It’s Derby weekend! Watch a simulcast of the Kentucky Derby, make a lightsaber on “Star Wars” Day, head to a Cinco de Mayo celebration and more! Here’s what else is happening this weekend:
WEEKEND
The Science Behind Pixar
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Thursday – Sunday
Learn 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.” This is the last weekend the exhibit will be available.
New Jersey Ballet
NJPAC, Newark
Friday – Saturday
Part of the performances will be a world premiere dance.
New Jersey Wine & Food Festival
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg
Friday – Sunday
This 3-day fest features gourmet tastings, hands-on seminars, stellar dinners and an over-the-top after party.
Rummage Sale
Far Hills Fairground, Far Hills
Friday – Sunday
Twice a year, Atlantic Visiting Nurse holds an epic rummage sale which is a major fundraiser so that AVN can provide home health and hospice care for uninsured and underinsured patients. There will be booths set up across 2 acres and 25 departments of bargain merchandise.
Oversand Expo
Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
Camp on the beach for the weekend, with activities like kayak tours, fishing rentals and charters, tiki boat charters, surf lessons, beach bike rentals, nature and educational tours, and more. There will be food trucks on-site, and there will be nightly community bonfires.
Kite Day
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Fly your kite in the 10-acre pasture. On Saturday, Princeton Morris Dancers will perform traditional May Day dances. The sheep will be shorn on Sunday and the children can take home a piece of real fleece. All weekend there will be live music, traditional games like hopscotch and hula hoop the horse, playhouses, the Hippity Hop Corral and duck races. Take a pony ride and cuddle with the farm animals. There will be a selection of 18 wines for the adults.
Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
Morris Museum, Morristown
The Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank credit cardholders can receive free general admission to certain museums on the first full weekend of each month.
Strawberry Festival
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Saturday – Sunday
The 43rd annual strawberry weekend will include lawn games, axe throwing, kids crafts, face painting, pony rides and a petting zoo, live music and performances, viewing of the entries for the cupcake decorating competition, pie-eating contests for adults and children on Sunday, and strawberry-themed menu specials at the restaurants.
A Weekend in Old Monmouth
Throughout Monmouth County
Saturday – Sunday
Fifty-two historical sites throughout the county, including museums and buildings, will be open to the public for free so you can learn about what life is like in Monmouth County over the centuries.
Jeeps & Cinco de Mayo Food Truck Festival
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
Aside from Mexican food trucks in honor of Cinco de Mayo, there will be lots of bacon options, making this event known as Cinco de Bacon and Bacon de Mayo complete with live bands, wagon tours of the vineyard, face painting, wine for the adults, plus a Jeep show.
Wild West City Opening Weekend
Wild West City, Stanhope
Saturday – Sunday
Explore the town’s museums; visit the new Native American Village; see real frontier animals at the barnyard; watch live demos at the blacksmith shop, mountain man cabin, chuckwagon camp, the one-room schoolhouse and the print shop; or try your luck panning for gold at Egan’s Gold Mine.
Aviation Weekend
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Saturday – Sunday
May is New Jersey General Aviation Appreciation Month, so come to LSC to speak with pilots, explore an all-electrical single-engine plane, meet experts in aeronautics, learn about hot air balloons, use a flight simulator, and see exhibits from high-flying tech and science specialists. On Saturday, the event kicks off with special guest speaker United States Space Force Chief Master John Bentivegna.
FRIDAY
Farm Fun Day
Cherry Grove Farm, Lawrenceville
Activities include a wild plant walk, yoga, milking of the cows, hayrides, a visit with the calves, a small vendor market and lemonade.
Water Safety Event
Five Star Swim School, Deptford
Kids will get lifesaving tips from experienced instructors, take water safety quizzes, do puzzles and crafts, and swim in the warm saltwater pool.
The Deep Rest Experience: Restorative Sound & Sleep Experience
Loopwell, Montclair
Using tools like crystal singing bowls, the voice, koshi bells and other percussion instruments to lull you to sleep, you’ll be put into a state of deep relaxation.
First Fridays Series
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
On the first Friday of the month, indulge in the arts and culture of Middlesex County with free food, live music and performances, games and activities, and arts and crafts.
Mom’s Day Out
Menlo Park Mall, Edison
Start at Center Court, where you will get a Menlo Park Mall tote bag, retailer and dining offers, giveaways, a chance to win a $250 VISA gift card, and listings to visit shops that have special in-store activations to celebrate Mother’s Day early.
