It’s the end of an era, as Field Station: Dinosaurs celebrates its final weekend of its final season. But it’s also the beginning of the holidays and festive events are already underway this weekend! If you’re looking for things to do while the kids are off from school Thursday and Friday, here are some more ideas.
WEEKEND
Magic Rocks
Grunin Center for the Arts, Toms River
Thursday
Illusionist Leon Etienne shows off his magical illusions, award-winning sleight of hand, and comedy.
Halloween Nights
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA
Thursday – Saturday
The ten-acre former prison site is transformed for Halloween with five haunted houses, historic tours, themed bars, live entertainment, and more. There’s an outdoor scare zone, food and drink vendors, a lineup of characters from Shadow of the Veil, and the ability to “opt in” to access hidden passageways.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Thursday – Sunday
This will be the final weekend of the final season of the dino-themed park, which has 30 life-sized dinosaurs, a bounce house, live musical shows, meetings with paleontologists and science shows.
Touch-a-Truck
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Thursday – Sunday
Explore a fire engine, a fire trailer, a bucket truck, construction vehicles, a tow truck, a hot air balloon, a law enforcement boat, an ambulance, the Ghostbusters car, and a vintage DeLorean. Inside LSC, paint your own wooden truck, visit the temporary tattoo stations, and check out all the usual exhibits. Head outside for food trucks, an inflated monster-truck slide and music.
Exit Zero Jazz Festival
Cape May
Thursday – Sunday
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.
Disney on Ice: Jump In!
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
Friday – Sunday
Catch characters from Moana 2, Inside Out 2, Toy Story, Encanto, Zootopia and Frozen skate around. There will be a special festive holiday sing-along with Olaf. You can add on a meet-and-greet with Moana. On Halloween, come in costume for a special show.
Homecoming 250
Camden and Philadelphia
Friday – Tuesday
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.
Christmas at The Farm
Riamede Farm, Chester
Saturday – Sunday
There will be 60+ local vendors, apple picking, hayrides through the autumn orchard, an apple slingshot, food trucks, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
New Jersey Women’s Expo & Great Food Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Saturday – Sunday
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
Saturday – Sunday
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.
Veterans Day Weekend at Museum of the American Revolution
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Saturday – Tuesday
The museum will honor America’s very first veterans from the Revolutionary War, up to the veterans of today, by offering free admission to those currently serving in the military, veterans, and Blue Star Families.
FRIDAY
Unlimited Pizza & Board Game Night
The Bistro at iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
A variety of pizza will be served rodizio-style, brought to your table as often as you’d like. You’ll get pasta and salad for the table. Then, choose from classic or new board games to play. After, kids will get a game card for the arcade.
Roxey Ballet’s Beer & Ballet
Mill Ballet School, New Hope, PA
Have a beer while chatting with the dancers and watching them rehearse for the 30th anniversary production of The Nutcracker.
SATURDAY
Touch-a-Truck Day
Deer Path Park, Flemington
Dump trucks, fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, military Jeeps and other vehicles will be parked in one place so kids can get a close-up look. Start the morning with “Hold the Horn” from 11 am to 12 pm, which is a special hour of quiet—no horns, flashing lights, or sirens for kids with sensory sensitivities.
Small Explorers Learning Together
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Kids ages 1–5 and their caregivers will listen to a story, visit the galleries and make crafts to take home.
Holiday Craft Market
Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin
The Stafford Twp. EMS Auxiliary puts on this early shopping market.
The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
World-class dog trainers and their adorable dogs – all of whom were adopted from shelters, rescue groups, or found as strays – put on a trick show.
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.
New Jersey Paraunity Expo
Woodbridge High School, Woodbridge
There will be lectures, exhibit rooms, vendors and food trucks to explore the paranormal. There will be Friday and Saturday night VIP parties offsite, including dinner and a costume contest.
Kidz Bop Dance Party
Wellmont Theater, Montclair
Have you ever wanted to battle your kid in a dance-off? During this daytime party, families will sing and dance to all their favorite pop songs sung by a group of youngsters. Kidz Bop dancers will teach choreography, plus there will be interactive activities throughout the show.
Bacon, Sausage & Scrapple Making
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
You can lend a hand filling the sausage stuffer and grinding the corn used in scrapple and cornbread recipes, then taste cracklins and other food made in the process.
Big Santa Lighting
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
A giant 42-foot-tall Santa will be on top of the mall near Entrance 3, and the holiday season kicks off with its official lighting. Z100’s Danielle Monaro, co-host of Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, will host the party, which features country music star Dylan Schneider as the headliner. There will be performances by the Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra, Broadway Youth Ensemble, and Dance Company Debut — leading up to the Drone Light Show Spectacular.
Hearth Cooking Demonstration
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
See how meals were prepared in the past – taste food made from historic recipes, and discover the art of cooking over an open fire. The demo is included with admission to the museum sites.
