digital: 25th of each month advertise@njkidsonline.com 973.303.3027
5x Print, 12x Digital Editions
Winter: January / February
Spring: March / April
Summer: May / June
Summer Fun: July (Digital only)
Back To School: August / September
Fall: October / November
Holiday: December (Digital only)
Holidays Are Here!
The craziness of the holiday season has begun. Light shows, train shows, christmas villages and LIVE performances - New Jersey has so much to offer.
NJ KIDS is here once again to help you fill up your calendar. With a plethora of events, enrichment programs, weekend festivals, holiday cheer and valuable resources, just hold onto this handy little guide to show you the way.
We wish you a successful year end. Of course, this is the time we remind you to think ahead to summer 2026, as we are hosting our popular and fabulous camp fairs. They begin each weekend from mid January through February. Meet camp directors and staff, and visualize an amazing summer for your kids. RSVP now. We’ll keep you informed as it gets closer.
Enjoy the holiday season!
The NJ Kids Team
jersey nutcracker
Nimbus Dance
Fri, Dec 12 @ 7PM Sat, Dec 13 @ 2 & 7PM
All ages will love Nimbus Dance’s Jersey Nutcracker. It’s a jazzy new vision of the holiday ballet — with a NJ twist!
with the New Jersey Symphony
Sat, Mar 7 @ 2 & 8PM
Rediscover the magic of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ while NJ Symphony performs John Williams’ unforgettable score.
Sat, Feb 14 @ 2PM Sun, Feb 15 @ 2PM
Bring the whole family to welcome the Year of the Horse with the spectacular Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company.
the peking peppa pig acrobats dec 18
Sat, Mar 28 @ 2 & 7:30PM
The Peking Acrobats will dazzle you with trick cycling, contortion, juggling and balancing acts. Fun for all ages.
The Salzburg Marionette Theatre Sun, Mar 1 @ 2 & 5:30PM The classic musical The Sound of Music is performed by the puppets and puppeteers of The Salzburg Marionette Theatre. the sound of music
My First Concert Sun, Mar 29 @ 2PM Join Peppa Pig at My First Concert! Kids will sing, dance, make music and learn all about the orchestra.
family series
NJPAC
NJ CAMP FAIRS
connecting great kids with great camps
Traditional Day Camps • Sleepaway • Sports
Academic • Performing Arts • STEM • Adventure • CIT
RSVP & receive a gift at the fair
Sat, Jan 24: Visual Arts Center of New Jersey
68. Elm Street, Summit, NJ
Sat, Jan 31: Bergen Town Center
Route 4 East & Forest Ave
Sun, Feb 1: Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
3 S Mountain Ave, Montclair
Sat, Feb 7: Livingston YMCA
321 S Livingston Ave, Livingston
Sat, Feb 21: Morris Museum, Morristown
6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown
Sun, Feb 22: Village of Ridgewood
131 N Maple Ave, Ridgewood (next to Library)
Sat, Feb 28: Menlo Park Mall, Edison
55 Parsonage Rd, Edison
Ages 3 - 17
meet camp directors from all kinds of summer camps and programs www.njkidsonline.com/camp-fairs
Take
Theater!
Ongoing: Various planetarium shows such as To Space and Back, OnWorld, One Sky, The Great Solar System Adventure!,
EXO: Are we Alone? and more! @ New Jersey State Museum
Ongoing: Gazillion Bubble Show @ New World Stages Stage Two, NYC
Ongoing: Planetarium Shows such as Earth, Moon, Sun & Coyote; Laser Monster Mash, The Sky Above, The Skies Over Hogwarts, and more! @ RVCC Planetarium
Dec 4-5 - New Jersey Ballet The Nutcracker @ bergenPAC
Dec 5, 10:30AM - Jersey Nutcracker @ Kean Stage School-Time
Dec 6-7 - New Jersey Symphony: Elf in Concert @ NJ PAC and Red Bank
Dec 12, 13 - Nimbus Dance - Jersey Nutcracker @ NJ PAC
Dec 12-27 - NJ Ballet’s The Nutcracker with New Jersey Symphony @ MayoPAC
Dec 12, 13 - Cirque Dreams Holidaze @ State Theatre New Jersey
Dec 14 - A Christmas Carol @bergenPAC
Dec 18 - National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Live Conversation with Chevy Chase and movie screening) @ NJ PAC
Dec 18, 19, 20, 21 - The Nutcracker @ State Theatre
Dec 19-21 - New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition Handel’s Messiah
THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS
HOLIDAY LIGHTS, TRAINS AND CHRISTMAS ATTRACTIONS
Here’s your pick of fall festivals, christmas villages, lights and train shows and more. Visit njkidsonline.com for more events. So much fun these coming months.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS-CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES
Holiday Lights at The Turtle Back Zoo
Thru Jan 3, 2026, 5PM-9PM. FREE admission. Take a winter stroll through Essex County’s Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season. Walk and see sparkling lights with over 50 winter and animal characters. Please donate non-perishable food, unwrapped new toys, and winter coats. 560 Northfield Ave, W Orange, NJ.
