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November in Sussex County, NJ starts with a salute to our veterans and ends with holiday parades, markets and two million Christmas lights. Our team pulled together 12 things to do in Sussex County this November 2026 with dates, prices where posted and organizer links.
1. Salute to Veterans, Augusta (Nov. 1)
The county’s Salute to Military Veterans returns on Sunday, November 1, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road in Augusta. The time is listed on the fairgrounds calendar. Our Salute to Veterans guide has the full rundown.
2. Last Weekends of the Great Pumpkin Festival, Vernon (Nov. 1, 7 and 8)
Heaven Hill Farm, 451 State Route 94 in Vernon, keeps its Great Pumpkin Festival going through Sunday, November 8, with the farm’s calendar showing it open November 1, 7 and 8. Weekend tickets are $24.99 in advance, and admission covers more than 35 activities. Check the festival page before you go.
3. A Big Month at the Newton Theatre (Nov. 5 to 29)
The Newton Theatre on Spring Street has 11 performances this month, including Eaglemania on November 6 and 7, Puss N Boots featuring Norah Jones on November 8, Cowboy Junkies on November 13 and Jefferson Starship on November 19. Tickets are on the SKYPAC events list, and our Newton Theatre November lineup goes show by show.
4. The Homestead’s Holiday Market, Sparta (Nov. 7)
More than 40 local vendors, live music and farm animals fill The Homestead Rest, 294 North Church Road in Sparta, on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and the rain date is November 8, according to the organizer’s event page.
5. Boomer’s Bangin’ Soup Trail Run, Newton (Nov. 8)
The Sussex County Women’s Forum hosts this 5K and 10K trail race at Kittatinny Valley State Park, Twin Lakes, 313 Goodale Road in Newton, on Sunday, November 8. The 10K starts at 10 a.m., the 5K at 10:15 a.m., and proceeds support free mammograms. Register on the official race page.
6. Festival of Lights, Newton (Nov. 14)
The 35th annual C. Edward McCracken Festival of Lights lights up Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center, 175 High Street, on Saturday, November 14. A community reception starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and fireworks at 5:30 p.m., per the foundation’s event listing.
7. Peters Valley Handmade Holiday Event, Layton (Nov. 14 to Dec. 31)
Peters Valley School of Craft expands its gallery at 19 Kuhn Road in Layton onto the second floor for the season, filled with handmade jewelry, pottery, glass and home decor. It opens November 14 at 11 a.m., and gallery admission is free. Details are on the Peters Valley event listing.
8. Native American History Lecture, Newton (Nov. 20)
Tony Lombardo gives a free talk on the Native American village sites and rock shelters of Sussex County on Friday, November 20, at 3 p.m. in the Atrium of the Sussex County Community College Performing Arts Center. Registration is required through the Division of Senior Services at 973-579-0555, ext. 1225, according to the college’s Center for Lifelong Learning.
9. Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show, Augusta (Opens Nov. 21)
The mile-long drive-through of more than two million lights opens Saturday, November 21, at 94 Championship Place in Augusta, with November nights on the 21st and 22nd and Thanksgiving weekend, November 27 to 29. Standard tickets are $29 per carload and must be bought online in advance, and the Christmas Village is free to walk in. Book on the Skylands Stadium Light Show page.
10. Thanksgiving Dinner at Crystal Springs Resort (Nov. 26)
Crystal Springs Resort is serving three Thanksgiving buffets and four restaurant dinners across Hamburg, Vernon and Franklin on Thursday, November 26, with buffets from $69 to $85 per adult. Reserve on the resort’s Thanksgiving dining page.
11. Newton Holiday Parade (Nov. 28)
The Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce brings its Holiday Parade back to downtown Newton on Saturday, November 28. Watch for free from Spring Street or Moran Street, and every municipal lot in town is free that day, per the chamber’s Newton Parades page. The 2026 start time has not been posted yet.
12. Fairview Fest Holiday Market, Stillwater (Nov. 28)
Fairview Fest runs at Fairview Lake YMCA Camps, 1035 Fairview Lake Road in Stillwater Township, on Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free market brings local vendors, handcrafted gifts and outdoor camp activities, according to the camp’s community events page.
Bonus: Shop the Last Farmers Market Saturdays
The Sparta Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through November at 89 Sparta Avenue for one last round of local produce, meats, cheese and baked goods. The vendor list is on the official market site.
Plan Your November
For what is happening over the next few days, check things to do in Sussex County this weekend, which our team updates every week. If you are already thinking about December, our German Christmas Market guide covers the December 4 to 6 market at the fairgrounds, and last month’s picks are still in our October things to do guide.
More Holiday Plans in Sussex County
Our team is tracking the whole season. Start here:
- Thanksgiving dinner at Crystal Springs Resort
- Christmas markets in Sussex County
- Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show
- German Christmas Market of NJ
- Cut your own Christmas tree in Sussex County
- Newton Holiday Parade
- Festival of Lights in Newton
- Ice skating at Skylands Ice World
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