Your Thanksgiving turkey is probably still thawing, but holiday shopping has already begun — and this weekend brings a plethora of markets.
These events offer locally made goods, specialty food and drinks, photos with Santa, toy collections for children in need, and more:
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Holiday Bazaar 2025: The Asbury Park Bazaar will host holiday markets at Asbury Park’s Grand Arcade (1300 Ocean Ave.), The Asbury Hotel (210 Fifth Ave.) and The Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch (15 2nd Ave.). The Grand Arcade market kicks off from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday then continues from 3 to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays though Dec. 21. It features shopping, live music, kids activities and craft workshops. At The Asbury Hotel, the market features more than 25 local vendors, food, drinks and craft workshops and takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14. In Long Branch, the Kringle Cove Pop-Up takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday at The Whitechapel Projects; enjoy festive decor, seasonal cocktails, photos, wreath-making workshops, live music and children’s activities. Find more information at asburyparkbazaar.com.
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Bell Works Fresh Holiday Market: Nine of these markets will be offered this season, starting Saturday and running through Saturday, Dec. 20. The markets, which feature dozens of vendors, take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Bell Works (101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel). Find more information at asburyfresh.com.
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Viking Village Arts & Crafts Show: Spend a day on Long Beach Island, starting with this event at 10 a.m. Saturday at Viking Village (19th Street and Bayview Avenue, Barnegat Light). Shop handmade gifts from local artists, then visit Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, take a walk on the beach and dine at one of the island’s year-round restaurants and coffee shops.
Here are more things to do this weekend, including concerts, a Christmas walk-through, and a pop-up dinner.
Old Fashioned Christmas on the Farm
The 25 acres of Allaire Community Farm have been turned into a “life-sized Christmas village” for its Old Fashioned Christmas on the Farm, which kicks off Friday and runs through Sunday, Dec. 28.
Visitors can enjoy a Christmas village and model train displays, take a wagon ride, sip hot chocolate, shop a market, take pictures with Santa, visit a petting zoo and watch holiday movies.
Proceeds benefit the nonprofit organization, which rescues animals and provides programs for people with special needs, teens with mental health issues and veterans with PTSD.
Go: Old Fashioned Christmas on the Farm, 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 28, Allaire Community Farm, 1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall, $12 adults, $6 children 18 and younger; allairecommunityfarm.org
Free concert at Albert Music Hall
George Zeo & Family will perform this weekend at Albert Music Hall in Waretown.
Albert Music Hall in Waretown is hosting a free concert this Saturday, featuring half a dozen live bands.
The Pine Barren Boys, Lost in Brunswick, Acoustic Rosewood, George Zeo & Family, Nick Conte & Yellow Rose, and Gwynne Alden will perform during the show, which is being offered free of charge “as a thank you for your support and so that everyone can come and enjoy some music,” according to the music venue.
The hall’s pickin’ shed will be open — musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and join in — and food will be served. Visitors also are invited to bring nonperishable food donations for a local food pantry.
Go: Free concert, 6 p.m. Saturday, Albert Music Hall, 131 Wells Mills Road, Waretown; 609-971-1593, alberthall.org
Supper club dinner
Scallops with leek purée and herb salad at Barnegat Oyster Collective in Barnegat.
Haute Feast, a farm-to-table dining and event company, is hosting supper clubs this weekend at Barnegat Oyster Collective, a working oyster farm in Barnegat.
The “chef-curated, multi-course meal” includes four courses that will be revealed upon arrival. The meal begins with a welcome mocktail and oysters on the half shell, and dishes featuring local ingredients.
Go: Haute Feast supper club, 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, $89 per person; 483 East Bay Ave., Barnegat; hautefeast.com
Neil Diamond tribute at Resorts Casino
Neil Diamond, inspirational lifetime achievement award recipient, at the 39th annual Carousel Ball on Oct. 11, 2025, in Denver.
From “I’m a Believer” to “Sweet Caroline” and everything in between, enjoy the music of Neil Diamond in Atlantic City this weekend.
“Diamond Holidays: A Neil Diamond Hits & Holiday Celebration” will be performed at 8 p.m. Saturday at Resorts Atlantic City’s Superstar Theater.
“This heartfelt tribute combines Neil’s greatest hits … with beloved holiday classics, creating a one-of-a-kind musical celebration,” according to a news release. “Whether you’re a lifelong fan or discovering the magic of Neil Diamond for the first time, this show promises soaring vocals, dazzling performances, and the timeless spirit of the season.”
Diamond retired from concert touring in 2018 due to Parkinson’s disease.
Go: “Diamond Holidays: A Neil Diamond Hits & Holiday Celebration,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Superstar Theater, Resorts Casino, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, $45 to $69; 609-340-6300, resortsac.com
Sarah Griesemer joined the USA TODAY NETWORK in 2003 and has been writing all things food since 2014. Send restaurant tips to [email protected], and for more Jersey Shore food news, subscribe to our weekly Jersey Shore Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Best things to do around the Jersey Shore (Nov. 28 to Nov. 30)
