The holiday season is getting underway which means it’s time to start shopping and see Big Santa make his debut in North Jersey. Dino lovers will be all over T-Rex Takeover at Field Station: Dinosaurs and your littles will get excited over Bluey’s Big Play in New Brunswick. Here’s what else is happening this weekend:
WEEKEND
Disney on Ice
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
Thursday – Sunday
To celebrate Disney’s 100th anniversary, there will be more than 50 stars figure skating around the ice.
Chrysanthemum Festival
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Thursday – Sunday
Walk through displays of 5,000 yellow, orange, lavender and maroon chrysanthemums. It’s based on an ancient art from Japan and China, where flowers are arranged in the shape of spirals, obelisks, columns and clouds. This is the last weekend of the festival.
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week
Multiple locations, along the Jersey Shore
Thursday – Sunday
Head to your favorite restaurant or try a new one, ordering a 3-course meal with an appetizer, entrée and dessert for either $30.23 or $40.23, depending on the participating restaurant.
Circus Vazquez
Woodbridge Center Mall, Woodbridge
Thursday – Monday
This is no ordinary circus. Instead, watch as an international cast of performers do trapeze acts, juggle faster than you can imagine, ride a unicycle through a 15-wheel vertical cycle; and perform a rarely seen Palo Hindu act.
Kinderland: The Kinder Chocolate Launch Experience
SoHo Lofts, New York, NY
Friday – Saturday
Jump along chocolate paths. Sit atop the Kinder throne. Make music with your feet. Create “Kid Flags” together. And of course, delight in some Kinder Chocolate, while supplies last.
Veterans Day Weekend
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Friday – Sunday
Celebrate and honor our heroes at the theme park.
Exit Zero Jazz Festival
Cape May
Friday – Sunday
Main Stage concerts will be held at the Cape May Convention Hall. There will also shows at the Convention Hall Deck Stage, Rotary Park Stage, Carney’s Main Room and Carney’s Other Room.
Military & Veterans Day
Skirmish Paintball, Albrightsville, PA
Friday – Sunday
Pre-register and present your military ID at check-in and veterans will play paintball for free.
Veterans Day Weekend
Kona Grill, Woodbridge
Friday – Monday
All veterans and active duty military members will get 50% off their food orders.
T-Rex Takeover
Field Station: Dinosaurs, Leonia
Friday – Sunday
The park is home to more than 30 larger-than-life-sized dinosaurs and includes the Jurassic Jump attraction, activities like dino trivia or feeding a T-Rex, time to speak with actual paleontologists and a scavenger hunt. Starting now, you can go for Dinosaurs After Dark on Friday and Saturday nights.
Bluey’s Big Play
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Saturday – Sunday
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans. Join them as they pull out their games and cleverness to get Dad off that bean bag. The stage show is based on the award-winning TV series. There are four showtimes to choose from.
New Jersey Vegan Food Festival
Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus
Saturday – Sunday
There will be yummy vegan and plant-based meals from local chefs, as well as vegan products, plant-based fashion, live music and good times.
The Nutcracker “Suites” and Tea Party
Mill Ballet, New Hope, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Welcome the holidays with an afternoon of sweets, coffee, tea and hot chocolate with the characters from The Nutcracker. After a performance by Roxey Ballet’s professional artists, you can ask for autographs and take photos, listen to storytime by the Sugar Plum Fairy, and participate in a Nutcracker-themed dance class.
FRIDAY
Taylor’s Version: A Swifties Dance Party
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park
Calling all Swifties who are 21+! Taylor’s Version is the dance party of your wildest dreams. They put on DJ-based events playing every Taylor era, no skips.
Holiday Sip + Shop
Kevin Kelly Salon, Keyport
Support local businesses, including Bijoux Boutique and Linked Local NJ.
Celtic Thunder: Odyssey
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
The group celebrates Irish music and culture. Songs include “Go Lassie Go”, a traditional folk song; “City of Chicago” serves as a moving tribute to the Irish diaspora; and “The Parting Glass,” an iconic classic. The concert is a blend of music, storytelling and stage production.
