Plan your festive season in Scotch Plains with our comprehensive guide. From Scotch Plains natives to wandering souls, our guide showcases both traditional and unique holiday experiences.
This holiday season, families can enjoy the magical sights at the Festival of Trees, where beautifully decorated trees light up the town and create a warm, inviting atmosphere. With each tree presenting a unique theme, it’s a delightful experience for all ages. Additionally, visitors will appreciate the charm of the Holiday Lights Hayride, which invites riders to explore the town's festive displays from the comfort of a hay-covered wagon. And the Santa @ The Commons event is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a chance for children to meet Santa and capture memorable holiday photos. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Scotch Plains
- Santa @ The Commons (Bridgewater)
- Holiday Lights Hayride (Hillsborough)
- Festival of Trees (Basking Ridge)
- Breakfast with Santa at Iron Peak (Hillsborough)
- Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru (East Brunswick)
- Orchard of Lights (Hillsdale)
- Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel)
See these and even more events listed below!
Scotch Plains Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Lights Hayride
What to Expect:
Holiday lights hayride with animal interactions and warming fire.
Description:
Join Norz Hill Farm for a holiday lights tractor-drawn hayride through a winter wonderland. Enjoy festive music, twinkling lights, and interactive animal displays. After the ride, warm up by the fire with marshmallows and hot cocoa, and explore the Home Farm Stand for delicious treats.
Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Holiday Lights Hayride
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with interactive displays.
Description:
At PNC Bank Arts Center, Magic of Lights features over 2 million sparkling lights, including a 32-foot-tall animated Holiday Barbie and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas. The event offers a drive-through experience with various themed displays and a stop at the Jolly Holiday Village for additional holiday activities.
Where: Holmdel | More Info: Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Orchard of Lights
What to Expect:
Guided holiday light tour with Santa and s'mores.
Description:
At Demarest Farms, embark on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. Take pictures with Santa and make your own s'mores while listening to Santa's singing reindeer.
Where: Hillsdale | More Info: Orchard of Lights
Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show with 30-foot Christmas trees and four magical tunnels.
Description:
Over 1.5 million lights are animated to some of your favorite holiday tunes, creating a vibrant and dynamic display that celebrates all winter holidays.
Where: East Brunswick | More Info: Winter Wonderlights Spectacular Drive-Thru
Scotch Plains Holiday Markets and Shopping
Santa @ The Commons
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday market with live music and activities.
Description:
Join us at the Bridgewater Town Common for a family-friendly holiday celebration featuring over 50 vendors, live music, food trucks, and activities like pony rides and photos with Santa. The event includes a Christmas parade and live music at Friends Music Alley.
Where: Bridgewater | More Info: Santa @ The Commons
Scotch Plains Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Multi-theme and multi-room tree exhibits with dazzling decorations.
Description:
The Festival of Trees is an indoor exhibit featuring decorated trees by various community groups and individuals. Enjoy holiday music while viewing the beautiful trees.
Where: Basking Ridge | More Info: Festival of Trees
Breakfast with Santa at Iron Peak
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday crafts and toy drive.
Description:
Join us for a special morning at Iron Peak Sports & Events where families can enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, participate in holiday crafts, and meet Santa Claus. This event is perfect for creating lasting memories with loved ones.
Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Breakfast with Santa at Iron Peak
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Plainfield (2 miles)
- Westfield (2 miles)
- North Plainfield (3 miles)
- Summit (4 miles)
- Cranford (5 miles)
- South Plainfield (5 miles)
- Millburn (7 miles)
- Rahway (7 miles)
- Roselle (7 miles)
- Union (7 miles)
