From a polar plunge and wildlife walk to a Mac & Cheese Fest and beyond, there’s plenty to do this weekend after the rain. Flower fests and cherry blossom trees abound and there will be plenty of solar eclipse viewing events on Monday.
ALL WEEKEND
EGGstravanganZOO
Cape May County Park and Zoo, Cape May
Thursday – Sunday
Meet the Easter Bunny, who packed lots of new animal-themed eggs for this year’s hunt. Also take advantage of the educational displays, crafts, animal meet-and-greets and the scavenger hunt.
Bubble Bash
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Thursday – Sunday
The Bubble Bash Party will be poppin’ as the Rotunda transforms into a bubble-filled extravaganza. Learn the science behind bubbles by watching demos that showcase how to use bubbles to make your at-home experiments. Follow clues around the aquarium, anyone who unscrambles the letters correctly to spell the secret word will receive a bubbly prize. Take part in a trivia game show centered around bubbles. Special food selections include a Bubble Sundae and Bubble Tea. As a bonus, you will take home 8 ounces of Bubble Bash.
Elmo’s Eggstravaganza Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Thursday – Sunday
Celebrate Easter with The Bunny, Elmo and friends. Take pictures with your kid’s favorite characters, go on an Easter egg scavenger hunt, join a Bunny Hop Dance Party, grab a seat on the sidewalk for the Sesame Street Party Parade, listen to storytime, and decorate donuts with Cookie Monster.
Contemporary African Spirituality in Art
South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange
Thursday – Sunday
The exhibition features the works of many local artists in mixed media, painting and photos. There’s a mix of tradition and modernity and how it relates to African spirituality.
Night Forms
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
Thursday – Sunday
You will have nighttime access to the art and horticulture throughout the sculpture park, which will be illuminated in an immersive experience. This is the final weekend of the exhibit.
Heart of Oneness Holistic Expo
NJ Expo and Convention Center, Edison
Friday – Sunday
A wellness community event, this expo will connect you with holistic experts, practitioners and businesses that focus on energy healing, empowerment, organic skincare, meditation and reiki, mindset coaching and higher learning.
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert
Friday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
Saturday, State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Sunday, NJPAC, Newark
The New Jersey Symphony performs John Williams’ Oscar-nominated score live to the entire film.
WrestleMania
Lincoln Financial Field Stadium, Philadelphia, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Catch all your favorite pro wrestling stars from WWE in action, in the ring and during special fan events.
Springtime & Easter Festival
Alstede Farms, Chester
Saturday – Sunday
Explore the farm on a hay wagon ride, and visit with the adorable baby farm animals. Go on an Easter egg hunt and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Wander through the Bunny Trail Maze or the evergreen maze, then climb on the giant hay pyramid.
Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
Morris Museum, Morristown
The Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can receive free general admission during this weekend.
Disney’s Moana Jr.
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Twp.
Saturday – Sunday
Fifteen students from the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy, ages 7-13, will present a musical adaptation of Disney’s Moana.
Opening Weekend
East Jersey Old Town Village and Cornelius Low House, Piscataway
Saturday – Sunday
Kick off the 2024 season with historical interpreters who will bring the village to life through reenactments, trades and crafts.
Spring Model Train Show
Garden State Model Railway Club, North Haledon
Saturday – Sunday
The Garden State Model Railway Club will be running steam and diesel trains of all kinds on the 1,200-square-foot HO scale layout, including Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. The second railroad room will be open, which has a children’s railroad where kids can try their hand at running trains, and for-sale items to complete your collection at home.
FRIDAY
Baby Walk
Columbia Trail – High Bridge Lot, High Bridge
Get outside with your baby (up to 23 months old) and explore your local trails. There will be nature education geared toward adults; enjoy the company of other parents and caregivers in the area.
A Musical Journey in Space and Time
West Windsor Arts, West Windsor
Four musicians will entertain kids and adults alike with their acoustic music, which uses sound and silence, as well as beat and tonal rhythm.
Opera Gems
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
NJ Opera Theater presents an evening of opera’s most well-known songs. Get dressed up in your finest for the red carpet.
Sip & Shop Spring Preview Ladies Night
MarketFair Princeton
Grab your girls for a night of hors d’oeuvres and desserts, DIY bouquet making, fun photo moments, gift bags, and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree from MarketFair.
SATURDAY
Hoboken Mac & Cheese Festival
Throughout Downtown Hoboken
Think bar crawl – but with food. Visit participating restaurants to get a sample of their mac & cheese dishes, including fries, empanadas, smashburgers and of course, pasta.
Wheaton Springs 2024
WheatonArts, Millville
On the opening day of the season, come by for free art experiences, live music, food vendors, exhibitions, artist demos and hands-on projects.
Makerspace Saturday
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
Hands-on activities for kids ages 5-12 include using the 3D printer, build with LEGOs, painting, making jewelry, experimenting with engineering and coding robots.
