Remember to move your clocks ahead Saturday night! Although we lose an hour of sleep, there’s plenty of fun to be had this weekend. Take the kids to a new restaurant, celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early or get covered in colored powder during a fun Holi celebration.
WEEKEND
Princeton Restaurant Week
Downtown Princeton
Thursday – Saturday
There will be more than 20 restaurants in town offering prix fixe menus, special items or discounted meals. It’s a great time to visit your favorite resto or try a new place!
Winter Restaurant Week
Burlington County
Thursday – Saturday
You have tons of choices, since more than 50 restaurants throughout the county will offer specials, discounts and new menus to celebrate the best to eat in Burlington.
The Garden Electric Philadelphia Flower Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
Thursday – Sunday
Take the drive to Philly for this floral experience, which brings together designers, exhibits, world-class shopping, education, music, food and family fun.
CATS
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Friday – Sunday
This beloved Broadway classic comes to the MPAC stage with new sound design and choreography, so you can see it for the first time or let it thrill you all over again.
Riverdance
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark
Friday – Sunday
Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, treat your crew to this Irish-themed dancing extravaganza.
Seussical the Musical
Middletown Arts Center, Middletown
Friday – Sunday
Perfect for Dr. Seuss fans age 13 and up, this tale follows the chaos that erupts in the Jungle of Nool, and how The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and other characters work to bring harmony back to their world.
Irish Celebration
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
As part of their pre-St. Patrick’s Day party, enjoy a special menu, plus a special performance by the Devrin Academy of Irish Dance on Saturday.
Greenberg’s Great Toy & Train Show
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Saturday – Sunday
There will be more than 140 exhibitors from across the country with more than 500 tables of trains for sale. View huge operating model train displays, free workshops and demos, the free test track where you can run your own trains, and more.
FRIDAY
Unlucky Charms Murder Mystery Dinner Show
The Mathis House, Toms River
Toby O’Toole, the founder of O’Toole’s Tubers, has kicked the bucket. Join the O’Tooles as they gather to toast Toby. Let’s hope this funeral doesn’t become a double header! Dinner for the evening will include corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, soda bread, and St. Patty’s Day scones with clotted cream. Vegetarian options are available.
Denim & Diamonds Gala
Jacques Exclusive Catering Reception Hall, Middletown
Support The Blessing Bag Brigade’s efforts to aid the homeless by grabbing your ticket to the gala, which includes a buffet dinner, live music and a gift auction.
Tea Blending Workshop
West Windsor Arts Council, Princeton Junction
Learn all about teas and herbs and which ones are best for you. You’ll also get to customize your own tea blend to take home.
SATURDAY
Pub Night
The Red Mill, Clinton
Gear up for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 12 by bringing the family to this pre-party fundraiser. The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will host this Irish-themed Pub Night with a hot dog truck, potato bar snacks, goodies for the kids, draft beer and a pair of Irish Pub music groups in a heated tent.
Kids’ St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
The Shannon Rose Irish Pub, Clifton and Ramsey locations
Lunch will include a kids’ leprechaun costume, treasure chest, tattoos, step dancers and a really fun kids menu with lucky charm sundaes and “Leprechaun juice.” Proceeds go toward St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Pi Day & Einstein’s Birthday Celebration
Downtown Princeton and Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton
Albert Einstein was born on March 14 (3.14), the numeric equivalent of Pi! Celebrate with a preteen Einstein look-a-like contest, a pi recitation contest, expert memorization, rides on the Dinky with Einstein, a presentation by children’s book author Dan Gutman of “Einstein Was a Dope?”, an Albert Einstein lecture, Pi-Rade storytime and book signings, a self-guided tour of Einstein’s neighborhood and pie sampling. There will be a celebration on Tuesday as well.
Diggerland Season Opener
100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin
Kids can drive, operate and ride on real machinery at the only construction-themed amusement park in the country. It brings touch-a-truck to a whole new level!
Career Carnival for Kids
Showboat Resort, Atlantic City
Kids ages 8-14 can meet employer from different job areas, such as health care, education and automotive. If they are old enough, they can apply for a part-time or seasonal job on the spot. There will be lots of fun activities for younger kids to join in as well.
Mad Hatter Tea Party
Moorestown Mall, Moorestown
If you or your kids love “Alice in Wonderland,” this themed party will include two magic shows, a meet-and-greet with Alice and the Queen of Hearts, music, sing-alongs, face painting, crafts and giveaways.
St. Patrick’s Day Tours
Historic Village at Allaire, Wall Twp.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish music, cooking, traditions, history and more, including guided tours.
Workhorse Rides
Howell Living History Farm, Lambertville
In bygone days, it wasn’t uncommon for a farm boy or girl to hitch a ride on the back of a big draft horse while it was being driven back to the barn after a day working in the fields. During this program, kids 5-12 will learn the differences between draft, saddle and carriage horses when they climb aboard a fully harnessed workhorse for a ride down the lane. They will also help farmers with barn chores like bedding stalls, filling water troughs and making feed.
Maple Sugaring for Scouts
Poricy Park, Red Bank
If your young scout is in kindergarten through fifth grade, he and his troop can work on this project together: they will learn how to identify maple trees, why sap can be collected only in wintertime, and how boiling creates the syrup. After a hike they will get to experiment and tap the trees.
Community Day: Her Story/Our Story
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
See the newly unveiled Harriet Tubman monument and the reopening of Seeing America, 18th and 19th century galleries. March 8 was International Women’s Day; this will honor women past and present via live performances, art-making activities, a fashion show, tours of the artworks and more.
