This weekend’s lineup for fun in New Jersey includes real-life mermaids, a maple sugaring fest, stage performances, a science night and a train show!
WEEKEND
Bank of America Winter Village
The Rink, Bank of America at Bryant Park, New York, NY
Thursday to Saturday
This is the last weekend you can reserve a time to bump, slide and spin with friends and family on the rink on the ice bumper cars. The ice skating rink is open (for free!) as well as the Curling Cafe and igloo rentals.
9 to 5
North Brunswick Township High School, North Brunswick
Thursday to Sunday
The North Brunswick Drama Group will present the musical based on the classic movie with music by Dolly Parton about three women and their despicable boss.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Thursday to Sunday
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.
New Jersey Home & Garden Show
NJ Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Friday – Sunday
Kids will learn about gardening from speaker Don Engebretson, The Renegade Gardener. There will be balloon animals and old-fashioned games like bean bag and ring toss, tic-tac-toe, and a mini fishing pond. They can embellish and color an unfinished wood cutout to take home. Families can go through five gardens in bloom, while parents can talk to more than 100 remodelers, contractors, interior designers, landscapers and kitchen and bath designers.
Mary Poppins
Count Basie Center For the Arts, Red Bank
Friday – Sunday
Based on the books by P.L. Travers and the classic Disney film, nanny Mary Poppins takes the kids on many magical adventures.
One Sweet Dream – Abbey Road & Beyond
Bell Theater at Bell Works, Holmdel
Saturday – Sunday
The ballet program is set to the music of The Beatles’ iconic “Abbey Road” album, and includes a special performance by guitar duo The Black Ties, the artists of Ballet Rȇve, pre-professional dancers from Axelrod Academy, and the Axelrod Academy Show Choir.
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.
FRIDAY
Swiftie Cookie Class
Coney Waffle Test Kitchen, Belmar
Teens 13 and older who love Taylor Swift, love baking and love cookies can come to the famous ice cream waffle sandwich shop to decorate sweet treats while jamming out to her music.
Sweetheart Dance
The Learning Experience, Bordentown
Bring all your little Valentines for a family dance party. This is a fundraiser for Make A Wish Foundation.
An Evening With Oscar
Park West Loft, Ridgewood
There will be free industry interviews, Q&As, master classes, live networking rooms and an after party and awards show based on The Academy Awards AKA The Oscars.
Black History Month Gala
The Boro Epicenter, Willingboro
Dress up as your favorite person from Black history and join a dinner by Smokin Rev & Lady Q’s BBQ, with music and dancing.
Soft Opening of HAPIK Climb Gym
American Dream, East Rutherford
Starting at 3 pm, take your pick of more than 50 climbing walls, each of which has three routes up the 24-foot ropes. You can also compete in a digital treasure hunt for an extra challenge.
Dinos After Dark: Community Science Night
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Inside Dinosaur Hall, kids can explore the museum while parents stop off for a drink im the Dino Drafts Beer Garden. You’ll learn about science and nature, connect with organizations that promote green spaces in Philly, and listen to science experts.
SATURDAY
Reptile Adventures
Bierman Centers for Autism, Eatontown
Kids with autism can meet gentle turtles, lizards and more. They’ll take part in reptile-themed crafts and activities. There will be snacks, too.
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.
Makerspace
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Kids ages 5-12 can use the 3D printer, build with LEGOs, make jewelry, experiment with a marble run and coding robots, and more.
Mardi Gras Celebration
The Shannon Rose, Clifton and Ramsey
The spirit of Bourbon Street comes to the Garden State with a mermaid dance party. The themed celebration includes live music and special Mardi Gras drinks.
Read Across America Event
MarketFair, Princeton
The event features a Bluey meet-and-greet, storytime, arts and crafts, photo moments, a free book (while supplies last) and light snacks.
Irish Show
Albert Music Hall, Waretown
The Jersey Devil Pipe Band will open the show with bagpipes, followed by dancers from the D’Arcy School of Irish Dance. Other performers include Bill O’Neal & Andy Koontz, James Dalton, The Pishy Cloots, River Drivers, The Cook College Ramblers and The Jolly Tinkers. The pickin’ shed will be open throughout the show, so bring your instrument and jam along or just listen in. The Snack Booth will be serve Irish food, plus desserts from the Amish bakery.
