This weekend’s lineup has a little bit of everything, from Wild About Animals at Liberty Science Center to the final weekend of PEEPS in the Village at Peddler’s Village. Head outdoors for Kites at the Pier in Pier Village in Long Branch, or the Daffodil Festival at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit. History buffs can see a working mill at Cooper Gristmill in Chester, dress up for the Renaissance Faire at Historic Smithville, or watch a reenactment of Revolutionary proportions at East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway.
WEEKEND
Safari Spring Break Celebration
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort, Jackson Twp.
Wednesday – Sunday
The Spring Break festivities include live stage shows, bongo lessons, dance parties, animal encounters, and meet-and-greets with the Looney Tunes characters who are dressed for a safari.
Wild About Animals
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Thursday – Sunday
See butterflies up close; learn how newborn chicks hatch; and meet a kangaroo joey, an umbrella cockatoo, a hedgehog and a cane toad. There will also be free science demos, animal trivia, and special theater and planetarium shows. All the usual galleries will be open, too.
Spring Break at The Funplex
The Funplex, Mt. Laurel and East Hanover
Thursday – Sunday
The park will be open daily, including outdoor rides at the Mt. Laurel location.
Spring Break at Museum of the American Revolution
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Thursday – Sunday
Explore what life was like during the Revolutionary War through special exhibitions, family-friendly crafts, and in-gallery talks.
PEEPS in the Village
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Thursday – Sunday
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.
Battle of Bound Brook Living History Weekend
Bound Brook, South Bound Brook, Bridgewater
Friday – Sunday
The 249th commemorative battle coincides with the 250th anniversary of America. Activities include solder drills, a reenactment of the battle through the streets, historical lectures, and tours of The Abraham Staats House.
Opening Weekend: Cooper Gristmill
Cooper Gristmill, Chester
Friday – Sunday
Take a tour of the restored, historical, working water-powered mill. Pop into the visitor’s center to learn about the history of the region.
Opening Weekend of East Jersey Old Town Village
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Saturday – Sunday
The village will be “occupied” by British, Hessian and Loyalist military and civilian historical interpreters. There will be historical weapons demonstrations, 18th-century music, children’s crafts, and more
OC Con Comic Book & Memorabilia Show
Music Pier, Ocean City
Saturday – Sunday
Check out all the comic books and memorabilia for sale; plus the OC Con Super Hero Run 1 Mile & Kids Super Hero Obstacle Dash takes place on Saturday.
Seasonal Scavenger Hunt
Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly
Saturday – Sunday
Families with kids age 4 and up will get a printed set of clues to solve nature riddles along the trails.
LivingHistory USA Weekend
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Historical figures from the home’s past will help you solve a centuries-old mystery
Easter EGG-stravaganza Festival
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
Saturday – Sunday
Kick off the spring season at the farm with the popular Easter festival, featuring colorful egg hunts, games, and treats for kids..
Historic Smithville’s Renaissance Faire
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Saturday – Sunday
Welcome to the Shire of Smithville, where there will be sword fighting, combat shows, music, dancing, singing, jesters, comedy acts, characters from the English Renaissance, drama, and storytelling.
FRIDAY
Opening Day: Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
A re-creation of the Sistine Chapel, using art, light and scale, brings the incredible project down to eye level.
SATURDAY
Spring Plowing & Field Work
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Watch as the farmers and workhorses prepare the fields for spring.
Community Celebration: Paul Robeson’s 128th Birthday
Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton
This multi-media celebration will honor the legacy of Princeton’s “native son” and scholar, all-American athlete, artist, and activist.
Slime Making Party
All Children’s Art Center, Denville and Boonton
Kids will mix, stretch, and create their own slime.
Kite Festival
Pier Village, Long Branch
Watch as kites fly high above the sand as you stroll through the village to shop, eat and play.
FrancoFest
Hinds Plaza and Princeton Public Library, Princeton
The second annual Princeton Francophonie Festival celebrates French culture through vendor booths and artisan products, a literature festival, language discovery, cultural events for kids, music, food and community.
Princeton Symphony Orchestra Gala
Jasna Polana, Princeton
The black-tie affair will include cocktails, dinner, dancing and music by the orchestra musicians.
SUNDAY
Art Together
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
Families work together on art projects after being led through the galleries. The theme is On Repeat. The free, drop-in programs are led by Mason Gross MFA students and teaching artists.
Daffodil Day Festival
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Be part of this decades-old tradition, where you’ll get to see more than 50,000 beautiful bulbs in bloom. There will be spring-themed games and crafts, a story trail, food trucks, market vendors and their famous goats.
ONGOING
Dino Festival and Tulip Experience
Arrowhead Farmstead, Manalapan
Select dates, April 9 – May 3
Thirty life-sized dinos will be hiding amongst 1 million tulips on 150 acres of farmland for this combo fest. Activities for the kids include fossil hunting, dino stage shows and science lessons on the prehistoric. You can order from the food trucks or lemonade stand.
Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Starting April 10
You can walk beneath life-size reproductions of Michelangelo’s iconic frescoes, and see all of the details and brushstrokes through the use of storyboards, audio recordings and high-resolution imagery.
Artisan Market Pop-Up
Pier A Waterfront Walkway or 770 Jackson Street Plaza, Hoboken (depending on the date)
April 10, May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8
There will be 60+ vendors selling jewelry, baked goods, eyewear, handmade items, prints, knitted items, accessories and chocolates.
Elmo’s Springtacular
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Select dates, April 11 – June 14
Kids can meet Blippi, sing along (and sign along to ASL) during a concert with Emma Memma, watch “Dino Ranch On Stage!’, check out the new Elmo’s Imagination Explorers stage show, and dress up for Elmo’s Pirate Weekend, as just some of the different themed events taking place each weekend.
Restaurant Week
Hopewell Township
April 13 – 19
Participating restaurants around town will offer deals and promotions so you can try a new place or go back to your favorite.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark
Select dates, through April 19
For those who are active, 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.
Tulip Picking Hayrides
Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford
Through April 19
A combination ticket includes a hayride to the u-pick fields, and time in the Discovery Barnyard play area for kids, plus a stop at the animal farm.
Tri State Tulip Festival
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
Through April 24
Aside from 1 million tulips, there will be thousands of daffodils blooming during festival, which includes u-pick flowers on weekdays and a festival every weekend – featuring kids’ activities, a new playground, live music, paddle boats, and a beer garden.
Daffodil Days
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Through April 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.
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.
1776
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
Through 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.
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 (April 10-12, 2026)?
A: This weekend (April 3-5, 2026) features family-friendly things to do across New Jersey and in NY and PA. Highlights include the final weekends of Wild About Animals at Liberty Science Center and PEEPS in the Village at Peddler’s Village; Kites at the Pier in Pier Village in Long Branch, or the Daffodil Festival at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit; and the Renaissance Faire at Historic Smithville.
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:
Looking for Spring Break Ideas? Your Kids Will Love These Day Trip Ideas
Fairs and Festivals in NJ: Our Mega-Guide
Springtime Flower Festivals In and Around New Jersey
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