SATURDAY
Freestyle Free For All
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
Get ready to dance the night away to the throwback music of Taylor Dayne, Lisa Lisa, Expose, TKA, George Lamond, Brenda K. Starr, Amber, Lisette Melendez, Safire, Rockell and Coro.
Sauce for the Goose Outdoor Art Market
Nassau Street and Robeson Place, Princeton
Artists, makers, vendors, creatives and dreamers will display their projects, lining the streets of Downtown Princeton with gifts you can give for the holidays.
Veterans Day Cigar & Sip
Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
Visit the Wine and Beer Garden for cigars and light hors d’oeuvres while gathered around VIP firepits.
Big Santa Lighting and Spectacular Drone Show
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
This year’s arrival of Santa will include the lighting of the iconic Big Santa on the roof of the mall, a 200 drone show that lights up the sky, and Queen of Freestyle Judy Torres. The festivities include live musical performances; and visits from Buddy the Elf, Elsa, Olaf, and the real Santa Claus, who will arrive in a fire truck escorted by the Paramus High School Marching Band. Food trucks include Johnny Zeppoli, Shake Shack, NYC Mac Truck and Hold My Knots.
Open Cockpit Days
New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame, Teterboro
You’ll have the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of a very rare Lockheed Bushmaster plane and a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter. Sit inside a M*A*S*H Bell 47 helicopter made famous during the Korean War. See the cabin and cockpit of the world’s only surviving Martin 202A Airliner. Also popular with young people is to sit inside the official airport rescue firefighter truck. Also on display are the Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter and the OV-1A Mohawk Observation/Attack Aircraft.
Veterans Music Fest
D’Jais, Belmar
Local musicians will honor our brave veterans through music. Proceeds support the Veterans Foundation of America, and will help with our veterans outdoor therapy programs.
Santa’s Birthday Celebration
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
Mrs. Claus will host a birthday party with music, dancing, balloon art, magic and a birthday sing-along for Santa. The Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey will provide treats, while supplies last.
Bacon, Sausage & Scrapple Making
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
You’ll get a unique chance to see the techniques used to make these products and then taste the results. You can lend a hand filling the sausage stuffer and grinding the corn used in scrapple and cornbread recipes, then taste cracklins and other delicacies made in the process.
Brunswick Eruption
North Brunswick Township High School, North Brunswick
FRC Team 25-Raider Robotix will host its 21st one-day off-season FIRST robotics event, one of the largest in the country. This event will have 40 teams comprised of high school-aged students battling it out as part of the 2023 competition season.
Touch-a-Truck
Roebling Museum, Roebling
Check out big trucks from local industries and learn about the big machines at the historic steel mill.
Thanksgiving Cooking Class: Sweet Treats
Felina Steak at Hudson House, Jersey City
Pastry Chef Sherly Guiterrez will teach you how to craft her two speciality desserts, Pumpkin Crème Brulée and Apple Hand Pies.
Hungarian Artisan Market
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
There will be Hungarian vendors, artisans and food trucks on site.
Veterans Day Observance
Veterans Park, Avenue K, Monroe Twp.
There will be services and a wreath-laying ceremony.
Elvis Tribute Artist Jim Barone
Brook Arts Center, Bound Brook
Jim Barone will perform a special Veterans Day Concert in his Elvis tribute style from the ’50s to the ’70s. All veterans receive discounted tickets, and there will be a collection of new, unwrapped toys for children of deployed service members through Project Little Soldier.
Broken Arrow & Laurel Canyon
LeVoy Theatre, Millville
Broken Arrow performs the music of Neil Young, featuring electric Crazy Horse tunes and the more acoustic, pedal steel-driven country rock material. Get meet-and-greet info after the show at the merch table.
Veterans Day Ceremony
Town Hall, Manalapan
Along the Veterans Walk of Honor, you can celebrate the brave people who have served our nation. Light refreshments will follow.
Holiday Craft Show
The Community Center, Egg Harbor Township
The show features an assortment of jewelry, crafts, home décor and artwork.
Open Mouth Poetry
West Windsor Arts Council, Princeton Junction
Poets, age 15 and older, will get the opportunity to share their poetry in front of a supportive audience.
