Head to a flower festival or Easter egg hunt, plan a Spring Break road trip or staycation, or find a mini-camp for the kids!
WEEKEND
Millburn-Short Hills Restaurant Week
Millburn and Short Hills
Thursday – Saturday
About 40 different locations are participating, with everything from cake tastings to murder mystery dinners, to prix fixe menus, brunch specials and more.
Disney on Ice
CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton
Mickey, Minnie and their friends lead an ice skating party where you can see scenes from “Coco,” “Moana,” “Frozen” and more.
Dreamgirls
McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
Thursday – Sunday
A 1960s Motown girl group catches their big break in an amateur competition and rises from obscurity to superstardom.
Garden State Film Fest
Throughout New Jersey
Thursday – Sunday
Films that were produced here in NJ, and elsewhere in the country, will be screened at theater locations across the state.
Winter Wonder
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Thursday – Sunday
There are beautiful exhibits inside the conservatory and outside on the grounds, bringing a touch of spring to the winter. As you walk through the landscaping, sign up for a science series workshop or gardening lesson. There will be musical performances on select days.
Bergen County Zoo Eggstravaganza
Bergen County Zoo, Paramus
Saturday – Sunday
Go around the zoo collecting eggs, treats and prizes; meet the Easter Bunny; and see all your favorite animals.
The Great DuBois Circus: Masters of Variety
Sieminski Theater, Basking Ridge
Saturday – Sunday
Michael DuBois and Viktoria Grimmy are known for performing in the movie “The Greatest Showman.” During their live stage show, they will juggle, twist hula hoops, ride on unicycles and add comedy to their acrobatic routines.
Spring Model Train Show
Garden State Model Railway Club, North Haledon
Saturday – Sunday
Look at all the running steam and diesel trains on a 1,200-square-foot HO scale layout, including Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. A second railroad room will be open, which features a new railroad currently under construction, a children’s railroad where kids can try their hand at running trains, and items for sale.
Wine & Chocolate Weekend
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
For this weekend, the chocolate pairing includes a wine flight from Terhune with samples from Pierre’s Chocolates of New Hope, PA.
Special Olympics NJ Spring Basketball Competitions
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood
Saturday – Sunday
More than 1,000 Special Olympics athletes from the Garden State will compete in basketball competitions.
FRIDAY
Drum Tao
Wilkins Theatre at Kean University, Union
The 30th anniversary show showcases Japanese Taiko drums.
Pop’s Market Opening Day
Pop’s Market, Monroe Twp.
The greenhouses will be open with Easter and early spring flowers. The market will be stocked with jarred goods, honey, New Jersey wine and produce.
Matilda In Concert
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
The New Jersey Symphony will play the soundtrack live while you watch the movie. The performance will feature celebrity guest appearances by actors who played characters in Matilda, including Pam Ferris (Trunchbull), Rhea Perlman (Mrs. Wormwood) and Mara Wilson (Matilda) – as well as producer/director and NJ native Danny DeVito.
Energy Enhancement System and Chakra Bowl Healing
Walk in Peace Today, Toms River
Sit in a recliner or on a yoga mat and relax for an hour. Between EES and the playing of the singing chakra bowls, you will have your chakras balanced, energy increased, pain relieved, emotions balanced and energy aligned.
Taste of Bordentown City
Bordentown Elks, Bordentown City
While Men of Horses plays live music, you can walk around the Elks hall and sample food from local restaurants like Toscano Ristorante, Old Town Pub, HOB Tavern, Angie’s Luncheonette, The Candy Jar by 1892, and Nola’s Gluten-Free Bakery.
Stones vs. Beatles
The Levoy Theatre, Millville
Two different cover bands come together to play music of the classic British rock/pop bands.
SATURDAY
Breakfast With the Easter Bunny
Stew Leonard’s, Paramus
Stew Leonard’s chefs will cook up a breakfast buffet. Kids will get Easter coloring sheets and can take a photo with the Easter Bunny.
Holi Hai: Rang De Basanti
Plainsboro Community Middle School, Plainsboro
The Bollywood musical, dance and drama extravaganza includes four hours of dinner, shopping, fashion, photography, and Holi with dry colors.
