New Jersey November Events and festivals kick off the beginning of the winter holiday season with Thanksgiving, and the holiday festivals and events that begin as early as the Friday after Thanksgiving.
The weather is still warm enough for some active outdoor activities. So, whether you are a music enthusiast, a foodie, or someone simply looking to enjoy a day out, New Jersey's events guarantees a fun-packed itinerary.
Ring in the New Year in style! Join us for the Ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration from 7PM to 1AM at iPlay America! Enjoy a night of rides, games, party favors, DJ, giveaways, and more!
Great Pumpkin Festival
September 14th – November 3rd, 2024
Heaven Hill Farm.
Rt. 94N
Vernon, NJ
This festival features 35+ family fun outdoor activities included! Hayrides, Alien Invasion themed corn maze, farm animals, live entertainment, and so many fun activities for the entire family. Plus, don’t miss the 100’s of photo opportunity spots along the way! They also have 12 carnival rides, Apple Cannon, Paintball Range, Gem Mining, Wine Tasting, Food Vendors, Kettle Corn, Our Famous Apple Cider Donuts, amazing selection of pumpkins, gourds, mums, the Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show followed by Pig Racing.
Jack O' Lantern Experience
September 20 until November 3, 2024
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place
Augusta, NJ 07822
Experience Pure Halloween Madness, Skylands Stadium will be transformed with over 6,000+ Jack-O-Lanterns, for an Original 45-minute Walk-Thru Spectacular. Sussex County's Family Entertainment Destination is set ablaze with spectacular visuals, and a thrilling Fall Festival. Perfect for families, date nights, and lovers of Halloween spirit.
Hoboken Day of The Dead Party - Dia De Muertos
November 1st, 2024
Madd Hatter Hoboken
221 Washington Street
Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $19.99
This popular post-Halloween celebration, the "Hoboken Day of the Dead Fiesta," features a day filled with joyful memories that will linger in your heart for years to come. Dress to impress in your most dazzling Day of the Dead attire, whether it's a vibrant skull mask, intricate face paint, or a unique, one-of-a-kind ensemble.
Jersey City Mac & Cheese Festival
Saturday, November 2, 2024. (rain or shine)
Jersey City, NJ
Costs: $35
This event features unique mac and cheese offerings from several restaurants. This event is a great opportunity for JC locals and NJ foodies alike to sample a wide variety of one of the world's great comfort foods.
Purchased tickets will be based on the check-in location noted.
Day of the Dead Celebration at the Riverview Farmers Market
Sunday, November 3, 2024; 10am -2pm
Riverview Park
1 Bowers St
Jersey City, NJ
This event features
the Dia de Los Muertos / Days of the Dead celebration to honor lost loved ones and the authentic traditions that are part of this Mexican holiday with traditional live music and dance.
Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sundays, November 7th, 2024, thru January 12th, 2025
Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ
Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo.
Let it Glow is a symphony of vivid glowing colors to tease your eyes and dazzle the mind. Come and enjoy an enchanting stroll throughout the zoo These larger than life lanterns are amazing in picture but stunning in person! With over 30 scenes, these hand-made artistic wonders are more breath-taking than the last! Its one of those things you need to see in person to truly appreciate.
Taco and Empanada Festival
Saturday, November 9th, 2024: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Memorial Park
580 Valley Street
Maplewood, NJ
Cost: $0 - $5
This event features
a variety of gourmet food from numerous taco and empanada vendors. While sampling, you can quench your thirst at the beer, margarita, and sangria garden. There will be music, kids' activities. Bring a chair, blanket, and a non-perishable food item to support the local food pantry.
Skylands Christmas Light Show & Christmas Village
Begining last weekend in November until end of 2024
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Pl.
Augusta, NJ 07822
Outdoor Village:FREE admission
With more than two million dazzling lights on a mile-long drive-through course PLUS a new outdoor village, it's a must-see holiday attraction for your whole family.
Christmas Joy is coming back to Sussex County, Bigger, and Better than Ever. This Winter, Skylands Stadium will be Dazzled with Lights on a Mile Long Drive-Thru course that now goes ON THE FIELD. Plus a NEW & EXPANDED Outdoor Village & Winter Carnival. It's a Must-See Holiday Attraction for the Whole Family. The event is Safe, Spacious, and Distanced.
Jersey City Wine Fest
November, 23, 2024
Harborside Atrium
210 Hudson St
Jersey City, NJ
This event features wine samples from local and intrnational wineris, for the session paired with live entertainment, food, and interactive games.
100% of the net profits go to charity.
New Providence Holiday Walk
Friday, November 29th, 2024; 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Downtown New Providence, NJ
This annual holiday family event features Santa's grand arrival, followed by a lively performance by the New Providence HS marching band, and the grand finale fireworks display.
