacular display of lights and decorations throughout the community, including live ice carving demonstrations and festive activities.
Where: Jersey City | More Info: Newport Holiday Lights
Lumino City Festival
What to Expect:
Immersive light displays and interactive activities for all ages.
Description:
LuminoCity Festival is an immersive light experience featuring over 40 stunning attractions and interactive elements. Dive into four captivating themes filled with dazzling light displays and interactive activities suitable for all ages. Enjoy food trucks, holiday gift shops, and special theme days packed with surprises.
Where: Jersey City | More Info: Lumino City Festival
Turtle Back Zoo Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo under sparkling lights and animal characters. Enjoy activities like face painting, a s'mores station, and photo ops with Santa and the Grinch.
Where: West Orange | More Info: Turtle Back Zoo Christmas
Demarest Farms Christmas
What to Expect:
Guided holiday light tour with festive activities.
Description:
Demarest Farms offers a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays, featuring a fire pit, hot cocoa, and treats in the retail farm market. Take pictures with Santa, make your own S'mores, and listen to Santa's singing Reindeer.
Where: Hillsdale | More Info: Demarest Farms Christmas
Historic Smithville Christmas
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on historic lake setting.
Description:
Historic Smithville features a synchronized Christmas tree light show across Lake Meone, with over 120 trees made from 50,000 lights, accompanied by music.
Where: Galloway | More Info: Historic Smithville Christmas
Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari Christmas
What to Expect:
Elaborate light displays and festive attractions.
Description:
Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with elaborate light displays, festive decorations, and special attractions like the five-story LED tree and the Poinsettia Peak section. Enjoy thrilling rides, holiday sweets, and cozy fire pits amidst the park's whimsically decorated sections.
Where: Jackson | More Info: Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari Christmas
Palmer Square Christmas
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live music.
Description:
Palmer Square Christmas features a festive tree lighting, live music, and family-friendly activities in downtown Princeton.
Where: Princeton | More Info: Palmer Square Christmas
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
What to Expect:
Extensive holiday light display with unique handmade decorations.
Description:
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House is a spectacular display of 30,000 Christmas lights and hundreds of figurines, showcasing a mix of homemade wooden creations and wire-frame ornaments.
Where: Fanwood | More Info: Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Jersey City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Local Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique blend of local artisans and live music.
Description:
The Local Holiday Market in Downtown Jersey City features handmade goods, local artists, and makers, with live music performances and a DJ throughout the weekend.
Where: Jersey City | More Info: Local Holiday Market
Bryant Park Winter Village
What to Expect:
NYC's largest free-admission ice skating rink with unique shopping and dining experiences.
Description:
Bryant Park Winter Village offers free ice skating, over 180 holiday shops, cozy igloos, and The Lodge for festive food and drinks. It's a premier destination for holiday shopping and activities in New York City.
Where: New York City | More Info: Bryant Park Winter Village
Jersey City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Jersey City Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Holiday ballet performance with animated video projections and community involvement.
Description:
Jersey City Nutcracker is a holiday production set to Tchaikovsky's renowned orchestral score, telling the story of two children's city adventure through fantasy, adversity, and celebration. Choreographed by Samuel Pott, it features a stand-out cast of professional dancers from Nimbus Dance joined by youth and adults, including familiar characters like the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Rat King, all with a Jersey City twist. The production is set against jaw-dropping animated video projections by Laia Cabrera and Isabelle Duverger.
Where: Jersey City | More Info: Jersey City Nutcracker
Mariah Carey's “Christmas Time” Tour
What to Expect:
Iconic holiday songs performed by a legendary artist.
Description:
Mariah Carey's "Christmas Time" Tour is a spectacular celebration of holiday classics and fan-favorite hits, featuring timeless performances that bring the spirit of Christmas to life.
Where: New York City | More Info: Mariah Carey's “Christmas Time” Tour
Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular
What to Expect:
Precision dance troupe with modern special effects.
Description:
The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular is a grand holiday production featuring precision dance, elaborate costumes, and classic holiday music. The show combines traditional scenes with modern special effects, including fairy drones and 3D experiences, to create a visually stunning celebration of the holiday season.
