It’s mid-November and the start of the festive season, with lots of family-friendly things to do this weekend to kick it off. Drive-thru America’s only construction theme and water park and enjoy the lights, tunnels, holiday displays, and more at the Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland in West Berlin, see Santa by the sea when you kick off the season with a Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at Winterfest By The Sea in Ocean City, or celebrate Diwali with lights, food, and Bollywood dancing at Weehawken Diwali 2024 in Weekhawken. Want to find out more about the winter festivals happening? Check out our guide to all the winter festivals here. (featured photo taken at Diggerland USA)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
The Polar Express Train Ride Whippany
November 15-17
Punch your golden ticket and get all aboard The Polar Express. Your family will experience the magic of The Polar Express and take a one-hour trip to the North Pole with the whole family. Kids will enjoy hot chocolate, Walker’s Shortbread, storytime, meeting Santa, and a silver sleigh bell surprise.
Cost: Ages 2 and under are free, $48 and up
1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981
Let It Glow
November 15-17
It’s a holiday spectacular with stunning, larger-than-life lantern displays of animals and nature that will wow you and your littles. You can walk through the exhibits up close, then take a train ride through the zoo.
Cost: $9 and up
Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ 07652
Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland
November 15-January 12
Drive-thru America’s only construction theme and water park and enjoy the lights, tunnels, holiday displays, and more. Don’t forget to tune into Diggerland USA’s radio station to get into the holiday spirit.
Cost: $36.99
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Full Moon Walk
November 15 at 4:45 PM
November’s full moon is called the Beaver Moon, and what better way to enjoy it than out in nature? Bring the family and take part in this evening walk. The rain date will be November 16.
Cost: $5 per person
Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512
OLPH Christmas Bazaar
November 16 at 10 AM
Begin your holiday shopping at this Christmas bazaar, where you will find over 75 vendors, visit with Santa, gift wrapping, raffles, and more. Bring a toy for the Toys for Tots Drive.
Cost: Free
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 236 East Main Street, Maple Shade, NJ 08052
Frosty & Rudolph Live
November 16
Watch as the beloved tale of Frosty the Snowman comes alive on stage with a twist—the kids take Frosty to the North Pole, where he meets Rudolph. This is fun for the whole family and will get you in the holiday mood.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Music Mountain Theatre, 1483 Route 179, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Five Star Swim School Open House
November 16 at 3 PM
Head to this Open House at Five Star Swim School—Galloway, NJ! Come check them out and discover why they’re the best place for kids to learn swimming! You can tour the facility and learn about the swim programs, enjoy a FREE 15-minute one-on-one evaluation (only for new families), meet the awesome staff, enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments, and take part in special enrollment offers.
Cost: Free
323 S Pitney Rd, Galloway, NJ 08205
Pollinator Plant Seed Harvesting and Sowing Workshop
November 16 at 9:30 AM
You will have the chance to gather native seeds from various pollinator gardens at The Watershed Institute. Then, do an activity where you can explore the types of pollinators each plant’s seeds will attract. The rain date is November 17.
Cost: $5
The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
KidsFit in Motion
November 16 at 9 AM
Fun Fitness is for ages 5-7 with a parent/guardian. This fun weekend class will help young children improve their mobility, flexibility, and coordination through a variety of fitness games and dance moves. Wear sneakers! For more information or to register, contact Kerri Likakis, MS, RDN, at 973-926-7371 or Kerri.Likakis@rwjbh.org.
Cost: Free
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112
Sponsoring Facility: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Winterfest By the Sea
November 16 at 9 AM
See Santa by the sea when you kick off the season with a Holiday Shopping Extravaganza. The big guy will visit with the kids while Mom and Dad shop for gifts.
Cost: Free
Ocean City Civic Center, 500 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Holiday Shoppe
November 16 at 10 AM
This is an annual event that will jump-start your holiday shopping. There will be handcrafted items, baked goods, jewelry, and a fabulous lunch.
Cost: Free
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 714 Herbertsville Road, Brick, NJ 08724
Holiday Market & Train Show
November 16 at 10 AM
It’s time to get in the holiday spirit at this fun event for the whole family. There will be vendors and train displays, and the best part of all is Santa’s arrival from the North Pole to visit the little ones and take photos.
Cost: Free
Farmingdale Elementary School, 49 Academy Street, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Weehawken Diwali 2024
November 16 at 4 PM
If you’re looking for fun, food, and Bollywood dancing, you are in for a real treat. This event celebrates the Festival of Lights in Weehawken with a night with the fam.
Cost: Free
53 Liberty Place, Weehawken, NJ 07086
Kids Cooking Class (in-person)
November 16 from 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Grab your apron and join Ms. Jenn for a hands-on cooking class in the demonstration kitchen. Please email livewellcenter@rwjbh.org with any allergies before attending.
Cost: Free
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Road, Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Sponsoring Facility: Monmouth Medical Center, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
November 16-December 23, select dates
Start the holiday season with your crew when you ride a train through millions of Christmas lights and then do a meet and greet with Santa and his elves in his workshop. Don’t miss the Holiday Movie tent, taking a photo with your favorite snowman, and the Toy Market and Walkthrough Holiday Village.
Cost: $19.95-$26.95
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
November 16-December 30
The magic of Christmas has taken over Storybook Land for one of NJ’s most unforgettable light shows. Santa Claus is ready to wave his magic wand and light the park with over one million lights for the holiday season. Your littles will love seeing the park glow after dark and be thrilled to go on rides and attractions (all open at night) during this magical time.
Cost: $37.99 per person if bought in advance, $41.99 per person at the door.
Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Model Train Show
November 17 at 10 AM
If you have a little one who loves trains, bring them to the world’s largest 3-rail model train set, which features 20+ trains operating simultaneously. There will also be a recreation of portions of the NYC Subway system.
Cost: $9 for anyone over 13 years old, $2 for kids 5-11, and free for children under 3
The New Jersey Hi-Railers Train Club, 185 6th Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07501
Holiday 2024 Denville Markers’ Market
November 17 at 8:30 AM
Want to get some of your holiday shopping done locally? Head to this market, where you will find local crafters and local farmers so you can grab some fresh fruits and vegetables.
Cost: Free
Bloomfield Avenue Parking Lot, Denville, NJ 07834
Craft Fair and Holiday Shoppe
November 17 at 3 PM
Get into the holiday mood with unique handmade crafts and a special visit from Santa, so make sure you get those Insta-worthy photos.
Cost: Free
Pfeiffer Community Center, 301 Blue Bell Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094
Free Holiday Show
November 17 at 3:30 PM
This holiday show features traditional holiday favorites, including excerpts from The Nutcracker, The Polar Express, songs of the season, and more. Tickets are free, but guests should bring non-perishable food items for Monmouth County food banks.
Cost: Free
Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church Street, Middletown, NJ 07748
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown
Every Thursday at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown is back! Join us every Thursday from 10 AM to 11:30 AM for a morning of swimming, fun, and socializing. Children and caregivers love our padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM. A lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
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