Brains on Live! Your Brain is Magic
McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
Brains On podcast hosts Molly Bloom, Marc Sanchez and Sanden Totten will bring magic tricks, dance moves, out-of-body experiences, mystery sounds and a game show. Stay for the VIP Brainstastic Bash after, where there will be more interactive games, trivia, Mystery Sounds, fan questions, photos, lots of high fives – and a goodie bag.
Spring Fest
SoHa Arts Building, Haddon Twp.
Take a tour inside the arts building or stroll through the outdoor booths to check out what handmade goods the artisans from Haddon Township, plus the artist residents of the SoHA Arts Building, have to showcase.
Ailey Day
NJPAC, Newark
There will be a variety of movement classes taught by professional artists including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater alumni, faculty and students.
Fallen Hero Plunge
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood
The annual plunge into the Atlantic Ocean benefits the families of police officers lost in the line of duty. The post-party celebration will take place at Keenan’s Irish Pub.
Walk. Talk. Taste. Montclair History! Upper Montclair
Valley Road and Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
Sample foods from 5-7 restaurants as you walk through town on a historical walking tour.
New Faces Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Step inside a working henhouse where the farm’s Barred Rock chickens are busy laying and help a farmer make their feed. Then reach into a nest box and take out an egg to bring home. You will learn egg candling and grading, and can also visit the farm’s 50 new baby chicks in the brooder coop. Kids can make crepe paper chicks.
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park Bird Walk
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, South Amboy
While walking along a paved walking path that runs along the waterfront, you and the group will look for a variety of seabirds including loon, grebe, scoters, gannet, Bald Eagle, Peregrine falcon and harriers.
Wildlife Wander
Schermann Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
An NJ Audubon Teacher Naturalist will lead a morning walk & talk through the spring foliage surrounding the Hawk Rise trails.
Read and Explore: Getting Ready for Spring
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
This program for kids is about waking up from winter and preparing to start gardening. As Saint Patrick’s Day is the traditional day to plant peas and spinach, it is now time to get the gardens ready.
SUNDAY
The Canine Stars Stunt Dog Show
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
The show features a world-class team of dog trainers and their adopted dogs from shelters, rescue groups, or found as strays.
In Conversation with The Sopranos
Wellmont Theater, Montclair
Comedian Joey Kola will lead a 90-minute show with cast members Steve Schirripa, Vincent Pastore and Michael Imperioli where they will share stories, memories and slides from when “The Sopranos” was in production. There will be a Q&A with audience members.
Racin’ for Bacon 5K/10K
Duke Island Park, Bridgewater
Kick off the spring running season with a flat fast 5K or 10K that has free bacon waiting for you at the finish line.
Skylands Manor Tours
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Volunteer docents lead you on a tour of the architecture and history of Skylands Manor.
Live Cook-Off Series!: Beat Chef David Burke
THE GOAT by David Burke, Union Beach
Three up-and-coming TV-star chefs are challenging Chef Burke to create a three-course dinner using a mystery ingredient. Two lucky people from the audience will help judge the dishes. Competing chefs are Lauren Van Liew, Casey Webb and Alexandra Donnadio.
Tulip Day
Union Square Park, New York, NY
You can pick tulips to create your own bouquet – for free!
ONGOING
Tours of Crane House & Historic YWCA
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Tulip Festival
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
During April
There will be over one million tulips in full display, from classic varieties like the single early tulip to the exotic ones. Wander through the fields, pick your favorite tulips, and take them home as souvenirs. Kids can meet the Easter Bunny, who will be visiting the farm on March 30 and 31. There are also paddle boats and live music from local artists on the weekends. There will be wineries and food vendors on site.
Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulips
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
April 6-21
Every spring and fall, the flower fields burst into bloom with millions of rainbow tulips, sunflowers, gladiolus, dahlias and lilies. You can pick flowers, take photos and eat at the bakery and food trucks.
Friday Night Bites
The Hungry Puppy Dog Park, Farmingdale
Fridays, April 5 – October 25
Bring your pup and your friends to the double-gated, specially-designed dog park, where you can relax and listen to some music while mingling with other pet parents. There will be free snacks and treats from a sponsoring pet food manufacturer each week.
Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark
April 6-7, 13-14
There are different events on separate days to celebrate spring and the blooming of the cherry blossom trees in Newark: a bike race on April 6, a 10K run on April 7, a one-mile run on April 13, Family Day on April 13 and Bloomfest! on April 14.
Wine and Goat Yoga
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
April 6-7, 13-14
The event includes a 45-minute yoga class, 15 minutes of playtime and a photo with the goats, and a glass of wine from Laurita.
Eggstravaganza
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
April 6-7 and 13-14
This fun-filled day includes a visit by the Easter Bunny, an egg scavenger hunt, carnival rides, farm animals, hayrides, photo ops, wine tasting, games and paintball.
