ALL ABOARD THE SEASON OF MAGIC! THE GARDEN STATE IS ONCE AGAIN DECKING THE HALLS AND HILLSIDES THIS YEAR WITH SPECTACULAR LIGHT SHOWS, FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVALS, CARNIVALS, CONCERTS, LIVE THEATER, AND GOOD CHEER APLENTY
BY INDUSTRY STAFF
LIVE THEATER AND CONCERTS
CARTERET PERFORMING ARTS & EVENTS CENTER
46 Washington Street Cateret Carteret, cateretpac.com Luminare Christmas This electrifying show blends stunning visuals with reimagined Christmas classics and spirited original music to create a one of-a-kind celebration. December 14
COUNT BASIE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, thebasie.org Holiday Express Benefit Concert Seasonal music event supporting community out reach. December 16
LIGHT OPERA OF NEW JERSEY
Ridge High School, Basking Ridge, lightoperaofnewjersey.org
Holiday Pops Concert 2025 Festive orchestral program of holiday classics with soloists and full ensemble. December 21
MAYO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
100 South Street, Morristown, mayoarts.org Leslie Odom, Jr.: The Christmas Tour Tony and Grammy-winning performer brings holiday songs and story to the stage. November 28
Home For
The Holidays with Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton, Ruben Studdard & Ilya Serov Star-studded holiday concert featuring multi-Grammy artists. December 3
New Jersey Ballet’s The Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony Classic holiday ballet with live orchestra and special effects. December 12-27
MCCARTER THEATRE CENTER 91
University Place, Princeton, mccarter.org A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens’ timeless tale adapted for the stage with holiday spirit. December 9-28
NJ PAC
1 Center Street, Newark, njpac.org Christmastime with Trisha Yearwood With a Symphony – Featuring songs from the country superstar’s brand-new holiday album Christmastime! December 5
New Jersey Symphony: Elf in Concert – Relive this heart warming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture. December 6
Jersey Nutcracker Nimbus Dance – A thrilling, jazzy new vision of Tchaikovsky’s ballet — with a New Jersey twist! December 12-13
STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, stnj.org Cirque Dreams Holidaze — A dazzling holiday variety show featuring acrobats, aerialists, and seasonal magic. December 12-13
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert Annual gala concert with full orchestra celebrating the holiday season. December 31
Sarah Brightman: A Winter Symphony Holiday-themed concert by the classically trained soprano. November 30
Engelbert Humperdinck “A Winter World of Love” Holiday Classics — Intimate concert of holiday favorites and greatest hits. December 9
THE BROADWAY THEATRE OF PITMAN
59 Beaver Street, Pitman, broadwaytheatreofpitman.com Irving Berlin’s White Christmas — A beloved holiday musical full of song, dance, and festive cheer. December 12-21
UNION COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (UCPAC)
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, ucpac.org Shining Stars Christmas Spectacular 2025 — Inspirational holiday show by The Shining Stars, featuring song, dance, and audience participation. December 5
MARKETS, BAZAARS & FESTIVALS
2025 PORTA HOLIDAY MARKETS 911
Kingsley Street, Asbury Park, asburyfresh.com A series of holiday shopping events showcasing a curated collection of 25 local handmade artists and makers. Attendees can shop unique artisan goods and seasonal treats. November 30 and December 21
2025 BELL WORKS FRESH HOLIDAY MARKETS
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, asburyfresh.com The region’s largest indoor holiday artisan marketplace, featuring 75+ local handmade vendors, food purveyors, and holiday gifts. November 29 and December 10
NOYES HOLIDAY MARKET & GINGERBREAD VILLAGE
2200 Fairmount Avenue, Atlantic City, artsgarageac.com Two-day holiday bazaar with craft vendors, live music, a gingerbread house contest themed to global monuments, and festive family activities. December 6-7
HOPE CHRISTMAS CRAFT MARKET
Hope, hopechristmascraftmarket.com Annual craft market where shoppers browse handmade holiday gifts by local artisans, enjoy festive treats, and get into the seasonal spirit. December 6-7
SHORELINE VINTAGE HOLIDAY MARKET
1343 Harding Highway, Rich land, newjerseyisntboring.com A market highlighting vintage holiday décor, antiques, baked goods, and more, including a Santa visit for families. December 7
NORTH POLE TRAIN RIDES
THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE – MORRISTOWN & ERIE RAILWAY
Whippany, Whippany the polar expressride.com Magical train ride featuring hot chocolate, cookies, a keepsake sleigh bell, and a visit from Santa. November 1-2, 8-9, December 6-7
THE POLAR EXPRESS – DELAWARE RIVER RAILROAD EXCURSIONS
Phillipsburg, 877trainride.com/ polarexpress.htm Experience the beloved movie in real life with a train ride, dancing chefs, hot chocolate, cookies, and Santa. November 28-30, December 5-7, 12-14, 19-21
NORTH POLE EXPRESS – BLACK RIVER & WESTERN RAILROAD
Flemington, blackriverrailroad.com Weekend rides to the North Pole with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and hot cocoa. Saturdays and Sundays, November 23-December 28
BARNEGAT EXPRESS HOLIDAY TRAIN RIDE
Barnegat Recreation Center Holiday light train and trolley ride around town to view deco rations and get into the holiday spirit. December 11, 18
2025 HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW – A. PAUL MALLERY MODEL RAILROAD CENTER
Jefferson Avenue, Union, themodelrailroadclub.org Model train holiday show featuring large HO-scale layouts, G/N-scale exhibits, and family tours. Weekends: November 28-30, December 6-7, 13-14
MORE HOLIDAY TREATS
CHRISTMAS IN CAPE MAY
Cape May, capemaymac.org The historic hamlet by the sea transforms into a spirited Dickens village every holiday season, offering a spectacular spread of festive tours, trolley rides, seasonal exhibits, special occasion feasts, and more. The festivities kick off with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Emlen Physick Estate on November 22 and continue through January 4.
