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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Light Shows, Tree Lightings, and Santa's Arrival

Spend the day at Van Saun Park and bask in seasonal fun like ice skating. Photo by Kaylen Chiarello Ebner
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11/28/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving has arrived, so gobble up all the fun and festivities this long weekend has to offer. Annual winter festivals kick off the weekend, including Bergen County Winter Wonderland, featuring ice skating, train rides, and bumper cars. Santa makes his grand arrival at tree-lighting celebrations in Red Bank and Point Pleasant Beach.

Want even more fun things to do this weekend? Our New Jersey Events Calendar is packed with great family activities every day of the week— and you can filter by age, location, or even free events! Not on our newsletter list yet? Subscribe for free and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. Already subscribed? Share it with a friend and start planning your weekend together!

 

 

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Things To Do in New Jersey Thanksgiving Weekend 2025 with Kids

Historic Smithville Holiday Light Show

Galloway–FREE
Daily from Thursday, November 27-Tuesday, January 6
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Lake Meone and light up to the music around you. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Day Nature Walk

Kingston–FREE
Thursday, November 27
Before the big meal, get outside for some fresh air and exercise on a nature walk at the Mapleton Preserve. Participants can admire the fall colors and explore the many ways that trees use to spread into new territories. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Feast & Fun at iPlay America

Freehold
Thursday, November 27
Join iPlay America for an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience. iPlay America and The Bistro are teaming up for a special all-day offering. First, have a classic Thanksgiving dinner with your family at The Bistro. Featuring turkey, traditional sides, and homemade dessert pies. READ MORE

Red Bank Annual Town Lighting & Holiday Express Concert

Red Bank–FREE
Friday, November 28
Red Bank's annual holiday celebration is one not to be missed. Live performances, photo-ops, and refreshments are all part of the fun, followed by the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on a fire engine. READ MORE

Bergen County Winter Wonderland at Van Saun Park

Paramus
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Friday, November 28-Sunday, January 4
Spend the day at Van Saun Park for wintertime fun—including skating, train rides, carousel rides, and much more. New this season is a second ice rink for bumper cars and the Crafts Market Village. READ MORE

Official Winter Village at The Red Mill

Clinton
Select dates from Friday, November 28-Sunday, December 7
Marketspace Vendor Events joins The Red Mill Museum Village's 16th annual Festival of Trees 2025 and Dicken's Days to bring you the Winter Village at The Red Mill. Five days of festive shopping in a heated outdoor market features 50+ local craft artisans, food trucks, and activities each day. READ MORE

Point Pleasant Beach Tree Lighting

Point Pleasant–FREE
Friday, November 28
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

Family Holiday Beach Bonfire in North Wildwood

North Wildwood
Friday, November 28
Enjoy family fun with a toasty beach bonfire, festive music, free photo ops with Santa and other winter wonderland characters. READ MORE

Collingswood Tree Lighting

Collingswood–FREE
Friday, November 28
Santa descends from atop Borough Hall by way of the Collingswood Fire Dept.’s ladder truck to kick off the official Tree Lighting Ceremony. Choral groups sing as the town tree is lit up with twinkling lights. READ MORE

2025 Asbury Park Holiday Bazaar

Asbury Park–FREE
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Friday, November 28-Sunday, December 21
Get in the holiday spirit at this festive and fun-filled 2025 Holiday Bazaar in Asbury Park, taking place in three locations, boasting holiday music and entertainment, photos with Santa, food & libations, craft workshops, kids activities, festive décor, music, and more. READ MORE

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

Cape May–FREE
Saturday, November 29
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

Free Photos with Santa on the Amusement Park Train Ride

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, November 29 to Sunday, December 7
All aboard Jenkinson's train ride for festive photos with Santa. The train remains stationary for photo ops. After your photo, keep the fun going with games and prizes inside Jenkinson’s South Arcade, with exclusive holiday sale items available for purchase. READ MORE

Small Business Weekend in Highland Park: Holiday Markets, Gingerbread Contest and Tree Lighting

Highland Park–FREE
Saturday, November 29-Sunday, November 30
Join Main Street Highland Park to celebrate Small Business Weekend and the start of the holiday season. The festivities in downtown Highland Park include Night Owl Holiday Craft Markets, artisans, food vendors, a Gingerbread House Contest, caroling, the downtown tree lighting, and live music from Michael Lawton.  READ MORE

Totowa and West Paterson Fire Department Holiday Parade

Totowa–FREE
Saturday, November 29
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

Santa's Arrival in Morristown

Morristown–FREE
Saturday, November 29
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Morristown. Visitors can watch Santa light the town green, with holiday music and crafts, ice sculpture demonstrations, and free rides around the Green on a miniature electric train. READ MORE

Union Beach Recreation's Annual Tree Lighting

Union Beach–FREE
Sunday, November 30
UBRC welcomes the most magical time of the year with the lighting of the town Christmas Tree and a visit with the big man himself: Santa. READ MORE
We've got lots of great Thanksgiving crafting ideas. Photo courtesy of Live Craft
We've got lots of great Thanksgiving crafting ideas. Photo courtesy of Live Craft

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Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway

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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.
Recent Articles By Laurie Rein:
Read more articles by Laurie Rein.