Let It Glow A Holiday Lantern Spectacular at Bergen County Zoo
Thru Jan 11, 2026. Walk through the Bergen County Zoo to see over 30 scenes of animal themed lantern displays. Enjoy a train ride! Arts & crafts on weekends. Tickets online. 216 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ.
Winter Wonderland at Van Saun Park
Thru Jan 4, 2026. Bergen County is transformed into a winter wonderland. Bring the whole family out for some fun. Train rides, holiday scenery, food concession, ice skating, ice bumper cars and more! Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ.
Holiday Lights At The Bronx Zoo
Thru - Jan 4, 2026. A celebration of wildlife holiday lights at the Bronx Zoo, featuring animal themed lantern trails, animated lights shows, holiday decor, animated sculptures, holiday train, performers, and more! Enjoy a magical night with the wonder of LED technology. Reserve tickets in advance. Note: Sensory Friendly Nights Dec 4th. 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, 718.220.5100, bronxzoo.com
Christmas Festival At The Morristown Green
Thru- Dec 21, 2025. Free fun family entertainment at the Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green, enjoy holiday crafts, ride a miniature Electric Train around the Green, and meet Santa (for a fee). FREE Hands-on kids activities, children can make holiday projects. Listen to Christmas music and local choirs. At night, see the park on the Green lit with hundreds of colorful lights. North Park Place, Downtown Morristown, NJ.
Christmas Fantasy At Storybook Land
Thru - Dec 31. Experience the holiday magic with over one million lights. Classic childhood tales come to life. Look for Santa and his friends. Rides & attractions are perfect for little kids. Buy tickets online. 6415 E Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, 609.646.0103, storybookland.com
Skylands Stadium Christmas Village
Fun one mile Drive-Thru light show experience for the whole family. Skylands Stadium is transformed into a dazzling array of 2 million lights this Christmas. Enjoy an Outdoor Christmas Village and Winter Wonderland. Buy tickets online. 94 Champion Place, Augusta NJ, skylandsstadium.com
Diggerland Drive-Thru Light Show
Get in to the holiday spirit. Drive through Diggerland’s construction theme & water park to see lights, holiday displays, and tunnels. Listen to holiday music in your car. Tickets available online. 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ, diggerlandusa.com
Holiday Lights Trolly Ride In Cape May
Thru - Dec 2025. Cape May is turned into a village of twinkling lights. Take a trolley ride through the Historic District to see beautifully decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions. Santa’s Trolley Rides and various house tours also available. Buy tickets online. Washington Street Mall, Cape May, NJ, capemaymac.org
Orchard Of Lights - Demarest Farms
Drive your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of holiday light displays. Enjoy hot cocoa, market treats, photo-ops with Santa, and listen to Santa’s singing Reindeer. Must buy tickets online. 244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ, orchardoflights.com
Six Flags Holiday in the Park
The park transforms into a winter wonderland with seasonal music and millions of festive dazzling lights. Explore the park filled with holiday characters, Christmas decorations, Santa & Mrs. Claus, North Pole theme, and more! Buy your tickets in advance. sixflags.com/greatadventure
Holiday Light Show on the Lake In Historic Smithville
FREE holiday light show, featuring over 120 Christmas Trees and 50,000 decorated lights floating magically on Lake Meone. Orchestrated show of lights and music played across the lake. 615 E. Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ, historicsmithville.com
Winter Wonder Lights Spectacular
A 1/2 mile Drive-Thru journey. Celebrate Winter Wonder Lights at the Middlesex County Fair Grounds. This spectacular show is filled with over 2 million Christmas lights. Listen to your favorite holiday music. Fun for all ages. Tickets available online. 655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ, winterwonderlightshows.com
FESTIVAL OF TREES - DISPLAYS
Festival of Trees 2025 at Morven Museum
Thru Jan 11, 2026. Open to the public during museum hours. Enjoy beautifully decorated holiday displays, Christmas trees, mantels, and porches. 55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ, morven.org
Light Show On The Lake in Historic Smithville
Over 120 Christmas Trees made from 50,000 decorated lights floating magically on Lake Meone. 615 E. Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ. historicsmithville.com
Festival of Trees - 47th Anniversary
Dec 5 - Dec 30, 2025, 9AM-4:30PM. An indoor exhibit of decorated trees by various community groups and individuals. Somerset County Park Commission Environmental Education Center in Bridgewater, NJ. somersetcountyparks.org
ANNUAL Festival of Trees in Bucks County
The Pearl S. Buck farmhouse is decorated for the holidays. Showcasing beautiful trees and vignettes designed by some of Bucks County’s best artists. Pearl S. Buck House, 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie, PA, pearlsbuck.org
WINTER Festivals: Trees, Lights...
