The holiday season in Hoboken and Jersey City is the best time of year. From holiday pop-ups and markets to festive decorations, Christmas shows, and more, there are endless things to do and enjoy locally each year. To help plan your December, this 25-day guide will give readers day-by-day opportunities to get into the holiday spirit starting December 1st. Keep reading to learn what readers can do every day to make the most out of this holiday season in Hoboken and Jersey City with our 25 Days of Holiday Cheer Guide to Hoboken + Jersey City for 2024.
December 1
Vote for your favorite local businesses in Hoboken + Jersey City. You can do so here.
December 2
Donate food to those who might need it this holiday season at any of these grateful donation locations.
December 3
Attend the Christmas tree lighting at Leo’s Grandevous, located at 200 Grand Street in Hoboken.
Read More: Where to Bring Visitors for the Holidays in The Hudson County Area
December 4
Pick out the perfect Christmas tree at one of these locations across New Jersey and New York — including cut-your-own-farms. See our guides to real trees here. If you want to bring your furry friend along, a guide to dog-friendly tree farms can be found here.
December 5
Visit a holiday light display in Northern New Jersey and surrounding areas — we have a list here.
December 6
Watch the beloved Christmas show by Nimbus Dance, Jersey City Nutcracker. Tickets can be purchased here for the performance.
December 7
Browse local crafters, vendors, food trucks, and more at the Hoboken Holiday Market on Jackson Street from 11AM-5PM. Riverview Park in Jersey City will be turning into a holiday wonderland at the Heights Holiday Market from 10AM to 4PM.
December 8
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Shop local vendors at the first Main Street Pops holiday market of the season from 11AM-4PM under the viaduct in Hoboken.
December 9
Make memories with loved ones and have your picture taken with Santa. Take a look at a guide on where to visit Santa here.
December 10
Enjoy an evening of holiday cocktails + bites from local businesses at Beyond the Plate Food Tours‘ Holly Jolly Cocktail Crawl in downtown Jersey City. Tickets can be bought here.
December 11
Attend Hoboken’s annual Christmas tree lighting at 5PM at 11th and Washington Streets, complete with entertainment, Santa, and local businesses.
December 12
Pick up a delicious holiday treat from one of the many bakeries in Hoboken + Jersey City.
December 13
Head to Cellar 335’s annual Sleighs N Leighs holiday pop-up. There will be food specials, festive decorations, and a holiday-inspired cocktail menu. Make a reservation here.
December 14
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Visit the HDSID Holiday Market at the Grove Street PATH Plaza and The Ashford rooftop. There will be holiday music, food vendors, and unique gifts from local artisans.
December 15
See the Mile Square Theatre’s performance of The Christmas Show Must Go On, a family-friendly show. Tickets can be purchased here.
December 16
Hop on the PATH train and feast your eyes on the iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree in all of its glory. While in New York City, there’s a Hanukkah pop-up, Maccabee Bar created by two Hoboken residents to visit.
December 17
Take photos with the festive decorations by Exchange Place in Jersey City.
December 18
Go on a local hot chocolate crawl — here is a list of some of our favorite spots for cocoa in Hoboken + Jersey City.
December 19
Attend the Franklin Social’s Miracle on Mercer experience. Think decked halls, holiday-themed cocktails served in playful mugs, visits from Santa, and more. It’s open seven days a week.
December 20
Shop locally for holiday gifts. Check out some of our favorite places to shop locally in Hoboken and Jersey City.
December 21
Go outdoor ice skating at Newport Skates in Jersey City, or at one of the other ice skating rinks in Northern New Jersey and NYC found here.
December 22
Gather a group and do a holiday activity together — here’s a list of fun interactive ones locally.
See More: The Montclair Girl’s Holiday Shopping Deals Guide 2024
December 23
Donate a toy or holiday gift to the various toy drives around Hudson County. Full list here.
December 24
Peep all the windows of Hoboken and Jersey City’s holiday-themed decor. As we know, our cities definitely come to play when it comes to next-level decor.
December 25
Reflect on a holiday season well-spent. And share your pics with us @thehobokengirl on Instagram!
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla Announces He Will Not Run for Re-Election
After two terms of serving as Hoboken's Mayor since 2017, Ravi Bhalla announced he will not run for re-election for a third term this November. Mayor Bhalla sent out the following statement to Hoboken locals on Friday, January 10th, 2025 to announce the news.
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
"I write to first and foremost wish you and your family a Happy New Year! 2024 was a year of tremendous progress for Hoboken, which I know we will continue in the New Year.
Serving as your Mayor these past seven years has been and will continue to be the privilege of my lifetime. I am immensely proud of the historic improvements we’ve made together on everything from securing the former Union Dry Dock site for public use, creating a model for pedestrian safety through our Vision Zero campaign, opening what is likely the country’s largest resiliency park at ResilienCity Park, and so much more.
After conversations with my family, I have decided not to run for re-election this November for a third term as Mayor. While I plan to pursue public service through a different path, I wanted to let you know that 2025 will be my last year as Mayor of our great City.
I’m more than confident about the future of Hoboken, and the path our team has paved for whomever is elected as your next leader. Our waterfront is now, once and for all, free from development. We have adopted redevelopment plans that maintain the charm and character of our City, while providing needed revitalization. We’ve preserved over 10 acres of land for public parkland, without sacrificing major concessions. And we have continued a model of transparency for major city projects, that I am fully confident the public will press for going forward.
Fortunately, Hoboken is home to a number of talented public servants and activists, and I have no doubt that the future is bright. I also have full faith that the voters of Hoboken will select a trusted leader to bring our City to even greater heights in the years ahead.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to extend my gratitude for the trust and confidence you have placed in me. It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as the Mayor of Hoboken, and I'm confident in the coming years, the best is yet to come.
Sincerely,
Ravi Bhalla
Mayor"
Mayor Bhalla also announced the news via Instagram. See the full post below.
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Back in December of 2023, Mayor Bhalla announced his run for Congress in New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District in the Democratic Primary. His opponent was Democrat Rob Menendez, son of Senator Bob Menendez. Menedez won the election.
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