Pretty lights, easy markets, and warm-up moments that feel like a hug.
I love holiday outings that feel festive without requiring a spreadsheet. Montclair’s great for that—cute, walkable, and full of “let’s just see where the night takes us” energy.
1) Montclair Flea Holiday Market (Easy browsing, big festive payoff)
Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, NJ — Holiday season runs on weekends through Dec 21, typically 11am–6pm.
Why we love it: Low-pressure gift shopping. The kids can pick something fun, and you can pretend you’re not buying yourself something too.
2) Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights (Family-friendly and FREE)
560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ 07052 — 5–9pm nightly, Nov 28–Jan 3 (closed Dec 24, Dec 25, Jan 1).
Why we love it: It’s a guaranteed win—sparkly, sweet, and no one complains that it’s “boring” (a holiday miracle).
3) Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland (Skate, snack, repeat)
Van Saun County Park, Paramus — Season runs Nov 28–Jan 4, with standard weekend hours + special holiday hours.
Why we love it: It’s the kind of place where kids burn energy and adults get to sip something warm and feel like they have their life together.
Closing cozy note:
Montclair holiday success is simple: do the market in daylight, do the lights at night, and keep expectations… cheerfully low. If everyone ends the night sticky, smiling, and singing one wrong lyric to a carol, you did it right.