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Family-Friendly Attractions Open on Thanksgiving 2025 in NJ

1. Mapleton Preserve — Kingston

Go on a Thanksgiving Day Nature Walk at the Mapleton Preserve in Kingston. Or choose your own path with a family hike along one of NJ's many kid-friendly trails.

2. Cape May Zoo — Cape May

The Cape May Zoo is open 10am-2:30pm on Thanksgiving Day 2025. Stop by the expanded playground after seeing the animals.

​RELATED: NJ Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving 2025

Head to NYC for the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Photo by Kent Miller for Macy's

3. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — New York City

If you're feeling ambitious, venture into NYC to check out the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, where 2025 additions include Littlest Goldfish, Mario, Pac-Man, the Derby Tiger, Shrek, and more.

4. Magic of Holiday Lights — Holmdel

For a fun seasonal spectacle that's closer to home, check out a holiday lights display like the Magic of Holiday Lights, featuring tons of dancing lights and scenes of the seasons.

5. iPlay America — Freehold

Head to iPlay America for food and fun. iPlay's arcade, Topgolf Swing Suite, laser tag, and Game Time Bar & Grill will open at 2pm on Thanksgiving Day. The Bistro will be serving a full Thanksgiving dinner, complete with dessert plus FREE Laser Tag, XD Dark Ride VR, and 2-hour video game passes. 

Hit the slopes indoors at Big Snow in the American Dream mall. Photo by Rosalind Muggeridge

6. American Dream — East Rutherford

The retail stores and restaurants at this megamall are open 11am-9pm on Thanksgiving Day. Many attractions are closed, though certain ones have shortened hours, such as Big Snow (open 1pm-8pm), 
Legoland Discovery Center (10am-6:30pm), Sea Life Aquarium (10am-7pm), Activate (10am-9pm), and The Gameroom by Hasbro (11am-9pm).

7. Holidig Drive-Thru Light Show at Diggerland — West Berlin

Drive through this amazing mile-long light display filled with twinkling lights.

2025 Family-Friendly Turkey Trots and Local Events in NJ

8. Run or walk in a Turkey Trot

Participate in a Turkey Trot before gobbling down dinner. Don't worry if your typical exercise regimen consists mainly of sprinting after your toddler—in many towns, this annual tradition includes a shorter fitness walk or a kids' run. Note that some races don't allow runners to race with strollers, so check before you sign up. Check out these great trots:

• CEA & Johanna Foods Turkey Trot in Flemington has a 2K walk and a 5K walk through the streets of this town's historic district.
• Run Your Giblets Off in Holmdel is a family-friendly 5K benefiting the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
• Mercer County Turkey Trot in Hamilton has both a 5K run and a 1-mile walk.
• Chatham Turkey Trot kicks off with a 1-mile family fun race and then has a 5K race.
• Racefaster in Glen Rock lets runners sign up for the kids fun run or the main race.
• Replenish Turkey Trot in South Amboy has either a 5K run or a 2K leisurely walk.

9. Go to the movies

If you're a Zootopia fan, your wait for a second movie comes to an end this Thanksgiving weekend. Zootopia 2 will be in theaters starting Thursday, November 27, 2025, and will surely be a nice way to relax with the kids before or after the big meal.

10. Catch a high school football game

In some towns, these local rivalries are decades-long traditions that draw large, enthusiastic crowds, like Phillipsburg vs. Easton, PA (which draws 13,000+ fans every year), Atlantic City vs. Holy Spirit, Haddonfield vs. Haddon Heights, and Vineland vs. Millville.

Grocery Stores Open on Thanksgiving in NJ in 2025

If you forget the cranberry sauce, or maybe need more aluminum foil, many NJ grocery stores have holiday hours for those little kitchen emergencies. Wegmans, Kings and Acme are usually open until 4pm on holidays. Many ShopRite and Stop & Shop locations stay open, too, but it may vary by location; call your local store for hours. ALDI, Trader Joe's, Target, Costco, and Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving.

Tips for Families Spending Thanksgiving Day in New Jersey

• Check hours in advance. Holiday schedules are often different than the daily schedule.
• Bundle up for outdoor fun.
• Check the traffic report and leave extra time. 
• Don't feel like going out? Stay in and watch a Thanksgiving movie or do a Thanksgiving craft.

FAQ: What’s Open on Thanksgiving in NJ in 2025?

Are museums open on Thanksgiving Day?
Nearly all NJ museums are closed on Thanksgiving.

Are NJ malls open on Thanksgiving?
Most major malls are closed on Thanksgiving, but American Dream stores are open. Certain attractions will be closed.

What restaurants are open on Thanksgiving?
Several family-friendly restaurants are open on Turkey Day. See our post about restaurants that are open for Thanksgiving dinner.

Are there places to volunteer during the holiday season?
Yes, from Meals on Wheels to the United Way, there are lots of places for families to volunteer together during the holidays.