- Linden (8 miles)
- Maplewood (8 miles)
- Hillside (9 miles)
- Basking Ridge (9 miles)
- Elizabeth (9 miles)
- Edison (10 miles)
- Irvington (10 miles)
- Carteret (10 miles)
- Livingston (10 miles)
- Piscataway (11 miles)
- Orange (11 miles)
- Somerset (12 miles)
- New Brunswick (12 miles)
- Perth Amboy (12 miles)
- East Orange (12 miles)
- New Springville (13 miles)
- West Orange (13 miles)
- Newark (13 miles)
- Woodrow (13 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (13 miles)
- Sayreville (14 miles)
- Bridgewater (14 miles)
- Parsippany (14 miles)
- Great Kills (14 miles)
- Bayonne (14 miles)
- Staten Island (15 miles)
- Bloomfield (15 miles)
- Kearny (15 miles)
- Montclair (15 miles)
- Belleville (16 miles)
- East Brunswick (16 miles)
- Old Bridge (17 miles)
- Nutley (17 miles)
- Randolph (17 miles)
- Jersey City (17 miles)
- South Old Bridge (17 miles)
- Hillsborough (17 miles)
- Clifton (18 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (19 miles)
- Passaic (20 miles)
- Wayne (20 miles)
- Hoboken (20 miles)
- Sunset Park (20 miles)
- Dyker Heights (20 miles)
- Financial District (20 miles)
- Bath Beach (21 miles)
- New York City (21 miles)
- Borough Park (21 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (21 miles)
- Union City (21 miles)
- Chinatown (21 miles)
- Bensonhurst (21 miles)
- Park Slope (21 miles)
- Garfield (21 miles)
- Paterson (21 miles)
- Coney Island (21 miles)
- West New York (22 miles)
- East Village (22 miles)
- Gramercy Park (22 miles)
- Kensington (22 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (22 miles)
- Elmwood Park (22 miles)
- North Bergen (22 miles)
- Lodi (22 miles)
- Flatbush (23 miles)
- Gravesend (23 miles)
- Middletown (23 miles)
- Brooklyn (23 miles)
- Brighton Beach (23 miles)
- Williamsburg (23 miles)
- Greenpoint (23 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (24 miles)
- Fair Lawn (24 miles)
- Manhattan (24 miles)
- Long Island City (24 miles)
- Flatlands (24 miles)
- Cliffside Park (24 miles)
- East Flatbush (24 miles)
- Hackensack (24 miles)
- Palisades Park (24 miles)
- Sunnyside (25 miles)
- Brownsville (25 miles)
- Marlboro (25 miles)
- Morningside Heights (25 miles)
- Bushwick (25 miles)
- East Harlem (25 miles)
- Astoria (25 miles)
- Maspeth (25 miles)
- Princeton (25 miles)
- Harlem (26 miles)
- Ridgewood (26 miles)
- Canarsie (26 miles)
- Teaneck (26 miles)
- Fort Lee (26 miles)
- Paramus (26 miles)
- Woodside (26 miles)
- Cypress Hills (26 miles)
- Glendale (27 miles)
- Ridgewood (27 miles)
- East New York (27 miles)
- Mott Haven (27 miles)
- Middle Village (27 miles)
- Englewood (27 miles)
- Jackson Heights (27 miles)
- Washington Heights (27 miles)
- Elmhurst (27 miles)
- Melrose (28 miles)
- Bergenfield (28 miles)
- Woodhaven (28 miles)
- Morrisania (28 miles)
- Morris Heights (28 miles)
- East Elmhurst (28 miles)
- Corona (28 miles)
- Rego Park (29 miles)
- Forest Hills (29 miles)
- Hunts Point (29 miles)
- Ozone Park (29 miles)
- Tremont (29 miles)
- University Heights (29 miles)
- Howard Beach (29 miles)
- Queens (29 miles)
- East Tremont (29 miles)
- Fordham (29 miles)
- Richmond Hill (29 miles)
- Kings Bridge (30 miles)
- College Point (30 miles)
- South Ozone Park (30 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (30 miles)
- Briarwood (30 miles)
- Parkchester (30 miles)
- The Bronx (31 miles)
- Van Nest (31 miles)
- Unionport (31 miles)
- Jamaica (31 miles)
- Whitestone (31 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (32 miles)
- Hillside (32 miles)
- Yonkers (32 miles)
- Throgs Neck (32 miles)
- Long Branch (32 miles)
- Mahwah (33 miles)
- Wakefield (33 miles)
- Mercerville-Hamilton Square (33 miles)
- Hollis (33 miles)
- West Milford (33 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (33 miles)
- Bayside (33 miles)
- Far Rockaway (33 miles)
- Laurelton (34 miles)
- Mount Vernon (34 miles)
- Cambria Heights (34 miles)
- Ewing (34 miles)
- Rosedale (34 miles)
- Queens Village (34 miles)
- Trenton (36 miles)
- Elmont (36 miles)
- Valley Stream (36 miles)
- Spring Valley (36 miles)
- Franklin Square (38 miles)
- Long Beach (39 miles)
- Greenburgh (39 miles)
- Rockville Centre (39 miles)
- Oceanside (39 miles)
- Lakewood (40 miles)
- Garden City (40 miles)
- New City (40 miles)
- Hempstead (41 miles)
- Baldwin (41 miles)
- Harrison (42 miles)
- Levittown (42 miles)
- Uniondale (42 miles)
- White Plains (42 miles)
- Glen Cove (42 miles)
- Freeport (42 miles)
- Easton (44 miles)
- East Meadow (44 miles)
- Merrick (44 miles)
- Ossining (45 miles)
- Port Chester (45 miles)