November has range. One weekend, you’re browsing a craft fair and debating dessert. The next, you’re sipping hot chocolate under a tunnel of Christmas lights. Somewhere in between, there’s a turkey to deal with.

From Beatles celebrations and restaurant specials to holiday markets and outings with the grandchildren, there’s plenty to put on the calendar. We’ll start close to home in Monmouth County, then head around New Jersey for a few adventures worth the drive.

November 5–8 | Tickets: $50–$300

Still have strong opinions about your favorite Beatles album? You’ll be in good company. Everything Fab Four Fest celebrates the 60th anniversary of Revolver with concerts, conversations and a weekend devoted to the music and stories behind the Fab Four. Come for the nostalgia; stay for something you never knew.

November 6–15 | Three-course menus: $32.26 or $42.26

Give the kitchen a few nights off. Jersey Shore Restaurant Week brings special three-course menus to participating restaurants, with choices for appetizers, entrées and desserts. It’s a good excuse to try somewhere new—or return to a favorite without waiting for an anniversary.

November 6–December 30 | Adults: $24–$28; children: $14–$18

A hayride through Christmas tree fields sets the scene for The Village at Anne Ellen, where wooded paths, glowing displays and holiday scenes turn an evening stroll into a seasonal outing. Bring the grandchildren, or make it a night out with friends. Holiday lights don’t require a permission slip from a child.

November 7, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Free admission

Start your gift shopping with something that didn’t arrive in a warehouse by the thousand. The Monmouth County Park System’s Fall Craft Show brings more than 40 artists and crafters to Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, with finds ranging from painted glassware and greeting cards to salvaged wood art and doll clothes.

November 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | $3 suggested donation

Art shopping comes with a lovely backdrop at Calgo Gardens’ Fall Art in the Garden. Browse paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and other handmade work, then linger for live music and a bite at The Tulip Tree Café. A little garden wandering makes a fine addition to the shopping list.

November 7, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Free admission

Despite its name, Rest Day No. 1 has plenty going on. Presented by FRESH Markets and The Fort Athletic Club, this new market mixes food and drinks, local makers, movement classes, recovery activities and family fun. Browse, snack and see what catches your interest.

November 7, noon–5 p.m. | $39–$54; designated drivers: $10

Your next favorite wine might come from closer to home than you think. The NJ Wine Expo brings wineries from across the state to the Bell Works Ballroom, with more than 130 wines to sample and opportunities to meet the people who make them.

November 7, 4–7 p.m.; early face painting begins at 2 p.m. | Free

Music, art and remembrance come together at Asbury Park’s Día de los Muertos celebration. The family-friendly gathering honors loved ones with mariachi, singing and a colorful walk from Convention Hall along the boardwalk to the historic Casino. Pets are welcome, too.

November 14, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free admission

Fresh bread, specialty foods and handmade finds: the Bell Works Fresh Saturday Market makes a pleasant afternoon out of shopping local. Explore the farmers, bakers, makers and artisans, then grab lunch while you’re there.

November 14–15 | Listed admission: $19.99

For those who consider the first cup a necessity and the second a pleasure, the NJ Coffee Festival at Warehouse 100 offers a whole weekend of coffee appreciation. Expect tastings, demonstrations, conversations and treats, with plenty to interest both casual sippers and serious coffee enthusiasts.

November 20–January 3, 2027 | Listed admission: $22; check vehicle and date options

Here’s a holiday outing where the car provides the comfortable seating. Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center takes visitors through illuminated holiday scenes, animated displays and sparkling tunnels. Admission is by vehicle, so gather your favorite passengers and cue the seasonal playlist.

November 21, 1:30–6 p.m. | $20 entry

An afternoon of live music comes with a meaningful purpose at Rock to Fight Alzheimer’s. Three local bands perform at The Proving Ground to benefit Alzheimer’s New Jersey. Bring friends, enjoy the music and support an organization serving people affected by the disease.

