Celebrate the holidays in New Jersey

Read on for a list of festive events, holiday markets and Christmas tree farms!

Author

Better With Age NJ team
December 06, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 15 minutes

It’s Friday, New Jersey!

🎄It’s also the perfect weekend to round up the kids and grandkids and venture out to one of New Jersey’s many Christmas tree farms to find that perfect tree for the 2024 holiday season. Find a list of NJ farms here.

🥶Weather: Mostly sunny, breezy, high near 39 degrees.

👀What’s on tap today:

  • 12 festive holiday events in New Jersey this month

  • Social Security questions answered

  • Winter Village and German Christmas markets this weekend

Up first …

12 festive holiday events in New Jersey this month

🎅🤶Get into the holiday spirit with these 12 exciting Christmas activities across New Jersey! From enchanting tree lightings and house tours to delightful parades and Santa sightings, there’s something for everyone this December. Here’s a curated list of the best holiday celebrations happening throughout the state, perfect for making lasting memories this season!

Enter a Snow Globe World
❄️If there was ever a town custom-made for the most wonderful time of the year, it’s none other than charming Cape May at our Southern Shore. Plan a picture-perfect winter getaway illuminated by magical festivities – from the official tree lighting at the Emlen Physick Estate on November 23, 2024 to Candlelight Tours of Cape May’s stunning Victorian homes and inns. Start here to plan your glittering getaway.

A Ride to Remember
🚂🚂Whether you love the book or movie (or both!), there’s no doubt The Polar Express delivers the magic of Christmas. Here in New Jersey, you have not one but two locations in the Skylands Region to experience it for yourself! Climb aboard the Polar Express Train Ride to get your golden ticket punched, guzzle hot chocolate and enjoy even more holiday hijinks – with trains chugging out of Whippany Station and Delaware River Railroad Excursions in Phillipsburg!  

Fantastically Festive Shopping 
🎁🎁It’s the most wonderful (shopping) time of the year! Join in the excitement of the Shore Region’s Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar being held Fridays through Sundays, November 29 – December 22, 2024 at the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall and Sundays, December 1 – 15, 2024 in The Asbury Hotel. 

You’ll find a flurry of one-of-a-kind goods and holiday gifts handcrafted by local and regional artisans. Festive music, entertainment, craft workshops, and fun activities for the kids make this event one you won’t want to miss. Want to shop ‘til you drop all around the state? Check out our story on Christmas Markets!

Frolicking Floats
🥁Thirty-eight years ago, Central Jersey’s Clinton hosted its first Christmas Parade. It’s now become a beloved annual tradition and one of the most anticipated New Jersey holiday events. Find a premium spot along the route (East Main to Main to Lower Center Street) to enjoy the festive procession with your family and friends on December 6, 2024. Also marching to the pa-rum-pum-pum-pum beat of a drummer boy are the 2024 holiday parades in Vineland (November 30 with a rain date of December 1), Pitman (December 1 with a rain date of December 7) and Ocean City (December 6).  

Dive into the Holidays
🤿Every year, all of the good little boys and girls look forward to Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium in Camden (Delaware River Region). Watch for Scuba Santa in the Ocean Realm, the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree plus more holiday magic among 15,000 incredible aquatic animals at this perennially popular annual event. Find this year’s dates and details on the aquarium’s official website.

Down on the Farm Festivities 
🎄The Garden State grows more than just Jersey fresh produce. Feel the spirit of the season bloom in your heart with holiday activities at farms all around the state. For one, you and your family can climb aboard a tractor-pulled cart for the luminous Holiday Lights Hayride at Norz Hill Farm & Market in Hillsborough weekend nights from November 29 – December 22, 2024. 

Storybook Season
🧸🧸🪀🪀Visit Storybook Land November 16 – December 30, 2024 during their Christmas Fantasy with Lights, and you’ll feel as if you’ve walked into a sparkling winter wonderland. This time-honored holiday tradition in Greater Atlantic City’s Egg Harbor Township is over 30 years old and features Santa Claus, festive tunes, jolly characters and twinkling lights as far as the eye can see. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the amusement park’s official website.

