A Guide to New Jersey Festivals & Events November 2023
As October comes to a close, the Garden State springs to life with a delightful array of festivals, celebrating all things Autumn. From lively music festivals to mouthwatering food events and a wide range of captivating experiences in between, New Jersey is bursting with exciting festivals for autumn aficionados. Whether you’re a music lover, a culinary connoisseur, or simply someone who revels in the festive ambiance, this guide to New Jersey’s festivals in November 2023 has everything you need to make the most of this season.
For more events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.
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A Guide to New Jersey Fall Festivals for November 2023:
Featured!!
Westfield Hops
November 11, 6 pm – 9:30 pm
The Westfield Armory will host over 100 styles of craft beer & cider samples, great music from Mr Love Joy, access to great food, vendors, games & merchandise
Westfield Armory 500 Rahway Ave, Westfield, NJ
Cost: $15 – $70, Get $25 off with code NJISNTBORING
Jersey City Wine Fest
November 18, Session 1: 1-4:30pm, Session 2: 6-9:30pm
Wine Fest is your all access pass to try wines from both local and abroad. Travel the world of wine at the Harborside Atrium. Guests will enjoy wine samples for the session paired with live entertainment, food and interactive games.
Harborside Atrium, 210 Hudson St Jersey City NJ
Cost: $15 – $60, save 40% with code NJIB
Great Pumpkin Festival
Now – November 5
35+ family fun outdoor activities including hayrides to the pumpkin patch, Alien Invasion themed corn maze, farm animals, pig races, Canine Dog Show, pedal cars, touring cars, giant sling shot, giant straw pyramid, boo barn, Baseball Speed Throw (new this year), and so many fun activities for the entire family!
Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94, Vernon, NJ
Cost: $14.99+
LuminoCity Festival
Now – November 5
The LuminoCity Festival offers a delightful experience for all attendees. The festival welcomes children aged 3 and under free of charge, ensuring an inclusive environment. It is wheelchair accessible and conveniently provides free parking for visitors. Attendees can marvel at over 40 real-sized, motion, and lighted dinosaurs, creating a captivating prehistoric atmosphere. The festival transforms into an immersive wonderland of lights and boasts multiple interactive attractions on-site, making it an ideal choice for friends and families seeking a memorable outing. For added excitement, guests can opt for the Dino Speedway Ride with an additional ticket fee of $5 per ride or enjoy the Dino Paradise Bounce House for $18 per person.
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $23 – $27
Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience
Now – November 5
This 30-day event guarantees thrills and chills for the whole family! Enjoy seasonal food and drinks, carnival rides, pumpkin picking/painting, and a stroll through over 6,000 hand-carved Jack-O-Lanterns in the crisp fall air with family and friends.
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Pl. Augusta, NJ
Cost: $19 – $24
Diggerfest Fall Festival
Now – November 26
This family event at a top south NJ construction-themed park features an opportintiy for kids to ride & operate all of the amazing construction machines. There will also be live music, specialty food, hay rides, fun and games, hay rides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, fire truck rides, and more.
Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr, West Berlin, NJ
Cost: $42.95
Day of the Dead Night Market
November 1, 4 pm – 9 pmRain Date November 3
A vibrant celebration of the Day of the Dead. The event promises attendees the opportunity to savor delicious Mexican cuisine, experience live entertainment, and partake in various free activities. The Night Market will feature a 21+ Cocktail Bar by Little Tijuana, a Mariachi Performance at 5:30 PM, DJ and dancing throughout the night, food trucks and food vendors, talented artisans and makers showcasing handmade crafts and artwork inspired by the Day of the Dead, as well as a Community Altar de Muertos (Ofrenda). Additionally, attendees can enjoy free activities such as face painting, a 360 photo booth, portraits, screen printing, and sugar skull decorating.
Harriet Tubman Square, 33 Washington St, Newark, NJ
Cost: Free
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week
November 3 – 12
Jersey Shore Restaurant Week™ is a wonderful opportunity to re-visit your favorite restaurants & try new ones …the perfect time to gather friends & enjoy Jersey Shore’s great restaurants.
Various Restaurants in the Jersey Shore
Cost: Varies Per Location
Sparta Special Olympics Fall 2023 Vendor & Craft Fair
November 4, 10 am – 3 pm
Local crafters and small business owners will be gathered at Sparta High School selling their products and sharing their talents. There will be food, shopping, music and more! Come support Sparta Special Olympics and Special Olympics NJ Area 3 and help spread the word of inclusion. Come meet some amazing Athletes of Determination and wish them luck for the 2023/2024 season!
