From light shows to historic house tours, here are some festive activities in South Jersey

If you are looking for holiday fun, either virtual or in person, socially distanced of course, check this listing, which will be updated frequently as events are announced. 

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Expect in-person events to incorporate COVID-19 safety precautions such as wearing masks, social distancing, hand sanitizing and temperature and health checks. Many events also require reservations and/or timed tickets because of limited capacity.

If you plan to attend an event, it’s best to call or check social media or online to confirm the event’s specific safety guidelines. 

Holiday happenings include:

LIGHT SHOWS & DRIVE-THRUS

Longwood Garden Christmas, features a spectacular outdoor display, including 500,000 lights, dancing fountains, firepits, a Garden Railway, outdoor café and beer garden, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily through Jan. 10, tickets $20 to $30 for adults, $6 to $16 for ages 5 to 18 and free for ages 4 and younger, timed tickets required, Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, Pa., (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org. 

DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Drive, a Christmas drive-thru experience including a holiday light display, in-car photo stop and chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a present and a cookie for children, a dancing snowman and holiday music, 5 to 10 p.m. daily through Dec. 23, tickets $29.95 plus fees for drive-thru; souvenir and snack sack available for $27.95 plus tax and fees, DiDonato Family Fun Center, 1151 S. White Horse Pike, Hammonton, (609) 561-3040, www.didonatofuncenter.com. 

More: South Jersey/Philly things to do, virtual and in person: Skating, art, music, family fun, holiday lights

More: Christmas lights 2020: Where to find South Jersey’s best displays

Night of Lights, normally offered as a hayride, converted to a drive-thru Christmas light show to comply with updated COVID-19 safety guidelines, begins at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 22 to 24 and Dec. 26, tickets $25 plus $4 service fee, includes admission for up to eight passengers per car, minivan or SUV timed tickets, advance purchase required, Creamy Acres, 448 Lincoln Mill Road, Mullica Hill, (856) 223-1669,  www.nightoflightshayride.com.

Festival of Lights, a drive-thru holiday light display, 4:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through Jan. 1, rain or shine, $10 per carload, proceeds benefit Cape May Regional Medical Center, Holly Shores Camping Resort,  491 Route 9 South, Cape May, (877) 494-6559, www.hollyshores.com.  

Holiday light show, an orchestrated show of lights and music which features Christmas Trees made from more than 50,000 Christmas lights magically floating on Lake Meone, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily, through Jan. 4, free, Historic Smithville, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway, (609) 748-8999, www.HistoricSmithville.com.

Holidig, a drive-thru light show with construction machinery and other holiday displays, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, through Jan. 3, plus Dec. 28 and 29, tickets $29.95 per vehicle, reservations required unless a specific day ticket purchased online, Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, www.diggerlandusa.com/holiday-light-show. 

Lawlor Lights, drive-thru, family light display with more than 95,000 lights and synchronized music on 88.1 FM, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, through Dec. 31, shows last for about 40 minutes, free admission, but donations accepted for Toys for Tots and the local food bank, 182 Porchtown Road, Pittsgrove, Facebook: Lawlorlights. 

South Jersey Holiday Light Show, a drive-through holiday light spectacular presented by BOLD Media, 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through Dec. 30, plus Dec. 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30, Bridgeport Speedway, 83 Flood Gate Road, Swedesboro, tickets $23-$25, (856) 213-2838, SouthJerseyLightShow.com. 

Winter Wonderland, a walk-through holiday display, through December, Pocket Park, East Commerce and Laurel streets, Bridgeton, Facebook: downtownbridgeton.

Winter on Broad Street, a holiday light display, plus food and Mistletoe Marketplace, through Jan. 3, tickets $20 to $32.50 for ages 13 and older and $15 to $27.50 for ages 6 to 12, capacity limited, advance ticket purchase recommended, adjacent to the Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, WinterOnBroadStreet.com. 

