Searching for a house with Christmas lights near me? Want to find the New Jersey neighborhoods with the best Christmas lights on houses? Or how about a trip to a New Jersey neighborhood with the most Christmas lights homes?

Around the holidays there can be an onslaught of noise and activity. Sometimes the best times with family and friends are those that are a little less frenzied. One way we have started to celebrate in December the past few years is by finding holiday light displays in different New Jersey neighborhoods to visit.

We often pick a large New Jersey neighborhood that has house after house with Christmas lights that we want to visit. (Go here for ideas: Christmas Lights in New Jersey). Then we find a New Jersey town nearby that is also having a holiday decorating contest to map out multiple locations with light displays that we can see. 

In the past two years some of the New Jersey neighborhoods with Christmas lights on houses our family have liked included Shamong, Lawrenceville, and Bristol. We bring along coats, a thermos of hot cocoa, printed directions with maps, and a Christmas playlist. It is fun to go back to the days of getting around by using maps or Mapquest. 

Along the way we have often come across delightful surprises like NJ holiday light displays that visitors can walk through, displays set to music, mailboxes for letters to Santa, and handmade decorations.

In past years some of my favorite memories were finding a Christmas lights house with a drive-through display in Shamong and finding a street that had all decorated together in Blackwood and had some pretty lit-up arches. It is also great to see lights dancing in time to some of your favorite Christmas tunes at some displays or for kids to see their favorite characters. 

Read on to see towns across New Jersey that are having Holiday Decorating Contests this year. These contests encourage NJ homeowners to decorate their house with Christmas lights for a prize and bragging rights. Thanks to NJ holiday decorating contests we have a lot of New Jersey neighborhoods with so many Christmas Lights on houses.

The towns then create a neighborhood map of houses with Christmas lights. As those maps of New Jersey homes with Christmas lights become available we will share them with you.

We’ve discovered as we went from house to house with Christmas lights that the best part is finding even more fun decorations at other houses along the way while searching for the next address on your list.

I am also including tips from our excursions for other places to check out while you are in each area. Instead of a day trip make it a night out visiting New Jersey houses with Christmas lights.

As you read through our guide to New Jersey Neighborhoods with the MOST Christmas Lights on Houses we’ve organized it by in North, Central, and South Jersey. Each region is broken down by town in alphabetical order. Keep in mind each of these NJ towns is made up of many communities that will have houses with Christmas lights and holiday displays.

If you are living in a town that has a contest and you have put out some outdoor decorations like Christmas lights on your house, be sure to enter your house into your local contest as well! It is a fun way to share some Christmas cheer with others.

Registration deadlines are often early or mid-December and address lists often come out mid to late December. If you are a resident in a town with a contest be sure to check into the details since some towns allow residents to help vote for the contest winners. 

The Best North Jersey Neighborhoods with Christmas Lights on Houses

Deck the Howells Contest

As we talk about towns encouraging homeowners to decorate their house with Christmas lights we start with Howell, New Jersey. Howell Township will be having a House Decorating Contest. Houses must be registered by December 7, 2022. More details can be found at Howell House Decorating Contest.

Click below to see or download the list of Howell houses with Christmas lights for people to see. 

Things to do near Howell houses with Christmas lights

While in the area be sure to check out the Howell Living History Farm. It is a magical place especially when snow is falling and their horses are pulling a sleigh. They often have events on Saturdays throughout the year as well. The staff is all very involved with the farming and are great at interacting with kids and getting them involved and interested in the farm. For more information Visit Howell Farm. 

Howell will also be having a Christmas Tree Lighting and Menorah Lighting on December 11, 2022 from 4:30 pm to 7 pm. More details can be found at Howell Township Tree Lighting. 

Light up Little Falls

Little Falls will be having its yearly Holiday House Decorating Contest. More details are available at Light Up Little Falls. The deadline to register is December 14, 2022. View the Google Map of Christmas lights for Little Falls. 

Things to do near Little Falls houses with Christmas lights

If arriving in Little Falls earlier in the day be sure to also check out the Yogi Berra Museum. It is definitely a home run for baseball fans. More details can be found at Yogi Berra Museum.  

The Best Central Jersey Neighborhoods with Christmas Lights on Houses

Lawrence Township Holiday Decorating Contest

The first Central Jersey town to encourage homeowners to put Christmas lights on houses is Lawrence Township. For their House Decorating Contest houses with Christmas lights must be nominated by December 5, 2022. More information can be found in the picture below. 

Read the list of Christmas lights houses in Lawrence Township below.

View the Google Map for Lawrence Twp Holiday House Lighting Entries.

This year there are also Jolly Trolly Tours departing from Town Hall to see the lights at 5, 6, and 7 pm on December 16, 2022. The tours are already sold out, however. 