Where: New York City | More Info: Radio City Music Hall Rockettes' Spectacular
Derek Hough's “Dance for the Holidays” Tour
What to Expect:
High-energy dance performances with a festive twist.
Description:
Derek Hough's "Dance for the Holidays" is a high-energy live show featuring an incredible cast of dancers and musicians in a stunning stage production. The event brings holiday carols and modern pop hits to life through dance, showcasing incredible choreography and dance mastery.
Where: New York City | More Info: Derek Hough's “Dance for the Holidays” Tour
Mannheim Steamroller's Holiday Tour
What to Expect:
Two simultaneous tours with multimedia effects.
Description:
Mannheim Steamroller's Holiday Tour features two traveling ensembles performing classic Christmas music with multimedia effects in intimate settings, celebrating over 35 years of holiday tradition.
Where: Various | More Info: Mannheim Steamroller's Holiday Tour
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's The Lost Christmas Eve Tour
What to Expect:
Dazzling spectacle with pyrotechnics and lasers.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra's The Lost Christmas Eve Tour is an all-new production of the final chapter in TSO's Christmas trilogy, featuring pyrotechnics, lasers, and an incredible storyline that resonates deeply over the holiday season.
Where: Various | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra's The Lost Christmas Eve Tour
A Drag Queen Christmas 10th Anniversary Tour
What to Expect:
Live performances by renowned drag queens.
Description:
Celebrate the 10th anniversary of A Drag Queen Christmas with Nina West, featuring winners, fan favorites, legends, and queens from Season 16 and All Stars 9.
Where: Various | More Info: A Drag Queen Christmas 10th Anniversary Tour
Pentatonix's Most Wonderful Time of the Year
What to Expect:
Acclaimed a cappella performances of classic holiday songs.
Description:
Pentatonix's Most Wonderful Time of the Year features a collection of their most beloved holiday songs, including "Hallelujah," "Prayers for This World," and "O Holy Night," showcasing the group's signature a cappella style.
Where: Various | More Info: Pentatonix's Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Lindsey Stirling's Snow Waltz Christmas Tour
What to Expect:
Unique violin-driven holiday performances with aerial stunts.
Description:
Lindsey Stirling's Snow Waltz Christmas Tour features a dynamic blend of violin, vocal performances, and aerial stunts, reimagining classic holiday music with a unique twist.
Where: Various | More Info: Lindsey Stirling's Snow Waltz Christmas Tour
Named Tom's The Magic of Christmas
What to Expect:
Sibling trio known for their chart-topping covers and debut holiday EP.
Description:
Girl Named Tom brings their unique blend of original holiday songs and timeless classics to the stage, showcasing their familial harmonies and captivating audiences with their heartfelt performances.
Where: Various | More Info: Named Tom's The Magic of Christmas
Jersey City Other Holiday Activities
Miracle on Mercer
What to Expect:
Seasonal cocktails and snacks in a festive setting.
Description:
Miracle on Mercer is a festive holiday pop-up at Franklin Social in Jersey City, offering holiday cocktails and festive snacks.
Where: Jersey City | More Info: Miracle on Mercer
Morven Museum & Garden Christmas
What to Expect:
Artfully decorated galleries and porches by local businesses and organizations.
Description:
Morven Museum & Garden's Christmas celebration features elegantly decorated galleries, mantels, and porches by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profit organizations. The event includes fire pits, twinkle lights, hot beverages, and hearty hors d'oeuvres, creating a warm atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
Where: Princeton | More Info: Morven Museum & Garden Christmas
Downtown Ocean City Christmas
What to Expect:
Extended parade route with family-friendly post-parade activities.
Description:
The Ocean City Christmas Parade is a 41-year tradition featuring floats, bands, and more, with an extended route from Old Landing Road to 120th Street. The parade begins promptly at 11:00 am, and spectators can gather curbside as southbound lanes of Coastal Highway are closed. Following the parade, join family-friendly festivities at the Carousel Hotel.
Where: Ocean City | More Info: Downtown Ocean City Christmas
Physick Estate Christmas
What to Expect:
Victorian-style holiday decorations in a historic mansion.