Saturday is Veterans Day. Here are places you can honor our heroes.
SUNDAY
Candlelight Concert: A Tribute to Taylor Swift
White Eagle Hall, Jersey City
For 65 minutes, you and your Swiftie friends can listen to the music of Taylor Swift while surrounded by candlelight.
Once Upon a Time
Sitnik Theatre, Hackettstown
The family show takes you on a comical tour through some of classical ballet’s greatest stories, such as Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet.
Fall Sugar Cookie Decorating Workshop
The Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
You will decorate three or four sugar cookies with fall-inspired designs, such as pumpkins, leaves and scarecrows. You will also learn how to use different piping techniques and icing colors to create cookies that are perfect for the upcoming season. This is a great class for kids and families. You can attend in person or virtually, and you can order an allergy-friendly cookie kit if needed.
Giralda Farms Run
Giralda Farms, Madison
There are different race options: 10K USATF- NJ 500/700 Wildcard, Coed Team Championship, 5K USATF- NJ 500-Point Grand Prix Race, and a Kids Fun Run.
Veterans Day Family Event
Nickelodeon Universe, American Dream, East Rutherford
More than 800 veterans from New Jersey Veterans Association, American Legion, VFW, SOS Veterans Stakeholders, Veterans of Foreign Affairs and Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major John M. Gaines Jr. will provide American Dream with an award for the property’s continued support of veterans.
Holiday Craft Show
Historic Village at Allaire, Wall Twp.
There will be 135 local crafters to shop from, plus two food trucks on site, and the bakery and general store will be open.
Theatre of Light
Vail Mansion Plaza, Morristown
The plaza will be lit up with installations, winged dancers and an LED juggler. There will be music, dance, ice carving, henna painting, Bollywood and hip-hop music, and craft-making. The MPAC Performing Arts Company and the Unity Steppers will perform.
Forest Bathing
New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, Ringwood
The practice of forest bathing means to immerse oneself in the forest and soak in the atmosphere through the senses. The walk will be at an easy pace and focus on connecting to nature through mindfulness. There will be short, guided meditations and breathing exercises in the forest. Then, you’ll sample some hot tea to close out the session.
Kids Hike For Fun
Stantion Station, South Branch Reservation, Flemington
Celebrate nature near the river. Join Park Naturalist Debra Reed to see what is happening outside during this transition from fall to winter. Kids will flip rocks, gather leaves and play in the dirt.
Screening of “Bella!”
Temple Emeth, Teaneck
The National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section will host filmmaker Jeff L. Lieberman for a showing and discussion about his 2023 film “Bella!” as part of the Teaneck International Film Festival (TIFF). The document is about Bella Abzug’s journey from the streets of Manhattan to Congress. After the film, former NJ State Senator Loretta Weinberg and Lieberman will participate in a talkback around women’s fight for reproductive freedom, equal pay, equal access to education and more.
Duke Farms Market
Duke Farms, Hillsborough
The best farms and artisan vendors from the Raritan Watershed region will offer items for all your grocery needs.
Steeple Concert: Ilya Yakushev
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Westfield
World-famous pianist Ilya Yakushev plays everything from Haydn and J.S. Bach to Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Prokofiev and Ravel, to pop songs like “Tea For Two.”
Car, Bike & Jeep Show, Part of Aberdeen Day Festival
Matawan Regional High School, Aberdeen Twp.
This special car show salutes veterans and first responders. It’s part of the Aberdeen Day festival, which will include entertainment, music, activities and food vendors.
ONGOING
Makerspace Saturday
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
First Saturday of every month
Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly project or for something creative to do after spending time at the museum, drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in a new collaborative workspace geared toward kids ages 5 -12. Kids will build with LEGOs, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, March – December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Tours of Crane House & Historic YWCA
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Wayne PAL Antique Collectibles Show and Vintage Flea Market
Wayne PAL Athletic League Complex, Wayne
First Sunday of every month, through April
The show features over 150 vendor tables in two large rooms and the front lobby where you can find vintage and sterling jewelry, glassware and Lenox, toys and trains, antique and collectible dolls and action figures, vintage postcards and photos and artwork, military, political and sports memorabilia including cards, magazines and newspapers, vintage coins and watches, classic rock CDs and more.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, March – December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
The Sound of Music
The Levoy Theatre, Millville
November 10-19
A meet-and-greet will be held after the shows in the mezzanine lobby.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park at the West Side of City Hall, Philadelphia, PA
November 10 – January 1, 2024
Celebrate the holiday season with more than 50 local vendors from Philadelphia and the tri-state area.