TOURS 

Cape May’s Christmas Candlelight House Tour: A Virtual Experience,” features visits to some of Cape May’s Victorian homes decorated for the holidays, available for streaming on Vimeo, cost $30, (609) 884-5404, capemaymac.org. 

33rd annual Yuletide Tour of Homes, presented by Salem City Yuletide Tour Committee of Stand up for Salem, features a virtual tour of more than 16 historic homes, businesses and organizations in Salem, free, view at https://bit.ly/3nAECBf; donations to support the committee’s projects at Johan Printz Park Log Cabin may be made at bit.ly/34hLLP8.

30th annual Historic Dennisville Christmas House Tour, features photo montages and short videos featuring Dennisville’s historic homes, available to view through Dec. 31, dhhoa.org. 

Lamplighter Walking Tour, take a historical walking tour, enjoy the holiday lights and decorations, and help solve a mystery along the way, various dates, tickets $35 for ages 13 and older and $28 for ages 3 to 12, reservations recommended, tour begins at the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., Cape May, (609) 884-5404, capemaymac.org. 

Holiday Lights Trolley Rides, features a ride through the streets of Cape May to enjoy a view of beautiful Victorian homes decorated for Christmas while listening to holiday music and learning about the history of many Christmas traditions, various dates, tickets $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 3 to 12, reservations recommended, tour begins at the trolley stop across from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, on Ocean Street in Cape May, (609) 884-5404, capemaymac.org. 

SHOPPING AND MORE

Artful Giving Holiday Shop, holiday shop featuring art and handcrafted gift items, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays and 6 to 8 p.m. Third Friday, Riverfront Renaissance Center for the Arts, 22 N. High St., Millville, (856) 327-4500, www.rrcarts.com. 

Christmas Village in Philadelphia, an authentic, socially distanced German Christmas market, more than 60 vendors, open for the holiday season, through Dec. 24, hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, except 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Christmas Day, LOVE Park and City Hall, 1500 Arch St., Philadelphia, www.philachristmas.com. 

SHOWS/CONCERTS

“A Philly POPS Christmas: Spectacular Sounds of the Season,” join the Philly Pops for an all-new virtual performance to celebrate the holidays, also features Hamilton star Mandy Gonzalez, pianist Charlie Albright, Philly POPS Festival Chorus, African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Gospel Choir and the Philadelphia Boys Choir, https://bit.ly/34xqbX5.  

“Favorites from The Nutcracker,” features the Philadelphia Orchestra performing selections from Tchaikovsky’s timeless ballet plus other holiday favorites, available to view through 11 p.m. Dec. 31, tickets $15, (215) 893-1999, www.philorch.org.  

George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Pennsylvania Ballet, performance available online, through Dec. 25, also tea parties with Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier, Candy Cane, Dewdrop or Mother Ginger via Zoom, ballet tickets $25 or $50, tea party tickets $15 to $50, (215) 893-1999, paballet.org/nutcracker. 

Bay Atlantic Symphony’s annual Holiday Concert, features a virtual musical celebration of Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hannukah with Music Director Jed Gaylin, Voces del Corazón, a children’s choir based in Bridgeton, guest soprano Melissa Jean Chávez, and other members of the symphony, available to view through Dec. 31, bayatlanticsymphony.org. 

Motor City Live: A Motown Christmas at Sound Waves, features holiday favorites inspired by iconic musicians such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Jackson 5, select dates through Dec. 30, tickets $29, sold as individual tables of two and four seats to ensure social distancing, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, (800) 745-3000, www.HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com, www.Ticketmaster.com.

“Kris Kringle The Musical,” a series of free, magical online videos are being released daily and will culminate on Dec. 25 in a full-length, online production which was, in its entirety, cast, rehearsed and recorded remotely, www.kriskringlethemusical.com.  

“A Christmas Carol,” presented by Lantern Theater Company of Philadelphia, in partnership with Mirror Theatre Company, features Anthony Lawton solo performance of his original adaptation of the show, available for streaming through Dec. 27, tickets $20 per household, (215) 829-0395, www.lanterntheater.org. 

