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Christmas events in Sussex County, NJ run from early November through New Year’s Eve in 2026, with holiday markets, tree lightings, a drive-through light show, a German Christmas market and parades in towns from Hopatcong to Layton. Our team built this calendar from each organizer’s own 2026 page, in date order, so you can plan the whole season close to home.
Bookmark this page and use it as your holiday planner. Each listing links to the organizer and to our full guide for that event, and we will keep adding events as more 2026 dates are announced.
Christmas 2026 in Sussex County at a glance
- What: Holiday markets, craft fairs, tree lightings, a parade, a light show, a German Christmas market and choose-and-cut tree farms
- Where: Newton, Sparta, Augusta, Lafayette, Stillwater, Layton, Hopatcong and more
- When: Saturday, November 7 through Thursday, December 31, 2026
- Cost: Most markets and the Newton parade are free; the Skylands light show starts at $29 per carload and the German Christmas Market is $10 for ages 13 and up
- Plan more: Our things to do in Sussex County this November guide and Thanksgiving in Sussex County planner cover the start of the season
Early November: the first holiday markets
Saturday, November 7: The Homestead’s Holiday Market, Sparta
The season kicks off at The Homestead Rest, 294 North Church Road in Sparta, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. NJ Mama Events lists more than 40 local vendors, live music by Rob Gorny, food and drinks, farm animals and free admission, with a rain date of Sunday, November 8, on its event page. Read our Homestead Holiday Market guide.
Saturday, November 7: St. Jude Holiday Craft Fair, Hopatcong
The same day, St. Jude Parish holds its Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Saint Jude Parish Center at 40 Maxim Drive in Hopatcong, and shopping is free. The parish comes back for a second round in December (see below). Our St. Jude Holiday Craft Fair guide has the full details.
Saturday, November 14: Sparta Art Show and Sale
Sparta United Methodist Church, 71 S. Sparta Avenue, hosts its free Art Show and Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with paintings, photography, glass, ceramics, cards and jewelry from local artists who will be on hand all day. It is an easy place to find a one-of-a-kind gift. See our Sparta Art Show and Sale guide.
Mid November: lights, fireworks and handmade gifts
Saturday, November 14: Festival of Lights, Newton
The 35th annual C. Edward McCracken Festival of Lights returns to Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center, 175 High Street in Newton. The Newton Medical Center Foundation’s 2026 event listing shows a community reception at 4:30 p.m. and the tree lighting and fireworks at 5:30 p.m., with the evening running 4:30 to 6 p.m. For many Newton families this is the official start of the season. Our Festival of Lights guide has more.
November 14 to December 31: Peters Valley Handmade Holiday Event, Layton
The Peters Valley Handmade Holiday Event opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 14 and runs through 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 31 at the Peters Valley Gallery, 19 Kuhn Road in Layton (Sandyston Township). The gallery expands onto its second floor for the season with new work from craft artists, from jewelry to home decor. Read our Peters Valley Handmade Holiday Event guide.
Saturday, November 21: Northwest Christian School Fall Craft Fair, Augusta
Northwest Christian School’s 44th Annual Fall Craft Fair fills the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with local artisans, handmade goods and seasonal treats. Our Northwest Christian School craft fair guide has the details.
November 21 to December 30: Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show
The county’s signature holiday light display is the Skylands Stadium Light Show and Christmas Village at 94 Championship Place in Augusta. It runs on select nights from Saturday, November 21 through Wednesday, December 30, 2026. Standard tickets are $29 per carload for a reserved date and time slot, and VIP tickets are $79 per carload with express lane access. Beyond the drive-through, the Christmas Village adds holiday activities, seasonal treats, shopping, photo spots and Santa appearances, and parking is free.
The show is not open every night, so check the posted schedule before you pick a date. Our Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show guide lists all 26 open nights for 2026.
Thanksgiving weekend: parade, markets and the first trees
Friday, November 27: SCAHC Holiday Market opens, Newton
The Sussex County Arts and Heritage Council’s Small Works Exhibition and Sale is on view at the SCAHC Gallery, 133 Spring Street in Newton, from November 27 through January 7, with handmade gifts and small artworks from local artists and, new this year, vendor tables. A Reception and Holiday Party runs Saturday, December 12 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. See our SCAHC Holiday Market guide.
Saturday, November 28: Newton Holiday Parade
The Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Parade steps off in downtown Newton on Saturday, November 28, 2026, and the chamber’s Newton Parades page says it can be viewed from Spring Street or Moran Street. Watching is free. The chamber had not posted a 2026 start time when we checked, so look at our Newton Holiday Parade 2026 guide for updates.
