The holiday season is underway, which means New Jersey’s most festive attractions are opening up this month. Here are some of the best events happening in and around NJ this weekend!
WEEKEND
Target Wonderland: Bullseye’s Top Toy Adventure Holiday Pop-Up
Chelsea Industrial, New York, NY
Saturday – Sunday
Expect interactive photo ops, activities from your favorite brands, a display of Target’s 2024 Bullseye’s Top Toys list, and reps from Hasbro, LEGO, Essie and Maybelline.
FRIDAY
Kids Glow Crazy Holiday Party
Boxcar Bar, Short Hills
DJ LuBROCK will be spinning holiday tunes. Kids will get a free winter glow wand, free goodie bags, and free cookies and hot chocolate (while supplies last). There will be winter-themed games.
Hello Dolly
LeVoy Theatre, Millville
Matchmaker Dolly Levi is a widow, a matchmaker, and also a professional meddler –but everything changes when she decides that the next match she needs to make is to find someone for herself.
SATURDAY
Sensory-Friendly Tour
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
Families and care partners with neurodiverse children and teens can experience the historic house with plenty to touch, and lots of time for questions. Plus, explore the new garden sensory pathway through sight, sound, touch and smell.
Corn Harvest & Husking Bee
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
It’s time to take the ears of corn off their stalks. See how the process was done in the 1800s. Kids can make a corn wreath to take home.
Marlboro Community Diwali Celebration
Colts Neck Fire Company 2, Colts Neck
The Marlboro Indian Foundation will bring in Bollywood dance performances, food and drinks, fireworks, a DJ, music, games, gifts and a photo booth.
Central Jersey Book Festival
Ross Street School, Woodbridge
Pro wrestler, actor and voice actor Brimstone is this year’s special guest. You can meet other authors, listen to stories, and get your book signed by Santa!
Sesame Street Learn & Play
American Dream, East Rutherford
The fun starts with a parade from the Dream Stage to the center. Inside, kids will step into the rainforest at Elmo’s World, listen to Big Bird tell stories at his nest, shop at Hooper’s Store, explore Abby Cadabby’s magical garden, learn about cranks and gears at the Bike Shop, and have some laughs with Bert and Ernie. There’s a Sesame Street Playground, and iconic Sesame Street landmarks, such as 123 Stoop and Oscar’s trash can.
Walk. Talk. Taste Montclair
Upper Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
The 3-hour food tasting and historical walking tour of the section of Bloomfield Avenue between Church Street and South Mountain Road in Montclair will include samples from 5-7 restaurants.
Theatre of Light Craft Workshop
Morris Museum, Morristown
Create magic wands, crowns and more to wear at MPAC’s Theatre of Light, a huge light-based holiday festival taking place on November 24.
No Sew Rag Doll Workshop
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Kids 8 and up will be given materials to snip and rip fabrics, and wrap and tie their own little rag doll cutie.
Nottingham High School Holiday Market
Nottingham High School, Hamilton Twp.
The festive day of shopping and food supports local businesses while getting you into the holiday spirit.
Play With Clay: Fun(d)raiser Afternoon
All Children’s Art Center NJ, Denville
Kids and parents can explore the art of clay molding and crafting. You’ll take home your project during this fundraiser for the center’s art programs.
SUNDAY
Nutcracker Suites and Tea Party
Mill Ballet, New Hope, PA
While you snack on sweets, coffee, tea and hot chocolate with your favorite characters from The Nutcracker, you’ll watch Roxey Ballet’s professional artists, ask for autographs and photos, listen to storytime by the Sugar Plum Fairy, and take a Nutcracker-themed dance class.
The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays
bergenPAC, Englewood
You won’t believe your eyes as the illusions have a holiday spin.
Breakfast With DreamWorks Trolls Characters
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream, East Rutherford
Guy Diamond and Poppy from “Trolls” will stop in to say hello during the breakfast buffet.
Holiday Flea Market & Gift Fair
Wayne PAL, Wayne
Christmas shoppers who are looking for gift ideas can choose from crafts, new items and collectibles.
Guided House Tour: Eyewitness to Black History
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Explore 200 years of Black history in Montclair and New Jersey through rare firsthand accounts and documents. Artifacts include a bill of sale for an enslaved person in the household, an 1800s newspaper, an 1840s New York Knickerbocker magazine, census data, personal letters, oral histories, and mid-century Jet and Ebony magazines.
