Spring is officially here and there’s a free (and pretty spectacular) color and light festival in Asbury Park that literally transforms buildings with light, the circus is in town in Paramus, JONASCON is happening Sunday at American Dream, and lots more. Here are the best events, attractions and festivals happening this weekend in New Jersey.
WEEKEND
Winter Wonder
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Thursday – Sunday
This year’s season will be Mediterranean-inspired, showing off the new 32,000-square-foot West Conservatory and the Cascade Garden. This is the last weekend of the special exhibit.
The Colored Museum
Burgdorff Center for Performing Arts, Maplewood
Friday – Saturday
The Maplewood Strollers presents a powerful and satirical play that looks at African American identity through a series of 11 exhibits (scenes and songs). It challenges stereotypes and celebrates Black culture with humor and heart, ala the TV show “In Living Color!”
Color & Light Festival
Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park
Friday – Saturday
At dark, the theater along the boardwalk will be lit up with light, color and sound projection mapping on the buildings synchronized to music.
O’Harry’s St. Patrick’s Day Pop-Up Bar Experience
Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille, Cape May
Friday – Sunday
Get your Irish on with food and drink specials, live Irish music, a Jameson whiskey pairing class, and a paint-your-own leprechaun scene. This is the last weekend of the pop-up.
Beetlejuice Jr.
Bell Theater at Bell Works, Holmdel
Friday – Sunday
Students from the Axelrod Performing Arts Academy present a musical based on the hit movie.
Shen Yun
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Saturday – Sunday
The stage show takes you on a journey through China’s 5,000 years of culture through classical Chinese dance, live orchestral music, authentic costumes and interactive backdrops.
Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Chocolates from Pierre’s Chocolates of New Hope, PA, will be paired with Terhune’s selection of wines. There will be live music, food for sale, and time by the fire pits or inside the wine barn.
Sugar Shack Tours
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan
Saturday – Sunday
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!
Spring Artisan Market
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton
Saturday – Sunday
More than 60 artisans will set up a selection of handcrafted jewelry, pottery, woodworking, original artwork, skincare products and gourmet treats inside the East and West galleries. You can also explore the 42-acre sculpture park, and make reservations at Rat’s Restaurant.
FRIDAY
Jurassic Jersey
Senior Center, Flemington
Kids will explore lots of info about dinosaurs, uncover the story behind the first dinosaur discovery in New Jersey, and learn what life was like in the region during this fascinating time.
Game Night: Dungeons & Dragons
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Bring your own model or make one before the game starts. Then, there will be roleplaying moments during the twists of the game.
SATURDAY
Sesame Street Live! Say Hello: Sensory-Friendly Show
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood. Kids will sing, dance and play alongside their favorite furry friends while you follow Elmo’s puppy, Tango, in a game of hide-and-seek.
Truck-A-Palooza
Abma’s Farm, Wyckoff
You can attend either or both events dedicated to your kid’s love of trucks: climb aboard and explore at the Touch-a-Truck, or sit down and listen to Truck Tales during a special storytime with singing and props.
Uncork Spring! A New Jersey Wine Fest
Carteret Performing Arts Center, Carteret
NJ wineries will bring more than 150 wines to be sampled and purchased. There will be a food market at The Underground; and artisan crafters and vendors.
NJ Makers Day
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
During New Jersey STEM Month, kids can turn ordinary objects into science and art fun. Experiment with spoon catapults, create straw bookmarks and spoon dolls, and design magnet mazes out of plates.
Kids Paint Pour Workshop
Renu by Alice, Point Pleasant
In this paint-pour class, kids will learn how to mix colors, create cool patterns, and get their hands dirty while they express their creativity.
World Water Day
The Watershed Institute, Pennington
Learn from environmental advocates and educators who will present exhibits and demos on water conservation, specifically glacier preservation. There will be interactive stations about the water cycle, taste testing of waters, and a walk to vernal pools.
Celtic Hearth Light Tavern Night
The Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum, Rahway
The annual celebration prepares for the coming of spring with Irish music, tavern songs and admission to the taproom.