Bluey FAO Schwarz Pop-Up Shop
FAO Schwarz, Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
April 6 and 13
Celebrate the official arrival of the Bluey Pop-Up shop at FAO Schwarz by having your kids take a picture with Bluey and Bingo and playing with the new Bluey toys.
Sensory Sundays
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Sundays in April
For Autism Awareness Month, there are certain hours when the aquarium will lower the music, soften the lights, and reduce the crowds, all in an effort to create the most enjoyable experience for those with sensory needs.
Meet Buzz Lightyear
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Sundays in April
As part of the Science Behind Pixar exhibit, you can meet Buzz Lightyear in person.
World War II Exhibit
Museum of American History at Deptford, Deptford
Thursdays – Sundays, April 6 – June 2
Celebrate the lives and memories of our veterans and fallen heroes through a World War II exhibit featuring military as well as civilian paraphernalia. Some of these items include weapons, equipment, uniforms, flags, and coinage of both the Allied and Axis powers in the Pacific as well as the European theatres.
PEEPS in the Village
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through April 14 (closed on March 31 for Easter)
The colorful display includes over 90 pieces of wall art, dioramas and sculptures made out of the famous Easter marshmallow candy.
TROLLS: Save the Humans
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Through April 15
Thomas Dambo, a renowned recycle artist and activist from Copenhagen, created six ginormous trolls that will be on display at the zoo. They are made from repurposed wood and stand up to 15 feet tall. They ask people to reduce trash, reuse everything and recycle when they can.
Lamb Camp
Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy, Petersburg
Fridays-Sundays, select Tuesdays, through April 21
At this Cape May County farm you can raise your own lamb, caring for it, bottle-feeding it and cleaning it in one-hour sessions. There are separate sessions for kids, families, teens, adults and Spring Breakers.
Wild About Animals
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through April 27
There will be meet-and-greets with lots of animals, science demonstrations, an animal scavenger hunt, special theater and planetarium shows, and more surprises throughout the month. Every Sunday, you can meet Buzz Lightyear in person.
The Science Behind Pixar
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 5
Learn all about the science behind Pixar’s animated films. Kids can try hands-on experiences like making a short film, creating a robot friend for “WALL·E” and designing a new movie set using props from “Monsters University.” Learn what animation rendering is, then practice it by rendering a scene from “Inside Out.” Create a digital sculpture from an artist’s sketch. Use lights to solve challenges similar to the ones Pixar faced in creating underwater scenes with virtual light in “Finding Nemo.”
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through May 18
During a quiet morning at the sanctuary, you will walk the trails with an NJ Audubon staff member or Associate Naturalist. The group will look for birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians out in nature.
Nature-Infused Yoga
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through May 18
Join this nature-based yoga class in person or virtually to spend 75 minutes unwinding from the workweek.
Electric Dandelions
Pier A and Monroe Center Plaza, Hoboken
Through May 24
A series of 10 28-foot LED sculptures crafted from sturdy steel will line Hoboken’s waterfront. When the sun sets, the area along Sinatra Drive and around the Ninth Street and Congress Light Rail Station will be illuminated with light and motion from these gigantic pieces of art.
Micah Williams: Portrait Artist Exhibit
Cornelius Low House, Piscataway
Through June 30
Learn about Middlesex and Monmouth County residents from the 19th Century through the portraits of artist Micah Williams. Adults can work with pastels to create their own portraits, and kids can contribute to the Student Gallery.
150 Years of Washington Association of New Jersey
The Morristown & Morris Twp. Library, Morristown
Through August 31
The self-guided walking exhibit has original photography, artifacts, pins and medals, and commemorative plates dating back to Revolutionary War time. WANJ was founded in March 1874 to preserve the Jacob Ford Mansion, where General George Washington and his troops stayed during the winter.
Apollo: When We Went to The Moon
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Through September 2
Climb aboard a lunar rover model, leave your footprints on the Moon and learn about the Space Race through this exhibit at the sea, air and space museum. Starting April 4, you can check out the Concorde super jet that recently underwent renovations and returned to the museum.
Delsea Drive-In 2024 Season
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theatre, Vineland
Fridays – Sundays, through September 3
Watch two movies back-to-back while sitting in your car, just like they did in the ’50s.
Yoga on the Beach
Burk Avenue, behind the Wildwoods Convention Center
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through September 29
A traditional Hatha yoga-style class will be infused with Qi Gong, a variety of healing therapies and lots of modifications.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
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:
Catch a Game at These Minor League Baseball Stadiums in New Jersey
Springtime Flower Festivals in New Jersey
Shake Shack Offers Discounted Shakes Once the Weather Warms
Earth Day is April 22 – Here’s How to Celebrate
The World’s Largest Miniature Train Museum in Hunterdon County is a Must-See
The Best Waterfalls in New Jersey
