| Historic Portland Place Tours |
Wednesday-Sunday, November 11-15, 2026
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m.
| Tour this beautifully restored 18th century house with exhibits that help tell the story of the region's history and the Hartshorne family legacy in Monmouth County. Tours are limited to 10 persons and may be suspended during severe weather conditions. Register on site at the Portland Place Visitor Center, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust, day of tour. FREE! |
| Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century |
Saturday, November 14, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Head to the farmhouse at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, to hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads. FREE! |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, November 14 & 15, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, November 14, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See what's cooking on the woodstove at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! |
| Open Shoot Archery |
Saturday, November 14, 2026
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
| Improve your archery skills during this open shoot at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft. This is NOT a beginner instructional program. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. All equipment is provided. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only. |
| Nature Lecture: Nonnative Fish of New Jersey |
Sunday, November 15, 2026
1-2 p.m.
| Come to the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen, for this talk by a Park System Naturalist and discover some of the nonnative and invasive fish species swimming in New Jersey’s waters that threaten our native aquatic ecosystems. FREE! |
| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Monday, November 16, 2026
2:30-5:30 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Casual Birder at Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center |
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
9 a.m.
| Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. We’ll meander for about an hour and a half and see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first come basis. FREE!
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| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
12-6 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Awesome Autumn Amble at Hartshorne Woods Park |
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
10 a.m.
| Explore the trails at Hartshorne Woods Park with a Park System Naturalist and discuss all manners of plant and animal phenomena. Meet in the Rocky Point section parking lot in Highlands. Open to all ages, under 18 with adult. FREE! |
| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
2:30-5 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Friday, November 20, 2026
2:30-4:30 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, November 21 & 22, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Accordion Melodies of the 1890s |
Saturday, November 21, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit to Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. FREE! |
| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Monday, November 23, 2026
2:30-5:30 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Tuesday, November 24, 2026
12-6 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Wednesday, November 25, 2026
12-2 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, November 28, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See what's cooking on the woodstove at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! |
| Open Gym at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center |
Monday, November 30, 2026
2:30-5:30 p.m.
848-456-4278 | Stop by the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, and play basketball in our climate controlled, indoor gymnasium! The cost is $8 per person per day; cash, check or credit card accepted. Open to all ages; 16 & under with adult. |
| Casual Birder at Thompson Park |
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
9 a.m.
| Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk in Thompson Park, Lincroft. Meet in the Marlu Lake parking area. We’ll meander through the park for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. FREE!
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| Wondrous Winter Walk at Huber Woods Park |
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
10-11:30 a.m.
| Toss on your winter gear and tag along with a Park System Naturalist as you explore Huber Woods Park, Middletown, in the wintertime. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Please Note: Sturdy footwear recommended, trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE! |
| Open Mic Poetry - Waiting and/or poems written as a list |
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
7-8:30 p.m.
| Explore or recite literary works during a time of alliteration, rhythm and verse. All are welcome to read your work aloud or read work from your favorite poet(s). Must be appropriate for a family-oriented audience. Pre-registration is recommended for readers. Held at the Thompson Park Visitor Center, Lincroft. FREE! |
| Christmas Remembered - A Winter Evening of Story, Poetry & Memory |
Saturday, December 5, 2026
3-4 p.m.
| Enjoy a literary recital of Dylan Thomas's beloved "A Child's Christmas in Wales” and Kenneth Grahame's "Dulce Domum" from The Wind in the Willows. Held at the Thompson Park Visitor Center, Lincroft. FREE! |
| The Creative Arts Center Exhibit & Sale |
Saturday, December 5-Friday, December 11, 2026
11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
| Celebrate the original artwork of the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center's students and instructors during this exhibit and sale. Admission and parking are free. |
| Holiday Tree Trimming at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, December 5, 2026
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
| Come to Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and create a Victorian ornament to be displayed on the Visitor Center's Christmas tree for all to see. FREE!
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| 19th Century Christmas Ballads at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Sunday, December 6, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Listen to 19th century Christmas ballads played on the piano at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. FREE! |
| Winter Beach Walk at Fisherman’s Cove |
Saturday, December 12, 2026
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
| Take a Park System Naturalist guided walk along the beach at Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan, collecting and identifying some of the ocean’s natural treasures. Dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells in. FREE! |
| The Sounds of Christmas at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, December 12, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Celebrate the holidays visiting the Longstreet farmhouse this season. Enjoy the tranquil music as Max Rowland and the Stark & Steady band play Christmas carols from the Victorian era. FREE! |
| Visit with Santa at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday & Sunday, December 12 & 13, 2026
12-3 p.m.
| Father Christmas is coming to Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel! He invites young visitors and their families to join him and welcomes them to bring their letters for him to read. No appointment needed and pictures are encouraged. FREE! |
| Nature Lecture: Seahorses of the Jersey Shore |
Saturday, December 12, 2026
1-2 p.m.
| Come to the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth, for a talk by a Park System Naturalist and learn about these extraordinary fish, their unique biology, remarkable behaviors, and the coastal habitats they call home. FREE! |
| Pine Barren Bonfire at Turkey Swamp Park |
Sunday, December 13, 2026
6-8 p.m.
| Gather around a bonfire at the council ring at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold, for an evening of games, s'mores, and starlight. The cost is $15 per family of 4; cash or check only. |