A Longwood Christmas
Thru Jan 11, 2026. Celebrates the holiday season! Longwood Gardens is decked out with festive trees, plants, flowers, and more! Thousands of lights grace the outdoor gardens. Enjoy festive music and model train displays. Tickets online. 1001 Longwood Rd, Kennett Sq, PA, longwoodgardens.org
HOLIDAY MODEL TRAIN SHOWS 2025…. CHOO CHOO!
Holiday Train Show at The Model Railroad Club
The Holiday Train Show and open house features model trains and runs to a professional narrated script. Kids can stand up on the viewing balcony and see all the trains as they pass by. Bring the whole family and enjoy! 295 Jefferson Ave (behind Home Depot), Union, NJ, themodelrailroadclub.org
Model Train Show 2025 At New York Society Of Model Engineers
Sat & Sun, Nov 29 & 30, Dec 6,7,13,14. Wonderful winter exhibition model train show at the New York Society of Model Engineers. Children 12 & under FREE. 341 Hoboken Rd, Carlstadt, NJ, modelengineers.org
Model Railroad Show At Garden State Model Railway Club
Nov 28, 29, 30, Dec 6,7,13,14. Model railroad show featuring all types of locomotives. Kids will especially enjoy the Santa Claus Express train. See if you can spot Santa’s sleigh. 575 High Mountain Rd, North Haledon, NJ, gsmrrclub.org
Holiday Model Train Show At Barron Arts Center
Dec 1-30. FREE admission. Visit and see a Holiday model train show. Check website for details. 582 Rahway Ave, Woodbridge, NJ, twp.woodbridge.nj.us
Holiday Train Show At New York Botanical Gardens
Nov 15, 2025 - Jan 11, 2026. Classic NYC train show for kids of all ages. Watch dozens of model trains gliding through 200 NYC landmarks and beautifully landscaped backgrounds. A sure delight! Buy tickets in advance. 2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY, nybg.org
WINTER Festivals: Holiday Trains...
Holiday Train Show Grand Central Terminal
Usually starts in Nov. FREE show. Watch miniature trains as they travel through tracks and festive displays. New York Transit Museum at the Grand Central Terminal Galley & Store. grandcentralterminal.com
RIDE THE TRAINS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
The Polar Express Train Ride At Whippany Railway
Nov 1st - Dec 30th. Relive the magic of the classic holiday story Polar Express on a one-hour train ride. Listen to a story reading, enjoy hot chocolate & short bread. Santa will meet families. Buy tickets online. 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ, whippanythepolarexpressride.com
The Polar Express Train Ride At Delaware River Railroad Excursions
Nov 28th - Dec 21st. Get whisked away on a magical 1.5 hour train ride, meet Santa, and listen to classic book The Polar Express. Each guest receives a silver sleigh bell. Buy tickets online. 34 Market St, Phillipsburg, NJ, 877trainride.com
Ride With Santa! In Wayne Nj
Sat, Dec 13, 2025, check website for details. Sponsored by the Tri-State Railway Historical Society. This ride is 1 hour of fun aboard a NJ Transit train. Each child will meet Santa. Train times: 9AM, 11AM, 1PM, 3PM. Buy tickets starting Sept 2025. Board at the Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center, santatrain.org
The Santa Express - Cape May Seashore Lines
Nov - Dec 2025, select dates. Take a fun 85 minute Santa Express train ride, meet Santa Claus and his helpers. Santa visits with each child, young and old. Buy tickets early. Departing from Richland Village or Tuckahoe in Cape May, NJ, seashorelines.org
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
Select Dates Nov - Dec 2025. Enjoy a magical train ride through Christmas lights. Meet and Greet with Santa and his elves in his Workshop with a free photo-op. Also enjoy a walkthrough holiday village. Purchase tickets online. 1151 S White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ, didonatofuncenter.com/magical-express
Santa’s North Pole Express Train At New Hope Railroad
Nov 16th - Dec 30th, select dates. All Aboard a vintage diesel locomotive! Join Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Santa’s helpers for a 1 hour North Pole Express train ride through historic Bucks County on the way to the North Pole. Tickets available online. 32 West Bridge St, New Hope, PA, newhoperailroad.com (also available: Santa’s Steam Train Ride)
Strasburg Rail Road Christmas Trains
Nov - Dec 2025. A tradition for generations. Christmas at Strasburg Rail Road in Lancaster PA features several special holiday train rides. Advanced tickets available online. 301 Gap Road, Ronks, PA, strasburgrailroad.com
Santa’s Paradise Express offers a magical 45 minute steam train ride. Santa Claus will be aboard to greet families. Small gift for kids ages 11 & under.
The Night Before Christmas Train ride recreates the excitement and anticipation of Christmas Eve. Milk and a cookie for each guest.
Santa Claus Limited is a day time 45 minute ride aboard 100 year old decorated train cars. Children and their families will see Santa.
