Looking for things to do in NJ this weekend? If your kids are excited about the opening of Frozen 2 in theaters this weekend, they’ll want to be at a meet and greet with Queen Elsa at The Kidz Village in Kenilworth or have a tea party with Princess Anna at Posh Princess Palace in Lodi.
Perhaps the buzziest event of the weekend is Liberty Science Center’s first-ever Friday night party just for kids featuring slime, a massive ball pit, laser tag and access to the museum’s beloved exhibits. With Thanksgiving around the corner, festive things to do in NJ this weekend are popping up all around the state. Prep for your Thanksgiving feast by watching an 18th-century dinner demonstration at the Miller-Cory Museum in Westfield. Or get festive by taking in the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange.
ALL WEEKEND
Holiday Lights Spectacular
West Orange
Head to Turtle Back Zoo to see festive holiday displays, including 50 animals and winter characters. Don’t leave before getting a meet and greet with Santa.
$12-15
28th Annual Holiday Crafts in Ridgewood
Ridgewood
Get a jump on your Christmas list and shop pottery, woodware, jewelry and more at The Unitarian Society.
Free admission
Apple Cidering
Chatham Twp.
Use an old-fashioned, hand-cranked cider press to make apple cider and learn all about apples with the family.
$4/ages 3 and up
FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 22)
Extreme LSC
Jersey City
Head to the Liberty Science Center for this epic party that’ll have a laser tag arena, massive ball pit and plenty of slimy experiments for your slime lovers to take on (and even take home). The museum’s theaters will also be open for planetarium and laser shows and the kids can head outside (if weather permits) for stargazing through LSC’s powerful telescopes. Many of the museum’s attractions, like the touch tunnel, will also be open.
$20/adults, $12/ages 2-12
Santa Lighting Ceremony
Paramus
Stop by Westfield Garden State Plaza to see the mall’s 50-foot Santa make his annual holiday debut. Afterward, guests are welcome to shop, dine and take photos with Santa.
Free
Tween Paint-A-Scape
Hackettstown
Ages 8 and up are invited to join artist Majorie Haley at the Warren County Library for a fall-themed painting class. Registration required.
Free
Meet and Greet With Elsa
Kenilworth
The Kidz Village of Kenilworth is hosting a meet and greet with Arendelle’s ice queen to celebrate the release of the anticipated sequel.
$14.99/kid
Family Matinee: E.T.
Hopewell
Take your kids to see the alien that started it all. Elliott and Gertie befriend E.T. and keep him hidden, then take an iconic bike ride across the silver screen at the Hopewell Theater.
$6
SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 23)
Peppa Pig Visits Imagine That!!!
Florham Park
Head to Imagine That!!! for open play and a visit with your kids’ favorite cartoon pig, Peppa at noon.
Included with admission
3rd Annual Jammin’ with Santa
Princeton
Take your lil’ one for brunch and photos with Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus, plus games, food and prizes at Princeton High School.
$10/suggested donation
Art for Families: Looking at Sculpture
Princeton
Stop by the Princeton University Art Museum to participate in a gallery activity and related art project. This week, your family can take a stab at building their own sculpture.
Free
Gobble, Gobble Satur-YAY
Hackettstown
Usher in the holidays at the Warren County Library with turkey stories, Thanksgiving bingo and making your own turkey cookie with sugar cookies, M&Ms and candy corn. Registration required.
Free
5th Annual Edible Jersey Holiday Market
Princeton
Celebrate local food, drink and artisans with more than 15 vendors at the Princeton Day School.
Free
Python Programming Workshop
Metuchen
Students in grades 5-8 are invited to the Metuchen Public Library to learn about Python, a popular coding language used by companies like Netflix, NASA, Disney and more. Registration required.
Free
Arthur L. Johnson Holiday Gift Fair & Flea Market
Clark
Check out booths filled with vintage collectibles, antiques, handmade art, specialty food, holiday gifts and more at Arthur L. Johnson High School.
Free admission
Planetarium Shows
Branchburg
The Planetarium at RVCC has multiple events going on this Saturday. Ages 6-12 can check out Laser Kids, a laser show accompanied by songs like “Try Everything,” from the movie Zoolander and “YMCA” by the Village People. Ages 5 and up are invited to Magic Tree House: Space Mission to learn secrets about the sun, moon, planets and space travel. Ages 10 and up can follow the path of particles from the start of the universe on a tour through the night sky at Exploding Universe.
$10
SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 24)
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Englewood
Take your kids to see this beloved classic about a sweet, young reindeer that never gave up at the Bergen Performing Arts Center.
$25-55
18th Century Thanksgiving Dinner Demonstration & Table Customs
Westfield
Step into a traditional colonial Thanksgiving with an open-hearth fire demo and colonial recipes. Learn proper table customs including manners, place settings and table top traditions at the Miller-Cory Museum.
$5/ages 12 and up, $3/ages 3-12, free/ages 2 and under
Fall Bird Walk
Jersey City
Explore more than 250 different species of birds and their habitats at Liberty State Park. Registration required.
Free
243rd Anniversary of the British Invasion and American Retreat
River Edge
Go back in time with the Bergen Historical Society at Historic New Bridge Landing to celebrate history with live military reenactments and lectures from historians.
$12/adults, $7/students
Tea Party with Princess Anna
Lodi
Posh Princess Palace is hosting a tea party with Frozen’s Princess Anna. Kids will dress up, listen to stories, try makeup and play party games.
$40
The Nutcracker
Montclair
The School of Classical Ballet in Verona will perform this holiday classic at Montclair State University.
$25-35
ONGOING
Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show and Outdoor Village
Augusta
Venture to Skylands Stadium to see a festive display of more than two million lights from the comfort of your car from now throughout December.
$20/carload
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
Learn to Skate USA
Flemington
The Flemington Ice Arena is offering open registration for its ice skating program, which welcomes all skill levels (ages 3 and up) to instructed classes and practice sessions on Wednesdays and Sundays through December 22.
$16+
For more things to do in NJ this weekend, check out our list of fairs and festivals. If you want to stay inside, take a look at our favorite indoor activities. If you have younger kids, we’ve got activities that cater just to them, plus free events for the whole family. Check out our calendar for events near you, or browse things to do in NJ this weekend by county below.
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.