Prehistoric creatures are coming to a Central Jersey flower farm this spring as Arrowhead Farmstead prepares for its 2026 Dino Fest and Tulip Experience.
The second annual spring fest will plant more than 30 lifelike dinosaurs throughout the 150 acres of fields, each moving and roaring the way you assume dinos did back in the Jurassic age.
The Dinosaur Discovery Den includes sandboxes where you can dig for “fossils” (and tiny toy dinos), a scientist’s laboratory, a cute Jungle Lounge, and of course a gift shop. Here, you can make your own dino stuffed animal (additional fee required); or pick up some honey, lavender or syrup made at Arrowhead’s sister farm, Happy Day Farm.
There are stage shows throughout the day, where you can pet Tina the triceratops, meet baby dinos, see a T-Rex cross the stage, and help train a raptor. The schedule is available via QR code at the entrance ticket booth – which is actually really cool, too, considering it’s inside a horse stable.
Near the stage area are some games borrowed from Happy Day Farms’s Fall Festival – including giant chess, a bubble maker and pumpkin chaser.
There’s a 4-acre dino-themed corn maze, if you dare – with no signs or map, you’ll be wandering through trying to find the escape before you get eaten by a dino (just kidding)! Make sure you’re wearing sneakers and have water if you’re trying this out during the heat of the day.
The festival only takes place for a few weeks to coincide with the blooming of the flower fields, which include 1 million tulips, an acre of cosmos, 15 acres of sunflowers and 5 acres of zinnias.
There are endless photo ops since the fields are gorgeous in full bloom. Our favorite is a giant T-Rex standing behind a Jeep, so that if you sit the right way it looks like you’re being chased. Convince your kids to give their best terrified look for an awesome pic.
Plus, food trucks and lemonade stands will be on site during the festival. Some booths accept cash only, but there are ATMs on site. There are covered picnic areas that offer a place to sit and eat, and some shade.
Arrowhead Farmstead is located at 135 Iron Ore Rd., Manalapan.
The Dinosaur Festival is open Thursday to Sunday, from April 9 to May 3, from 10 am to 5 pm. There are 30+ life-sized dinos, live dinosaur entertainment, prehistoric photo ops, and encounters with roving animals. The cost is $28 per person.
The Tulip Experience is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from April 14 to 29, from 10 am to 5 pm. You can wander through the tulip fields and take tons of photos. The cost is $22 per person.
When the full festival is open, there will be u-pick tulips, access to all the animatronics, a dino dig site, dino stage shows, food trucks and a small play area for kids. Check the calendar for what activities are available on which dates.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at noon on February 18. Past festivalgoers should check their emails, because Farmer Tim sent out an exclusive presale access code to people who’ve visited Arrowhead Farmstead or Happy Day Farm in the past.
Check out the festival fun on our Instagram page.
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