Christmas in New Jersey 2026: Lights, Markets, Nutcrackers & Day Trips

New Jersey’s holiday season offers some of the metro area’s biggest light shows, a beloved German Christmas market, a live-orchestra Nutcracker and charming downtowns, all within an hour or so of Manhattan.

Key 2026 Dates

Lights

All New Jersey light shows: Skylands Stadium, Magic of Lights Holmdel, Turtle Back Zoo (free), Bergen County Zoo, Demarest Farms, Winter Wonderlights, Six Flags Holiday in the Park.

Markets

New Jersey Christmas markets: the German Christmas Market in Augusta, Montclair Flea, Red Mill Winter Village, Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar and more.

Shows and Concerts

New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker, Trans-Siberian Orchestra in Newark and the full Nutcracker guide.

Downtowns to Visit

• Morristown — a festive Green with a Christmas festival, Mayo PAC shows and historic sites.
• Princeton — Palmer Square’s tree lighting, traditionally the Friday after Thanksgiving (Nov 27, 2026), and charming shops.
• Montclair, Ridgewood, Westfield and Red Bank — classic Main Street holiday strolls.
• Hoboken and Jersey City — waterfront skyline views of lit-up Manhattan, minutes away by PATH.

Further Afield

Cape May’s Victorian Christmas (candlelight house tours and trolley rides) makes a lovely overnight trip.

Plan a New Jersey Holiday Day Trip

North Jersey (30–75 minutes from Manhattan)

Free lights at Turtle Back Zoo, lanterns at Bergen County Zoo, a drive through Demarest Farms, and the Skylands Stadium light show with the German Christmas Market in Sussex County. Downtowns like Morristown and Montclair are festive all month.

Central Jersey and the Shore

Magic of Lights in Holmdel, the Merry Mile of Lights, Holland Ridge Farms, The Village at Anne Ellen, Six Flags Holiday in the Park and the Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar.

South Jersey Getaway

Smithville’s Light Show on the Lake on the way to Victorian Cape May for candlelight house tours.

Getting There

NJ Transit trains reach Morristown, Montclair, Red Bank, Asbury Park and more from Penn Station. PATH trains connect Manhattan with Hoboken, Jersey City and Newark. For farm and drive-through light shows, a car is essential.

Shopping Tip

New Jersey doesn’t charge sales tax on most clothing and footwear. Note that in Bergen County, blue laws close most stores (including the big Paramus malls) on Sundays.

Tree Lightings

See our New Jersey tree lightings guide for Morristown, Westfield, Ridgewood, Hoboken and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Christmas things to do in New Jersey?

Skylands Stadium’s light show, Magic of Lights in Holmdel, the free Turtle Back Zoo lights, the German Christmas Market in Augusta and New Jersey Ballet’s Nutcracker with live orchestra.

Do stores open on Sundays in Paramus, NJ?

Most stores in Bergen County, including Paramus, are closed on Sundays because of local blue laws.

Is there sales tax on clothing in New Jersey?

Most clothing and footwear is exempt from New Jersey sales tax.