SATURDAY
Makerspace
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Kids ages 5 to 12 will build with LEGOs, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering, code robots and use the 3D printer.
Grand Holi
American Legion Post 25, Milltown
There will be colors, beats, Bengali Delights hosted by NABP (Where Friends Become Family), snacks, lunch, Dholi and Adda.
Hog Slopping & Weighing
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Guess the weights of the Howell Farm hogs as they step onto the scales for their summer weigh-in. You will learn how to care for pigs, including their history, diet and some fun facts. Kids can help grind corn, mix feed, fill the wallow and slop the hogs – then make a piggy magnet for your fridge at home.
WheatonArts ECO Fair
WheatonArts, Millville
This free Family Day event is inspired by natural and artful living. There will be local gardening clubs, Rutgers Master Gardeners, plants and herbs for sale, handmade works by New Jersey artists, environmental organizations, Nature Trail tours, eco-friendly activities, exhibits and art studio demos.
Down & Derby Wine Festival
Cooper River Park, Westmont
Sample wines from South Jersey’s leading wine producers while listening to live music, playing games, ordering from the food trucks and showing off your best Derby attire.
May the 4th: Make A Wish
Brunswick Square Mall, East Brunswick
There will be a scavenger hunt, a DJ playing space-themed music, lightspeed background photo booth, face painting, a LEGO build table, crafts and Bubbles the Elephant. This event benefits the Make-A-Wish foundation. The event is free, but face painting has an additional cost. Costumes are encouraged.
Derby Watch Party
The Highwood, Weehawken
The waterfront restaurant recently reopened and is kicking off its new menu and new interior with a Derby watch party at its high-end sports bar. Chef Orlando Clemente features seasonal and elevated classics with a global twist, including the Slider Sampler Tower, Seafood Tower and Derby-inspired bites such as the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich. Derby attire is encouraged.
Tenafly Spring Fling
Huyler Park, Tenafly
This community event will be filled with over 60 local and regional vendors, face painting, hands-on arts & crafts, planting projects, flower wall photo ops, interactive fitness activities, a DJ Dance Party, and a “Tubs of Fun” carnival ride for the little ones.
Kids Fest
Manalapan Rec Center, Manalapan
The Manalapan Arts Council will make this day entirely focused on kids. The main event will be a performance by Miss Jolie, and there will be a princess meet-and-greet.
Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Bring the whole family to this all-day party that takes place right on the field. The spring festival features more than 20 food trucks, upwards of 100 craft beers, music, games, sports on the big screen, shopping, and more.
Celebration of MOM-ents Event
buybuy BABY, throughout New Jersey
Swag bags, photo ops, prizes, giveaways, live gear demos from on-site baby gear experts, baby registry support, and more will celebrate moms-to-be at the returning brick-and-mortar stores throughout NJ.
Kiwimbi Spring Fling 5K/10K Events
Duke Island Park, Hillsborough
Sign up for a 10K run, 5K walk or 45-minute Walk for Thought. The courses are paved, flat and fast. The reason for walking 45 minutes is because that is the average amount of time a child in rural Kenya walks one way to school each day. All proceeds to benefit Kiwimbi International.
Puppy Poses
Crunch Marlboro, Marlboro Twp.
Doggy Noses & Yoga Poses will bring puppies to play with during a yoga class.
Highland Park Run in the Park 5K and Kids Races / Street Fair / Earth Day Festival
Downtown Highland Park
Take a run, walk or roll through neighborhoods of Highland Park, then stick around for the annual Highland Park Street Fair and Sustainable Highland Park’s Earth Day Fest.
May the 4th Be With You Celebration
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
In honor of Star Wars Day, UCPAC will hold an open house where there will be a live organ concert and a digital presentation of “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
Secaucus Green Festival
The Xchange at Secaucus Junction, Secaucus
There will be exhibits and workshops about renewable energy, composting techniques, eco-friendly lifestyle tips and energy-saving hacks; plus live music, interactive games, hands-on activities, and food truck vendors, Sign up for a planting workshop.
Kentucky Derby Viewing Party
Monmouth Park, Oceanport
Watch and wager on the Kentucky Derby from one of the only horseracing tracks in NJ. Several areas will be open for food and drinks.
Color Fun Run and Walk
Woolsey Park, Titusville
Wear a white T-shirt, shorts and knee-high socks – or some fun “Star Wars” attire since it’s May the Fourth, and run through colored powder stations. There will be hula hooping, a color toss and ice cream after.
Fiesta de Mayo Cantina Crawl
Huddy Park, Highlands
There will be a margarita contest, live Mariachi music and lots of foods to try.
