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15 Best Things To Do in NJ with Kids November 2025, from Mommy Poppins Editors

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
10/31/25 - By Laurie Rein

November brings loads of things to do in the Garden State as New Jersey gears up for holidays that include Veterans Day and Thanksgiving—and then it's full steam ahead to the holiday season!

If you're hoping for a mellow month following Halloween's sugar high, that's just not going to happen! Holiday lights illuminate the season at favorite holiday light shows like the PNC Arts Center Magic of Lights, Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms, and the new U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms.

Plus, Santa starts making his rounds later in the month at Cape May County Zoo's Santa's Tree Lighting Celebration and the Holiday Tree Lighting at Physick Estate.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

More Things To Do in New Jersey this November with Kids: 

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.

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Top Things To Do in New Jersey With Kids This November

Disney on Ice: Jump In at Prudenial Center

Newark
Wednesday, October 29-Sunday, November 2, 2025
Fifty favorite Disney characters hit the ice at Prudential Center, showcasing world-class figure skating, high-flying aerial acrobatics, dazzling special effects, engaging interactive moments, and enchanting music. READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Sail

Mountainside
Saturday, November 1, 2025
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

The Polar Express on the Morristown & Erie Railway

Whippany
Select dates from Saturday, November 1-Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Take 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

Day of the Dead Community Festival

Princeton – FREE
Saturday, November 1, 2025
It's a Day of the Dead celebration in Princeton with a mariachi band, sugar skull decorating, folk arts and crafts, food and drink, and traditional dance. Learn about this rich cultural holiday at this family-friendly event. READ MORE

STEM Fest at Bright Horizons

Various New Jersey locations – FREE
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Join Bright Horizons centers across the country for STEM Fest. This is your chance to see science, technology, engineering, and math in action with fun, hands-on activities for you and your child. READ MORE

Rock, Gem & Mineral Show at Trailside Nature & Science Center

Mountainside – FREE
Saturday, November 8-Sunday, November 9, 2025
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. Children's activities add to the fun. READ MORE

Christmas Fantasy With Lights at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Select dates from Saturday, November 15-Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Help welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to Storybook Land through the end of December. Each night at dusk, Santa appears at the chimney and waves his wand, magically lighting up the park with over 1 million lights. READ MORE

PNC Bank Arts Center Magic of Lights

Holmdel
Select dates from Friday, November 21, 2025-Saturday, January 3, 2026
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

Orchard of Lights at Demarest Farms

Hillsdale
Select dates from Saturday, November 22-Tuesday, December 30, 2025
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 Tree Lighting Ceremony at Physick Estate

Cape May – FREE
Saturday, November 22, 2025
The Physick Estate hosts this festive evening to kick off the holiday season. The fun begins with a concert by The John Walter Community Band, followed by a Physick Estate Open House, and finally Santa's tree lighting.  READ MORE

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Smithville – FREE
Thursdays through Sundays from Thursday, November 27, 2025-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Winter WonderLights 6th Annual Holiday Light Drive-Thru

East Brunswick
Daily from Friday, November 21-Sunday, December 28, 2025
The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 2 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes, with a tunnel of lights and stunning, larger-than-life, holiday-themed displays synchronized to music playing in your car. READ MORE

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland at Holland Ridge Farms

Cream Ridge
Daily from Friday, November 21, 2025-Sunday, January 4, 2026
Holland Ridge Farms debuts a magical, walk-through light show, featuring 50,000+ illuminated tulips, millions of twinkling lights, a windmill music and light show, drone show nights, character visits, an igloo snowball pit and much more. READ MORE

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage at State Theatre New Jersey

New Brunswick
Saturday, November 29, 2025
The Peanuts’ timeless holiday television special takes the stage at State Theatre New Jersey with the national tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage. READ MORE

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

Cape May – FREE
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Santa Claus is coming to the Cape May Zoo and bringing plenty of festive holiday cheer. Enjoy live holiday music, an ice sculpture demonstration, bounce house, character appearances, performances and free treats for all. Plus, get a visit with jolly old St. Nick himself. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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