THE ONLY ESSEX COUNTY HOLIDAY EVENT LIST YOU NEED THIS SEASON
If you’re a busy Essex County mom trying to keep track of all the holiday happenings, this is the only list you need. We pulled together every tree lighting, Santa meet-and-greet, festive pop-up, community celebration, and magical moment happening this month so you don’t have to hunt anything down. Whether you’re looking for something quick after school, a weekend family outing, or a new tradition to start, you’ll find it here— all in one simple, scroll-and-go guide to the best holiday events in Essex County. Check back often as we’ll continue adding new events throughout the month!
OPEN DAILY
Santa’s Flight Academy
Location: The Mall at Short Hills
Details: Open daily through December 24. Interactive Santa journey with “flight suit” photos, themed rooms, and an immersive walkthrough experience ending in photos with Santa.
Newark Winter Village
Location: Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
Details: Wednesdays–Fridays 3–8pm; Saturdays–Sundays 12–8pm; open through January 4. Outdoor roller skating, igloos, shopping, food trucks, and holiday activities.
Holiday Brunch with Santa
Location: The Highlawn, West Orange
Details: Every Saturday and Sunday, 11am–2:30pm
Holiday Lights
Location: Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Dates: Friday–Sunday Dec. 5–7; Daily Dec. 12–23
Details: Walk-through holiday light displays throughout the zoo.
Millburn Winter Village
Location: Town Hall Plaza, Millburn
Dates: Saturday Dec. 6 & 13
Time: 3–7pm
Details: Holiday shopping, treats, photo ops, and festive vendors.
Camuso Holiday Display
Location: Livingston Memorial Oval, Livingston
Dates: Saturday Dec. 6–January 1
Details: Large outdoor holiday village and light display.
Lackawanna Station Holiday Market
Location: Montclair
Dates: Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21
Time: 11am–6pm (Santa 12–4pm)
Details: Holiday activities for kids and families, including Santa meet-and-greets.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3
Temple Sholom Holiday Event
Location: Temple Sholom of West Essex, Cedar Grove
Details: Community holiday gathering held on December 3.
Meet Santa
Location: Sugar Tree Café, Nutley
Time: 3–6pm
Details: Drop-in Santa meet-and-greet inside the café.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4
Bloomfield Tree Lighting
Location: Hot Bagels Abroad, Bloomfield
Time: 7pm
Details: Community tree lighting with holiday music and festivities.
Upper Montclair Tree Lighting
Location: St. James Church, Upper Montclair
Time: 5–7pm
Details: Holiday ceremony with music and community fun.
Shoresh Preschool Holiday Event
Location: Shresh Preschool in Bloomfield
Time: 2:30–6:30pm
Details: Holiday-themed activities for preschoolers.
Verona Late Night Holiday Shopping
Location: Verona
Time: 2:30–6:30pm
Details: Extended hours for local retailers with specials and holiday shopping.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Performance
Location: Nutley High School
Time: December 4–6 at 7pm
Details: Family-friendly stage performance of the classic holiday story.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5
Cedar Grove Tree Lighting
Location: Community Park, Cedar Grove
Time: 6pm
Details: Local tree lighting ceremony with community celebration.
Toddler Holiday Rave
Location: Lackawanna Station, Montclair
Time: 4:30–6:30pm
Details: Music, dancing, glow fun, and toddler-friendly activities.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6
West Orange Tree Lighting
Location: Town Hall, West Orange
Time: 4–6pm
Belleville Tree Lighting
Location: Belleville High School
Time: Starts at 5:30pm
Maplewood Tree Lighting
Location: Springfield Avenue Gazebo, Maplewood
Time: 4–6pm
South Orange Hometown Holiday Celebration
Location: Village Center, South Orange
Time: 2–6pm
Details: Music, activities, treats, and photos with Santa.
Caldwell Tree Lighting
Location: Borough Green, Caldwell
Time: 5pm
Christmas Craft Fair
Location: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Bloomfield
Time: 12–4pm
Winter Open House
Location: Washington Elementary, West Orange
Time: 9am–3pm
Verona Fair in the Square
Location: Civic Center, Verona
Time: 12–5pm
Details: Vendors, crafts, activities, Santa, and performances.
Winterfest Snowflake Spectacular
Location: Edgemont Park, Montclair
Time: 1–4pm
Details: Ice sculptures, treats, and family activities.
