Winter Things to Do
The weather outside may be frightful, to say the least, but here in Elizabeth, there’s even more fun to be had during the holiday season.
Though the holiday season signals another year coming to an end, it’s also a reminder that a new one is right around the corner. If you plan on spending the holidays in Elizabeth, know that there are many ways to celebrate the jolly season here and that typically starts with good food in your belly, our city is home to a multicultural dining scene after all.
Don’t know where to start first? Here are some festive winter things to do in Elizabeth, NJ.
1. Be Immersed in the Holiday Spirit with Fun Festivities
![Snow falling at night in Elizabeth, New Jersey.](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PAG09262-Edit-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=a3420cf656d34481638de7a95e6a946b 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PAG09262-Edit-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0385d2a07770100e17ce9482e27c88e0 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PAG09262-Edit-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=7fbdeed38dc163aa0b687a019f16e42f 768w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PAG09262-Edit-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=57a4e6acde8b312b5b3f91d0300071ef 1024w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PAG09262-Edit-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=d618330f02972834ba5513ce7f4d2dc3 1200w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PAG09262-Edit-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=553bee6c5099a060ebedc3e2bf24e6d3 1440w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PAG09262-Edit-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=82e9ac37093a17ddb52413b4f6df0ef4 1920w)
A tree lighting ceremony is an important holiday tradition, one that Elizabeth hosts every December at each ward citywide. Be a part of the festivities—and remember to dress warmly—for a night of holiday fun with Santa Claus himself. Holiday events are also hosted locally by the Elizabeth Avenue Partnership, and that typically includes a tree lighting ceremony as well as a festive party on Union Square plaza, the latter of which features a petting zoo, pony rides, and Santa’s mailbox.
Looking for more ways to celebrate the holidays? Take a twenty minute drive and visit the Winter Wonderland and Holiday Village in Union, New Jersey. With close proximity to New York City, Elizabeth just a short drive away from plenty of winter activities and offers budget-friendly places to stay for this holiday season.
2. Enjoy Time Outdoors at a Park or a Football Stadium
![An aerial shot of the winter skyline in Elizabeth, NJ.](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PANO0001-Pano-Edit-6-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=37b23f6c8bd2388a834d6ef5359950d5 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PANO0001-Pano-Edit-6-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=aa1b14a0a26083c2fcb2c18025fc6521 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PANO0001-Pano-Edit-6-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=24ef4d865e023ab5aac6b2471a07418a 768w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PANO0001-Pano-Edit-6-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bbae0de65901ddbb69ff0d98324a3686 1024w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PANO0001-Pano-Edit-6-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=fd9f5b412f176ac0493b8c26a27f59f5 1200w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PANO0001-Pano-Edit-6-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=506ffab6abf298562d34a17b245747b1 1440w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/PANO0001-Pano-Edit-6-city-winter-skyline.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=a167d21b43b6ebf7eeb14bf2c846c131 1920w)
Elizabeth is home to more than 45 parks featuring plenty of fun outdoor activities, even during wintertime, unless of course there’s a snowstorm. Start a friendly snowball fight and then build an Instagram-worthy snowman at Mattano Park or take a winter stroll through the Chatfield Garden at Warinanco Park. If you don’t mind the cold breeze, visit Veteran’s Memorial Waterfront Park for spectacular views of the port and the New York City skyline.
If Elizabeth doesn’t have everything you’re looking for, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy the many other New Jersey attractions, like the MetLife Stadium in Rutherford, home of the New York Giants and Jets. If you don’t want to watch a live game outside in the cold, upgrade your experience to suite level.