Fall Harvest Festival
Now until late November, 2024
Allaire Community Farm
1923 Baileys Corner Rd
Wall Township, NJ
Admission:
$3 for children under 18 and $6 for adults.
This event features
lots of Autumn Atmosphere on a 25-acre Farm. the attractions and activities include a pumpkin patch, petting zoos, wagon rides, train rides, and a market full of autumn produce (including hay bales, mums, and cornstalks) ready to grab for all your home fall decor needs!
All proceeds from this event help support their mission to serve our rescued animals and target in-need populations, including special needs populations, At-Risk youth, and Veterans with PTSD.
Beers on the Boards
Saturday, November 2, 2024 @ 12:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Martells Tiki Bar
Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk
308 Boardwalk
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
2 Sessions 12:30PM & 6:00PM
This event features
local Craft beers, live music, and a gourmet all-you-can-eat buffet.
Cider Making at The Howell Living History Farm
Saturday, November 2, 2024: 10:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
This family event features
a demonstration of fresh apple cider making. All you have to do is turn the crank of the cider press...and then help re-fill the hopper with the Macs, Cortlands and Red Delicious apples that make for a perfect blend. Peel an apple with a hand-crank apple peeler and stop by the farmhouse for lunch and homemade apple pie!
El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Princeton
Saturday, November 2, 2024; 1 PM - 3PM
Paul Robeson Center for the Arts
102 Witherspoon Street
Princeton, NJ
Cost:free
This free family-friendly outdoor festival features a culturally rich holiday with Mariachi, dance, delicious food and hands-on projects inspired by traditional folk art. The event includes crafts inspired by traditional Mexican folk art, decorate sugar skulls, enjoy live music by Mariachi Los Tigres de Princeton.
NJ Wine Expo
Saturday, November 9th, 2024
Bell Works Ballroom
101 Crawfords Corner Road
Holmdel, NJ
Cost: $30-$50. Early access and two additional sessions. Includes
exclusive souvenir stemless wine glass
This event features
more than 30 New Jersey wineries and vineyards coming together to showcase their wines. Wine enthusiasts and novice drinkers will meet the winemakers and to stroll between winery tables sampling more than 130 hand selected wines. There will presentations from leading wine experts with tips on how to plan your next trip through the NJ Wine Country.
Lumino City's "Wonder Journey" Festival
November 15, 2024 through January. 5, 2025
Freehold Raceway Mall
3710 US-9
Freehold, NJ
Lumino City uses light and imagination to turn creative ideas inspired by the world into stunning displays of light and color. The "Wonder Journey" festival will completely transform the Freehold Mall parking lot into a fantasy filled journey inspired by Alice in Wonderland. There will be larger-than-life scenes straight from the story — including the Wonderland Tea Party, the iconic butterfly seat and more.
Darkside New Jersey Film Festival
Saturday, November 16, 2024: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
NJ Convention and Expo Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
Tickets: $15
This event features both traditional films, and the weird, the odd, the curious, and the macabre. Each film is a haunting descent into the unknown with visions drenched in darkness, dripping with oddity, and pulsing with dread. From unsettling horrors to surreal, twisted narratives, these films claw at the mind and leave shadows in their wake. There will also be body art exhibits, tattooing, piercings, taxidermy classes, guest speakers, and so much more.
Holiday in the Park
Select Dates November 21st until January 1st, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd.
Jackson, NJ
Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park! Make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods, and your favorite thrilling coasters. From coasters to cocoa it's a holiday spectacular for the whole family!
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
November 22nd until January 4th, 2025
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
The Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of New Jersey's favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.
Greenberg's Great Train & Toy Show
November
23, 24, 2024; 10am-4pm
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave
Edison, NJ
This show Features Hundreds of Tables of Trains for Sale Exhibitors from Across the Country Huge Operating Model Train Displays Including: Free Workshops and Demonstrations Free Test Track . Test Run Your Trains at the Show On-Site Train Repairs Free Door Prize Giveaways Plus Much More!
Dickens' Days
Friday, November 29, Sunday, December 1, 2024
The Guild of Clinton
Clinton, NJ
This annual family event will transform Clinton into a Victorian Village. Take a trip back in time to Victorian Clinton and celebrate the season with Clinton's festive activities including horse and carriage rides, carolers, and more! There is no better place to experience the magic of the season than downtown Clinton during Dickens Days!
Corn Picking & Thanksgiving Hayrides
Saturday, Novembr 30, 2024; 10am until 4pm
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
Bring a non-perishable food item for their donation wagon to earn a ride on one of our horse-drawn hay wagons! Jeb & Amos and Jesse & Paul will be giving hayrides from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are free and will be distributed in the barnyard on a first-come, first-served basis. Canned and boxed food donations will be collected at the visitor center—as well as new, unopened toys for Toys for Tots—to support the community this holiday season.