70 W. Mountain Road, Sparta Township, NJ
Cost: Free
Healthy HeARTS Festival
November 4, 10 am – 3 pm
This FREE family-friendly festival is a celebration of arts and wellness for the South Jersey community. All are welcome to join us for live music by local musicians on the Grove Stage; crafters of handmade goods; food trucks; locally crafted wine, beer and spirits; wellness demonstrations; and art-making activities for the whole family. At 10am, visitors can participate in a fundraiser 5k race and 1 mile walk on and around Appel Farm’s beautiful campus. Pre-registration is required for the fundraiser 5k/1mile walk. All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Appel Farm’s arts programming throughout South Jersey.
Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, 457 Shirley Road, Elmer, NJ
Cost: Free
Clinton Twp Food Truck & Music Fest
November 4, 11 am – 6 pm
Food! Beer! Music! Fun! New Jersey foodies, eat your hearts out! It’s a fun filled family day! Over 15 Gourmet Food Trucks, partnered with some great music, make for an enchanting and fulfilling Fall day. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, pups, pop ups and blankets. Dine on excellent food, while enjoying the beer and sangria garden. Face painting, kids’ activities, and more!
Bundt Park, 8 Red School House Rd, Lebanon, NJ
Cost: $5, kids 10 and under are free
Edison Township Diwali Festival
November 4, 12 pm – 9:30pm ( Rain date: Sunday, Nov 5th)
This family friendly event features live music and dance, Diya lighting, food, vendors, and fireworks at dusk
Papaianni Park, 25 Linden Ave,Edison, NJ
Cost: Free
Beers on the Boards
November 4, 2 Sessions – 12:30 -4 pm | 6 – 9:30 pm
Savor craft beers from more than 30 different breweries, indulge in an all-you-can-eat gourmet buffet, and enjoy a selection of craft beer, spiked seltzer, and hard cider from New Jersey local breweries.
Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk, 308 Boardwalk, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Cost: $65. Includes all beer and all food
Fall Chili Cook-Off at the Meadowlands Racetrack
November 4
The Meadowlands Racetrack is keeping things spicy this fall with the Fall Chili Cook-Off scheduled for Saturday, November 5th. The competition features homestyle, chili verde and salsa categories. Not a cook? Free samples will be given for the People’s Choice vote following the 8 pm turn in. Cook-off takes place in the Food Court & outdoor East Apron.
1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ
el Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead Festival)
November 4, 3 pm – 5 pm
Celebrate el Día de los Muertos with the Arts Council of Princeton! Join for a free, family-friendly outdoor festival to learn about this culturally rich holiday with Mariachi, dance, delicious food and hands-on projects inspired by traditional folk art.
Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free, open to the public
Paramus Fall Food Truck Festival
November 5, 11 am – 5 pm
Food! Beer! Music! Fun! New Jersey foodies, eat your hearts out! It’s a fun filled family day! Over 15 Gourmet Food Trucks, partnered with some great music, make for an enchanting and fulfilling Fall day. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, pups, pop ups and blankets. Dine on excellent food, while enjoying the beer and sangria garden. Face painting, kids’ activities, and more!
Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ
Cost: $5, kids 10 and under are free
New Jersey Vegan Food Festival
November 11 & 12, 11AM – 5PM
The New Jersey Vegan Food Festival is a two-day celebration that features yummy vegan and plant-based meals from local chefs, as well as vegan products, plant-based fashion, live music and good times. All welcome!
Meadowlands Exposition Center 355 Plaza Drive Secaucus, NJ
Cost: $20 – $30, Kids 13 and under are free
Laurita Veteran’s “It’s a Jeep Thing” Food Truck Festival
November 11 & 12
Food and wine lovers will converge at Laurita Winery in New Egypt for a Laurita Winery Gourmet Food Trucks and Fire Works weekend. Experience the trending Gourmet Food Truck offerings while sipping on wine and enjoying a seat to watch the Fireworks! Live music and good friends will make this day special!
Laurita Winery; 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ
Cost: 20 and under Free, $13 in advance, $15 at the door
NJ Baby Expo
November 12, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
The NJ Baby Expo, presented by NJ MOM, is an exclusive event for expectant and new parents in the greater New Jersey area on November 12, 2023 at the beautiful W Hoboken in Hoboken, New Jersey. Over 50 baby and toddler brands (hello UPPAbaby, Doona, Thule, Cybex & more!) will showcase the best in baby gear & accessories, local services and more. Test, shop & learn about everything you need to know to step into parenthood with ease. Sample products from exhibitors, attend educational demos, win over $15k in giveaways, receive VIP gift bags and get pampered while enjoying healthy bites in a relaxed setting at the W Hoboken.
