From waiting on the groundhog’s prediction for spring and watching the Super Bowl with your crew to making plans for Valentine’s Day, learning about our past during Black History Month, or celebrating Lunar New Year, there are lots of events to add to your calendar this month. We’ve rounded up a bunch with free admission in February!
First Saturday of Every Month
Kids Workshops: Activities & Crafts
The Home Depot, Multiple Locations
On the first Saturday of every month, bring your kids at 9 am for free in-store workshops that give them hands-on projects. Upcoming crafts include a Valentine’s candy box on February 1, and a basketball game on March 1.
Third Saturday of Every Month
Kids Workshops at Lowe’s
Lowe’s, Howell Twp.
Your mini-DIYer can become a senior builder during a workshop where they’ll get a free tool bag after they attend and collect 12 badges. There’s also a Build a Birthday box to work on at home. Upcoming projects include a tool chest on February 15.
Throughout February
“Art of the Witness Stones Project” Special Exhibit
Princeton Public Library, Princeton
A special art and history exhibit from Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum will be on display in the library’s second-floor Reading Room. This exhibit will share the artwork of Timberlane Middle School’s eighth-grade students who researched the lives of Friday Truehart, Frost Blackwell and Nance, three individuals who were enslaved in Central New Jersey during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Mondays, through March 17
Kids Craft Hour
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center, Beechwood
Kids ages 3-5 can come by for nature-inspired crafts. Activities each week include snowmen, snowflakes, rainbows, owls, trees and flowers.
February 1
Lunar New Year Celebration
Metuchen Town Plaza, Metuchen
Learn about the culture and history of this special day with music and dancing, enjoy a special artist exhibit by Julia Win in Peterson Park and more.
Passport to Adventure
Brunswick Square Mall, East Brunswick
You’ll visit different “countries” where there will be music, crafts, meet-and-greets with Mickey and Minnie, and face painting. This fundraiser benefits the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation.
Tap the Sugar Maples
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Hundreds of sugar maple trees line the banks of Moore’s Creek and the nearby woods at the foot of Baldpate Mountain. In February, farmers begin the annual work of sap collection and maple syrup production. The first step takes place in the sugar bush, where you can join Howell Farm’s expert tree tappers for a lesson on how to tap a backyard maple tree and make syrup at home.
Art, Music & Dance of the Diaspora
Monmouth County Library, Manalapan
Celebrate the history of Black culture in America with the CJ Watson Dance group performing Alvin Ailey’s “Revelations,” local musicians including local choirs and singers, and artwork by Roots & Culture.
2025 Lunar New Year Celebration
Bell Works, Holmdel
The Jersey Shore Chinese School will hold a New Year celebration in the Main Atrium with performances by students and teachers that highlight Chinese culture and traditions.
Black History Month Performance
Roseland Free Public Library, Roseland
In this performance by the Bright Star Theatre Company, Dr. Daisy and Professor Paisley will lead the audience on a tour of the Black History Hall of Fame. Learn about Maya Angelou, Aretha Franklin, Mae Jemison, the Buffalo Soldiers and more.
February 1-2
Winter Fire & Ice Celebration
New Egypt Flea Market, Cream Ridge
There will be ice sculptures and demos, animal exhibits, handmade makers, music, fire pits, photo ops, shopping and food trucks.
Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Various Locations in NJ and NY
Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can receive free general admission to various cultural attractions on the first full weekend of each month.
Select dates, February 1-22
Lunar New Year
American Dream, East Rutherford
Parts of the celebration include traditional lion dances, live bands, dance showcases, a youth talent competition, a photography competition, a student and teacher piano concert, a lighting of the Dream Wheel, a spring festival gala, and then the ultimate Lunar New Year Spectacular.
February 2
Cutting, Splitting & Hewing
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge, and then learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad axe to hew beams.
Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market
The Studio Ligaya, Metuchen
Shop unique, handcrafted gifts and treats for your loved ones—or yourself—from a curated selection of local vendors. Plus, warm up with a drink from the hot chocolate bar.
February 6
Rocks in the Garden: A Public History of Slavery in Morris County
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Historian Mike Snyder will discuss local slaveholders and enslaved people from the Revolution to the end of the Civil War.
