November in Toms River and the Jersey Shore

In Toms River: Veterans Day Parade

The annual Ocean County Veterans Day Parade runs through downtown Toms River. A wreath-laying ceremony follows, and the Veterans Commission's student essay winners read their essays from the porch of Town Hall.

2026: The date isn't announced yet. In 2025 the parade stepped off at 9:30 a.m. on November 11 from the Toms River Shopping Center (Routes 37 and 166), went south on Main Street and turned east onto Washington Street. I'll update this page once the Toms River Veterans Commission confirms this year's details.

Source: TomsRiver.org (Nov. 2025) · Jersey Shore Online (Nov. 7, 2025)

On the bay in Toms River: Green Island Fall Festival

This is a neighborhood festival on the water in Green Island, with pumpkin games for kids, craft vendors, food trucks and two live bands (The Linden Boys, then Nobody You'd Know). It's open to the public, and the organizers say to bring a beach chair.

2026: Saturday, November 7, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Sunday), at the Green Island Community Association Clubhouse, 100 Green Island Road, Toms River.

Source: Ocean County Tourism

Downtown Toms River: Small Business Saturday and the tree lighting

The Saturday after Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday downtown, a good day to get some holiday shopping done on Washington Street. The same morning, the Ocean County Historical Society holds a Holiday Open House at 26 Hadley Drive.

2026: Small Business Saturday is November 28 on Washington Street (no times posted yet). The Ocean County Historical Society Holiday Open House is November 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Looking ahead: the Downtown Toms River Tree Lighting is Friday, December 4, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Toms River Town Hall, 33 Washington Street.

Source: Jersey Shore Online (Jan. 21, 2026) · Ocean County Tourism: Small Business Saturday · Ocean County Tourism: Tree Lighting · Ocean County Tourism calendar

On the island: Ladies Night in Lavallette and the Seaside Heights boardwalk lighting

The island slows down in November, but Lavallette keeps its monthly Ladies Night going, with drinks, shopping and dining in town.

2026: Friday, November 20, 5 to 9 p.m., in Lavallette (organized by Enjoy Lavallette).

Looking ahead: the Seaside Heights Tree Lighting on the boardwalk is Saturday, December 5, starting at 12 p.m. at 410 Boardwalk. Plans include carousel rides, an iceless skating rink, carolers, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and fireworks. The Business Improvement District says the full schedule is coming soon.

Source: Ocean County Tourism: Ladies Night in Lavallette · Ocean County Tourism: Seaside Heights Tree Lighting

Around the bay: Point Pleasant

Pointsgiving is the Kiwanis Club of Point Pleasant's community donation day. You can drop off goods, or use the drive-up drop-off, for local nonprofits. The night after Thanksgiving, Point Pleasant Beach lights its tree on Bay Avenue, with Santa arriving by fire truck, plus carriage rides and fire truck rides.

2026: Pointsgiving is Saturday, November 7, 1 to 4 p.m., at Point Pleasant Community Park, 2255 Bridge Ave. If the weather is bad, it moves to the Point Pleasant Beach High School gym. The Point Pleasant Beach Tree Lighting is Friday, November 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m., on Bay Avenue.

Source: Ocean County Tourism: Pointsgiving · Ocean County Tourism: Point Pleasant Beach Tree Lighting · Point Pleasant Beach Chamber of Commerce

Up the shore: Manasquan Turkey Trot

If you'd like to earn your Thanksgiving dinner a few days early, Manasquan's Turkey Trot has a one-mile run and a five-mile run.

2026: Saturday, November 21. The one-mile starts at 10 a.m. and the five-mile at 11 a.m., at the Manasquan Little League Baseball Field, 69 Second Avenue, Manasquan.

Source: RunSignup: Manasquan Turkey Trot

Ocean County market check

Redfin's latest figures for Ocean County:

• Median sale price: $488,906, down 0.33% from a year earlier (three months ending September 2026)
• Homes sold: 862 in September 2026, down 7.4% (931 a year earlier)
• Median days on market: 32, down from 35 (three months ending September 2026)
• Sale-to-list price: 99.1%, down 0.066 points (September 2026)

For comparison, Monmouth County's median sale price was $733,858 (up 1.2%), with 673 homes sold in September (down 5.4%), a median of 25 days on market (unchanged), and a sale-to-list price of 100.7% (up 0.2 points).

In plain terms, Ocean County prices are about where they were a year ago. Fewer homes sold, and the ones that did sold a few days faster and close to their asking price. County numbers blend every town and price point, so if you want to know what this means for your street, ask me and I'll pull the recent sales.

Source: Redfin, Ocean County housing market · Redfin, Monmouth County housing market

For waterfront owners: New Jersey's flood disclosure rules

If you're thinking about selling or renting out a shore home next year, it's worth learning the flood disclosure rules now. New Jersey's flood risk notification law has been in effect since March 20, 2024. Under it, sellers give buyers a Property Condition Disclosure Statement with flood-zone and flooding-history questions, presented with the first draft of the contract. Landlords covered by the law have to tell tenants in writing whether the property is in a FEMA flood hazard area and whether they know of past flooding, and note that standard renter's insurance typically doesn't cover flood damage. Some smaller rentals are exempt, so check with your attorney about your situation. There's more on buying and owning on the water on my Jersey Shore waterfront page and in the FAQ.

Source: Reed Smith: New Jersey law mandates flood risk disclosure for real estate

Whatever your table looks like this Thanksgiving, I hope it's a full one. Enjoy the quiet stretch of the year.

— Mike

Event details come from the sources linked; confirm with the organizer before you go. Market figures may be revised. General information, not legal or financial advice.