Top Ten New Jersey Events for Thanksgiving Weekend

November 20, 2018 newjerseyisntboring

From Rahway’s Winter Wonderland (I’ll be there!), Clinton’s Annual Dickens Festival, GSWGA’s Holiday Wine Trail Weekend, holiday markets and more…there’s a lot of Holiday Cheer going on November 23rd – 25th! And don’t forget Small Business Saturday on the 24th! Below are my Top Ten New Jersey Events for Thanksgiving Weekend.

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Top Ten New Jersey Events for Thanksgiving Weekend:

Rahway’s Winter Wonderland
November 23, 1PM – 6PM
Rahway’s annual event featuring ice skating, pictures with Santa, bonfires, carriage rides, food, music, and giveaways! The tree lighing at City Hall will commence at 6PM followed by a Christmas parade. PS. I’ll be at this event, come say hi!
Downtown Rahway, NJ
Cost: Free

Hightown’s Christmas Lighting Ceremony and Santa Parade
November 23, 6:30PM – 9:30PM
Hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary of Hightstown Engine Co. #1 will be Christmas Lighting Ceremony, to be held on Friday, November 23rd beginning at 6:30 pm. The Santa parade will begin at Leshin Lane down South Main Street through the center of town to the firehouse. The “Man in Red” will end up at the firehouse to pull the switch to turn on the holiday lights in the downtown area. Everyone is then invited into the firehouse where the children may visit with Santa and have their picture taken ($3.00 each) and enjoy refreshments.
Main St, Hightstown, NJ
Cost: Free

GSWGA’s Holiday Wine Trail Weekend
November 23 – 25, 12PM – 5PM
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 23 – 25
Experience all that historic Clinton has to offer this Holiday season with the renowned annual Dickens Days! Stroll through town and enjoy the festivities and decorations! Horse drawn carriage rides, carolers, Father Christmas, and other characters all come to downtown Clinton for Dickens Days weekend!
Downtown Clinton, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend

Sea Isle City’s Holiday Extravaganza
November 23 & 24, Friday 4PM – 9PM and Saturday 10AM – 3PM
Kick off the holiday season in style with two days of fun events at Excursion Park, JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave. Featuring ice skating, a tree lighting ceremony, caroling and refreshments, this event is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Get some holiday shopping done during small business Saturday as the kids enjoy various activities at Excursion Park. Santa will even make a special appearance as he gears up for his busy holiday season. Shop Local During Small Business Saturday! Customers who spend $20 at participating businesses on Small Business Saturday will be entered into a raffle drawing during Holiday Extravaganza to win a big screen TV!
Excursion Park, JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave, Sea Isle City, NJ
Cost: Free

Willow Creek Winery’s First Annual Harvest Festival
November 24, 11AM – 5PM, Rain Date: November 25
Join Willow Creek Farm & Winery for their First Annual Harvest Festival! Enjoy a good family BBQ, local vendors, kids rides, live music and much more!
168 Stevens Street, West Cape May, NJ
Cost: $15 Kids 10 and Under, $25 Adults

Winter Village Craft and Vintage Market at the Red Mill Museum
November 24, 12PM – 5PM
Marketspace Vendor Events joins The Red Mill Museum Village’s 9th annual Festival of Trees in 2018 to bring you the Winter Village at The Red Mill. Special thanks to our sponsors: Beckers Tax Consultants, Charlie Thyme – DIY Studio, Czig Meister Brewing Company, The MAX Challenge of Clinton, Ohana Creative, Pogo Beard Company, and Sunnyside Gifts! This German-style outdoor, tented and heated, winter craft market in the heart of Clinton, New Jersey features 40 local craft artisans, vintage peddlers, and food trucks.
56 Main St, Clinton, NJ
Cost: $10

Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar 2018
November 24 & 25, 11AM – 10PM on Sat, 11AM – 6PM on Sun
The Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar, held at beautiful & historic Convention Hall (located right on the beach in Asbury Park!), will feature a curated roster of talented local and regional artists, vendors, and local shops selling the cutest and coolest vintage, handmade, art, jewelry, home goods, foodstuffs, and more. The Holiday Bazaar will feature amazing holiday and musical performances, photos with Santa, a 30 foot Christmas tree, and beautiful holiday decor. While you shop, enjoy a seasonally-inspired menu and holiday drinks at the Anchors Bend and Asbury Oyster Bar. Feeling creative? Join us for kids art classes and holiday workshops.
Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free

Christmas Festival on the Green
November 25, 5PM – 7PM
The place to celebrate the holidays from Thanksgiving up until Christmas; this month-long family event (brought to you by the Morristown Partnership) kicks off on the Sunday after Thanksgiving with Santa’s rooftop arrival and welcome ceremony. Family activities and entertainment on the historic Morristown Green, add to the dazzling “Lighting of the Green” ceremony with brilliant lights and wreaths adorning streetlights town-wide – a 100+ year tradition!
Morristown Green, Morristown, NJ
Cost: Free

Long Branch Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
November 25, 4PM – 6PM
Don’t miss the annual Holiday Tree Lighting celebration in Pier Village on November 25th from 4pm-6pm! This event will feature performances by Tim McLoone and the Shirleys and the Long Branch High School Marching Band and Dance team. The ice rink, Ice at the Pier, will be open from 10am-9pm. There will be costume characters, a meet & greet with Santa, and free mini train rides around Festival Plaza.
50 Chelsea Avenue, Long Branch, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend

More Things to Do This Fall!