The Vineland area has 2 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Vineland Christmas Parade in Vineland on November 28 to Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave in Vineland, on December 4. 1 of them is free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in New Jersey, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 2 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Vineland for 2026, in Vineland
- First: Vineland Christmas Parade, Vineland, November 28. Runs latest: Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave, Vineland, through December 4
- Free: Vineland Christmas Parade
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
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Christmas events for kids in Vineland
2 confirmed events for kids in Vineland, soonest first.
Santa and Mrs. ClausFree
Vineland Christmas Parade
- When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 5 pm
- Where: Landis Avenue (The Ave), Vineland
- Cost: Free to watch
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
Downtown Vineland's long-standing Christmas parade runs along Landis Avenue, known locally as The Ave, starting at 5 pm. The event page promises hundreds of bands, floats, mummers and walkers, so there is plenty to see for young children.
The parade ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on a sleigh float. Santa then uses a magic wand to light the strings of lights along The Ave. If the weather is bad, the rain date is Sunday, November 29.
Parent tip: Arrive early for a curbside spot on Landis Avenue and bring warm layers for an evening outdoors.
- Host
- Main Street Vineland (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Landis Avenue (The Ave), 830 E Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Tree lighting
Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026
- Where: Landis Avenue and Vineland City Hall area, Vineland
- Cost: See The Ave site for details
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave is Main Street Vineland's holiday celebration in the downtown, centered on Landis Avenue near the Landis Theater. The Ave website lists the 2026 date as Friday, December 4.
The schedule for 2026 had not been posted at the time we checked. In past years the weekend opened with the Vineland Christmas tree lighting and fireworks on Friday, followed by a Saturday of pictures with Santa, free trolley and horse carriage rides, costumed characters, live music and local vendors. Plan on a similar mix and confirm the details first.
Parent tip: Only the Friday date is posted so far, so check TheAve.biz for the full weekend schedule.
- Host
- Main Street Vineland (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Landis Avenue and Vineland City Hall area, 800 block of E Landis Ave, Vineland, NJ 08360
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Vineland? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
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Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our New Jersey Christmas train rides page.
Vineland Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Vineland
- Season
- November 28 to December 4, 2026
- Free events
- 1
- Kinds of events
- Santa and Mrs. Claus and tree lighting
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Vineland Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Vineland Christmas Parade in Vineland on November 28; the last runs to December 4. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Vineland Christmas ParadeVineland · Nov 28
- Olde Fashioned Christmas on the AveVineland · Dec 4
Looking further afield? Our New Jersey Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Newark, NJ, Atlantic City, Barnegat, Brick and Toms River. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Vineland
In Vineland, Christmas starts on Landis Avenue. Locals call it The Ave, and every year Santa arrives there on a sleigh float and lights up the strings of lights above the street.
How Vineland celebrates
Vineland's Christmas runs through downtown Landis Avenue, known as The Ave. The Christmas Parade, called a long-standing tradition by the organizers, brings hundreds of bands, floats, mummers and walkers down the street. It ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus on a sleigh float, and Santa uses a magic wand to light the strings of lights along The Ave. A tree lighting at City Hall with carols, Santa and fireworks opens a weekend called Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave, planned as a throwback to older holiday celebrations and to support local merchants.
Christmas last year in Vineland
The 2025 season began with the Vineland Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 29, at 5 pm, with a rain date of November 30. Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave followed on Saturday, December 6, from noon to 6 pm at the Vineland Convention Center, with free trolley and carriage rides, costumed characters, vendors and photos with Santa. The Durning String Band played from 2 to 3 pm, and three local therapy dogs were special guests. On December 9, families visited Santa in the City Hall lobby from 5:30 to 8:30 pm and received a free framed 5 by 7 photo.
Fun facts about Christmas in Vineland
The Ave's Christmas weekend has had its own special guests: a fire department dog named Radiant and an EMS dog named Wednesday joined the fun in past years. The 2024 weekend kicked off at 5 pm with the lighting of the Vineland Christmas Tree, a ribbon-cutting and fireworks, and ended with the Rowan Christmas Orchestra at the Landis Theater. In 2011 the city revived its Residential Holiday Lighting Contest after it had been defunct since the 1990s. Twenty-five homes entered, and the grand prize was $500.
Traditions today
- Vineland Christmas Parade: Bands, floats, mummers and walkers march down Landis Avenue at 5 pm, with Santa and Mrs. Claus on a sleigh float at the end.
- Santa lights up The Ave: At the end of the parade, Santa uses a magic wand to light the strings of lights along The Ave.
- Vineland Christmas Tree Lighting: Carols, a visit from Santa and a fireworks display on the steps of City Hall.
- Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave: A downtown weekend with Santa photos, trolley and carriage rides, music and local vendors.
- Take a Photo with Santa: Families meet Santa in the City Hall lobby and take home a free framed photo, as in December 2025.
- Residential Holiday Lighting Contest: A home decorating contest the city revived in 2011.
A fact for kids
In Vineland, Santa lights the whole street with a magic wand. At the end of the Christmas Parade, he waves it and the strings of lights along The Ave glow.
Questions about Christmas in Vineland
When is the Vineland Christmas Parade?
The 2026 Vineland Christmas Parade is listed for Saturday, November 28, at 5 pm on Landis Avenue, with a rain date of Sunday, November 29. It is held every year, usually just after Thanksgiving. Check Main Street Vineland's page before you go in case the schedule changes.
What is The Ave in Vineland?
The Ave is the local nickname for Landis Avenue, the main street through downtown Vineland. The Christmas Parade and Olde Fashioned Christmas weekend both take place there. Main Street Vineland, the downtown organization behind many of these events, runs the TheAve.biz website with schedules.
