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Visit Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops and pose for a pic with the big guy. Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
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10/31/23 - By Laurie Rein

The many free things to do in New Jersey are among the things to be thankful for in November. Stop by late fall festival freebies like the Day of the Dead Community Festival, Healthy HeARTS Festival, and Awesome Autumn Fun. Or check out one of the Garden State's stunning FREE holiday light celebrations, including tree-lighting events in Cape May, Princeton, and Point Pleasant Beach. Read on for dozens of great free things to do in New Jersey this November. 

For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Family Activity Calendar and our Fall Fun Guide for New Jersey Kids.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Ongoing Free Things To Do in November 2023

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Fall Toddler Story Hour

Jersey City
Every Monday
It's a morning of fun at this bilingual story hour that meets every Monday at Priscilla Gardner Main Library. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Bookscape Babies at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime

Princeton
Every Tuesday and Saturday
Head over to Barnes & Noble at Princeton Market Fair every Tuesday and Saturday for seasonal stories and coloring.  READ MORE

Storytime at Barnes & Noble East Brunswick

East Brunswick
Every Tuesday
Give the kids a storytime break every Tuesday morning at Barnes & Noble in Brunswick Square Mall. Participants will hear a story and take part in a coloring activity. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

Brick
Every Wednesday
Head over to Barnes & Noble every Wednesday for children's stories and fun. READ MORE

Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover

Beechwood
Every Saturday
Stop by Jakes Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. A new topic is explored each session. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE
A Day of the Dead celebration returns to Princeton on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Art Council of Princeton
A Day of the Dead celebration returns to Princeton on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Art Council of Princeton

Free Things To Do in New Jersey from Wednesday, November 1-Sunday, November 5, 2023

Diwali Festival

Edison
Friday, November 3, 2023
Come enjoy a Bollywood Dance class, a performance from a local dance school, food stalls, gift vendors, and raffles. READ MORE

Day of the Dead Community Festival

Princeton
Saturday, November 4, 2023
It's a Day of the Dead celebration in Princeton with strolling mariachis, 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

Rock, Gem & Mineral Show

Mountainside
Saturday, November 4-Sunday, November 5, 2023
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

Healthy HeARTS Festival

Elmer
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center hosts Healthy HeARTS Festival, a celebration of arts and wellness to launch their new year-round Environmental Arts and Wellness program. READ MORE

20th Anniversary SOMA Artists' Studio Tour

South Orange and Maplewood
Saturday, November 4-Sunday, November 5, 2023
Come see and be inspired by local visual artists presenting their latest creations. The tour is a rare opportunity during which visitors can meet with a wide range of artists, view their latest works, and take home a masterpiece. READ MORE

Makerspace

Madison
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in the new collaborative workspace geared towards kids ages 5-12. Kids can build with Legos, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more. READ MORE

Awesome Autumn Fun

Beechwood
Saturday, November 4, 2023
Free autumn fun awaits at Jakes Branch County Park, including hayrides, a petting zoo, lawn games, live music, crafts, and food trucks on site. READ MORE

Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford

Freehold
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, November 4-Sunday, November 19, 2023
Observe a 19th-century gristmill in action at this historic farm property. While you're there, stroll through the 18th-century industrial village, as well as the woodlands and wetlands of the area. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

Atlantic City
Daily from Saturday, November 4-Sunday, December 24, 2023
Bass Pro Shops welcomes visitors to make a holiday shopping trip more fun by adding a Santa visit to your outing. Pose for a free photo with Santa in-store. Reservations must be made online. READ MORE

Casino Pier Family Fun Football Sundays

Seaside Heights
Sundays from November 5-December 17, 2023
Family Fun Sundays feature all-day specials at Waves Bar & Arcade, plus children's activities such as character visits and face painting. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in New Jersey from Monday, November 6-Sunday, November 12, 2023

