November is upon us, which means the last of the fall fests and start of holiday happenings are here!
November 1
Dia De Los Muertos
Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton
The outdoor festival will include Mariachi, dance, Mexican food and hands-on projects inspired by traditional folk art (like painting sugar skulls).
Artisan Market
Bergen Town Center, Paramus
Take a stroll through this market in the mall, featuring 25+ artisans and vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, home decor, pet products, sweet treats, handmade gifts and more.
Maple Leaf Farms Fall Fun Fest
Maple Leaf Farms, Manalapan
Classic autumn adventures include hayrides through the farm, a sprawling corn maze, a festive pumpkin village, train rides, farm animal encounters, outdoor games, playgrounds, and interactive attractions for kids of all ages. There are live bull riding shows and pig races scheduled throughout each day.
Festival de Dia de Muertos
War Memorial Park, New Brunswick
French Street will be packed with a community altar, traditional folklore dances, traditional music, a contest for Catrinas (traditional dress for Day of the Dead), storytelling, and Mexican food and drinks.
Kingsway Education Foundation Holiday Craft Show
Kingsway Regional High School, Woolwich Twp.
Start your holiday shopping by visiting 230+ crafters showcasing unique handmade creations. There will be live entertainment, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, Atlantic City
As part of the year-long programming by Prudential North to Shore, celebrate Mexican heritage through a community altar contest, live performances and music, a Catrin competition (attire), an artisan market, hands-on activities, face painting, food and a pop-up art exhibit.
Cow Parade
Cherry Grove Farm, Lawrenceville
Based on the Swiss autumnal tradition of bringing the cows down from the high mountains where they have been grazing all summer, farmers at Cherry Grove will decorate their cows with flower garlands and bells and have them parade around the pastures. The afternoon will include a fall festival with food trucks, vendors, activities for children, hayrides, obstacle courses, artists, animals and more.
November 1-2
Fright Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, Jackson Twp.
Start in the daytime at Kids Boo Fest, a not-so-scary Halloween event with trick-or-treating, silly performances and fall photo ops. At night, dare to be scared inside movie-themed haunted houses, scare zones and themed performances.
NJ Coffee Festival
iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
Get your caffeine fix during one of four sessions over the weekend, where you can try lots of samples, tag bags of coffee to go, create coffee-themed artwork, listen to live music, and shop from the crafters and food vendors.
Samhain + Dia de los Muertos
San Patricios, Jersey City
This Mexican cantina and Irish pub fusion restaurant will celebrate both Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), the Irish pagan festival that predates Halloween, and Día de los Muertos. Events include kids’ face painting during the day and live music at night on Saturday; and a live four-piece Mexican band plus Catrina dancers on Sunday.
Apple Festival
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
The weekend festival will feature apple-inspired food and drinks, baked goods, live entertainment, and family activities – like axe throwing, lawn games, sand art, face painting, a petting zoo, a mobile escape room, and a pie-eating contest.
Sip in Autumn Wine Festival
Veterans Park, Bayville
The autumn marketplace lets adults sample an array of local wines, while the whole family can browse the marketplace, order from the food trucks, and dance to the music of Right Turn at 40 on Saturday, and Goldenseal on Sunday.
Mountain Creek Fall Fest
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon Twp.
There will be scenic sky rides so you can see the Vernon Valley fall foliage, Alpine Mountain Coaster rides, live music, guided hikes, giant lawn games, and seasonal snacks.
Fintastic Pumpkin Glow
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
The aquarium’s fall festival puts glowing gourds of every shape, size and species both above the surface and deep below the sharks and stingrays. As part of the themed activities, you can paint and take home your own personalized pumpkin masterpiece.
Great Pumpkin Festival
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
There will be 35+ fall-themed attractions, plus food, games, a hayride to the pumpkin patch, an Alice in Wonderland-themed corn maze, farm animals and pig races, a dog show, giant slingshot, a straw pyramid and a baseball speed through. For an additional fee, take the kids to the carnival ride area, apple cannon, paintball range and gem mining.
