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Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, 2026, and the long weekend is packed with things to do across Somerset County. Here is a Somerset County plan for the week, from a morning 5K to farm visits, Santa photos and a historic Colonial Christmas.
Every date below was checked against the organizer or venue. Several events need advance booking, so reserve early.
Somerville 5K Turkey Trot
Where: Engine Company, 170 East Main Street, Somerville
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026, 9 am
Start Thanksgiving morning with a 5K through Somerville before the turkey goes in. Registration is $45, and the race benefits Somerville Recreation programs and facilities for youth, adults and seniors. Sign up ahead of time on the race page.
Santa @ The Commons
Where: Center Court, Lower Level, Bridgewater Commons, 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater
When: Monday, November 23 to Wednesday, November 25, and from Friday, November 27, 2026
Santa is in residence at Bridgewater Commons all season. Thanksgiving week hours are noon to 7 pm Monday, November 23 through Wednesday, November 25. Santa is closed on Thanksgiving, then returns Friday, November 27 with hours of 10 am to 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 6 pm on Sundays. Reservations are made online.
Holiday Fun at Abma’s Farm
Where: Abma’s Farm, 282 Amwell Road, Hillsborough
When: Select dates from Monday, November 23 to Saturday, November 28, 2026
Abma’s Farm offers a Moo-ry Christmas Photo Op with the farm’s cows on November 23, 24, 25, 27 and 28, with online booking required. Its free Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Market runs Friday, November 27 and Saturday, November 28 from 10 am to 4 pm with vendors, food trucks and Christmas trees. Adults 21 and up can also book a BYOB Wreath Making Workshop, $25 per adult plus materials.
Colonial Christmas at the Jacobus Vanderveer House
Where: Jacobus Vanderveer House, just off Routes 202 and 206, Bedminster
When: Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29, 2026
Thanksgiving weekend means Colonial Christmas at this 18th century Dutch farmhouse. Friday evening brings the free Liberty Tree lighting, typically at 5 pm, with carolers, hot chocolate and Santa. Saturday hosts the Colonial Christmas Cocktail Party and Sunday brings midday events at the house. Activities over the weekend include photos with Santa, live holiday music and complimentary cocoa by the fire pit with Colonial reenactors.
Rockingham State Historic Site Programs
Where: Rockingham State Historic Site, 84 Laurel Avenue, Franklin Township (Kingston area)
When: Friday, November 27, 10 am and Saturday, November 28, 2026, 1:30 pm
Rockingham was George Washington’s final wartime headquarters in 1783. On Friday, November 27 at 10 am, the free Welcome World program in the site’s Dutch barn introduces the house with reproduction artifacts. On Saturday, November 28 at 1:30 pm, The Evolution of Rockingham talk traces the house from the 1710s to today. Both register through Eventbrite.
Small Business Saturday in Downtown Somerville
Where: Downtown Somerville
When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, 11 am to 5 pm
Shop local and get gifts wrapped for free in the heated welcome tent. More than 50 downtown businesses take part with deals, raffle tickets reward local purchases, and live holiday music fills Division Street and United Reformed Church. Grab lunch downtown and make an afternoon of it.
A Walk at Duke Farms
Where: Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough
When: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Work off the pie on roughly 20 miles of trails across Duke Farms’ 2,700 acre campus, and warm up inside the Orchid Range, which is open whenever the trails are. The campus is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and closed Sundays and Mondays. Check the hours calendar for holiday week changes before you go.
Plan Your Week
- Monday to Wednesday: Santa photos at Bridgewater Commons and cow photos at Abma’s Farm.
- Thursday: the Somerville 5K Turkey Trot.
- Friday: Abma’s Weihnachtsmarkt, Rockingham’s morning program and the Liberty Tree lighting in Bedminster.
- Saturday: Small Business Saturday in Somerville and the Rockingham history talk.
- Sunday: Colonial Christmas open house in Bedminster.
More in Somerset County: Christmas tree lightings, holiday markets and craft fairs, and Duke Farms visitor tips.
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