Our New Jersey Family Editor’s Picks for the weekend of March 27-29, 2026, include the season opening weekend for Six Flags Great Adventure, Dream Asia Fest for anyone who’s into Anime and Asian food, an egg hunt for dogs on the beaches of Pier Village, a belated St. Patrick’s Day parade in Belmar (postponed due to the weather), Easter Bunny train rides and a road trip to LEGOLAND New York for the brand-new Ferrari LEGO exhibit.
WEEKEND
The Rink at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center, NYC
Thursday – Sunday
This is the last time to ice skate or chill in a rinkside chalet for the winter season.
Northern New Jersey Restaurant Month
Multiple Locations
Thursday – Tuesday
Thirty restaurants will offer discounts, prix-fixe menus and special offers throughout the month.
Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo
NJ Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Friday – Sunday
There will be 200+ wellness-based businesses, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, metaphysical shopping, modern tech, and free workshops.
Opening Weekend: LEGOLAND New York Resort
LEGOLAND New York Resort, NY
Friday – Sunday
LEGOLAND has more than 40 LEGO-themed attractions for kids ages 2 to 12, but the newest area is the LEGO Ferrari Build & Race, which has a life-sized LEGO Ferrari car, a build and test zone, a race track to test your Ferrari designs, and the DUPLO® Zone for young builders.
Dream Asia Fest
American Dream, East Rutherford
Friday – Sunday
There will be 80-plus Asian food vendors, the famous K-STAR Circus: A Kung Fu Journey, a lantern parade, K-Pop dance, Anime merch, a cosplay contest, karaoke, and a Kids Activity Zone with a bounce house and petting zoo.
Brunch with the Easter Bunny
The Robinson Ale House, Red Bank
Saturday – Sunday
Specials include strawberry bunny milk, cotton candy milkshake, pancake poppers, a PEEP parfait, fluffer nutter waffle sandwich and Funfetti pancakes. Peter Cottontail will hop down the bunny trail and deliver eggs.
Special Olympics New Jersey Basketball Competitions
Throughout the Wildwoods
Saturday – Sunday
Special Olympics athletes who have intellectual disabilities will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals.
Chicago: Teen Edition
Levoy Theatre, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
Cumberland County Technical Education Center’s The Technical Players put on the stage show.
Erba+ : A Forest in the City
Two River Theater, Red Bank
Saturday – Sunday
Two dancers and kids create a vibrant, ever-changing world during this interactive performance. One dancer draws colorful homes and winding streets while the other fills the landscape with trees, insects, and green spaces.
K-Pop Painting and Dancing Party
All Children’s Art Center
Saturday: Boonton, Bound Brook
Sunday: Denville
Kids will create their own themed artwork while listening to lots of K-pop music.
Icons of American Ballet
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, New Brunswick
Saturday – Sunday
The dance performance brings together choreography from the greats, like George Balanchine, Tchaikovsky, Justin Peck, Philip Glass and Twyla Tharp.
Easter Bunny Brunch
The Bistro at iPlay America, Freehold
Saturday – Sunday
Celebrate Easter early with brunch, photos with the Easter Bunny, free coloring books, and time spent at the adjacent arcade and play center.
Cattus Island Nature Walks
Cooper Environmental Center, Cattus Island County Park, Toms River
Saturday – Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a walk through the park, and your learn about Ospreys.
FRIDAY
Wicked-Inspired Pink & Green Social
Inner City Café, Orange
“Witch” team are you on? The grown-up dress-up party includes cocktails, music, contests and a sisterly vibe. There will be crafts and table games. Dress in pink or green and you could win a prize.
SATURDAY
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Opening Day
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, Jackson Twp.
The theme park and wild safari open today for the 2026 season, with all of the attractions, dining options and entertainment open for the season. Hurricane Harbor will open once the weather warms up. You can also look into glamping at the Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa.
Sawmilling & Horse-Drawn Road Grading
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Logger-sawyer Scott Stevens makes his annual stop at Howell Farm, and you’ll be able to help roll logs to the mill with logging tools, cut firewood for the kitchen stove, make pegs for use in barn framing, and plant replacement trees in the farm’s woodlot.
Fun For Every Bunny
M & EM’s Imagination, Union
There will be an Easter egg hunt, toddler-friendly crafts, games, prizes, and photos with the Easter Bunny at this new indoor play center.
