This weekend, spend time with your family celebrating the holidays with a Star Wars twist at Winter Wonderland in Rahway, starting your holiday shopping at Asbury Park’s Holiday Bazaar & Tree Lighting, experiencing Diagon Alley in Newton, ice skating at Ice Skate and Winter Fun with 94.3 The Point at Pier Village in Long Branch, Princeton’s Annual Tree Lighting at Palmer Square’s Front Lawn, plus many more kid-friendly fairs and festivals in New Jersey this weekend.
Here are 15+ Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
1. Winter Wonderland
Friday, November 24, 2017 | 1:00PM to 6:00PM
The theme for this year’s Winter Wonderland is “The Force is Happening” and is sure to bring out the Jedi in you this holiday season. Bring your family out for a family-oriented fun night of entertainment which will include outdoor ice skating, music, pictures with Santa, carriage rides, food, drink and many other activities at locations throughout the City.
City of Rahway
1 City Hall Plaza, Rahway, New Jersey 07065
Cost: Free
2. Christmas in the Downtown
Friday, November 24, 2017 | 2:00PM to 5:00PM
Join the merchants & Chamber in kicking off “Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue”. Shop downtown specials, take a horse and carriage ride, visit with Santa, see the Phillie Phanatic and Martin Z. Mollusk and listen to a variety of musical entertainment. Watch as Santa makes his official arrival from the roof of City Hall at 5pm and shop locally for the Holiday season.
Downtown Ocean City, NJ
Cost: Free
3. Santa’s Arrival at Nutley Park Oval
Friday, November 24, 2017 | 2:00PM to 3:30PM (Rain Date: Nov. 25, 2017 at 11:00AM)
The Nutley Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 55th Annual “Santa’s Arrival” at the Nutley Park Oval. This highly anticipated and festive tradition has brought the jolly old man, in the bright red suit, into town for many years. This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive in the old fashioned Nutley way – by helicopter. That’s right, you remember the anticipation as a child, now experience it with your kids.
Nutley Park Oval
300 Franklin Ave, Nutley, New Jersey 07110
Cost: Free
4. Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar & Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 25 – Saturday, December 23, 2017 | 12:00PM to 10:00PM (Times may vary by day, please click here to view the schedule)
The Asbury Park Bazaar and the Asbury Park Boardwalk have partnered together to bring your family one of the most spectacular holiday markets in New Jersey. Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar will feature shopping from amazing handcraft and vintage vendors, live music and special performances, and seasonally-inspired foods. From 1pm-4pm, there will be a kids craft corner where kids will be able to make holiday themed crafts and at 7pm, will be the official tree lighting.
Asbury Park Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue, Ocean, New Jersey 07712
Cost: Free
5. Annual Tree Lighting
Friday, November 24, 2017 | 5:00PM to 7:00PM
Kick off the Season at Princeton’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Spectacular. Their 65-foot Norwegian Spruce is adorned with over 32,000 lights and will be lit with the help of Santa Clause. In addition, a traditional celebration featuring music by Holiday Brass, Princeton High School Choir, and a special performance by the American Repertory Ballet’s Nutcracker and Clara. This “feel good” event is stocked with many surprises and is sure to leave you humming.
Palmer Square Front Lawn
40 Nassau St, North Princeton, New Jersey 08542
Cost: Free
6. Holiday Festival
Friday, November 24, 2017 | 5:00PM to 8:00PM
The Holiday Festival will feature the arrival of Santa; various customs and celebrations from around the world; and Friday night fireworks. It will also offer food, activities, entertainment, raffles, giveaways, and more.
South St, New Providence, NJ 07974
Cost: Free
7. Santa’s Workshop at Congress Hall
Friday, November 24 – Sunday, December 31, 2017 | Thursdays & Fridays 9:00AM to 7:00PM, Saturdays 9:00AM to 6:00PM, Sundays 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Santa’s workshop may have relocated to Cape May for Winter Wonderland, but it’s just as busy with all of these fun and exciting activities. Stop by and make special crafts before the big day. Take a break and listen to Mrs. Claus read a classic Christmas tale while your family sips on some cocoa from her kitchen. Write a letter to Santa and drop it in the mailbox that goes directly to the North Pole.
