Things to Do This Weekend in NJ November 19-21 – NJ Family
It’s time to light up your weekend with some of the most spectacular holiday light shows in the Garden State! Watch a truly big Santa get lit on Friday. Spend Saturday learning to make a wreath, lacing up ice skates or watching the Cape May tree lighting. The cheerful spirit of the season is definitely in the air, so get out there and make some memories with the fam!
ALL WEEKEND
The Polar Express Whippany
1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany
Friday – Sunday
All aboard The Polar Express! Experience the magic of The Polar Express as you take a one-hour trip to the North Pole with the whole family. Experience the sights and sounds of the family-favorite movie while enjoying hot chocolate, Walker’s Shortbread, storytime and a silver sleigh bell surprise.
Christmas Light Spectacular
Allaire Community Farm, Wall Twp.
Spend the evening with family and friends, under the wonder of the twinkling light display around the farm, as seen from our holiday hay wagon. Hayrides leave promptly according to ticket time. Please allow extra time in arriving.
Off the Wall Holiday Market
Whole World Arts, MarketFair, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
The Off the Wall Art Exhibition is expanding into a new space, Whole World Arts at MarketFair Mall. There will be artist demos and on-site shopping assistance.
Holiday in the Park
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Saturday – Sunday
Take a ride on your favorite Six Flags rides surrounded by glittering lights. There will be shows, rides, food and even a Wine Fest for the adults. The Drive-Thru Experience starts November 15, so get ready for a ride full of holiday cheer and explore the magic of the season.
Winterfest
Diggerland, West Berlin
Saturday – Sunday
Head out to Diggerland where the whole family can spend the day operating all the fantastic machines while enjoying live music, the famous Parade of Machines, specialty food, hayrides and fun and games. Celebrate all things winter with photos with Santa, a candy cane Hunt, fire truck rides and more.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Grab a glass of one of Terhune’s award-winning wines, sit back, relax and enjoy live music from local artists. Styles range from jazz and blues to folk and rock. Music is from 1 pm-4 pm.
Holiday Light Spectacular
Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
Friday – Sunday
Take a winter stroll through the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo this holiday season under the sparkling lights of over 50 winter and animal characters. Celebrate the season of giving by bringing donations of non-perishable food items, new toys, and gently used coats.
Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley, PA
Saturday – Sunday
This spectacular Holiday Light Show features more than 3 million lights illuminating acres of farmland. Encounter whimsical displays and familiar characters as you drive through in the comfort of your own car or enjoy the show on an open-air wagon ride (weather permitting).
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
DiDonato Family Fun Center, Hammonton
Friday-Sunday
Take a train ride through millions of Christmas lights, meet and greet Santa and his elves in his workshop. Hear stories and take photos with Mrs. Claus. The event culminates with a present from Santa!
Wine and Cookie Pairing
Tomasello Winery, Hammonton
Saturday – Sunday
Spend the afternoon sipping on delightful drinks expertly paired with deliciously decadent treats. Menu
includes 2020 Blaufränkisch & Brown Butter Pecan Cookie; Red Raspberry Wine or Moscato & Raspberry Chocolate Chunk Cookie; Shore House White & Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie. Reservations are required.
FRIDAY
Dashin’ Thru the Lights
Shady Brook Farm, Yardley PA
This is a family fun 2-mile run/jog/walk through the spectacular Holiday Light Show. Create holiday memories with your gang, and bring brightness to the local community in this fun and unique way to see the lights before the show opens to the public!
Big Santa Lighting
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
From the 1950s through the 1980s, the 50-foot Big Santa was perched atop a chimney in the mall’s parking lot and was seen for miles. For generations of Bergen County residents, Big Santa’s arrival signaled the official start of the holiday season. Westfield Garden State Plaza is excited to continue the tradition and celebrate the 4th annual lighting of the updated iconic Big Santa, in partnership with bergenPAC.
Ladies Night Out!
Tomasello Winery, Hammonton
You and your girl gang will enjoy music, dancing, shopping and so much more! Be sure to come hungry as Chef Pete will be serving up his famous gourmet pasta bar alongside a fully stocked cash bar featuring specialty cocktails.
Holiday Greeting Card Making Virtual Workshop
Learn how to use a combination of papers, stamps, stickers, embellishments and other art supplies to make your own collection of special Christmas and winter-themed cards. Each participant can make up to 6 cards. Perfect to give out to loved ones, friends, family, classmates, co-workers and more!