Things to do near Lawrence Township houses with Christmas lights

If traveling to Lawrenceville earlier in the day be sure to stop at the Gingered Peach before they close. My favorite things to get there are the Petite Queen and the Trenton Volcano. For more details visit The Gingered Peach. 

Lawrenceville is also a great place to visit for ice cream. I love the coffee chip pints available at Halo Farm as well as their signature iced tea. In high school, our tennis team would love stopping there for some pints of ice cream. Purple Cow is an ice cream shop that makes great milkshakes.

On December 8, 2022, Lawrenceville will be having a tree lighting ceremony from 6 to 8 pm at the Municipal building. There will be goodie bags, treats, hot cocoa, cookies, a visit from Santa, a walk through snow globe, a train ride, and a madrigal performance. 

Matawan Deck the Home Contest

Matawan will be having its Deck the Home Contest this year until December 15, 2022. More information can be found on the Borough of Matawan Facebook page. The list of participating houses with Christmas lights and displays is below.

Robbinsville House Decorating Contest

Robbinsville will be having its annual Home Decorating Contest with Christmas Lights on Houses again. Participants may register until December 18, 2022. Details about the contest are located at Robbinsville 2022 House Decorating Contest. 

Later in the month, the Recreation Department will create a map with locations of each house with Christmas lights in Robbinsville for others to see the decorations. People are able to visit the sites with outdoor decorations. Current details about this are at Light Em Up Robbinsville. 

Things to do near Robbinsville houses with Christmas lights

While in Robbinsville a stop definitely has to be made at De Lorenzo’s. They have the best tomato pies that I have found. They have a thin crust with some char. I love mine with sweet peppers and onions on it. 

The Best South Jersey Neighborhoods with Christmas Lights on Houses

Bellmawr Christmas House Decorating Contest

In South Jersey, Bellmawr’s Christmas House Decorating Contest is motivating families to put Christmas lights on their houses. Registration open until 4 pm on December 16, 2022. Voting information will be posted soon. For current details visit Bellmawr. 

Things to do near Bellmawr houses with Christmas lights

Christmas in Bellmawr is an annual event at the Bellmawr Recreation Center on December 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th, 2022, from 6 to 9 pm. Cars drive through to see this free display of holiday lights. This was my children’s favorite last year. They were elated to even receive a goody bag and see some characters along the route. This year they are accepting new toy donations for the Bellmawr Believes toy drive. Visit Christmas in Bellmawr for more details. 

While out to see the Christmas lights on houses in Bellmawr, be sure to deliver your Santa letters! Santa’s Mailbox is at 21 Lewes Avenue and letters will be accepted until December 15, 2022. 

Cinnaminson House Decorating Contest

Cinnaminson will be having a House Decorating Contest with entries due December 11, 2022. Further details are at Cinnaminson Holiday House Decorating Contest. Winners will be announced on the Cinnaminson Township Facebook page later this month. 

While looking at the lights on houses in Cinnaminson be sure to also check out one of our favorite houses. It is called Lights on Olmsted Lane and there is more information at Lights on Olmsted Lane. I was thrilled to see their light display dancing to The Wizards of Winter by Trans Siberian Orchestra when we drove up last year. They accept donations for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia through Venmo @LightsOnOlmstedLane. 

Another house with Christmas lights on the 500 block of Hartford Drive in Cinnaminson is doing light shows this year every half hour that are 25 minutes each. Tune in to 91.5 FM when visiting. 

Things to do near Cinnaminson houses with Christmas lights

Cinnaminson will be having their Tree Lighting at Wood Park on December 9, 2022 at 6 pm. Santa will be there and there will be hot chocolate and cookies as well as Santa’s mailbox. 

If arriving early in Cinnaminson while it is light, consider doing the Interactive Tree Walk Westfield Friends, a short and interactive tree walk with your family. It is mostly through a cemetery behind the Westfield Friends School. Different trees have qr codes that can be scanned and visitors can listen to kids telling them information about the trees. The trees are also labeled with their names as well.

Deptford House Decorating Contest

Deptford will be having a Christmas House Decorating Contest. Entries can be submitted until December 13, 2022. More details can be found at Deptford Christmas Decorating Contest. 

While in Deptford be sure to visit the Deptford Dazzling Lights Display which also has a scavenger hunt that can be completed this year. Visit Deptford Dazzling Lights for more details. Tune to 87.9 FM upon arrival. This will be their last year of putting up their impressive display. 

Lumberton Holiday Decorating Contest

Lumberton will be having another Holiday Decorating Contest this year. Currently, there are no details but these will be forthcoming at Lumberton Township Mayor Facebook. 

Lumberton also has houses with light displays set to music. Two well-known displays are Lights on Jasmine and Grimm’s Christmas Light Display. For more details on these impressive lights visit Christmas Lights in New Jersey.

Things to do near Lumberton houses with Christmas lights

While in Lumberton be sure to pick up some tasty Thai Red Curry Chicken at BK Brunch and visit the gazebo across the street. 