Congress Hall, Cape May
200 Congress Pl, Cape May, New Jersey 08204
Cost: Free
8. Holiday Lights Trolley Ride
Friday, November 24 – Sunday, December 31, 2017 | 5:15, 6:00, 6:15, 7:15, 8:00
Ride through Cape May’s Historic District to see festively decorated inns and homes as guides talk about Victorian Christmas traditions, lead sing-alongs, and play Christmas music. Rides last about 30 minutes.
Washington Street Mall Information Booth
1048 Washington St, Cape May, New Jersey 08204
Cost: $10 Child, $12 Adult
9. Spring Circle Presents Diagon Alley
Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 11:00AM to 5:00PM
Newton’s Spring Street will be transformed into Diagon Alley from Harry Potter. There will be Quiddich lessons, Cosplay contest, Horcrux Hunt, Potion Making, Giveaways, Owls delivering discounts and all things Hogwarts. Come to the Sorting Hat to find out which house your family belongs in and play along with the businesses of Spring Street and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Olivander’s will have wands for sale and the Leaky Cauldron will have Butter Beer (Hot and cold, both alcoholic and non alcoholic). This is an event your family wouldn’t want to miss.
Spring St Merchants Circle
171 Spring St, Newton, New Jersey 07860
Cost: Free
10. Ice Skate and Winter Fun with 94.3 The Point
Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Enjoy a day of fun and giveaways with 94.3 The Point. Before or after your family’s time on the ice, stop by the 94.3 booth for prizes and giveaways, enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many award-winning restaurants & shops, or play some skee-ball at the infamous Boardwalk Fun N’ Games Arcade.
Pier Village
50 Chelsea Ave, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Cost: $10 Child, $14 Adult, $4 Skate Rentals, Tickets can be purchased here
11. Hometown Holidays
Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 2:00PM to 5:30PM
Join Historic Downtown Liberty for their third annual Hometown Holidays. There will be family fun including visits and pictures with Santa, s’mores and refreshments, crafts, live music and entertainment.
Historic Downtown Liberty, NJ
Cost: Free
12. Keyport Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 5:00PM to 9:00PM
All are invited to enjoy the annual lighting of our hometown holiday tree and welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive by fire truck. Entertainment includes the Keyport Central School Chorus, the Keyport Schools Band, a DJ, a children’s ornament work shop, hot chocolate, cider, candy canes and of course, a chance to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa’s Workshop will also be returning. Kids can make their own ornaments and decorations to keep and to get in the holiday spirit and place it on the community tree. Feel free to bring ornaments from home as well
Keyport Business Happenings
70 W Front St, Keyport, New Jersey 07735
Cost: Free
13. Long Branch Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Sunday, November 26, 2017 | 4:00PM to 6:00PM
Don’t miss the annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration in Pier Village. This event will feature performances by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys, the Long Branch High School marching band and dance team, and the Second Baptist Church Choir. There will be costume characters, a meet & greet with Santa, and free mini train rides around Festival Plaza.
Pier Village
50 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
Cost: Free
14. Stars of Sandy Hook (New Date) for “Full Beaver Moon”
Saturday, November 25, 2017 | 6:00PM to 9:00PM
This moon-now waxing and a crescent as we watch for Orion the Hunter – perhaps the easiest-to-identify of all 88 constellations – rising after 9 p.m. coming into view in the eastern horizon. Telescopes will be set up and you are also welcome to bring your own scope and binoculars. The program is presented by S.T.A.R. Astronomy.
Gateway N R A, Highlands, NJ 07732
Cost: Free
15. Winter Festival Parade
Sunday, November 26, 2017 | 3:00PM to 4:00PM
The Metuchen Chamber’s Annual Winter Festival Parade is this weekend and this year’s theme is “Strength Through Diversity”. This is an exciting and vibrant parade that kicks-off the winter & holiday season. Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce
323 Main Street, Suite B, Metuchen, New Jersey 08840
Cost: Free
16. Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten’s Weihnachtsmarkt
Friday, November 24 – Sunday, November 26, 2017 | 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten’s Weihnachtsmarkt is a Rooftop Europmean Holiday Market featuring over 25 vendors and live music. There will be artisanal gifts, speciality foods, handcrafter toys, and pictures with Santa from 2pm to 5pm.
Asbury Festhalle & Biergarten
527 Lake Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: Free
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 20 Kid Friendly Fall Festivals in NJ
- 25 {Must Know} Kid-Friendly Landmarks in NJ
- Top Summer Day Camps in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
