The One Thing to Do in New Jersey Before the End of the Year

There might be no more beautiful time in New Jersey than December. Whether you celebrate the holiday or not, it's hard not to get swept up in the twinkling lights and decked-out trees you see everywhere. Christmas in New Jersey goes all-out, but the biggest attractions around the Garden State are often jam-packed—and expensive! Taking a drive-through lights course or riding the Polar Express can be a budget-buster, especially for large families. That's why it's always so wonderful to find a Christmas attraction in New Jersey that's accessible to everyone—and we found an amazing one on the Jersey Shore.

Hidden in the small town of Sea Girt, you'll find Marlin Christmas Wonderland. This independent Christmas display, located on a suburban street, turns an average house into a dazzling display of festive spirit. It's open nightly through December, and there's only one way to see this year's North Pole extravaganza: a visit to Sea Girt.

Wandering through Sea Girt, don't worry if you don't know the exact street address of Marlin Christmas Wonderland—the stream of people and the bright lights will give it away. The festivities kick off after 5 PM every day during the holiday season, and the 2025 edition of this Sea Girt original is in full swing.

Marlin Christmas Wonderland is a unique, over-the-top Christmas extravaganza that takes over one of the town's suburban houses, and it uses a combination of display attractions, projection mapping, and countless lights to create one of the largest individual displays in New Jersey. It's common to see iconic characters from Disney, The Grinch, and "A Christmas Story" making an appearance.

The most beautiful part of the display has to be its unique recreation of the North Pole, the highlight of every year. Walking past this magical display, it's easy to feel like you just stepped off the Polar Express and are just about to meet jolly old Saint Nick.

While the attraction will be free every year, if you want to show your appreciation, the creators of this attraction are taking donations for Jersey Pits Rescue. It's all part of the good holiday vibes they spread each and every time Christmas rolls around.

Have you gotten to visit Marlin Christmas Wonderland in past years? If not, there's still plenty of time to see the 2025 house, so tell a travel buddy who's in the holiday spirit about this article and discover it for yourself! You can see more pictures of this year's festivities on the Marlin Christmas Wonderland Facebook page and the Marlin Christmas Wonderland Instagram.

Sea Girt is located in a pretty exciting spot on the Jersey Shore, so you can easily pair a visit with some offseason adventures in Spring Lake or Asbury Park, only a short drive away. And if you need some more ideas for how to spend a day on the Jersey Shore in December, let Only in Your State's AI-powered travel planner give you a custom itinerary!