Here are our picks for the best winter fests and events this month:
February 1
Lunar New Year Celebration
Metuchen Town Plaza, Metuchen
Learn about the culture and history of this special day with music and dancing, see a special artist exhibit by Julia Win in Peterson Park and more.
Pizza Bowl V
Redd’s, Carlstadt
Not only will you get to taste some of the best pizza from New Jersey, but you’ll also be supporting the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. You can add on celebrity meet-and-greets with members from The Sopranos and Goodfellas.
Groundhog Day Celebration
The Watershed Institute, Pennington
Join Watershed Wally the Woodchuck as he celebrates winter and looks forward to the return of spring. Learn about groundhogs, take a hike to a groundhog hole, and try your hand at chucking wood with a catapult or trebuchet.
Craft Beer & Spirit Festival
The Heldrich, New Brunswick
Tickets include samples from over 20 local craft beer and spirit vendors, plus all-you-can-eat snacks and food. The Blaire Reinhard Band will perform. This is a fundraiser for Elijah’s Promise.
February 1-2
Winter Fire & Ice Celebration
New Egypt Flea Market, Cream Ridge
There will be ice sculptures and demos, animal exhibits, makers, music, fire pits, photo ops, shopping and food trucks.
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 the ultimate Lunar New Year Spectacular.
February 2
Beef & Brew
Proving Ground, Highlands
The 15th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser will include a gift auction and a pipe band. The 2025 Grand Marshal, Tim Hill, will be presented with his sash.
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 7-8
Bradley Beach Jazz Festival
Bradley Beach Elementary School, Bradley Beach
Performers include Marel Hidalgo Quartet, Nat Adderly Jr. Quartet, James Moody Scholars, Charisa the Violin Diva, Winard Harper & The Jeli Posse, and the CMJ Jazz Band.
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 7-9
BroadwayCon
New York Hilton Midtown, New York, NY
The three-day fan convention is a showcase of some of Broadway’s newest shows, where you can meet some of your favorite actors from The Great White Way. It’s also a place where industry professionals can learn about the fans, and Broadway’s biggest names work one-on-one with up-and-coming performers. This year’s guest list includes Winnie Holzman (Wicked), Gregory Maguire (author, Wicked novel), Kim Hale (Palm Royale, The Penguin), Jenn Colella (Suffs, Come From Away), Anthony Rapp (RENT, Star Trek: Discovery), and more.
February 8
Community Day: Lunar New Year
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Celebrate the Year of the Snake through a kid-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.
Mac + Cheese Mayhem
Morristown Armory, Morristown
Sample the best comfort food from local chefs, and see who competes for the prize. Vendors will be selling small plates of mac and cheese to sample.
Black History Month Festival
Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville
Celebrate Black culture through vendor shopping, food, music and cultural experiences. This will be held by the RHS Black Culture Club, plus ITIAH Angels for Learning.
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.
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.
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.
February 15
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.
Batfest
Lincoln Caverns & Whisper Rocks, Huntingdon, PA
Spend the day learning all about bats from the experts. There will be bat crafts, or you can build a bat house. You will also look for bats hibernating in their habitats inside the caverns.
February 15-19
MoMA Family Festival
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, NY
Kids will learn about nature and sustainability through crafts, workshops, activities and immersive installations, which include a giant cuddle monster, a patchwork collage using recycled fabrics, and two sensory films.
February 21-23
Jersey Art Book Fair
Friday and Saturday at Mana Contemporary, Jersey City
Saturday and Sunday at Project 14C, Jersey City
There will be 200 exhibitors, workshops, demos, readings, exhibits, parties, panels and performances based on your love of reading.
February 23
Highlands Chili Cook-Off
Saltwater Social, Highlands
Vote for your favorite chili cooked by professionals and amateurs in two contests. There will also be performances by bagpipe bands and Daly’s Irish Dancers.
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