These are the Best Christmas Events in Rockland County, NY for Families

Have a jolly holiday season with these Christmas events for families in Rockland County, NY, plus a few Christmas events in NJ.

By Shara Levine November 29, 2021

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and your family will be just that when you attend one of these Christmas events in Rockland County, NY and in NJ. From holiday lights and winter festivals, to Nutcracker performances, holiday markets, tree lightings, and seeing Santa, you’ll find all the fun your kids need for the holiday season in this roundup.

And don’t forget to visit a tree farm to find and cut down your perfect Christmas tree and hit the ice rink for an afternoon of skating!

Christmas Events in Rockland County, NY

FREE Holiday Lights

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 4, 4-6pm
WHERE: Veterans Park, corner of Main and Cedar streets, Nyack
WHAT: Come out to kick off a multicultural Holiday Light Display that will brighten Nyack throughout the season.
WANT TO GO? Rain Date: Sunday, Dec. 5.

Winter Wonderland Family Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 4, 10am-8pm
WHERE: St. Thomas Aquinas College, 125 Route 340, Sparkill
WHAT: The Winter Wonderland Family Festival is an all-day event with food, beverages, children's events, live music, and a TON of local vendors.
WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods.

FREE Christmas Parade

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 4, 6:30-8pm
WHERE: Village of Suffern, Lafayette Avenue, Suffern
WHAT: Join the Village of Suffern for the Annual Christmas Parade. Kick off is at 6:30pm. The parade goes up Lafayette Avenue to the Gazebo where special surprises are in store!
WANT TO GO? To participate or learn more about the parade, contact Recreation at [email protected]

Saint Nicholas Day

WHEN: Dec. 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, 3pm
WHERE: Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City
WHAT: Join in the traditional Dutch celebration, see shoes magically filled with goodies, hear wondrous and joyful stories, enjoy holiday refreshments, and meet Saint Nicholas and his beautiful horse. Each child receives a special treat in his or her shoe from Saint Nicholas, and everyone can visit with Saint Nicholas and his horse!
WANT TO GO? $5 in person; $10 take home set.

FREE Rotary Club of Pearl River's Share Christmas and the Holidays

WHEN: Friday, Dec. 10, 7pm
WHERE: Braunsdorf Park, intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue, Pearl River
WHAT: Christmas and the holidays begin with caroling, hot chocolate, and cookies while waiting for the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. When their sleigh pulls into town, they are joined by some of their favorite friends including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and more. Every child is welcome to visit and take pictures with Santa Claus, as well as visit with all of the other characters.
WANT TO GO? Families are invited to bring new, unwrapped gifts for all ages newborn to 18 and the Rotary Club will distribute to children in need through Rockland County’s Department of Social Services.

FREE Holiday Parade

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 11, 6pm
WHERE: Orangeburg Volunteer Fire Department, Lester Drive and Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg
WHAT: The parade will start on the corner of Lester Drive and Orangeburg Roads. The very best viewing area will be in front of the Orangeburg Fire House at 61 Dutch Hill Road in Orangeburg.
WANT TO GO? Email [email protected] with any questions.

Christmas in the Village

WHEN: Dec. 11-12, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-4pm
WHERE: Museum Village, 1010 Route 17M, Monroe
WHAT: Christmas in the Village will feature carolers, craft vendors, a hot cocoa bar, and a meet-and-greet with Mrs. Claus and Santa!
WANT TO GO? $15; $13 seniors; $10 children ages 4-12; free children younger than 4, active military, and veterans. Advanced registration required.

30th Annual Orangetown Recreation Santa Claus 5K Run

WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 12, 8:15am race day registration; 10am kids’ race; 10:30am 5K
WHERE: Veteran's Memorial Park, 81 Hunt Road, Orangeburg
WHAT: Children will enjoy their own Kids Fun Run, and the 5K will have professional chip timing. Prizes for top finishers in each age bracket. Every registrant will receive a wool winter hat!
WANT TO GO? $30; $25 in advance; free for the kids’ race.

Holiday Candlelight Tours

WHEN: Dec. 12-19, Sundays, 5pm and 6:30pm
WHERE: Historical Society of Rockland County, 20 Zukor Road, New City
WHAT: Spend an enchanting evening at the historic 1832 Jacob Blauvelt farmhouse, illuminated with candlelight and lanterns, fragrant with traditional sweets, and decorated with festive greenery. Experience Dutch American holiday traditions of the 1830s with 19th-century music and song and seasonal refreshments.
WANT TO GO? $10; $8 members; $5 children. Advanced registration required.

PiP Holiday Extravaganza

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 18, 9:30am-12pm
WHERE: Peace in Piermont, 458 Piermont Ave., Piermont
WHAT: The morning will begin with journaling, holiday-themed yoga, and a guided meditation. Learn how to channel excitement for the holidays into making gifts and cards for loved ones. All students will also leave with a special gift.
WANT TO GO? $60 per child. Advanced registration required.