SUNDAY
Maple Sugaring Fest
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
You can sample the fruits (or sap) of your labor after learning how to tap trees for sap.
Kids Hike For Fun
Laport Reserve, Ringoes
This outdoor adventure combines fun, education and exercise so your little explorer can discover the beauty and excitement of winter.
Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Main Street, Belmar
This is one of New Jersey’s biggest St. Pat parades, led by hundreds of marchers, bands, pipers and groups from all around Monmouth County.
Jersey Jazz LIVE! Women’s History Month Concert
Vocalist/pianist Champian Fulton’s trio will celebrate Women’s History Month by recognizing female jazz musicians, such as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. Karen Xie, who was the Jersey Jazz Magazine’s December 2024 Rising Star, will bring her quartet on stage as well.
Celebrate Mardi Gras
Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, Morristown
New Orleans native Thaddeus Exposé is back with clarinetist Evan Christopher, woodwind player Marty Eigen, and a special guest on cello to channel the spirit of New Orleans.
STEM Like a Girl: Parent-Daughter Workshop
Biotechnology High School, Freehold
Girls in grades 3-5 will team up with a parent for an afternoon of hands-on engineering and problem-solving. They’ll start by designing and building their own vibrating “Artsy Robot,” and after a break with a mentor panel featuring inspiring women in STEM, they’ll build a functional tool to assist with everyday tasks.
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.
The Cereal Cocktail Bar
North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, February 27 to April 27
The world’s first cereal-themed cocktail bar will have brunch every Saturday with Saturday morning cartoons and Y2K music.
O’Harry’s St. Patrick’s Day Pop-Up Bar Experience
Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille, Cape May
Fridays – Sundays, February 28 – March 23
Get your Irish on with food and drink specials, live Irish music, a Jameson whiskey pairing class, and paint-your-own leprechaun scene.
Journey Back to the ’80s
March 1 at Monmouth University Theater, Long Branch
March 5 at Music Mountain Theater, Lambertville
Doylestown, PA-based tribute band GruvTyme puts on a 1980s pop/rock music and dance extravaganza featuring ballet, hip-hop, jazz, modern, contemporary and social dances performed by Roxey Ballet. Songs are from Flashdance, Jenny Jenny, Tainted Love, Walk Like an Egyptian, Billy Jean, Like A Prayer, Footloose, and more.
Princeton Restaurant Week
Princeton
March 1-7
Check the list of restaurants where you can order a prix fixe lunch for $25, dinner for $45, or other special deals.
Philadelphia Flower Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center Philadelphia, PA
March 1-9
Based on the theme “Gardens of Tomorrow,” the mega floral exhibit will feature gorgeous displays, workshops and presentations, a potting party for families, behind-the-scenes tours, Flowers After Hours and tons of shopping ops to bring plants home.
Model Railroad Show
New York Society of Model Engineers, Carlstadt
March 1-2, 8-9, 15-16
There are two large operating layouts, O scale and HO, with steam and diesel engines, Thomas and Friends, freight and passenger trains, and working trolleys.
Sugar Shack Tours
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan
March 1-2, 15-16, 22-23
Happy Day reopens in the early spring for its maple sugaring event. Help Farmer Tim tap the trees the “old-fashioned way.” You’ll take a tractor ride around the 130-acre property before arriving at Olivia’s Sugar Shack to help with the process. Feed the farm animals, too!
Jersey City Restaurant Fest
Jersey City
March 1-15
The winter version includes specials and promos at different restaurants, cafes and bakeries around the city. Save the date for the summer fest, which takes place July 5-19.
Legally Blonde: The Musical
Freehold Township High School, Freehold Twp.
March 5, 7 and 8
Students will perform the stage play based on the hit movie starring Reese Witherspoon.
Sesame Place Mardi Gras Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Select dates, through 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.
Off-Broadway Week
Broadway, New York, NY
Through 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.
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.
Mermaid Experience
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Fridays – Sundays, through March 16
Watch as beautiful mermaids swim through the shark tank, ask for a photo as she sits on her clamshell throne, and make an ocean-themed bracelet to take home.
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.
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 Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Maple Sugaring in NJ
You’ll Love These Day Trip Ideas In and Around NJ
75 Things to Do Indoors in New Jersey
