Check out these North Jersey downtowns that get decked out for the holiday season

One thing that makes our downtowns so special is their ability to transport us into what feels like our very own Hallmark movie. From the giant twinkling trees to the small streets lined with bows and wreaths, it's easy to get into the holiday spirit.

Some North Jersey downtowns go above and beyond. They may be hosting storefront decorating contests, have a Santa Land to let kids explore Santa's workshop and even set up a Dickens Village.

Here are four North Jersey downtowns to visit for the most bright and festive holiday experiences this season:

Maplewood

If you're looking for the most Dickensian experience this holiday season, then look no further than Maplewood. Each year, the town hosts its very own Dickens Village, where organizers bring to life scenes from Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" through miniature houses arranged in Ricalton Square. It opens Saturday, Dec. 2, and runs for three Saturdays in December. Visitors will have the opportunity to see inside the houses and explore their fireplaces, stockings and antique toys.

Each Saturday features different holiday activities, such as an annual tree lighting, visits with Santa, a petting farm, a menorah lighting and horse and wagon rides.

Details: Specific hours and activities for each Saturday will be available at maplewoodvillagenj.com closer to the Dickens Village opening.

Morristown

Each year, the Morristown Partnership presents its Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green, when downtown Morristown is transformed into a winter wonderland for the holidays. The festival runs on Fridays through Sundays from Dec. 1 to Dec. 17 and features a Santa house, a vintage-style oversized rocking horse and ice sculpture demonstrations. There will also be holiday music, crafts, rides on a miniature train and photos with Santa.

This year, you can check out the new centerpiece on the tree at the Green, as well as the updated arches and new bows on the town wreaths. The Santa house has also received an upgrade.

Details: The festival is open 3 to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The lights and tree at the Morristown Green can be visited at any time.

Ridgewood

Downtown Ridgewood will become a bright holiday village starting with its annual Downtown for the Holidays event on Dec. 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. It features a variety of festive activities across downtown Ridgewood, from the annual tree lighting ceremony and visits with Santa to trackless train rides, holiday music and dancers in store windows.

For the rest of the holiday season, you can stop by a giant and brightly lit Christmas tree at East Ridgewood Avenue and Broad Street. Or you can walk along the downtown streets, lined with twinkling storefronts and festive lights hanging above the sidewalks.

Denville

Downtown Denville goes all out for the holiday season, kicking it off on Friday, Nov. 24, with its Holiday Open House on Ice event. The event will feature an ice skating rink, festive carolers, fire pits and s'mores, among other activities.

In addition to the wreaths lining the streetlights, the decorated downtown Denville clock and twinkling trees, local businesses decorate their storefronts with holiday lights and displays.

Visitors can also stop by the Denville Rotary's annual Santa Land, on Clark Street between Church and Orchard streets. There, a holiday village is set up each year, and children can ride the train and see various characters, as well as visit Santa's workshop, the Bears house, the Gingerbread house and the Nativity scene. Santa Land is open Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m. and weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m., starting Dec. 2.

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: North Jersey NJ downtowns holiday lights Dickens Village