Spring Painting and Dance Party
All Children’s Art Center, Bound Brook
Kids can create colorful artwork and then dance during the rest of the party.
SOMA Sings Wicked & Beyond
South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange
Singers from Broadway and SOMA will perform the songs of Stephen Schwartz, from musicals like Wicked, Pippin, Godspell, Children of Eden, and more. Add on a ticket to the Wicked-themed VIP After Party, which includes a family-friendly dance party, Oz-inspired crafts, and catering by BGR.
Egg Hunt on the Beach For Dogs
Doggie Sweets, Pier Village, Long Branch
More than 400 dog toys will be hidden all over the sand for your dog to find.
Easter Fun Day
Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, Freehold Twp.
Inside the parish hall, kids 10 and under can do crafts with the Easter Bunny, play games and take a photo.
Sensory Saturday
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Pt. Pleasant
Anyone who has sensory processing issues, cognitive challenges, autism or any other type of disability can wander through the aquarium before it opens to everyone else. There will be lower noise levels, less visual stimulation and fewer crowds.
Sonny the Bunny’s Colossal Carrot Adventure
iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
The free event includes a bunny trail to hop along for treat-filled eggs, Easter-themed selfies at photo op stations, holiday arts and crafts, and raffles. For pictures with the Easter Bunny, make a reservation for brunch at The Bistro.
Opening: The Boardwalk at Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Learn about, and touch, horseshoe crabs in Horseshoe Crab Harbor. You’ll get boardwalk vibes from face painting, caricatures, a beachfront mural and photo zone, meet-and-greets with some animals, and an ocean-themed virtual reality experience.
Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Belmar and Spring Lake
Prior to the kickoff of the parade, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of the Jersey Shore, and the Spring Lake Fire Department, will hold a rally at the fire department, with Bloody Marys, beer, wine and hot chocolate. The CBA Pipe & Drum Band will join the march. You can head back to the FD for a post-parade party.
Easter Egg Hunt
Manalapan Recreation Center, Manalapan
The morning’s activities include photos with the Easter Bunny, coloring sheets for kids, and an egg hunt on the turf field.
The Peking Acrobats
NJPAC, Newark
The acrobats perform trick cycling, contortion, juggling, gymnastics and balancing acts.
SUNDAY
The Making of Life on Our Planet: Dinosaurs
Matthews Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
The Emmy Award-winning team behind Netflix’s Life on Our Planet presents a behind-the-scenes talk focusing on the dinosaurs.
Readington Brewery’s Easter Egg Hunt
Readington Brewery, Readington
Families are invited to the brewery for an Easter egg hunt.
Breakfast & Dino Egg Hunt With Bunnysaurus
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, Mantua Twp.
Kids will hunt for colorful “dinosaur” eggs and meet Bunnysaurus for photos. They will decorate their own picture frame for the Bunnysaurus photo. There will also be wooden egg decorating and rainbow scratch art. The catered breakfast includes mini bagels, assorted breads, assorted pastries, fresh fruit, yogurt pouches, coffee, juice and water.
Easter Bunny Festival, Pizza Party & Puppy Adoption Event
Blairstown Masonic Lodge, Blairstown
For the free festival, there will be booths set up inside and outside, glitter tattoos, doggy ice cream, coffee trucks, food trucks, slime making, and a bounce house for kids. The ticketed portion includes a pizza party and photo ops with the Easter Bunny. Meet puppies from Cold Nose Warm Heart Rescue.
Peppa Pig: My First Concert
NJPAC, Newark
Geared toward young ones 18 months and older, this musical concert and stage show will feature Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, George and new baby sister Evie.
Egg Hunt
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, Pt. Pleasant
Prizes hidden inside plastic Easter eggs include games, ride and food coupons, and other surprises.
Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Celebration
Bakes Brewing Co., Belmar (Wall Twp).
Have each kid bring a basket to collect up to six eggs inside the brewery, before it opens to the public. Then stay for an afternoon of food trucks, and beer for the parents.
Último Domingo: Celebrating Latina (Women’s) History Month
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
This monthly series – held on the last Sunday of the month – celebrates Latinx culture. Bilingual families can explore the exhibitions, create art, and watch interactive performances. This month’s theme is Women’s History Month.
