New Jersey's 8 Most Festive Downtowns For The Holidays
The holidays blow in on the wind from late November into December and beyond, where a careful listener might even hear the call — ho ho ho! — ushering in the most enjoyable season of the year to gather with friends and family, from Thanksgiving through Christmas, and into the New Year. Joyous celebration and festive spirit abound in the Garden State, where many New Jersey communities turn up the festive charm to welcome visitors with open arms, whether visiting loved ones for the weekend or attending a holiday event.
These towns display their holiday spirit with warmth and merriment for all to enjoy throughout the season and are turned into magical wonderlands to behold when there's a layer of freshly fallen snow on the ground.
Clinton
A very festive North Jersey community to explore during the holidays is Clinton. With the Raritan River running through downtown, visitors and residents can explore the Red Mill Museum or the Hunterdon Art Museum. The Red Mill Museum focuses on agricultural history in the community and has industrial artifacts on display, while the Hunterdon Art Museum showcases contemporary art in a historic stone mill.
When December rolls around, the town becomes a festive hub for Christmas, with the Christmas Parade kicking off the community's holiday spirit. The town organizes the parade each year and features bands, fire trucks, floats, endless candy, and of course, Santa Claus. A charming restaurant to dine at in downtown after the parade is Dora's Restaurant, where patrons can enjoy a lovely Italian meal in a relaxed setting.
Morristown
A true North Jersey staple to visit during the holidays is Morristown, a bustling town with an incredible nightlife, amazing bars and restaurants, and historic museums throughout the community. Downtown is the place to be, as the Morristown Green Park is right in the center of all the action and is a relaxing place to enjoy a crisp, cool afternoon out on the town. The park hosts community events, like the Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green, where the community gathers to light the Christmas Tree. Santa Claus is available for photos, a miniature train ride is available for kids and families, and hot chocolate and apple cider are available at the Hyatt Regency Morristown.
Not too far from the Morristown Green is the MAYO Performing Arts Center, where locals and visitors to town can catch a play and a musical performance. During the holidays, MAYO hosts the Theatre of Light, a free outdoor event where lights illuminate the Vail Mansion Plaza next door. The event features winged dancers, has ice sculptures for the public to enjoy, and church bells signal the start of the event.
Cape May
At the southernmost point of the state is the coastal city of Cape May, which is normally known as a summer hot spot. However, there are holiday festivities in the air from Thanksgiving to Christmas. A wonderful place to start the holiday festivities is the Washington Street Mall, which is filled with charming local restaurants and shops to visit when taking in that Christmas or Hanukkah spirit. A recommended restaurant to try in the mall with friends and family is Tisha's Cape May for those craving New American cuisine and local ingredients.
A unique activity to partake in during the holiday season is a ride on the Holiday Lights Trolley. Residents and visitors get a charming grand tour of the historical parts of the city and see the wonderful Victorian architecture throughout in a 30-minute ride. When Christmas is around the corner, the city has a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Emlen Physick Estate Museum, an 18-room mansion known for its Victorian-style, giving its visitors a glimpse of what a luxurious home in the 19th century was like.
Asbury Park
Although the city of Asbury Park is a "Shore Point" renowned for attracting visitors to the community during the summer, similarly to Cape May, the city can be a wonderful place to visit during the holidays. A Garden State staple to visit in the community is the Stone Pony, a legendary bar and music venue that has hosted many iconic musicians throughout the years, and is across from the Asbury Park Boardwalk and beach, which can be perfect for an enjoyable walk during a cool morning or afternoon in the fall or snowless winter. Especially when listening to the relaxing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Speaking of the Boardwalk, a wonderful event to explore near the boardwalk during the holiday season is the Asbury Park Bazaar. The event takes place at the Asbury Park Convention Hall and showcases locally handcrafted goods and holiday gifts from regional artists, craft-makers, and businesses. The Bazaar is inspired by traditional "Weihnachtsmarkt" holiday markets in Germany and is an incredible way to kick off the holidays in the Jersey Shore.
Summit
In the northernmost corner of Union County is Summit, a city renowned for its beautiful downtown and lovely parks. Downtown Summit is where all the action is, wrapped in a charming, relaxed package. The Summit House Restaurant and Bar serves patrons New American fare in a vintage building filled with stylish surroundings. Just a couple of blocks away from the Summit House is the Summit Village Green, which hosts community events and is a wonderful place to unwind for the weekend.
An annual event to experience in the city is the Miracle on Elm Street that takes place each year. The event is free and allows community members to go ice skating at the Elm Street Parking Lot, as well as for guests to enjoy bonfires, hot beverages for everyone, cookie decorating, musical performances at the Summit Village Green, and a tree lighting with Santa Claus.
Lambertville
Nicknamed the "Antiques Capital of New Jersey," Lambertville has a bountiful number of antique stores where people can discover vintage and unique items, and it's also a wonderful spot for the holidays. Downtown is incredibly charming, as visitors and residents can explore antique stores like Antiques Center at the People's Store, A Touch of the Past Antiques, or Midiri Antiques for some vintage treasures not found in major retailers. The city is also home to the Highlands Art Gallery, along with Jim's of Lambertville, where visitors can view and enjoy wonderful paintings from the 18th to 20th centuries, and can purchase some paintings if they choose to.
A lovely holiday event to explore in town is the annual holiday concert, held a few days before Christmas at the Music Mountain Theatre just outside downtown. The concerts for 2025 begin on December 19 and conclude on December 21, with ticket prices around $32 to $34. The concerts feature local musicians performing Christmas music for the public to enjoy and get into the holiday spirit.
Burlington
Just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia is the city of Burlington. The community is older than the state itself, and with its rich history is a wonderful place to enjoy during the holidays. Similar to Lambertville, the Historic Burlington Antiques Emporium is an incredible place to find long-lost, forgotten-about treasures, which make perfect holiday gifts. Just next door is the Lyceum Hall Center, where people can see a local play or musical performance.
A nice welcome to the holidays is the annual Winterfest festival held at the Historic Smithville Park just south of downtown. The event is free for the community, features an elf hunt, carolers dressed in Victorian attire welcoming guests, live entertainment, a holiday tent, a Victorian Santa, and much more to keep the holiday spirit thriving.
Somerville
Just west of New Brunswick is the borough of Somerville, sitting on the Raritan River. A great place to visit to whet the appetite of even the most discerning history buff with the Wallace House and Old Dutch Parsonage Historic Sites, which was once George Washington's headquarters during the Revolutionary War from 1778 to 1779, as well as enjoy wonderful and diverse local restaurants downtown like Cafe Picasso or Seoulville, and events and private parties at the Underground.
A local event to enjoy before the start of the holidays is the Downtown Somerville Holiday Jubilee, which has an annual Christmas Tree lighting, live entertainment, getting photos with Santa Claus, and trolley rides to keep the family entertained. The Jubilee takes place on Division Street in downtown and is a wonderful way to kick off the holidays.
Enjoy the holidays in the Festive Garden State
Each of these festive Garden State communities offers uniquely wonderful activities to entice holiday goers, with annual events to kick off the holiday season. Whether it's a mix of large displays of festive lights, lighting of the Christmas Tree or menorahs, or musical performances from local artists, New Jersey's towns give visitors and residents a warm welcome during the cooler days of November and December. There is a bounty of unforgettable places to create those cherished holiday memories that last for a lifetime. Ho ho ho is synonymous with the Garden State.
