Many people find themselves watching cheesy Hallmark movies or reading holiday-themed rom-com books to transport themselves into a magical holiday world. But what if we could step into these places in real life, rather than just imagining them?
Some of North Jersey's already scenic downtowns morph into the most charming holiday villages each year, completed with giant twinkling trees, quaint streets lined with dashing bows and wreaths and a packed schedule of unforgettable seasonal experiences.
If you're looking to walk amongst the most dazzling and enchanted holiday displays, here are four North Jersey downtowns to visit this holiday season:
Morristown
Downtown Morristown is transformed into a dazzling winter wonderland every holiday season, completed with oversized toy soldier statues, festive bows, lively green wreaths and twinkling lights.
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And to go along with it, Morristown Partnership presents its annual Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green, which has been a holiday tradition for more than 100 years. Kicking off with Santa's arrival and the traditional lighting of the Morristown Green, the festival will feature photos with Santa, ice sculpture demonstrations, a vintage-style rocking horse, holiday crafts, miniature train rides and more throughout December.
Details: The lights and tree at the Morristown Green can be visited at any time throughout December. The Festival — including family activities, entertainment and visits with Santa — is open 3 to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until Dec. 22. More information is available at morristown-nj.org/christmasfestival2024.
Denville
Denville is known for turning its downtown area into a magical winter wonderland every holiday season, with lively wreaths lining the streetlights, trees adorned in twinkling lights, the decorated downtown Denville clock and the vibrant holiday displays that adorn local business storefronts.
Downtown Denville will also host its annual Holiday Open House on Ice event on Friday, Nov. 29 to kick off the season. For one night only, Broadway will be home to an ice skating rink, an outside holiday bar, a make-your-own stockings station, a holiday photo booth, winter carolers, s'mores stations and more. Many restaurants and small businesses along Broadway will also have special offers as part of the event.
Visitors can also take a trip to the Denville Rotary's annual Santa Land, located on Clark Street between Church and Orchard streets. A tradition for more than 60 years, Santa Land is a family-friendly holiday village that features scenes like Santa's workshop, the Bears house, the Gingerbread house and the Nativity scene, as well as activities like train rides.
Details: The decorations in downtown Denville can be visited at any time throughout December. The Holiday Open House on Ice event will be open from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29. Santa Land will open on Sunday, Nov. 28 and fun on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. and weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. For more holiday information, visit downtowndenville.com/downtown-denville-your-holiday-destination.
Maplewood
Many people believe that the holiday season isn't complete without watching one of the many adaptations of Charles Dickens' classic novella, "A Christmas Carol." But what if you could actually immerse yourself into Dickens' world this winter, rather than just watching it on a screen?
For more than 60 years, Ricalton Square in Maplewood has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind Dickens Village for the holiday season. Organizers bring to life Dickens' world through miniature houses arranged to replicate scenes from "A Christmas Carol," giving visitors the change to explore fireplaces, stockings and antique toys inside each house.
Officially open on Saturday, Dec. 7 and running for three Saturdays in December, each day at the village features different activities like visits with Santa, a petting farm, holiday readings, the annual tree lighting, a menorah lighting and horse and wagon rides.
Details: The Dickens Village will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on the first three Saturdays in December. A list of activities offered on each Saturday, as well as a list of other holiday season events, can be found at maplewoodvillagenj.com/dickens-village.
Ridgewood
When walking through downtown Ridgewood during the holiday season, you'll be greeted with decorative green garland, magical holiday wreaths, festive storefront displays and a more than 50-foot Christmas tree adorned with bright twinkling lights.
The festivities will kick off this year with the Ridgewood Guild's 15th Annual Winterfest on Saturday, Nov. 30. Held in Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, visitors can enjoy holiday music, observe unique ice sculptures, listen to storytelling by one of the Guild's elves, take photos with Santa and enjoy seasonal treats like hot chocolate, cookies and candy canes.
Another one of Ridgewood's long-standing holiday traditions is the Downtown for the Holidays event, which will be held on Friday, Dec. 6 this year. There will be an abundance of activities across downtown Ridgewood as part of the event, including the village's annual tree lighting ceremony, visits with Santa, trackless train rides and holiday music from live performers. Visitors can also browse all of the unique window decorations, created as part of Ridgewood's holiday window decorating contest.
Details: Winterfest will be open from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30 and Downtown for the Holidays will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6.
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at [email protected].