Fun Christmas Attractions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

What are the best Christmas and holiday attractions in New Jersey and beyond? I have some great suggestions for you! The holiday season is upon us, and if you're anything like me, you're itching to do some 'holiday stuff' with your family. And I'm not talking crafts or baking- I mean, cool trips that you can take for some holiday themed fun. So here are some of my favorite must-visit holiday locations in the tri-state area. Be sure to scroll down for a full list of even more holiday ideas, too!

*This post is freshly updated for 2024!

This post is updated yearly, so feel free to Pin it for later use! If you know of a fun attraction that you want me to add to this list, please leave me a comment in the comments section below.

Jersey Momma Disclaimer:  I know there are hundreds of amazing Christmas and holiday-themed places to visit in and around New Jersey, but I picked some of my favorite, and even some lesser-known attractions. Feel free to message me if you have more ideas that I should add. Post is updated yearly.

Winter Wonderlights - East Brunswick, NJ

Winter Wonderlights is New Jersey's largest animated light show drive-through. It features over 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes. Plus, it's family owned and operated. You can check out their website and purchase tickets here. 

photo via Winter Wonderlights website

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo - West Orange, NJ

Take a winter walk through Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County this holiday season! Their Holiday Lights Spectacular offers beautiful lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. There's also a Santa Meet and Greet, ice carving demonstrations, holiday sing alongs with favorite holiday characters and so much more (select dates- be sure to check their website for the latest happenings!). Plus, celebrate the season of giving by bringing donations of non-perishable food items, new toys and gently used coats, too. 

Johnson's Corner Farm - Medford, NJ

Johnson's Corner Farm has been proudly serving South Jersey families for decades and offers photos with Santa, a winter lights show, and a variety of family-friendly activities that people of all ages can enjoy. They're located in Medford and even offer other seasonal activities year-round. 

photo via Johnson's Corner Farm

Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show and Winter Village - Sussex County, NJ

Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show and Village features a mile long drive-through course, plus a new and expanded outdoor village and winter carnival. Skylands has worked hard to make this a safe and fun event for all. Visit their website for ticket info and hours.

Magic of Lights - Holmdel, NJ

The holiday drive-through light show is back at PNC Bank Arts Center! Running December through early January, Magic of Lights features over a mile of festive and vibrant light displays. Visit their website to purchase tickets and for more details. 

Santa Fly-In at Solberg Airport - Readington, NJ

*as of the publication date of this post, the 2024 date has not yet been announced for the Santa Fly-In. Please check back or check their website for more info.

Santa will fly in on his special by-plane right before your eyes during this fun family-oriented event! The Santa Fly-In is located at Solberg Airport in Readington (where they have the NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning in the Summertime), and it makes for a fun day out. This year there will also hot-air balloons, hot-air balloon walk-through provided by balloon-rides.com, a cookout by the Kiwanis, and photos with Santa. Santa flies in at 2:00pm and the hot air balloon launch is at 3:00pm.

Admission is free but this event is weather permitting, so be sure to check with them before visiting.

Happening December 16th (weather permitting) beginning at 1:00pm.

photo via Solberg Airport

Hershey Sweet Lights and Christmas Candylane - Hershey, PA

If you're willing to take a ride or even spend the night, Hershey's Christmas events are truly memorable and fun. Hershey Sweet Lights is a fantastic drive-through, animated light display (one of the best I've ever seen) and Christmas Candylane is what Hersheypark offers during the holiday season. You'd be surprised how many rides you can still go on in the winter time! Click here to read my top tips for visiting Christmas Candylane!

For more fun Christmas attractions in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, scroll down!

For more ideas on local travel, or other holiday related day trips, check out my travel links page (located in the tabs on my home site).

The list below has been updated to include attractions that are currently open and operating for 2023, into 2024. Please visit each site for specific operating hours.

The Christmas Light Show - Wall Township, NJ 

Festival of Trees - Basking Ridge, NJ 

Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium - Camden, NJ

Six Flags Holiday in the Park - Jackson, NJ

LEGOLAND New York Holiday Bricktacular - Goshen, NY

Fishmas at SEA LIFE New Jersey - East Rutherford, NJ

Brookhollow's Barnyard Walkthrough Holiday Light Show - Boonton Twsp, NJ

Winterfest at Diggerland USA (and their drive-through holiday light show!) - NJ

Dickens Days and other Holiday Events - Clinton, NJ

Anne-Ellen Christmas Tree Farm  and Christmas Village - Manalapan, NJ

Lehigh Valley Zoo Winter Light Spectacular (Pennsylvania)

Christmas at Storybook Land - Egg Harbor Twsp, NJ

Knoebel's Joy Through the Grove (Holiday Light Drive-Through) (PA)

Peddler's Village Christmas Festival (PA) 

A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place (PA) 

Dutch Winter Wonderland - Lancaster, PA

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience - Easton, PA

A Longwood Gardens Christmas (PA)

Koziar's Christmas Village (PA)

The Holiday Light Show at Shadybrook Farms (PA)

Lehigh Valley Zoo Winter Light Spectacular (Pennsylvania)

Christmas with the Clydesdales - Willow Grove Farm & Stables - Long Valley, NJ (check their schedule for dates & times)