Bobby Chez offers to-go options for Thanksgiving dinner in Cherry Hill.
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Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.
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Spend a day running around at Johnson's Corner Farm this November. Photo courtesy of the farm
25 Things To Do in New Jersey During November's School Holidays
Outhouse orchards corn maze
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Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
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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
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Johnson's Locust Hill Farm is a picture perfect backdrop for a stroll through sunflowers. Photo by Cody Conk
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Visit the petting zoo at Alstede Farms for a chance to meet the animals. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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At a Bach to Rock birthday party, kids can sing karaoke or record their own CD.
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At Genius Gems in Millburn, kids under 2 get in free with an older sibling.
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Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Cheesequake State Park in Middlesex County offers hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and much more. Photo by Ali Chandra
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Hop aboard a stagecoach for a ride back in time at Wild West City, one of New Jersey's top attractions.
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Things To Do in NJ This Weekend: Lights Festival, Winter Wonderland, Free Crafts & Storytimes

Travel through an illuminated wonderland at the Vernon Lights Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Travel through an illuminated wonderland at the Vernon Lights Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
12/31/19 - By Laurie Rein

If your new year's resolutions includes saving money, then this is your lucky weekend. Most events for New Jersey families in the debut weekend of 2020 are free! Take part in craft freebies at Lakeshore Learning and Zimmerli Art Museum. Bring the kids to storytime freebies like Grumpy Monkey Storytime and Story Snacks. And spend some no-cost time outdoors at the Winery Sunday Music Series and Holiday Light Show.

This weekend also marks the final opportunity to take part in seasonal favorites, including the 62nd Annual Model Railroad Show and Bergen County Winter Wonderland.

Find even more weekend options throughout NJ in our Winter Guide, including the Top Snow Tubing Spots for New Jersey Families. And look to our January GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

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Hit the ice at the Bergen County Winter Wonderland this weekend. Photo courtesy of the event
Hit the ice at the Bergen County Winter Wonderland this weekend. Photo courtesy of the event

Things to Do All Weekend

Bergen County Winter Wonderland

Paramus
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

62nd Annual Model Railroad Show

North Haledon
All aboard at this annual event which features 1,200 square foot HO layout features steam and diesel locomotives, Thomas and Friends, a Santa Claus Express, numerous freight and passenger trains, rural and urban scenes, and working signals. READ MORE

Bank of America Free Museum Days in NJ

Various NJ – FREE
Who doesn't like a freebie? Bank of America and Merrill Lynch card holders can get complimentary admission to seven New Jersey museums–all of them family-friendly–the first weekend of each month. READ MORE

Holiday Light Show on Lake Meone

Smithville – FREE
Watch in wonderment as more than 100 Christmas trees magically float on Historic Smithville Village's Lake Meone. Visit any day of the week between 5:30pm and 8:30pm to catch a choreographed light show synchronized to music. READ MORE

Vernon Lights Festival

Vernon
Vernon will shine even brighter this Fall and Winter with the Vernon Lights Festival. Don’t miss this walk-through wonderland of family fun, with massive lighting displays, a dinosaur kingdom, giant pandas, the million light maze and New Jersey’s largest lantern Christmas tree. READ MORE
Get creative at a Lakeshore Learning Center near you on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the center
Get creative at a Lakeshore Learning Center near you on Saturday. Photo courtesy of the center

Things to Do on Saturday, January 4, 2020

Free Crafts for Kids at Lakeshore Learning

East Brunswick, Cherry Hill, and Hackensack – FREE
Lakeshore Learning welcomes children age 3 and older for a free storytime and craft activity each Saturday morning. Check online for photos of weekly projects. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover

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

Kids Club: Powered By Nat Geo Kids- ON HOLD

Freehold – FREE
Head to the Freehold Raceway Mall for Kid's Club, held the first Saturday of each month in the food court. Each month features a Nat Geo theme, free carousel rides until 11am, prize drawings and other fun activities. Hosted by 94.3 The Point.  READ MORE

Story Snacks at Cedar Grove Library- ON HOLD

Cedar Grove – FREE
Families are invited to the library on the first Saturday of the month for a special story time. Instead of ending each session with a regular craft, participants will create an edible masterpiece. READ MORE

Grumpy Monkey Storytime

Bridgewater and other locations – FREE
Barnes & Noble presents this storytime about a moody chimp. Jim the chimpanzee has a bit of a meltdown when everyone starts giving him advice as to what makes them happy. READ MORE
Make art as a family at Zimmerli Museum's free Art Together program on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the museum
Make art as a family at Zimmerli Museum's free Art Together program on Sunday. Photo courtesy of the museum

Things to Do on Sunday, January 5, 2020

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick – FREE
On select Sundays throughout the year, families can work side-by-side on arts and crafts projects at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Each session includes a brief, instructor-led tour through one of the galleries. READ MORE

Storytime at Hoboken Fire Department Museum

Hoboken – FREE
Tots are welcome to Hoboken Fire Department Museum every Sunday for stories, with special guest readers from Hoboken Public Library. READ MORE

Winery Sunday Music Series

Princeton- FREE
Spend a relaxing day at Terhune with wine, light fare, music, and friend-filled afternoons during its Sunday Music Series. Live music will be in the Wine Barn and courtyard. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park

Beechwood – FREE
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

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