Photos with Santa
Location: PJ’s Coffee, Fairfield
Time: 12:30–2:30pm
Breakfast with Santa
Location: St. Thomas More, Fairfield
Time: 9am
41st Annual Christmas for Farm Children Fundraiser
Location: Luna Wood Fire Tavern, Nutley
Time: 1:30pm–close
Winter Wreath Workshop
Location: Caldwell Flowerland
Time: 6:30–8pm
Millburn Winter Village
Location: Town Hall Plaza, Millburn
Time: 3–7pm
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7
Nutley Tree Lighting
Location: Town Hall, Nutley
Time: 5–7pm
Glen Ridge Tree Lighting
Location: Municipal Building, Glen Ridge
Time: 4:30–6:30pm
Joy, Peace, Goodwill Event
Location: North Caldwell
Time: 4:30–6pm
South End Montclair Tree Lighting
Time: 5pm
Moms Group Chat 5th Annual Toy Drive
Location: Fairfield Rec Center
Time: 10–12pm
Tice’s 14th Annual Toy Drive
Location: 32 Bolten Place, Bloomfield
Time: 5:30–8:30pm
Merry Mischief Breakfast with the Grinch & More
Location: La Bella Café, Verona
All Shop No Drop
Location: Twisted Tulip, Livingston
Time: 12–4pm
Brunch with Santa
Location: McLoone’s Boathouse, West Orange
Time: 10:30am–3pm
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8
Newark East Ward / Ironbound Tree Lighting
Location: Five Corners, Newark
Time: 6pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9
Dinner with Santa
Location: Michael’s Roscommon, Belleville
Time: 6–8pm
Christmas Pajama Party Bambini Storytime
Location: Cucina Calandra
Time: 12–1:30pm
The MC Hotel Holiday Tree Lighting
Location: The MC Hotel, Montclair
Time: 6–7pm
Winter Wreath Workshop
Location: Caldwell Flowerland
Time: 6:30–8pm
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11
Santa Meet & Greet
Location: Nutley Dept. of Safety
Time: 5:30–7:30pm
Gift Wrapping & Parent Gabbing
Location: Curious Kids, Millburn
Time: 5:30–8:30pm
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12
Meet Santa
Location: Hiya Pal Play Space, Cedar Grove
Time: 3:30–5pm
Holiday Party
Location: Moda Studio, Fairfield
Time: 7pm
Drop & Shop
Location: Bloomfield Civic Center
Time: 6–9pm
Holiday Pop Up at Sweet Fig Shop
Location: Sweet Fig Shop Caldwell
Time: 5–9pm
Good Saturday’s Holiday Party
Location: Good Saturday Caldwell
Time: 12–6pm
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13
Community Day Winter Wonderland
Location: Newark Museum of Art
Time: 12–5pm
Breakfast with Santa
Location: St. James Gate, Maplewood
Time: 9am
Photos with Santa
Location: Calandra’s Bakery, Newark
Time: 12–4pm
Meet Santa
Location: Metropolitan at Caldwell Nursery
Time: 1–4pm
Holiday Celebration with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Location: Bloomfield Civic Center
Time: 1–4pm
Ornament Making
Location: McLoone’s Boathouse, West Orange
Time: 2–4pm
Tinker Doodle Holiday Magic Party
Location: Pop Blossom Studio, Millburn
Time: 3:30–4:30pm
Jingle & Giggle Holiday Pop Up
Location: MindfulNest Co., North Caldwell
Time: 12:30–2pm
Holiday Bazaar
Location: Grover Cleveland Middle School, Caldwell
Time: 10–4pm
Storytime Pajama Party with Santa
Location: Jessica Sweets, Caldwell
Time: 12-3pm
Roseland’s Hometown Christmas Celebration
Location: Harrison Complex, Roseland
Time: 4–8pm
Annual Chieffo Family Toy Drive
Location: 38 Gerard Road, Nutley
Time: 5:30–7:30pm
Winter Wonderland
Location: Fairfield Rec Center
Time: 4–7pm
South Ward Winter Wonderland
Location: Bergen St., Newark
Time: 2–6pm
Meet Santa at British Swim School
Location: Fairfield
Time: 9am–12pm
Church Street Tree Lighting
Location: Montclair
Time: 4:30–6:30pm
Holiday Hoopla at The Compound
Location: Verona
Time: 12–3pm
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14
Santa Brunch
Location: Calandra’s il Vecchio Café, West Caldwell
Time: 11am
Grinch Visit
Location: Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint, Cedar Grove
Time: 10am
Winter Party
Location: Little Brain Lab, South Orange
Time: 10–11:30am
Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Location: Roseland’s Monument Park
Time: 5:15pm
Holiday Market at Knights of Columbus
Location: Nutley
Time: 12–4pm
Gingerbread House Decorating
Location: Mattarello Bakery
Time: 11am
Montclair Chanukah Fest
Location: Church Street, Montclair
Time: 4:30–6pm
Meet Mrs. Claus at Sophie’s Garden
Location: Nutley
Time: 11am–2pm
MONDAY, DECEMBER 15
Newark Tree Lighting
Location: Calabro Square Park, Newark
Time: 5–7pm
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17
Chanukah Fire Show & Grand Menorah Lighting
Location: Walker Park, North Caldwell
Time: 5:30–6:30pm
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18
Holiday Read & Play Pop-Up
Location: Zest Café, Fairfield
Time: 4:30pm
Details: Holiday storytime with sensory play and a craft! Get a free cookie and 20% off orders
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19
Santa’s North Pole Party- SOLD OUT
Location: 45 Plymouth Street, Fairfield
Time: 5:30pm
Tween Holiday Sip, Spa & Craft Party
Location: MindfulNest Co., North Caldwell
Time: 6–8pm
Drop & Shop
Location: Bloomfield Civic Center
Time: 6–9pm
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20
Brunch with Santa
Location: Michael’s Roscommon, Belleville
Time: 11am–1pm
Details: Sensory-friendly photos 10–11am
Storytime with Santa
Location: Cedar Bean’s Coffee Joint, Cedar Grove
Time: 10am
Christmas Party
Location: Gigi’s Princess Palace, Bloomfield
Time: 2pm
Christmas Tea with Santa
Location: La Bella Cafe in Verona
Time: 11am
Holiday Heist
Location: Montclair Book Center
Time: 7:30–10pm
Christmas Under the Candlelight Holiday Concert
Location: Arts High School, Newark
Time: 4–6pm
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21
Pictures with Santa
Location: The Cannoli Shop, Fairfield
Time: 12–2pm
We hope this guide helps you fill your December with the magic you want and skip the overwhelm you don’t. If you check out any of these events, tag @essexcountymoms! We love seeing your families making memories all across Essex County!