Saturday, November 28: Christmas Village at The Shoppes at Lafayette
The Christmas Village at The Shoppes at Lafayette, 75 Route 15 in Lafayette Township, runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with local vendors, festive food, a cocktail garden, live music, photos with Santa and a tree lighting ceremony. Read our Lafayette Christmas Village guide.
Saturday, November 28: Fairview Fest, Stillwater
Fairview Lake YMCA Camps hosts Fairview Fest, a free holiday market, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1035 Fairview Lake Road, with local vendors, handcrafted goods and food and drinks for sale. Our Fairview Fest guide covers what to expect.
Choose-and-cut Christmas tree farms
Most Sussex County tree farms open around Thanksgiving weekend and stay open on December weekends, but each farm sets its own season and some had not posted 2026 hours yet. Our Christmas tree farms in Sussex County guide lists choose-and-cut farms from Augusta to Wantage with what each one grows and how it runs its season.
December: the German Christmas Market and holiday shopping
Friday, December 4: Fairview Lake YMCA Tree Lighting
Fairview Lake YMCA Camps also lists its annual holiday tree lighting on Friday, December 4 from 5 to 7 p.m., with festive songs, a seasonal craft, indoor camp activities and a visit from Jolly Old St. Nick, per its community events page.
December 4 to 6: German Christmas Market of NJ, Augusta
The German Christmas Market of NJ returns to the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta, for its 25th year. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. General admission is $10 for ages 13 and up, and the market says online ticket presales open in early November. Expect wooden huts, bratwurst, handcrafted gifts and live choirs. Our German Christmas Market NJ 2026 guide has every ticket detail.
December 12 and 13: Countdown to Christmas at St. Jude, Hopatcong
St. Jude’s Countdown to Christmas Shopping Extravaganza brings more than 40 vendors to 40 Maxim Drive in Hopatcong from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, with free admission, a 50/50 and food for sale, according to the Lake Hopatcong Foundation listing. It is rain, snow or shine.
Saturday, December 12: SCAHC Reception and Holiday Party, Newton
Stop by the SCAHC Gallery on Spring Street from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for light refreshments and a chance to meet the artists in the Small Works show. Festive attire is encouraged.
For a full list of holiday markets in one place, see our Christmas markets in Sussex County guide.
Our team’s tip for the holiday season
Book the timed events first. Skylands light show slots are sold by date and time, December weekends are popular, and German Christmas Market presales open in early November. Lock those in now, then fill your Saturdays with the free stuff: the Newton parade, Fairview Fest, the Lafayette Christmas Village and the church craft fairs. If you are shopping on Thanksgiving weekend, Newton, Lafayette and Stillwater sit close together in the middle of the county, so the parade and two markets fit into one day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest Christmas events in Sussex County, NJ?
The Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show in Augusta (select nights November 21 to December 30), the German Christmas Market of NJ at the Sussex County Fairgrounds (December 4 to 6), the Festival of Lights at Newton Medical Center (November 14) and the Newton Holiday Parade (November 28) are the headline events of the season.
When is the Newton Holiday Parade in 2026?
Saturday, November 28, 2026. It can be viewed from Spring Street or Moran Street in downtown Newton, and it is free to watch.
How much are Skylands Stadium light show tickets?
Standard tickets are $29 per carload for a reserved date and time slot, and VIP tickets are $79 per carload with express lane access.
Where is the German Christmas Market in NJ?
At the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta, December 4 to 6, 2026. General admission is $10 for ages 13 and up.
Are there free Christmas events in Sussex County?
Yes. The Newton Holiday Parade, Fairview Fest, The Homestead’s Holiday Market, the St. Jude craft fairs and the Sparta Art Show and Sale are all free to attend.
Where can I cut my own Christmas tree in Sussex County?
Several choose-and-cut farms operate from Augusta to Wantage, and most open around Thanksgiving weekend. See our Christmas tree farms guide for each farm’s details and check its website before you go.
Primary sources: Skylands Stadium, German Christmas Market of NJ, Newton Medical Center Foundation, Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce, Peters Valley School of Craft, SCAHC, The Shoppes at Lafayette, Fairview Lake YMCA, Northwest Christian School and NJ Mama Events. Dates and prices are as posted in October 2026; confirm with each organizer before you go.
Featured photo: Skylands Stadium via skylandsstadium.com.
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