There are plenty of fun reasons to get out into the cold temps this weekend and we’ve rounded them up! If you want to stay indoors, check out our list of 70+ ideas for indoor fun in NJ.
WEEKEND
Bergen County Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Thursday – Sunday
Come for ice skating, carnival games, ice carving and a chance to take pictures with Santa at the North Pole. Tickets give you access to the zoo, carousel and train. This is the last weekend the wonderland will be open for the season.
GLOW to Bed: The Journey Through Time
Visit GLOW, Washington Twp.
Thursday – Sunday
You’ll experience the excitement of Christmas Eve through the eyes of a child, until you “wake up” on Christmas morning. The route is 1.2 miles long – and has a very specific 8,847,360 animated lights synchronized to music – that you see as you drive through the property. This is the final weekend of the extended season.
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Thursday – Sunday
The gardens come alive with bright lights and glittery tinsel. New for the season is A Taste of Christmas in the Fountain Room, and the new 1906 dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the iconic Main Fountain Garden. This is part of Longwood Reimagined: A New Garden Experience, a revitalization project that expanded exhibitions, programs and events on the grounds. This is the last weekend the display will be open for the season.
Holidig Drive Thru Light Show
Diggerland, West Berlin
Thursday – Sunday
Marvel at the lights, holiday displays and tunnels as you drive through 1.25 miles inside America’s only construction theme park. This is the last weekend the light show will be available for the season.
Let it Glow
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Thursday – Sunday
As you walk through the zoo or ride on the train, you’ll see 30 larger-than-life scenes decorated with animal-themed lanterns. This is the last weekend the displays will be open for the season.
Fishing & Boating Expo
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
This year’s event has expanded to over 80,000 square feet of indoor displays and a vendor area with 14 boat dealers and 100 vendor booths. Climb aboard boats, check out pontoons and wave runners, view “gotta-have” marine toys, sit down for a free seminar and meet some local fishermen.
Cherry Valley Model Railroad Club Holiday Open Houses
Grace Episcopal Church, Merchantville
Saturday – Sunday
The displays are based on an operating O scale model railroad featuring 4000 linear feet of track and a model of the historic 30th Street station in Philadelphia.
FRIDAY
Guided Engine Room Tour
Battleship NJ, Camden
Tour several stories of one of Battleship New Jersey’s Engine Rooms, walking through rarely-seen parts of the ship.
Baby Walk
Hoffman Park, Hampton
Get your baby outside and explore your local trail. There will be some fun nature education for adults.
SATURDAY
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.
Freestyle Flashback Concert
Bergen PAC, Englewood
Performing live on stage will be TKA, George LaMond, Judy Torres, Noel, Cynthia, Betty D of Sweet Sensation, Lisette Melendez, Soave, C-Bank and Joe Zangie. Hosted by Sal Abbatiello and Speedy, with music by Dj WhiteBoy KYS.
Linda’s Day Farm New Year Social
West Windsor Branch of the Mercer County Library System, Princeton Junction
The New Year Social provides social skills and peer socialization opportunities for adults ages 18+ with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will create a DIY raft using natural materials, play some getting-to-know-you games, and enjoy snacks together.
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.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Education/Scholarship Luncheon
Pines Manor, Edison
Oziel Grand Chapter OES and its charity foundation will introduce Yusef Salaam, a member of the New York City Council representing Harlem, who is one of the Exonerated of the Central Park Five.
Mindful Movers & Makers
Arts Council of Princeton, Princeton
Kids ages 3-7 will learn breathing techniques and short and sweet yoga sequences.
Wild World of Animals
Levoy Theatre, Millville
Grant Kemmerer & Friends – direct from Jack Hanna’s Adventures – will show off more than 12 different animals ranging from arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Kids will learn about jobs animals perform in nature; adaptations; some of the misconceptions surrounding certain species; and the biggest problems facing wildlife today.