Art Class and Community Conversation
El Rinconcito Musical, Hackensack
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation invites families with kids age 5 and up to an environmental arts-themed painting workshop taught in both English and Spanish.
Sawmilling and Tree Planting
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell
Help roll logs to the mill with logging tools, cut firewood for the kitchen stove, make pegs for use in barn framing, and plant replacement trees in the farm’s woodlot. Kids will make a pine needle sachet as a craft project.
Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Huddy Park, Highlands
The 20th annual parade will highlight Irish culture with nearly 100 marching units including bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, and beautifully decorated floats. The parade will begin at Waterwitch Avenue and extend along Bay Avenue. The 2024 Grand Marshal is Timothy G. Hill. Highlands Business Partnership will host the annual “Competition of Floats” and award trophies for Best of Show, Prettiest, the Most Original and Best Apparatus.
Full Moon Hike
Schiff Nature Preserve, Mendham
Spend 90 minutes on this 2-mile hike that’ll provide a new perspective of nature under the moonlight.
Sensory-Friendly Easter Egg Hunt
Bierman Autism Centers, Princeton
After this specially designed egg hunt, kids can make Easter-themed crafts.
Montclair Film + Montclair Improv Comedy!
Cinema505, Montclair
There will be original long-form and short-form improv comedy from veterans of Chicago’s, NY’s and LA’s best-known improv theaters.
Colossal Carrot Adventure
iPlay America, Freehold
Sonny the Bunny will lead you along a trail throughout the indoor theme park so you can collect eggs filled with surprises at each stop. Take a seat next to the Bunny and snap your own photos or go to the Selfie Snapshots photo booth where there will be a selection of props and themed backgrounds.
Easter Market
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
This artisan market will include food and dessert vendors, Magyar apparel, beer from Seven Tribesmen Brewery, a Scout store and info from Magyar Reformed Church.
The Peking Acrobats
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
The acrobats contort their bodies with amazing flexibility during this Chinese carnival.
Pet Photos With the Easter Bunny
Rebecca Finn House, Toms River
This will be a fundraiser for Runaway Farm, an animal sanctuary in Bayville.
Uncork Spring! A Food and Wine Experience
Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center, Carteret
More than a dozen wineries from New Jersey will have over 150 wines for you to taste and buy. There will be chef pairings, food samples, music and a vendor market.
Spring Wreath-Making Workshops
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Choose the morning or afternoon session to assemble and decorate a wreath to decorate your home for spring. Snacks will be provided.
Opening Day
Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp.
This children’s theme park is a fantasy land for kids who love fairytales. There are more than 15 rides and dozens of attractions for young kids, such as Bubbles the Coaster, Zip Zap Racers, Tick-Tock Clock Drop and the Work Zone.
Happy Wellness Expo
Kushner Academy, Livingston
There will be 100 exhibitor booths set up with info and products based on holistic wellness and natural healing. Get inspired by a lineup of speakers who will share their knowledge on mental health resources, disease prevention and wellness.
Women’s History Month Program
Anthony Amalfe Community Center, Roselle
The theme of this year’s women’s event is “Choose To Live!” This event is designed to inspire women in the community to choose to live, despite experiences of loss, hurt, disappointment, failure, trauma and more. A special part of the celebration is the fact that the Roselle Borough Council is made up of women.
South Street Seaport Neighborhood Holi Celebration
South Street Seaport Museum, New York, NY
You’ll get free admission to the museum to explore the galleries and historic ships, while also eating Indian food, watching the Colors of Krishna’s Love puppet show, checking out dance workshops and performances, and throwing colorful pigments. At Wavertree, listen to a book reading and talk on traditional foods of Holi, then take part in a cooking segment and tasting. Walk past the Holi Collaborative Mural at Pier 16 and ask for a colorful paintball so you can add your touch to the painting.
Bergen Philharmonic’s 88th Season: Concert II
Syriac Community Hall, Paramus
The concert of mostly romantic music is performed by musicians from almost every town in Bergen County.