Fall Harvest Festival
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
There will be pumpkins, wagon rides to the farm fields, seasonal treats, interactive living history interpreters, tours of the historic buildings, live music by the Sawmill Run Old Time String Band, children’s crafts, goodies inside the gift shop, and BBQ fusion-inspired cuisine from Beastro. You can also explore the nearby Cornelius Low House Museum.
Von Thun Farms’ Fall Festival
Von Thun Farms, Washington Twp.
Come to the farm for apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, cider donuts, apple blasters, corn cannons, other kids’ activities, and a new Sesame Street-themed corn maze.
November 2
Main Street Pops Artisan Market
Monroe Plaza, Hoboken
There will be dozens of artisan vendors, live music and food vendors.
Day of the Dead Celebration
Riverview Fisk Park, Jersey City
The festival will include a giant puppet parade, a community ofrenda (altar), live Mariachi and music, traditional dance, and a community party.
Holiday Flea & Gift Fair
Fanwood Train Station, Fanwood
There will be roughly 75 vendors set up indoors and possibly outdoors so you can start your holiday shopping.
November 6-9
Exit Zero Jazz Festival
Cape May
Opening Night on Thursday includes A Night in New Orleans Concert, followed by a weekend music village with jazz musicians, NEA Jazz Masters, Grammy-winning legends.
November 7-11
Homecoming 250
Camden and Philadelphia
The Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration is hosted by Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps with a ceremony at the Resting Place of the First Commandant, a Marine Corps 250th Commemoration at Independence Hall and the 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball.
Select dates, November 7 – January 17
Peddler’s Village Holiday Season
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Events throughout the season include the Grand Illumination Celebration with a tree lighting led by Santa & Mrs. Claus, sing-alongs, carolers, and special musical performances by hosts Martin & Kelly; a gingerbread competition and display; photos and brunch with Santa; extra shopping on Small Business Saturday; Holly Jolly Weekend with a Santa parade; and then the Fire & Frost Fun festival in January.
November 8
Holiday Craft Market
Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin
The Stafford Twp. EMS Auxiliary puts on this early shopping market.
Autumn Vibes Sip & Shop Vendor Market
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
Jenn Zazzara of Shore Crafted brings together local makers, artisans and small businesses for a day of shopping and sipping on craft cocktails.
November 8-9
Christmas at the Farm Holiday Market
Riamede Farm, Chester
The fifth annual community holiday market includes 70 local artisan vendors, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, apple picking, hayrides through the autumn orchard, the apple slingshot, food trucks and beer, and apple cider and donuts.
Holiday Crafts and Drafts
Jersey Girl Brewing, Hackettstown
Shop from handmade goods inside the cozy warehouse tasting room. You can bring your kids, your dogs – and your own food to make a day of it.
New Jersey Women’s Expo & Great Food Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
This combo event brings together artisan vendors, a bartending workshop, a cooking stage, food samples, and meet-and-greets with MTV’s JWOWW and singer Debbie Gibson.
Jeepfest Food Truck & Music Festival
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Celebrate all things Jeep with wine, food trucks, fire pits in the grove, live music, face painting, Macaroni Anne Cheez the clown, a vineyard wagon tour, playgrounds, cornhole game, pumpkin and apple cannons, and lots of Jeeps to check out.
November 8-9, 15-16
Laurita Winery Food Truck Festivals
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
November 8-9: Jeep Festival
November 15-16: Chili & Chowder Festival
Bring everyone in the family for live music, fire pits, face painting, a vineyard wagon tour, playgrounds for the kids, cornhole, pony rides, u-pick flowers and pumpkins, and of course food trucks and wine.
Thursday – Sunday, November 13 – December 21
Artist Winter Village
Hinds Plaza, Princeton
Four chalets are set up as festive pop-up shops, run by regional artists who made their own textiles, jewelry, candles, children’s wear, pottery, wood, and more.
November 14
Grand Illumination Celebration
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Santa & Mrs. Claus will switch on the magical display, including the buildings, landscaping and Christmas tree; in addition to sing-alongs, carolers, and special musical performances by hosts Martin & Kelly.
November 15
Nottingham High School PTSA Holiday Market & Food Trucks
Nottingham High School, Hamilton Twp.