Love in the Park, a five-episode series of performances featuring the Opera Philadelphia Chorus filmed on Sept. 30 in Dilworth Park, includes beloved opera arias and choruses plus popular musical theater selections, available for unlimited on-demand viewing on the Opera Philadelphia Channel with a $99 season pass or available to rent for a seven-day period for $15, operaphila.tv.

Holidays in Song Concert Series, presented by the Off Broad Street Players, 7 p.m. Dec. 23, livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube, Facebook: OBSPTheatre.

SANTA/FAMILY FUN/SKATING

New Year’s Eve at Vintner Wonderland, features themed character countdown skating parties with Little Mermaid and Moana, Snow White and Cinderella, Superman and Wonder Woman, The Frozen Sisters, Captain America and Spider Man, and Batman, various times Dec. 31, includes admission, skate rental, live DJ with New Year’s Eve countdown on big screen television, party favors, a sparkling cider mocktail toast and more; plus Midnight Skate plus Silent Headphone party, 11 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31-Jan. 1, features silent disco party with three DJs playing three different formats, silent New Year’s countdown, party favors, a sparkling cider mocktail toast at midnight and more, tickets $40 to $50, reservations required, Renault Winery, 72 N. Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City, (609) 739-7670 or visit www.renaultwinery.com. 

New Year’s Eve at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, features ice skating sessions and/or rent cabins and firepits, rentals are for up to four members of the same household, includes favors, music and a celebratory countdown every hour, skating, $25, cabin/firepits, $50 to $125, Riverrink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, (215) 922-2FUN, www.delawareriverwaterfront.com. 

‘Being ___ at Christmas’, fill in the blank and join the National Museum of American Jewish History for a virtual edition of its annual day of family fun, features live and virtual activities, 10 a.m. Dec. 25, free, but donations accepted, view at www.nmajh.org/december25.

Family Art Workshops, join Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center for family fun while creating and learning from home with a series of video tutorials, new videos added on the first and third Tuesday of each month, www.wheatonarts.org.

Winter Wonderland, through Jan. 3, enjoy a Winter Loving Animals Scavenger Hunt, holiday decorations, photo opportunities scattered throughout the zoo, holiday shopping, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily except closing at 2:30 p.m. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and closed Christmas Day, free admission and parking, Cape May County Zoo, 707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House, (609) 465-5271, www.capemaycountynj.gov/1008/Park-Zoo.

Pizza with Santa, features roller skating, games, pizza and socially distant pictures with Santa, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 23, admission $8 for skaters and spectators, $4 for skate rentals. Sk8 47 Skating & Fun Center, 2608 Delsea Drive, Franklinville, (856) 694-0600, Sk847.com. 

Holiday fun, features activities for children, including a hayride to visit Rudolph, photos with the Grinch and Rudolph, photos with Santa, visit the holiday shop and farm market, Dec. 23, timed tickets required for the hayride; photos with Santa may be purchased separately, Zimmerman’s Country Market, 425 Salina Road, Sewell, (856) 468-1611, www.zcm1911.com.

Holiday Virtual Story Time: Part Two!,” hosted by the Cumberland County Library in Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dec. 23, Zoom link: http://bit.ly/3mFV29R, Meeting ID: 923 281 9355, (856) 453-2210, cclnj.org.

Vintner Wonderland, skate at the new Renault Rink, enjoy live entertainment, shop for gifts created by regional and local craft vendors and artists, enjoy wine and food, through Feb. 28, skating tickets $7 to $10, skate rental $12, advance ticket purchase recommended for skating as capacity is limited, Renault Winery, 72 N. Bremen Ave., Egg Harbor City, (609) 739-7670, www.renaultwinery.com/vinter-wonderland. 

Wintertime attractions at Dilworth Park, ice skating, shopping at Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and Deck the Hall Holiday Lights, festive food and drinks; shopping and holiday lights through Jan. 1, skating and other activities, through Feb. 28, Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, centercityphila.org/parks/dilworth-park/winter, www.facebook.com/dilworthpark. 

Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Underwater, features Scuba Santa, the “World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree” and more, through Dec. 24, tickets $31.99 for ages 13 and older and $21.99 for ages 2 to 12/reservations required, Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, (844) 474-3474, www.adventureaquarium.com.  

Blue Cross Riverrink Winterfest, features ice skating, food and drink concessions, cabin rentals and more, through March 7, admission $5, skate rental $10, Riverrink, 101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, (215) 925-7465, www.delawareriverwaterfront.com.

Holiday fun at the farm, features Fire and Lights in the Discovery Barnyard, Light Show on the Lake, fire pits for roasting marshmallows, Christmas Café, gingerbread man and cookie decorating, Santa parades and more through Dec. 23, timed tickets/reservations required for some activities, Johnson’s Corner Farm, 133 Church Road, Medford (609) 654-8643, www.johnsonsfarm.com.  

Cape May Olde Fashioned Christmas Holiday Hunt, “hunt” for 12 holiday symbols using clues available at capemaystrong.org/holidayhunt; prizes available for photos posted on Facebook or Instagram using #CapeMay12Days or emailed to [email protected], entry deadline Jan. 2.

Breakfast with Santa, features holiday menu, appearances by Santa, an opportunity to write a letter to Santa and place it in a special mailbox, contactless photos with Santa, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 27, prix fixe menu, $28 for adults and $19 for children, Congress Hall, 200 Congress Place, Cape May, (609) 884-8421 or visit www.caperesorts.com/capemay/winter-wonderland. 

18th annual Antique Toy Train Show, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, through Jan. 31, admission $3 to $4, Museum of American History at Deptford, 138 Andaloro Way, Deptford, (856) 812-1121, www.southjerseymuseum.org.    

Christmas Fantasy with Lights, 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20; and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 22 and 23 and Dec. 26 to 30, tickets $26.95 in advance or $29.95 at the gate, reservations required, Storybook Land, 6415 E. Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, storybookland.com. 

Holiday in the Park, features light displays, costumed characters, seasonal food and beverages, plus select rides will operate, weather permitting, weekends and select days, through Jan. 3, tickets start at $29.99, reservations required, Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, sixflags.com/greatadventure.

Santa Express and Santa Starlight Express train rides, Santa Express operates Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 20, and Santa Starlight Express operates Dec. 22 and 23, tickets start at $25 for adults and $20 for children age 2 and older, the-santa-express.com, Cape May Seashore Lines, departures from Richland Village at 1272 Harding Highway in Richland or Tuckahoe Village at Cape May 659 and Reading Avenue in Upper Township. 

“Saving Santa’s Toy Shop,” presented by Holiday Escape Rooms, a family-friendly, Christmas-themed escape room, through Jan. 31, Cumberland Mall, 3849 S. Delsea Drive, Vineland, tickets $20 for ages 13 and older and $17 for ages 5 to 12, www.holidayescaperooms.com,  www.facebook.com/holidayescaperooms. 

Visits with Santa, in person and virtual visits available, pets welcome too, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 22 to 24, reservations required, Cherry Hill Mall, 2000 Route 38, Cherry Hill, www.cherryhillmall.com.

Visits with Santa, in person, via Zoom, also pet photos with Santa, and photos with Elsa and Anna from Arendelle available, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 22 to 24, reservations required, Center Court, Cumberland Mall, 3849 S. Delsea Drive, Vineland, www.cumberlandmallnj.com.

Visits with Santa, through Dec. 24, reservations encouraged, Deptford Mall, 1750 Deptford Center Road, Deptford, www.DeptfordMall.com/SantaPhotos. 

Visits with Santa, through Dec. 24, reservations suggested, Hamilton Mall, 4403 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, (609) 646-8326 or visit shophamilton.com. 

CANCELED

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This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: From light shows to historic house tours, here are some festive activities in South Jersey