Best Stores In Nj For Christmas Decorating

holiday shopping nj

Lambert Castle is packed with gifts to fulfill all your holiday shopping needs. Courtesy of Lambert Castle

Holiday shopping is easy at these seasonal markets. Fill your sack with unique presents for everyone on your list.

Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique

Nov 1–Dec 1: The historic halls of Paterson's Lambert Castle will be decked out in Christmas decor for the 32nd annual Passaic County Historical Society's Holiday Boutique. Open for the entire month of November, the showcase offers shoppers an assortment of jewelry, seasonal decorations, crafts, collectibles and food.
Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Thanksgiving Day; general admission, $6 (includes two return visits); children under 12 are free; no strollers permitted.

Christmas Light Show & Village

Nov 14–Dec 30: With more than 2 million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-through course and a new outdoor village, there's plenty to explore at Skylands Stadium. Visit Santa's Workshop, zip around the skating rink, snap pictures with an 8-foot polar bear statue, browse items made by local artisans and stop by the Yuengling Ice Cream Shop and Hot Chocolate Bar.
Times vary; light show, $20 per carload; village, free; some events cost extra. Augusta.

Crafts in Ridgewood

Nov 23: At this fundraiser benefiting the Youth Development Program C.A.M.P. in Paterson, shop handmade crafts like jewelry, pottery, cards and children's items.
10 am–5 pm. Unitarian Society of Ridgewood.

holiday shopping nj

Photos by Ken Schlager

December in Smithville

Nov 28–Jan 6: Year round, shopping is the name of the game in Smithville. During the holidays, peruse the community's 60 shops and boutiques for unique gifts. At night, floating Christmas trees on Lake Meone come alive during a synchronized light and music show. On Fridays–Sundays in December, stop by S'mores on the Greene. On select days, visit the Magic Talking Christmas Tree and hear stories from Mrs. Claus.
Store hours: Monday–Wednesday, 10 am–6 pm; Thursday–Saturday, 10 am–8 pm; Sunday, 11 am–6 pm.

Winter Village

Nov 29–Dec 1: This German-style outdoor winter craft market in a heated tent features more than 40 local craft artisans, vintage wares dealers and food trucks each day. Guests are invited to tour 12 historic buildings while enjoying performances by "Dickens Days" theatrical carolers. Stop by the Festival of Trees comprised of decorated trees and wreaths, on display from November 23–December 8.
9 am–4 pm; $10. Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton.

17th Annual Colonial Christmas

Nov 29; Dec 6–8: Period decorations adorn the walls and reenactors spread cheer at the Jacobus Vanderveer House & Museum, a preserved 1772 homestead. Attractions include artillery demonstrations, holiday shopping, and lectures on the history of plum pudding and mincemeat pies.
Times and prices vary. Bedminster.

Cape May Holiday Crafts & Collectibles Show

Nov 29–30: Each year, Cape May holds more than a dozen Crafts and Collectibles Shows. Starting the day after Thanksgiving, Cape May Convention Hall will be awash in unique wares from local crafters and artists for the annual holiday bazaar.
10 am–4 pm.

holiday shopping nj

Courtesy of WheatonArts

WheatonArts Holiday Studio Sale

Nov 29–Dec 8: Head to the event center and take your pick of WheatonArts studio glass prototypes, seconds and overstocks, as well as a wide selection of pottery. Some pieces are discounted 30–70 percent. On November 29, visit the glass studio for the Big Glass Blast. A glassblowing team will create a large-scale cornucopia throughout the day, from 11 am–4 pm. Guests can watch the process and see creations from past years, including a giant glass ornament, glass fruitcake and the world's largest glass turkey drumstick.
10 am–5 pm; Millville.

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar 2019

Nov 30–Dec 1; 7–8, 14–15, 21–22: The Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar will feature a curated roster of local vendors selling art, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs and more. The event will feature live music and special performances, photos with Santa, a holiday photo booth, a 30-foot Christmas tree, a fireplace lounge, kids' art classes and holiday craft workshops. Don't miss the hot drink bar serving traditional glühwein (hot mulled wine), hot chocolate and hot cider.
Nov. 30, 11 am–10 pm (tree lighting at 7 pm); Dec 1, 7–8, 14–15, 21–22; 11 am–6 pm.

Tuckerton Seaport's Christkindlmarkt

Dec 6–8: Tuckerton Seaport hauls out the holly for its annual Christkindlmarkt, afamily-friendly holiday fair under a huge heated tent and throughout the Seaport buildings. Get in the holiday spirit with a horse-drawn wagon ride, stop by the food-truck food courts, enjoy live entertainment and watch craft demonstrators. Bring a new unwrapped toy and ride the Trackless Train for free. (The train will be operating noon–3 pm on Saturday and Sunday.)
Friday, 4–8 pm; Saturday, 10 am–5 pm; Sunday, 10 am–4 pm; $5.

Lake Mohawk German Christmas Market

Dec 7–8: Since its inception, this market has raised $271,000 for local charities. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of this Weihnachtsmarkt, featuring authentic German huts, more than 100 vendors, entertainment, food and visits from Santa.
Saturday, 10 am–9 pm; Sunday, 10 am–5 pm. Lake Mohawk Country Club boardwalk, Sparta.

Peters Valley Gallery Open House

Dec 7–8: There will be artist demonstrations, hot apple cider and a wide selection of gifts for sale.
10 am–6 pm. Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton.

Holiday Shopping & Craft Bazaar

Dec 8: You'll find everything from food items to jewelry and books at this emporium.
10 am–3 pm. iPlay America, Freehold.

Courtesy of ArtRider

Holiday CraftMorristown

Dec 13–15: This three-day, curated shopping event offers browsers the opportunity to meet and purchase the works of more than 165 makers, artists and craftspeople. Plus, there will be basket-weaving and copper-smithing demonstrations, as well as a gourmet specialty-food boutique.
Friday, 4–8 pm; Saturday, 10 am–6 pm; Sunday, 10 am–5 pm; $9–$10. Morristown Armory.

Kwanzaa Festival & Marketplace

Dec 20–21: On both days, shop at the marketplace for handcrafted jewelry, bath and body products, candles, books, art and more. From 10 am–1 pm on Saturday, enjoy West African dance and drums, a Kwanzaa ceremony, storytelling and crafts.
NJPAC, Newark.

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