ONGOING
Feed at Reed’s
Reed’s Farm, Egg Harbor Twp.
Every Saturday
Every Saturday at 1 pm, you can help feed the animals on the farm, plus learn about the behavior and care of chickens, pigs, sheep and more, plus their roles on a regenerative farm.
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.
Vegan in NJ Monthly Market
American Legion Post 346, Neptune
First Sunday of every month
More than 20 vegan vendors will be set up indoors and outdoors, selling food, sweets and retail items.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Street Pops Artisan Market
Under the 14th Street Viaduct, Hoboken
Select Sundays, through December
Local makers and creators from the area sell their unique handmade creations, ranging from fashion and jewelry to art and photography to home decor and vintage finds to artisanal foods and pet products to kids’ stuff. There is also live music and outdoor games. Special holiday markets are planned for December 8, 15 and 22.
A Sinner’s Christmas Experience
Sinner’s Steakhouse, Point Pleasant Beach
November 13 – January 5, 2025
The jolly ol’ sinful experience includes craft Christmas cocktails, food specials, Santa’s favorite desserts and fun for all ages. Try a signature cocktail like Reif Rum Coquito, Cousin Eddie’s Egg Nog or Scrooge’s Usual; or you can make your own hot chocolate.
Meet Santa
The Shops at Riverside, Hackensack
November 15 – December 24
Aside from photos with Santa, you ask when he pauses for storytime as he reads “The Night Before Christmas.”
Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Pop-Up Bar
Virgin Hotel, New York, NY
November 15 – December 29
Celebrate the Queen of Christmas with Black Irish liqueur martinis, festive photo ops, a postcard writing station, and weekend brunch.
Grinch’s Grotto
Cucina Calandra, Fairfield
November 15 – December 30
This Grinch-themed bar will hold special events with the Grinch himself on select nights.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
November 15 – January 1, 2025
There will be more than 50 vendors from the Tri-State Area set up in picturesque white wooden booths decorated with Moravian stars. Christmas Village in Philadelphia will set up across the street.
LuminoCity Festival: Wonder Journey
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
Select dates, November 15 – January 5, 2025
The larger-than-life lights displays is based on “Alice in Wonderland,” and includes the Wonderland Tea Party, the iconic butterfly seat, the life-sized Queen’s Castle and a slide down the Queen of Heart’s tower.
Frosty and Rudolph
Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville
Saturdays, November 16 and 23
The neighborhood children decide to build a snowman. To be sure he doesn’t melt, the kids take Frosty to the North Pole where he meets Rudolph, and they hatch a plan to save Christmas by using the reindeer’s incredible red nose to guide Santa’s sleigh.
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Hammonton
November 16 to December 23
Take a train ride through millions of Christmas lights, meet Santa and his elves in his workshop, chat with Mrs. Claus, snack on cookies, watch a movie in the pop-up tent, meet everyone’s favorite Snowman, walk through the holiday village and visit the toy market.
Santa @ The Commons
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
November 16 – December 24
Meet Santa in the Center Court for photos. Mention NJ Family to receive $5 off of your photo package.
Christmas Fantasy With Lights
Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp.
November 16 – December 30
Every night at dusk, Santa will wave his magic wand and light up the theme park. You can meet him after, or take Santa’s Fantasy Flight (known as Jumping Jumbos during the regular season).
Christmas at Bubbly Goat
The Bubbly Goat, Stockton
Saturdays – Sundays, November 16 – January 5, 2025
Spend time playing with the baby goats during the holiday season.
A Very Furry Christmas
Sesame Street Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Select dates, November 16 – January 5, 2025
Santa arrives on November 16 at the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree, where, after singing and dancing with Sesame Street friends, Santa will illuminate the millions of twinkling lights around the park for the first time this holiday season. Throughout the season, meet Mr. Claus at Santa’s Furry Workshop, an interactive walk-through experience, and at Santa’s Christmas Dine. There will be shows like Elmo’s Christmas Wish, A Very Merry Sesame Street Sing-Along, the Furry Friends Holiday Dance Party, and the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree Light Show.
Rutgers Jewish Film Festival
Rutgers University Campus, New Brunswick; and virtual
Through November 17
Award-winning international films, Israeli films, comedies and documentaries will be screened, with some accompanied by discussions with film experts.
Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, Maplewood
Fridays – Sundays, through November 17
The Maplewood Strollers present an original musical based on the magical fable “Aladdin.”
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week
Particpating Locations
Through November 17
Sit down for a 3-course meal with an appetizer, entree and dessert for either $32.24 or $42.24.
Off the Walk Holiday Market
West Windsor Arts, Princeton Junction
Saturdays – Sundays, November 17 – December 21
Find unique and affordable gifts, including original artwork in mixed media, photography, jewelry, functional pottery, handsewn gifts, amigurumi crochet, scented candles, home decor and women’s accessories. The event got its name from products that are ready to be purchased on the spot and taken “off the wall.”
ELF: The Musical
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
November 19-24
Based on the 2003 film, Elf is the tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is human, Buddy travels to NYC to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Festival of Trees
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, November 20 – January 5, 2025
The museum’s elegant galleries, mantels and porches are artfully decorated for the holidays by local businesses, garden clubs, and non-profit organizations.
Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
November 22 – December 30
Sussex County’s North Pole has a mile-long drive-through holiday scenes, 2 million twinkling lights, and a cozy Christmas Village featuring holiday treats and drinks, shopping, memory-making photo ops, and more.
Yuletide
Liberty Hill at Union Hill, Lafayette Hill, PA
November 22 – January 5, 2025
Yuletide’s second season will feature festive rides, cozy fire pits, plus holiday eats and entertainment. The High-End Market Village will feature more than 30 boutique vendors, each housed in a custom-built holiday chalet. Rides include a giant Ferris wheel, a classic carousel and kid-friendly rides. The pavilion will be illuminated by light displays of holiday scenes, as well as 500+ lit Christmas trees. The German-inspired Bergy’s Beer Garden will have nine flat-screen TVs to catch Philadelphia Eagles games (sorry Giants and Jets fans). There will be ice skating under the stars, and live music every night on two different stages. Take pictures with Santa, then listen to a holiday story at the North Pole Library, where Mrs. Clause will read to you.
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through November 23
Enjoy a quiet morning walking the trails with an NJ Audubon staff or Associate Naturalist. You’ll learn about the birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians that are natural wonders of the area.
Nature-Infused Yoga
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville; or virtual
Saturdays, through November 23
Teens and adults can join a 75-minute yoga practice that will help you relax and stretch while immersed in nature.
Fiddler on the Roof
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal
Through November 24
Set in a village in Ukraine in 1905 on the eve of the Russian Revolution, “Fiddler” tells the story of Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman with five daughters, who struggle against poverty, anti-Semitism, Russian aggression and sweeping change.
Christmas in Cape May
Throughout Cape May
November 29 – December
Cape May will transform into the Garden State’s holiday headquarters. Take a ride on the holiday train at Congress Hall, make a reservation for Breakfast with Santa, do your holiday shopping along Washington Street Mall, take a walking or trolley tour, and relive Christmas Past on a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Tianyu Lights Festival
Citi Field, Flushing, Queens, NY
November 29 – January 12, 2025
Intricate light sculptures, vibrant displays, and a story about a young boy who returned from a trip to the Amazon pull you into a storybook adventure at this Chinese traditional lights festival.
Creative Women’s Showcase
The Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
Through December 8
Exhibiting artists from the Somerset County area will showcase their work in mixed media, pastels, acrylic, photography, and more.
Simon Santa Photo Experience
Menlo Park Mall, Edison
Through December 24
There will be a Santa Arrival Party & Parade on November 9. Welcome Santa’s arrival with carolers, a juggling stilt-walker, a DJ dance party, crafts, and giveaways. Then join Santa in a parade around the mall. Caring Santa is an exclusive event for children with special needs and their families. Reservations are required for this private, sensory-friendly experience on December 8. Pet photos will be available on November 17 and December 1.
Free Coffee
Quick Chek, Multiple locations
Fridays, through December 27
Every Friday in November and December, all you have to do is spend $1 as a QC Rewards member and you can get any sized coffee, hot or cold, for free.
Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar
Virgin Hotels, New York City
Through December 29
Deck the halls at a winter wonderland that includes a magical holiday window photo display with a custom “All I Want For Christmas Is You” neon sign, a festive wreath you can sit on, and a chance to recreate the iconic album cover from Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special. There will be an interactive photo booth, a Black Irish Christmas tree, a “Letters to Mariah” station, a lyric wall, and more. The drinks are inspired by Mariah’s Black Irish liqueur.