February 7
Valentine Meet-and-Greet With Mrs. Mouse
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Hammonton
After bowling or winning tickets in the arcade, head to The Pin Deck where you can meet Mrs. Mouse dressed in all pink for a cute (free!) Valentine’s Day photo.
February 7-8
Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar
Grand Arcade at Convention Hall, Asbury Park
Shop local and regional vendors selling goods and gifts handmade with love. Enjoy a Friday night date night and Saturday stroll in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall to pick up perfect Valentine’s gifts. There will be live music, food and drinks, a Valentine’s photo wall, a fresh flower bar, kids and pet activities, workshops and more.
February 8
Community Day: Lunar New Year
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Celebrate the Year of the Snake through a family-friendly celebration with art, tradition and community. Travel to Asia to experience dance performances, acrobatics, crafts and food.
Lunar New Year Event
Lake Papaianni Park, Edison
A parade will end at the park followed by musical and dance performances.
Black History Month Festival
Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville
Celebrate Black culture through vendor shopping, food, music and cultural experiences. The festival will be held by the RHS Black Culture Club, along with ITIAH Angels for Learning.
Family Saturday: Galentine’s Day
Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice, Mount Laurel
Practice simple printmaking techniques you can use to personalize your own Galentine’s Day card. See historical examples of valentines that suffragists used in their fight for the vote. There will be a presentation on the history of suffrage valentines by public programs.
Meet Hannah Till
Mt. Zion AME Church, Skillman
The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum welcomes reenactor Leslie Bramlett as Hannah Archer Till, who was leased to General George Washington as his cook and servant. She will be in costume, answering questions and sharing hands-on activities celebrating African American women of the Revolutionary Period.
Maple Sugaring
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Help farmers collect sap in the woods, make syrup in the sap house, and taste whole wheat pancakes. You will also learn how to bring the operation into your own backyards, with tree-tapping demonstrations.
Galentine’s Day Sip & Shop
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
This free local craft and vendor market brings together local makers, artisans and small businesses. Stop by for a tarot reading, and then shop for jewelry, crystals, candles, handcrafted gifts, décor and more, while sipping on a craft drink, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Maple Sugaring at The Shack
New Jersey State Forest Nursery, Jackson
See a demonstration of tapping trees to collect sap, boiling down maple sap to make syrup. There’s also a demo on how to tap trees. You’ll learn interesting facts about this part of nature. Following the demo, there is the option of a 45-minute walk with Duffy along the tree products trail.
February 9
Verizon Super Bowl FanFest
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Verizon customers can celebrate the big game with field and stadium access. Planned activities include player meet-and-greets, live bands and DJs, interactive family activities, food from local chefs, and exclusive merch.
Art Together
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
Art Together is a free, drop-in art workshop led by Zimmerli’s experienced teaching artists. Families can get creative with the theme of Crossing Borders.
February 14
Douglass Day
Historic Reasoner-True House, Skillman
The Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum will celebrate the chosen birthday of abolitionist and activist Frederick Douglass. There will be a transcribe-a-thon of historical documents from the Library of Congress. Docents will provide tours of the museum and special exhibits inside Mt. Zion AME Church. And you’ll get a birthday cake!
Celebrate Frederick Douglass
Hopewell Branch, Mercer County Library System, Pennington
The abolitionist and freedom fighter chose February 14 as his birthday, and the library will hold a celebration. There will be a livestreamed inspirational program, a transcribe-a-thon to digitize documents for the African American Perspectives Collection at the Library of Congress, a poetry slam and an art/essay contest. Stay for some birthday cake!
February 14-16
The Village of Chocolate
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
There will be chocolate-themed workshops, chocolate specials at the restaurants, Valentine’s Day menus, a chocolate spirits tasting, a couple’s date night cake class, and a village-wide Chocolate Trail. Note: Certain activities have a fee.
February 15
Old Fashioned Valentine’s Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Couples can take a romantic spin in a two-seater sleigh or carriage pulled by a team of light workhorses. Families can ride in a bobsled or hay wagon pulled by a handsome team of drafts. At the farmhouse, there will be soup on the stove, and a children’s craft program in the afternoon.