Beary Merry Holiday

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 18, 10:30am
WHERE: Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park, 55 Hessian Drive, Highland Falls
WHAT: Visit the Bear Den at 10:30am to make tasty snacks for the black bears. Celebrate the holiday season at 11am when the bears come out to unwrap their gift boxes full of delicious treats! Bear Mountain also offers a day of fun at the ice rink, merry-go-round, and on the many hiking trails!
WANT TO GO? $1 suggested donation. Rain/snow date: Sunday, Dec. 19.

FREE Christmas Rocks with Ekkquinox

WHEN: Dec. 18-19, Saturday-Sunday, 12-5pm
WHERE: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack
WHAT: Join Ekkquinox for its annual Christmas Steel Pan Concert at Palisades Center!
WANT TO GO? 845-348-1000.

Peace, Love & Lights Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show

WHEN: Through Jan. 2, 2022: Tuesday-Thursday, 5-9pm; Friday-Sunday: 5-10pm
WHERE: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, 200 Hurd Road, Bethel
WHAT: Experience the Bethel Woods grounds from the comfort of your car: just turn off your headlights and follow the magical glow.
WANT TO GO? $23.75-$35 per car. Advanced registration required.

Christmas Events in NJ

Holiday Light Spectacular

WHEN: Through Dec. 6: Friday-Sunday, 5-9pm; Dec. 10-31: daily, 5-9pm (closed Dec. 24-25)
WHERE: Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ
WHAT: Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of more than 50 winter and animal characters. Plus, on the weekends you can meet and take pics with Santa!
WANT TO GO? Donations recommended. Celebrate the season of giving by bringing donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7:30pm
WHERE: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St., Newark, NJ
WHAT: A hallmark of the holidays for multiple generations, the annual live concert will get you into the spirit of the season. The 2021 show features favorite classic carols from the first Mannheim Steamroller Christmas album, along with magical multimedia effects to delight the whole family.
WANT TO GO? $39.50-$99.50. Advanced registration required.

A Jolly Holiday: Celebrating Disney's Broadway Hits

WHEN: Dec. 1-Jan. 2, 2022, see website for schedule
WHERE: Paper Mill Playhouse, 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ
WHAT: Celebrate the holidays with some of Broadway’s brightest stars performing hits from Disney’s biggest Broadway shows in this festive concert. Enjoy your favorite songs from The Lion King, Tarzan, Mary Poppins, Aladdin, Hercules, The Little Mermaid, Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, Aida, High School Musical, and Frozen. Like Mary Poppins herself, this show is guaranteed to make your heart feel light!
WANT TO GO? $36-$98. Advanced registration required.

Bergen County Winter Wonderland 2021

WHEN: Through Jan. 2, 2022: See website for schedule
WHERE: Van Saun County Park, 216 Forest Ave., Paramus, NJ
WHAT: Enjoy open air ice-skating, a kids zone ice rink, hospitality tent, children's games and activities, carousel rides, food trucks, an indoor/outdoor beer garden, and the Bergen County Express Train Ride! All activities (including skate rentals) are included with admission.
WANT TO GO? $15; $10 seniors 65 and older and active military or veteran; free for children ages 3 and younger.

Holiday in the Park

WHEN: Through Jan. 2, 2022: See website for schedule.
WHERE: Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ
WHAT: Holiday in the Park will shine brighter than ever with millions of glittering lights, festive foods, thrilling, new rides, and holiday entertainment. Kids will be able to ask Santa Claus for holiday wishes and pose beneath the three-story inflatable Stewie the Snowman.
WANT TO GO? $24.99 and up. Advanced registration required.

Magic of Lights

WHEN: Through Jan. 2, 2022: Sunday-Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 5-11pm
WHERE: PNC Bank Arts Center, Exit 116, Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, NJ
WHAT: Magic of Lights™ guests will slowly guide their vehicles through the winding 1.2-mile course to view sparkling LED displays depicting the favorite characters of the season, including animated snowmen, elves, poinsettias, candy canes, and more!
WANT TO GO? $30 per car any day in advance; $25 per car weekdays in advance; $60 limo in advance. Price increases after Nov. 30 to $40 weekdays and $45 weekends.

Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience

WHEN: Through Jan. 9, 2022: See website for schedule
WHERE: Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ
WHAT: Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience will offer guests—and family pets—a unique way to experience the beauty of one of the world’s largest theme parks from the warmth, privacy, and comfort of their own vehicles.
WANT TO GO? $14.99 and up. Advanced registration required.

Orchard of Lights

WHEN: Through Jan. 9, 2022: See website for schedule
WHERE: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale, NJ
WHAT: Take your vehicle on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays, warm up by the fire pit and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. Take pictures with Santa, make your own s’mores, and listen to Santa’s singing reindeer.
WANT TO GO? $35 per car. Advanced registration required.

Lightshow & Christmas Village

WHEN: Through Jan. 9, 2022: See website for schedule
WHERE: Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ
WHAT: This dazzling winter family destination showcases a mile-long drive-through course glittering with dazzling displays and an enchanting Christmas Village full of fun-filled activities, delicious treats, memory making photo ops, and much more.
WANT TO GO? $29 per car for light show; free admission to Christmas Village. Advanced registration required.

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