Cookstove Demonstration at Longstreet Farm

Holmdel
Saturdays, November 11 and 25, 2023
Visit the out kitchen at Historic Longstreet Farm, and see what's cooking on the woodstove. Discover how food, recipes, cooking techniques, and the kitchen itself has changed since the 1890s. READ MORE

Sauce for the Goose Outdoor Market

Princeton
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Get some early holiday shopping done at this one-day outdoor market, featuring handmade gifts, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, apparel, home decor, and more. READ MORE

Veterans Day Ceremony

Holmdel
Saturday, November 11, 2023
The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, hosts the state's official Veterans Day Ceremony at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Holmdel. READ MORE

MPAC Arts in the Community Presents: Theatre of Light

Morristown
Sunday, November 12, 2023
The universal symbol of light illuminates the rich cultural diversity of the community when Mayo Performing Arts Center transforms the Vail Mansion Plaza into the fourth annual “Theatre of Light.”  READ MORE

Free Things To Do from in New Jersey Monday, November 13-Sunday, November 19, 2023

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony

Cape May
Saturday, November 18, 2023
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

Cider Making Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm

Homdel
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Guests may help press this year's apple harvest into cider at Longstreet Farm. Plus, hear about uses for cider on the farm and have a taste. READ MORE
Princeton's Palmer Square gets decked out in holiday finery this month. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
Princeton's Palmer Square gets decked out in holiday finery this month. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square

Free Things To Do in New Jersey from Monday, November 20-Thursday, November 30, 2023

Holiday Light Show

Smithville
Daily from Thursday, November 23-Friday, January 5, 2024
Watch in wonderment as over 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Palmer Square Tree Lighting

Princeton
Friday, November 24, 2023
Princeton's charming Palmer Square gets decked out in its holiday best with a little help from Santa. Jolly old St. Nick is on hand to help flick the switch on the 32,000 lights that illuminate the giant spruce.  READ MORE

Point Pleasant Beach Tree Lighting

Point Pleasant
Friday, November 24, 2023
Santa makes his way to Downtown Point Pleasant, featuring a DJ, horse-and-carriage rides, refreshments, and activities for children. Take your picture with Santa at Ocean County Music. READ MORE

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

Fanwood
Daily from Friday, November 24-Monday, January 8, 2024
Stroll by Fanwood's Famous Christmas House, which boasts a spectacular 30,000-light display. Monetary donations are accepted to support the NJ Institute for Disabilities.  READ MORE

Dickens Festival

Galloway
Saturday, November 25-Sunday, November 26, 2023
Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company brings the spirit of Christmas back to Historic Smithville with Dickens Fest, which features a musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol. READ MORE

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

Cape May
Saturday,November 25, 2023
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, and free treats for all. Plus, get a visit with jolly old St. Nick himself. READ MORE

Santa's Arrival in Morristown

Morristown
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Santa Claus is coming to Morristown. Visitors can watch Santa light the town green, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and pose for photos at Santa's house. READ MORE

Arrival of Santa at iPlay America

Freehold
Saturdays, November 25-December 23, 2023
Kick off the holiday season and celebrate the arrival of Santa at iPlay America. This free event includes lots of festive activities, including no-cost photo ops with Santa. READ MORE

Totowa and West Paterson Fire Department Holiday Parade

Totowa
Saturday, November 25, 2023
The Totowa Borough Fire Department and the West Paterson Fire Department host the annual Holiday Parade of Lights, which features police vehicles, private business vehicles, and other various emergency service vehicles all decorated in holiday lights. READ MORE

Strolling Santa Claus in Chester

Chester
Sundays from November 26-December 17, 2023
Catch Santa strolling along Main Street on Sunday afternoons. Feel free to take photos. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Priscilla Gardner Main Library
Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Villages of South Orange and Maplewood
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education Annex
Downtown Princeton
New Jersey Vietnam Veteran Memorial Foundation
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Totowa and West Paterson Fire Department Holiday Parade