November 27–December 23; advertised Friday–Sunday hours, 4–8 p.m. | Adults: $12; children 18 and younger: $6; younger than 1: free

Allaire Community Farm gets into the holiday spirit with a life-size Christmas village, indoor and outdoor petting zoos, Santa photos, model trains and classic holiday movies. Wagon and Polar Express rides require additional tickets. Check the booking calendar for operating dates and ride options.

Once you’ve filled in a few local dates, look a little farther afield. November brings food festivals, small-town shopping and holiday traditions across the state—many well suited to an afternoon with friends or a day out with the grandchildren.

November 5–8 | Prices vary

A seaside stroll followed by a three-course meal sounds like a sensible November plan. Cape May Restaurant Weekend offers fixed-price appetizer, entrée and dessert menus at participating restaurants. Check the lineup and reserve ahead at your favorites.

November 7, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | $2 admission

Make a day of your Cape May visit with the Fall Crafts & Collectibles Show at Convention Hall. Browse dozens of vendors indoors, with handmade goods and gift possibilities to get your holiday shopping underway.

November 7, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free admission

The name is memorable, and the shopping promises to be, too. Sauce for the Goose brings more than 100 artisans to downtown Princeton, with ceramics, textiles, jewelry, paintings, prints, clothing and home décor. Leave time for lunch and a downtown stroll.

November 7–8, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Sampling tickets: $20 advance, $25 at the gate

Raise a glass to the final stretch of fall festival season at Sip in Autumn. Veterans Park hosts New Jersey wines, food, live music and local vendors. Nonsampling admission is free; check the organizer’s age and tasting requirements.

November 7–8 | $15 advance, $20 at the door; ages 20 and younger: free

Food trucks, fire pits and live music make a cozy combination at Laurita Winery. The weekend’s advertised extras include vineyard wagon rides, seasonal treats and Saturday fireworks. Check the schedule before choosing your day.

Listed season: November 13–January 10, 2027 | Check for ticket prices and confirmed dates

Tulips get a holiday makeover at Holland Ridge Farms’ Winter Wonderland. Walk among glowing flower displays, watch the windmill music-and-light show and warm up with hot chocolate. Food trucks, Santa experiences and fresh-cut tulips add to the evening; select attractions and cabin rentals cost extra.

November 14–15 | Check ticket options

Bring your curiosity—and an appetite—to the Great Food Expo. Cooking demonstrations, specialty-food vendors, samples and presentations put food front and center, from familiar favorites to ingredients you might be meeting for the first time.

November 14–15 | Check ticket options

Also at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, the New Jersey Women’s Expo brings together shopping, speakers and sessions covering wellness, business, lifestyle and personal growth. Make it a friends’ outing and explore the offerings at your own pace.

Select dates beginning November 14 through December 23 | Tickets listed from $22.95

A train ride through holiday lights is the centerpiece of DiDonato’s Magical Holiday Express. Santa, cookies, a holiday movie and a walk through the Holiday Village round out an outing with plenty of grandchild appeal. Reserve your preferred date ahead.

November 18–January 10, 2027 | Adults: $12; seniors 60+: $10

For holiday sparkle at a gentler pace, visit Morven Museum & Garden’s Festival of Trees. Decorated trees and mantels fill the historic mansion’s galleries, with displays created by community organizations, garden clubs, schools and artists. Admission also offers a welcome senior discount.

November 20–January 3, 2027 | Listed price: $37.99; check vehicle ticket details

The construction equipment takes on a festive supporting role at Diggerland’s holiday light show. Drive a mile-long course of illuminated tunnels, animated scenes and twinkling displays while holiday music plays through your car radio.

Holiday season; confirm 2026 opening dates | Listed price: $40–$50 per car

Keep this one on your holiday watch list. Winter WonderLights combines animated displays, glowing tunnels and synchronized music at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds. Check the ticket calendar for the confirmed season schedule and vehicle pricing.

November 21–22 | $10; children younger than 10: free

You don’t have to be a model-train collector to appreciate a miniature world built with this much care. The Pacific Southern Railway Holiday Train Show features a sprawling HO-scale layout with detailed scenery and trains in action. Reserve a timed entry and plan to arrive 15 minutes early.