The Village at Anne Ellen
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan
Wednesdays – Sundays, through December 30
After taking a quick hayride through the farm, you’ll see 400,000 lights shining amidst the trees. There are light displays, s’mores and hot chocolate, letters to Santa, airsoft shooting and a new 4D sleigh ride experience.
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Farm, Bernville, PA
Select dates, through January 1, 2025
There are more than a million lights that illuminate the Koziar property, lining everything from the lake to the barns to the walkways to the trees. Character versions of Rudolph and Frosty greet you to say hello. There are a series of snack shops and gift shops throughout. You follow the arrows around the pathways to check out every corner of this dazzling scene, which includes light displays, a railroad, exhibits and houses you can walk through.
Dinosaurs: Fossils Exposed
Monmouth Museum, Brookdale Community College, Lincroft
Tuesdays – Sundays, through January 2, 2025
This interactive exhibit explores the bones and fossils of the giant creatures that once roamed the Earth. See full-size T-Rex and velociraptor models, footprints and eggs. Special events will be announced during the duration of the exhibit, including guided tours, a special museum fundraiser, a Christmas tree lighting and Noon Year’s Eve.
New Jersey Arts Annual: Exploring Our Connections
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
Through January 5, 2025
The exhibition showcases contemporary art from across the Garden State, based on the themes of family, community, and belonging, expressed through different mediums of art.
Blue Whale: The World’s Biggest Animal
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through January 5, 2025
The exhibition tells the story of the 60-ton whale that washed ashore in Trout River, Newfoundland, in 2014. You’ll see the enormous skeleton of a recovered blue whale and discover how whales evolved, the size of their heart, how they communicate, their decline, what’s being done to protect them, and how scientists are using DNA to unlock some of the secrets of these elusive creatures.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show
The Duke Theater at New 42 Studios, New York, NY
Through January 5, 2025
The show returns to NYC to celebrate its 10th anniversary. This production will feature two tales from Eric Carle: The Artist That Painted a Blue Horse and Mr. Seahorse. You will also see The Very Lonely Firefly and The Very Hungry Caterpillar during the 50-minute show. During the holiday season, Dream Snow will be added to the story rotation for the first time in New York City.
Big Apple Circus: Hometown Playground
Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, New York, NY
Through January 5, 2025
The circus show has soaring acrobats, stunts, comedy, mischief, and cute performing dogs.
Holidig Drive Thru Light Show
Diggerland, West Berlin
Select dates, through January 12
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive through 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction theme park.
Let it Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thursdays – Sundays, through January 12
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns.
New Jersey/New Sculpture
Morris Museum, Morristown
Wednesdays – Sundays, through February 2, 2025
Eleven sculptors who worked with malleable aluminum, cold-worked glass, and industrial robotics join the more traditional media of ceramics, forged iron, and steel in this exhibit that showcases 40 works based on The Garden State.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through March 2, 2025
This special exhibit is part of Morven’s 20th-anniversary celebration and will shed light on lesser-known stories of this historic home and its residents. You’ll see rarely-seen objects and newly discovered photos about American life: childhood, hosting guests, pets, fashion, and more.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
Through March 2, 2025
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge, where you can get food and drinks while taking in the splendor of the giant Christmas tree. Shop more than 180 vendors selling gifts from around the world. And check out the bumper cars on ice.
Slow Motion
Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton
Through September 1, 2025
Five artists from Monument Lab in Philadelphia created gigantic, creative, introspective monuments that will be on display for their beauty, but also to address political, cultural and social issues.
Hometown Pride: The Power of Sports in Middlesex County
Cornelius Low House Museum, Piscataway
Select dates, through December 31, 2025
Middlesex County’s sports connections include the first-ever college football game played between Rutgers University and Princeton University and professional athletes and Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians. The exhibit features items from Rutgers University, Middlesex College, several high schools, and individuals. You will see high school trophies from the 1930s to the present, NFL golden footballs for pro athletes, balls from the highest-scoring high school athletes, uniforms from the 1930s to the present, and more.
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Read More:
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Attractions in NJ, NY and PA
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Light Shows in NJ
The Best Santa Breakfasts in New Jersey
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