It’s that time of year when fall starts to wind down and the holiday season winds up with lots of family fun in the month ahead. And the best part? It’s all FREE. Bring the entire family and enjoy a day of vintage cars, trucks and motorcyles racing at Fleming’s Pumpkin Run in Egg Harbor Township, decorate sugar skulls and listen to a mariachi band at the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Community Celebration in Princeton, or watch Cape May light up in all its Victorian Christmas finery while sipping cocoa at the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. And for more family fun, there are plenty of festivals this month to fill every weekend. (featured photo credit: Fleming’s Pumpkin Run)
Fleming’s Pumpkin Run
November 1 at 8 AM
Bring the entire family and enjoy a day of vehicle races and kid-friendly fun. There will be a tractor pull, food trucks, a street rod race, vintage vehicles, and more.
Cost: Free
353 Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Cider Making at Howell Living History Farm
November 1 at 10 AM
This is the perfect time of year to enjoy a cup of fresh apple cider, and your little ones can turn the crank of the cider press before having a taste. They can also peel an apple with a hand-crank apple peeler and stop by the farmhouse for lunch.
Cost: Free
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
10th Annual Pitman Food Truck Fest
November 1 at 4 PM
Head outside and enjoy fall fun with the fam at this annual event. Walk around and try delicious eats from as many food trucks as you can.
Cost: Free
Broadway Avenue & Ballard Park, Pitman, NJ 08071
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Community Celebration
November 1 at 5 PM
This family-friendly outdoor event is a fun way to celebrate this culturally rich holiday. There will be a mariachi band, sugar skull decorating, Mexican food and drinks, and face painting.
Cost: Free
102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Fanwood’s Holiday Vendor Pop-Up and Craft Fair
November 2 at 10 AM
It’s never too early to start your holiday shopping. Visit this outdoor fair, featuring a fabulous array of top-notch exhibitors selling quality items, arts and crafts, and collectibles. Stop by, shop a little, relax, enjoy the good food, great music, and 75+ exhibitors.
Cost: Free
Fanwood Train Station, 256 South Avenue, Fanwood, NJ 07023
Touch A Truck Day
November 8 at 10 AM
For kids who love trucks, check out this display of dump trucks, fire trucks, police cars, and military trucks. There will be over 25 vehicles to see up close.
Cost: Free
Deer Path Park, 120 West Woodschurch Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Fall Craft Show
November 8 at 9 AM
With over 40 craft vendors, you can find unique gifts for all your loved ones this holiday season. Bring the family and spend the day walking around and taking it all in.
Cost: Free
2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Mineral, Gem & Jewelry Show
November 8-9 at 10 AM
If you or anyone in your family has a love for rocks or gems, then this is the place to be. Spend time looking at the minerals, rocks, gemstones, jewelry, and fossils with the whole family.
Cost: Free
Trailside Nature & Science Center, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, NJ 07092
Winterfest By the Sea
November 15 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 Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo
November 21-January 3, 5 PM
Take a stroll through this gorgeous holiday lights display with over 50 winter and animal characters. There will also be weekend Santa visits, a train, a carousel, pony rides, and more.
Cost: Free, donation recommended
Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Harvest Fest
November 22 at 9 AM
It may be November, but there’s still time to celebrate all things fall. Enjoy baked goods, vendors, homemade soups, chili, and tons of fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Lacey United Methodist Church, 203 West Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 22 at 5 PM
Kick off the holiday season with Santa and his elves as they light the gorgeous tree in Cape May. There will also be hot chocolate and baked goods to enjoy.
Cost: Free
Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Old Fashioned Christmas
Starting November 22
See the seaside town of Cape May transform into a Dickens village just in time for the holidays. Don’t miss free events like the Winter WonderWalk, tours of the Physick Estate, Tree Lighting on November 22, and the Christmas Candlelight House Tours.
Cost: Free
Cape May, NJ 08204
Horse & Carriage Rides
Starting November 22
The town of Ocean City lights up during the holiday season, and you can take part in the fun with free horse and carriage rides with the whole family.
Cost: Free
6th & Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Wayne PAL Holiday Flea Market & Gift Fair
November 23 at 9 AM
With over 75 exhibitors selling gift items, crafts, stocking stuffers, and more, you can get some of your holiday shopping done.
Cost: Free
Wayne PAL Building, 1 PAL Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470
Holiday Light Show on the Lake
Starting November 27
Visit Historic Smithville to hear your favorite holiday tunes synchronized to a unique light display. Over 120 Christmas trees, constructed from 50,000+ Christmas lights, will magically float atop Lake Meone in the center of the village. When the sky is dark, an orchestrated show of lights dances across the water to Christmas music. The show can be seen from either side of the village and the bridge.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Palmer Square Annual Tree Lighting
November 28 at 5 PM
There’s nothing like getting the family together and watching the gorgeous tree in Palmer Square be lit for the holiday season. There will also be sing-a-long songs, an 11-man vocal harmony group, and maybe even a visit from the Big Guy himself.
Cost: Free
Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Fanwood’s Famous “Christmas House”
Begins November 28 at dusk
In the mood to see some holiday lights? This famous house is lit up with over 30,000 lights and is a sight to see.
Cost: Free
83 Paterson Road, Fanwood, NJ 07023
Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village
November 29 at 10:30 AM
Get a head start on holiday shopping at this local maker festival on the boardwalk, which features artists, creatives, and vendors.
Cost: Free
Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Christmas at the Hangar
November 29 at 10 AM
Want a unique way to usher in the holiday season? Head to the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum to enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, live music, face painting, and more.
Cost: Free
500 Forrestal Road, Cape May, NJ 08204
Santa’s Tree Lighting Celebration
November 29 at 2 PM
Join Santa and his friends for a memorable tree-lighting celebration. There will be vendors, live holiday music, a bounce house, a walk through the Wild Lights, an ice sculpture demonstration, a drone show, and, of course, the tree lighting.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Zoo, 707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Holiday Dickens Fest
November 29-30 at 1 PM
The spirit of Christmas will be found in Smithville at this fun and festive holiday event. You will find an original musical adaptation of “A Christmas Carol ” and holiday-themed art, artistry, and collectibles.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, Route 9 & Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar
November 28
Step into a traditional Christmas market where you can shop, celebrate, and enjoy holiday decor and entertainment in Asbury Park at the Grand Arcade. There will also be crafts and a holiday photo booth.
Cost: Free
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
The Asbury Hotel, 210 5th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Holidays in Collingswood
November 28 and 29
Spend the season celebrating, starting with a Holiday Tree Lighting on November 28, where Santa will greet visitors, followed by a live ice-carving show. Continue the celebration the next day with the Holiday Parade, featuring lively seasonal entertainment including marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, stilts walkers, floats, mummers, mascots, and live music.
Cost: Free
Collingswood, NJ 08108
Grounds For Sculpture Holiday Artisan Market
November 29 and 30 at 10 AM
Experience a unique shopping experience at this fun event. There will be over 50+ artisans offering handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woodworking, skincare, gourmet treats, and more. Once you have shopped until you dropped, explore 42 acres of art-filled gardens, stroll through the galleries, and soak in the creative spirit at Grounds For Sculpture.
Cost: Free
Grounds For Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Asbury Fresh Pop-Up at Porta
November 30
Experience a warm and toasty holiday market season in good ol’ Asbury Park. Shop locally curated vendors and enjoy pizza and festive drinks.
Cost: Free
Porta, 911 Kinsley Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
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