Lumberton will be having a Christmas Tree Lighting on December 10, 2022 between 5 pm to 8 pm at the Municipal Building. For more details visit Lumberton Tree Lighting. 

Newfield Holiday Decorating Contest

Newfield will be having a House Decorating Contest with registration until December 5, 2022. More details at Newfield Holiday Decorating Contest. 

The Google map of houses in Newfield with Christmas lights has now been posted. It shows all the addresses and their location for people to visit. 

Northfield 2022 Holiday Light Tour

The mayor of Northfield annually has a Holiday Light Tour which includes homes and businesses with decorations. View the list of participating Christmas lights homes below.

If you live in Northfield

Home visits with Santa have also been reinstated this year. To schedule a home visit call the number (609) 641-2832 x155. Santa will be brought to your house via fire truck via the Northfield Volunteer Fire Company between December 9th to the 23rd. Start times are at 6 pm during the week and 4 pm on weekends.

Things to do near Northfield houses with Christmas lights

Gingerbread Cookie Decorating will be on December 17, 2022 at 2 pm at the Northfield Library. This will be for children between the ages of 4 and 12. Pre-register with Shannon Campbell at [email protected] or call 609-641-2832 x 15. The Northfield Police Department will also be there as well as one or two surprise guests.

Pemberton Township Holiday Decorating Contest

Pemberton will be having a Holiday Decorating Contest. Registration is free for residents and must be done by December 9, 2022. On December 12, 2022 the addresses will be posted on social media for members of the community to visit. For registration details visit Pemberton Township Holiday Decorating Contest. 

Check the Pemberton Recreation Social Media page starting on December 12, 2022 to see the list of addresses of houses with Christmas lights or view their flyer below. 

Things to do near Pemberton Township houses with Christmas lights

While visiting Pemberton do not forget to drop off your Letters to Santa at the North Pole Mail drop box at the Municipal Building. Include your name and a return address so that Santa can respond to the letter before Christmas! For more details visit Letters to Santa Pemberton.

While driving around Pemberton to look at lights be sure to check out the light display at Reflections Park this year due to the Light Up Holiday Smiles with First Energy Program.

Whitesbog is also a great place to visit while in Pemberton. There visitors can see the bogs, the historic company town, and do some easy hiking. On December 17, 2022 and 18, 2022 there will be an event called Yule: Holidays Throughout Time.

If visiting with younger kids be sure to check out the infamous Imagination Kingdom Playground before it gets dark. It has many unique features such as a large castle structure, horse seesaws, and more.

Pennsauken Holiday Decorating Contest

Pennsauken will be having a Holiday Decorating Contest. Residents must register by December 12, 2022 for the contest. More details can be found at Pennsauken Holiday Light Contest. 

There will be a list released later this month online and on social media of houses for residents to view. 

Things to do near Pennsauken houses with Christmas lights

If arriving earlier in the day with children be sure to visit the Cooper River Park playground.

Pine Hill Holiday Decorating Contest

Pine Hill will be having its first Holiday Home Decorating Contest. Registration is open until December 11, 2022. For more details visit Pine Hill Holiday Decorating Contest.

The Google map of decorated houses with Christmas lights has been posted at this link and at Pine Hill Boro Map. 

Tabernacle Holiday Decorating Contest

Tabernacle will be having a House Decorating Contest for the first fifty residents who register their house with Christmas lights before December 12, 2022. More details are available on the Township website at Tabernacle House Decorating Contest. 

A map of participating houses with Christmas lights will be available soon on the township website at Tabernacle Township News. 

Things to do near Tabernacle houses with Christmas lights

On December 6, 2022, the Christmas Coca Cola Santa Tour will be at Murphy’s in the Pines from 11 am to 3 pm and there will be free samplings. For more details visit Christmas Coca Cola Santa Tour.

The Batona Trail runs through Tabernacle that we have hiked part of before. It is an easy trail through the Pines to walk with a family. 

Wildwood Holiday Light Show & House Decorating Contest

Wildwood has a house decorating contest this year. Registration for this is until December 8, 2022. Voters can vote for the best house with Christmas lights from December 9th to December 16th and winners will be announced on December 19, 2022.

More details about the contest can be found at Wildwood Holiday House Decorating Contest. In prior years locations have been disclosed for people to be able to visit in order to vote. 

Wildwood has a Winter Wonderland with a Wildwood Holiday Light Show running every half hour at Holly Beach Park from December 9th to December 10th and December 16th to December 17th. There will also be free popcorn, hot cocoa, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The light show will be occurring daily from December 11th to the 18th at 6:30 pm.

Things to do near Wildwood houses with Christmas lights

Be sure to walk the boardwalk while in town since some things are open even during the off-season. It is a great time to have some fudge. Wildwood has multiple holiday events occurring all month long. For details visit Wildwood Holiday.