Looking for free things to do in November? Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means there’s plenty of ways to get in the holiday spirit without spending big bucks. Here are great, free things to do in November in NJ.
Want more fun stuff? Check out can’t-miss events for your preschoolers, plus the best fairs and festivals happening this November. If you want to venture outdoors, check out this hiking trails, or stay inside at these indoor spots. And if you’re looking to get into the Thanksgiving spirit, try these crafts, volunteer with your kids or pick a local farm for this year’s turkey.
*Please note that the fairs and festivals below have free admission, but activities, food and rides might be an additional fee.
November 6
Planetary Science Late Night
New Brunswick
All ages are welcome at the Rutgers University Geology Museum to learn about our Solar System and all its parts. There’ll be demonstrations, crafts and educational activities to keep the kids entertained.
Pokémon Club: Perler Bead Gym Badges
Hackettstown
All ages are welcome to prove they’re the best that ever was by making their own Pokémon badges with perler beads at the Warren County Library. Registration required.
November 7
My Very First Book Club
Parsippany
Kids in grades K-1 are welcome to join the Parsippany Public Library to discuss the book Digging Up Dinosaurs, then work on activities and crafts. Registration required.
November 9
Super Smash Bros. Tournament
Hackettstown
Ages 6 and up can celebrate International Gaming Day at this Nintendo Switch Super Smash Bros. tournament at the Warren County Library, where the winner will receive a prize. Registration required.
Pie Tasting
Chester
Sample more than 30 different kinds of sweet, savory, fruity and chocolate pies free of charge at Alstede Farms.
November 11
Love Makes a Family Story Time
Cranford
Families are encouraged to bring kids of all ages to participate in family storytime and sing songs at the Cranford Library.
November 15
Thanksgiving Apron Kids’ Craft
Hackettstown
Ages 3-8 can get ready for Thanksgiving cooking by decorating their own apron with turkeys and whatever else they’d like at the Warren County Library. Registration required.
November 16
Fall Craft Fair and Tricky Tray
Tenafly
The Church of the Atonement’s fall fest will have crafters, a bake booth, soups and breads with more than 40 baskets at the tricky tray to browse.
Free admission
November 17
Christmas Bazaar and Gift Auction
Perth Amboy
Come to Assumption Catholic School for raffles with prizes, wheels of chance, face painting and homemade ethnic foods.
November 22-23
28th Annual Holiday Crafts
Ridgewood
Browse or shop a variety of handmade crafts from jewelry and pottery, baskets and woodenware at the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood.
Free admission
Art for Families: Looking at Sculpture
Princeton
Stop by the Princeton Art Museum to discover the ways artists use form, color, texture and space in their art. Then, figure out how to use them in your own sculpture.
November 23
Gobble, Gobble Satur-YAY
Hackettstown
Usher in the holidays at the Warren County Library with turkey stories, Thanksgiving bingo and create your own turkey cookie with sugar cookies, M&M’s and candy corn. Registration required.
November 29-30
Holiday Light Show
Galloway
Watch an orchestrated show of more than 100 Christmas trees magically float over Lake Meone and synchronize their lights to music at Historic Smithville. Bring your little one to visit the magical talking tree, climb aboard the Christmas train ride and listen to stories with Mrs. Claus, too at Historic Smithville.
Free admission
Classic Film Series: Elf
Rahway
Usher in the holidays by watching the 2003 hit Elf with the family at the Union County Performing Arts Center at 7:30 pm.
Past Events
November 1
Frozen Karaoke
Hackettstown
All ages are invited to dress up as their favorite characters from Frozen, sing songs and craft their own crown at the Warren County Library. Registration required.
November 1-3
Historic Shipman Mansion Guided Tours
Edgewater Park
Check out this 150-year-old historical mansion, the home of the Red Dragon Canoe Club, one of NJ’s oldest boat clubs. Learn about its history while gazing out the picturesque waterfront view.
Mission Holiday Lights
Hackettstown
View a colorful array of more than 35,000 animated lights from the comfort of your car. Park your car by the display and tune your radio to 88.1 FM for classic tunes.
Tice’s Corner Fall Harvest Festival
Woodcliff Lake
From trick or treating and a bounce house to a balloon artist and free raffle, the little ones have plenty to do at this fall fest at Tice’s Corner Marketplace—including a costume contest. Registration required.
Linden’s 67th Halloween Parade
Linden
Come to Linden Park for marching bands, floats, dance groups and special appearances from Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus.
November 2
Art for Families
Princeton
Stop by the Princeton Art Museum to browse the gallery and work on an art project, like a garment, to take home.
DIY Sugar Skull Masks
Hackettstown
Ages 4-8 can celebrate the Day of the Dead by decorating their own sugar skull masks using sharpie and sequins at the Warren County Library. Registration required.
16th Touch-a-Truck Day
Lebanon
Kids of all ages can get up close and personal with more than 40 vehicles from dump trucks and fire trucks to ambulances and police cars and more at Hunterdon Parks and Recreation.
Storytime at the Fire Department Museum
Hoboken
Kids can listen to songs and stories about city life read by museum staff and librarians from the Hoboken Public Library.
Terrific Tuesdays
Englewood
Every Tuesday in November, your toddler can listen to music and stories, check out technology, design buildings and more at the Elisabeth Morrow School.
Arts and Crafts Festival
Manville
Come for a day of music, food and crafts and activities like dance, self defense, painting and more. Registration required.
Fall Leaves Walk
Jersey City
Take in the beauty of fall in a guided walk and learn how to identify trees by their fall colors at Liberty State Park. Registration required.
Know of other awesome free things to do in November? Let us know in the comments!