The Village at Anne Ellen Holiday Lights Display
Anne Ellen Tree Farm, Manalapan
Wednesdays-Sundays, November 11-December 30
You’ll be surrounded by over 100,000 Christmas lights as you take the hayride from the farm market down to the holiday lights display. Visit Santa’s house, the train room, the life-sized igloo, the gingerbread house, the old school tree lot, the wall of lights, the post office, the cherry blossom field, and the maple sugar shack. There’s a shooting range where you can take aim at holiday-themed targets using Orbeez ammunition. New for this year is Santa’s Coal Mine, where you’ll enter the mine’s tunnels to see the coal that fuels Santa’s sleigh – and is the same coal reserved for those on Santa’s naughty list. Also new is the Candy Cane Factory, where you’ll see the elves on the machines hard at work.
Night Owl Markets
The Market Pavilion, Highland Park
November 12, 25 and 26; December 9-10
The outdoor markets feature local artists, artisans and crafters.
Festival of Trees
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesday – Sunday, November 15 – January 7, 2024
Christmas trees, mantels and displays are decorated by local organizations and exhibited throughout the museum. You can walk throughout and see the gallery exhibits as well.
Roosevelt Park Family Skating Rink
Roosevelt Park, Edison
November 15 – March 31, 2024
There is open skating as well as skating lessons.
Aerial Adventure Park Night Climb
Great Gorge Golf Club, Vernon
Select dates, through November 18
Night climbs give you three hours of access to the 10 original aerial obstacle courses, plus the new zipline course, The Black Creek Flyer. You can spend the night climbing, zipping, scrambling and scampering through the trees. Stop for something to eat or sit by the fire to relax before heading up again.
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through November 18
During a quiet morning at the sanctuary, walk the trails with an NJ Audubon staff member or associate naturalist and learn about the birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians that you come across.
Food Truck Festival Season
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Select Saturdays and Sundays, through November 19
Each weekend will have a different theme with food trucks to match, plus a glass of wine or two. There will be family activities, too.
Disney’s The Little Mermaid
The Broadway Theatre of Pitman, Pitman
Weekends, through November 19
This musical stage play is based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale and the popular Disney film.
Sensory Sundays
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Sundays, November 19 and December 17
This new program is part of the aquarium’s commitment to creating an inclusive, entertaining and educational experience for all guests, including anyone with autism or sensory sensitivities. There will be lower music and lighting as well as limited capacity.
Family Fun Football Sundays
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Sundays, through November 19
Sundays, November 26 – December 17
While the adults are watching NFL games, the kids can play in the arcade, get their face painted and meet special costumed characters.
Children of Eden
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, Maplewood
Through November 19
The trials and triumphs of the family are explored in this musical based on the book of Genesis. It’s a show for all ages, presented by The Strollers.
Formula 1 at RPM Raceway
RPM Raceway, Jersey City
Through November 26
If you want in on the action, jump in an electric go-kart and race against time while virtually challenging famous Formula 1 racers’ scores and striving to outpace their legendary lap times. You can play in the arcade, at its state-of-the-art racing simulators, billiards, bowling alley and Hologate Virtual Reality center. If you want to sit on the sidelines, have lunch at RPM Sports Bar & Grill and watch F1 races in real time on larger-than-life screens throughout the venue.
Hopatcong Sunday Market & Craft Fair
Park & Ride, Hopatcong
Sundays, through November 26
Each week, bring the kids and shop from a variety of food, produce and craft vendors.
Diggerfest
Diggerland USA, West Berlin
Saturdays-Sundays, through November 26
Diggerland’s Fall Festival includes live music, special foods, hay rides, Circus Stella, fun and games, fire truck rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, a pipe roll, a corn maze, photo stands, fire pits and a fall parade.
