Looking for things to do in NJ this weekend with your family? Get into the Christmas spirit with the Disney Junior Holiday Party! Tour in Englewood, featuring popular characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse singing holiday classics, head to Disney On Ice in Newark where guests of all ages will go on an adventure to iconic Disney locations or have tea with Queen Elsa at the Eclectic Chic Boutique in Montclair.
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
Disney On Ice Presents Road Trip Adventures
Newark
Guests of all ages will go on an interactive adventure to iconic Disney locations, like London with Mary Poppins, Motunui with Moana and Africa with Simba and Pumbaa at Prudential Center.
$20+
Apple Cidering
Chatham Twp.
Use an old-fashioned hand-cranked cider press to make apple cider and learn fun facts about apples with the family.
$4/ages 3 and up
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
New Brunswick
This award-winning Broadway show recounts the true story of Carole King’s rise from being a teen songwriter to a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Hear classics like “You’ve Got a Friend” and “One Fine Day” at the State Theatre.
$40-98
Disney Junior Holiday Tour
Englewood
Come for an interactive show featuring characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Vampirina and more performing live holiday classics like “Deck the Halls” and “Jingle Bells.”
$29.50+
ToyCon NJ
Parsippany
This convention boasts more than 250 vendor tables featuring thousands of rare and vintage toys, comics, model sets and more.
$15-25
Christmas Con 2019
Edison
Stop by the New Jersey Convention and Expo center to kick off the holidays with gingerbread and holiday movies and meet some of your favorite celebrities from Hallmark’s Christmas movies for an autograph.
$25+
Train Festival
Camden
All aboard the Polar Express at the Camden’s Children Center where there’ll also be story time, games and train crafts.
$9, free/ages 1 and under
Mermaids and Pirates Adventure at Adventure Aquarium
Camden
Swim over to Adventure Aquarium’s 550,000-gallon Shark Realm to see sharks, stingrays, fish and of course, mermaids. Stick around for a meet and greet photo op with a pirate and mermaid, then work on crafts, hit face painting and follow the special mermaid treasure map to collect sticker coins.
$21.99/kids,$29.99/adults
Open Cockpit Weekend
Teterboro
Make a pit stop at the Aviation Hall of Fame to see one-of-a-kind planes the kids can climb into, like the world’s only surviving Martin 202 airliner.
$12/adults, $9/kids
FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 8)
The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
Branchburg
Ages 6-12 can travel through the solar system and visit the sun, moon and planets at the RVCC planetarium.
$10
Harry Potter Mystery Dinner Theater at The Pop Shop
Collingswood
All ages are invited to a night of magic and mystery. Hit this Harry Potter-themed buffet with Harry, Ron and Hermione.
$42.99
Chris Lane Big Big Plans Tour
Freehold
Watch country music singer Chris Lane perform some of his popular songs like “Big Big Plans,” “I Don’t Know About You” and “For Her at iPlay America.”
$32.50+
SATURDAY (NOVEMBER 9)
Paranormal Evenings at Cooper Gristmill
Chester Twp.
Ages 16 and up can join the Specter Seekers Paranormal Society for ghost hunting, which includes learning about the different equipment and methods used to cross to the other side.
$45
Super Smash Bros. Tournament
Hackettstown
Ages 6 and up can celebrate International Gaming Day at this Nintendo tournament at the Warren County Library, where the winner will receive a prize. Registration required.
Free
Art for Families: Go, Van Gogh, Go!
Princeton
Stop by the Princeton University Art Museum for an activity in the gallery followed by a related art project. This week, create a Van Gogh-inspired art piece.
Free
Queen Elsa Tea Party
Montclair
The Eclectic Chic Boutique will host the Queen of Arendelle, who’ll be around for storytime, face painting, free gifts and more.
$25
City of Newark Harvest Festival
Newark
Celebrate the cultural history of Newark with live performances, obstacle courses and pie eating and tug of war contests.
Free
SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 10)
Max & Ruby’s Musical Playdate
Rahway
Your kids’ favorite siblings from Nick Jr. are headed to UCPAC. This comedic play date includes fan-favorite songs from the show and a meet and greet after the performance
$12
Jersey Shore Fall Comic Book Show
Toms River
Since 1985, this comic book show has brought vendors, artists, writers, costume groups and costume contests to one place. See it for yourself—and maybe win a few prizes at Toms River Elks Lodge.
$4
Family Day: Shadow Play
Montclair
Visit the Montclair Art Museum to witness the art of illusion and check out a shadow puppet performance, a mystifying magic show from magician Tanya Solomon and a tour of Impossible Shadows: The Art of Larry Kagan, where artwork is viewed without lighting to create an abstract view.
$10/family
PurpleStride New Jersey 2019
Parsippany
Come together with families and friends on a walk to raise awareness about pancreatic cancer at the Mack-Cali Business Campus.
$10-35
Clifton NJ Comic Book Expo
Clifton
View a wide selection of the latest comics at an affordable price from Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, Archie and more.
Free admission
ONGOING
Hit The Liberty Science Center
Jersey City
If you’re looking for things to do in NJ this weekend, 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 for a photo op, walk through the holiday village and more 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.