GLEN RIDGE HOLIDAY MARKET 200
Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, glenridgearts.org Annual holiday market featuring local artisans and handmade gift items. November 16
HDSID HAPPY HOLIDAY MARKET
Grove Street Path Plaza & 145 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, hdsid.org Indoor and outdoor holiday market weekends with handmade gifts, rooftop brunch, and live music. December 13, 14, 20-21
MONTCLAIR FLEA HOLIDAY MARKET
1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, montclairflea.com A weekend-only market featuring curated vendors of handmade gifts, décor, vintage finds, and accessories. November 29, December 6-7, 21-22
MIRACLE ON BLOOMFIELD (POP-UP)
706 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, miracleonbloomfield.com Festive holiday pop-up cocktail bar and décor experience with seasonal menu and photo ops. November 7–January 4, 2026
VERONA FAIR IN THE SQUARE
600 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona, veronanj.org Town tree-lighting event with vendor booths, Santa visits, and seasonal crafts. December 6
Presents from PA
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN PHILADELPHIA LOVE
Park & City Hall, 1500 Arch Street, Philadelphia, philachristmas.com Authentic German-style outdoor holiday market with more than 120 vendors, festive food, and a historic carousel. November 22-December 24
PENNSYLVANIA CHRISTMAS + GIFT SHOW PA
Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, Harrisburg, pachristmasshow.com Large indoor holiday craft, food, and gift exhibition featuring “Christmas Tree Lane” and holiday entertainment. December 3-7
KOZIAR’S CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, koziarschristmasvillage.com Legendary holiday light display and drive-through attraction celebrating its 78th season of festive magic. November 1-January 3, 2026
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE FESTIVAL IRMC
Park, North 7th Street, Indiana, visitindianacountypa.org Tree lighting, parade, holiday exhibits, and themed weekends celebrating the classic film and festive season. November 21-December 20
LONGWOOD GARDENS — A LONGWOOD CHRISTMAS
515 Bear Hill Road, Kennett Square, longwoodgardens.org Historic gardens transformed with jewel-toned lights, daily organ music, and holiday exhibits. November 21-January 11, 2026
HAWLEY WINTERFEST
Hawley, poconomountains.com Holiday celebration in the Poconos with a Santa parade, bonfires, and carriage rides. December 12-14
HAUTE HOLIDAY IN THE CITY
From sparkling storefronts to iconic ice rinks, New York City transforms into a winter wonderland for festive season. Sip hot cocoa amid glimmering lights, browse eclectic giftables at markets and pop-ups, and catch dazzling shows that bring the magic of the season to life. Here are some must-see NYC experiences for 2025
BRYANT PARK WINTER VIL LAGE
40th–42nd Streets & 5th–6th Avenue, bryantpark.org An open-air, European-inspired holiday market with custom designed “jewel box” kiosks, artisan gifts, a free ice rink, and festive treats. October 24-March 1, 2026
ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
45 Rockefeller Plaza, rockefellercenter.com The iconic Norway Spruce is of ficially lit in a public ceremony, marking the seasonal kickoff in Midtown. December 3
RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
1260 6th Avenue, rockettes.com Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the world-famous Rockettes in this unforgettable holiday production at Radio City Music Hall. November 6-January 4, 2026
LIGHTSCAPE — BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
990 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, bbg.org A stunning nighttime trail of illuminated art and seasonal installations through the gar den — a magical holiday walk. November 21-January 4, 2026
UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET
Union Square Park, union squareholidaymarket.com Large outdoor holiday market featuring 185+ local artisans, seasonal eats, and the perfect gift-shopping setting. November 13-December 24
SAKS FIFTH AVENUE HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW
611 Fifth Avenue, saksfifthavenue.com The iconic flagship store transforms its façade with a projected holiday light show every evening. November 24-January 4, 2026
DYKER HEIGHTS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, dykerheights.info One of NYC’s most legendary block-by-block Christmas light displays, with houses decked in millions of bulbs. November 28-December 30
CARNEGIE HALL HOLIDAY CONCERTS
881 Seventh Avenue, carnegiehall.org Seasonal concerts featuring world-class orchestras and holiday classics in a historic concert hall setting. December 2025 (exact dates subject to seasonal schedule)
THE NUTCRACKER — NEW YORK CITY BALLET
Lincoln Center, nycballet.com A Christmas tradition, the annual ballet classic returns with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and lavish sets. November 28 January 4, 2026
HUDSON YARDS HOLIDAY LIGHTS & TREE
Hudson Yards, hudsonyardsnewyork.com Over two million lights, hundreds of decorated trees, festive installations, and Santa photo spots launch the sparkle season. November 24 January 10, 2026
M SOCIAL NYE PARTY IN TIMES SQUARE
226 W 52nd Street, msocial.com The grand New Year’s Eve event at M Social Hotel offers a live view of the Times Square Ball Drop from its ultra-luxurious indoor lounge and expansive outdoor terrace, with cocktails, gourmet bites, and panoramic city views. December 31
STARBUCKS RESERVE WINTER WONDERLAND POP-UP
Starbucks Reserve Empire State Building, starbucksreserve.com A whimsical wintry wonder land takes over this specialty Starbucks location with holiday themed drinks, Instagrammable décor, photo-op zones, and festive cocktails. Opens November 7