Nerd Force Fan Fest
Courtyard Marriott, Glassboro
Vendors will be selling everything nerdy you could possibly want: toys, comic books, movies, anime and games. There will be artists to meet and cosplayers. The event supports the Pitman School District Art and Music departments.
Go Dark for Earth Hour 2024
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
Hard Rock will “go dark” in certain outlets for 60 minutes without electricity. Earth Hour activities at the resort include a candlelit dinner at Kuro and dark hour at Rock Spa & Salon. The purpose is to save electricity.
SUNDAY
Full Moon Night Hike
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford
You’ll be led through the refuge at night so you can see the nocturnal animals like raccoons, owls, opossums and other wildlife.
Baby & Me: Cute Bunny Photo Keepsake Workshop
The Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Bring your kid aged 1-3, along with a photo of them, and you’ll use cotton balls to make an adorable bunny with their face.
School of Rock Northeast We Need You In The Band Fest
Starland Ballroom, Sayreville
Kid rockers from the Chatham, Cherry Hill, Clark, Cresskill, Red Bank, Wayne, and Fort Washington (PA) locations will perform together to raise money for the Society of the Prevention of Teen Suicide.
Holistic Health & Healing Expo
DoubleTree by Hilton, Cherry Hill
There will be tons of resources for natural wellness, organic food, healthy pets, spirituality, sustainability, and green living.
A Celebration of Women’s History
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Historical balladeer Linda Russell will sing music based on the history of American women. She will also share stories of Deborah Samson, who fought as a soldier in Washington’s army, and New Jersey women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone and Alice Paul, all of whom led the fight for Women’s Suffrage. On display in the Steuben House will be new exhibits and Revolutionary War artifacts. All three 18th-century Jersey Dutch sandstone houses are open for tours throughout the day.
Bubble Zone
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
OMG Bubbles make big blobs of foam, and then kids will watch, chase and pop the gigantic bubbles.
Spring Craft Show
Paramus High School, Paramus
Arts and crafts products from 125 vendors will be available for purchase. A breakfast and lunch menu will be set up in the cafe.
Main Street Pops Artisan Market 2024 Kickoff
Under the Viaduct, 1401 Adams St., Hoboken
Kick off the Hoboken market season with a lineup of more than 60 vendors, live music from Two For the Road, an embroidery art workshop, kids’ activities from Mile Square Early Learning, outdoor games, and the launch of the new Be A Maker series.
Sensory-Friendly Film: Kung Fu Panda 4
The Clairidge, Montclair
You can move around as much as you need to during the movie, plus the lights and volume will be low, and a limited number of trailers will be shown before the movie starts.
ONGOING
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, March – December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, March – December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Tours of Crane House & Historic YWCA
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Wayne PAL Antique Collectibles Show and Vintage Flea Market
Wayne PAL Athletic League Complex, Wayne
First Sunday of every month, through April
The show features over 150 vendor tables in two large rooms and the front lobby where you can find vintage and sterling jewelry, glassware and Lenox, toys and trains, antique and collectible dolls and action figures, vintage postcards and photos and artwork, military, political and sports memorabilia including cards, magazines and newspapers, vintage coins and watches, classic rock CDs and more.
Art Classes
Big Bear Gear, Lambertville
Saturdays in March
Projects include designing a flower pot, painting a landscape on wood, drawing botanicals on rocks, vegetable printmaking and making paper landscape earrings.
Outdoor Skills for Beginners
Big Bear Gear, Lambertville
Saturdays in March
Expert instructors will help you and the fam (kids age 6 and older are welcome) with outdoor skills like backpacking, camping, navigating with a map and compass, whittling wood into a camp chair, and building a fire.
Tiny Riders Storytime
Mercer County Stables, Pennington
March 22; April 12
Kids ages 2-4 will listen to the reading of a horse-themed book and then take a pony ride around the ring.
Easter Bunny Express
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
March 23, 24, 30
The Easter Bunny and his helpers will be on board the train, greeting everyone during the 45-minute round-trip ride along the historic Whippanong Trail throughout Morris County. All the kids will get a special gift.
Easter Eggstravaganza
G&G Stables, Howell
March 23-24, 30
Admission includes an Easter egg hunt, petting zoo, hayride, barrel ride and games. Pony rides, animal feed, face painting and snacks will be available for purchase.
