Because everyone always associates the Jersey shore with beaches and summer fun, people usually don’t plan holiday trips to the Garden State. Contrary to this popular belief, there are plenty of fun events going on down the shore at the end of December. Check out these joyful Jersey shore Christmas events!
Shopping Just Got Better
Still have some last-minute gifts to buy? Just head over to Frenchtown! Not only are local businesses decked out with holiday decor, they’re also holding in a special promotion. Spend $25 or more at participating stores to be entered to win one of four baskets of gift cards and goodies with a combined value of more than $2,000! Use the money you win to come back next year for more frosty fun!
Holiday Light Show
This North Brunswick light show is the only major one in New Jersey, so it’s definitely a must-see! Until the end of the month, DeVry University will house heated tents with 6 rotating food trucks, nearly one hundred vendors, ooey-gooey campfire s’mores, face painting that lights up, an ice sculptor, and so much more! Enter through the giant Christmas ornament and walk through the animated frosted light tunnels before visiting any of the 9 interactive light buildings or the giant abstract tree. A singing tree with an animated face and an animatronic snowman comedian will greet guests.
Be sure to check out the walk-through gift box and 25 foot horse-drawn carriage replica. If you haven’t taken a family photo for your holiday cards yet this year, you can do it here! The musical pixel light show spans a 3-story stage complete with snow flurries and happens every 2 hours, so you can enjoy it again and again! Proceeds from tickets benefit the Hugs for Brady Foundation, which helps children fighting cancer. Come out and have a wonderful winter evening for a good cause!
Holiday Model Train Show
This Historic Bordentown show takes place in Old City Hall every year, and it just keeps getting better! Check out specially designed functional layouts complete with model villages, memorabilia, and of course, hundreds of holiday themed model trains, all for free. It runs every weekend until the end of the month, so catch it before it closes!
Victorian-Style Christmas at Acorn Hall
This Morristown celebration has Italianate-style Acorn Hall filled in Victorian holiday decorations in every room. Come view the topsy-turvy Christmas tree, antique ornaments, and other festive adornments on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays through January 8th!
Victorian Christmas Tours at Smithville Mansion
Can’t get enough Victorian Christmas? Head to the Smithville Mansion, an 1840 Greek Revival, in Eastampton, to see gorgeous trees decorated by a dozen different garden clubs and civic groups. Go on a History Tour or reserve a special Candlelight Tour up through the 30th!
A Very Eclectic Christmas
Lightwire Theater is producing this unique show at Two River Theater in Red Bank twice a day from the 27th to the 30th. Watch amazing dancers, neon lights, and extraordinary puppets tell the tale of a bird named Max trying to migrate south for the winter. Stay in the holiday spirit with music from Nat King Cole, Tchaikovsky, Mariah Carey, and other Christmas favorites.
Imagine That!!! Design Your Own Holiday Card
Need to distract your kids so you can put the final touches on their Christmas presents? Never got a chance to wrangle them together for a family photo? Take them to the Imagine That!!! children’s museum in Florham Park on Christmas Eve so they can get their glitter on and make a holiday card! Your extended family will love the homemade card and you can get your last-minute shopping and wrapping done. This is the perfect way to kill two birds with one stone.
Best of all, your kids can explore the 16,000 square foot museum complete with more than 50 exhibits afterward. This is one museum where kids don’t have to worry about keeping their hands off the exhibits – they’re designed to be touched, and help children build their imaginations and learn important concepts.
We hope you have fun at whatever Jersey shore Christmas events you decide to attend, and have a happy holiday filled with love, family, giving, and relaxation.