Walt “Clyde” Frazier Book Signing
American Dream, East Rutherford
The NBA legend and fashion icon will host a Q&A and book signing for his recently published children’s book, “Winning and Grinning.”
Country Line Dancing
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
BTK Entertainment will be calling the moves and providing lessons throughout the evening.
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.
Farmers & Markers Brunch
Red Horse by David Burke, Bernards Inn, Bernardsville
The brunch buffet features food from local spots, plus there will be local boutiques selling goods. Some small businesses include Two River Mushrooms, Somerville Provisions, Hacklebarney Farms, Norz Hill Farm, Pretty Pink Rooster, Apres and Just Jersey.
International Food Festival
American Legion, Kearny
This food fest is held by KGC Cheerleading to celebrate the flavors of the community.
ONGOING
Peddler’s Village Fire & Frost Fun
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
January 10-11, 17-18
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.
Bumper Cars on Ice
The Rink, Bank of America at Bryant Park, New York, NY
January 10 – 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.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
January 11 to February 12
Based on the Nintendo Switch video game, kids will interact with game characters while learning more about the real-world animal kingdom from Adventure Aquarium team members. They’ll get to see sharks, sting rays, penguins, and other fish and sealife up close. There will be a New Horizons photo opp with an aquarium-themed background and characters from the game; themed signs developed by Blathers, one of the curators of the game; character stands near several exhibits; and My Nintendo kiosks where you can check in and get My Nintendo Platinum Points.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Menu
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream, East Rutherford
January 13-20
The restaurant menu will honor the legacy of Dr. King with a special dish of King’s Jambalaya with BBQ fried chicken, Jollof rice, fish curry, collards, cornbread and peanut chimichurri. The dish’s elements are inspired by the many places MLK went, leaving behind his message of peace and equal rights.
New Hope & Lambertville Restaurant Week
Lambertville and New Hope, PA
January 13-27
Over 20 restaurants from both sides of the Delaware River will offer specially priced prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus.
Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Select dates, through January 19
The winery grounds are open to families for ice skating, a holiday market, fire pits, live music, and of course wine. You can sponsor a Christmas tree for the Festival of Trees display.
Montclair Flea Holiday Market
Lackawanna Station, Montclair
Weekends, through January 19
The previously vacant Lackawanna Station will house a rotating lineup of 175+ vendors and food trucks for the season. View the art and sculptures by local artists including Shaun Killman, Charlie Spademan, Gardenship and more on display throughout the space.
Tianyu Lights Festival
Citi Field, Flushing, Queens, NY
Through January 19
Intricate light sculptures, vibrant displays, and a story about a young boy who returned from a trip to the Amazon pull you into a storybook adventure at this Chinese traditional lights festival.
Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History at Deptford, NJ, Deptford
Thursdays – Sundays, through February 2
See O and O-27 gauge toy trains from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines, with adjoining cars, will race against each other on two diverse platforms. Vintage Plasticville buildings from the 1950s, vegetation and auxiliary structures will give the platforms a traditional holiday appearance.
New Jersey/New Sculpture
Morris Museum, Morristown
Wednesdays – Sundays, through February 2
Eleven sculptors who worked with malleable aluminum, cold-worked glass, and industrial robotics join the more traditional media of ceramics, forged iron, and steel in this exhibit that showcases 40 works based on The Garden State.
Nature-Infused Yoga
In person at the Schermann Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Or virtual via Zoom
Saturdays, through February 22
Yoga teacher Kristin Mylecraine will show how yoga is a great way to relax, find inner connection, and increase flexibility and strength. Explore the connections between yoga and nature in this 75-minute class.
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.
Outdoor Ice Skating
Veterans Park, North Brunswick
Fridays, through February 28
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 at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York City
Through March 2
This Manhattan park is home to the largest free-admission ice skating rink in NYC. Relax rinkside at The Lodge, where you can get food and drinks while taking in the splendor of the giant Christmas tree. Shop more than 180 vendors selling gifts from around the world. And check out the bumper cars on ice.
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.
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 the original manuscript.
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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