SUNDAY
Baby & Me: Together in Motion
Goldfish Swim School, Princeton
Mom, Dad & baby (age 4 to 12 months) will play with gentle stretches, movement and breathwork – then follow it up with a family swim.
Art Together
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
The museum’s free drop-in family art workshop series picks a new project inspired by an exhibit on display.
ONGOING
Pier Village Holiday Events
Pier Village, Long Branch
Select dates, November – December
The Jersey Shore gets a touch of the North Pole with Barkfast with Santa and pup photos with Mr. Claus, a gingerbread house making contest for dogs, a Pink Friday Shopping and Food Crawl, and a Christmas tree lighting.
Outdoor Winter Wonderland
Middletown Sports Camp, Middletown
Select dates, November – December
This will be the place to skate, sip and shop during the holiday season, with its new winter festival that includes festive music, lights and décor; vendors; fire pits; igloos; and the center of it all, the outdoor ice skating rink.
Holiday Lights Hayride
Norz Hill Farm, Hillsborough
Select dates, November – December
The festive holiday lights display is seen from the comforts of a tractor-drawn hayride. Check out the animals and pop by Santa’s cornfield office. When you get back to the farmhouse, warm up by the fire with cocoa and s’mores.
Santa Claus Train
Northlandz, Flemington
Select dates, November – December
The inside of the mini train museum has a holiday vibe, with snow, presents, lights and Christmas trees filling the displays. Meet Santa when he takes an outdoor train ride with you on the weekends, spreading lots of Christmas cheer.
Night of Lights Light Show Extravaganza
Creamy Acres Farm, Mullica Hill
Select dates, November – December
The 100-acre dairy farm becomes a Christmas wonderland with sparkling light displays and musical dancing tree light shows that you view from inside your car. After the 1.5-mile drive, stroll through the indoor walk-thru where you’ll see a life-sized snowglobe, narrated Nativity scene and a singing Christmas tree before posing with Santa.
Tinseltown Holiday Experience
Atlantic City
Select dates, November – December
Amp up your holiday spirit with a collection of lights displays, tree lightings, the Festival of Trees, the Noyes Holiday Market & Gingerbread Village, the Winter Wonderland Parade on the Boardwalk, and holiday theater shows (like The Nutcracker and Christmas in Concert).
Christmas Tram Tours
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee on Delaware, PA
Select dates, November – December
Board their version of the Polar Express, which takes you along a lighted trail to Christmas Island, where holiday fun includes caroling, cute scenes, photo ops and a visit to Santa’s Workshop.
Winterfest
Delaware River Waterfront, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, November – December
At Penn’s Landing there is an NHL-sized ice rink, a Ferris wheel, boardwalk games, fire pits, heated cabins, and a giant Christmas tree.
Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar
Untitled Hotel, New York City
Select dates, November – December
Fans of the self-described Queen of Christmas can write a letter to Mariah, sing along to her holiday hits, sip on Black Irish cocktails and take a photo with an album backdrop.
Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square, New York City
Select dates, November – December
NYC’s largest Greenmarket transforms for the holiday season, with 150+ vendors selling gifts and goods for the season. The local restaurants, retailers and entertainers join in as well.
Twinkling Tides
SEA LIFE, American Dream, East Rutherford
Select dates, November – December
Celebrate the holidays under the sea, as more than 10 interactive zones will be decked out in holiday décor. Spot Scuba Claus in the ocean tunnel on select dates.
The Edgar Allen Poe Speakeasy: Chapter 2
November 6-8 at Newark Symphony Hall in Newark
November 13-15 at the Anchor Rock Club in Atlantic City
Sip your way through four eerie Poe tales acted out on stage, each paired with a cocktail to match the vibe.
Cinderella
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal
November 6-23
The classic fairytale comes to life on stage.
Santa’s Hideaway Adventure
The Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City
November 6-December 24
Santa’s secret hideaway is located at the end of a virtual elevator adventure, which takes you from the AC Boardwalk to the North Pole. After spending 15 minutes snapping photos with Santa, you can snack on hot chocolate and cookies.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Radio City Music Hall, New York City
Select dates, November 6–January 4
This New York City holiday classic starring the Radio City Rockettes – with their infamous kickline —features The Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and a Living Nativity.
Let It Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thursdays-Sundays, November 6-January 11
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.
Finding Nemo Jr.
West Milford Presbyterian Church, West Milford
November 7-8, 14-15
The West Milford Players present the Disney movie live on stage, with some of the proceeds supporting Sea Turtle Recovery at Essex County Turtle Back Zoo and Oceana Marine Wildlife Adoption.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella
Levoy Theatre, Millville
November 7-9, 13-16
This is the Broadway version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The show on November 13 will have ASL interpretation. Meet-and-greets will be offered post-show in the mezzanine lobby.