Sensory Morning
The Funplex, East Hanover and Mt. Laurel
The complex will have softened lights, reduced noise and accommodations for kids with sensory sensitivities. A dedicated sensory room will be available to offer a calming space for anyone who needs a moment of quiet.
Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Highlands
The festivities will highlight Irish culture with nearly 100 marching units, including bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, and beautifully decorated floats. After the parade, visit one of Highlands’s many great restaurants for pipe bands, live entertainment, and St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Patrick E. Coyne Memorial St. Paddy’s 5 Mile Race
Michael Tighe Park, Freehold
Held by the Freehold Area Running Club, this post-St. Patrick’s Day race honors the late Patrick E. Coyne, who was vice president of the club and a firefighter in town.
NJ Coffee Festival
Bell Works, Holmdel
Although it’s not technically a food fest, there will be plenty to eat along with samples from dozens of coffee and tea vendors. You can also sit down for an expert-led workshop, Coffee Conversation or Brew School. There will be live acoustic music and coffee games.
Pop-Up Marketplace
Tabernacle Baptist Church, Burlington
Join The Father Center of New Jersey for a multi-vendor marketplace with food trucks, pop-up shops, music, face painting and family activities.
Hopewell Valley Bulldogs 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run
Hopewell Valley Central High School, Pennington
The third annual 5K includes a new Fun Run for 2025, with both races benefitting the high school’s classes of 2026 and 2027. The theme is spring, since the race takes place on the first day of the season.
Women’s History Month Pop-Up Event
MarketFair, Princeton
The event will feature an art workshop and display, a women’s wellness panel, woman-owned small business vendor shopping, a mat Pilates class, a Bollywood dance workshop, a calligraphy workshop, a lesson on breathing techniques and mindfulness.
Sawmilling and Horse-Drawn Road Grading
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
You and the kids can help roll logs to the mill with logging tools, cut firewood for the kitchen stove, make pegs for barn framing, and plant replacement trees in the farm’s woodlot.
Celtic Hearth Light Tavern Night
The Merchant and Drovers Tavern Museum, Rahway
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the coming of spring at one of New Jersey’s oldest taverns. Irish balladeer Brian Kennedy will perform Irish tunes and traditional tavern songs.
The Ultimate ’80s Explosion
St. George Theatre, Staten Island, NY
Performers include Coro, The Cover Girls, Betty D of Sweet Sensation, Lisette Melendez, Soave, Lime, Tony Moran of The Latin Rascals, C-Bank and Fascination. Featuring Dj Whiteboy KYS, Joe Causi of WCBS 101.1 FM, and Sal Abbatiello of Fever Records.
Pre-K For All Free Admission Day
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
As part of an early childhood resource fair, there will be giveaways and information about services for school, medical, dental, food, and emotional needs; representatives from local camps and community centers with information about summer activities for children; activity tables, music, and a special Kidz Cook featuring summer snacks.
SUNDAY
Drinking For A Cause Pickleball Tournament
Pickleball HQ, Aberdeen Twp.
The Bagel Nook, Livoti’s, Jersey Freeze and Meli’s Thin & Crispy will hold a pickleball tournament fundraiser to benefit Liv Like a Unicorn Foundation, a local organization in Freehold that supports children and families battling cancer and other terminal illnesses.
A Celebration of Women’s History
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
The program includes a demo of cosmetics, hair and clothing from the 18th century, followed by entertainment by female composers and performers. On display in the Steuben House will be selections from the society’s girl’s sampler and needlework collection. Watch basket weaving and sewing demos.
JONASCON
American Dream, East Rutherford
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Jonas Brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick will celebrate at American Dream with live performances, DJ sets, Q&A panels, fan activations, immersive experiences, trivia, a Jonas Trading Post, karaoke, special guest appearances and more surprises.
Anime Wild
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Jersey Shore Comic Book Show is putting on a festival that celebrates anime, manga, Pokemon, comic books and cosplay. Dress up the whole family for the costume contest.
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.
