So, it’s the night of Thanksgiving. You’ve watched the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, taken in one — or all three — of the turkey day NFL games and stuffed yourself with all of your Thanksgiving meal favorites. It’s been a busy day and you have the next three days off, but what else is there to do?
Believe it or not, the weekend after Thanksgiving is full of activities. Between holiday shopping, light shows, sports games and train shows, there’s something to keep everyone entertained. If you’re looking for ways to spend that long weekend, look no further. Here are ten ways to spend your Thanksgiving weekend in North Jersey.
Visit a downtown for Small Business Saturday
Thanksgiving weekend marks the official start of the holiday shopping season, who why not celebrate by supporting small businesses in North Jersey’s downtowns?
Stop by the annual Small Business Saturday Street Fair in downtown South Orange, where vendors will gather to sell items ranging from jewelry, apparel, accessories, art, gift items and food from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Or, take a trip to downtown Montclair, where participating small businesses will be offering special promotions that are exclusively available on Small Business Saturday. Afterwards, you can head over to the Winter Wonderland at Welmont Arts Plaza on Seymour Street, featuring live music, kids’ crafts, raffles and activity booths from 12:30 to 6 p.m.
Take advantage of holiday shopping deals at the mall
Once you’ve exhausted your options at the small businesses in our downtown areas, head to one of your local malls, like Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford or the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne.
There’s usually deals running all throughout the holiday shopping season, but they tend to be the best during the weekend after Thanksgiving. So, take advantage and save big on all of your gifts this season.
Stop by a tree lighting ceremony
Many towns and organizations host their own tree lighting ceremonies, so there are a slew of them taking place across the region. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Township of Saddle, the Borough of Madison, the Borough of Woodland Park and the Cedar Knolls Fire Department are among those that have their tree lightings scheduled. Stop by one to start the season off right!
Go to a Christmas tree farm and cut your own
If you’re looking to continue an annual tradition, or start a new one this season, cut down your own Christmas tree over Thanksgiving weekend.
Between New Jersey and New York’s Lower Hudson Valley region just across our border, there are an abundance of tree farms where you can cut your own this season. Deepdale Farm in Mahwah, Hidden Pond Christmas Tree Farm in Mendham and Bear Swamp Farm in West Milford are just a few in our area.
Participate in a turkey trot
If you’re into running, then why not participate in a turkey trot?
You can run the Read Feed Run 5K Turkey Trot in Morristown or the Jersey City Turkey Day 5K on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. Or, you can opt for the Fourth Annual Rock Ridge Turkey Trot 5K in Denville or the Team Zoey on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Take a ride through the Skylands Stadium Light Show and Christmas Village
Each year, Skylands Stadium in Sussex transforms into a winter wonderland, consisting of a drive-thru light show and Christmas Village. The light show is a mile along, with more than two million holiday lights. At the Christmas Village, you can roast s’mores on the fire pit, as well as enjoy hot cocoa and other holiday treats.
The event runs on most days until Dec. 30, but check the calendar for available dates and times. Tickets for the light show must be purchased in advance, and are $29 per car for a time-slotted entry or $79 per car to enter the show once on any day, at any time.
Go: 94 Championship Place, Augusta.
Root on the Jets and the Giants at MetLife Stadium
Both the New York Jets and the New York Giants have home games at MetLife Stadium over Thanksgiving weekend, so you have two opportunities to take in a football game.
The Jets will host the Miami Dolphins on Friday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m. Then, the Giants host the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 1 p.m.
Visit the Garden State Model Railway Club’s holiday model train show
The Garden State Model Railway Club in North Haledon will be holding its 65th annual holiday exhibition on Nov. 24 through Nov. 26, and other select weekends in December and January.
Here, you can see a variety of passenger and freight trains, as well as a Santa Claus Express train and Thomas the Tank Engine. They also have working railroad layout for children to play with, as well as wooden trainsets for them to build their own layouts.
Go: 575 High Mountain Road, North Haledon.
Go ice skating at Newport Skates
Stop by Newport Skates on the Jersey City waterfront. The outdoor rink holds open skate sessions throughout the holiday and winter seasons, and also offers lessons for beginner skaters. Hours depending on the day, and tickets are $20 per person for admission and a skate rental.
Go: 95 River Drive South, Jersey City.
Browse the first Ridgewood Holiday Market
The Ridgewood Guild, Femmebot clothing and True Ascend are hosting a holiday market in downtown Ridgewood. On Fridays through Sundays from Nov. 17 to Dec. 24, small business vendors selling items like jewelry, clothes and crystals will gather in one place. Photos with Santa will also be available each day during the market.
Go: 6 Chestnut Street, Ridgewood.
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at [email protected].