Christmas Jersey Shore – Events, Specials & Ornaments

Looking for coastal holiday cheer, without summer crowds?

Christmas Jersey Shore means Pier Village tree lightings, Asbury Park’s Holiday Bazaar, Jenkinson’s Sea of Lights, Historic Smithville’s lake show, and Cape May MAC’s iconic trolleys.

Read on for the best events, ornament stops, and easy indoor/outdoor plans.

1. Quick Planner: Season at a Glance

• When it kicks off: Most towns start right after Thanksgiving and run through late December/early January. Examples include Historic Smithville’s Light Show on the Lake (Thanksgiving–Jan 5) and Cape May MAC’s Christmas season with nightly tours and special events.
• Crowd patterns: Saturdays fill up around tree lightings, bazaars, and trolley tours. Fridays/Sundays are lighter and excellent for ornament shopping and photos.
• Weekends vs. weekdays: Major shows and markets concentrate on Fri–Sun; weeknights are great for light displays (Smithville lake, Tropicana’s light show) and quieter dinners.
• Indoors vs. outdoors:
  • Indoors: Jenkinson’s “Sea of Lights” (Point Pleasant) transforms the Aquarium/Pavilion into an indoor winter wonderland with lights, entertainment, and Santa photo ops, perfect for blustery nights.
  • Outdoors: Pier Village tree lighting and boardwalk displays in Long Branch; Historic Smithville’s floating trees and synchronized music; Cape May’s decorated historic district and trolley rides.

2. Signature Towns & Highlights (North to South)

Long Branch (Pier Village): tree lighting, shopping, live music

Pier Village’s Christmas Tree Lighting typically happens the first or last weekend of November/early December and is free, families pack the boardwalk for the countdown, photos, and music; browse shops or warm up with hot drinks afterward. Check the city calendar for the current date/time.

Asbury Park: Holiday Bazaar, indie makers, photo spots

The Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar fills Convention Hall’s Grand Arcade and other venues (The Asbury Hotel; sometimes Whitechapel Projects in neighboring Long Branch) with curated makers, vintage, DJs/live sets, and festive photo walls—typically Black Friday weekend through mid-late December on select days. Expect loads of handcrafted ornaments and shore-themed gifts.

Point Pleasant Beach: indoor “winter wonderland” + aquarium

Jenkinson’s “Sea of Lights” brings lights, entertainment, and Santa indoors on select December dates (4–8 pm), with aquarium add-ons (Santa often dives in the tanks on one night after Christmas). A reliable rainy/windy-day plan.

Historic Smithville & Atlantic City: lakeside lights + boardwalk décor

Historic Smithville’s Light Show on the Lake choreographs 120+ floating trees to music nightly from Thanksgiving through Jan 5; stroll the village’s holiday shops (including a year-round Christmas Shoppe) for keepsakes. In Atlantic City, holiday programming includes Tropicana’s daily light show at The Quarter and Deck the Hall: Festival of Trees at Boardwalk Hall.

Cape May: Victorian trolleys, candlelight tours, classic inns

Cape May MAC runs Holiday Lights Trolley Rides and the famed Christmas Candlelight House Tours (select Saturdays in December; 2025 shows listed for Dec 6, 13, 20). Expect decorated inns, live music, and optional dinner packages at local restaurants on some dates.

3. Christmas Events at the Jersey Shore (Calendar Overview)

Late Nov (post-Thanksgiving):

• Smithville Light Show on the Lake begins; many towns host their tree-lighting ceremonies.
• Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar opening weekend (Black Friday–Sunday).

Early–Mid Dec:

• Cape May: nightly trolley offerings, special museum exhibits, and Candlelight House Tours on select Saturdays; book early.
• Jenkinson’s Sea of Lights selects evenings for indoor fun, photos with Santa, and entertainment.

Mid–Late Dec:

• Final weekends of bazaars/markets and community concerts; Atlantic City Boardwalk holiday décor and indoor attractions for shoulder-season weekdays.

Ticketed vs. free; family vs. date night:

• Free/family: Pier Village tree lighting, Smithville lake lights.
• Ticketed/date night: Cape May trolleys/candlelight tours, some maker-market VIP nights, and select aquarium events.

4. Tree Lighting Ceremonies (By Town)

• Long Branch (Pier Village): Free; arrive 30-45 minutes early; parking fills near Ocean Ave. Post-lighting, browse Pier Village shops or grab cocoa on the boardwalk.
• Cape May: MAC also hosts a city tree-lighting as part of its season; pair with the Carroll Gallery’s “Old-Fashioned Christmas” exhibit of trains and trees.
• Historic Smithville: While not a “lighting ceremony” per se, the first night of the Light Show on the Lake functions like one, perfect for families with strollers.