FLIP Circus
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
March 21 to April 1
Created by the Vazquez family, who are fourth-generation performers, Flip celebrates the great American circus tradition with clowns, acrobats, jugglers and daredevils from an international cast of performers.
Rolling Railway Easter EGGspress
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Hammonton
March 22-23, 29-30; April 5-6, 12-13, 18-19
Hop aboard the train that takes you through the Spring Village. Meet the Easter Bunny, go on an egg hunt, and find your way through the Spring Hedge maze. Kids will get a free snack, plus an Easter prize. There will also be a giant slide and an inflatable 40-foot obstacle course. You can add on a game of bowling or eat at the Alley Bar & Grille or the Pin Deck. Toy Market will be on-site at their pop-up snack and toy cottage.
Easter Bunny Express
Cape May Seashore Lines, Cape May
March 23, 24, 30
Depending on the date you’ll leave from either the Tuckahoe or Richland station for a 60-minute railroad journey with the Easter Bunny. You’ll be entertained by live musicians while the train is rolling along, and once the Bunny appears he’ll have a special gift for every child on board.
Grand Reopening
Atlantic City Aquarium, Atlantic City
Starting March 24
After 5 long years, the aquarium will reopen so you can see Elliot the bearded dragon, Ray and the other cow nose stingrays, Max the American lobster, Bella the Columbian red-tail boa constrictor, and Big Mama the blue-tongued skink. There are more than 100 varieties of fish including sea bass, sand tiger sharks, northern stingray, bluefish and kingfish.
Millburn-Short Hills Restaurant Week
Millburn and Short Hills
March 24-30
Dozens of restaurants, cafes, sweet shops and wine boutiques will be offering specials and discounts during the week.
PEEPS in the Village
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
March 24 to April 27
The Visitors Center will have dozens of sculptures made out of the popular Easter marshmallow candy. Vote for your favorites.
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Sesame Place
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Saturdays – Sundays, through March 29
The brand new party at the park will include the Furry Friends St. Patrick’s Day Dance Party, Irish dancing shows by the Rince Ri School of Irish Dance at Sesame Studio, Grover’s Clover Scavenger Hunt, St. Patrick’s Day Dine with Elmo & Friends, themed attractions and rides, the Sesame Street Mardi Gras Parade, “Elmo the Musical – Live!,” and Cookie & Gonger’s Pizza Party.
St. Patrick’s Day Events
Pier Village, Long Branch
Through March 29
There will be events and activities at different businesses and restaurants: bowling, live music, food specials, a makers market, jewelry sales, carousel rides, etc.
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.
In Her Footsteps: A Celebration of Women in History
Museum of Jersey City History, Jersey City
Saturdays – Sundays, through March 30
Families can interact with actors portraying Maya Angelou, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Alice Paul, Mary T. Norton, Shirley Chisolm, Dolores Huerta, Ruth Asawa, Nellie Bly, and more. You can collect autographs, snap selfies, and win prizes. There will be dynamic displays, curated craft projects, educational activities, videos and interactive panel discussions.
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.
North New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Restaurant Month
Bergen and Hudson counties
Through March 31
Check the website, Facebook and Instagram pages of two dozen participating restaurants for updates and promotions.
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.
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Park
Select dates, through April 6
This musical tells the journey of how Carol Klein of Brooklyn, NY, became Carole King, the world-famous pop icon and hitmaker. She sings songs including “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “Natural Woman” and “I Feel the Earth Move.”
Spring Model Train Show
Garden State Model Railway Club, North Haledon
Saturdays-Sunday, through April 6
The club will run model trains of all kinds on a 1,200-square-foot HO scale layout, including Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. There will be a special appearance on March 29 by John Rezuke’s Ringling Bros. Circus Train; and April 5 and 6 will feature the Golden Age of Steam. The second railroad room has a children’s railroad where kids can try their hand at running trains.
The Cereal Cocktail Bar
North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, through April 27
The world’s first cereal-themed cocktail bar will have brunch every Saturday with Saturday morning cartoons and Y2K music.
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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