Lunar New Year Celebration: Year of the Snake
Monmouth County Library, Manalapan
There will be arts and crafts, a lion dance by Fong’s Hung Ga Kung Fu Association, performances by the Monmouth County Fidelity Chinese School and Berwin Art Educational Center, food samples from Peking Pavilion (while supplies last), and a kids try-on mini lion dance.
Reading Event For Black History Month
McDonald’s, Neptune
Listen to books read by Black authors, teachers, principals and other community members. Kids will get a tote bag, books and Happy Meals, while supplies last.
Abbott Marshlands Winter Cleanup
Tulpehaking Nature Center, Hamilton
Volunteers are needed to help the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed ambassadors and the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands remove litter from Roebling Park.
Hungarian Artisan Market
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
Kick off the 2025 market season with food vendors, food trucks, Hungarian desserts and drinks, and vendor shopping.
Maple Sugaring at The Shack
New Jersey State Forest Nursery, Jackson
See a demonstration of tapping trees to collect sap, and boil down maple sap to make syrup. There’s also a demo on how to tap trees. You’ll learn interesting facts about this part of nature. Following the demo, there is the option of a 45-minute walk with Duffy along the tree products trail.
February 16
Parlor Games for Wintry Weather
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Strategize your best moves while playing Halma and Basilinda, two long-forgotten 1890s board games. You can try other old-time favorites like Backgammon, Checkers and Dominoes.
Paddy O’Laddy’s Kindness Kickoff
Moxie Salon and Beauty Bar, Ridgewood
New Jersey kindergarten teacher Kimberly Feehan-Ponte created Paddy O’Laddy, a leprechaun doll on a mission to spread the magic of kindness every St. Patrick’s Day season. The Kindness Kickoff will have activities for children, including temporary green hair dye, green and gold clip-in hair accessories, face painting, temporary tattoos and Paddy O’Laddy-themed cookies.
February 19
Cabaret for a Cause
Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School
The concert will feature musical theater-derived songs sung by teens in the Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Choir – like songs from The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty and the Beast, and the Barbie movie. Admission is free for all, but donations will be accepted on behalf of The Emmanuel Foundation to support families dealing with childhood cancer.
February 20
NJ Slavery and The Underground Railroad
Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the Mercer County Library System, Lawrence Twp.
In honor of Black History Month, amateur historian Richard Moody will talk about slavery and the Underground Railroad in New Jersey, including the origins of the slave trade, the harrowing Middle Passage, and the gradual abolition of slavery in New Jersey and neighboring states. He’ll talk about the safe houses that were used to help escaped slaves, including Harriet Tubman and William Still.
February 22
Maple Sugaring
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Help farmers collect sap in the woods, make syrup in the sap house, and taste whole wheat pancakes. There will be tree-tapping demos so you can learn to do this at home.
February 23
Último Domingo: Carnival
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
Último Domingo (Last Sunday) celebrates Latinx culture for the bilingual community. You can check out the exhibitions, create art, and enjoy interactive performances.
Who Needs a Conductor?
Mt. Pleasant Middle School, Livingston
The free family concert will include music from Bach, Beethoven, Bernstein and Copland, while discussing the role of a conductor in a performance.
Liberty State Park Loop Walk
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
You’ll walk through the Caven Point bird sanctuary after starting your trek at the Central Railroad of NJ Terminal, across from the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial. There is no cost, but donations are encouraged.
Through April
Charm Harbour
Maxwell Place Park, Hoboken
The seven installations are meant to look like whimsical charms or magic tokens that’ll inspire physical and mental play as you touch, climb on and take photos of the sculptures that line the waterfront.
Through May
Star Light Star Bright
Pier A Park, Hoboken
The neon-lit structure has over 9,000 feet of fluorescent paracord. During the day, walk through the star-shaped archway. At night, watch as the illuminated space frames the waterfront and NYC skyline.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Bowling, Dinner and Gaming Under One Roof? This Complex Will Have It All
50+ Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey
There’s So Much To Do at Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland
Head to NYC For A Week of Sea, Air & Space Fun During Kids Week at The Intrepid
