It’s true, there’s no place like home for the holidays and our annual holiday calendar is your ultimate guide to South Jersey’s holiday happenings—regardless of what you celebrate.
NOW-DEC. 16
Holiday Giving Tree
Spread holiday cheer at the Moorestown Mall by choosing a tag off the tree in HomeSense Court, purchasing the gift listed on the tag and dropping it off in the Mall Management office to bring joy to families in need this season.
Moorestown Mall, weekdays 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., prices vary, Moorestown, Moorestown-Mall.com
NOW-DEC. 23
Magical Holiday Express
Hop on a holiday train ride through Christmas lights to meet Santa, Mrs. Claus and the workshop elves.
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Sun.-Thurs. 4:45-8 p.m. & Fri.-Sat. 4:45-8:45 p.m., $23.20-30.95, Hammonton, DiDonatoFunCenter.com
NOW-DEC. 24
Photos with Santa
Visit Santa Claus in the Grand Court to capture some holiday memories with family and pet photos.
Cherry Hill Mall, times vary, price determined by package, Cherry Hill, CherryHillMall.com
Christmas Underwater
The ‘sea’-sonal event returns with the world’s tallest underwater Christmas tree, Scuba Santa, and of course sharks, sea turtles and rays.
Camden Adventure Aquarium, times vary, $29.99-47.99, Camden, AdventureAquarium.com
NOW-Dec. 30
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
Santa Claus waves his magic wand and lights up the park with more than 1 million lights for the season.
Storybook Land, times vary, $37.99 per person, Egg Harbor Township, StorybookLand.com
NOW-JAN. 5, 11-12
Holiday Light Show
Enjoy the drive-thru holiday lights and displays that synchronize with the park’s “holi-dig” radio.
Diggerland, 5:30 p.m., $36.99 per vehicle, West Berlin, DiggerlandUSA.com
NOW-JAN. 6
Holiday Light Show
Lake Meone will host this show that consists of over 120 lighted Christmas trees in the center of Historic Smithville, accompanied by holiday tunes.
Historic Smithville, 5:30-8:30 p.m., free, Smithville, HistoricSmithvilleNJ.com
NOV. 30
Holiday Parade
The annual parade returns with entertainment including marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, floats, string bands, special guests and more.
Haddon Avenue, 10 a.m., free, Collingswood, Collingswood.com
NOV. 30-DEC. 1
Small Business Weekend
Enjoy music, carriage rides, a tree lighting, a Christmas parade, special deals and more while supporting local small businesses.
Uptown Pitman, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free, Pitman, UptownPitman.com
WEEKENDS NOV. 30-DEC. 22
Breakfast with Santa
Santa Claus has returned to the farm for a family breakfast and story time.
Johnson’s Corner Farm, seatings at 9:30 a.m. & noon, $45 per person, Medford, JohnsonsFarm.com
DEC. 1
Holiday Art Show and Sale
Come view and shop a variety of art from different artists across the region, just in time to find gifts for the holidays.
Studio 67, 2-5 p.m., free, Medford, Studio67Medford.com
DEC. 5
Lighting of the Menorah
Commence the season with Monroe Township’s second annual menorah lighting.
Pfeiffer Community Center, 6-8 p.m., free, Williamstown, MonroeTownshipNJ.org
DEC. 6
Candlelight Tour
Embark on a holiday adventure in Woodstown with photos with and letters to Santa, live musical performances, an open-air holiday market and more.
Creekside Inn Pavilion, 2-9 p.m., $10-35, Woodstown, WoodstownByCandlelight.org
Christmas Tree Lighting & Winter Village
Embrace that community feeling with Santa photos, cookies and hot chocolate, Christmas carols, holiday shopping and lighting the giant tree.
Washington Lake Park, 6-9 p.m., free, Sewell, WTChamber.org
Boro in Lights
For the 10th year, Glassboro lights up the town Christmas tree with more than 19,000 lights and visitors can participate in the town’s Toys for Tots and coat drives, and enjoy a 21+ Ice Bar, trackless train ride, free hot cocoa and more.
