Casey Fullum 
Story Time with Santa at Abma’s Farm
While Abma’s Farm is most known for its petting zoo, pumpkin patch, and incredible apple cider donuts, it also hosts tons of various holiday events throughout the year. One of our favorite traditions is the Santa Story Time. Held in a (mostly) heated tent behind the petting zoo, Santa and Mrs. Claus will read Christmas stories and sing holiday songs. There is also time at the end of the activities for a photo op. While it’s fun for all ages, story time is geared for children over 2.
There are various times available on December 9, 10, 13, and 20 and tickets must be purchased in advance. During the Saturday events, there is an optional s’mores add-on kit.
Self-Guided Lights/Holiday Decor Tour
The holidays can be super expensive but one of our favorite traditions is completely free – driving around town and looking for the best lights! [Editor’s note: Does anyone else remember the Elvis House in Mahwah?] While there may not be an Elvis singing on these rooftops, there are plenty of houses that go all out. Here are the addresses of some of our past years’ favorites:
- 10 Highland Avenue, Hillsdale
- 50 Academy Road, HoHoKus
- Forest Avenue, Lyndhurst
- 241 Oradell Avenue, Paramus
- Egan Terrance, River Vale
- Hermann Avenue, River Vale
- 545 Thurnau Drive, River Vale (set up by the family’s school-aged child!)
- Queen Anne Road, Teaneck
- 23 Frederick Street, Waldwick
- 65 Lilyan Street, Waldwick
Don’t miss: Mountain Avenue + Fern Street in the Township of Washington, and Lake Avenue in Westwood — all with matching coordinated lawn blow-ups.
Light Shows
While we love to drive through our own neighborhoods and check out our local lights, it’s also fun to take in an official light show tour. Two great options in Bergen County are Let it Glow at Bergen County Zoo and Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms.
Let It Glow is open Thursday–Sunday from November 6th–January 11th. It is a walking tour with 40+ animal themed lanterns, and your ticket also includes a train ride through the zoo.
Orchard of Lights runs from November 22nd–December 30th and has 32 acres of holiday light displays. After driving through the 30-minute light tour, you can stop by the market for photos with Santa, hot cocoa, and make your own s’mores.
Westwood Home for the Holidays | December 6th, 2025
While most towns have their own tree lighting celebrations, not many go as big as Westwood’s Home for the Holidays. What started in the 1960s by the volunteer fire department has turned into the town’s biggest yearly celebration.
This is an all-day event starting with shopping specials at many local businesses all day long, crafts and kids’ events in the afternoon, and the main event parade kicking off at 6PM. This year’s theme for the floats is “Everyone’s Favorite Holiday Movies” and for the first time, it will be live-streamed by the Westwood High School Film and Television program.
Following the parade, there will be a tree lighting, Santa visits, as well as holiday carollers. The parade runs down Westwood Ave ending at Veterans’ Memorial Park — our favorite spot to watch is in front of the library to catch the tail end.
Read More: There’s a New Independent Bookstore in Paramus: Meet Motif
Ridgewood Tree Lighting | December 5th, 2025
Celebrating its 40th year, the Ridgewood Downtown for the Holidays and Tree Lighting event is an annual must for Team BG. The town goes all out with live music, dancing, s’mores, fire pits, and tons of activities for kids like train rides and a touch-a-truck.
Pro tip: Make a reservation if you’re planning to dine out — restaurants book quickly!
Visit Santa at the Mall
A holiday season isn’t complete without a visit to Santa at the mall. All of the local malls, including Garden State Plaza, Paramus Park, Bergen Town Center, and The Shops at Riverside have a resident Santa during the holiday season.
We’re partial to The Shops at Riverside, where it’s often less crowded and even has a VIP experience. Reservations are encouraged for all locations.
Model Railway Show | 575 High Mountain Road, North Haledon
The Garden State Model Railway Club holds a few open house events throughout the year, and our favorite is the Winter Show featuring the Santa Claus Express. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids under 10.
It is open from 12PM–5PM on November 28–30, December 6–7 + 13–14, and January 3–4.
Attend a Holiday Event at Bergen PAC
The Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood is one of the largest performing venues and performing arts schools in North Jersey. There are tons of different events throughout the year, but one of our favorite times to take in a show is around the holidays.
Some upcoming events include:
- A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage — November 29th
- ’90s Hits & Xmas Riffs: Mark McGrath, Kevin Griffin & Emerson Hart — December 3rd
- Old Crow Medicine Show’s Holiday Hootenanny featuring Bronwyn Keith-Hynes — December 20th
- Holiday classics like The Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol
Dine at a Decked-Out Restaurant
We love it when a restaurant goes all out for the holidays, and there are some great options in Bergen County.
Allendale Bar and Grill (AB&G) is one of our favorites for wings, and the holiday décor is hard to top.
Charlie’s Place in Waldwick is new to the scene but fully embraces the holiday spirit with garlands, lights, and ornaments covering the ceiling and walls.
Di Palma Brothers in North Bergen is one of our go-tos for classic Italian and even has an antique shop inside. The chandeliers and over-the-top décor make it a favorite stop during the season.
Varrelmann’s Bake Shop in Rutherford is an old-fashioned German bakery known for Christmas Stollen and adorable holiday window displays.
Attend a Menorah Lighting
There are various Hanukkah celebrations throughout Bergen County, but one of our favorite traditions is attending a menorah lighting.
- Bergenfield — 4th annual celebration on December 16th at 5:30PM at Borough Hall
- Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland — Menorah Lighting on December 20th at 7PM
- Bergen Town Center — Menorah Lighting on December 16th at 6:30PM near the children’s play area, with a choir show
Buy Your Tree Locally
There are tons of options for buying your tree across Bergen County, but our favorite is Stone Mill Gardens in the Township of Washington. The family-owned garden center has been around since the 70’s and offers trees, wreaths, roping, and other décor.
Last year, the Conrad’s Truck stopped by selling decadent hot chocolate on site as well.
Shop Small
Of course, we love to support our local businesses all year long, but the holidays make it extra easy to do so.
Impulse gifts: Lily & Kate Gifts (Ramsey), Market House (Westwood), The Good Life (Westwood)
Clothing: Hunt & Orchard (Ridgewood + Westwood), Lulu + Bo (Midland Park), Dylann and Grace Boutique (Glen Rock)
Kids: Tons of Toys (Wyckoff + Westwood), The Curious Reader (Glen Rock), Eat Your Spinach (Ridgewood)
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