Description:
The Physick Estate Christmas features guided tours through the 1879 Emlen Physick House, decorated in authentic Victorian style, with a focus on Victorian Christmas traditions. The tour includes visits to the Carroll Gallery and the Old-fashioned Christmas exhibit, showcasing a huge Christmas tree, model trains, and an elaborate Dept. 56 Dickens village collection.
Where: Cape May | More Info: Physick Estate Christmas
Black River & Western Railroad Christmas
What to Expect:
Meet Santa and enjoy holiday activities on a vintage train ride.
Description:
Black River & Western Railroad offers a holiday-themed train ride from Flemington to the North Pole, featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus, a Christmas-themed short story reading, and festive activities.
Where: Flemington | More Info: Black River & Western Railroad Christmas
Cape May Seashore Lines Christmas
What to Expect:
Historic train rides with Santa Claus.
Description:
The Cape May Seashore Lines Christmas event features historic train rides, visits with Santa, and festive entertainment, making it a family-friendly holiday tradition.
Where: Cape May Court House | More Info: Cape May Seashore Lines Christmas
Maplewood Village Christmas
What to Expect:
Miniature houses with fireplaces and antique toys.
Description:
Dickens Village in Maplewood brings Charles Dickens' scenes from "A Christmas Carol" to life in miniature houses arranged in Ricalton Square. Each house features fireplaces, stockings, and antique toys, offering a unique and different experience. The event includes visits with Santa, horse and wagon rides, petting farms, music, and holiday readings.
Where: Maplewood | More Info: Maplewood Village Christmas
Nassau Inn Patio Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with a 65 ft. tall Christmas tree and outdoor skating rink.
Description:
The Nassau Inn Patio Christmas features a 65 ft. tall Christmas tree in Palmer Square Green with 33,000 lights, outdoor eco-friendly Glice skating rink, and igloos for private outdoor dining.
Where: Princeton | More Info: Nassau Inn Patio Christmas
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Hoboken (3 miles)
- New York City (4 miles)
- Financial District (4 miles)
- Chinatown (4 miles)
- Kearny (5 miles)
- Bayonne (5 miles)
- Union City (5 miles)
- East Village (5 miles)
- Gramercy Park (5 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (5 miles)
- Newark (5 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (5 miles)
- West New York (5 miles)
- Belleville (6 miles)
- Park Slope (6 miles)
- North Bergen (6 miles)
- Williamsburg (7 miles)
- Greenpoint (7 miles)
- Sunset Park (7 miles)
- Long Island City (7 miles)
- Manhattan (7 miles)
- East Orange (7 miles)
- Sunnyside (7 miles)
- Borough Park (8 miles)
- Nutley (8 miles)
- Bloomfield (8 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (8 miles)
- Kensington (8 miles)
- Cliffside Park (8 miles)
- Flatbush (8 miles)
- Dyker Heights (8 miles)
- Hillside (8 miles)
- Irvington (8 miles)
- Elizabeth (8 miles)
- Morningside Heights (8 miles)
- Astoria (8 miles)
- East Harlem (8 miles)
- Brooklyn (9 miles)
- Orange (9 miles)
- Bushwick (9 miles)
- Maspeth (9 miles)
- Harlem (9 miles)
- Woodside (9 miles)
- Ridgewood (9 miles)
- East Flatbush (9 miles)
- Passaic (9 miles)
- Palisades Park (9 miles)
- Bath Beach (9 miles)
- Brownsville (9 miles)
- Montclair (10 miles)
- West Orange (10 miles)
- Bensonhurst (10 miles)
- Mott Haven (10 miles)
- Union (10 miles)
- Clifton (10 miles)
- Glendale (10 miles)
- Fort Lee (10 miles)
- Jackson Heights (10 miles)
- Maplewood (10 miles)