Big Easter Show
Middletown Arts Center, Middletown
The Big Easter Show features Cinderella, Peter Rabbit and other famous bunnies.
ONGOING
Elmo’s Eggstravaganza
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
March 28 – April 6
The park will be open for 10 days during Spring Break, and include an Easter egg hunt, cookie decorating with Cookie Monster, brunch, a dance party, and Passover storytime.
Easter Bunny Express
Woodstown Central Railroad, Woodstown
March 28-29; April 3-4
The vintage train goes through the forests and farmland of historic Salem County before reaching the Easter Bunny’s home at Fenwick Grove. There, kids will hop off for an egg hunt. You can book coach, the caboose or a table car.
Easter Bunny Breakfast and Bunny Trail Brunch
Alstede Farms, Chester
March 28-29; April 3-4
Choose breakfast or brunch, and after you eat and see the Easter Bunny, you get to visit the Springtime & Easter Festival. Activities include hay wagon rides, baby farm animal visits, the Easter Egg Hunt & Bunny Trail Maze, the farm museum, an evergreen maze and the giant hay pyramid.
Rolling Railway Easter EGGspress
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Hammonton
March 28-29; April 3-4
Hop aboard the train that takes you through the Spring Village. Meet the Easter Bunny, go on an egg hunt, and find your way through the Spring Hedge maze. Kids will get a free snack, plus an Easter prize. There will also be a giant slide and an inflatable 40-foot obstacle course. You can add on a game of bowling, hang out in the arcade, or eat at the Alley Bar & Grille or the Pin Deck. Little Strikes Toy & Candy Shop & DiDonato’s “Bowl-tique” will be open.
Easter Bunny Express
Black River and Western Railroad, Flemington
March 28-29; April 4
Take a round-trip train ride from Flemington to Ringoes and back. Meet Peter Cottontail aboard the train for a brief photo op. There will be an egg hunt when you stop off in Ringoes.
Easter Bunny Express
New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, New Hope, PA
March 28-29; April 4-5
This epic train ride is just over the NJ border. Venture through Bucks County on a 45-minute excursion that starts and ends at New Hope Train Station. The Bunny will stop to greet every passenger, take pictures, and hand out treats.
Easter EGG-stravaganza Festival
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
March 28-29; April 3-4, 11-12
Kick off the spring season at the farm with the popular Easter festival, featuring colorful egg hunts, games, and treats for kids.
Easter & Springtime Festival
Alstede Farms, Chester
March 28-April 4, and April 6
Your ticket includes scenic hay wagon rides, visits with baby farm animals, animal feeding, an Easter Egg Hunt and Bunny Trail Maze, photos with the Easter Bunny, access to the farm museum, an evergreen maze, and a giant hay pyramid.
Easter Bunny Express
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
March 28 and 29, April 4
The Easter Bunny and his friends will be on board the train, greeting everyone and giving kids a special gift during the 45-minute round-trip ride along the historic Whippanong Trail through Morris County.
Easter Bunny Express
Cape May Seashore Lines, Cape May
March 28 and 29, April 4
The 60-minute railroad journey with the Easter Bunny also has live music while the train is rolling along. Once the Bunny appears he’ll have a special gift for every child on board. Maybe the best part? There are restrooms on board.
The Easter Bunny Train Ride & Easter Egg Hunt
Delaware River Railroad Excursions, Phillipsburg
March 28-29, April 4-5
The route travels along the scenic Delaware River, leaving from the historic district of Phillipsburg, and heading to Carpentersville. When you stop, in front of the 150-year-old lime kilns is a glade filled with Easter eggs. After taking pictures with Mr. Bunny, kids will get their baskets and find the candy-filled eggs.
Spring Break at Museum of the American Revolution
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
March 28 – April 12
Explore what life was like during the Revolutionary War through special exhibitions, family-friendly crafts, and in-gallery talks.
Wild About Animals
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
March 28 – April 12
The annual spring celebration of nature’s wild things lets you see butterflies up close; learn how newborn chicks hatch; meet a kangaroo joey, an umbrella cockatoo, a hedgehog and a cane toad. From March 21 through April 4, you can meet the Easter Bunny and take a keepsake group photo. There will also be free science demos, animal trivia, and special theater and planetarium shows.
