November is that perfect time of year when you can celebrate some fall fun or winter festivities, and both are totally in season. Luckily for us, South Jersey has a lot of events to keep your weekends exciting. So zip up your jackets and head out for some end-of-the-year adventures.
Katz JCC Festival of Arts, Books & Culture
Cherry Hill
Nov. 4-14
Price varies per event
katzjcc.org
The Katz JCC of Cherry Hill is back with a collection of amazing authors, artists and musical talent for their annual book festival. Highlights include a luncheon with novelist Pam Jenoff (Nov. 11), a performance by Low Cut Connie, led by Cherry Hill native Adam Weiner (Nov. 6) and a panel discussion with Hollywood screenwriters Nick Davis and Leslie Epstein (Nov. 7). SJ Magazine is a proud media sponsor of this event.
Join us (virtually or in person) on Thursday, Nov. 11, as SJ Mag Publisher and Editor-In-Chief Marianne Aleardi sits with broadcast journalist Jake Tapper to discuss his new fiction novel, “The Devil May Dance.” The event starts at 10 am and costs $30 for members and $36 for nonmembers. All tickets include one copy of his book.
Sherlock Holmes Weekend
Cape May
Nov. 5-7
Weekend packages available at $115 per person
capemaymac.org
Every year, aspiring detectives flock to Cape May with a houndstooth trench coat, tobacco pipe and sense of adventure. Spend the weekend searching for clues to solve mysteries, watching performances and connecting with other Sherlock-buffs.
Cider, Bacon & Firewood
Howell Living History Farm
Nov. 6, 13, 20
10 am – 4 pm
Free
howellfarm.org
Saturdays at Howell Farm in Lambertville include fun demonstrations where you can help with the project. On Nov. 6, learn to make cider (and have a taste!). On Nov. 13, you’ll be making bacon, sausage & scrapple, and on Nov. 20, you’ll help chop firewood, split locust logs into fence rails, and make real barn pegs for use in barn frames around the farm.
139 miles of the Jersey Shore
Virtual
Nov. 10
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Free
tuckertonseaport.org
Jersey Shore expert R.C. Staab walked the entire 139 miles of the Jersey Shore coastline from Sandy Hook to Cape May, exploring and then writing about each beach, promenade and boardwalk. Hear Staab talk about his journey, and discover rarely visited beaches in your own backyard, unusual reasons for town names and more. Staab will show his photos that capture a snapshot of one spring and summer on the Jersey Shore.
Holiday Horror Con
Showboat Atlantic City
Nov. 12 – 14
General Admission: $30 in advance, $35 at the door
newjerseyhorrorcon.com
This horror con & film festival will feature indie films, celebrity guests, Q & A sessions, cosplay and photo ops. Hours vary each day, and multi-day passes are available.
Princess & Pirate Day at the Zoo
Cape May Zoo
Nov. 13
11 am – 2 pm
Free
capemaycountynj.gov
Visitors of all ages are invited to dress as their favorite pirate or princess at this family-friendly event. Check out the kids’ craft station, inflatable pirate ship, games and entertainment. Some of your favorite princesses will be there along with Kaptain Kristian for a coronation ceremony and Disney trivia. (And don’t forget the animals – we love to watch the giraffes roam the open landscape toward the back of the zoo.)
A Kids’ Craft & Flea Market Rancocas Woods
Nov. 13
10 am – 2 pm
Free
rancocaswoodseventsnshops.com
Browse the works of young South Jersey entrepreneurs at this unique holiday market. Kids in grades K-12 will showcase (and sell) their arts and crafts while also learning how to manage a business – and make money in the process.
A Winterfest by the Sea
Ocean City
Nov. 13
9 am – 5 pm
Free
oceancityvacation.com
Head down the Shore to enjoy the beach in a totally new way. Enjoy a day of craft vendors, food stands, holiday displays and shopping at the Ocean City Civic Center.
Draw from the collection
Virtual
Nov. 18
8 pm
Free
artscouncilofprinceton.org
Princeton University Art Museum is providing free weekly art-making experiences inspired by works in the museum. In this class, you’ll rely on a pair of painted tomb guardians from the Tang Dynasty for your inspiration, and use soft pastels to blend and create rich colors.
An Old-Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
Various locations in Cape May
Begins Nov. 19
capemaymac.org
The seaside town is transformed into a Dickens village for the holidays with garlands of fragrant greens and twinkling gaslights. Choose from events like a candlelight house tour, holiday lights trolley ride or a winter wonderwalk through the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate.
Horse and carriage rides
Ocean City
Noon – 3 pm
Free
Why call an Uber when you can stroll through the seaside town in a horse and carriage? Grab a free ride every weekend from November 1 through January 1 at 6th & Asbury Park.
Light Show On The Lake
Historic Smithville
Begins Nov. 25
Free
historicsmithville.com
Over 120 Christmas trees made from over 50,000 Christmas lights magically float on Lake Meone in the center of Historic Smithville. The moment darkness falls, an orchestrated show of lights and music is played across the lake. This show can be seen from either side of the village as well as the bridge.