More than 45 local crafters and vendors will be selling handmade gifts, unique crafts, seasonal décor, and other special finds. Visit the special photo area with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The Tricky Tray will auction off baskets and prizes donated by the community. Outside, a variety of food trucks will offer options, ranging from warm comfort foods to sweet treats.
Children’s Peace Festival
Chatham-Summit Friends Meeting House, Chatham
Anna Whitely, a rising senior at Summit High School, founded the Children’s Peace Festival in 2023 because of the unrest in Ukraine and the Middle East. This year’s theme is the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Japan, inspired by her summer vacation, and the Quakers’ connection to the war.
Furry Friends Fall Fete
Nassau Club, Princeton
The festival dedicated to your four-legged friends is a fundraiser for SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals.
November 15 – December 14
LBIF Holiday Market
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences, Loveladies
Artists, makers and small businesses from across LBI will be selling fine art, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and handcrafted gifts. Many pieces come from LBIF’s ceramics residents and the Plein Air Plus exhibition. On Small Business Saturday (November 29) there will be special local vendors exclusive to this day only, making it an opportunity to find one-of-a-kind gifts. There will be live music, food trucks, festive drinks, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Select Dates, November 19 – January 11, 2026
Festival of Trees
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Seventeen trees and mantels will be decorated and displayed throughout the museum, created by local community groups. Themes include All Aboard to Movie Magic; Family Game Night; A Tribute to Pollinators; and Fruit of the Holiday Spirit.
November 21-22
Unitarian Society of Ridgewood Holiday Market
Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, Ridgewood
During opening night on Friday, enjoy a wine and cheese reception. On Saturday, shopping includes a bake sale and other activities.
November 21 – January 4, 2026
Winter Wonderland
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
The walk-through event has more than 50,000 illuminated tulips lighting up the flower fields, a light show from the windmill; illuminated pony rides on the weekends; interactive LED seesaws, swings, spinners and slides; photo ops with Santa inside his workshop; character meet-and-greets with Olaf, Elsa and The Grinch; magical snow flurry stations; “snowball fights” inside a giant igloo snowball pit; and then a special drone show December 18 to 20.
November 22
Farmingdale Craft Fair and Xmas Train Show
Farmingdale Elementary School, Farmingdale
Take a break from shopping for holiday gifts, and pop into the school’s library, where the train show will feature a combined fastrack O and S gauge layout, and a G gauge layout with continously operating trains.
November 22 – December 24
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
LOVE Park and City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
You’ll feel like you’re in Germany as vendors set up in traditional wooden booths, offering holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and arts and crafts in the style of an authentic German market. There will be a carousel, Ferris Wheel, a kid’s train, and plenty of European foods and desserts.
November 23
Holiday Flea & Gift Fair
Wayne PAL, Wayne
There will be roughly 75 vendors set up indoors and possibly outdoors so you can start your holiday shopping.
Swedish Christmas Fair
Commonwealth Club, Upper Montclair
Swedish handicrafts like handmade Christmas decorations and wooden items, plus a variety of cheeses, herring, and other Swedish delicacies will be for sale, in addition to Glögg, a typical Swedish spiced holiday drink. A highlight is the beautiful Lucia pageant and her choir singing.
MPAC’s Theatre of Light: Celestial Winter
Vail Mansion Lawn, Morristown
Start at one of the community crown-making workshops, and sit on the Fire & Ice Throne for a photo. Then, walk through the winter wonderland that has glowing Okamoto Studios ice sculptures, LED-winged dancers, life-sized puppets, the voices of the MPAC Performing Arts Company, the Wish Upon a Star Tree, the high-energy music of DJ Lingo, the rhythm of the Unity Steppers from Morristown Neighborhood House, and the fiery spectacle of a fire dancer.
November 28-30
Winter Village / Festival of Trees / Dickens Days
The Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton
Marketspace Vendor Events will set up a holiday market in a heated outdoor space, with more than 50 local craft artisans, food trucks and activities. This will coincide with the Festival of Trees, plus Dickens Days (theatrical carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and Victorian-era charm take over Downtown Clinton).
