Are you home for Teachers Convention weekend and looking for things to do? We’ve found 50+ fun things to do this weekend with the fam. And remember to thank a service member ahead of Veterans Day on Monday.
WEEKEND
Heritage Surf Pop-Up Event
Reed’s Farm, Egg Harbor Twp.
Friday – Sunday
All three days, there will be discounted merch from Heritage Surf and Sport, surf-inspired art from local artist Jon Baker, and a surfboard raffle. On Friday, order $2 oysters from Salty Soul Oyster Co. FCC offers wine tastings from 2:30-5:30 pm. There will be live piano music. On Saturday, listen to live music by CJ Sooy, and order craft beers from The Seed: A Living Beer Project.
Veterans Weekend Celebration
Willow Creek Winery, Cape May
Friday – Sunday
Co-hosted with the NJ Farmers Cooperative, the open-air local artisan marketplace will include food and drink specials.
New Jersey Women’s Expo & Great Food Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Saturday – Sunday
The two events are held simultaneously in the event center space. There will be 400+ pop-up shops, luxe beauty treatments, a cooking stage, food tastings, a hair stage, craft workshops, fashion shows and samples. Celebrity appearances include Chef Anne Burrell, Tamron Hall, J-Woww, Caroline Manzo and Dolores Catania.
A Haunted and Hilarious Dinosaur Halloween
Field Station: Dinosaurs, Leonia
Saturday – Sunday
The dino theme park puts a haunted Halloween spin on paleontology with ghostly and funny versions of dinosaur-themed shows, games and activities, along with the return of Dinosaurs After Dark, the popular spooky nighttime adventure.
Fall Fest & Jeep Fest
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
Sunday is a Jeep show, but all weekend you can come by for food trucks, live music, wagon tours around the vineyard, wine tasting, and face painting for the kids. Veterans and active military get free admission; everyone under 21 is free.
Santa Photo Shoot and Brunch
The GOAT by David Burke, Union Beach
Saturday – Sunday
Sit in three magical setups to capture your perfect Christmas photo. After, Santa will visit again as you sit down for a family brunch.
Bear Mountain Fall Cruise
Pier 83, New York, NY
Saturday – Sunday
The Floating Oktoberfest Cruise travels 50 miles through the fall foliage of the Hudson River Valley. On board you’ll eat pork schnitzel, bratwursts and Bavarian pretzels and drink Warsteiner and Spaten beer. When you get to Bear Mountain you’ll have at least two hours to explore trails, the lake, the zoo, the Merry-Go-Round and more before heading back to Manhattan.
Furry Friends Weekend
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Saturday – Monday
Celebrate the 55th anniversary of the beloved “Sesame Street” TV show on Sesame Street Day, which is part of Furry Friends Weekend. During the Character Meet & Greet Extravaganza, kids can snap photos with nostalgic friends like Barkley and Mr. Noodle. This year’s celebration will introduce Feathered Friends Dine, where Elmo is in his chicken costume; the Furry Friends Sesame Street Day Dance Party; Sunny Day Storytime in Sesame Studio; the Sesame Street Showcase in the lobby of Sesame Studio; and an encore performance “Our Street is Sesame Street.” Veterans will also get special attention this week, through the Field of Honor and a round of applause before an encore performance of the Halloween parade (on Monday).
FRIDAY
Veterans Day Zoo Stretch & Farm Tour
Out of Sight Alpacas, Waretown
Take in the serenity of the farm while taking a 30-minute gentle stretch with alpacas and other farm animals around.
Nick Carter
The Levoy Theatre, Millville
The youngest member of the Backstreet Boys will hit the stage for a solo performance.
Deborah Heart and Lung Center Jersey Jam
CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton
Princeton defeated Rutgers 68-61 in the first Deborah Heart and Lung Center Jersey Jam last year. This time, Princeton plays Duquesne, and Temple plays Monmouth in the second edition of the event.
SATURDAY
Bacon, Sausage & Scrapple Making
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Check out the techniques used to make sausage, scrapple and bacon when the weather turns cold. You’ll get to taste some of the results after you lend a hand filling the sausage stuffer and grinding the corn. Kids can make a piggy magnet craft to take home.
NJ Wine Expo
Bell Works, Holmdel
More than 30 New Jersey wineries and vineyards will come together in one location so you can meet the winemakers, sample more than 130 hand-selected wines, hear from industry insiders, and find out how to plan your next trip through the NJ Wine Country.
Linda’s Day Farm Thanksgiving Social
West Windsor Branch of the Mercer County Library System, Princeton Junction
The Thanksgiving Social will provide social skills and peer socialization opportunities for adults ages 18+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They will make a DIY Craft using natural materials, play get-to-know-you games, and stay for snacks.
Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair
Historic Village at Allaire, Wall Twp.
The Christmas and Holiday Craft Show includes historic demonstrations throughout the village. More than 140 local artists will be demonstrating their work, like paintings, pottery and textiles. There will be demos at the Carpenter, Blacksmith, and Tinsmith shops. The General Store, bakery and food truck will be open throughout the day.
Flannel Fest
Diamond Spring Brewing Co., Denville
Part lumberjack jamboree, part grunge fest, there will be live bands, including an Americana/AltFolk band (Widely Grown) and a ’90s Grunge Tribute (The Big Fuss), fire pits, limited beer releases, plus a beard contest officiated by the Garden State Beard and Mustache Society.
Taco & Empanada Festival
Memorial Park, South Bound Brook
Just Jersey and The South Bound Brook Fire Company are putting together their first fest, which has food trucks, beer, a margarita and sangria garden, music, kids’ activities, pony rides, a rock wall, face painting, sand art, inflatables, a bungee trampoline, mini golf and knockerball on the menu.
