This time of year is all about gathering with your loved ones and expressing gratitude. We hope you can find some budget-friendly ways to do both with these free or inexpensive activities in Monmouth & Ocean Counties this November.

November 7

Fall Festivities (Cream Ridge) – Take some time to soak up the last bit of fall before the holidays set in at Stone Tavern Orchard from 9:30am-4:30pm, through mid-November. You will embark on a hayride that will take you to the orchards, pumpkin patch, flower patch, corn maze, and corn pit. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 4-11, and children ages 3 and under are free. You will also have to pay for anything you pick. Call 609.223.0051 ahead of the day you intend to visit to ensure the festivities are happening, as they are discontinued after mid-November. Learn more here.

November 8

Fall Craft Show (Tinton Falls) – Get crafty and avoid the holiday rush by getting a head start on your holiday shopping at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center from 9am-2pm. With over 40 vendors selling handmade items and one-of-a-kind finds, you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for someone on your list – and maybe something for yourself, too! There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Click here to learn more.

Holiday Craft Market (Manahawkin) – Local makers are working just as hard as Santa’s elves to give you a one-of-a-kind early holiday shopping experience at Southern Regional High School from 9am-3pm. There will be over 60 local vendors selling unique and thoughtful handmade items, free photos with Santa, holiday music to enjoy as you shop, food trucks, a 50/50 raffle, and more. There is no entry fee to attend but there will be items available for purchase. Click here to learn more.

Oktoberfest (Lacey) – If you haven’t attended an Oktoberfest yet this fall, you have one more chance at Lacey Township’s – taking place at Argos Farm from 2pm-6pm. You can enjoy live music by the Pickles, fire pits, a pig roast, adult beverages (ages 21+), and all the amenities that the farm has to offer. Ticket information will be available shortly. Learn more here.

November 15

Chili and Chowder Festival (New Egypt) – What’s better than chili and chowder on a chilly autumn day? Chili and chowder with a glass of wine (for anyone ages 21+) and a side of live music at Laurita Winery! Head over from 11am-9pm to warm up with chili, chowder, wine, or all three. Tickets are $16 plus tax online and $18 including tax at the door, and those under 21 are free. Supervised children are welcome and can enjoy the on-site playground, clown, and facepainting artist. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets to enjoy cozy autumn warmth.

November 16

5K Turkey Trot & 2 Mile Fun Run/Walk (Howell) – Walk or run through the crisp autumn air with your family and friends at Oak Glen Park, with race day check-in beginning at 8am and the race kicking off at 9am. Pre-registration is required to participate and is $25 per participant. The first 125 registrations will receive a free shirt and medal. You can learn more and pre-register here.

Cider Making Demonstration (Holmdel) – Autumn is in full swing and one of the best ways to enjoy the season is with fresh apple cider. You can enjoy all things apple cider at Historic Longstreet Farm from 12pm-2pm! Not only can you sample this fall classic, but you can help press this year’s apple harvest into cider and learn about its other uses. There is no entry fee to attend. Click here for more information.

November 21

U-Pick Tulips: Winter Wonderland (Cream Ridge) – Holland Ridge Farm is blooming into a Winter Wonderland from November 21st through January 4th. The entire farm will be lit up with twinkling holiday lights, windmill music and a light show, and 50,000 illuminated rainbow tulips. Hot cocoa stands will be sprinkled throughout the farm so you can sip as you stroll through the holiday magic. Santa will even make a trip down from the North Pole on select dates. Admission is $17 Monday through Thursday and $20 Friday through Sunday, and children ages 2 and under are free. Click here to purchase tickets and experience a winter event like no other.

November 22

Granny’s Attic Craft Show (Middletown) is back for the 44th year in a row at Thompson Middle School from 9am-4pm. Now a local tradition, over 250 vendors come together to help the community satisfy their holiday shopping needs. There will also be a Super 50/50 and a $1,000 Visa Gift Card raffle. Admission is $6 for those ages 4 and older, and children ages 3 and under are free. All the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Thompson Middle School. You can find more details and purchase tickets here.

November 26

Open House Night of Shopping and Sing-Along (Toms River) – Kickoff the holiday season at the Mathis House from 6:30pm-8pm. This is the perfect time to wander through their beautifully decorated rooms as you sip on warm tea, enjoy holiday treats, and mingle with other guests. There is no entry fee to attend. Mathis House kindly requests that attendees RSVP in advance as a courtesy by calling 732-818-7580 or booking tickets at RESY. You can learn more here.

November 28

Outdoor Winter Wonderland Grand Opening (Middletown) – The Middletown Sports Complex is introducing a new way to enjoy the winter outdoors, beginning at 7pm. There will be a winter wonderland that you can enjoy all season long with festive music, lights, décor, an outdoor ice-skating rink, igloos and fire pits, food and specialty drinks, hot cocoa stands, and more. Ticket details and pricing are coming soon. Click here to be in the know and celebrate the grand opening.

November 29

Holiday Open House (Toms River) – Santa and Mrs. Claus will be able to sneak away from the North Pole to hear your little ones’ wish lists and take pictures at the Ocean County Historical Society from 10am-3pm. Attendees will also have the chance to tour the Victorian style house – and met with festive decorations at every corner. There will also be holiday-themed refreshments and gifts for the children attending. There is no entry fee to participate. Please be advised that you must bring your own camera to take your picture with Santa home. Click here to learn more.

Santa’s Slay Murder Mystery (New Egypt) – Enjoy a murder mystery event with a festive twist at Laurita Winery, beginning at 7:30pm. An annual holiday party for Grinch International Factory of Toys took a not-so-jolly turn and Santa needs you to become one of his little helpers to solve this holiday mystery. Guests are encouraged to arrive 60-90 minutes in advance to be seated and enjoy wine (ages 21+) and food before the event begins. Tickets are $25, food and drinks are not included in this cost. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

Small Business Saturday (Ocean Grove) – Support local small businesses while finding the perfect gifts to wrap up for the holidays in the quaint town of Ocean Grove all day long. Every year on Small Business Saturday, Ocean Grove encourages shoppers to help the local community thrive – and is offering free photos with Santa on Main Avenue from 1pm-3pm. There is no entry fee to attend but there will be items available for purchase. Click here to find out more.

Small Business Saturday (Toms River) – Join the community in supporting local Toms River businesses by shopping small. This is the perfect opportunity to head Downtown and check out a local small business you have been meaning to visit! Toms River will be providing free 4-hour parking spaces in the Irons Street lot behind Wells Fargo Bank. Learn more here.

On behalf of the team at First Financial, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving! We hope your holiday is full of good company, delicious food, and an abundance of gratitude.