W Hokoben, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $15 – $65
DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express
November 17 – December 23
This holiday event features a ride on an exciting train through millions of Christmas lights. The fun includes meeting Santa, a gift from Santa, a holiday movie, cookies, and a walk through the Holiday Village.
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, 1151 S White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ
Cost: $19.95 to $24.95
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
November 17 – December 30
The Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of New Jersey’s favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.
PNC Bank Arts Center, Exit 116, Garden State Parkway, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: $20+
An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
November 17 – January 1, 2024
What better place to get into the true spirit of Christmas than Victorian Cape May? This seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Wrap yourself in the warmth of holiday spirit and sample a variety of fun tours and events.
Cape May, NJ
North Bergen Flea Market and Collectibles Show
November 18, 9 am – 4 pm
Hosted by the North Bergen Community Police, the proceeds for this event are donated to the New Jersey Special Olympics. Held every 1st and 3rd Saturday thru December this flea market is held along James Braddock Park on Bergenline Avenue from 79th Street to 87th Street. There will be 75+ vendors selling an array of merchandise from new to gently used and collectibles. Come check us out and support this worthy cause. Since it is an outdoor event weather is an issue so please be aware that the market may be cancelled due to bad weather.
9015 Bergenline Ave., North Bergen, NJ
Cost: Free
Laurita Veteran’s Last Food Truck of 2023
November 18 & 19
Food and wine lovers will converge at Laurita Winery in New Egypt for a Laurita Winery Gourmet Food Trucks and Fire Works weekend. Experience the trending Gourmet Food Truck offerings while sipping on wine and enjoying a seat to watch the Fireworks! Live music and good friends will make this day special!
Laurita Winery; 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ
Cost: 20 and under Free, $13 in advance, $15 at the door
South Jersey Holiday Lights Show
November 18 – December 30 (Select Dates); Opens at 5pm
The South Jersey Holiday Light Show is the only drive-through holiday light spectacular in Southern New Jersey. Featuring dozens of dazzling, larger-than-life holiday themed displays to delight the entire family. Visitors are welcomed to bundle up in their car, pack a favorite snack or beverage and tune their radio to enjoy the synced light performance as they travel the more than 1 mile route through the holiday light show.The show is approximately 20-25 minutes long.
Bridgeport Speedway, 83 Flood Gate Rd, Swedesboro, NJ
Skating On The Square
November 18 – February 25, 2024 (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
Start new traditions this holiday season at Palmer Square’s “eco-friendly” outdoor synthetic skating rink. Bring your own skates or borrow theirs! (skate rental included in ticket price) ALL skaters/guardians must sign the electronic waiver to be eligible to participate! Please sign in advance for a contactless experience at the rink.
Hulfish Street (behind the Nassau Inn Hotel), Princeton, NJ
Cost:$10 cash per person/ $12 +fees with credit card. Bring your own skates or borrow ours! (skate rental included in ticket price)
Swedish Traditional Christmas Fair
November 19, 10 am – 4 pm
This Swedish Christmas fair has something for everyone; there is a great selection of food, crafts, and gifts. Swedish handicrafts like handmade Christmas decorations, linen, and wooden items plus a variety of cheeses, herring, and other Swedish delicacies as well as home baked goods (bread, cookies, and cakes) are available for you to buy. Glögg, a typical Swedish spiced holiday drink, is also being offered. A highlight of the fair is the beautiful Lucia pageant and her choir singing and lightening up the holiday season at 1pm, a beautiful and truly unique Swedish tradition!
Commonwealth Club, 26 Northview Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ
Cost: $2
GSWGA’s Holiday Wine Trail Weekend
November 24 – 26
Beginning on Black Friday and continuing through the weekend, shoppers will have a few cozy and enjoyable stops to make before rushing home with their treasures. Winery tasting rooms from Sussex to Cape May will invite patrons to travel the New Jersey Wine Trail, with special tastings, entertainment, food pairings, discounts and sales. The Garden State Wine Growers Association’s annual Holiday Wine Trail Weekend is held at over 45 participating New Jersey wineries and vineyards statewide.