Santa Arrival Party & Parade
Menlo Park Mall, Edison
Welcome Santa’s arrival with carolers, juggling stilt-walker, DJ dance party, crafts, and giveaways. Then join in Santa in a parade around the mall.
Big Santa Lighting and Spectacular Drone Show
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Real Housewives of New Jersey (RHONJ) star Melissa Gorga will light the 45-foot-tall Big Santa with her family. Singer-songwriter David Archuleta will perform four holiday songs. There will be a nighttime drone show; visits from Belle, Beast, Jasmine, Elsa, Tiana and Ariel; the arrival of the real Santa Claus on a fire truck; food trucks; and other activities inside the mall.
No. 95 Candles Alzheimer’s Charity Night
18 Label Studios, Montclair
Families are invited to dress in their best attire and support this gala hosted by Melyssa and James “Murr” Murray (from “Impractical Jokers). The night includes dancing, appetizers, a first look at Melyssa’s No. 95 Candles products, a live auction and a raffle. Proceeds benefit the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation.
Farm to Table Dinner
Treelicious Orchards, Port Murray
Live entertainment and dinner take place in the orchard during sunset. BYOB. Hosted with Redwoods Premium Catering from Chester.
The Veterans Express
Richland Village Train Station, Richland
The Seashore Lines will salute veterans with two patriotic-themed excursion trains. The event will feature The Hollywood Dolls performing a classic USO-style show.
Sauce for the Goose Outdoor Art Market
Paul Robeson Place, Princeton
This year’s market will feature 100+ local and regional artisans selling their wares in ceramics, textiles, apparel, jewelry, printmaking, wood, glass, painting, and more. Watch live glass-blowing demonstrations by Pezz Glassworks.
Rutgers Boardwalk
SHI Stadium (Scarlet Knight Way), Piscataway
Four hours before the Rutgers University football game kicks off, the area turns into a boardwalk-style carnival, complete with a balloon artist, photo booth, airbrush tattoos, various games, the cannon crew, visits by the Scarlet Knight and his horse Excalibur, meeting with Sir Henry, and lots of festival food and football fun. Today’s game against Minnesota includes Military Appreciation Day.
Rocky Run: Run Like The Champ
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
The official Rocky Run 5K, 10 Mile and 13.1-Mile Italian Stallion Challenge celebrate the movie boxing character. You’ll get to climb the steps of the art museum, made famous by Rocky’s training session in the movie.
November Sip & Shop Local Craft Vendor Fair
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
You can look for holiday gifts while having a craft beer.
Neurodiversity Comic Con
Gillen Brewer School, New York, NY
The first of its kind, this comic book extravaganza will include meet-and-greets with comic book writers and illustrators, art with recess, adaptive sports outside, a Rubik’s Cube seminar – all tailored to kids with different abilities and needs.
SUNDAY
Mutts Gone Nuts: Unleashed
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
This all-star lineup includes a two-time World Champion Frisbee dog, a six-pound Pomeranian Pikachu mix, and other previously discarded dogs that will dance, prance, flip, and skip their way across the stage.
Veterans Day Roller Skate
Millenium Skate World, Camden
Sunday Family Skate over Veterans Day Weekend invites everyone to an afternoon in the rink. There’s a family package that includes admission, skate rentals, pizza and drinks for four people.
HiTops Princeton Half Marathon
Paul Robeson Place, Princeton
There will be an in-person and virtual half-marathon, in addition to a youth run. The course goes through the heart of historic Princeton, including Princeton Battlefield, Institute for Advanced Study, past the home of Albert Einstein, Princeton University, the Princeton Boathouse on Lake Carnegie Westminster Choir College, Mount Lucas and Herrontown Woods.
Family Architecture Walking Tour
Montclair History Center, Montclair
You’ll look for architectural details in the beautiful homes located on the streets near the Crane House & Historic YWCA. After, you can take the kids inside the Y to check out the exhibits.
The Fall Jersey Shore Comic Book Show
Toms River Elks Lodge, Toms River
Check out comic books, trading cards, toys, artists, writers, costume groups and crafts. The special guest is Superman artist Neil Vokes. Kids will meet costumed characters from the Star Wars 501st Legion.
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.
Rutgers Jewish Film Festival
Rutgers University Campus, New Brunswick; and virtual
November 7-17
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, November 8-17
The Maplewood Strollers present an original musical based on the magical fable “Aladdin.”
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week
Particpating Locations
November 8-17
Sit down for a 3-course meal with an appetizer, entree and dessert for either $32.24 or $42.24.
Big Apple Circus: Hometown Playground
Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, New York, NY
November 8 – January 5, 2025
The circus show has soaring acrobats, stunts, comedy, mischief, and cute performing dogs.
Frosty and Rudolph
Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville
Saturdays, November 9, 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.
Seth’s Big Fat Broadway LIVE! Concert Series
Bell Theater at Bell Works, Holmdel
November 9, December 7
SiriusXM Radio host Seth Rudetsky will host an up-close-and-personal concert series that will be a mix of the greatest hits from a star’s Broadway career, plus behind-the-scenes stories. J. Harrison Ghee, who won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Some Like It Hot, will appear on November 9. Krysta Rodriguez from Broadway’s The Addams Family and TV’s Smash, will perform on December 7.
The Village at Anne Ellen
Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, Manalapan
Wednesdays – Sundays, November 9 – December 30
After taking a quick hayride through the farm, you’ll see 400,000 lights shining amidst the trees. There are lights displays, s’mores and hot chocolate, letters to Santa, air soft shooting and a new 4D sleigh ride experience.
Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Holiday Bar
Virgin Hotels, New York City
November 15 – 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.
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 struggles 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.
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.
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.
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 lights 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.
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.
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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