Historic Holiday Happiness
Prance over to Historic Smithville for double the seasonal fun. At the Smithville Holiday Light Show on the Lake (November 28, 2024 – January 6, 2025) you’ll spy 120 Christmas trees made from over 50,000 lights magically floating on Lake Meone in an orchestrated show of brilliant visuals and music. Lovers of tradition will flip for the two-day outdoor Dickens Fest, an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with performances on November 30 and December 1, 2024.

An Army of Nutcrackers
🩰You have your choice of dates and venues to watch Clara’s wondrous holiday adventures this season. The American Repertory Ballet presents The Nutcracker at McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton November 29 – December 1. The New Jersey Ballet performs the seasonal classic with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, December 13 – 26. And the Atlantic City Ballet stages many performances, including December 20 in at Levoy Theatre in Millville. 

Making Spirits Bright
🎶Jingle all the way along a one-mile-long drive-thru featuring over two million lights at Skylands Stadium Light Show and Christmas Village in Augusta. Looking for a holly-jolly holiday light show closer to your neck of the woods? We have all the brilliant details here!

Face Time With the Big Man
🎅This is the time of year when it’s important for kiddos to prove that they’ve been nice. Meet-ups with Santa Claus himself are happening all over, including an early Central Jersey arrival (November 16!) in Bridgewater Commons. Plus appearances at the Downtown Somerville Holiday Jubilee (November 30) and Morristown Green Tree Lighting Ceremony (December 1). For grown-ups who want to cosplay Santa for a night, you can catch a sleigh (read: a ride share) to Jersey City (December 14) or Hoboken (December 21) for lively SantaCon events in our Gateway Region.

Festivals For All of Us
Jingle all the way to the Festival of Trees at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit on December 8, 2024. This outdoor winter festival celebrates Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas and the Winter Solstice. Delight in arts and crafts, games, music, stories, photos with Santa and a joyful holiday market. Be amazed by a wonderland of festival trees located throughout the grounds. Find even more holiday and seasonal festivities on the events page.

Did you know?

Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP)

The PASP is a personal care assistance program for individuals with permanent physical disabilities who are capable of directing their own services. The program provides up to 40 hours per week of routine, non-medical personal care assistance to adults ages 18 and above who are employed, preparing for employment (attending school or other training), or engaged in volunteer work. Personal assistants help with personal care tasks including, but not limited to, bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, meal preparation, shopping, light housekeeping, driving, or using public transportation. To apply, contact your county PASP Coordinator. For more information and County Coordinator contact information, visit:

Aging news roundup

When to Take Social Security Payments: Your Age Matters: Knowing when to take Social Security is tricky. Before you start taking benefits, learn the rules and your full retirement age. Kiplinger, Nov. 25.

 Social Security Earnings Tests: Five Things You Must Know: If you’re still working and claim Social Security early, your benefits could be reduced, at least temporarily. Kiplinger, Nov. 25.

 How to Undo Claiming Social Security Early: Those who claim Social Security before their full retirement age often regret that decision and wish they had waited to qualify for larger payouts. U.S. News & World Report, Nov. 26.

Jersey Fresh

In December, cranberries are in season in New Jersey. A delicious way to enjoy them is by making Cranberry Orange Sauce. Here’s a simple recipe:

Cranberry Orange Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces fresh cranberries

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1 cup water

  • Zest of 1 orange

  • Juice of 1 orange

1. Rinse the Cranberries: Rinse the cranberries under cold water and remove any stems or bad berries.

2. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, orange zest, and orange juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

3. Add Cranberries: Once boiling, add the cranberries to the saucepan. Return to a boil.

4. Simmer: Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.

5. Cool: Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

6. Serve: Serve chilled or at room temperature as a side dish for holiday meals.

Enjoy this vibrant and tangy sauce as a perfect complement to your holiday dishes!

Happening this weekend

Winter Village at The Red Mill - December 6 – 8
56 Main Street, Clinton | Central Jersey Region
Enjoy six days of this outdoor, tented and heated winter craft market in the heart of Clinton with 50+ local craft artisans, activities and food trucks. Well-behaved pups are welcome. Enjoy the Festival of Trees and tour 12 historic buildings on the grounds of the museum too.