Rolling Railway Easter EGGspress
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Hammonton
March 23-24, 29-30
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
Black River and Western Railroad, Flemington
March 23-24 and 29-30
Take a round-trip train ride from Flemington to Ringoes and back. Meet Peter Cottontail aboard the train for a brief photo op. There will be an egg hunt when you stop off in Ringoes.
Easter Bunny Express
Woodstown Central Railroad, Woodstown
March 23-24 and 29-30
The vintage train goes through the forests and farmland of historic Salem County before reaching the Easter Bunny’s home at Fenwick Grove. There, kids will hop off for an egg hunt.
Springtime & Easter Festival
Alstede Farms, Chester
March 23 – April 7
Explore the farm on a hay wagon ride, and visit with the adorable baby farm animals. Go on an Easter egg hunt and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. Wander through the Bunny Trail Maze or the evergreen maze, then climb on the giant hay pyramid. Note: The farm is closed on March 31 for Easter.
Bubble Bash
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
March 23 – April 7
The Bubble Bash Party will be poppin’ as the Rotunda transforms into a bubble-filled extravaganza. Learn the science behind bubbles by watching demos that showcase how to use bubbles to make your at-home experiments. Follow clues around the aquarium, anyone who unscramble the letters correctly to spell the secret word will receive a bubbly prize. Take part in a trivia game show centered around bubbles. Special food selections include a Bubble Sundae and Bubble Tea. As a bonus, you will take home 8 ounces of Bubble Bash.
Elmo’s Eggstravaganza Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
March 23 – April 7
Celebrate Easter with The Bunny, Elmo and friends. Take pictures with your kid’s favorite characters, go on an Easter egg scavenger hunt, join a Bunny Hop Dance Party, grab a seat on the sidewalk for the Sesame Street Party Parade, listen to storytime, and decorate donuts with Cookie Monster.
Easter Bunny Breakfast / Bunny Trail Brunch
Alstede Farms, Chester
March 23-24, 29-30
You have two options to eat with The Easter Bunny: come in the morning for a hearty farm breakfast, or choose the afternoon session and sit down for brunch. Either way, you can enjoy everything the Spring & Easter Festival has to offer, like a hay wagon ride, Bunny Trail Maze and giant hay pyramid. If you come in the afternoon, kids can play in the bounce house, take a wagon train ride or hop on a pony for a ride.
Story Time with the Easter Bunny
Abma’s Farm, Wyckoff
March 23, 27 and 28
After you read a fun Easter-themed story you can take a picture with the Easter Bunny. The event includes singing, props and puppets.
Photos With the Easter Bunny
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
March 24 and 31
Say “hi” to the Easter Bunny and get photos for the Easter holiday, then play some fun games in the arcade!
Live Cook-Off Series!: Beat Chef David Burke
THE GOAT by David Burke, Union Beach
Sundays, March 24 and April 7
Three up-and-coming TV-star chefs are challenging Chef Burke to create a three-course dinner using a mystery ingredient. Two lucky people from the audience will help judge the dishes. Competing chefs are Lauren Van Liew, Casey Webb and Alexandra Donnadio.
Spring Break Activities
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
March 26-28, April 2-3
During the March sessions, kids will create spring flowers based on the art of Arthur B. Carles Jr., featured in the American Perspectives gallery. In April, learn how to recycle water bottles into wind wavers, Instead of throwing away empty water bottles, learn how to recycle them into colorful art for spring.
Apollo: When We Went to The Moon
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
March 26 to September 2
The temporary exhibit at the sea, air and space museum highlights the history of our trek to the moon. There is 9,000 square feet in the Space Shuttle Pavilion that includes a lunar rover model you can climb on, an area to leave footprints on the Moon, and artifacts from the Apollo spacecraft.
The Throne
The Rink at American Dream, East Rutherford
March 27-30
Head to the court for a four-day single-elimination tournament for high school basketball players. Sixteen of the top men’s teams and eight of the top women’s teams in the country will compete for national titles.
