10 Events In New Jersey To Keep Kids Busy During School Break

With the kids home for holiday break, parents in New Jersey may find themselves looking for events to keep the kids busy during the days ahead to keep boredom at bay.

We’ve rounded up 10 events in New Jersey that kids can enjoy on their own or with the entire family (tickets or registration may be required for some events):

Newark Winter Village Experience

• Date: Dec. 26
• Location: Mulberry Commons (Mulberry Street, Newark)
• Details: Check out Caribbean-themed igloos, music, vendors and more at this free, family-friendly event celebrating unity on the first night of Kwanzaa and Boxing Day.

The Nutcracker

• Dates: Various dates through Dec. 27
• Location: Mayo Performing Arts Center (100 South Street, Morristown)
• Details: See the New Jersey Ballet perform “The Nutcracker” with the New Jersey Symphony at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Ages 4+.

Holiday Trolley

• Date: Dec. 27
• Location: Bridge Avenue, Mechanic Street & Broad Street (Red Bank)
• Details: Take a ride through Downtown Red Bank on their holiday trolley and enjoy festive tunes, colorful lights and the sights of downtown during the holiday season.

Seas & Greetings

• Dates: Dec. 27 & 28
• Location: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk (300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach)
• Details: Enjoy holiday activities with a seaside twist at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, ranging from visits with holiday princesses to seeing a diving Santa at Jenkinson’s Aquarium.

New Year’s Party

• Date: Dec. 31
• Location: Play! Hoboken (1012 Grand Street, FL3, Hoboken)
• Details: Celebrate the end of 2025 with four different parties (arranged by age group) at Play! Hoboken, featuring food, games, arcade play and more.

Wicked Noon Years Eve

• Date: Dec. 31
• Location: Monmouth Museum (765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft)
• Details: Meet Glinda and Elphaba, take part in guided crafts and activities, and enjoy a confetti countdown when the clock strikes 12 noon on New Year’s Eve.

Holiday Adventure

• Dates: Through Jan. 4
• Location: Liberty Science Center (222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City)
• Details: Celebrate the holiday season at Liberty Science Center’s Holiday Adventure, featuring a sock skating rink, planetarium, a holiday dance party and more.

Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland

• Dates: Tickets available through Jan. 4
• Location: Van Saun County Park (216 Forest Avenue, Paramus)
• Details: Enjoy ice skating, a winter market, and more at Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR.

• Dates: Jan. 6 & 7
• Location: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre (99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank)
• Details: Enjoy the Count Basie Center Turner Academy of the Arts’ production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical JR.”

Disney on Ice

• Dates: Jan. 8-11
• Location: Prudential Center (25 Lafayette Street, Newark)
• Details: See your favorite Disney characters come to life on ice when "Disney on Ice" comes to the Prudential Center in January.

If you’re planning a holiday or winter event, feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!