Holiday in the Park
Select Dates November 21st until January 1st, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd.
Jackson, NJ
Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park! Make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods, and your favorite thrilling coasters. From coasters to cocoa it's a holiday spectacular for the whole family!
Annual Bradley Beach Bonfire
November 29th, 2024
@5pm
on the Beach near the 5th Ave Gazebo
Bradley Beach, NJ
Always such a great time filled with friends and community!
Winter Village -- Festival of Trees
November 29th, 30th, December 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th, 2024; 10am - 6pm
The Red Mill
56 Main St.
Clinton, NJ
This Annual Holiday Festival features a beautiful display of decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces that are available to win through our raffle. Experience over 40 artisan crafters, specialty foods and craft beer set inside the bucolic Red Mill Museum Village made even more special with holiday lights and decor throughout the grounds of the Red Mill Museum Village, amid the historic buildings.
Polar Express
Trips run November 29,30, December 1,6,7,8,13.14,15,20,21,22, 2024
Lehigh Junction
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $38 Child and $48.00 Adult
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical hour and a half trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served by dancing chefs. Passengers listen to the classic children's book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. During the trip there is plenty of entertainment from our magical juggling chefs to our singing hobos! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip.
8th Annual Max's Family Fall Fest & Fishing Tournament
November 2, 2024: 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The Grove at the Elks Lodge #2340
520 Hilliard Blvd.
Manahawkin, NJ
Free admission,
anglers registration on-line.
This event features
a fishing tournament with a weigh-in on Saturday from 1-5 p.m. The fun continues with local bands, a Magician's act, The Pipes & Drums of The Ocean County Emerald Society, Antsy Nancy the Clown with balloons, a huge bouncy house, local race car driver Ronnie Pavia, as well as a photoshoot opportunity with alpacas & other games for kids and adults.
Healthy HeARTS Fest
Saturday, November 2, 2024; from 10am-3pm.
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
457 Shirley Road
Elmer, NJ
–tap here to view the course map.
Sip in Autumn Wine Festival
November 2, 3, 2024; Noon until 5pm
Veterans Park
489 Bill Zimmerman Jr Way
Bayville, NJ
Event Cost: Advanced Tickets $20 for Guests 21+
Toast to the beauty of autumn together as they feature excellent NJ wines, music, artisans, and food. Meet the winemakers and learn about the passion and process that goes into their unique blends. There will also be music, food, and crafters.
Fintastic Fall Days
Now - November 3, 2024
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ
Cost: $18.99 - $47.99
Discover a glowing new adventure as glowing gourds in the shapes aquatic animals take over the aquarium, ready to delight with daytime fun! Explore among glowing sea creatures, discover underwater pumpkin carvers, and embark on a search for illuminating surprises waiting around every corner.
DiDonato's Magical Holiday Express
November 16 - December 23, 2024
DiDonato's Family Fun Center
1151 S White Horse Pike
Hammonton, NJ
This holiday event features a ride on an exciting train through millions of Christmas lights. The fun includes meeting Santa, a gift from Santa, a holiday movie, cookies, and a walk through the Holiday Village.
Cape May Christmas Holiday Season
November 22nd until January 5th, 2025
Emlen Physick Estate
1048 Washington Street
Cape May, NJ
The Cape May Christmas holiday season kicks off with the tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, November 24, 2024, and continues every weekend as the town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.
Smithville Holiday Light Show On The Lake
Thanksgiving until January 6th, 2025
Historical Smithville
615 E. Moss Mill Rd.
Smithville, NJ 08205
Over 120 Christmas Trees made from over 50,000 Christmas lights, magically float on Lake Meone in the center of Historic Smithville. The moment darkness falls, an orchestrated show of lights and music is played out across the lake. The lights seem to dance and chase each other to the music all the while reflecting of the water's surface. This show can be seen from either side of the village as well as the bridge.
The 22nd Annual Antique Toy Train Show
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, November 29th, 2024 thru February 2nd, 2025
Museum of American History
138 Andaloro Way
Deptford, NJ
Cost:
$4 Adult, $3 children.
Features O and O-27 gauge toy trains from the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's. Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines, with adjoining cars, will race on two diverse platforms. Vintage Plasticville buildings from the 950's will further augment the display. Vegetatation and auxiliary structures will give the platforms a traditional holiday appearance.
Collingswood Holiday Parade
Saturday, November 30, 2024; beginning at 10 am.
Downtown,
Collingswood, NJ
Website
The parade will begin at Zane Avenue and continue to West Linden Avenue, through the heart of historic Collingswood.
The parade features lively seasonal entertainment, including marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, giants on stilts, floats, mummers, sports mascots and live music.