November 21, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; November 22, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Tickets from $35; ages 7 and younger: free

Have a grandchild who can explain Pokémon cards at considerable length? Collect-A-Con could be your chance to enter their world. Trading cards, vintage toys, anime merchandise, collectibles and celebrity appearances fill this two-day pop-culture gathering.

Begins November 21; seasonal events continue into January | Prices vary

Cape May wears the holidays well. Christmas in Cape May brings decorated Victorian buildings, seasonal tours and festive events to the seaside town. Pick an activity or two, then leave time to enjoy the streets in their holiday finery.

November 21–22 | $15 advance, $20 at the door; ages 20 and younger: free

Laurita Winery’s Give Thanks Festival pairs food trucks, wine, live music and local vendors with seasonal activities and Saturday fireworks. The event also supports Lunch Break, which provides food and other essential services to people facing hardship.

November 22, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | $2 admission

Add a little Scandinavian flavor to your November at the Swedish Christmas Fair. Shop handicrafts and holiday decorations, browse Swedish foods and baked goods, and catch the Lucia pageant and choir at 1:30 p.m. It’s a lovely opportunity to experience a different holiday tradition.

Once the big meal is behind you, there are plenty of reasons to step away from the refrigerator. Small-town celebrations, train rides and holiday markets make the long weekend feel like the official start of the season.

Dickens Days: November 27–29 | Winter Village: November 27–29 and December 5–6

Clinton leans into its storybook setting for Dickens Days, with Victorian atmosphere, carolers and seasonal activities around town.

Nearby, the Winter Village at the Red Mill adds artisan shopping, food trucks and the museum’s Festival of Trees. Dickens Days is free to attend; check admission details for the Red Mill market.

November 27–29 | Prices vary by event

Visit the Jacobus Vanderveer House for decorated rooms, period music and a look at holiday customs from America’s colonial past. The weekend schedule includes a Friday tree lighting, a Saturday cocktail party and Sunday activities. Check which events require reservations.

November 27–29 | Prices vary by winery

For a quieter alternative to the shopping rush, follow the Holiday Wine Trail. Participating New Jersey wineries offer seasonal experiences, tastings and festive touches. Choose a region, check the individual winery schedules and plan your transportation.

November 27–29 dates listed | Listed fares: children $38; adults $48

Pajamas count as occasion wear aboard The Polar Express. The approximately 90-minute trip brings the story to life with hot chocolate, cookies, entertainment, Santa and a keepsake sleigh bell. Check the full calendar and ticket availability before promising the grandchildren a seat.

November 27–January 6 | Free

Trees appear to float on Lake Meone as lights move in time with music at Historic Smithville’s Holiday Light Show. Arrive early to browse the village shops or enjoy dinner, then stay for the glow after dark.

November 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; hayrides 10:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | Free

Howell Living History Farm offers a Thanksgiving weekend outing with a giving-back element. Bring a nonperishable food donation for the wagon and enjoy a hayride; tickets are distributed first come, first served. New, unopened toys are also collected for Toys for Tots.

November 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Free

Historic aircraft share the spotlight with Santa at Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum’s Christmas at the Hangar. Expect live music, artisan vendors, children’s activities, photo opportunities and complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Dress warmly for the WWII-era hangar; leashed dogs are welcome.

November 28, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | $2 admission

Still searching for a gift with a personal touch? The Holiday Crafts & Collectibles Show returns to Cape May Convention Hall with handmade goods from dozens of vendors. Check ahead for registration details if you’re interested in the ornament-making workshop.

November 28 at 1 and 7 p.m.; November 29 at 1 p.m. | Free

Scrooge makes his seasonal appearance at Historic Smithville’s Dickens Festival, featuring an outdoor musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Riddlesbrood Touring Theatre Company. Bundle up, enjoy the performance and make time for the village’s holiday lights.

November’s calendar offers plenty of ways to get out, catch up with friends and start a few seasonal traditions. Pick something close to home, choose an adventure farther afield—and leave a little room for a spontaneous lunch stop.

Before you go: Dates, hours, prices and activities can change. Follow the event links for current details, ticket availability and weather updates. Free admission may not include food, tastings, rides or other extras.