- Middle Village (10 miles)
- New Springville (10 miles)
- Cypress Hills (10 miles)
- Elmhurst (10 miles)
- Flatlands (11 miles)
- Lodi (11 miles)
- Garfield (11 miles)
- Gravesend (11 miles)
- Roselle (11 miles)
- Canarsie (11 miles)
- Melrose (11 miles)
- Hackensack (11 miles)
- East New York (11 miles)
- Washington Heights (11 miles)
- Coney Island (11 miles)
- East Elmhurst (11 miles)
- Morrisania (11 miles)
- Linden (11 miles)
- Corona (11 miles)
- Hunts Point (12 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (12 miles)
- Morris Heights (12 miles)
- Rego Park (12 miles)
- Woodhaven (12 miles)
- Millburn (12 miles)
- Staten Island (12 miles)
- Forest Hills (12 miles)
- Brighton Beach (12 miles)
- Teaneck (12 miles)
- Tremont (12 miles)
- Elmwood Park (12 miles)
- Cranford (13 miles)
- Great Kills (13 miles)
- Englewood (13 miles)
- University Heights (13 miles)
- East Tremont (13 miles)
- Ozone Park (13 miles)
- College Point (13 miles)
- Fordham (13 miles)
- Queens (13 miles)
- Richmond Hill (13 miles)
- Carteret (13 miles)
- Livingston (13 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (13 miles)
- Rahway (13 miles)
- Howard Beach (14 miles)
- Parkchester (14 miles)
- Unionport (14 miles)
- Kings Bridge (14 miles)
- Briarwood (14 miles)
- The Bronx (14 miles)
- Paterson (14 miles)
- Van Nest (14 miles)
- South Ozone Park (14 miles)
- Woodrow (14 miles)
- Whitestone (14 miles)
- Bergenfield (14 miles)
- Jamaica (14 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (15 miles)
- Westfield (15 miles)
- Fair Lawn (15 miles)
- Paramus (15 miles)
- Throgs Neck (15 miles)
- Summit (15 miles)
- Hillside (15 miles)
- Bayside (16 miles)
- Hollis (16 miles)
- Wakefield (17 miles)
- Yonkers (17 miles)
- Scotch Plains (17 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (17 miles)
- Wayne (17 miles)
- Ridgewood (17 miles)
- Queens Village (18 miles)
- Laurelton (18 miles)
- Mount Vernon (18 miles)
- Cambria Heights (18 miles)
- Perth Amboy (18 miles)
- Plainfield (18 miles)
- Rosedale (19 miles)
- Far Rockaway (19 miles)
- Elmont (19 miles)
- North Plainfield (20 miles)
- Valley Stream (20 miles)
- South Plainfield (20 miles)
- Parsippany (20 miles)
- Franklin Square (21 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (22 miles)
- Edison (23 miles)
- Piscataway (23 miles)
- Middletown (23 miles)
- Garden City (23 miles)
- Rockville Centre (23 miles)
- Oceanside (24 miles)
- Sayreville (24 miles)
- Long Beach (24 miles)
- Hempstead (24 miles)
- Greenburgh (24 miles)
- Basking Ridge (25 miles)
- Glen Cove (25 miles)
- Baldwin (25 miles)
- Mahwah (25 miles)
- Harrison (25 miles)
- Uniondale (25 miles)
- New Brunswick (26 miles)
- Freeport (26 miles)
- Old Bridge (26 miles)
- South Old Bridge (26 miles)
- Spring Valley (27 miles)
- White Plains (27 miles)
- Somerset (27 miles)
- East Meadow (27 miles)
- East Brunswick (27 miles)
- Randolph (28 miles)
- Merrick (28 miles)
- Port Chester (29 miles)
- Hicksville (29 miles)
- New City (29 miles)
- Long Branch (30 miles)
- Marlboro (30 miles)
- Bridgewater (31 miles)
- West Milford (32 miles)
- Massapequa (32 miles)
- Ossining (32 miles)
- Plainview (32 miles)
- Hillsborough (34 miles)
- Copiague (36 miles)
- Huntington Station (36 miles)
- Stamford (36 miles)
- Lindenhurst (37 miles)
- West Babylon (38 miles)
- Dix Hills (39 miles)
- Deer Park (39 miles)
- Peekskill (40 miles)
- North Stamford (40 miles)
- Darien (40 miles)
- Princeton (40 miles)
- West Islip (40 miles)
- East Northport (41 miles)
- Commack (42 miles)
- Kiryas Joel (43 miles)
- Bay Shore (44 miles)
- Brentwood (44 miles)
- East Norwalk (44 miles)
- Lakewood (44 miles)