The beach chairs are put away, but there’s still plenty of family fun on the calendar. This time, trade the sunscreen for a warm coat and invite the grandchildren out to see the Christmas lights.

For Ocean County grandparents, the evening can start with a visit to Jackson, followed by options in neighboring Monmouth, Middlesex and the rest of New Jersey. Choose a drive-through show for warm seats and easy sightseeing, or bundle up for a walk among the displays. Nobody has to clean the house before the guests arrive.

Holiday in the Park returns in 2026 with holiday lights, themed areas and seasonal entertainment. Grandparents can make the scenery and family pictures the focus of the visit. This is an outing inside the park, so plan for walking and check the attraction lineup, admission, parking and accessibility before booking.

Magic of Lights fills the grounds at PNC Bank Arts Center with illuminated holiday scenes and animated displays, viewed from your vehicle. It’s a good option when you want the outing with fewer layers to wrestle onto little ones. Check ticket terms and vehicle restrictions before assembling your carload.

For an evening outside, The Village at Anne Ellen brings holiday displays to Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm. Allow time to enjoy the scenery and family pictures. Check which activities are included, along with walking conditions and accessibility, before reserving tickets.

At the Middlesex County Fairgrounds, Winter WonderLights pairs animated displays with music for a holiday drive enjoyed from your own car. Give the grandchildren an assignment: choose the best display and defend their decision on the ride home. Expect strong opinions. Check dates and tickets before heading out.

The Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village trades baseball season for a drive-through holiday display. Check the Christmas Village offerings if your crew wants to extend the visit. Let the grandchildren choose their favorite scene; keeping score is optional—even at a stadium.

At Orchard of Lights, decorated farm grounds provide the scenery for a holiday drive. It’s an appealing option for enjoying the evening from a warm car. Check available dates and book online before setting out.

Have a grandchild who spots every excavator on the highway? Consider Diggerland’s Holiday Drive-Thru Light Show. You travel in your own car with holiday music along the way. Check light-show admission separately from theme-park ride admission.

Creamy Acres Night of Lights brings a holiday drive to a dairy-farm setting. Enjoy the illuminated grounds without committing to a long outdoor walk. Despite the name, the attraction operates on multiple dates; consult the schedule before choosing your evening.

Animal lovers can discover colorful lantern scenes at Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular. Let each grandchild choose a favorite creature and stop for a picture. You might even get everyone looking in the same direction.

Storybook Land’s Christmas Fantasy With Lights gives the familiar park a holiday transformation, with Santa helping bring the lights to life. Check the lighting ceremony time and ride availability before booking, particularly when younger grandchildren have an early bedtime.

Illuminated trees on Lake Meone make Historic Smithville’s Light Show on the Lake a festive stop. Add browsing or a meal for a multigenerational outing, but check business hours separately from the show schedule.

Kuser Farm’s Winter Wonderland offers seasonal lights and festivities in a historic park setting. Check Hamilton Township’s announcement for current dates, activities and Santa appearances before making plans.

Choose one outing that suits everyone’s stamina. Make a bathroom stop before joining a drive-through line. For walking displays, check distance, uneven paths, seating and stroller or mobility-device access.

Dates, prices, activities and weather policies can change. Check each attraction’s official website before buying tickets or leaving home.

Leave time for conversation on the ride home, too. The grandchildren may forget which display had the biggest snowman. They may remember who took them.