The long Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend is upon us and there are plenty of fun and interesting ways to spend it, including at events to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy. Here are more things to do in and around NJ this weekend:
ALL WEEKEND
Peddler’s Village Fire & Frost Fun
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Friday – Saturday
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.
North Jersey Orchid Society Show & Sale
Cook Student Center of Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Friday – Sunday
Check out dozens of displays of blooming orchids grown in homes and greenhouses in the mid-Atlantic area.
New Jersey High School Thespian Festival
Washington Township High School, Sewell
Saturday – Sunday
The weekend includes a Thespy competition, workshops, summer program auditions, college auditions and interviews, meetings with industry professionals, scholarship opportunities, networking, technical theater workshops and shopping.
Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Saturday – Sunday
The winery grounds are open to families for ice skating, fire pits, live music, and, of course wine.
Montclair Flea Holiday Market
Lackawanna Station, Montclair
Saturday – Sunday
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
Saturday – Sunday
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. This is the last weekend to go!
LSC WinterFest
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Saturday – Monday
Glide around the Sock Skating Rink, have a fluffy “snowball” fight, check out a science show in the planetarium, and take a free photo with Frosty the Snowman or Curious George. There will be performances by Imagine Circus with an LED ringmaster, a bubble guy and an LED hooper. Take a journey on the Snowflake Express, the new mini train that tours a winter wonderland; and then try vanilla ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend 2025
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Saturday – Monday
Watch a 30-minute first-person performance about Elizabeth Freeman, known as Mumbet, who was sued for her freedom but won. Living historian Leslie Bramlett will talk about the lives of women of African descent who were connected to the Revolutionary era, Hannah Archer Till and Ona Judge. There will be other pop-up talks, a community engagement wall, family activities in the discovery center, and highlights of the Black Voices of the Revolution tour.
FRIDAY
Step Afrika! Dance Show
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles, traditional African dances, and contemporary art forms, plus songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation.
The Wild World of Animals
Carteret Performing Arts Center, Carteret
Grant Kemmerer will bring along reptiles, birds and mammals in a fast-paced show for animal lovers of all ages.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ceremony
North Brunswick Senior Center, North Brunswick
Honor the life and legacy of Dr. King through spoken word and song.
New Concepts for Living Fundraiser With Marky Ramone
New Concepts for Living, Paramus
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Marky Ramone, drummer for the legendary band The Ramones, will give a live drumming demo and a Q&A session as part of a charitable event to benefit New Concepts for Living. The Paramus-based not-for-profit provides comprehensive support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Guided Turret II Tour
Battleship NJ, Camden
Tour five stories of the ship, plus see a 16-inch gun turret. You’ll see rare parts of the ship, plus colorful sailor art.
SATURDAY
Special Olympics New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
All plungers are encouraged to dress up in costume (or a bathing suit), break out the plunge props, and make banners and signs. Immediately following the plunge on the beach behind the convention center, plungers, and children under age 12, can warm up inside the convention center with a free lunch.
Children’s Winter Ball
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Kids can dress up and bring their parents to the Renault Winter Ball. There will be dinner and dancing, as well as time to meet your favorite cast of princesses and superhero characters. There will also be a photo booth, DJ, lights, a variety of culinary stations, and more.
Pier Village Ice Festival
Pier Village, Long Branch
Wintry activities include an ice carving competition, live entertainment, an artisan market, a warming house, hot cocoa and chocolate chip cookies, s’mores around firepits, restaurant discounts, arcade games and skee-ball, bowling, paint your own pottery, and bead making.
Tiki Barber Meet-and-Greet
Verizon store, Clifton
New York Giants fans can meet superstar Tiki Barber ahead of Verizon’s first-ever Super Bowl FanFest. Barber will hold a special meet-and-greet where fans can get autographs, take photos and grab some game-day snacks. The event is free for Verizon customers.
Dancing With the Stars Live 2025
The Event Center at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Atlantic City
Performers from the hit TV show include Emma Slater, Alan Bersten, Brandon Armstrong, Britt Stewart, Daniella Karagach, Gleb Savchenko, Pasha Pashkov and Rylee Arnold. Mandy Moore choreographed and directed this year’s tour.
Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture
Newark Public Library, Newark
Kevin Powell will talk about the impact Dr. King and Malcolm X would have if they were still alive today.
Bergen County “Unplugged” Reading Challenge
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Kick off the book challenge registration process with storytime, a bookmark craft, meet-and-greet with children’s book character Pete the Cat, and snacks.
Sewing Machine Basics for Kids
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Your little fashionista aged 8-12 will learn the parts, functions, and how to safely operate a sewing machine; how to thread the needle and wind the bobbin for thread; and practice straight lines, curves, zigzags and basic stitches.
Sewing Machine Workshop for Teens & Adults
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
You’ll learn the parts, functions and operations of the sewing machine; learn to wind a bobbin, thread a needle, and conquer basic stitches like straight seams, zigzags and buttonholes; explore a variety of fabrics and notions; and troubleshoot challenges.
Winter Wonderland Walk
Hoffman Park, Hampton
Walk about 1 mile to see what’s happening in nature during the weekend.
