As December arrives, New Jersey transforms into a festive wonderland, with communities across the state lighting up for the holiday season. Jersey City, in particular, has become a standout destination for holiday cheer, recently earning recognition for having the highest number of Christmas activities per square mile in the nation. From dazzling city lights to family-friendly events and seasonal pop-ups, the Garden State offers an abundance of ways to celebrate the holidays.
Holiday Highlights in Jersey City
Jersey City’s streets and plazas are brimming with decorations, with the most notable displays around Exchange Place Plaza, Newport, and the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. Visitors can glide across the ice at Newport Skates, the city’s seasonal outdoor rink, which has officially opened for the holiday season.
For those looking to combine festive sights with culinary delights, Jersey City’s restaurants and pop-ups provide inventive seasonal drinks and dishes. San Patricios, a Mexican-Irish cantina from the team behind New York City’s The Dead Rabbit, is celebrating its first festive season with a pop-up called Las Posadas. Guests can enjoy holiday-themed cocktails such as the Sleigh Queen, a mix of Ketel One vodka, Mr. Black coffee liqueur, espresso, banana, ancho chili, and demerara, or the Piñata de Navidad, blending El Silencio Mezcal, Jameson Black Barrel Irish Whiskey, tangerine, guava, hibiscus, clove, and lemon. Food specials include a turkey-dinner street taco with mulled-spice mole rojo, cranberry sauce, and shaved Brussels sprouts, along with a Guinness Mole Con Pollo served with red tomato rice and warm tortillas.
Franklin Social continues to host Miracle on Mercer for its sixth year, a pop-up cocktail experience featuring kitschy décor and nostalgic holiday energy. Signature drinks like the Christmapolitan and Snowball Old Fashioned provide playful, festive flavors. A portion of glassware sales supports Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian nonprofit.
Cellar 335, known for its tiki-bar aesthetic, transforms into Sleighs and Leis for the holidays. The cocktail menu features imaginative creations such as Rum Rum Rudolph, blending gingerbread, lemon, orange, apple brandy, and rum, and On An Open Fire, combining roasted chestnut-praline, lime, and tequila. For larger gatherings, the Mistletoe Bay drink offers pineapple, cinnamon, allspice, anise, and rum in a shareable format.
Families can enjoy Liberty Science Center, which hosts Santa’s Pajama Party every Friday and Saturday through Christmas Eve. Kids can meet Santa, decorate ornaments and cookies, engage in special performances from Imagine Circus, explore holiday-themed exhibits, and even watch nitrogen ice cream demonstrations that create peppermint-flavored treats. Seasonal planetarium and laser shows at the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere round out the festive offerings.
Candy Cane Hunt at Abma’s Farm
For outdoor holiday fun, Abma’s Farm in Hillsborough hosts its annual Candy Cane Hunt, where children and families search for candy canes hidden by the Grinch himself. Once the hunt is complete, participants can visit the Candy Cane Station for photos with the mischievous green character. The event takes place every Saturday until December 20, 2025, with tickets priced at $10. Booking online is required, and the activity is suitable for all ages.
New Jersey continues to deliver a wide array of holiday experiences, from festive city streets and themed restaurants to hands-on family events in farms and museums. Whether you’re seeking dazzling light displays, seasonal cocktails, or interactive winter fun, the Garden State offers something for everyone.
For more updates on holiday activities, seasonal events, and entertainment options across New Jersey, click here for New Jersey entertainment coverage to plan your festive adventures.
