The holiday magic is back, and Northern New Jersey is your go-to destination for family-friendly holiday fun this season! From festive events to spectacular light displays and Santa visits, Macaroni KID Clifton-Montclair has your ultimate guide to the best local holiday events. Explore our curated list of activities and make your holidays unforgettable.
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Kaisorn | CanvaMust-See and Must-Do Holiday and Winter Experiences all season long
Discover the best holiday attractions and festive experiences in Essex County, NJ that will bring cheer and winter magic all season long:
🏂 Ski & Snowboard Rentals in Montclair at Diamond Cycle⛷️
- Location: 409 Bloomfield Ave.Montclair NJ 07042
- Phone: 973-509-0233
- Are you just getting into skiing or snowboarding and don't want to make a huge investment in equipment? Or maybe you don't get out riding enough to justify a purchase.
Either way, we're here to help you with fantastic seasonal ski and snowboard rentals for kids and adults. We offer seasonal (from October to April) and weekly equipment rentals. - Book your appointment: Here
🎅 SIGN UP for your At-Home Santa Claus Visits
- Location: Your address of choice
- Santa is traveling through our local towns, book your family's visit with Santa Claus now.
Santa can hand presents to your kids, read stories, snap photos, and make every child's dreams come true. - More Info: Email JessicaKline@macaronikid.com for pricing and availability.
SHOP LOCAL: Our Top 5 Local Holiday Gifts
- We've rounded up some great gifts and great businesses, a combination of experiences and gifts you can wrap with a pretty bow. We promise our hand-selected favorite gifts are going to bring cheer and joy to everyone in your life!
✨ "LET IT GLOW!" A Holiday Lantern Spectacular at Bergen County Zoo
- Location: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus NJ 07652
- Dates: Th & Sun 4-8 pm, Fri & Sat 4-9 pm through Jan 12, 2025
- Cost: Adults: $20 | Children (ages 3-17) $10 | Ages 0-2 Free
Montclair Flea Holiday Market at Lackawanna Station - Sat and Sun
- Location: 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, New Jersey, 07042
- Lackawanna Station will host the Montclair Flea Holiday Market, in partnership with Montclair Flea. The market will feature hundreds of local vendors, artisans, and small businesses, offering residents and visitors a unique holiday shopping experience in the heart of Montclair.
- Dates: Sat and Sun through Jan 19 from 11 am - 6 pm
🎅🏽 Pop Up Selfie Studio & Holiday Market at Casa De Flora Bar
- Location: Casa De Flora Bar, 77-79 Washington St., Bloomfield NJ 07003
- Dates: Thur-Sun 12-8 pm through Dec 29
- Cost: Admission to Selfie Studios & Holiday Market: $25 | Santa's Secret Workshop for Kids Admission: $25 | Photos w/ Santa $14.99
🎅🏼 U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms
- Location: Holland Ridge Farms, 86 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
- The entire farm will be lit from top to bottom with sparkling holiday lights. If you thought it was your happy place before, wait until you see it now! Food trucks and hot beverages on site.
- Dates: 5-10 pm timed ticket entry through Dec 30
- Cost: Admission (ages 3+): $15-$17 | Santa Claus Experience $30 per family (pay at the door) | Digital Photos w/ Santa: $10 each or $25 for all
🚂 The Polar Express Train Ride at Delaware River Railroad Excursions
- Location: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 38 Market Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
- Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical hour-and-a-half trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served by dancing chefs.
- Dates: Dec 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22. Fri. 6, 8 pm | Sat. 2, 4, 6, 8 pm | Sun. 2, 4, 6 pm
- Cost: $38 child | $48 adult
🌟 Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo
- Location: Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052
- Make the Essex County Holiday Lights Spectacular at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo part of your holiday tradition! See our zoo grounds illuminated by over 1 million lights with 50 winter and holiday-themed characters.
- Dates: Fri, Dec. 6 to Tue, Dec 31; closed on Dec. 24-25
- No Cost: Admission is free, but we ask that you bring donations of non-perishable food, used winter coats, and new toys.
 Terri C | Canva via Pixabay |
Upcoming Holiday and Winter Events in and around Montclair listed by date
Looking to find holiday events in and around Montclair? Want to know where to meet Santa in and around Nutley? Stay updated with the best seasonal events happening throughout Essex County, NJ. From Santa visits to holiday craft fairs, there’s something for everyone.
Kwanzaa
Winter festivities happening across Essex County, NJ this season!
Hanukkah
Sun, Dec 22
Thur, Dec 26
- 🕎 Verona Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration
- Montclair Chanukah Fest at the Wellmont Arts Plaza at 5:30pm (open to all, free, but RSVP requested)
Christmas
Fri, Dec 13
Sat, Dec 14
- 🎄 Ally's Elves Holiday Card-Making at Verona Community Center
- 🎄 A Fairytale Christmas Carol at Studio Playhouse
- Lantern Walk
- 🎅🏼 Winter Wonderland at Waffles & Dreams
- 🎅🏼 Cookies with Santa 3rd Annual Toy Drive at Blue Rose ~ Caldwell
Sun, Dec 15
🎅🏼 NJ Hi-Railers Christmas Train Show w/ Santa (building is handicapped accessible)
🎄Winter Wonderland Open House at Montclair History Center
🎄 A Fairytale Christmas Carol at Studio Playhouse
🩰 The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine presents The Nutcracker at NJPAC
Tues, Dec 17
Wed, Dec 18
- TPL Tweens: Holiday Pillow Workshop at Totowa Library (grades 5+)
- 🎄Totowa's 4th Annual Christmas Caroling Around the Borough on the Trolley
Thur, Dec 19
Fri, Dec 20
Sat, Dec 21
🎅🏼 Santa’s Storytime: ’Twas the Night Before Christmas! at Cedar Bean's Coffee Joint
Annual Holiday Model Train Show
🎅🏽 Selfies with Santa at Kika Stretch Studios
🎅🏾 Holiday Shopping Event at Art is Bond Interactive Art Gallery
🎶 Montclair Make Music Day Winter (all ages)
❄️ Holiday Bells with Montclair Make Music Winter at Montclair Library - Bellevue Branch
❄️ Passing Notes with Montclair Make Music Winter at Montclair Library - Bellevue Branch
❄️ Montclair Make Music Winter at Nuts & Delights
🎶 Montclair Make Music Day Winter: Kassaye Salasse at Montclair BID Office (all ages)
- 🎶 Montclair Make Music Day Winter: Phil Kline's Unsilent Night from Crane Park to Houss Freya
Sun, Dec 22
- 🎄Grinchmas at Cedar Bean's Coffee Joint
- 🎄Winter Wonderland Open House at Montclair History Center
- Annual Holiday Party at Seaton Hackney Stables (all ages)
- 🎅🏽 Pop Up Selfie Studio & Holiday Market at Casa De Flora Bar
Tues, Dec 24
🎄A Christmas Story Escape Room Adventure at Brighton Asylum
Parent tip: Event details can change! Always confirm event details before heading out.
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Sandor Mejias Brito | Canva via PexelsBookmark this page, as we’ll be adding even more Montclair area holiday events and family-friendly activities throughout the season!
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