As winter settles in, Cape May transforms into a seaside town straight out of a holiday storybook. Streets glow with twinkling lights, storefronts brim with festive décor, and the ocean breeze carries the promise of the season ahead. From candlelit Victorian homes to Santa sightings by the sea, it’s one of New Jersey’s most festive coastal destinations.
This year, La Mer Beachfront Resort brings new sparkle to the season with dazzling holiday events, elegant dining experiences, and cozy oceanfront stays made for celebrating. Whether you’re here for a weekend getaway, a family celebration, or a festive meal with friends, Christmas in Cape May is where timeless tradition meets oceanfront warmth.
Celebrate the Season at La Mer Beachfront Resort
H3: Sapphire Tree Lighting Ceremony Dinner — November 29, 2025
The season begins in spectacular style at La Mer’s Sapphire Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, featuring one of the tallest and most radiant trees on the Jersey Shore. Standing 30 feet tall, the shimmering blue-and-gold Sapphire Light Tree will illuminate the resort, marking the start of the holiday season.
Join us for an unforgettable evening from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a four-course prix-fixe dinner at our own restaurant, The Pier House, featuring chef-crafted courses, festive cocktails, and cozy ambiance.
Price: $75 per adult | $45 per child
Seashells & Sleigh Bells: Holiday Brunch with Santa — December 6, 2025
Celebrate the holidays with family and friends at La Mer’s Seashells & Sleigh Bells Brunch with Santa. Enjoy a festive buffet filled with seasonal favorites while Santa makes a special appearance for photos and holiday cheer. It’s the perfect way to start a Christmas weekend in Cape May; delicious food and a little bit of magic for all ages.
Time: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Price: $49.95 per adult | $24.95 per child
Screen to Table: The Grinch
Take a trip to Whoville with La Mer’s Screen to Table: Grinch Dinner. This immersive dining experience brings the holiday classic to life through food. Enjoy a five-course menu inspired by scenes from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, crafted by our culinary team to capture every mischievous, merry moment. Each course is playful, creative, and big enough to make any Grinch’s heart grow three sizes.
Price: $100 per person (tax and gratuity included)
Nutcracker Tea Party
Step into a world of elegance and imagination at La Mer’s Nutcracker Tea Party, featuring a live performance of The Nutcracker by Jersey Cape Dance & Gymnastics Academy. Guests will enjoy a delightful fixed menu of tea sandwiches, sweets, and premium teas, with a mimosa bar available for purchase to add an extra sparkle to the experience. This charming afternoon event is perfect for families, friends, or anyone who loves the magic of the season.
Price: $60 per person (inclusive of tax & gratuity)
Cape May Christmas Events Not to Miss
Beyond La Mer’s celebrations, Cape May, NJ at Christmas brims with timeless traditions and small-town sparkle. Stroll past gaslit streets lined with garlands and ribbons, where horse-drawn carriages clip-clop past Victorian homes dressed in wreaths and twinkle lights. Shop windows glow with seasonal displays, carolers’ voices drift through the crisp ocean air, and the scent of hot cocoa and pine mingles with the salt breeze. Every corner of this seaside town feels touched by holiday magic, from candlelit tours and cozy plays to the joyful hum of parades and tree-lighting ceremonies. It’s no wonder visitors return year after year to experience Christmas in Cape May, where festive nostalgia and coastal charm come together in the most enchanting way.
West Cape May Christmas Parade (December 6, 2025)
A beloved tradition now in its 56th year. The parade begins at the West Cape May Volunteer Firehouse and winds through town with floats, marching bands, and twinkling lights.
Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony (November 22, 2025)
Watch Santa and his elves light up the Physick Estate during the Tree Lighting Ceremony. The John Walter Community Band fills the air with holiday tunes to ensure a wonderfully festive evening.
Christmas Candlelight House Tours
A Cape May classic since 1974, the Candlelight House Tours allow you to stroll the gaslit streets and step inside beautifully decorated homes, inns, and churches for a true glimpse of Victorian Christmas charm.
Spirited Cape May Christmas Trolley Ride
Hear stories of Christmases past on a festive trolley ride through the historic district, complete with seasonal lights and local lore.
Let’s Catch Santa (November 19th – December 28th)
This heartwarming holiday play will remind audiences of the magic and connection the season brings. Let’s Catch Santa is performed locally in Cape May and is the perfect entertainment for anyone looking for classic, traditional fun this season.
From carolers and cozy cafés to holiday shopping along Washington Street Mall, Cape May at Christmas captures the spirit of the season at every turn.
Experience the Magic of Cape May at La Mer Beachfront Resort
After an evening of lights, laughter, and holiday charm, return to the warmth of La Mer Beachfront Resort; your oceanfront retreat for the festive season. Enjoy modern, comfortable rooms, coastal dining, and easy access to Cape May’s top Christmas events, all just steps from the sand.
Whether you’re attending a holiday brunch with Santa, sipping tea at our Nutcracker Tea Party, or simply soaking in the view of the Sapphire Christmas Tree, your stay at La Mer will be filled with festive touches and heartfelt hospitality.