From Polar Plunges to ice skating, here are some fun things to add to your January to-do list!
January 1
Ventnor City Polar Plunge and Winter Festival
Polar Plunge: Newport Avenue Beach, Ventnor City
Winter Festival: St. James Memorial Hall, Ventnor City
Cool off in the Atlantic Ocean during the plunge, then warm up inside the church hall after. New this year is a winter festival that will have food trucks and vendors, inflatable sports games for kids, DJ music, and a chili cookoff between police officers and firefighters.
January 1-7
Festival of Trees
New Brunswick
Members of local organizations have decorated Christmas trees, which will be on display at the American Hungarian Foundation gallery, New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, the Heldrich Hotel, and Amboy Bank.
January 2-5
Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
Stop by for a day of ice skating, go-karts, games and activities, heated private igloos or pods, an open-air holiday marketplace, and special events throughout the season.
Select dates, January 4 – February 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.
January 10-11, 17-18
Peddler’s Village Fire & Frost Fun
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Winter festival nights include dozens of ice sculptures, a DJ spinning party music, a family-friendly scavenger hunt, fire artistry, fire breathing, juggling, sales at the shops and boutiques, and food trucks.
January 11
Yukibana Rock Festival
The Williams Center, Rutherford
Kogaracon and Anime Social Nexus will hold the second annual Japanese and Asian rock music experience. This year’s artists include NOXUNUS, IchiRockU, OFF-KNOWNEOUS and Hyphen, who will perform a blend of original J-rock music, Anisong covers and AMV classics. New to this year’s event is a day of special events, social opportunities, and an anime-themed marketplace.
Snow Fest
Wicoff House Museum, Plainsboro
The fifth annual Snow Fest includes a variety of snowy crafts, a scavenger hunt, and meetings with Olaf and other winter characters. Warm up with s’mores and hot chocolate or keep cool with snow cones.
January 12
International Food Festival
American Legion, Kearny
This food fest is held by KGC Cheerleading to celebrate the flavors of the community.
January 17-19
North Jersey Orchid Society Show & Sale
Cook Student Center of Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Check out dozens of displays of blooming orchids grown in homes and greenhouses in the mid-Atlantic area.
January 18
Light of Day Winterfest
Count Basie Center of the Arts, Red Bank
The music event raises money for Parkinson’s, ALS and PSP. Bob’s Birthday Bash is the main event, and includes performances by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Jesse Malin, Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Baker of Bad Religion, and Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls, plus Dramarama, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, The Weeklings, James Maddock, Joe D’Urso, Williams Honor, Adam Ezra and more.
Pier Village Ice Festival
Pier Village, Long Branch
Wintry activities include an ice carving competition, live entertainment, an artisan market, a warming house, hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies, s’mores around firepits, restaurant discounts, arcade games and skee-ball, bowling, paint your own pottery, and bead making.
Ferris Wheel-ebration
Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
The Ferris Wheel officially reopened after its closure in 2020 due to the pandemic. Standing 60 feet tall, it is currently the only indoor Ferris wheel in the state of New York. During the “Wheel-ebration,” celebrate the grand reopening with a ribbon cutting, live entertainment, cotton candy, and half-price rides for all guests.
Winterfest
Hackettstown
Celebrate the winter shopping season at local shops. There will be tastings, special offers and more.
January 18-19
New Jersey High School Thespian Festival
Washington Township High School, Sewell
The weekend includes a Thespy competition, workshops, summer program auditions, college auditions and interviews, meetings with industry professionals, scholarship opportunities, networking, technical theater workshops and vendor shopping.
January 18-20
LSC WinterFest
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Saturday – Monday
Glide around the Sock Skating Rink, have a fluffy “snowball” fight, check out a science show in the planetarium, and take a free photo with Frosty the Snowman or Curious George. There will be performances by Imagine Circus with an LED ringmaster, a bubble guy and an LED hooper. Take a journey on the Snowflake Express, the new mini train that tours a winter wonderland; and then try vanilla ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.
January 19
Robbinsville Science & Arts Fusion Fest
Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville
Presented by Science Olympiad and Robbinsville Odyssey of the Mind, the afternoon will be filled with scientific discovery and artistic challenges, introducing STEAM through its clubs. Sign up for the non-Newtonian fluid lab, Write It-Do It or helicopter vehicle workshops.
Weekends, through January 19
Montclair Flea Holiday Market
Lackawanna Station, Montclair
The previously vacant Lackawanna Station will house a rotating lineup of 175+ vendors and food trucks for the season. During opening weekend, expect a wide selection of offerings from local makers and retailers, including Afterglow Vintage, Bookhaven Books, The Giraffe’s Heart, Jersey Collective and Marlie Bakes Cake. Opening weekend will feature sets from DJ April and DJ Prince Hakim. More details will be announced about special weekend activities throughout the season. View the art and sculptures by local artists including Shaun Killman, Charlie Spademan, Gardenship and more on display throughout the space.
January 25
Fire & Ice Festival
Mill Race Village, Mount Holly
The highlights of the day are ice sculpture carving and the annual chili cookoff.
Chinese New Year Celebration
MarketFair, Princeton
Celebrate the Year of the Snake with WULA Academy and HX Chinese School. There will be cultural performances, music, dance, games, arts and crafts, and lucky red envelopes with gift cards.
South Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Festival
Eden Gardens, Pennsauken
Presented by the New Jersey Muslim Heritage Month Coalition is an event that includes Muslim icons, poetry, cultural performances, art exhibits, global foods and an international bazaar.
Dessertopia
Morristown Armory, Morristown
You’re coming for the samples of cupcakes, cookies, waffles. ice cream, pastries, pies, puddings and chocolate – but stay for the vendor shopping, DJ, face painting, giveaways, photo opps and adult beverage bar.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
Join AAPI New Jersey for a traditional dragon parade, lion dance, cultural performances, vendor market, crafts and food trucks.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Welcome good fortune and happiness with dragon and lion dance performances, musical and dance showcases, cultural activities, interactive experiences, family-friendly crafts and Asian traditions.
January 25-26
Garden State Comic Fest Winter Fest
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
Expect comics, artists, toys and cosplays. Special guests include Lisa Raggio, the voice of Zarana; Bud LaRosa; Ava Schrager; and George Vega. The Empanada Guy will have his food truck on site. Premier Vendor is Buffalo Bill’s House: Precious Moments at Perryopolis, PA.
January 26
Wassailing the Apple Trees
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Dancing and singing are part of the re-enactments of old English traditional rituals to welcome in the cider-making season. There will be toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches. The Handsome Molly Dancers and Kingessing Morris Dancers will perform. There will be a bonfire and live music by the Spiced Punch Quartet playing traditional music using violins and flutes.
Muslim Heritage Celebration
Fair Lawn Community Center, Fair Lawn
The Fair Lawn Muslim Community will host an educational experience based on the cultural traditions of 15 Muslim-majority countries. This interactive event will have performances, cultural exhibits of clothing and artifacts, crafts, music, live calligraphy, food stalls, henna art and a photo booth.
Lunar Fest NJ 2025
The Woodland, Maplewood
There will be performances representing Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Southeast Asian culture, including children’s activities and food.
Brigid’s Day and Candlemas
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Listen to Scottish/Irish Celtic traditional tunes on the bagpipes from members of The Police Pipes and Drums of Bergen County. Exhibits and artifacts from the Revolutionary War will be on display. Visit the Jersey-Dutch out-kitchen where interpreters will be demonstrating the 18th century craft of candle making using authentic materials. Activities for families including corn husk Brigid’s cross and doll making available throughout the afternoon.
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