Town Square, 6-9 p.m., free, Glassboro, Glassboro.org
Annual Tree Lighting & Parade Celebration
Come downtown to watch the tree lighting and for some family-friendly holiday cheer such as a train ride through town, a giant snow globe for photos and more.
Corner of Main Street & Mill Street, 6-9 p.m., free, Mount Holly, MainStreetMountHolly.org
DEC. 7
15th Annual Wreaths of Remembrance
Honor those no longer with us at Gloucester County’s Wreaths of Remembrance Ceremony.
Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 9:30-11 a.m., free, Williamstown, GloucesterCountyNJ.gov
Dickens Festival
Once a year, Main Street in Medford transforms into a quaint winter wonderland with holiday festivities like a comedic Christmas Carol retelling, carolers, 100 artist vendors and more.
Main Street, 4:30-9 p.m., free, Medford, MainStreetMedford.com
DEC. 8
Winterfest
The 26th annual event allows guests to support small businesses with holiday shopping while enjoying sweet treats and music, as well as a peek into Santa’s workshop.
Cinnaminson High School, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., free, Cinnaminson, Facebook.com/CEHASA
Winter in the Pines
Combine the holiday season with local history at Batsto Village with hot cider and cookies at the Post Office Museum, holiday photos, the St. Nicholas Aurora Carolers and more.
Batsto Village, noon-3 p.m., free, Hammonton, BatstoVillage.org
DEC. 11
Ladies Night Out
Join Chabad in Medford for a women’s pre-Hanukkah event where you’ll create a porch sign while enjoying refreshments and community.
Chabad Medford, 6:30 p.m., $36, Medford, ChabadMedford.org
DEC. 13-14
Motown Christmas Celebration
A night of family fun and sing-alongs of classic Motown artists like Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many more with a Christmas twist.
The Vault at Victor Records, 8 p.m., $29.99, Berlin, VictorRecords.com
DEC. 13-15 & 20-22
Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn
A musical tale about show business, romance, comedy and the holidays based on the classic film and featuring hit songs by Berlin.
Broadway Theatre, times vary, $30, Pitman, TheBroadwayTheatre.org
DEC. 14
Winterfest
Here you will find Victorian-style carolers, live entertainment, a Holiday Marketplace, ice skating, ice carving, art exhibits and, of course, Victorian Santa.
Historic Smithville Park, 1-6 p.m., free, Eastampton Township, Co.Burlington.NJ.US
Santa Visits the Farmette
Meet and feed alpacas alongside Santa Claus and enjoy a magical sleigh setup perfect for family pictures.
Morning Glori Farmette, 9:30-11:30 a.m., $50-75 per family, Marlton, MorningGloriFarmette.com
DEC. 15
The Grinch at The Pop Shop
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch has arrived for a brunch consisting of a holiday-themed buffet and dessert.
The Pop Shop, 1 p.m., $35, Collingswood, ThePopShopUSA.com
DEC. 20
The Nutcracker Ballet
The classic Christmas story is a fairytale ballet centered on a family’s Christmas Eve celebration and young Clara’s dreams about her favorite Christmas present—a nutcracker.
Levoy Theatre, 7 p.m., $35-48, Vineland, Levoy.net
At The Shore
WEEKENDS NOW-DEC. 22
Photos with Santa
Head down to Ocean City for your chance to take photos with jolly old St. Nicholas.
Music Pier, Sat.-Sun. noon-3 p.m., free, Ocean City, OceanCityVacation.com
NOW-DEC.31
Winter Wonderland
Check out Congress Hall decked out for the season. There will be a vendor village, carousel rides and more family-friendly activities.
Congress Hall, Thurs.-Sun., times vary, Cape May, CapeMay.com
NOW-JAN. 5
Christmas in Cape May
Embark on a variety of fun tours and events in the seaside town outfitted in a completely Dickens-style atmosphere.
Cape May, times vary, cost of tickets vary by experience, Cape May, CapeMayMAC.org
NOV. 29
Christmas in the Downtown
Ocean City’s downtown merchants and the Chamber of Commerce kick off an old-fashioned Downtown Christmas culminating with an appearance from Santa.