May the 4th Be With You “Star Wars” Day
YesterCades, Metuchen
All Jedi and Sith can play together during a night of retro gaming and nostalgia-filled fun.
Meet-and-Greet With Murr From ‘Impractical Jokers’
West Windsor Community Farmers Market, West Windsor
James “Murr” Murray and his wife Melyssa live in Princeton, and have a farm in their backyard. They’ll be at the opening spring day of this season’s farmer’s markets, meeting fans and selling candles from Melyssa’s No. 95 line.
Star Wars Day
Pier Village, Long Branch
Travel to the Shore dressed as your favorite “Star Wars” character so you’ll look stylish when shopping at the Out of this World Makers and Artisan Market. Dress up your pet, too, for the “Star War” themed pet contest. Purpose Yoga will hold Jedi training. Meet Princess Leia and Hans Solo by the Carousel Promenade. There will be themed crafts, cosmic treasures bracelet making, and a “Star Wars” drink stroll.
Meadowlands Beer Fest
Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford
The festival highlights beers from around the U.S. DJ ALX, live horse racing and The Kentucky Derby Simulcast are part of the program.
Buena Fine Crafts & Artisans Spring Festival
Buena Historical Society, Landisville
Held on over 5 green acres, there will be 100 crafters and artisans, antique dealers, home & garden displays, food trucks, wineries, horse & carriage rides, a kids zone, athletic activities, games, crafts, face painting, magic acts and museum tours.
The Red Mill Kentucky Derby Party
Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton
Saddle up for Derby-themed food, drinks, music, games and auctions.
Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair
Veteran’s Park, Washington Borough
Dress in your best costume and join others who love all things Steampunk, which celebrates Victoriana and the Industrial Revolution. There will be shopping, street performers, live music and more in Washington Borough.
Garden State African Violet Club’s Show & Plant Sale
Mercer County Community College Center, West Windsor
There will be hundreds of African violets and other flowers on display and available for purchase.
Kentucky Derby Watch Party
The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station
Show off your Southern hospitality while watching the race on TV. There will be food stations, passed hors d’oeuvres, and signature mint juleps. Derby wear is encouraged.
Spring Blossom Festival
Riamede Farm, Chester
Hop on a hayride, watch a beekeeping demo, take a hot air balloon ride, listen to live music, visit the 4H animals and backyard chickens, shop at the vendor market, order from the food trucks and beer garden vendors, and pick up farm-grown veggie and flower starters for your home garden.
Bridgewater Beerfest
Shimon and Sara Birnbaum Jewish Community Center, Bridgewater
Taste over 40 beers from breweries, plus tequila and bourbon tastings. There will be food trucks on site. Live music is by Dead Pilot Roberts. Sign up for the beer pong tournament.
Derby Celebration
Autumn Lake Winery, Williamstown
Don your most festive attire and watch the race live. Tickets include food trucks, live music by the TJ Fry Band, a commemorative Derby glass; and a private wine bar and more samples if you’re a VIP.
Big Rig Rally
Marlboro Recreation Center Parking Lot, Marlboro
Get an up-close, hands-on look at fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, excavators, tractors and more. Quiet time is 2-2:30 pm for those with sensory sensitivity.
Born to be Shorn: Sheep Shearing & Fiber Arts Fun
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown
Watch Master Shearer Margaret Quinn demonstrate how to shear a sheep the old-fashioned way. Natural dyeing, spinning and other wool craft demonstrations take place throughout the day. Visit the new lambs, Jersey cows and other farm animals. Take a wagon ride around the property and hop off at The Willows 1854 mansion for an open-house tour of the first floor.
Area 57 – Flying Objects & Other Fun
Warren Community College, Washington
Area 57 will showcase the college’s Uncrewed Systems Program, which teaches piloting, design and development, and the maintenance and repair of drones, as well as AI and robotics. The event will include other aviation and types of tech, like hot air balloons, combat and FRC robots, tech vendors, exhibitors, clubs and leagues. Take a tethered hot air balloon ride to get an arial view of the festivities, and stop by the new Fascination Station children’s activity area for some free STEM-related crafts and games. Build a rocket at the Moon-Rocket tent.
Plant Expo & Garden Market
Mercer Educational Group, Pennington
Shop for homegrown perennials, trees and shrubs. Visit the Garden Market where there will be vendor tables. Meet Mercer County Horticulturalist Justine Gray who will be available to answer questions. Rutgers Master Gardeners can help you select the best plants for your garden.
