The Last Weekend of the Year in South Jersey: Holiday Events and Light Displays to Close Out 2025 (December 27–28, 2025)

By Robert "Bob" Millaway, AI Certified Agent™ & South Jersey Lifestyle Specialist

As the year comes to a close, the weekend between Christmas and New Year's offers a rare chance to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the final glow of the holiday season. While many Christmas markets and parades wrap up before December 25, several holiday light displays and seasonal experiences continue through the last weekend of the year.

If you're looking for holiday-themed things to do in Burlington County, Camden County, and nearby Philadelphia during the final weekend of 2025, here are the best verified options still running Saturday and Sunday, December 27 and 28.

Holiday Events and Seasonal Experiences

Historic Smithville Village Holiday Light Show

Location: Eastampton, Burlington County, New Jersey
Dates: Nightly through early January, including December 27 and 28
Time: 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Cost: Free

Historic Smithville Village remains one of the most peaceful and visually striking holiday light displays in South Jersey. More than 50,000 lights and over 120 decorated Christmas trees are reflected across the village lake during nightly music-coordinated shows.

This is an ideal way to close out the holiday season with a calm evening walk that still feels festive and meaningful. The lakeside setting creates a magical atmosphere that's perfect for families, couples, or anyone wanting to experience the quiet beauty of the season.

Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square

Location: Franklin Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dates: Nightly through early January, including December 27 and 28
Time: Light shows every 30 minutes starting at dusk
Cost: Free to attend

Franklin Square's Electrical Spectacle is one of Philadelphia's signature holiday traditions, featuring hundreds of thousands of LED lights synchronized to seasonal music in a walkable city park setting. The show runs every half hour, so you can plan your visit around dinner or other activities.

It offers a classic holiday atmosphere without requiring tickets, making it perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking for a low-pressure seasonal outing. The central Philadelphia location also means you can easily combine it with dinner at one of the city's many restaurants.

Glow Holiday Light Experience

Location: Washington Township area, South Jersey
Dates: Select nights through late December and early January, including this weekend
Time: Evening hours
Cost: Ticketed event

Glow is one of South Jersey's largest immersive holiday light experiences, featuring animated displays, walk-through installations, and photo-worthy seasonal scenes. The experience includes interactive elements that make it especially engaging for families with children.

If you want one final, high-impact holiday experience before the year ends, this is one of the most visually engaging options still running. The ticketed nature means smaller crowds and a more curated experience than free displays.

Christmas Fantasy with Lights at Storybook Land

Location: Medford, New Jersey
Dates: Through December 30
Time: Nightly at 5:00 PM
Cost: Ticketed event

Storybook Land's Christmas Fantasy features over 1 million lights throughout the beloved South Jersey theme park. This family-friendly attraction transforms the classic storybook scenes into a winter wonderland, making it perfect for creating lasting holiday memories.

The park's familiar fairy tale settings take on new magic when illuminated for the season, offering both nostalgia for adults and wonder for children.

Seasonal Neighborhood Light Displays Across South Jersey

Location: Residential neighborhoods throughout Burlington and Camden Counties
Dates: Ongoing through late December
Time: Evening hours
Cost: Free

Many South Jersey neighborhoods continue to display elaborate Christmas light setups through the end of the year. These self-guided light tours are popular for relaxed evening drives or short neighborhood walks.

This is one of the easiest and most flexible ways to enjoy the holiday season without crowds or schedules. You can take your time, stop when you want, and create your own route based on what you discover.

What Has Ended and What Is Still Open

Many traditional holiday events, including Christmas Village markets and town tree lightings, conclude by December 24 each year. The Philadelphia Christmas Village, most local tree lighting ceremonies, and seasonal craft fairs have all wrapped up for the season.

However, light displays and seasonal experiences remain the strongest holiday-themed options for the final days of the year. These tend to run through New Year's Day or even into early January, giving families more flexibility to enjoy the holidays at their own pace.

For those planning ahead, it's worth noting that some attractions like Creamy Acres Night of Lights County Christmas Hayride conclude on December 27, making Saturday the last opportunity to experience their drive-through light display.

How AI Helps Plan Your Holiday Weekend

As an AI Certified Agent™, I've seen how technology can enhance even simple decisions like planning a holiday weekend. AI tools can help you optimize your route between multiple light displays, check real-time crowd levels, and even predict the best viewing times based on weather and traffic patterns.

This same technology that helps homeowners make smarter real estate decisions can also make your holiday planning more efficient and enjoyable. Whether you're a current South Jersey resident or considering a move to the area, understanding how to make the most of local seasonal attractions is part of what makes a community feel like home.

Planning the Last Weekend of the Year

The final weekend of the year is best enjoyed at a slower pace. Rather than packing in multiple activities, consider choosing one light display per evening and pairing it with dinner or a casual walk.

Saturday Night Options:

• Start with dinner in Medford and visit Storybook Land's Christmas Fantasy

• Drive to Historic Smithville Village for their lakeside light show

• Explore neighborhood displays in Marlton or Cherry Hill

Sunday Night Suggestions:

• Head to Philadelphia for Franklin Square's Electrical Spectacle

• Visit the Glow experience in Washington Township

• Take a leisurely drive through decorated neighborhoods in Mount Laurel or Moorestown

This approach allows you to enjoy the remaining holiday atmosphere while mentally resetting before the new year begins. It's also more realistic for families with young children who might get overwhelmed by too much activity.

Making the Most of South Jersey's Holiday Season

Living in South Jersey means access to both intimate neighborhood celebrations and major city attractions within a short drive. This weekend represents the last chance to experience the 2025 holiday season, but it also showcases why so many families choose to call this area home.

The variety of free and ticketed options, from peaceful lakeside displays to interactive light experiences, reflects the diverse community that makes South Jersey special. Whether you prefer quiet family moments or festive city energy, you can find both within a 30-minute drive.

Final Thoughts

The last weekend of the year is not about rushing to the next event. It's about closing the season with intention. Whether you choose a peaceful walk through Historic Smithville Village, a festive city light show in Philadelphia, or a quiet drive through decorated neighborhoods in South Jersey, these experiences offer a meaningful way to reflect on the year that was and ease into the year ahead.

Take time to enjoy these final holiday moments. The lights will come down, the decorations will be stored away, and 2026 will arrive with its own rhythm and opportunities. But this weekend, this last glow of 2025, is yours to savor.

FAQ

Q: Are all these events still running on December 28?
A: Yes, all the events listed continue through December 28, though some end shortly after. Historic Smithville Village and Franklin Square run through early January, while Storybook Land continues through December 30.

Q: Which events are free vs. ticketed?
A: Historic Smithville Village, Franklin Square's Electrical Spectacle, and neighborhood light displays are free. Glow Holiday Light Experience and Storybook Land's Christmas Fantasy require tickets.

Q: What time should I arrive for the best experience?
A: Most light displays begin at dusk (around 5:30 PM in late December). Arriving early ensures parking availability and shorter wait times at ticketed events.

Q: Are these events suitable for young children?
A: All events are family-friendly. Free displays offer more flexibility for families with very young children who might need to leave early.

Q: Can I visit multiple displays in one evening?
A: While possible, it's better to choose one main attraction per night and enjoy it fully rather than rushing between locations.