It’s the first week of November and with the days off for fall break, you’ll surely be clocking in a lot of family time. Luckily, there’s a bunch of things to do during this week and weekend to keep your crew entertained. Become a super sleuth during Sherlock Holmes Weekend in Cape May, watch festive dances and do sugar skull painting during the Day of the Dead Celebration in Princeton, or take Lantern Walk in Bedminister to mark the end of the agricultural year. And if you are looking for more to do this season, take a peek at our Fall Activities in New Jersey Guide.
Featured Photo Credit: Arts Council of Princeton
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(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it’s best to check ahead for in-person events)
Virtual Polar Night at the Museum Rutgers Geology Museum
November 3 from 6 PM-7:30 PM
Travel to the Earth’s coldest places. This virtual, online event will include do-at-home arts & crafts, a trivia game, and a guest presentation. The event is free and open to visitors of all ages. Tune into the Late Night Event here.
Cost: Free
Virtual
(848) 932-7243
Climb Time at Shark River Park
November 4 from 12 PM-3 PM
Catch a glimpse of your county’s parks from a whole new angle and experience rock climbing on the way to the top of a 25′ portable climbing wall. You must be 42″ or taller to climb. This program is open to ages 8 and up, under 18 with adult.
Cost: Free
1101 Schoolhouse Road, Wall Township, NJ 07753
(732) 922-4080
Sherlock Holmes Weekend
November 5 and 6
It’s time to put on your thinking caps. Sherlock Holmes is taking over Cape May with “Sherlock Holmes Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle” by the East Lynne Theater Company, a reception, a Search for Clues Tour, and the weekend ends with a lunch where prizes will be awarded, and the mystery will be solved.
Cost: Prices vary for each event
Various Locations in Cape May, NJ
(609) 884-5404
Extra Life National Game Day
November 6th
Join fellow gamers to fundraise, play games and heal kids. Whether streaming, playing board games, making art, or just plain asking your friends and family to donate, Game Day is whatever you want it to be! Extra Life unites thousands of players around the world to host fundraising and gaming marathons in support of Children’s Specialized Hospital, your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Gamers can sign up for Extra Life by visiting www.extra-life.org and choosing Children’s Specialized Hospital as your local beneficiary.
Cost: Donation based
Virtual
Let’s Talk Cranberries
November 6 at 10 AM
Bring a blanket or chair and hear the story of Double Trouble’s former cranberry industry from the porch of the Packing House. This program is for ages 5 and up. Heavy rain or thunder will cancel this event. Pre-registration is required.
Cost: Free
Double Trouble State Park, Double Trouble Packing House, 581 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville, NJ 08721
(732) 341-4098
Cider Making
November 6 from 10 AM-4 PM
It’s time to make the cider. To earn a taste, all you have to do is turn the crank of the cider press and help re-fill the hopper with a variety of apples that make for a perfect blend. In the farmhouse kitchen, apple pie is in the oven, and applesauce is on the stove.
Cost: Free
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609)737-3299
May’s Landing Fall Festival
November 6 from 11 AM-4 PM
Catch one of the last fall festivals, when May’s Landing hosts its 20th annual festival featuring the Fine Crafts Fall Festival and Family Fun Day at War Memorial Park. There will be train rides, pumpkin painting, a mummy wrap, and more.
Cost: Free
109 NJ-50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Super Jersey Comic Expo
November 6 from 11 AM-6 PM
This comic book super show focuses on comic books, and you can buy, sell and trade from all eras, meet comic creators, and find collectibles and toys. Don’t forget to dress up as your favorite heroes or villains too. All kids under 12 are free.
Cost: General admission is $10; kids under 12 are free
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 226-8818
Day of the Dead Community Celebration
November 6 from 3 PM-5 PM
Celebrate Mexico’s El Dia de los Muertos with strolling mariachis, sugar skull decorating, folk arts and crafts, and food. Don’t miss the traditional dances too.
Cost: Free
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, Nj 08542
(609) 924-8777
Riverside Fall Festival
November 7 from 10 AM-4 PM
In conjunction with the Explore Warren History Trail, activities will include apple tastings and apple press, tours of the historic buildings, self-guided scenic walks along the interpretive trail and Delaware River.
Cost: Free
Route 46 and Ramsaysburg Road on the Delaware
(908) 475-5352
Lantern Walk
November 7
Celebrate “Lanternenlaufen,” a historic European festival marking the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of the harvest, with two walks through the meadows.
Cost: $25
Fairview Farm, 2121 Larger Cross Road, Bedminster, NJ 07921
(908) 234-1852
Awesome Autumn Amble
November 8 and 15 from 10 AM-11:30 AM
New Jersey parks are a kaleidoscope of color in the fall. Explore trails with a Park System Naturalist and learn about the plants and animals that call the Monmouth Park System home. This program is open to all ages, but under 18 must have an adult. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
Cost: Free
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, 331 Georgia Tavern Road, Howell, NJ 07731 – Meet in the parking lot
Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen – 360 Monastary Lane, Aberdeen Township, NJ 07747 Meet in the Visitor Center parking area
Diggerfest
Now-November 7 from 11 AM-6 PM
Do you love diggers and the fall? Then, head out to Diggerland this week during the teacher’s convention and weekend for the end of Diggerfest. The whole family can spend the day operating all the fantastic machines while enjoying live music, special fall foods, hayrides, and fun and games. Of course, you’ll get to celebrate all things fall, too, with pumpkin decorating, fall parades, and even a petting zoo on special days.
Cost: $44.95 per ticket
Diggerland – 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
(856) 768-1110
Great Pumpkin Festival
Now-November 7
Self-proclaimed as the “Largest Fall Festival in Northern New Jersey,” it has over 40 different activities each day, including a hay crawl, vortex tunnel, pedal cart track, and more. Heaven Hill Farm also offers on-site wine tastings, a farmer’s market, and more.
Cost: prices start at $14.99 during the week and $19.99 on weekdays
451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ 07462
(973) 764-5144
Outdoor Fall Festival at Skylands Stadium
Now-November 7
Over 6,000 pumpkins fill this spectacular Halloween Walk-Through (expect it to take 45 minutes to see it all). While you are there, roast a s’more on the fire pit and sip hot apple cider. Or ride the Ferris wheel and carousel and decorate at the pumpkin pick-and-paint. And when you need an adult beverage, there’s a beer garden too.
Cost: Walk-Thru $19-$24, VIP access $34
Skylands Stadium – 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383-7644
RWJBarnabas Health: Cooking Classes for Kids
Dates and times vary depending on the program
Kids of all ages will love cooking up healthy treats in these virtual hands-on cooking classes (adult supervision required during class): Try Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen for kids 8-12, where they’ll learn to use a recipe, cook with nutritious ingredients, and utilize kitchen basics or try Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen, a Mommy and Me style class for 2-4-year-olds.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas, Virtual
(973) 926-7371
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