Kentucky Derby Day Party
1776 by Chef David Burke, Morristown
Eric LeGrand Bourbon is the star of the show, which will include a best-dressed contest for people wearing their biggest hats and fanciest clothes. There will be passed hor d’oeuvres and a live auction.
Cinco de Silo
Sunken Silo Brew Works, Lebanon
Metropolitan Seafood’s “May the Fourth” Tent Event kicks off Cinco de Mayo a day early. Order from the grill, groove to cosmic music from high in the mid ’80s, and drink stellar cocktails.
World Labyrinth Day
Murray Grove Retreat Center, Lanoka Harbor
Take a meditative stroll through the labyrinth, then listen to the healing vibrations of chakra-tuned singing bowls.
Bluebells Hike
Uplands Reserve / Bernadette Morales Nature Preserve, Flemington
Virginia bluebell wildflowers bloom for a few weeks in early spring, and “hide” later in the summer. A naturalist will lead you along a bubbling brook, where you will see the ruins of the estate of Judge Large, a prosecutor in the Charles Lindbergh case.
Porchfest
Bordentown
Musicians of every background and genre will set up their instruments on porches and lawns throughout town and play for free. Stay for 5 minutes or stay for an hour, then move on to the next setup.
Horseshoe Crab Celebration
Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Pt. Pleasant
Stop by the horseshoe crab exhibit and learn about how the Delaware Bay has the largest amount of spawning in the world. Make a craft, meet live horseshoe crabs and learn what makes them so special.
Downtown Loves Moms
Peterson Park, Metuchen
Capture a pic in front of a gorgeous floral wall or at the selfie station. And, because May 4 is “Star Wars” Day, you’ll also have the chance to make your own lightsaber.
Fairy Tales at the Fairy Trail
South Mountain Conservancy, Millburn
Storyteller Rachael Harrington will speak to children in the Fairy Tale Glen in the Locust Grove picnic area. There will be face painting, a scavenger hunt, ice cream and crafts. Kids should dress up in sparkles, crowns and wings.
SUNDAY
Sesame Street Live! Say Hello
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and their friends from Sesame Street will sing and dance from the stage.
Maplewood Small Wonder Marketplace
Maplewood Village, Maplewood
Handmade artisans will showcase their work on the busy streets of Maplewood Avenue, Highland Place and Baker Street. Live music will be provided by In Tune Maplewood.
Springfest Craft Show & Antique Corner
Veterans Park, Westwood
More than 100 exhibitors will be set up on the grass along the paths with an array of handcrafted items, art and gifts. The Antique & Collectible corner is where you will find treasures from the past. Festival foods will be available as well as homemade pretzels, pickles, kettle korn, sweets and Italian ice.
May Flowers Walk
Hawk Rise Sanctuary, Linden
An NJ Audubon Teacher Naturalist will lead you on a stroll along the trails, where you’ll look at all the spring flowers and hopefully some wildlife that lives in the area.
Kids’ Stuff Flea Market
Ocean County Park, Lakewood
Buy new and used items related to kids, including games, toys, clothing and sporting goods.
Skullduggery – A Magical Pirate Adventure Story (Sensory-Friendly)
Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
Illusionist John Bundy and Morgan will put on a show filled with illusions in this sensory-friendly theatrical show.
Main Street Pops Artisan Market
Main Street Pops, Hoboken
Start your shopping for Mother’s Day with a unique gift from one of the handcrafted shops, including fashion, accessories, jewelry, home goods, pet products, kids’ stuff, foods, photography, art and more. There will be live music and outdoor games.
Lincoln Tunnel Challenge
Lincoln Tunnel, Weehawken
The 5K is one of the most unique races in the country. This USATF-certified 5K (3.1 miles) takes place mostly underwater (inside the tunnel), starting at the toll booths in Weehawken, going through to the NYC side of the tunnel, and then coming back to NJ. All proceeds benefit Special Olympics New Jersey.
Vet Fest Music & Food Truck Festival
Dave Waks Memorial Park, Wayne
There will be 10 food trucks, six touring bands, bounce houses for the kids, and lots of ways to honor our nation’s heroes.
Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Viewing Party
RPM Raceway, Jersey City
Watch the Miami Grand Prix on jumbo screens throughout the venue. Play along and ride on the Italian electric karts, try out virtual reality games, put your tokens into the arcade, bowl and play billiards. There will be food specials throughout the event, and Monster Energy giveaways.
Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Class
618 Restaurant, Freehold Borough
Learn how to make three margaritas, then have some food and go home with some swag.
