Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve

Looking for fun ways to spend the days between Christmas and New Year’s in Elizabeth, NJ?

Enjoy outdoor adventures and historic tours, exciting nightlife, or a quick day trip. Make the most of the holiday week with activities that keep you entertained, active, well-fed, and exploring!

Events

Outdoor Recreation

History & Culture

Shopping

Nightlife

New Year's Eve Dining

Day Trips

Ladies of Liberty Hall Tour

Location: Liberty Hall Museum | 1003 Morris Avenue
Date: Sunday, December 28, 2025
Time: 1-2pm
Admission: Adults - $15.85 | Seniors, Students, and Children 3-17 - $11.75 | Liberty Hall Museum Members - FREE

From Susan Livingston, whose quick thinking protected Liberty Hall during the Revolutionary War, to Abbe, an enslaved woman who attempted to secure her own freedom, to Mary Alice Barney Kean, a driving force in preserving the estate, the women of Liberty Hall shaped both the home and the community around it. This special tour shares their stories and spotlights the resilience, labor, and leadership that defined their lives.

Purchase Tickets

Christmas decorations at the Liberty Hall Museum.

Winter Wonderland Toddler Time

Location: Liberty Hall Museum | 1003 Morris Avenue
Date: Monday, December 29, 2025
Time: 10:30-11:30am
Admission: 2 Year Olds - $3.55 | 3 Year Olds - $4.58 | 4 Year Olds - $5.60 | Older Siblings and Adults - $6.63

Shake off the winter blues with a morning full of snowy fun! Little ones can play with snowflakes, build snowmen, toss snowballs, and make snow angels. Warm up afterward with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy a “snow-tastic” start to the day. This program is recommended for ages 2–4, and reservations are required.

Reserve Your Spot

Exterior of historic Liberty Hall in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Get Outside

Enjoy crisp winter air at one of Elizabeth’s parks or waterfront spots. Take a stroll or wheel along trails at Warinanco Park or enjoy the seasonal scenery. Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park offers beautiful skyline views and is the perfect spot for a winter walk or family outing.

Lace Up Your Skates

Between Christmas and New Year’s, the Warinanco Sports Center is a go-to spot for skating sessions, lessons, and holiday-week activities. The indoor rink offers plenty of space to practice turns, try something new, or simply enjoy time on the ice with family and friends. It’s an easy way to stay active and add a little winter fun to the days between the holidays.

Explore Museums and Historical Sights

Step back in time at the Liberty Hall Museum, where historic artifacts and guided tours bring the stories of colonial and Revolutionary War-era life to life. Explore Boxwood Hall, home to prominent local figures, or take the self-guided Historic Heartline Walking Tour to admire Elizabeth’s historic architecture and uncover fascinating stories around every corner.

A historical dining room set up at Boxwood Hall

Go Shopping

If you’re looking to use up holiday gift cards this week, Elizabeth makes it easy. Spend an afternoon at The Mills at Jersey Gardens, explore local shops and thrift stores, or wander IKEA after a plate of Swedish meatballs. You can also turn your mall visit into a family night with bowling and arcade games at the new Round1 or a movie at the AMC Jersey Gardens 20.

With no sales tax on clothing in New Jersey, it’s a smart time to pick up a few extras for the year ahead.

Go Out on the Town

Elizabeth’s nightlife is always popping! From cozy lounges and bars to seasonal live music and entertainment. Check our event calendar for holiday week events, and enjoy a night out experiencing the city’s atmosphere, whether it’s cocktails with friends, craft beer, or live performances.

Morris Ave. After Dark, Little Colombia

Where To Eat on New Year’s Eve

Reservations are filling up fast for these delicious restaurants in Elizabeth. Book your table for New Year’s Eve now!

Algarve Restaurant

656 Van Buren Ave.
Accepting reservations for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Algarve is a Portuguese and barbecue spot whose menu features delicious dishes like the Algarve steak salad, bife à Portuguesa, and stuffed salmon with crab meat.

Book A Table

Destino L. A. B. - Lounge and Bar

185 Elmora Ave.
If you’re looking for a fun night out on the town, look no further than Destino Lounge. Enjoy your pick from dozens of craft cocktails and the cozy, speakeasy vibes of the atmosphere while snacking on L.A.B. fries, empanadas, charcuterie, and tres leches cake for dessert.

Book A Table

Spicy Burro Taqueria Bar

630 Clarkson Ave.
Spicy Burro is known as your special occasion destination, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. Book a table for a celebratory last meal of 2025 and enjoy guacamole al pastor, skirt steak burro, tacos, ceviche, and frozen margaritas.

Book A Table

Credit Spicy Burro

Take a Day Trip

Use Elizabeth as a convenient base for short excursions. Hop on NJ Transit to New York City to explore world-class museums, holiday lights, and historic neighborhoods, or visit Newark for arts, performances, and cultural attractions just minutes away. These quick trips make the days between Christmas and New Year’s a perfect time to explore beyond the city and return to Elizabeth in the evening.

Explore More

Things to Do for New Year’s Eve in Elizabeth, New Jersey

Winter Things to Do

5 Unique Thrift Shops in Elizabeth

Upcoming Events at the Ritz Theater

Holiday Shopping Guide

Author

GoElizabethNJ

GoElizabethNJ is the city’s official tourist information center, providing visitors with the resources they need to visit the premiere up and coming urban destination.