The best Christmas lights New Jersey offers are a mix of drive-through shows, zoo walks and theme parks that ran in 2025 and usually open again from mid-November through early January. Top picks include the free Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, Storybook Land’s Christmas Fantasy with Lights in Egg Harbor Township and the Light Show on the Lake at Historic Smithville. Six Flags Great Adventure skipped Holiday in the Park in 2025 but says the event returns in November 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Season: most NJ light shows open in mid to late November and close between late December and mid-January.
- Free options: Turtle Back Zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular was free with no reservation in 2025.
- Drive-through shows: Magic of Lights in Holmdel, Winter WonderLights in East Brunswick, Orchard of Lights in Hillsdale, Skylands Stadium in Augusta and Diggerland in West Berlin.
- Walk-through shows: Turtle Back Zoo, the Bergen County Zoo lantern festival and Historic Smithville.
- Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure was canceled for 2025 and is announced to return in 2026.
- Timed tickets: many drive-through shows require advance tickets for a specific date or time slot.
Listings checked against official venue websites, county announcements and New Jersey news outlets in September 2026. Only displays confirmed for the 2025 season are included. Confirm 2026 dates, hours and ticket prices with each venue before you go.
Christmas Lights New Jersey: 2025 Season at a Glance
| Display | Town | Format | 2025 season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Lights Spectacular, Turtle Back Zoo | West Orange | Walk-through | Nov. 21 to Jan. 3 |
| Let It Glow! A Holiday Lantern Spectacular, Bergen County Zoo | Paramus | Walk-through | Nov. 6 to Jan. 11 |
| Orchard of Lights, Demarest Farms | Hillsdale | Drive-through | Select dates, late November to late December |
| Skylands Stadium Light Show and Christmas Village | Augusta | Drive-through plus village | Select dates from late November |
| Magic of Lights, PNC Bank Arts Center | Holmdel | Drive-through | Nov. 21 to Jan. 3 |
| Winter WonderLights | East Brunswick | Drive-through | Opened Nov. 21 |
| Christmas Fantasy with Lights, Storybook Land | Egg Harbor Township | Theme park | Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 |
| Light Show on the Lake, Historic Smithville | Galloway (Smithville) | Walk and watch | Nov. 27 to Jan. 6 |
| Magical Holiday Express, DiDonato Family Fun Center | Hammonton | Train ride | Nov. 15 to Dec. 23 |
| Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show, Diggerland USA | West Berlin | Drive-through | Select dates through Jan. 11 |
| Night of Lights, Creamy Acres | Mullica Hill | Drive-through and hayride | Through Dec. 27 |
Seasons that run past New Year’s end in January of the following year. Dates for 2026 were not posted for every venue as of September 2026.
Christmas Lights New Jersey: North Jersey Picks
Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights Spectacular (West Orange)
The Essex County zoo at 560 Northfield Avenue features more than 50 winter and animal light characters. In 2025, it ran Friday to Sunday from November 21 to 23, then daily from November 28 to January 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. It was closed December 24, 25 and January 1. Admission was free with no reservations, and a free Santa meet and greet ran most nights.
Let It Glow! at the Bergen County Zoo (Paramus)
This lantern festival at Van Saun County Park displays more than 30 hand-painted, larger-than-life lanterns with animal and holiday themes. According to Bergen County, 2025 tickets were $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 17. Fire pits and s’mores kits were also offered. In addition, the county’s Winter Wonderland, with ice skating and rides, runs at the same park.
Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms (Hillsdale)
This drive-through tour covers 32 acres of the farm at 244 Wierimus Road. Drivers tune the radio to 107.9 FM, and the tour takes about 20 to 25 minutes. The farm lists November 21 to December 29 as its 2026 season, with reservations required and a petting zoo, fire pit and Santa visits on site.
Skylands Stadium Light Show and Christmas Village (Augusta)
The Sussex County ballpark at 94 Championship Place hosts a drive-through show of about 30 minutes that the stadium says has more than two million lights. A free walk-through Christmas Village adds vendors, s’mores fire pits and Santa on select nights. Tickets are sold per carload with a reserved time slot.
Christmas Lights New Jersey: Central Jersey Picks
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel)
This drive-through show sits off the Garden State Parkway at the PNC Bank Arts Center. The 2025 run was November 21, 2025, to January 3, 2026. Posted hours were 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. A walk-through holiday village with Santa photos, treats and hot chocolate was part of the event.
Winter WonderLights (East Brunswick)
Winter WonderLights calls itself New Jersey’s largest animated holiday light show. The drive-through is at 655 Cranbury Road, and its sixth annual season opened on November 21, 2025. Tickets are reserved in advance online.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson)
Six Flags canceled Holiday in the Park at Great Adventure for 2025. However, the park’s website says the event returns in November 2026 in a reimagined form. Six Flags says it will be included with Gold season passes, active memberships and certain other pass types. Check the park website for opening dates before planning a visit.