Weihnachtsmarkt German Christmas Market at Sussex County Fairgrounds | December 6 – 8 | 10 am – 9pm
37 Plains Road, Augusta | Skylands Region
Spend a day stocking up on authentic German treats, expertly crafted merchandise and gifts galore. From stollen, chocolates and gingerbread to nutcrackers, Glühwein mugs, teddy bears, glassware. And a flurry of fun activities too – woo hoo! 

 NJ news briefs

New Jersey's gas tax climbing by nearly 3 cents starting Jan. 1

Filling up your vehicle's gas tank in New Jersey will cost an extra 2.6 cents a gallon starting on New Year's Day. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy's administration said Monday the state's gas tax will climb about 6% to 44.9 cents a gallon.

The change stems from a review required under a new law to support the state's fund for transportation infrastructure through 2029. State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said that in order to hit a statutory target of about $2 billion, the law requires the tax on petroleum products be adjusted to meet the revenue requirement. The increase would keep New Jersey among the top 10 or so states with the highest tax on gasoline in the country, according to nonprofit Tax Foundation.

The tax rate can go up or down under the law. Under the previous transportation trust fund legislation, the rate was evaluated every summer, and went up less than a penny last year. The year before that it dropped by a penny, while it decreased by 8.3 cents in 2021. The national average for a gallon of gas is $3.05, according to AAA.

FBI investigating reports of large drones flying in New Jersey, seeks public's help

The FBI is investigating reports about several mysterious nighttime drone flights that have recently occurred across central New Jersey and has asked the public for help. Witnesses have spotted a cluster of what appears to be drones — larger than those typically used by hobbyists — as well as a possible fixed-wing aircraft flying in several areas along the Raritan River since Nov. 18. It's not clear why the flights happened or who was flying the devices, but federal and state officials stress that there currently is no known threat to public safety.

The flights have raised questions in part because they took place near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. The FBI asks that residents share any videos or photos they may have of the flights, along with any other relevant information. The Federal Aviation Administration imposed drone flight restrictions in the area this week while authorities investigate the reports.

Quick question


🌟What is the most meaningful Christmas gift you ever received? Reply to [email protected]

Answers from last week’s poll: "What is your favorite holiday memory?"

"I remember gathering around the fireplace with my family, singing carols and sharing stories. It always felt so warm and cozy." — Margaret P., Middletown

“I loved decorating the tree with my grandmother. She had so many beautiful ornaments that each had a story." — Robert T., Old Bridge

"One holiday season, we volunteered at a local shelter, serving meals to those in need. It was heartwarming to give back." — Susan R., Maywood

"I cherish the times we would gather as a family to watch holiday movies together, especially 'It's a Wonderful Life.'" — Michael V., Marlboro

"The Christmas when my daughter was born was magical; we spent the day in awe of our new little bundle of joy." — Patricia F., Westfield

"I fondly remember attending midnight mass with my family, feeling the spirit of the season all around us." — Edward H., Cranford

Today in history

13th Amendment of the US Constitution is ratified, abolishing slavery (1865); Washington Monument completed (1884); NASA photographs suggest presence of liquid on Mars (2006).

Today’s birthdays

Happy Birthday, Margaret Petruzzi of Middletown! 🎉🎂 Wishing you a day filled with joy, love, and laughter! 🎈💖🎁A few other notable people sharing a birthday today with Margaret include Walt Disney (1901), Adele (1988), Jay-Z (1969), Anna Chlumsky (1980), Margaret Cho (1968), Flava Flav (1959), Christopher Plummer (1929), Steven Wright (1955), and Judi Dench (1934).

"Wisdom comes with age, but the best is yet to come."

Walt Disney

One last thing

New study finds dogs are impacted by their owner’s stress.

Pantone's 2025 color of the year is Mocha Mousse.

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See you next week and remember to take time to enjoy the simple pleasures of the holiday season! 🎄🎁🌟