Participating Wineries and Vineyards
Cost: Varies Per Location
Dickens’ Days
November 24 – 26
Enjoy holiday festivities in downtown Clinton! Victorian characters, carolers, horse and carriage rides, and more,
Main St. Clinton, NJ
Cost: Free to attend
Winter Village at the Red Mill Museum
November 24 – 26
Marketspace Vendor Events joins The Red Mill Museum Village’s 14th annual Festival of Trees 2023 and Dicken’s Days to bring you the Winter Village at The Red Mill. This three-day outdoor, tented and heated, winter craft market in the heart of Clinton, New Jersey features over 40 local craft artisans, activities, and food trucks each day. The Red Mill Museum Village’s annual Festival of Trees is comprised of a decorated tree and wreath silent auction fundraiser benefiting the museum’s preservation. Guests are invited to tour 12 historic buildings on the beautifully decorated grounds of the museum while enjoying performances by Clinton’s ‘Dickens Days’ theatrical carolers.
The Red Mill, 56 Main St. Clinton, NJ
Cost: $12
Polar Express
November 24 – 26
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical hour and a half trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served by dancing chefs.
Lehigh Junction, 99 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $38 per child and $48 per adult
WheatonArts Holiday Studio Sale
November 24 – December 3, 10 am – 4 pm
WheatonArts annual Holiday Studio Sale begins every year on Black Friday! Explore original works of pottery and glass art at discounted prices. Browse beautiful handcrafted pottery by artists Terry Plasket, Samantha Bartlett, Tessa Carlton, Clint Hunter, Amy Peseller, and Phyllis Seidner. Discover handmade glass art by guest artists Melanie and David Leppla, as well as unique works by the WheatonArts Glass Artists, including Kendall Frank, Jeremy Hayes, Tiffany Leps, Josh Metzger, and Katey Murphy.Admission is FREE to the sale, open ten full days from November 24 through December 3, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the WheatonArts Event Center. Visitors can also create personalized gift tags for all the perfect gifts they find at the complimentary art activity table.
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ
Cost: Free
Holiday Lights Hayride
November 24 – December 17
Looking for family Christmas activities and holiday fun? Bring your family and friends for a festive holiday lights tractor-drawn hayride. Norz Hill Farm offers Hayride experiences complete with holiday lights, outdoor interactive displays, a spin by the animals, and perhaps a stop by Santa’s cornfield office! If you looking for family Christmas activities, Norz Hill Farm’s provides the best family fun and holiday lights in New Jersey.
Norz Hill Farm, 120 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ
Cost: $13+
Holiday in the Park
November 24 – December 31
Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park! Make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods, and your favorite thrilling coasters. From coasters to cocoa it’s a holiday spectacular for the whole family.
Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ
Cost: $50
Night Forms
November 24 – April 7, 2024 ( Friday – Sunday, Sunset – 10PM )
In partnership with Klip Collective, this after-hours, multi-sensory light and sound experience uses projection mapping to engage with the Ground For Sculpture art and horticulture collections. Night Forms creates an evening landscape of creative exploration through lighting, sound, and video projection mapping, a process which Klip Collective pioneered. Designed to provide a dialogue with specific sculptures in the collection, such as Carlos Dorrien’s The Nine Muses and Bruce Beasley’s Dorion, this audio and visual exhibition offers new perspectives on these works and multi-dimensional space.
Grounds for Sculpture, 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ
Cost: $24 – $30, children under 5 free
Newton Holiday Parade
November 25, 10 am
The parade includes themed floats hosted by local organizations, bands playing live music, and community groups marching in celebration of the holidays. The final act is the guest of honor himself: Santa arriving in Newton! After the parade, children are invited to visit with Santa and tell him their holiday wishes.
Spring Street, Newton, NJ
Cost: Free
Greenberg’s Great Train and Toy Show
November 25 & 26
The largest and longest-running train and toy show in the northeast, Greenberg’s has been running train shows since 1976. The shows feature thousands of trains and collectible toys for sale, hundreds of merchandising tables, huge operating layouts, free modeling seminars and more.
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ
Cost:$11 Saturday or $10 Sunday. Kids 11 and under are free
Wayne PAL Holiday Flea Market and Gift Fair
November 26, 9 am – 4 pm
Enjoy shopping with over 75 exhibitors selling gift items, crafts, and stocking stuffers. There will be tables displaying an array of quality merchandise such as handbags, sports collectibles, jewelry for all ages, clothing, gift items, video games, vintage jewelry, gloves & scarves, toys, perfumes, antiques & collectibles, garage/tag sale items. This event is mainly held indoors, weather permitting there will be limited outdoors.
1 PAL Drive, Wayne, NJ
Cost: Free