Xiomáro’s Street Haunting: Photographs Virginia Woolf Might Have Taken
Starlight Gallery of the Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Through November 28
The artistic roots of street photography can be traced as far back as da Vinci’s street sketches. For Xiomaro, New York City is a source for creating candid photographs of dramatic, weird, and ghostly moments – while not using Photoshop, filters, or other manipulations. There are 16 large prints on view in this exhibition.
Counterpoint: Artists From The Arts Access Program at Matheny
The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
Through December 8
For more than 25 years, The Matheny Arts Access Program has been empowering artists with disabilities to create art without limits. This gallery will showcase some of their work.
Kendra: A Celebration of Work by Contemporary Indo-American Artists
The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
Through December 8
Artists of all genres from the South Asian diaspora can participate and showcase their art and highlight the rich tradition of their native land through a contemporary art exhibition.
Off The Wall Holiday Market
West Windsor Arts Council, Princeton Junction
Select dates, through December 23
There will be more than 100 works of art and craft items at this holiday fair, which is part artisan market, part affordable art show, and part juried art exhibit.
Big Apple Circus: Journey to the Rainbow
Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, New York, NY
Through January 1, 2024
More than 30 artists from all over the world will perform in costumes specially designed for the show, and there will be a live orchestra of eight musicians.
The Candy Cottage of Christmas Magic
Rockefeller Center, New York, NY
Through January 2, 2024
Start inside the trunk of a giant Christmas tree during this immersive experience, and then you’ll be given a map to scurry around Rockefeller Plaza looking for the ingredients for Christmas magic. When you’re done, head back to the cottage for a sweet treat that includes a personalized message.
Winter Lantern Festival
American Dream, East Rutherford
Thursdays – Sundays, through January 2
More than 1,000 handcrafted Chinese lanterns and lights will be on display. The lanterns are made with hand-painted silk cloth and LED lights. There will be gorgeous displays of Chinese myths, legends and zodiac-inspired lanterns designed as an animal kingdom, a sea world and a theme park. Look for mammoths, polar bears, penguins, and a 50-foot-tall lantern display of Sun Wukong. You can also make your own lantern and dress up in traditional Chinese attire. The exhibit is open from Thursdays to Sundays.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York, NY
Holiday shops open through January 2
The Rink and The Lodge, open through March 3
The rink is the largest, free ice skating rink in New York. You can relax at The Lodge, where you can eat and drink while watching skaters from the rinkside or overlooking the gigantic Christmas tree. The Holiday Shops by Urbanspace Markets is another huge draw, and boasts more than 180 new and returning merchants in an open-air holiday market.
Threading Memories
Art@Bainbridge, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton
Through January 7
Korean-born artist MiKyoung Lee hosts her first solo museum exhibition. The exhibition features richly textured large-scale sculptures and wall-mounted works, and explores themes of domesticity, family ties, and how we process memory and experience.
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Through March
The famous ice-skating rink returns to Rockefeller Center in NYC for its 87th season. While you’re watching the skating, or when you need to take a break from the ice, you can warm up inside the special skate chalets on the South Esplanade. This year will be the first time you can enjoy alcoholic beverages in the chalets, with a soon-to-be-announced menu of drinks by Other Half Brewery, served alongside a menu of après-skate bites. Skating runs through March but the chalets will be rentable from November 4 to January 14, 2024. Details on Family and Kids Day and opportunities to take photos with Santa will be announced.
The Science Behind Pixar
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 5
Learn all about the science behind Pixar’s animated films. Kids can try a bunch of hands-on experiences like making a short film, creating a robot friend for “WALL·E” and designing a new movie set using props from “Monsters University.” Learn what animation rendering is, then practice it by rendering a scene from “Inside Out.” Create a digital sculpture from an artist’s sketch. Use lights to solve challenges similar to the ones Pixar faced in creating underwater scenes with virtual light in “Finding Nemo.”
Read More:
The Best Fairs and Festivals in November
Free Things To Do in NJ in November
A Trip to Longwood Gardens Should Be Part of Your Holiday To-Do List
Peddler’s Village Has All The Holiday Vibes This Season