Egg Hunt Hayrides
Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford
Through March 30
Hop a hayride to the egg hunt grounds, decorate cookies, snap photos with Peter Rabbit and visit the farm market.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays, through March 31
Let your kids make their own s’mores and hot chocolate while you sip on wine by the fire pit. There will be live music all weekend.
Windows of Understanding
Highland Park, Metuchen, New Brunswick, Rahway, South Plainfield
Through March 31
This public art project highlights the positive strides made by local organizations, addressing critical social justice issues such as climate change, food insecurity, human rights and violence protection.
Roosevelt Park Family Skating Rink
Roosevelt Park, Edison
Through March 31
There is open skating as well as skating lessons.
Spring Model Train Show
Garden State Model Railway Club, North Haledon
Saturdays and Sundays, through April 7
The Garden State Model Railway Club will be running steam and diesel trains of all kinds on the 1,200-square-foot HO scale layout, including Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends. The second railroad room will be open, which has a children’s railroad where kids can try their hand at running trains, and for-sale items to complete your collection at home.
Contemporary African Spirituality in Art
South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange
Through April 7
The exhibition features the works of many local artists in mixed media, painting and photos. There’s a mix of tradition and modernity and how it relates to African spirituality.
Night Forms
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
Through April 7
You will have nighttime access to the art and horticulture throughout the sculpture park, which will be illuminated in an immersive experience.
PEEPS in the Village
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through April 14 (closed on March 31 for Easter)
The colorful display includes over 90 pieces of wall art, dioramas and sculptures made out of the famous Easter marshmallow candy.
TROLLS: Save the Humans
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Through April 15
Thomas Dambo, a renowned recycle artist and activist from Copenhagen, created six ginormous trolls that will be on display at the zoo. They are made from repurposed wood and stand up to 15 feet tall. They ask people to reduce trash, reuse everything and recycle when they can.
Lamb Camp
Misty Meadow Sheep Dairy, Petersburg
Fridays-Sundays, select Tuesdays, through April 21
At this Cape May County farm you can raise your own lamb, caring for it, bottle-feeding it and cleaning it in one-hour sessions. There are separate sessions for kids, families, teens, adults and Spring Breakers.
The Science Behind Pixar
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 5
Learn all about the science behind Pixar’s animated films. Kids can try hands-on experiences like making a short film, creating a robot friend for “WALL·E” and designing a new movie set using props from “Monsters University.” Learn what animation rendering is, then practice it by rendering a scene from “Inside Out.” Create a digital sculpture from an artist’s sketch. Use lights to solve challenges similar to the ones Pixar faced in creating underwater scenes with virtual light in “Finding Nemo.”
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through May 18
During a quiet morning at the sanctuary, you will walk the trails with an NJ Audubon staff member or Associate Naturalist. The group will look for birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians out in nature.
Nature-Infused Yoga
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through May 18
Join this nature-based yoga class in person or virtually to spend 75 minutes unwinding from the workweek.
Electric Dandelions
Pier A and Monroe Center Plaza, Hoboken
Through May 24
A series of 10 28-foot LED sculptures crafted from sturdy steel will line Hoboken’s waterfront. When the sun sets, the area along Sinatra Drive and around the Ninth Street and Congress Light Rail Station will be illuminated with light and motion from these gigantic pieces of art.
Micah Williams: Portrait Artist Exhibit
Cornelius Low House, Piscataway
Through June 30
Learn about Middlesex and Monmouth County residents from the 19th Century through the portraits of artist Micah Williams. Adults can work with pastels to create their own portraits, and kids can contribute to the Student Gallery.
150 Years of Washington Association of New Jersey
The Morristown & Morris Twp. Library, Morristown
Through August 31
The self-guided walking exhibit has original photography, artifacts, pins and medals, and commemorative plates dating back to Revolutionary War time. WANJ was founded in March 1874 to preserve the Jacob Ford Mansion, where General George Washington and his troops stayed during the winter.
Yoga on the Beach
Burk Avenue, behind the Wildwoods Convention Center
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through September 29
A traditional Hatha yoga-style class will be infused with Qi Gong, a variety of healing therapies and lots of modifications.
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