Bunny Brunch
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
March 29 and April 5
During brunch, you’ll meet the Easter Bunny and some of his real-life Ambassador Animals from the zoo. Then, visit your favorite exhibits throughout the zoo. Another brunch is available on April 5.
Spring Break at The Funplex
The Funplex, Mt. Laurel and East Hanover
March 31 – April 12
The park will be open daily from March 31 to April 12; outdoor rides at the Mt. Laurel location open on April 3. The Easter Eggstravaganza on April 5 has holiday activities and photos with the Easter Bunny.
Daffodil Days
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
April 1-15
Be part of this decades-old tradition, where you’ll get to see more than 50,000 beautiful bulbs in bloom. On April 12, will be spring-themed games and crafts, a story trail, food trucks, market vendors and their famous goats during the Daffodil Day Festival.
1776
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
April 1 – May 2
In this tribute to the country’s 250th anniversary, 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and some other delegates as they try to unite the 13 Colonies.
Easter Bunny
MarketFair, Princeton
Through April 4
The Super Bunny Bash Welcome Party on March 14 includes a 47-foot Super Mario-themed obstacle course, color a plush bunny craft, music by DJ Mario, face painting, sweet treats and more. On select nights, the Sensory-Friendly Bunny Experience and pet photos are on the schedule.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark
Select dates, April 4-19
For those who are active, April 4 is the Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race, April 12 is the Cherry Blossom 10K Run, and April 18 is the Essex County One-Mile Fun Run. Festivalgoers can stop by anytime during April 11 and 18 for the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival. Essex County Family Day is on April 18, followed by the culminating BloomFest! festival on April 19, with a packed schedule of events on the Oval in the Northern Division, including Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, food and more.
Easter Bunny at Newport Centre
Newport Centre, Jersey City
Through April 5
Book a time to see the Easter Bunny for photos, and you can also join the KIDZ BOP dance party. Special events include Caring Bunny for children who are neurodivergent, pet night for your dog, and Breakfast With the Bunny.
PEEPS in the Village
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through April 12 (closed April 5)
More than 100 dioramas made out of Easter candy will line the walls of the Visitor and Event Center. There are dozens of shops and restaurants in the village to visit after you cast your vote for your favorite marshmallow masterpiece.
SatARTdays Free Kids’ Art Classes
Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, Atlantic City
Saturdays, through April 18
A professional artist will lead art classes for kids ages 5 to 12.
SUE The T. Rex Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 25
The world’s most complete, most well-preserved T. rex skeleton is making a stop at LSC so you can see her bones, hear her growl and smell her breath (seriously!). There will be fossils on display, projection mapping of other prehistoric creatures, and a life-sized fleshed-out replica to show what the creature’s life was like in the Cretaceous era.
Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Through September 7
There are animatronics, robots, ride designs, costumes and props that mimic The World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, giving you an insider’s look at the storytelling and building behind the rides and worlds at the Florida and California theme parks.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
Got questions about this weekend’s events?
We pulled together a quick FAQ to help.
Q: Do I need tickets or reservations?
A: Some of the bigger attractions (musicals, theme parks) do require tickets, and popular times can sell out. It’s important to check the event link in our guide for details, times, date, pricing, availability and weather before you head out.
Q: Does the list include both indoor and outdoor events?
A: You’ll find a mix of indoor shows, markets, and museums, along with outdoor flower shows, events and festivals.
Q: What are some of the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend (March 27-29, 2026)?
A: This weekend (March 27-29, 2026) features family-friendly things to do across New Jersey and in NY and PA. Highlights include opening weekend for Great Adventure, a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Belmar, an egg hunt at the Pier Village beach exclusively for dogs, Peppa Pig on stage, a dino egg hunt with Bunnysaurus at Edelman Fossil Park, and the Dream Asia Fest at American Dream.
Q: What parts of New Jersey do these events cover?
A: We include family events happening throughout North, Central, and South Jersey, plus more events in New York and Pennsylvania.
Q: Where can I find more events near me?
A: This weekend’s roundup is a comprehensive list, but you can also browse more upcoming events on our calendar.
Q: How can I stay updated on more things to do in New Jersey?
A: Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
The Best Things to Do Indoors in New Jersey (2026)
The Best Free Things to Do in NJ During March 2026
Best Fairs & Festivals in New Jersey in March
