Love is in the air! Show your kids how much you love them this long holiday weekend by taking them to one of these fun activities around New Jersey.
WEEKEND
Galentine’s Day Chocolate Walk
Downtown Somerville
Thursday
Your ticket gives you access to chocolate treats from all the participating businesses. There will be shopping discounts as well.
Extreme Edison
New Jersey Hall of Fame Entertainment & Learning Center, American Dream, East Rutherford
Thursday – Monday
A week-long celebration of Thomas Edison’s birthday will include Q&As, documentary screenings, a photo exhibit, science expos, and birthday cake.
The Village of Chocolate
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Friday – Sunday
There will be chocolate-themed workshops, chocolate specials at the restaurants, Valentine’s Day menus, a chocolate spirits tasting, a couples’ date night cake class, and a village-wide Chocolate Trail.
New Jersey Wine & Chocolate Trail
Throughout New Jersey
Friday – Sunday
Visit various wineries across the state, where there will be tastings, food and activities during Valentine’s Day weekend.
Valentine’s Day Cruises
Lincoln Harbor Marina, Weehawken
Friday – Sunday
Choose to celebrate with your love or your Galentines on a signature dinner cruise (Friday and Saturday) or a bottomless mimosa brunch cruise (Sunday). There will be a buffet, music, an indoor winterscape and friendly games.
Polar Bear Plunge Weekend 2025
Sea Isle City
Friday – Sunday
Come out on Presidents’ Day Weekend, with a highlight being The Mike’s Seafood Run-Walk for Autism on February 15. The weekend is packed with live music at local bars and restaurants, themed parties, fresh seafood, and a cup of hot chocolate after the plunge.
New Jersey Symphony Bugs Bunny Symphony
Friday in Red Bank
Saturday in Newark
Sunday in New Brunswick
Looney Tunes stars Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner and, of course, Bugs Bunny will be on screen as the New Jersey Symphony plays the score from the cartoons.
The Velveteen Rabbit
Mile Square Theatre, Hoboken
Saturday – Sunday
The play is based on the beloved children’s book by Margery Williams, telling the story of the unconditional love between a boy and his toy bunny, whose love makes the rabbit real.
Wine & Chocolate Weekends
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
Aside from wine flights and chocolate tastings, there will be live music, and chocolate vendors for the whole family.
Presidents Day Weekend 2025
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Saturday – Monday
Learn about the life, leadership and legacy of our nation’s first president, George Washington, through hands-on demos, discovery carts, pop-up talks, crafts and more.
MoMA Family Festival
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York, NY
Saturday – Wednesday
Kids will learn about nature and sustainability through crafts, workshops, activities and immersive installations, which include a giant cuddle monster, patchwork collage using recycled fabrics, and two sensory films.
FRIDAY
Tres Grandes le Cantan al Amor
Carteret Performing Arts Center, Carteret
Three legendary Latin artists – Fernando VillaLona, El Chaval De La Bachata and Alex Bueno – perform a Valentine’s Day celebration of love, singing ballads, Merengue and Bachata.
Baby Walk
Landsdown Trail, Annandale
Get outside with your baby and explore a local trail. There will be nature education for the adults.
Galentine’s Night of Love
Prudential Center, Newark
If you don’t have a Valentine’s date this year, not to worry: this concert is geared toward all the single ladies. Spend the evening listening to R&B music from Fantasia Barrino, Tamar Braxton and Trey Songz.
Valentine Evening Tea
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Enjoy English tea in the Wisner House overlooking the arboretum’s beautiful grounds.
Valentine’s Day at Casino Pier
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
The arcade is open with special Valentine’s Day packages for $25 including one heart-shaped pizza, two medium fountain drinks and a $20 Arcade SURF Card.
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!
Zach Westcott
LeVoy Theatre, Millville
Zach is a small-town boy from Leesburg, NJ. After graduating from Millville High School in 2015, he decided at age 19 to head down to Nashville. Zach is known for his love of traditional country music and his relatable lyrics.
Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Experience
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
You won’t realize it’s not the real Taylor Swift as Traci Marie and her live band recreate the concerts of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
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 live-streamed 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!
Valentine’s Day at The Dream Wheel
The Dream Wheel, American Dream, East Rutherford
Ride the iconic observation wheel, with a private gondola reserved for you and your date. You’ll see the NYC skyline for 20 minutes, then get food and a drink at Deep Fried Love.
SATURDAY
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.
Mommy & Me Valentine’s Tea Party
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Enjoy a special mommy & me heart-shaped pizza, treats, tea, singing and dancing with the princesses, plus bracelet making.
Kids Workshops at Lowe’s
Lowe’s, Howell Twp.
Your mini-DIYer can become a senior builder during a tool chest workshop, where they’ll get a free tool bag after they attend and collect 12 badges.
Freestyle Explosion
Starland Ballroom, Sayreville
Tony Moran of the Latin Rascals, Judy Torres, George Lamond, Lucas Prata, Reina, Sammy Zone and The Forever Freestyle Band perform their classic freestyle hits.
MAC’s Art of Chili Cook-Off Fundraiser
Middletown Arts Center, Middletown
Fifteen amateurs and five restaurants will battle it out as celebrity judges determine who makes the best chili. Judges include journalist Brian Donohue of redbankgreen.com, private Chef Matt Collins, Editor of JerseyBites.com Deborah Smith, News 12 reporter Lauren Due, private chef/Food Network Chopped Champion Lauren Covas, and New Jersey State Senator Declan O’Scanlon. Competing restaurants include The Robinson Ale House of Red Bank, The Local Diner & Bakery of Farmingdale, Monty’s BBQ of Atlantic Highlands, Windmill of Long Branch and Broad Street Diner of Keyport.
Maple Sugaring Day
Historic Batsto Village, Hammonton
It’s maple sugar season, so spend Valentine’s Day weekend by the warm fire among the red maple trees, and smell (and taste) the fresh Pine Barrens maple syrup being made.
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.
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.
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
Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Reserve, Pennington
Learn about the science and history behind maple sugaring.
Grinch Steals Valentine’s – Family Skate Session
Millennium Skate World, Camden
Meet the Grinch while you skate along the rink. There will be a DJ, video games and lots of cotton candy.
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.
Winter Warrior Challenge
Ocean City Sports & Civic Center, Ocean City
The annual Presidents Day Weekend event includes an obstacle course race for children (think rock wall, cargo net, agility poles, monkey bars, etc.), a Winter Warrior obstacle course race for parents (with sand mounds, tire run and floating steps), and team challenges (fire truck pull, tire flip relay, firehouse rescue).
Open Shoot Archery
Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft
The indoor shooting range is open to kids 10+ who want to try shooting arrows for the first time, or who want to improve their skills.
Mike’s Seafood Run/Walk for Autism
Sea Isle City
After you complete the run or walk, head to Excursion Park for a Continental buffet, live music, door prizes, a magician, face painting for the kids, and giveaways.
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.
Doug’s Winter Party
205 N. Haddon Ave., Haddonfield
This 87-year-old knows how to throw a party, gaining viral attention for handwriting and delivering invitations to his party, which will go on “until the cops come.”
Season Opening
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
The theme park will open for 2025 with its dry attractions, and a Mardi Gras celebration to be announced.
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.
Sounds Like Science: Mad Science Show
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
Kids 3 to 9 will hear a dinosaur roar created with simple materials, listen to a funky disco show through speakers, and “rock out” during a supersonic audio experience.
SUNDAY
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.
My Little Man & Me Valentine’s Date
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
The mommy & son day date includes meet-and-greets with two superheroes, a personal heart-shaped pizza to share, two mediuim fountain drinks and a $20 Arcade SURF Card.
