Top Ten Must-See Events for
Thanksgiving Weekend 2024
Listed here are the top ten 2024 Must Attend
New Jersey Thanksgiving weekend events and festivals
Thanksgiving occurs on the 28th of November, 2024
November in the late fall season still finds the weather mild enough to enjoy an outdoor activity or to get a head start on the holiday season.
Thanksgiving weekend in New Jersey is bursting with festive cheer and exciting activities for everyone.
As you plan your Thanksgiving weekend in New Jersey, remember that the state's diverse offerings cater to all interests and ages.
Whether you're seeking family fun, romantic getaways, or solo adventures, you'll find plenty to be thankful for in the Garden State.
Make this Thanksgiving a time to create lasting memories while experiencing the best of what New Jersey has to offer.
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!
1- Enjoy Dining Out on Thanksgiving in a
New Jersey Restaurant
Unforgettable Holiday Dining Experiences in New Jersey
Looking to get out to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner without the bother of meal shopping, cooking and clean-up? Here are some of our favorite restaurants open for Thanksgiving that are noted for their outstanding food and holiday ambiance.
2 - Take The Kids on a Thanksgiving Hayride at the
Howell Living History Farm
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.
3- Enjoy a Thanksgiving Getaway at a
Charming NJ Bed & Breakfast
Popular NJ Bed & Breakfast Inns
Discover the popular New Jersey destinations with attractive inns and B & B's for travelers looking to make their getaway trip extra special. From charming Victorian Inns in scenic shore towns to the Western and Northern New Jersey historic towns with rolling hills and mountains, there is information and listing available for all travelers needs for a romantic or relaxing short trip.
4 - Celebrate The Start of the Holiday Season
at a Holiday Lighting Festival
Skylands Christmas Light Show & Christmas Village
Begining last weekend in November until end of 2024
Skylands Stadium
Augusta, NJ
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.
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.
Smithville Holiday Light Show On The Lake
Historical Smithville
Smithville, NJ
Over 120 Christmas Trees made from over 50,000 Christmas lights, magically float on Lake Meone in the center of Historic Smithville.
5- Plan a Weekend Day Trip
to a New Jersey Museum
New Jersey Museums
The NJ museums offer a wide variety of exciting arts and natural science treasures and programs that are educational, fun, and adventuresome. A great day trip for people of all ages to experience treasures of art, a real floating battleship, historic buildings, hands-on interactive science programs, and educational exhibits.
6 -Visit Atlantic City - For The
Tinseltown Holiday Experience
The Atlantic City Tinseltown Holiday Experience
Atlantic City will light up with festive events and décor throughout the 2024 holiday season! From tree lighting ceremonies and dazzling displays to spectacular holiday pop-up experiences, live shows, a Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village, Cocktail-Mocktail Trail, the largest Winter Wonderland Parade in the resort's history, holiday shopping, and much more.
7 - Visit Princeton: A charming Village to
Enjoy During the Holiday Season
Princeton Holiday Season
The town's holiday tradition and kick-off to the Christmas season will take place on Friday, November 29th from 5 to 6 p.m. The annual lighting of the tree in downtown Palmer Square is accompanied by traditional musical performances and a whole lot of family fun. Dogs, friends, and family are all welcome to this celebratory evening. Santa will once again use this opportunity to land his sleigh full of reindeer on the roof of the Nassau Inn. The giant live spruce tree in Palmer Square will be decked out in 32,000 sparkling string lights. Be sure to stop by some shops before the lighting of the tree for your holiday shopping needs!
8 - Visit Cape May For the
Ultimate Holiday Experience
Cape May Christmas Holiday Season
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.
9 - For An Active Fun Filled Thanksgiving Weekend, Take the Family to Grand Cascdes Lodge @ Crystal Springs Resort
Grand Cascades Lodge - Crystal Springs Resort
1 Wild Turkey Way
Hamburg, NJ
Every Thanksgiving families flock to Crystal Springs Resort, leaving the cooking and cleaning to the staff!
With the kids out of school, it can be the best opportunity for a long, laid-back weekend getaway at an extraordinary value. Join in for a weekend stuffed with holiday fun, entertainment and more!
10 - Take The Kids to The Liberty Science Center For
fun & Education
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Blvd.
Jersey City, NJ
A popular Thanksgiving weekend event for families.
The Science Center houses 12 museum exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, giant aquariums, a 3D theater, live simulcast surgeries, hurricane- and tornado-force wind simulators, and the Western Hemisphere's biggest planetarium—the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium and LSC Giant Dome Theater
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