Tip: confirm dates on each town’s official calendar, coastal weather can bump schedules.

5. Trolley Ride & Historic Home Experiences

• Cape May Holiday Lights Trolley Rides: narrated, 30-ish minutes through the historic district—guides share Victorian traditions and play Christmas music. Book sunset slots for glow-up photos, then dine nearby.
• Candlelight House Tours (select Saturdays): self-guided inside multiple decorated inns/homes; some dates add dinner packages (Washington Inn) before the tour.

Bonus: horse-drawn carriage holiday lights tours operate in December; blankets provided, very Hallmark-movie energy.

6. Light Shows & Nighttime Displays

• Historic Smithville Light Show on the Lake: 120+ floating trees set to music; best views from the bridge or along Lake Meone. Warm up at nearby cafés/shops.
• Tropicana Holiday Light Show (Atlantic City): daily show inside The Quarter (mid-Nov through December). Pair with Deck the Hall: Festival of Trees for indoor, weather-proof cheer.
• Sea of Lights (Point Pleasant): indoor lights + entertainment, great for rainy or frigid nights. Santa appearances on certain dates; “Diving Santa” often after Christmas.

7. Markets, Makers & Live Music

• Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar: curated makers, vintage, live music/DJs, photo booths, and kid-friendly craft moments inside the Grand Arcade; additional pop-ups sometimes run at The Asbury Hotel and Whitechapel Projects (Long Branch).
• What to expect: shore-inspired jewelry, candles, small-batch foods, and plenty of handmade ornaments (makers often showcase ornament drops on Bazaar channels).
• Atlantic City: look for casino-resort holiday pop-ups, tree displays, and seasonal shows; check the destination’s winter event page for current programming.

8. Jersey Shore Christmas Ornaments (Where to Find the Good Ones)

• Cape May’s Winterwood Gift & Christmas Shoppe (Washington Street Mall): two floors of ornaments and décor, look for Cape May Lighthouse and Exit 0 exclusives. Online store + brick-and-mortar.
• Historic Smithville’s Christmas Shoppe: year-round source for personalized ornaments, Department 56 villages, Byers’ Choice carolers, and more.
• LBI’s Yuletide: carries Old World Christmas and locally crafted pieces, great for Long Beach Island-themed keepsakes.
• Whale’s Tale (Cape May): coastal-themed options like Cape May Lighthouse and lifeguard-chair ornaments.
• At markets: Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar vendors often sell small-batch ornaments, ideal for one-of-a-kind gifts with a Shore vibe.

Safeguarding fragile buys: bring a small hard-sided case or reuse-able bubble sleeves; ask shops for tissue + a separate bag; keep in-car temps moderate.

9. Jersey Shore Christmas Specials: Hotels & Dining (How to Evaluate)

• Hotel packages: look for value adds like late checkout, cocoa bars, or bundled tickets (e.g., trolley rides in Cape May) instead of just a slight rate discount. Cape May MAC has offered dinner-plus-tour bundles with local restaurants on select dates, mirror that “experience” angle when comparing offers.
• Dining: holiday-week restaurant hours vary; regional roundups publish who’s open on Christmas Eve/Day, great for planning a prix-fixe or Feast of the Seven Fishes.
• How to compare: weigh parking fees, walkability to the event, and whether the property sits near boardwalk lights or markets you’ll actually visit.

10. Christmas Activities Jersey Shore: A Simple Checklist

• Attend a tree lighting ceremony (Pier Village or your chosen town).
• Book a trolley ride (Cape May) and time dinner before/after.
• Grab photos with Santa (Asbury Park events, Jenkinson’s Sea of Lights nights).
• Do a market + live music night (Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar).
• Take a boardwalk lights walk (Smithville lake show; Atlantic City light show at The Quarter).
• Make an ornament shopping stop (Winterwood, Christmas Shoppe, Yuletide, Whale’s Tale).
• End with a cozy brunch before departure (check local bistros near your event hub).

Highly Rated Experiences From Our Past Guests

FAQs

Conclusion

Boardwalk tree lightings, indie maker markets, lakeside light shows, and Victorian trolley rides make Christmas at the Jersey Shore a cozy, coast-wide celebration. Mix free displays with a few ticketed gems, and snag a locally made, shore-themed ornament on your way home.

Pick your vibe (outdoor lights + cocoa, indoor aquarium magic with Santa, or a Cape May trolley date night), then build dining and lodging around it for a seamless weekend.Need a comfortable space to stay? Book your suite at Latitude Suites.