Select Dates, November 28 – December 21
Holiday Bazaar Series 2025
November 28-30: Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Fridays – Sundays, November 28 – December 21: Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, Asbury Park
Sundays, November 30 – December 14: Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park
Each location will be packed with crafters selling handcrafted goods and unique holiday gifts. There will be holiday music and entertainment, photos with Santa, food and drinks, craft workshops, kids’ activities, festive décor and photo ops. The inspiration is the Weihnachtsmarkt holiday markets in Germany.
November 28 – January 3
Kringle Cove
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Shop all weekend from different vendors set up each day at The Long Branch Holiday Bazaar. There will be a live DJ, holiday craft workshops and face painting for kids. Kringle Cove will have each room decorated so that you feel like you’re in a holiday movie. Make your own s’mores or order pizza. There will be pet photos with Santa on Saturday. You can make a reservation for Very Merry Brunchmas or the Christmas Carol Cocktail Experience.
November 29
Holiday Art Market
Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove
More than 30 local artists and crafters will display their items, in addition to Open Artists’ studios, holiday music, and food and drinks.
Wildwoods Holiday Shopping Village
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood
The completely outdoor holiday shopping experience takes place on Small Business Saturday. Local artisans, jewelry, specialty shops, handcrafted items, holiday decorations, baked goods, boutique shops and other gifts will be for sale.
Holiday Market: Small Business Saturday at LBIF
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences
There will be fine art, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and handcrafted gifts created by local and regional artists from across the island. Many pieces come from LBIF’s ceramics residents and the Plein Air Plus exhibition. There will be live music, food trucks, festive drinks, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Snowfest Saturday
Avalon
There will be bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides, trampolines, a rock wall, ice sculpting and carnival rides. Santa will be in his sleigh at 21st & Dune Drive for family photos, and there will be holiday performances throughout the day.
Plainfield Jingle Dash-Elf on the Run & Holiday Festival
Downtown Plainfield
The holiday-themed 5K and family fun run kicks off the Holiday Festival on Small Business Saturday. The holiday festival includes 50+ vendors, live music and a family fun zone.
November 29-30
Owl Markets (Highland Park’s Artisan and Crafter Holiday Markets)
Highland Park
The outdoor holiday markets feature local artists, artisans, crafters and food vendors. Aside from shopping for handmade goods, there will be live music, free arts and crafts, visits by Santa, a festive photo booth, ornament making and dreidel decorating on the public market square by the Welkovits Pavilion. November 29 is Small Business Saturday and the tree lighting, and December 14 will be the menorah lighting.
Grounds for Sculpture’s Holiday Artisan Market
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
There will be a curated marketplace of 50 artists set up inside, with items like jewelry, pottery, woodwork, original art, skincare and gourmet treats. Constellation Culinary Group will offer light bites inside the auditorium. You can then explore the 42-acre sculpture garden and other indoor galleries.
Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, November 29 – December 20
Bell Works Fresh Holiday Markets
Bell Works, Holmdel
There will be a curated collection of 75 handmade artists and makers at this indoor holiday celebration.
Fridays – Sundays, November 29 – December 21
Christmas Festival at the Morristown Green
Morristown Green, Morristown
The event kicks off with the arrival of Santa and the 100+-year traditional Lighting of the Green. There will also be live entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies, ice sculpture demos, miniature train rides and various holiday-themed activities.
Select dates, November 29 – January 4
Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
The open-air festival in the downtown offers ice skating, go karts, a marketplace, private heated pods and igloos.
November 30
Porta Holiday Market
Porta, Asbury Park
The holiday pop-up sip & shop will feature 25 local handmade artists and makers.
Holiday Flea & Gift Fair
Clifton High School, Clifton
There will be roughly 75 vendors set up indoors and possibly outdoors so you can start your holiday shopping.
Sundays, November 30, December 7, 14 and 21
Holidays at HenVille: Shopping Village
MudHen Brewing Company, Wildwood
Browse vendors in the parking lot while enjoying hot cocoa, s’mores stations, caricatures, face painting, and live music in the Biergarten. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on-site for photos during the December events.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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