Things to Do in NJ This Weekend

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in New Jersey? New Jersey Monthly has you covered! Below we highlight recommendations for events across the state, from festivals to concerts to family-friendly events and more.

Want to make the most of the holiday season in New Jersey? Check out our guide to holiday light shows and our roundup of holiday markets around the state. Need specific present ideas as you embark on holiday shopping? Check out our big holiday gift guide—plus Jersey-themed books and one-of-a-kind items from local museum gift shops.

And don’t forget to check out our list of the 52 things you must do in New Jersey all year, no matter the season!

Our picks for December 3-8:

Indigo Girls
📅: Tuesday, December 3 (7:30 pm)
ℹ️: The LGBTQ icons and folk rockers have been going strong since 1985.
📍: Count Basie Center for the Arts • Red Bank
💸: $39+

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol
📅: Select dates from Wednesday, December 4 through Sunday, December 29 (times vary)
ℹ️: See Neil Bartlett’s bold adaptation of the holiday classic.
📍: Shakespeare Theatre of NJ • Madison
💸: $5+

Samara Joy
📅: Wednesday, December 4 (7:30 pm)
ℹ️: The Grammy-winning Gen-Z jazz singer performs a holiday concert, singing standards with members of her own family.
📍: Mayo Performing Arts Center • Morristown
💸: $39+

Jude Connally Warehouse Sale
📅: Wednesday, December 4 (10 am-6 pm), Thursday, December 5 (10 am-8 pm), Friday, December 6 (9 am-1 pm)
ℹ️: Get up to 75 percent off women’s fashions from this New Jersey designer. Tops are $70, pants are $50, and shorts and skorts are $40.
📍: Kenilworth Hotel • Kenilworth
💸: Free

A Magical Cirque Christmas
📅: Thursday, December 5 (7:30 pm)
ℹ️: Experience the holiday-themed, high-flying talents of trained acrobats.
📍: NJPAC • Newark
💸: $29+

Smokey Robinson
📅: Friday, December 6 (8 pm)
📍: NJPAC • Newark
ℹ️: The legend of R&B and soul is beloved for hits like “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown” and “Shop Around.”
💸: $49.50+

Strangers Stopping Strangers
📅: Friday, December 6 (8 pm)
ℹ️: The Jersey natives are a popular Grateful Dead tribute band.
📍: White Eagle Hall • Jersey City
💸: $25+

Winter Village at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton

📅: Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 8 (10 am-6 pm)
📍: 56 Main Street
ℹ️: Head to Clinton—one of NJM’s favorite small towns—for a heated tented market of more than 50 craft artisans selling unique gifts. Grab some grub from food trucks and check out the annual Festival of Trees, too,
💸: $10 for seniors and children ages 6-12; $12 for general admission; $45 for family membership

Dickens Festival in Medford

📅: Saturday, December 7 (4:30-9 pm)
📍: 95 South Main Street
ℹ️: Bring friends and family to this old-fashioned Christmas fest, featuring horse and carriage rides, food trucks, meetings with Santa and more.
💸: Free admission and parking

The Hip Hop Nutcracker
📅: Sunday, December 8 (2 & 7 pm)
ℹ️: The classic holiday tale told through high-energy hip-hop.
📍: NJPAC • Newark
💸: $39+

The Muppets Christmas Carol in Concert with New Jersey Symphony
📅: Sunday, December 8 (3 pm)
ℹ️: See the classic as told by Kermit, Miss Piggy and Michael Caine with a live symphony orchestra to accompany the film.
📍: State Theatre New Jersey • New Brunswick
💸: $69+

Mandy Gonzalez
📅: Sunday, December 8 (7:30 pm)
ℹ️: The Broadway star and South Orange native returns home to perform holiday faves.
📍: SOPAC • South Orange
💸: $48+

Holiday Bazaar in Asbury Park

📅: At the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall: Fridays (3-8 pm), Saturdays and Sundays (noon-5 pm) through Sunday, December 22; at the Asbury Hotel: Sundays (noon-5 pm) through December 15
ℹ️: Shop for gifts from local and regional makers and small businesses. Food, music and more are also on hand.
💸: Free admission

Old-Fashioned Christmas at Allaire Community Farm
📅: Now through through Sunday, December 29 (4-8 pm)
📍: 1923 Baileys Corner Road • Wall
ℹ️: This family-friendly event features pictures with Santa, indoor and outdoor petting zoos, a Christmas village display, holiday movies, a model train display and more.
💸: $10 for adults; $6 for kids under 18

Miracle Pop-Up Bar

📅: Through January 1
📍: Franklin Social in Jersey City, Cowan’s Public in Nutley, The Parkside Social in Verona and Gus’s Last Word in Wood-Ridge
ℹ️: Indulge in holiday cocktails and enjoy festive and nostalgic decor at your favorite bars, transformed with holiday cheer.

Find More Events

Want to find even more events? Browse additional events by date and category using our calendar below. And to submit your own event to the calendar, click here.