Christmas Lights New Jersey: South Jersey Picks
Storybook Land Christmas Fantasy with Lights (Egg Harbor Township)
This children’s theme park at 6415 Black Horse Pike displays more than one million lights. The 2025 season ran from November 15 to December 31, and Santa lights up the park at dusk on operating nights. The event has been featured on ABC’s The Great Christmas Light Fight. Special event tickets are sold online only for a chosen date, but they are not timed.
Light Show on the Lake at Historic Smithville
More than 120 floating Christmas trees, built from over 50,000 lights, sit on Lake Meone and change in time to music. In 2025, the show ran from November 27 to January 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. You can watch from either side of the village or from the bridge, then browse the village shops and restaurants.
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express (Hammonton)
The family fun center at 1151 South White Horse Pike offers a train ride through millions of Christmas lights, plus a Santa visit, a holiday village, cookies and hot chocolate. In 2025, it ran from November 15 to December 23. Online prices were $22.95 per person Sunday to Friday and $26.95 on Saturdays, with higher prices at the door.
Diggerland USA Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show (West Berlin)
The construction-themed park at 100 Pinedge Drive turns into a 1.5-mile drive-through route with light tunnels, animated displays and decorated machines. Diggerland describes it as one of South Jersey’s largest drive-through light shows.
Creamy Acres Night of Lights (Mullica Hill)
This Gloucester County farm at 448 Lincoln Mill Road offers a drive-through light display, a family hayride and an indoor walk-through, with Santa and Christmas characters. Its 2025 season ended on December 27.
What Is Known About the 2026 Season
As of September 2026, only some venues had posted details for the coming season of Christmas lights New Jersey residents follow each year. The table below shows what was announced.
| Display | 2026 status as of September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Orchard of Lights, Hillsdale | November 21 to December 29, 2026, listed on the farm’s website |
| Holiday in the Park, Six Flags Great Adventure | Announced to return in November 2026; dates not yet posted |
| Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Township | 2026 Christmas Fantasy tickets listed; Santa visits through December 23 |
| Skylands Stadium, Augusta | Website says the show returns in November |
| Other venues | Check official websites closer to November |
Drive-Through vs. Walk-Through Christmas Lights New Jersey Options
| Type | Examples | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Drive-through | Magic of Lights, Winter WonderLights, Orchard of Lights, Skylands Stadium, Diggerland | Priced per vehicle at most venues; good in cold or wet weather |
| Walk-through | Turtle Back Zoo, Let It Glow!, Historic Smithville | Dress warmly and plan for outdoor walking |
| Rides and theme parks | Storybook Land, DiDonato’s, Six Flags (2026) | Usually include Santa visits and rides |
Tips for Seeing Christmas Lights New Jersey Families Love
- Buy tickets early. Many drive-through shows sell tickets for a specific date or time slot.
- Go on a weeknight. Magic of Lights recommends visiting early in the season and early in the evening to avoid long lines.
- Check vehicle rules. Orchard of Lights, for example, does not allow transit vans or oversized vehicles.
- Watch the weather. Some venues close or reschedule for storms, and outdoor rides may pause.
- Confirm holiday closures. Turtle Back Zoo, for instance, was closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day in 2025.
Christmas Lights New Jersey Towns Add
Beyond ticketed shows, many New Jersey towns host free tree lightings and decorated downtowns. Cape May, for example, offers Holiday Lights Trolley Rides through its Victorian streets. See our guide to Christmas in Cape May NJ for 2026 dates and details.
More Holiday and Weekend Ideas
Pair a light show with a spin on the ice using our list of ice skating rinks in NJ, or find more outings in our things to do in NJ guide. Browse our Things To Do section or return to the homepage for more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Lights New Jersey
When do Christmas light shows open in New Jersey?
Most NJ light shows open in mid to late November and run until late December or early January. Confirm 2026 dates with each venue.
Is there a free Christmas light show in NJ?
Yes. Turtle Back Zoo’s Holiday Lights Spectacular in West Orange was free with no reservations in 2025.
What is the best drive-through Christmas light show in NJ?
Popular drive-throughs include Magic of Lights in Holmdel, Winter WonderLights in East Brunswick, Orchard of Lights in Hillsdale, Skylands Stadium in Augusta and Diggerland in West Berlin.
Is Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure open in 2026?
Six Flags canceled it for 2025, but its website says Holiday in the Park returns to Great Adventure in November 2026.
How many lights does Storybook Land have at Christmas?
Storybook Land says its Christmas Fantasy with Lights displays more than one million lights.
Is the Smithville light show free?
The Light Show on the Lake is viewed from around the village and the bridge. Check Historic Smithville for any 2026 fees or event changes.
Do I need tickets in advance for NJ light shows?
Many shows, including Orchard of Lights, Skylands Stadium and Storybook Land, require advance tickets for a chosen date or time slot.
Planning Your Light Show Trip
Christmas lights New Jersey visitors can count on include free zoo walks, drive-through shows and theme parks from North Jersey to the shore. Most open in mid to late November and run into early January. Use the 2025 seasons above as a guide, and confirm 2026 dates, hours and ticket prices on each venue’s website before you go.