Who is in the Vineland Christmas Parade?
The event page describes hundreds of bands, floats, mummers and walkers. Santa and Mrs. Claus close the parade on a sleigh float. Walkers and people driving vehicles or floats can register through the parade's participation page, so check the Main Street Vineland listing if your group wants to join.
How does Santa light up The Ave?
At the end of the parade, Santa uses a magic wand to light up the strings of lights along The Ave. Santa and Mrs. Claus ride the sleigh float at the end of the parade, so the lighting is the grand finale.
Is the Vineland Christmas Parade free?
The parade is held on a public street, and the event listings mention no ticket for spectators. Sponsors, including a local bank, support it. Food, parking and any vendor purchases are separate. Check the Main Street Vineland page for the latest details before heading downtown.
What is Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave?
Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave is Main Street Vineland's downtown holiday weekend. It was designed as a throwback to older-style celebrations and to support local merchants with locally made gifts. The Ave site lists the 2026 edition for Friday, December 4, with more details to come.
What happened at Olde Fashioned Christmas in 2025?
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, it ran from noon to 6 pm at the Vineland Convention Center, with free trolley and carriage rides, costumed characters, vendors and photos with Santa. The Durning String Band played from 2 to 3 pm, and school, fire and EMT dogs visited as special guests.
When does Vineland light its Christmas tree?
In 2024, the Vineland Christmas Tree Lighting was on Friday, December 6, at 5 pm on the steps of City Hall, with carols, a visit from Santa and fireworks. The weekend event page lists Olde Fashioned Christmas for December 4, 2026, but no 2026 tree lighting time was posted yet.
Where is the Vineland Community Christmas Tree?
The city's Community Christmas Tree stands at Vineland City Hall on East Wood Street. The tree lighting is held on the steps of City Hall, and in December 2025 families visited Santa in the City Hall lobby. Check the city calendar for current hours before you plan a visit.
Can kids meet Santa for free in Vineland?
Yes, the city offered a Take a Photo with Santa evening on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in the City Hall lobby, and families received a free 5 by 7 framed photo. Santa also appears at the parade and at Olde Fashioned Christmas. Check the city calendar for 2026.
Are there trolley and carriage rides in Vineland at Christmas?
Yes. Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave has featured free trolley rides and horse carriage rides, according to the 2024 schedule and the 2025 city listing. Both rides were free in 2025. Check The Ave website for 2026 times and pick-up spots.
Which dogs visit Vineland's Christmas events?
Radiant, a fire department dog, and Wednesday, an EMS dog, have been special guests at Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave. In 2025 a Vineland Schools dog named Cole joined them. Check the 2026 listing to see which guests are planned.
Is there live music at Vineland's Christmas weekend?
Yes. The 2025 event featured the Durning String Band and groups such as the Sweet Adelines, Divine Mercy Choir and Studio B Dancers. In 2024 the lineup included choirs, jazz bands, a quintet and the Rowan Christmas Orchestra at the Landis Theater. Performers change each year.
Is there anything for toddlers at the Ave weekend?
In 2024 the Saturday program included face painting, a magician, balloon animals, pictures with Santa and costumed characters, and pets were welcome for the Santa photos. Programs vary by year, so check the 2026 listing. The Ave website posts the details.
What is the Landis Theater?
The Landis Theater is a venue on the 800 block of Landis Avenue in downtown Vineland. During the 2024 Ave Christmas weekend it showed classic Christmas movies in the morning and hosted the Rowan Christmas Orchestra in the evening. Check the theater's schedule for current holiday shows.
Did Vineland ever have a lighting contest?
Yes. The Residential Holiday Lighting Contest was revived in 2011 after being defunct since the 1990s. Twenty-five people entered, the mayor and council members judged for two nights, and the grand prize was $500. Check with the city to see whether a contest is running in 2026.
How can I explain the parade to my child?
Tell them the town marches down its main street with bands and floats, and that Santa comes last, waving a magic wand to turn on the lights. Practice watching for the sleigh float. Main Street Vineland lists the parade date.
Is there a train museum near Vineland?
We did not find a railroad museum or a Christmas train for Vineland in the sources we read, so we cannot point to one here. Vineland's holiday traditions center on the parade, trolley rides and carriage rides on The Ave instead. Check the city calendar for anything new.
What should I bring to the Vineland Christmas Parade?
Bring warm layers, a blanket or folding chairs, and snacks, since the parade starts at 5 pm in late November. Arrive early to find a spot on Landis Avenue. The rain date is the next day, November 29, so check Main Street Vineland's page if the forecast looks wet.
Where can I find Vineland's 2026 Christmas dates?
Main Street Vineland's TheAve.biz lists the Christmas Parade on November 28 and Olde Fashioned Christmas on December 4, 2026, and the City of Vineland calendar posts tree lighting and Santa photo nights. Check both pages again closer to the date, since schedules can change.
Sources
- Vineland Christmas Parade 2026, Main Street Vineland
- Vineland Christmas Parade 2025, City of Vineland
- Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave 2025, City of Vineland
- Take A Photo With Santa, City of Vineland
- Vineland Christmas Tree Lighting, City of Vineland
- An International Olde Fashioned Christmas, Main Street Vineland
- As the holidays approach, Vineland brings back a well-lit tradition, WHYY
Vineland Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Vineland this year?
We confirmed 2 for the 2026 season, and 1 of them are free. Good places to start: Olde Fashioned Christmas on the Ave (Dec 4) and Vineland Christmas Parade (Nov 28). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Vineland?
Yes, 1 of the 2. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.
Where can kids meet Santa in Vineland?
2 events here include a visit with Santa. Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
For 1 of the 2 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Vineland?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Vineland Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.