Asbury Avenue, 2-5 p.m., free, Ocean City, OceanCityVacation.com
Family Holiday Beach Bonfire
Bring a beach chair or blanket and the whole family for a night of music, and meet and greets with beloved winter characters. Enjoy family fun including music and free photo ops with Santa and other winter wonderland characters.
The beach at 2nd and Surf Avenues, 5-9 p.m., $10 for adults & $2 for children 12 and under, North Wildwood, WildwoodHoliday.com
NOV. 29 - DEC. 1
Christmas in North Wildwood
There’s no shortage of holiday fun during this weekend filled with fire pits, hot chocolate, performers, a scavenger hunt and other festivities.
Olde New Jersey Avenue, Fri, 2 p.m. & Sat.-Sun. noon, free, North Wildwood, WildwoodHoliday.com
DEC. 3
Wildwood Crest Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Kick off the Christmas season in the borough with a tree lighting ceremony, complete with music, a visit from Santa Claus and more.
Sunset Lake, 5:30 p.m., free, Wildwood Crest, WildwoodCrest.org
DEC. 6
Christmas Parade
Check out Ocean City’s annual Christmas Parade on Asbury Avenue, starting on 6th Street and ending on 11th Street.
Asbury Avenue, 6 p.m., free, Ocean City, OCNJ.us/Christmas-Parade
DEC. 7
Winter Wonderland Parade
Be sure to get there early to secure your spot along the parade route for this always anticipated event.
Atlantic City Boardwalk, 11 a.m., free, Atlantic City, AtlanticCityNJ.com
Holiday Open House
Get into the spirit and “Take a Stroll Through Time” while listening to classic holiday tunes and enjoying light refreshments.
Sea Isle City Museum, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., free, VisitSICNJ.com
North Wildwood Tree Lighting
The town of North Wildwood gets into the holiday spirit during their annual tree lighting event complete with live music, a free self-guided lighthouse tour and a visit from the jolly man himself.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse Courtyard, 5 p.m., free, North Wildwood, WildwoodsNJ.com
Twilight Holiday Parade
This annual celebration serves as a fun night out to celebrate the holiday season with your family and friends.
Ventnor Avenue, 5 p.m., free, Ventnor City, VentnorCity.org
DEC. 13-14 and 20-21
Wildwood’s Winter Wonderland at Holly Beach
View the light show while enjoying complimentary hot chocolate, popcorn, a visit from Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and many more festive activities.
Holly Beach Park, 5-9 p.m., free, Wildwood, WildwoodsNJ.com
DEC. 14
Holiday Bazaar
Wildwood’s Holiday Bazaar is a day full of family fun, entertainment, pictures with Santa, movies, activities, crafters and tree lighting.
Wildwoods Convention Center, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., free, WildwoodHoliday.com
Candlelight House Tour
Cape May’s annual tradition celebrates its 51st year with a self-guided walking tour of homes and businesses decorated for the holidays.
Cape May Historic District, 5:30-8:30 p.m., $30-$45, CapeMayMac.org
Pinch the GrYnch Boardwalk 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk
All proceeds will benefit the Lynch Who Stole Christmas from the GrYnch Toy, Coat and Food Card Drive which over the last 12 years has spread Christmas cheer to over 10,954 kids.
Boardwalk, 10 a.m., $30 or $20 with a new, unwrapped toy donation, Wildwood, LynchToyDrive.com
A Holiday Film & TV Spectacular with Pianist Jay Daniels
Pianist and music Historian Jay Daniels will fill audiences with that festive feeling featuring tunes from holiday classic TV specials and movies.
Avalon Library, 2-3 p.m., free, Avalon, AvalonFreeLibrary.org
DEC. 31
First Night
Ring in the New Year with ice skating, live entertainment, a drone show and more before looking up to the sky for a midnight fireworks display off from the 5th Street beach.
Locations vary, 3:45 p.m.-midnight, $20, Ocean City, FirstNightOCNJ.com
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 21, Issue 8 (November 2024)
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