Hooray For May
Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
The free family arts day brings families together for art-making, music and dance performances inside the art studios, our in the park and at the outdoor pavilion.
Cinco de Mayo At The Farm
G and G Stables, Howell
Enjoy live Mexican music and dancing, a petting zoo, a hayride, a barrel ride, piñatas, games and donkey walking.
Family Promise of Essex 5K Run, Walk and Team Stroll
Brookdale Park, Bloomfield/Montclair
Pick up the pace, take your time or push a stroller (or wheelchair) as you join these walks to raise money for people experiencing homelessness in Essex County. Everyone gets a T-shirt and the top 3 finishers in each category get a medal. Kids 12 and younger can take part in the 100-yard dash.
Downtown Derby: Race For a Cause
Palmer Square, Princeton
Wear your finest Kentucky Derby dresses and hats and saddle up for a day of wooden horse races, Derby-inspired food and drinks, live music, pet adoptions and giveaways.
Cinco de Mayo Taco Crawl
McGinley Square, Jersey City
Beyond the Plate Food Tours will bring you to five spots serving both traditional and non-traditional tacos and other Mexican specialties, with select drink pairings.
Swingin’ Sinatra Sunday!
Avon Municipal Building, Avon-By-The-Sea
Listen to a lecture about Frank Sinatra, his music and his career, and then listen to live music performed by guest vocalists.
Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day)
Japan Society, New York, NY
Hang up your koinobori (carp streamers), don your kabuto (samurai helmet) and celebrate Japan’s special holiday where all children are stars. The tale of Momotaro (Peach Boy) will be told through storytelling, music, dance and audience participation. Pose for pix with a life-sized samurai armor display, make your own carp streamer, and made samurai helmet origami. Japanese boxed lunches and snacks are available for purchase.
Cinco de Mayo Pool Party
The Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park
Food, fun and sun include live music, live embroidery, interactive vendors, a taco truck, 818 tequila + swag, DJ sets and the 95-degree heated pool.
Gluten-Free Baking Class
The Kitchen Table, Maplewood
Former Able Baker Pastry Chef Karen will teach you how to make gluten-free flour, and then make pavlovas with lemon curd and fresh berries, fudgy chocolate cake with cocoa whipped frosting, and tiramisu.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Burlington County Fairgrounds, Columbus
Join 956 Events and Tails Up Paws Down Rescue for this family fiesta that includes food trucks; margaritas, piña coladas, and beer at the bar; and dancing with a DJ and a live Mariachi band. Dress up in your best fiesta attire.
Skylands Manor Tours
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
NJBG volunteer docents will lead you on a tour of the architecture and history of Skylands Manor.
Motherhood Brunch
Inner City Cafe, Orange
Learn about the wellness center, connect with community members, and enjoy some food as you celebrate the joys of motherhood. This is a fundraiser for Isinmi Village and aims to decrease the rate of maternal mortalities during birth and post-mortem.
Spring on Tap Beer Festival
Cooper River Park, Westmont
There will be local craft beers, food trucks, live music, vendors, and a special performance by Lecompt to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Mariel Bildsten Quartet
Madison Community Arts Center, Madison
Trombonist Mariel Bildsten will bring a quartet to the New Jersey Jazz Society’s Jersey Jazz LIVE! concert. Joining her will be pianist Miki Yamanaka, bassist Marty Jaffe and drummer Charles Goold. First, there will be a Rising Star quartet led by Pascack Valley High School trombonist Ming-Lang Qin and including drummer Cole Rosenberg from Saddle River Day School and two student musicians from Ridgewood High School, bassist Anders Ryen and pianist William Solway.
Walnut Street Fair
Walnut Street, Montclair
There will be more than 200 vendors and displays, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, a family fun zone with Touch-A-Truck and more.
Westfield Spring Fling
Downtown Westfield
The day will be filled with crafters, retailers, food trucks and a beer garden. The event will also include a kids zone with rides and inflatables.
Sesame Street Live! Say Hello
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood to say hello, sing and dance with your kids.
NJSN Kidz Connect
NJ Sharing Network HQ, New Providence
This free program provides support and activities for kids ages 5-18, along with a trusted adult, who are dealing with loss and grief.
Meet-and-Greet and Book Signing
Books & Greetings, Northvale
CNN’s Alisyn Camerota of “Combat Love” and podcaster Zibby Owens will meet fans.
