We’re just one weekend away before the official holiday season kicks off, with a bunch of things to do that soak up the last blast of fall fun and get your family in the holiday spirit. Spend the day at the aquarium and learn about sloths, bring awareness to the species, and help them thrive at Sloth Awareness Day in Point Pleasant, dance to live music, and feast on specialties at the Final 2023 Food Truck Festival in New Egypt, and experience the joy of the holiday season with delicious food, live music, vendors, and winter fun at the Holiday Fest in Lambertville. For more family fall fun, hit up one of this month’s festivals before November ends. (Featured Photo Credit: @jenkinsonsaquarium)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Turkey Kids’ Night Out
November 17 at 5:30 PM
Bring your little turkeys for a night of fun. There will be field day activities, including relay races, potato sacks, ring toss, and more, fall arts and crafts, a tumble zone, and a Turkey Trot across the Ninja Obstacle Course.
Cost: Prices vary
Tumbles Of Princeton, 1225 State Road Princeton, NJ 08540
Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair
November 17 at 6 PM
Enjoy time with the family on a Friday night while you do some holiday shopping. This is a great way to shop local and celebrate the end of the work/school week with everyone in the family.
Cost: Free
Country Lakes Firehouse, Country Lake Estates, NJ 08015
Early Evening Wildlife Walk
November 17 at 4:15 PM
It’s National Hiking Day, and the perfect way to celebrate is by going on this evening hike, where you will look for signs of wildlife preparing for the winter season at the preserve.
Cost: $5 per person
Plainsboro Preserve, 80 Scotts Corner Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
November 17-December 23
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-$24.95
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Magic of Lights New Jersey
November 17-December 30
Experience the dazzling lights display entirely from the comfort of your car. Set your radio to their light show station, and then enjoy festive music as you drive through a merry arrangement of Christmas lights, trees, and decorations.
Cost: $35 and up
PNC Bank Arts Center, 116 Garden State Pkwy, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland
November 17-January 1
At America’s only construction theme and water park, you can see trucks, equipment, and scenery lit up for the season. As you drive on the course, you’ll discover tunnels, festive treats, and lots of lights along the way. Don’t forget to tune into Diggerland USA’s radio station to get into the holiday spirit.
Cost: $34.95
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Harvest Fest
November 18 at 9 AM
It may be getting closer to the holiday season, but there’s still time to celebrate all things fall. Enjoy baked goods, vendors, homemade soups, chili, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Lacey United Methodist Church, 203 W. Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Ocean Grove Holiday Craft Fair
November 18 at 9 AM
It’s the 27th annual craft fair—shop with local crafters and artisans, participate in gift drawings, and shop at craft tables.
80 Embury Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 18 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
When You Wish Upon A Star – A Jazz Tribute To 100 Years of Disney
November 18 at 7 PM
There’s just something about Disney music, and this is the perfect way to celebrate these tunes. The music will all be through the lens of jazz and includes Snow White, Lady and the Tramp, Mary Poppins, and more.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Jay and Linda Grunin Center For The Arts, College Drive, Toms River, NJ 08754
Holiday Market & Train Show
November 18 at 9 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
Sloth Awareness Day
November 18 at 12 PM
Raise your hand if you love sloths. Spend some time and honor these tree-dwelling mammals where you can learn about them, raise awareness, and help them thrive.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Holiday Shoppe
November 18 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
Christmas Tree Lighting
November 18 at 5 PM
This fun event is the perfect way to gather the fam and watch the beautiful tree. But that’s not all. There will also be live music, a petting zoo, carriage rides, and a special appearance from Santa himself.
Cost: Free
39 Heritage Plaza, Monroe Township, NJ 08831
Happy Harvest Craft and Vendor Fair
November 18 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family to this fun craft and vendor fair, where you can support local artisans and vendors. There will also be delicious food and drinks at the cafe while you shop.
Cost: Free
East Dover Baptist Church, 974 Bay Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
3rd Annual Holiday Event
November 18 at 4:30 PM
This annual event will help you get into the holiday spirit while you have a bite to eat, visit with Santa, enjoy raffles, and more. There will also be holiday trees to hand an ornament in honor of loved ones.
Cost: Free
IBEW Local 400, 3301 NJ-138, Wall Township, NJ 07719
Final 2023 Food Truck Festival
November 18 & 19 at 11 AM
Come out and enjoy the last food truck festival of the season with wine, food trucks, and live music. The weather may be getting colder, but there’s still time to pair delicious wine with excellent food.
Cost: $13 online in advance or $15 at the gate; 21 & under are free
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Holiday Fest
November 18 & 19 at 10 AM
Experience the joy of the holiday season at this fun event. There will be delicious food, live music, vendors, winter fun, and so much for the entire family to enjoy.
Cost: Free
Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge St, Lambertville, New Jersey 08530
Holiday Market Festival
November 18-December 3
Is there anything better than shopping locally for the holidays? Bring the whole family and look at all the gorgeous pieces local artists and vendors are selling. From clothing and jewelry to home decor and more, there’s something for everyone on your list.
Cost: Free
Christmas Fantasy with Lights
November 18-December 30, dates and times vary; Santa visits until December 23
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: $32.95 per person if bought in advance, $35.95 per person at the door.
Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40/322), Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
South Jersey Holiday Light Show
November 18-December 30, date and times vary
Get in the festive spirit at this drive-through holiday light show with dozens of gleaming displays and scenes celebrating everything your family loves about this season. Pack a snack and turn on the car radio to a station that syncs the light show with holiday tunes as you drive among the twinkling lights on the mile-long route.
Cost: $25 per car; tickets must be purchased in advance
Bridgeport Speedway, 83 Flood Gate Road, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Swedish Christmas Fair
November 19 at 10 AM
Get a head start on your holiday shopping at this fun and festive fair. With home-baked goods, linens, traditional Swedish food market, Swedish holiday decorations, and more.
Cost: $2 donation
Commonwealth Club, 26 Northview Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
Audubon Nature Walk
November 19 at 10 AM
There is still time to enjoy the gorgeous colors and sights of the fall season. This walk will be through the gardens and fields, where you will look for late fall migrating birds and resident and migrant species that will stay there for the winter.
Cost: Free
New Jersey Botanical Garden Carriage House, Morris Road, Ringwood, N.J. 07456
Bunny Yoga
November 19 at 11 AM
Beginner yoga paired with some friendly farm bunnies? Yes, please. This is such a fun event for the entire family and one to remember. Feel free to bring snacks for the bunnies, like produce.
Cost: $15 per person
Good Karma Farmette LLC, 56 Woodruff Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
The Santa Experience at G&G Stables
November 19 at 11 AM
The most wonderful time of the year is right around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to visit with Santa. Enjoy a fun conversation with Santa, listen to a book, feed the animals, and sit by the fireplace. Reservations are required.
Cost: $25 per child
G&G Stables, 49 Driftway Road, Howell, NJ 07731
Fall Holiday Market
November 19 at 9 AM
Looking for a place to go shopping and spend time with the family at the same time? This is the event for you. There will be crafts, gifts, local produce, and more for you to purchase.
Cost: Free
Marlboro Farmers Market, 452 Newman Springs Rd, Marlboro, NJ 07746
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