The month of November is 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.
Enjoy kids, adults, & corporate events, rides, and attractions at Central Jersey’s largest indoor themed park!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Beginning 3rd weekend in November until end of December, 2024
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $20 +
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.