Golden Oldies Spectacular
State Theatre New Jersey, N. Brunswick
The Golden Oldies return to the State Theatre for the annual concert event of the year featuring some of your favorite musical legends, including Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone(“I’m Henry the 8th, I Am” “I’m Into Something Good”); Jay and the Americans (“Come a Little Bit Closer, “Cara, Mia,” “She Cried”) and more.
SATURDAY
Wreath-Making Workshops
New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood
In these two workshops, you’ll learn how to assemble and decorate wreaths to grace your home, using a variety of fresh and dried materials. As you learn, you’ll make a wreath to take home with you. Materials provided; bring clippers and any special ribbon or decorations you might wish to use.
Creative Play: Mini Zoo Edition!
The Newark Museum of Art, Newark
From October to December, join for a fun time with our friends from Turtle Back Zoo. We will have story time and a presentation of live animals. This is a program specifically designed for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers.
Twilight Tour: Battleship New Jersey
62 Battleship Pl., Camden
Experience an “adult-oriented” tour during the evening hours. This adult tour, led by the Battleship’s Curatorial team, will include stories of some of the more gruesome events that took place on board the ship. Guests will can enjoy a cold beer, glass of wine or a soft drink after the tour on the Main Deck Portside area and watch the sunset over Philly.
Indian Lake Holiday Shopping Boutique
93 E. Shore Rd., Denville
Visit the Indian Lake holiday shopping boutique to find all handmade crafts for the holidays. 11 am to 4 pm, free admission.
Newport Skates Opens for the 2021-2022 Season
Newport Skates, Jersey City
Newport Skates, Jersey City’s only outdoor ice skating rink, is excited to open for the 2021-2022 season on Saturday. Skaters can once again enjoy beautiful views of the New York City skyline while zipping around the rink. Online ticketing is available through the Newport Skates website.
Logging and Firewood Cutting
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
While farmers use horses to skid saw logs out of the woods and haul firewood to the sap house in preparation for maple sugaring season, visitors can cut and chop firewood, split locust logs into fence rails, and make real barn pegs for use in barn frames around the farm! At the sawmill, farmers will be cutting boards for horse stalls, fences, and a new hog shed.
Cape May Tree Lighting Ceremony
Washington St., Cape May
Santa and his elves have decked out the Physick Estate with thousands of lights and holiday trimmings. Enjoy a free performance of holiday classics by the Atlantic Brass Band as we join Santa in lighting the tree! Dawn’s Delights will be serving hot chocolate and baked goods for purchase.
Natural Dyes for Beginners
Lorrimer Sanctuary, Franklin Lakes
Join a Lorrimer Sanctuary Naturalist for a hands-on demonstration of natural dye, made from local pokeberries. Get into the fun by dyeing some yarn or fabric, crushing pokeberries to make ink and creating your own feather quill pen to write with.
Boyz II Men
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Boyz II Men remains one of the most truly iconic R&B groups in music history. The group redefined popular R&B and continues to create timeless hits that appeal to fans across all generations. And the reason is abundantly clear: for the past two decades Boyz II Men have given fans a rich catalog of hits filled with smooth harmonies and enduring themes such as “End of the Road,” “I’ll Make Love to You,” “One Sweet Day,” “Motownphilly” and many others.
Annual Hoboken Turkey Trot
Pier A Park, 100 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
This run starts at Pier A Park in Hoboken and runs alongside the Hudson River with priceless views of Manhattan. Runners, joggers, walkers, and strollers are welcome.
SUNDAY
Audubon: Autumn Nature Walk
New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood
Bergen County Audubon Society will lead a walk through the gardens and fields looking for late fall migrating birds and resident species that will spend the winter here in New Jersey. Meet at the Carriage House. Rain or snow cancels. Free.
245th Anniversary of the Retreat to Victory at Historic New Bridge Landing
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Join the Bergen County Historical Society and the Brigade of the American Revolution as they celebrate the 245th Anniversary of the Retreat to Victory. At 10:30 am, after making their retreat from Fort Lee to New Bridge, authentically clad troops of the brigade will engage in a battle for the bridge in a tactical weapons demonstration portraying the action that occurred when British troops forced the Continental Army away from the area and captured this vital crossing point over the Hackensack River.
City Green’s Thanksgiving Market
City Green Farm’s Eco-Center, Clifton
Join City Green for the third annual Thanksgiving Farmers Market 12 pm to 3 pm. This very special farmer’s market event will feature City Green’s farm-fresh fall produce along with local vendors and artisans. The Thanksgiving Market is the final market of City Green’s season – you won’t want to miss it! Guests will be able to purchase a wide variety of local, organically-grown fruits and vegetables and seasonal specialty goods.