2017 Christmas Events Around Northern NJ

Wherever you are this holiday season, go with the family and take some time out to marvel at all the magnificent holiday displays throughout the northern NJ area. What a scene! Go to a Christmas Festival. Take in Christmas lights at a zoo, stadium or park. Check out wonderful holiday model train shows. See places transformed into a winter wonderland for children. There are so many ways to celebrate the season.

A WARTIME CHRISTMAS AT LIBERTY HALL MUSEUM
1003 Morris Ave, Union NJ, 908-527-0400
Month of Dec 2017
Imagine! Liberty Hall transforms the first floor of the museum into 5 different wartime Christmases. See how Christmas decorating has changed over time and how wartime affected the holiday season.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS SPECTACULAR 2017 AT TURTLE BACK ZOO
560 Northfield Ave, West Orange NJ, 973-731-5800
Through Dec 2017
FREE ADMISSION. Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. Please donate non-perishable food, unwrapped new toys or winter coats.

MODEL RAILROAD CLUB 2017 ANNUAL LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW
295 Jefferson Ave, Union NJ, 908-964-9724
Dec 1-3, 8-10
Annual Light and Sound Show. The club's HO scale layout is transformed into a theatre and the trains run to a professional narrated script. Event enjoyed by thousands of guests every year.

MODEL TRAIN SHOW NY Society of Model Engineers
341 Hoboken Rd, Carlstadt NJ(1 mile from Giants Stadium) modelengineers.org
Dec 2-3, 1-6PM
All aboard! Spectacular holiday model train show showcasing models trains.

CHRISTMAS ICE CAVERNS IN FAIRFIELD
437 US Highway 46 West, Fairfield NJ, 973-808-5639
Through Dec 2017
Animated children’s display that children walk through and see dozens of storybook displays in a Christmas Themed setting. See Santa, reindeer, nativity scenes and much more!

CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL AT THE MORRISTOWN GREEN
North Park Place, Morristown NJ, 973-455-1133
Through Dec 22, 2017, Weekends
Activities & day time entertainment on the Green include: visits & photos with Santa in the Santa House, Goody Bags, miniature Electric Train with rides around the Green, Ice Sculpting, hands-on activities include Gingerbread House making. At night, see all the lights sparkle in the park on the Green.

DOWNTOWN MILLBURN SNOWFLAKE PARADE
Millburn Ave, between Holmes and Spring Streets, Millburn NJ, 973-379-2341
Dec 3, 2017, 1:30-4:30PM
Family fun festival. Marching bands, clowns, Santa, kids activities, raffles and refreshments. Santa Land will have Santa greeting children and posing for free photo-ops in the courtyard behind Dunkin Donuts on Millburn Avenue.

GINGERBREAD WONDERLAND 2017 AT THE FRELINGHUYSEN ARBORETUM
353 East Hanover Ave, Morris Township NJ, 973-326-7601
Dec 1-10
Visit a Morris County holiday tradition. Showcasing over 200 displays of gingerbread houses. From trains, planes, animals, traditional, and more!

FESTIVAL OF TREES
Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main Street, Clinton NJ, 908-735-0914
Thru Dec 10, 2017
Showcase of beautiful decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, and centerpieces.

FESTIVAL OF TREES AT MORVEN MUSEUM & Garden
55 Stockton Street, Princeton NJ 609-924-8144
Through Jan 7, 2018
The holiday event features the museum’s elegant galleries decorated for the holidays and adorned with trees artfully decorated by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profitorganizations. Open to the public during regular museum hours.

FIRST NIGHT MORRIS 2018
Morristown Green & Various Local Venues in Morristown NJ, 973-455-0708
Dec 31, 2017
New Year’s Eve fun for the whole family! Children’s Fun Festival - Clowns, Face Painting, Music, Dinoman Dinosaurs, Fun with Lego, Great Scott Master Magician, Mr. Fish, and much more! Night fireworks!

HOLIDAY CANDLELIGHT TOUR AT ESSEX COUNTY KIP’S CASTLE PARK
Crestmont Road, Verona NJ, 973-202-8519
Dec 2-30, 2017, 7PM
Spend an evening taking a guided castle tour during the holidays.

HOLIDAY LIGHT WALK 2017 AT CRYSTAL SPRINGS
Crystal Springs Resort, Sussex NJ. 855-977-6473
Through Jan 1, 2018, Dusk to 10PM, Complimentary
Spectacular Winter Light Walk on the 18 hole Grand Cascades Natural Grass Putting course. See sensational lights and holiday displays.

HOLIDAY TRAIN SHOW AT GRAND CENTRAL TERMINAL
9 E 42nd St, New York, NY
Through Feb 11, 2018,  Daily 6AM-8PM
FREE. Annual New York Transit Museum train show. Marvel at model trains traveling through a mini NYC. Visitors go on an imaginary journey from Grand Central to the North

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN TRAIN SHOW
2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 718-817-8700
Through Jan 15, 2018
Dozens and dozens of trains glide through models of NYC landmarks and beautifully landscaped backgrounds. Showcasing Midtown Manhattan this year with iconic skyscrapers and architectural wonders.

NJPAC KWANZAA FESTIVAL AND MARKETPLACE
1 Center Street, Newark NJ, 888-GO-NJPAC
Dec 16, 2017, 11AM
FREE Admission for this exciting Kwanzaa Festival. Great for the whole family. Dance, sing and explore the rhythms and culture of the African tradition.

THE POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE AT WHIPPANY RAILWAY
1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany NJ 973-887-8177
Through Dec 31, 2017
Bring the whole family! Relive the magic of the classic holiday story Polar Express on a one-hour train ride to the North Pole. Santa and his helpers will be aboard. Hot chocolate and a cookie will be served.

SKYLANDS STADIUM CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW AND VILLAGE
94 Championship Place, Augusta NJ, 973.383.7644
Through Dec 30, 2017
Spectacular light show at Skylands. Drive through a 1-mile course of holiday displays. More than 2 MILLION LIGHTS for your viewing pleasure! Fabulous Walk-Thru Lightfest. Christmas Village featuring indoors winter wonderland and photo-op with Santa.

WINTER WONDERLAND AT VAN SAUN COUNTY PARK
216 Forest Ave, Paramus NJ, 201-336-6000
Through Jan 1, 2018
Bergen County’s spectacular Winter Wonderland with decorative holiday lights, ice skating, train rides, carousel rides, zoo entry, Santa workshop, and plenty of kids activities & games.