Sip & Savor Soiree: Galentine’s Edition
Wonderlande+Sea, Manasquan
MollyBoards and Tastefully Done Events will teach you how to make your own charcuterie board while you sample wines.
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.
Love Is in The Square
Palmer Square, Hulfish Street, Princeton
Pick up an exclusive Love Map so you and your love can explore the charming shops and restaurants to ask about special promos and giveaways, such as Sweetheart Swag Bags, live acoustic music, light snacks, and a private performance by the American Repertory Ballet.
Showtime at the Museum: Moving Pictures and Music
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
There will be separate sessions so kids 2-4 and 5-10 can learn history and global cultures through videos and music, plus movement, music, improv and critical thinking.
MONDAY (PRESIDENTS DAY)
NY Sirens Kids Day Game
Prudential Center, Newark
The Sirens pro women’s hockey team will face the Boston Fleet during this special game dedicated to kids.
Mini Zoo Camp
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Kids ages 6-8 years will experience up-close animal encounters, games, hands-on science projects, crafts and a tour of the zoo.
Science Meets Art
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Come to the Education Annex to create marble mazes, build phases of the moon with garland, fly pinwheel helicopters, and create a model of the solar system.
James Howe House Tour
James Howe House, Montclair
As part of Black History Month, the historical home will be open to visitors who want to learn about the people who lived in what came to be known as the Freed Slaves House.
National Engineers Week
Roebling Museum, Roebling
This intro to engineering is geared toward kids in grades 5-9, and includes meet-and-greets with engineers from a variety of fields.
Harlem Globetrotters
Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
Watch the magic basketball tricks performed on and off the court.
BubbleMania! Science, Art & Comedy
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
Casey Carle, a comic bubble-ologist, will create a fog-filled bubble sculpture and use funky foam to make cube-shaped bubbles and bubbles that trap a human inside.
ONGOING
Nature Game Nights
Last Friday of every month
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
Inside the nature center, choose from nature-inspired puzzles and games, or bring your own from home.
Kids Craft Drop-In Days
Wicoff House Museum, Plainsboro
First Sunday of every month
This fun, informal program is designed for kids of all ages to explore their artistic side while making exciting crafts. Each session features a new theme or project, from painting and paper crafts to seasonal decorations and more.
Galentine’s Day Tea
The Mathis House, Toms River
Wednesdays – Sundays in February
There are two seatings inside the beautiful Victorian house, where you can have afternoon tea along with a five-course meal. Tours are offered daily, and there is live music on the weekends.
Maple Sugaring
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, Ringwood
Select dates, February and March
The traditional maple sugaring program includes a short winter tree walk, an evaporator lesson and syrup tasting.
Kids Week
The Intrepid, New York, NY
February 15-22
There’s a full itinerary packed with fun STEAM activities, NASA displays and exhibits, hands-on workshops, performances, live animals, special guests and interactive demos.
Sesame Place Mardi Gras Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Select dates, February 15 – March 9
To kick off the Sesame Street-themed amusement park’s 45th season, the family-friendly Mardi Gras Celebration includes “Elmo the Musical, Live!,” Cookie Monster & Chef Gonger’s Pizza Party, Mummers Band shows, a Mardi Gras Mask Scavenger Hunt, New Orleans-inspired foods, and your kids’ favorite rides and attractions.
The Secret Tea Room
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
Afternoon Tea: Sundays, February 16 and March 16
Members Tea: Saturday, March 15
Savor English tea in the Wisner House overlooking the arboretum’s beautiful grounds.
Off-Broadway Week
Broadway, New York, NY
February 17 – March 9
Off-Broadway Week is a great way to introduce your kids to stage plays and musicals in a smaller setting and at a more affordable price – you can get 2-for-1 tickets. Mark down March 5, too, which is Kids Night on Broadway, where you can get 2-for-1 tickets again, plus discounts at participating restaurants in the area.
