
While you wait to hear the groundhog’s prediction for an early spring, check out these fun wintertime events in New Jersey.
WEEKEND
Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History at Deptford
Thursday – Sunday
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 platforms. You’ll see Vintage Plasticville buildings from the 1950s, too.
New Jersey/New Sculpture
Morris Museum, Morristown
Thursday – Sunday
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.
Pinstripe Pride
American Dream, East Rutherford
Friday – Sunday
Your kids – and you – can meet your heroes. There are dozens of former New York Yankees, announcers and actors who will appear all weekend for meet-and-greets and autograph signings.
Winter Fire & Ice Celebration
New Egypt Flea Market, Cream Ridge
Saturday – Sunday
There will be ice sculptures and demos, animal exhibits, handmade makers, music, fire pits, photo ops, shopping and food trucks.
Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Various Locations in NJ and NY
Saturday – Sunday
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.
Lunar New Year Scavenger Hunt
Big SNOW at American Dream, East Rutherford
Saturday – Sunday
Find lucky red envelopes hidden throughout the retail space and in the snow dome. Inside each Lunar New Year-themed envelope will be a variety of prizes.
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company: Year of the Snake
NJPAC, Newark
Saturday – Sunday
Dancers and musicians will present beautiful Chinese traditions in this Lunar New Year dance celebration.
SATURDAY
Tap the Sugar Maples
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Hundreds of sugar maple trees line the banks of Moore’s Creek and the nearby woods at the foot of Baldpate Mountain. In February, farmers begin the annual work of sap collection and maple syrup production. The first step takes place in the sugar bush, where you can join Howell Farm’s expert tree-tappers for a lesson in how to tap a backyard maple tree and make syrup at home.
Passport to Adventure
Brunswick Square Mall, East Brunswick
You’ll visit different “countries” where there will be music, crafts, meet-and-greets with Mickey and Minnie, and face painting. This fundraiser benefits the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation.
Makerspace
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
Kids ages 5 to 12 can use the 3D printer, build with LEGOs, make jewelry, experiment with the marble run and coding robots, and more.
Winter Tour
The Frelinghuysen Arboretum, Morristown
Take a guided tour of the grounds during the winter.
Groundhog Day Celebration
The Watershed Institute, Pennington
Join Watershed Wally the Woodchuck as he celebrates winter and looks forward to the return of spring. Learn about groundhogs, take a hike to a groundhog hole, and try your hand at chucking wood with a catapult or trebuchet.
Black History Month Performance
Roseland Free Public Library, Roseland
In this performance by the Bright Star Theatre Company, Dr. Daisy and Professor Paisley will lead the audience on a tour of the Black History Hall of Fame. Learn about Maya Angelou, Aretha Franklin, Mae Jemison, the Buffalo Soldiers and more.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Metuchen Town Plaza, Metuchen
Learn about the culture and history of this special day with music and dancing, enjoy a special artist exhibit by Julia Win in Peterson Park and celebrate the day throughout local businesses.
Pizza Bowl V
Redd’s, Carlstadt
Not only will you get to taste some of the best pizza from New Jersey, but you’ll also be supporting the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. You can add on celebrity meet-and-greets with members from The Sopranos and Goodfellas.
Kids Workshops: Activities & Crafts
The Home Depot, Multiple Locations
On the first Saturday of every month, bring your kids at 9 am for free in-store workshops that give them hands-on projects. Upcoming crafts include a Valentine’s candy box on February 1, and a basketball game on March 1.
2025 Lunar New Year Celebration
Bell Works, Holmdel
The Jersey Shore Chinese School will hold a New Year celebration in the Main Atrium with performances by students and teachers that highlight Chinese culture and traditions.
Patriot Polar Plunge
Sea Girt
Supports the LIFT Fund for veterans at Habitat for Humanity, providing critical home repairs for veterans in Monmouth County. The 2025 parade is in honor of State Trooper and National Guardsman Juan Fajardo. There is an after-party with breakfast at Rod’s Tavern.
National Ice Cream For Breakfast Day
Coney Waffle, Belmar, Long Branch, Red Bank and Toms River
Start your morning with one of the over-the-top ice cream delights. There’s a limited menu that will include specialty breakfast flavors and waffles.
DNJ Fest ’25: A Celebration of Jazz
Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Dance students and professionals from around the state will dance, audition, recruit, learn and connect together. This year’s event will include dance luminaries from the casts of Moulin Rouge, Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ and the Radio City Rockettes. There will be classes, professional development workshops, auditions, conversations, and a wellness-centered vendors market.
Mother-Daughter Tea
St. Paul Church’s Spiritual Center, Princeton
Wonderfully Made will host a mom/aunt/grandmother and daughter event for kids ages 10-12.
SUNDAY
Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market
The Studio Ligaya, Metuchen
Shop unique, handcrafted gifts and treats for your loved ones—or yourself—from a curated selection of local vendors. Plus, warm up with a drink from the hot chocolate bar.
All You Need is Love And a Dog
Jives Café, Howell
You can have a cup of coffee while you meet pups from Pitties and Pals Rescue and look for the pup you want to adopt.
Cutting, Splitting & Hewing
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge, and then learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad axe to hew beams.
Make Your Own Stuffed Animal
Cooper Gristmill, Chester
Kids will be taught how to sew, and then create their own little stuffie.
Beef & Brew
Proving Ground, Highlands
The 15th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser will include a gift auction and a pipe band. The 2025 Grand Marshal, Tim Hill, will be presented with his sash.
Kalanidhi Dance
Sharp Theater, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah
Kalanidhi Dance is rooted in the classical Indian style of Kuchipudi. Bhoomi means “earth” in Sanskrit. The performance is based on the five natural elements of space, air, fire, water and earth, featuring dance moves plus projected images of paintings by award-winning artist Shanthi Chandrasekhar.
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 Detention Club
Burgdoff Center for the Performing Arts, Maplewood
January 31, Feb. 1-2 and 8-9
When the keys to Ms. Kucey’s test are stolen, eight kids are sent to detention. They have one goal: to find the culprit and save their summer. This is the Maplewood Strollers’ annual children’s show.
Kiss & Tell Pop-Up Bar
The Bistro at iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
January 31 – 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.
Hudson Restaurant Week
Through February 7
Edgewater, Guttenberg, Hoboken, Jersey City, Weehawken
Visit participating restaurants for special prix fixe menus, whether you want to return to your old favorite or try a new one.
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, evaporator lesson and syrup tasting.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maple Sugaring
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham
Sundays, through March 9
This program is held entirely 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.
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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