Shanghai Ballet brings its production of “The Butterfly Lovers” to New Brunswick, the New Jersey State Museum fills its planetarium dome with weekend star shows, and Morris County naturalists show families how apple cider is pressed. Elsewhere, a community staging of the musical “Parade” runs all weekend in Red Bank, and Monmouth County’s historic sites offer free looks at a working gristmill and a blacksmith forge.
Editor’s picks
Culture: Shanghai Ballet, “The Butterfly Lovers” — The Shanghai Ballet performs its full-length ballet based on the classic Chinese tale of two ill-fated lovers.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick (Middlesex County)
Cost: Tickets start at $46, including fees
Details
Science: Weekend shows at the State Museum Planetarium — The state museum’s dome theater runs four full-dome shows each weekend day, including the new “Encounters in the Milky Way.”
When: Noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8; also 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: New Jersey State Museum Planetarium, Trenton (Mercer County)
Cost: $10 ages 13 and older; $9 seniors, students and veterans; $5 ages 3–12; free under 2. Tickets sold at the box office only.
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Outdoors/Seasonal: Apple Cidering Demos — Learn how fall apples become cider, then take a turn at the press and sample the results. The program runs rain or shine.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham Township (Morris County)
Cost: $8; ages 6 and older. Registration required.
Details
North Jersey
Undertale: The Determination Symphony — An orchestra plays the score of the cult-favorite video game “Undertale” in two concerts.
When: 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Prudential Hall, Newark (Essex County)
Cost: Ticketed; see NJPAC for prices
Details
The Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars at Jazz Vespers — NJPAC and Bethany Baptist Church pair jazz with worship in a free evening concert.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Bethany Baptist Church, 275 W. Market St., Newark (Essex County)
Cost: Free
Details
Niladri Kumaar: The Space Between the Notes — The sitar innovator leads a program of Indian music honoring the late tabla master Zakir Hussain.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Victoria Theater, Newark (Essex County)
Cost: Ticketed; see NJPAC for prices
Details
Planetarium shows at the Newark Museum of Art — Families can catch the animated “Zula Patrol: Down to Earth,” while “Rising Star” follows South Africa’s astronomy story. Shows hold 50 people and seat first come, first served.
When: 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: The Newark Museum of Art, Newark (Essex County)
Cost: $10
Details
Pasture Pals: Duck and Goose Storytime — Preschoolers hear a story about two birds on a pumpkin hunt, then pick a pumpkin of their own on the farm.
When: 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown (Morris County)
Cost: $10 per child; ages 2½–5 with an adult. Registration required.
Details
Historic Grounds and Gardens Tour — A guide leads adults on an hourlong walk through the arboretum’s historic estate grounds as the season turns.
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown (Morris County)
Cost: $10. Registration required.
Details
Skylands Manor House Tours — Volunteer docents walk visitors through the ground floor of the Tudor-style manor at the state botanical garden.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: New Jersey State Botanical Garden at Skylands, Ringwood (Passaic County)
Cost: $10; $7 seniors and ages 6–18; free under 6
Details
Awesome Autumn Sundays: Cozy Morning Story Time — NJ Audubon hosts a drop-in family morning of nature stories and activities.
When: 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Lorrimer Sanctuary, Franklin Lakes (Bergen County)
Cost: $5 per family. Registration required; children under 16 need an adult.
Details
Central Jersey
Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey — The New Jersey Symphony pairs orchestral music with the TV travel host’s tour of European history and culture.
When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick (Middlesex County)
Cost: Ticketed; see State Theatre for prices
Details
Tyler’s Legacy Speaker Series: Healing, Belonging and Hope — Jane Clementi and Judy Jarvis talk about belonging and hope, and the Rutgers Glee Club performs “Tyler’s Suite.” A livestream is also offered.
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: Nicholas Music Center, Rutgers University, New Brunswick (Middlesex County)
Cost: Free; no RSVP required
Details
Family Open Studios: STEAM Day — Kids and parents tinker with art and science projects indoors at the sculpture park.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton (Mercer County)
Cost: Free with admission; timed admission tickets required
Details
The Several Sparrows of Duke Farms — An educator explains how to sort out the look-alike sparrows that winter on the estate, with tips for beginning birders.
When: 3:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: Duke Farms, Hillsborough (Somerset County)
Cost: $25
Details
Rise & Reign — A hip-hop master class led by Loose Joint gives way to an open street-styles dance battle.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7 (battle starts 4:30 p.m.)
Where: Plainfield Performing Arts Center, Plainfield (Union County)
Cost: $10–$20
Details
The Shore
“Parade” — Phoenix Productions stages the Tony-winning musical about the 1913 trial of Leo Frank.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, and Saturday, Nov. 7; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Count Basie Center for the Arts, Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Red Bank (Monmouth County)
Cost: Ticketed; see the Basie for prices
Details
The Longest Johns — The British a cappella group brings its sea shanties to the Basie’s intimate stage.
When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: The Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank (Monmouth County)
Cost: Ticketed; see the Basie for prices
Details
Historic Walnford Mill Demonstrations — Watch the 19th-century gristmill grind in short, staff-led demonstrations.
When: 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold (Monmouth County)
Cost: Free
Details
Blacksmith Demonstration — A smith works the forge at the living-history farm and explains the trade’s role in rural life.
When: 1–3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel (Monmouth County)
Cost: Free
Details
Historic Portland Place Tours — Guides lead small groups through the 18th-century Hartshorne family house overlooking the Navesink.
When: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 8
Where: Portland Place Visitor Center, Hartshorne Woods Park, Locust (Monmouth County)
Cost: Free; sign up on-site the day of the tour, 10 people per tour
Details
Half Day Fridays at Sandy Hook — NJ Audubon naturalists lead a morning search for migrating shorebirds and songbirds on the peninsula.
When: 8:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: Sandy Hook, Parking Lot B, Gateway National Recreation Area (Monmouth County)
Cost: $25 members; $30 nonmembers. Registration required.
Details
Climb Time at Thompson Park — Kids and adults can test themselves on a 25-foot portable climbing wall, weather permitting.
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Where: Thompson Park (Filly Run parking lot), Lincroft (Monmouth County)
Cost: Free; ages 8 and older, at least 42 inches tall; under 18 with an adult
Details
Princess and Pirate Day at the Zoo — The county zoo hosts a free princess-and-pirate themed day for young visitors.
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7
Where: Cape May County Park & Zoo, Cape May Court House (Cape May County)
Cost: Free
Details
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