Lunar New Year
American Dream, East Rutherford
Select dates, through February 22
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.
Mystic Pizza
Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
Select dates, through February 23
Based on the classic 1988 movie starring Julia Roberts, the musical is about three working-class girls who navigate life, love and family in a small-town pizza joint.
A Sinner’s Love Affair: Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Bar
Sinner’s Seafood & Steakhouse, Point Pleasant Beach
Through February 23
There will be Valentine’s Day-themed decorations, signature holiday cocktails and festive desserts for Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day.
Kiss & Tell Pop-Up Bar
The Bistro at iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
Through February 23
This Valentine’s Day pop-up bar will be fully decorated, with special desserts and Cupid-approved cocktails (and mocktails). Good for Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day or a family outing after visiting the arcade – especially since one of the desserts is a take on the Dubai chocolate craze!
Outdoor Ice Skating
Veterans Park, North Brunswick
Fridays, through February 28
Skate on Fridays, but remember if it’s raining or the temperature is below 35 degrees, the rink will be closed.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through March 2
This special exhibit is part of Morven’s 20th-anniversary celebration and will shed light on lesser-known stories of this historic home and its residents. You’ll see rarely-seen objects and newly discovered photos about American life: childhood, hosting guests, pets, fashion, and more.
Bank of America Winter Village
The Rink, Bank of America at Bryant Park, New York, NY
Through March 1
You can reserve a time to bump, slide and spin with friends and family on the ice. The ice skating rink is open (for free!) as well as the Curling Cafe and igloo rentals. Plus, there is a special Valentine’s Day setup with rosy igloos you can rent.
Maple Sugaring
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham
Sundays, through March 9
This program is held outdoors and will show you how to identify and tap maple trees, plus collect sap and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator.
Winter Wonder
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through March 23
This year’s season will be Mediterranean-inspired, showing off the new 32,000-square-foot West Conservatory and the Cascade Garden.
The Road to The Big Game: New Orleans
The Paley Museum at The Paley Center for Media, New York, NY
Through March 30
The exhibit pays tribute to the history of the Super Bowl. See the Vince Lombardi trophy and championship rings, Katy Perry’s halftime “Firework” costume from Super Bowl XLIX, and other memorabilia. Watch past Super Bowl commercials and halftime shows, or take part in family trivia. There will be arts and crafts and a gaming facility.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays, through March 30
Weather permitting, you can sit in the historic apple orchard. During cooler weather, seating is inside the wine barn with firepits, outdoor heaters, and hot mulled wine. Tasting flights of Terhune wines are available. All ages can have fun with s’mores and hot cocoa kits. The Barn Door Café will serve lunch. Live music is performed from 1-4 pm.
Charm Harbour
Maxwell Place Park, Hoboken
Through April
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.
Curious George: Let’s Get Curious! Exhibit
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 4
There are a series of immersive zones that let kids go on George’s adventures in the city, on the farm and in outer space. The exhibit includes the operation of wheels and pulleys, three holes of mini golf, a space rocket, a sidewalk produce stand, a vacation in the country, a farm visit, a city park playset, a busy wall, and a museum that has an original manuscript.
Star Light Star Bright
Pier A Park, Hoboken
Through May
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.
Slow Motion
Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton
Through September 1
Five artists from Monument Lab in Philadelphia created gigantic, creative, introspective monuments that will be on display for their beauty, but also to address political, cultural and social issues.
Hometown Pride: The Power of Sports in Middlesex County
Cornelius Low House Museum, Piscataway
Select dates, through December 31
Middlesex County’s sports connections include the first-ever college football game played between Rutgers University and Princeton University and professional athletes and Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians. The exhibit features items from Rutgers University, Middlesex College, several high schools, and individuals. You will see high school trophies from the 1930s to the present, NFL golden footballs for pro athletes, balls from the highest-scoring high school athletes, uniforms from the 1930s to the present, and more.
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