Customer Appreciation Day
Battleview Orchards, Freehold
Sample lots of baked goods and products, read through the history exhibit about five generations of family farming, enter the raffles, and leave with a hot, freshly made apple cider donut.
ONGOING
Friday Night Live
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream
Every Friday
Harlem band The Nate Lucas All-Stars will perform every Friday night at Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant.
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.
Carnival at Palisades Center
Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
May 2-12
Campy’s Blue Star Amusements will offer rides, games and food. Admission is free, but ticketed wristbands are needed for the rides.
Maifest
Zeppelin Hall, Jersey City
May 2-26
Think Oktoberfest, but in May. There will be live music in the garden on Saturdays.
Star Talks and Sky Observing Events
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
May 3 and 10
The free sky-observing event at the planetarium includes a sky talk, and then taking a convoy up to the observatory at Washington Crossing (about a 20-minute drive) for star observations with members of the Amateur Astronomy Association of Princeton.
Like Clockwork! Guinness Collection Conservation
Morris Museum, Morristown
Wednesdays – Sundays, May 3 – September 22
Learn how the Morris Museum keeps hundreds of mechanical objects running like clockwork for twenty years.
The BEAST NYC Speedboat Ride
Pier 83, New York, NY
Tuesdays – Sundays, May 4 – September 29
Roar down the Hudson River from Pier 83 to The Statue of Liberty on this high-speed boat.
Django A Gogo Music Festival and Music Camp
Maplewood
Through May 5
Plan to attend a series of concerts by bands like Django New Orleans, The Gypsy Guitars Trio and the Stephane Wrembel Band.
Slow Motion
Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton
May 5, 2024, through September 1, 2025
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.
Common Ground
TADA! Youth Theater, New York, NY
Thursdays – Sundays, through May 11
Members of the Resident Youth Ensemble will perform this newly commissioned musical for ages 11 and up. It deals with immigration crackdowns, family separation and the perception vs. reality of the American dream.
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.
Best of the Nest Birdhouse Competition & Display
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through May 19
Members of the public will build birdhouses for this contest, which will display the boxes all around the village. You can vote on your favorites.
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.
Pickleball Smash-It
Tanger Outlets, Atlantic City
Through May 30
A new 6,235-square-foot facility is opening next to Dollar Tree and you get to try it out for free. There will be two indoor, tournament-quality courts with luxury couches, free Wi-Fi and the ability to control music from players’ own phones. You also will have the ability to capture recordings of previous plays or livestream any match to share across social media.
World War II Exhibit
Museum of American History at Deptford, Deptford
Thursdays – Sundays, through June 2
Celebrate the lives and memories of our veterans and fallen heroes through a World War II exhibit featuring military as well as civilian paraphernalia. Some of these items include weapons, equipment, uniforms, flags, and coinage of both the Allied and Axis powers in the Pacific as well as the European theatres.
Yoga Flow on the River
Historic Portland Place, Locust (Middletown)
Saturdays, through June 15
Practice yoga sun salutations and deep stretches along the Navesink River.
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.
Apollo: When We Went to The Moon
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Through September 2
Climb aboard a lunar rover model, leave your footprints on the Moon and learn about the Space Race through this exhibit at the sea, air and space museum. Starting April 4, you can check out the Concorde super jet that recently underwent renovations and returned to the museum.
Delsea Drive-In 2024 Season
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theatre, Vineland
Fridays – Sundays, through September 3
Watch two movies back-to-back while sitting in your car, just like they did in the ’50s.
Black River Limited Train Ride
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington or Ringoes station
Select dates, through September 14
This 90-minute trip takes you through Hunterdon County aboard a train, with stops at both historic train stations.
Hunterdon Wine Express
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington
Select dates, through September 14
The round-trip excursion goes from the Flemington station to Old York Cellars Winery, where you’ll be treated to a wine tasting, chocolate and cheese pairing, and lunch. You’ll have time to walk through the vineyards before heading back.
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.
Friday Night Bites
The Hungry Puppy Dog Park, Farmingdale
Fridays, through October 25
Bring your pup and your friends to the double-gated, specially-designed dog park, where you can relax and listen to some music while mingling with other pet parents. There will be free snacks and treats from a sponsoring pet food manufacturer each week.
We All Scream For Ice Cream
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Through November 3
Learn about the history of ice cream dating back to the Victorian era. It started as an elite and expensive dish but by the end of the 1800s came in simpler flavors and was used in cones, sundaes and banana splits. You’ll see an authentic ice cream maker and other equipment, plus a Victorian ice cream wagon.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, through 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, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through March 2, 2025
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.
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