Looking for things to do in NJ this weekend with your family? Head to Hoboken to snack on their favorite food at the 3rd Annual Hoboken Pizza Fest, or take your young muggles to Montclair to make their own Harry Potter wands. This Sunday is National Take a Hike Day and we’ve rounded up the best spots. If you’re looking to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving, check out these turkey trots, volunteer ideas, DIY centerpieces and crafts. Don’t forget to preorder your bird from a local farm!
For more fun, check out our complete list of fairs and festivals. If you want to stay inside, take a look at our favorite indoor activities. Got a bunch of younger kids to entertain? We’ve got activities that cater just to them, plus free events for the whole fam. Check out our calendar for events near you, or browse things to do in NJ this weekend by county below.
ALL WEEKEND
3rd Annual Sugarloaf Craft Festival
Edison
Stroll the aisles of the NJ Convention & Expo Center for handmade arts and crafts, jewelry, garments, decor and furniture to get a jump on your holiday shopping! There’ll also be live art demos and an interactive theater for the kids.
$10/adults at door, $8/adults online, free/ages 12 and under
FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 15)
Thanksgiving Apron Kids’ Craft
Hackettstown
Ages 3-8 can get creative by decorating Thanksgiving aprons with turkeys and other festive symbols at the Warren County Library. Don’t forget to bring your own smock! Registration required.
Free
SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 16)
3rd Annual Hoboken Pizza Fest
Hoboken
Head to Our Lady of Grace Church to sample slices from various pizza spots in Hoboken, like Tony Boloney’s, UrbanCoalHouse and more. Tickets (two sessions, 1-3 and 4-6 pm) include a half-slice of pizza or menu item from every vendor, live music, contests, swag, games and more.
$25-120
NJSO Family: Peter and the Wolf
Newark
Hit NJPAC for this fairy tale, told by a narrator with musical accompaniment from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
$20/adults, $10/kids
Rockin’ Rocket Ride
Branchburg
Bring your kiddos ages 3-8 to the planetarium at RVCC for a journey across the Milky Way to see the moon, sun and planets set to music.
$10
Rumpelstiltskin
South Orange
Grab tickets to SOPAC’s retelling of this classic tale about a girl who’s rumored to spin straw into gold. After she’s locked in a tower by a selfish king, Rumpelstiltskin appears and promises to spin the straw into gold for her—for a steep price.
$20
Art for Families: When Is Art Like a Jigsaw Puzzle?
Princeton
Stop by the Princeton University Art Museum to participate in a gallery activity and related art project. This week, your family can make a mosaic inspired by artwork from ancient Rome.
Free
Fall Craft Fair & Tricky Tray
Tenafly
Shop crafts, homemade jams, soups, breads, baked goods (with tree nut- and peanut-free options), then hit the thrift store and white elephant before stopping by the tricky tray (more than 40 baskets) and silent auction at Church of the Atonement.
Free
Late Fall Hike at Cushetunk
Lebanon
Take a three-mile hike along Cushetunk Mountain Preserve, featuring views of Round Valley Reservoir, massive trees and (hopefully) various bird species. The trail is closed throughout the year due to Bald Eagle nesting, so now’s the time! Registration required.
$5
SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 17)
Toms River Toy & Collectible Show
Toms River
Spend an afternoon at the Toms River Clarion Hotel for vintage and modern toys from Funko Pops to collectibles.
$3, free/ages 12 and under
Make Your Own Harry Potter Wand|
Montclair
Take your lil’ muggles ages 7-12 to the Eclectic Chic Boutique to make their very own wands. There’ll be themed refreshments and a dramatic reading of the part in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone when Harry receives his first wand from Ollivanders. Feel free to come in costume, too.
$30
Thanksgiving Harvest Home & Armistice Observance
Morris Twp.
Help prep Thanksgiving dinner at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, hop on a wagon ride and check out farm animals. Visitors can see an authentic World War I ambulance and honor US military veterans.
$8/adults, $6/ages 3-16, free/ages 2 and under
Hot Apple Cider Hike
Short Hills
On National Take A Hike Day, pull on your coats and boots to hit the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary for a guided hike. See how plants and animals get ready for the winter, then head to the historic Stone House for a cup of apple cider and a Q&A about animals. Registration recommended.
$8/members, $10/non-members
Storytime
Morristown
Ages 2-9 can listen to a story about birds, then search for them in the “Fowl in Landscape” painting from the 17th century at Macculloch Hall Historical Museum. Registration required.
Included with admission
Christmas Bazaar and Gift Auction
Perth Amboy
Think face painting, activities for the kids, wheels of chance, games, raffles, food, crafts and vendors, all at Assumption Catholic School.
Free admission
ONGOING
Hit Liberty Science Center
Jersey City
If you’re looking for things to do in NJ this weekend and throughout the month of November, look no further than the Liberty Science Center. Take your little ones to see the Angry Birds Universe Exhibit where they can shoot at life-size Angry Birds with massive slingshots ($30-35). After, ages 2-8 can climb aboard the Dinosaur Train and head back to the Mesozoic period, where your tot can check out steam engines, excavate fossils, learn about dino diets and chill in a dinosaur nest (included with museum admission).
Many Inspired Steps
Trenton
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing by visiting this exhibition to learn how Neil Armstrong became the first man on the moon at the NJ State Museum.
Free
32nd Annual Lambert Castle Holiday Boutique
Paterson
This four-week boutique offers a variety of festive holiday gifts from jewelry and seasonal decorations to crafts and collectibles, as well as gourmet soups and sandwiches.
$7, free/ages 12 and under
Classic Creations Boutiques
Ho-Ho-Kus
This holiday show at the Hermitage Education and Conference Center features hundreds of artisans and crafters offering one-of-a-kind and unusual decorations for every season.
$8, free/ages 12 and under
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
Hammonton
Ride through millions of Christmas lights, meet Santa and his elves at his workshop, walk through the holiday village and more every weekend at DiDonato’s Family Center.
$14.95
Mommy and Me Toddler Art Classes
Jersey City
Let your little one explore his creativity while bonding with you at DT234 Gallery and Art Studio. Sessions every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday throughout November.
$20
Winterfest at Diggerland
West Berlin
Now open every Saturday and Sunday throughout November (with select weekends through December), this construction theme park boasts a holiday hayride, parade, winter-themed food and more.
$29.95-38.95
FIND MORE THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND
If you have any upcoming events you’d like to add to our calendar, click here! And if you know of other things to do in NJ this weekend, leave us a comment.
