Looking to get your family into the spirit of the season? Whisk them away to one of the most feel-good Christmas events around: the German Christmas Market in Sussex County, where the cheeks are rosy, the hot chocolate is steaming, and the holiday vibes are cranked up to 100.
Nothing will enchant them like the whimsy and joy of this annual holiday market, which runs from Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 7, 2025. Here you will find the quaintness of a traditional German Christmas market mixed with local vendors and craftsmen, animals, entertainers, exhibits, holiday displays, and authentic German food and seasonal treats for everyone’s palate. Your family will be transported to a different time and place, outside of the stuffy malls and away from the commercial noise of the season, where kids are surrounded by the true spirit of the season, complete with community, joy, and fun.
Read on for my best tips for keeping a visit to the German Christmas Market of New Jersey stress-free and find all our best things to do this season in our New Jersey Kids’ Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities.
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Explore row-after-row of vendors at the German Christmas Market of New Jersey.
German Christmas Market of NJ: The Basics
The German Christmas Market of New Jersey has been gaining steam in the past few years. After outgrowing its previous location in Sparta, it has moved to the sprawling 150-acre Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey, and has been named the largest Christmas market in New Jersey.
Visitors can expect to encounter more than 150 vendors ranging from small-town craftsmen to gourmet food vendors, confectioners, jewelers, plus purveyors of pickles, candles, and more!
In addition to shops and authentic German eats, there are tons of family-friendly activities, too. Meet barnyard friends, climb aboard a carousel, see a Christmas tree lighting, or gawk at the Pocono Mountain Garden Railway Society’s model train display.
One other lovely note: Proceeds from the market are donated to local Sussex County nonprofits following the market’s annual run. Since its inception in 2003, the market has donated more than $770,000 to local charities!
Tips for Your German Christmas Market Visit
As an experienced mom and longtime visitor to the German Christmas Market, I have learned that if you don’t have a plan, the day can turn into a ball of stress and confusion. So let’s approach this trip as you would at Disney World, with a solid plan of action.
Here are my 10 best tips for navigating New Jersey’s German Christmas Market so parents—and kids—have a weekend to remember:
1. Go to the Fair When it Opens
The fair opens each day at 10am and closes at 8pm on Friday and Saturday; on Sunday, it closes at 5pm. Plan to beat the crowds by getting there when it opens!
2. Buy Discount Admission Tickets
Tickets are sold online through Thursday, December 4. Purchase in advance to avoid the line at the gate. Children ages 12 and under (and veterans) enter for FREE. Adults and teens ages 13+ are $9 in advance/$10 at the door. Seniors (65+) are $5.50 in advance/$7 at the door.
3. Head to The Entertainment Hall to Regroup
Located at the far end of the fairgrounds, the Entertainment Hall is a great spot to sit, regroup, and warm up while enjoying live Christmas music performed by local talent.
4. Plan to Visit Santa
While you are in the area, walk over to visit Santa in the Conservatory Gazebo and listen to Mrs. Claus, and an elf read a story in the Conservatory Courtyard.
5. Plan Your Route
Download the vendor map before you go. There is so much to see, do, and buy that it helps to know where to find your favorite vendors.
What would a visit to the German Christmas Market be without an authentic, hand-crafted German Keepsake?
6. Bundle up!
The market is mostly outdoors, so dress warm, including gloves, for all the shopping bags, food, and beverages you will be handling. There are livestock barns filled with vendors that block the wind, and some buildings are heated. Hot chocolate and Glühwein (a traditional German hot, spiced mulled wine) are available throughout the grounds.
7. Bring Some Cash for Kiddie Activities
Many of the kid-friendly activities, including pony rides, the carousel, and horse-drawn wagon rides, require an additional fee. While there are ATMs throughout the property, it is better to come prepared. Each activity is $5 per person. The petting zoo is FREE.
8. Pack Some Snacks
There is plenty of food available for purchase, but due to long lines at some vendors, I do not recommend coming very hungry. Bring a few snacks for the kids and eat something light before you visit.
9. Slow Down
Stay in the present moment with your family without letting the hustle and bustle of the crowd persuade you to speed up. Take the time to snap some family pictures and selfies together. Make some new holiday memories your kids will cherish forever.
10. Choose a Keepsake
The best way to commemorate your time together at the fair is to pick up an authentic traditional German Christmas decoration. These wooden figurines and ornaments are imported directly from German artisans. You can find them in the Cookie Hut in the Conservatory Building. There are no mass-produced, cheap knock-offs at this market!
RELATED: Holiday Fairs and Markets in the Hudson Valley
All photos courtesy of the German Christmas Market of New Jersey.
