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Warren County, NJ turns on the holiday lights in early December, and the 2026 calendar is packed with tree lightings, Santa visits, a famous holiday train and stage shows for the whole family. Every date below was checked against the organizer or the Warren County tourism calendar for the 2026 season.
Hackettstown Hometown Holiday
- Where: Downtown Hackettstown, with the tree lighting at the Main and Moore Street gazebo
- When: Friday, December 4 through Wednesday, December 9, 2026
The Hackettstown Business Improvement District kicks off the season on Friday, December 4 with a Holiday Bazaar tent behind Stella G’s from 5 to 9 p.m., the Grand Illumination at Centenary, an open house at the Hackettstown Historical Society, the Santa Parade and the tree lighting at the gazebo. Santa hosts a Winter Wonderland at the Community Center on Saturday, December 5, and a Gingerbread House Contest follows on Sunday, December 6 at Vermella on Bilby Road. The week wraps with the third annual Jingle Ball at David’s Country Inn on Wednesday, December 9 from 6 to 10 p.m.
Hackettstown BID: Hometown Holiday
A Nutcracker Christmas at Everitt House
- Where: Everitt House Bed and Breakfast, 200 High Street, Hackettstown
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 4 to 7 p.m.
Timed with Hometown Holiday, the Victorian Everitt House opens its decorated main floor for tea, coffee, cider and cookies plus photos with costumed dancers from New Jersey Civic Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Admission is $10 per adult and free for children 12 and under, with proceeds supporting the youth ballet. A toy drive sleigh will be outside collecting new, unwrapped toys for Trinity Church.
Belvidere Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
- Where: Downtown Belvidere, Water Street
- When: Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 12 p.m.
The county seat goes all in with a skating rink, a trackless train, food, fire pits, local musicians and plenty of downtown shops for holiday gifts, rain or shine. The festival builds through the afternoon toward the lighting of the town tree. It is one of the easiest ways to spend a full holiday Saturday in Warren County.
Town of Belvidere: Tree Lighting and Winter Festival
The Polar Express Train Ride
- Where: Delaware River Railroad Excursions, 38 Market Street, Phillipsburg
- When: November 27, 28, 29 and December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 2026
The 90 minute round trip departs Lehigh Junction in Phillipsburg’s historic Main Street district with hot chocolate, cookies, a reading of the story and a visit from Santa. Fridays depart at 6 and 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Tickets are listed at $48 for adults and $38 for children and they sell out quickly, so book early.
Delaware River Railroad Excursions
Disney’s Frozen, The Musical at Centenary Stage
- Where: Sitnik Theatre, Centenary Stage Company, 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown
- When: Friday, November 27 to Sunday, December 13, 2026
Centenary Stage Company’s Holiday Family Spectacular this year is Disney’s Frozen, with all the songs from the film plus music written for the stage. The Friday preview is priced at $25 for all seats, and there are special princess photo opportunities during the run. Check the theater site for the full performance calendar.
A Christmas Murder Mystery at Four Sisters Winery
- Where: Four Sisters Winery, 783 County Road 519, Belvidere
- When: Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2026, 1 to 4 p.m.
Grab a glass and play detective at this interactive holiday mystery, complete with an Ugly Sweater contest and prizes for best performances. Six volunteers read for the suspects, so bring your acting chops. Tickets are listed at $62.27 and seats fill fast.
The Bolshoi Christmas Cabaret at Rutherfurd Hall
- Where: Rutherfurd Hall, 1686 Route 517, Allamuchy
- When: Sunday, December 13, 2026, 4 to 6 p.m.
Rutherfurd Hall’s holiday cabaret fills the historic mansion with live music and song while the house is dressed for the season. Tickets are $30 per person and support the foundation’s work preserving the 110 year old estate. It is a polished, grown up outing for a December Sunday.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” Radio Play in Hope
- Where: Hope Community Center, 5 Walnut Street, Hope
- When: Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19, 2026, 7 p.m.
Help Our Preservation Effort (H.O.P.E.) stages Joe Landry’s 1940s radio show version of the holiday classic, complete with live sound effects. Tickets are $20 and include cookies and cocoa with the cast after the show, with proceeds going to the rehabilitation of the historic Cooper and Crusen houses. Seating is first come, first served, and reservations are taken by email at wonderfulhope26@yahoo.com.
More in Warren County: watch this section for holiday markets, Christmas tree farms and Thanksgiving week plans across the county.
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