Santa’s Winter Wonderland
Watermark, 78 South St. at Pier 15, New York
November 7-December 30
The whimsical waterfront holiday installation has dining, entertainment, Christmas trees, games, activities, heated glasshouses and lights displays, all with breathtaking views of NYC.
Big Apple Circus
Lincoln Center, New York, NY
November 7 – January 4
The beloved circus acts return for 7 weeks, with acrobatics, high-flying stunts and comedic action.
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.
Operation Slumber: Overnights at the Intrepid
Intrepid Museum, New York City
November 8 and 22, December 6 and 13
Pack a sleeping bag and some snacks because you’ll be spending the night on board the historic aircraft carrier docked in the Hudson River. You’ll take a flashlight tour of the flight deck, go on a simulator ride, build your own boat for the rain gutter regatta, make slime, play with robots, and get a cool patch to take home.
Fall Theatre Season
All Children’s Art Center of New Jersey, Denville
Select dates, through November 26
ACACNJ’s fall productions include Aladdin, Camp Rock, The Sound of Music Jr., Shrek Jr., and The SpongeBob Musical.
The Village at Anne Ellen
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan
Select dates, November 8-December 30
A hayride brings you to a village of 400,000 lights. Among the new attractions are an ice castle filled with penguins, and a Bear Workshop to make your own teddy bear. Old faves include the life-sized gingerbread house and a post office where you can send letters to Santa.
Disney’s Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail
New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
Select dates, through November 30
The immersive outdoor experience inspired by the 1993 film takes you to Halloween Town and Christmas Town using music and video projections.
Terhune Orchards Fall Art Show
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Through December 7
This year’s exhibit honors the Mount family with the theme “50 Years of Terhune Orchards.” Displayed inside the 250-year-old red barn, the art showcases original works inspired by the farm’s landscape, history and community over the past five decades.
Fall Planetarium Shows
Longo Planetarium, County College of Morris, Randolph
Select dates, through December 13
There are three shows to choose from: Cosmic Colors takes you on a journey across the entire electromagnetic spectrum; in Messengers of Time and Space, you can get an in-depth look at how large telescopes are mapping the universe and patrolling the sky for supernovas; or take a live tour of the night sky in Starlit Nights. All shows include a tour of the night sky and planets.
The Polar Express Train Ride
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
Select dates, through December 30
After you give your golden ticket to the conductor, you’ll be treated to storytime. After Santa meets your family, there will be caroling and holiday activities on board.
Hometown Pride: The Power of Sports in Middlesex County
Cornelius Low House Museum, Piscataway
Select dates through December 31
Middlesex County’s sports connections include the first-ever college football game played between Rutgers University and Princeton University; professional athletes and Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians. You will see high school trophies from the 1930s to the present, NFL golden footballs for pro athletes, balls from the highest-scoring high school athletes, uniforms from the 1930s to the present, and more.
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
Select dates, through January 3
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways. Walk around at your own pace to see the international Christmas displays, train sets and festive gift shops.
Pillsbury Let It Dough Suite
Club Wyndham Midtown 45, New York City
Through Jan. 6
Designed to be a holiday baking escape, you can rent this suite for two or three nights, and be treated to all the Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and ready-to-bake cookies you’d like. The room itself features icing-draped walls, a cinnamon roll–inspired bedroom, frosted windows, and the scent of freshly baked cookies throughout. You can also call the Cookie Concierge to have additional baking supplies delivered on demand.
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, NYC
Through January 10
The twinkling lights on the magnificent Christmas tree will be lit starting December 3. View its beauty while you ice skate or chill in a rinkside chalet. See the beautiful golden angel statues in the courtyard, and walk down the block to Saks Fifth Avenue for its holiday lights show on the building’s façade, which returns this season. The twinkling lights on the magnificent Christmas tree will be lit starting December 3. This year, with a ticket to Top of the Rock, you can meet Santa, have a private viewing area of the tree, and then rent a private chalet overlooking the skating rink. December 14 is Tuba Christmas, where musicians from around the country perform.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
Through March
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge while taking in the splendor of the giant Christmas tree. Shop more than 180 vendors selling gifts from around the world. And check out the bumper cars on ice.
Springsteen in Long Branch: An exhibition telling the story of Born to Run
Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch
Ongoing through 2026
Fifty years ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote the “Born to Run” album in West End, Long Branch. A new exhibit showcases his life at the Jersey Shore through photos, posters, album promo materials and mementos – like his green drum set from his first band, and a replica of the guitar used on the album cover.
SUE The T. Rex Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 25, 2026
The world’s most complete, most well-preserved T. rex skeleton is making a stop at LSC so you can see her bones, hear her growl and smell her breath (seriously!). There will be fossils on display, projection mapping of other prehistoric creatures, and a life-sized fleshed-out replica to show what the creature’s life was like in the Cretaceous era.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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Read More:
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