Twinkle walks, cocoa breaks, skate laps, and one “fine, we’re doing this” family selfie.
Some families do matching pajamas. We do matching “Where are we parking?” stress—followed by an aggressively cozy night out. Here are a few holiday wins near Leonia that keep the kids delighted and still leave room for you and your spouse to feel like actual people (not just snack distributors).
1) Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland (Ice skating + rides + market vibes)
Van Saun County Park, Paramus — Nov 28, 2025–Jan 4, 2026. Fri 4–9pm, Sat 11am–9pm, Sun 11am–7pm (plus special holiday hours + closures).
Why we love it: It’s basically a holiday buffet: skate, warm up, snack, repeat. The kids burn energy, and we pretend we’re not counting how many times someone asks for churros.
2) Let it GLOW! Lantern Spectacular (A “wow” walk that isn’t freezing your soul off)
Bergen County Zoo / Van Saun County Park — Nov 6, 2025–Jan 11, 2026. Thu/Sun 4–8pm, Fri/Sat 4–9pm (and special holiday dates).
Why we love it: It’s colorful, magical, and the perfect pace for little legs… and grownups who want an easy night that still feels festive.
3) Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms (Classic drive-thru sparkle)
244 Wierimus Rd, Hillsdale, NJ 07642 — Select dates through Dec 30, 5–9pm.
Why we love it: Drive-thru means no one complains about walking, and everyone gets to “ooh” dramatically from the comfort of the car like royalty.
4) Turtle Back Zoo Holiday Lights (Free + festive + shockingly charming)
560 Northfield Ave, West Orange, NJ 07052 — 5–9pm nightly, Nov 28–Jan 3 (closed Dec 24, Dec 25, Jan 1).
Why we love it: It’s FREE, it’s adorable, and they even have hot cocoa and s’mores options—aka the only true currency in December.
Closing cozy note:
Pick one “big” outing and one “easy” outing, and you’ve basically won the week. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s a warm car, happy kids, and that rare moment when you and your spouse make eye contact and silently agree: “Okay… this was actually pretty great.”