3. Experience Indoor Fun with a Movie and an Ice Skating Adventure
![People walking through the Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth.](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-at-Jersey-Gardens-Escalators-Food-Court-Area.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=0609d7c0ef53d362c5318a4cd05ec72c 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-at-Jersey-Gardens-Escalators-Food-Court-Area.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8ac9c582302fefb2a94e7e5ece2abdc6 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-at-Jersey-Gardens-Escalators-Food-Court-Area.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b9e663fc1ce3ddc169986a8019a40593 768w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-at-Jersey-Gardens-Escalators-Food-Court-Area.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=17b4fbe9d3e6e2370f59b791ecdac0b5 1024w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-at-Jersey-Gardens-Escalators-Food-Court-Area.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=634dc1f6fc3f27497037343b42bacf10 1200w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-at-Jersey-Gardens-Escalators-Food-Court-Area.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d5739b4fb9f21bee03b0c598b7913785 1440w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-at-Jersey-Gardens-Escalators-Food-Court-Area.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=7354e8b4f34828caffde589503eeaf79 1600w)
When it’s just too cold outside, there’s still fun to be had indoors this holiday season.
Rent ice skates and glide around Warinanco Park’s state-of-the-art indoor ice skating rink. Then catch a holiday movie with your family at AMC Jersey Gardens 20 located at The Mills outlets. Reserve recliner seats and order food and drinks in advance to fully enjoy any IMAX movie of your choosing.
Sports lovers can enjoy a game of hockey at the Prudential Center in Newark, home of the New Jersey Devils. The venue also features a beer garden and a variety of concessions that go beyond hotdogs and hamburgers (although those are there too), as well as bars and restaurants.
4. Explore Holiday Happenings at the Liberty Hall Museum
![Christmas decorations at the Liberty Hall Museum.](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/liberty-hall-history-lhm-07.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2937aaa95cd960546b459a2b7e092113 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/liberty-hall-history-lhm-07.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0928e817dbcc28b90af282555afa2b31 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/liberty-hall-history-lhm-07.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0c6ec28947f4121b9c439279d9cf59dd 768w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/liberty-hall-history-lhm-07.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=59193da0b213fa3b56cd9a65d8afa3b7 1024w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/liberty-hall-history-lhm-07.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=753b8e4b6d322823bfdb7697e5aa4f91 1200w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/liberty-hall-history-lhm-07.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=12067a1280f3f6acdfbb269bd2e3f04e 1440w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/liberty-hall-history-lhm-07.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=36fed484e21b4daef092127413312a00 1920w)
For an educational yet festive experience, visit the Liberty Hall Museum for a guided tour of the historic Victorian mansion built in the 1700s by the state’s first elected governor, William Livingston. During the holiday season, the historical landmark, which saw the American Revolution, is decked out in holiday decor. Warning: You may see the ghost of Christmas past. Liberty Hall Museum & Academic Center also hosts holiday events all month long. Learn how to decorate a gingerbread house, enjoy holiday-inspired tea time, or chat with Santa over breakfast—maybe all three!
5. Shop for Local Goods and Big-Brand Names at Discounted Prices
![A Christmas tree with reindeer lights at the Mills at Jersey Gardens.](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-At-Jersey-Gardens.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=dee5bd32b12fb7e4d5e9923f76b7dddd 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-At-Jersey-Gardens.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=193c81b6cfe40eead80802429d783731 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-At-Jersey-Gardens.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=adc3bff9fd1082acf8dce807052d1a78 768w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-At-Jersey-Gardens.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=1549b265edba8278a3aec792e06221ba 1024w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-At-Jersey-Gardens.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=e84bc2a56ea3c12a020e399afd1b21c3 1200w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/main-images/The-Mills-At-Jersey-Gardens.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=2a1b06f2c1af32174d3ef7dad4077999 1360w)
With more than 200 stores to choose from, The Mills at Jersey Gardens offers deals on top of holiday deals. The best part is clothes and shoes are tax-free in New Jersey. Even more of a reason to do your holiday shopping here. Continue your holiday shopping at IKEA next door. Take advantage of all the holiday sales while the kids lounge at the children’s play area.
If you’re looking to buy local, make a pit stop at The Market at Elizabeth Avenue. This historic shopping area off our historic avenue features family-owned stores, boutiques, and a variety of international restaurants. There’s also a weekly farmer’s market in the Peterstown section of Elizabeth.
Explore Holiday Dining Options
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