Freestyle Flashback Concert
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
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.
Light of Day Winterfest
Count Basie Center of the Arts, Red Bank
The music event raises money for Parkinson’s, ALS and PSP. Bob’s Birthday Bash is the main event, and includes performances by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Jesse Malin, Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, Brian Baker of Bad Religion, and Pete Steinkopf of The Bouncing Souls, plus Dramarama, Willie Nile, Joe Grushecky and The Houserockers, The Weeklings, James Maddock, Joe D’Urso, Williams Honor, Adam Ezra and more.
MLK March of Resistance
Martin Luther King Statue, Newark
Brothers Building a Better Nation (BBABN) joins the People’s Organization for Progress (POP) and more than 100 other organizations for a march from the MLK statue to Newark City Hall and back to the statue.
2025 LADACIN Plunge
Manasquan
Support the Lifetime Assistance for Developmental and Challenging Individual Needs (LADACIN) Network by jumping into the ocean, and then warm up at Leggett’s Sand Bar and Restaurants for a party after the plunge.
‘Wish You Were Here’ Screening & Q&A With Director Julia Stiles
The Clairidge, Montclair
Actress Julia Stiles makes her directorial debut in the romantic film based on the book of the same name, “Wish You Were Here.” Stiles will take part in a Q&A after a special screening of the movie, which is about leaving the everyday world behind to take a chance on romance.
SEED 15th Commemorative MLK Breakfast
Hyatt Regency Princeton, Princeton
The breakfast celebrates the legacy of MLK with good, drum majors and inspiring presentations.
Junior Historians Club
Wicoff House Museum, Plainsboro
Junior Historians will solve museum mysteries and learn about topics related to history and preservation. Kids will use the museum collections and the museum grounds to take part in fun and educational activities.
Winterfest
Hackettstown
Celebrate the winter shopping season at local shops. There will be tastings, special offers and more.
Lantern Making Workshop
Creative Twist Events, Metuchen
Artist Julia Virginia Win will lead a lantern-making workshop in honor of the Lunar New Year.
Ferris Wheel-ebration
Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
The Ferris Wheel officially reopened after its closure in 2020 due to the pandemic. Standing 60 feet tall, it is currently the only indoor Ferris wheel in New York. During the “Wheel-ebration,” celebrate the grand reopening with a ribbon cutting, live entertainment, cotton candy, and half-price rides for all guests.
SUNDAY
Winter Trail Walk
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
A guided winter trail walk will be held along Maggie’s Trail.
All Stars of Hip Hop 15th Anniversary Concert
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City
Method Man, Redman, Ja Rule, Da Brat, Lil Jon, Too Short and Master KG put on the ultimate hip-hop concert.
Muslim Heritage Celebration
Fair Lawn Community Center, Fair Lawn
The Fair Lawn Muslim Community will host an educational experience based on the cultural traditions of 15 Muslim-majority countries. This interactive event will have performances, cultural exhibits of clothing and artifacts, crafts, music, live calligraphy, food stalls, henna art and a photo booth.
Robbinsville Science & Arts Fusion Fest
Robbinsville High School, Robbinsville
Presented by the Science Olympiad and Robbinsville Odyssey of the Mind, the afternoon will be filled with scientific discovery and artistic challenges, introducing STEAM through its clubs. Sign up for the non-Newtonian fluid lab, Write It-Do It or helicopter vehicle workshops.
Book Signing with Jennifer Salvato Doktorski
Barnes & Noble, East Brunswick
In her new book “Finding Normal,” out January 21, Doktorski focuses on eating disorders, which is one of the deadliest and most misunderstood mental illnesses. Gemma and Lucas suffer from anorexia nervosa and bulimia, but their diseases do not define them. They want to feel normal, accepted and worthy of love.
Kids Workshops at Lowe’s
Lowe’s, Howell Twp.
Your mini-DIYer can become a senior builder during a workshop where they’ll get a free tool bag after they attend and collect 12 badges. There’s also a Build a Birthday box to work on at home. Upcoming projects include a toy snowplow on January 18, and a tool chest on February 15.
Guided House Tour: Many Voices
Montclair History Center, Montclair
This interactive tour shares the many voices that are part of Montclair’s history, using the Crane House & Historic YWCA as a window into different time periods and the people who are part of Montclair.
Maple Tree Tapping
Echo Hill Park, Flemington
After a 10-minute walk to the sugar bush, you will learn how to ID a sugar maple, and see a demo on how to tap a maple tree. Collectively, the group will tap about 25 trees.
ONGOING
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan
January 18-26
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and Sally are the stars of this musical.
Maple Sugaring
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham
Sundays, January 19 – March 9
This program held entirely outdoors will show you how to identify and tap maple trees, plus collect sap and make syrup over a wood-fired evaporator.
New Hope & Lambertville Restaurant Week
Lambertville and New Hope, PA
Through January 27
Over 20 restaurants from both sides of the Delaware River will offer specially priced prix fixe lunch and/or dinner menus.
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.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Aquarium Tour
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Through 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.
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
Skate to your heart’s desire on Fridays, but keep in mind 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.
Bumper Cars on Ice
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.
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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