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Best of November: Top Things To Do in New Jersey with Kids

Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights this season as its popular Orchard of Lights returns for another holiday run. Photo courtesy of the farm
Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights this season as its popular Orchard of Lights returns for another holiday run. Photo courtesy of the farm
10/30/22 - By Laurie Rein

November brings plenty to see and do as New Jersey gears up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and then heads full steam ahead to the Christmas season.

If you're hoping for a mellow month following Halloween's sugar high, we're sorry to disappoint. Holiday performances take the stage and ice this busy month, like the Disney On Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto and Baby Shark Live! The Christmas Show. Plus, holiday lights illuminate the season at the South Jersey Holiday Light Show, Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms, and Smithville's Holiday Light Show. 

Find more top November fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events in New Jersey, and be sure to bookmark these staycation ideas for the myriad November school holidays ahead.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Disney on Ice's
Disney on Ice's "Encanto" graces the Garden State with an early November run. Photo courtesy of Disney

Top Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids This November

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Mountainside
Tuesday, November 1
Bring your carved jack-o'-lantern to Echo Lake Park post-Halloween, and enjoy the spectacular view of floating pumpkins. Sign up for one of three sessions. READ MORE

Disney On Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto

Newark
Daily from Wednesday, November 2-Sunday, November 6
Anna, Elsa, Mirabel and the Madrigal family glide over to Prudential Center for an all-new Disney On Ice. Experience Anna's journey to find Elsa, plus Mirabel's tales of her family, all in this icy adventure.   READ MORE

The Polar Express

Whippany
Select dates from Friday, November 4-Friday, December 30
 Join a magical trip on the Polar Express, powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Each ticket includes fantastic entertainment, delicious hot chocolate, shortbread, and a keepsake sleigh bell to bring home. READ MORE

Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza – Family Series

Toms River
Saturday, November 5
See the newest, funniest, zany spectacular from world-famous, Guinness Book of World Records-holding, master bubble wrangler Jeff Boyer, as he takes bubbles to the max with big bubble flair. READ MORE

Rock, Gem & Mineral Show

Mountainside–FREE
Saturday, November 5-Sunday, November 6
Explore minerals, rocks, gems, and fossils at Trailside Nature and Science Center. Over 20 vendors present and sell minerals, rocks, gemstones, and jewelry from around the world. READ MORE

Winterfest at Diggerland

West Berlin
Weekends from Saturday, November 5-Sunday, November 27
The holiday season is in full swing at Diggerland, with live music, the famous Parade of Machines, specialty food, hayrides, and plenty of fun and games. The fun also includes Santa photos and a candy cane hunt. READ MORE

Baby Shark Live! The Christmas Show

Morristown
Sunday, November 6
Splash along with Baby Shark and Pinkfong as they journey into the sea for the holidays to sing and dance through some of your favorite songs in Baby Shark Live! The Christmas Show. READ MORE

The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays

Morristown
Friday, November 11-Saturday, November 12
Celebrate the holidays with the entire family at The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays, a mind-blowing showcase featuring jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. READ MORE

South Jersey Holiday Light Show

Pennington
Opens Friday, November 18
Cruise through a mile-long route of dazzling, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays. Visitors are welcome to bundle up in their car, pack a favorite snack or beverage, and tune their radio to enjoy the musically synced light performance. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Opens Friday, November 18
Take a drive through this spectacular holiday light experience, which uses LED technology and digital animation. Tune your radio into a holiday soundtrack and wind past themed displays like "Christmas Around the World," "Toyland," "Nativity," and more. READ MORE

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, November 19
The Physick Estate hosts this festive evening to kick off the holiday season. The fun begins with a concert by The Atlantic Brass Band, followed by a Physick Estate Open House, and finally Santa's tree lighting.  READ MORE

Orchard of Lights

Hillsdale
Opens Tuesday, November 23
It's that magical time of year when Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights. Take your car on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Then, visit Santa, warm up by the fire pit, and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. READ MORE

Holiday Light Show on Lake Meone

Smithville–FREE
Opens Thursday, November 24
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Historic Smithville Village's Lake Meone. Visit any day of the week between 5:30pm and 8:30pm to catch a choreographed light show synchronized to music. READ MORE

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Jackson
Opens Friday, November 25
Six Flags Great Adventure transforms into a holiday wonderland with millions of glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, and a little flurry of magic nightly. Visit the North Pole Village, and hop aboard many popular rides.  READ MORE

Santa's Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Cape May County Zoo

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, November 26
Santa Claus is coming to the Cape May Zoo and bringing plenty of festive holiday cheer. Enjoy live holiday music, an ice sculpture demonstration, Polar Express train ride, bounce house, character appearances, and free treats for all. Plus, get a visit with jolly old St. Nick himself. READ MORE

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

Morristown
Sunday, November 27
The beloved TV classic soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the special, including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Clarice, Yukon Cornelius and, of course, Rudolph. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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