Read and Explore: Birds, Nesting and Birdhouses
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Birds are getting ready for spring and new families. This program for kids lasts about an hour and includes a story and educational segment. After story time, each child will make their own birdhouse and get nesting materials to take home.
Holi Festival
Veterans Park, North Brunswick
Dress in all white so that when you are doused with colored powder you look like a rainbow! This traditional Indian celebration welcomes in the spring after a long winter. There will also be music and performances.
Marshall Tucker Band
Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center, Carteret
The band’s music catalog consists of more than 20 studio albums and score of live releases that racked up multi-platinum sales many times over. Their typical setlist includes hits like “Heard It in a Love Song,” “Can’t You See,” “Fire on the Mountain,” and “Ramblin” to name a few.
Mommy & Me
Family Transition Support Services, Hamilton
Moms (or caretakers or guardians) can bring their girls ages 6-11, for an afternoon of workshops, refreshments and prize giveaways.
Girls in Science & Engineering Day
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York
Celebrate women in science, technology, engineering and math, where adult-chaperoned teens, youth, school groups and families of all ages can take part in hands-on experiences, demonstrations and discussions provided by Intrepid Museum staff, Cooper Union, Hudson River Park, Women in Aviation New York Chapter, invited mentors and more. You can also explore the museum during the day.
Family Fun Day
The Red Mill, Clinton
Meet the world’s largest leprechaun while you have fun playing games, listening to music, eating snacks and entering contests.
St. Patrick’s Day Dance Exhibition
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts Education Annex, Madison
Celebrate Irish culture with Niall O’Leary and friends. There will be Irish step dancing, singing and live music. Bring your children to learn a little dance.
Music Night
West Windsor Arts Council, Princeton Junction
Harmonica player Guy DeRosa gets down with the unique stylings of singer/songwriter/producer Super Jack, plus guest appearances from rapper Kaiser Unique and soul singer Záire.
SUNDAY
Lines on the Pines
Stockton University Campus Center, Galloway
It’s nearly impossible to think of NJ and not think of the Pine Barrens. Meet over 80 talented Pine Barrens “celebrities” who will be on hand to sign their books, display their artwork or craft, play their music and share their love of the Pine Barrens. The the Lines on the Pines for KIDS areas, special hands-on displays, crafts and activities will be available for young ones, where they can earn the Pines Horses Badge.
Seed Super Powers
Burlington County Agricultural Center, Moorestown
Kids ages 5-10 will explore different ways seeds travel through fun activities. They will make exploding seeds, floating seeds and pick up hitchhiking seeds. The activity will include a food tasting, plus make plantable paper to take home.
Member Appreciation Day
Skylands Manor, Ringwood
If you’re a member of the New Jersey Botanical Garden, you get in free today. If you’re not a member, join for a free ticket. And if you’d like to pay full admission, you can spend the day touring the beautiful mansion and property.
Bix Bash 2023
Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, Morristown
Mike Davis and the New Wonders return for the theater’s annual celebration of Bix Beiderbecke, the cornet sensation of the 1920s. Enjoy a mix of hot jazz favorites and Mike’s interpretations of classic songs as the band prepares to record an album for Turtle Bay Records.
ONGOING
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Fridays – Sundays, March 10-19
Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, West Windsor
This Tony Award-winning musical is rated PG-13, so you can bring your teens if you’d like them to watch the stage play based on Monty Navarro, heir to a family fortune, who sets out to eliminate the relatives who stand in his way. He has to juggle his mistress, his fiancée and the constant threat of going to jail.
Maple Sugaring Days
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan
Saturdays – Sundays, March 11 – 19
In March, when the days become longer and warmer, Farmer Tim starts the process of maple sugaring. Sugar the “old-fashioned” way, using buckets to collect sap, and then boil the sap down to syrup in Olivia’s Sugar Shack in a wood-fired evaporator. The maple sugaring tour includes a tractor ride tour of the 130-acre farm to the sugar bush, an educational tour and access to the friendly farm animals. The goats and chickens will be available to feed.
PEEPS in the Village
Peddlers Village, Lahaska, PA
Every day, March 13 – April 23
The colorful display dedicated to everyone’s favorite marshmallow Easter candy includes over 90 creations of wall art, dioramas and sculpture, featuring the popular Pennsylvania-made bunnies and chicks, and carefully handmade and contributed by Philly-area residents and organizations.
Student Art Show
The Museum of American History, Deptford
Through March 17
See artwork produced by students from area colleges and universities. A special open house and Meet the Artists will be March 4. While visiting the Student Art Show, be sure to see the museum’s permanent exhibits which include artifacts from the Pre-Columbian through the Colonial Era, American Farmstead, antique hand tools and equipment, the Pine Barrens, glass and a new fossil exhibit.
Junior Historians Club: Winter Session
Historic Wicoff House Museum, Plainsboro
Saturdays, through March 18
Kids ages 6-10 learn about historic preservation through fun and immersive activities. Each member receives a JHC notebook and T-shirt.
Restaurant Week
Jersey City
Through March 18
Walk along from Grove Street to Greenville and pop in to different restos to see what their specials are. Try everything from a full course dinner to light bites.
Roller Skating
Cape May Convention Hall, Cape May
Fridays – Sundays, through March 26 (except Feb. 18 and 19)
The rink is open for family skating, but you can also plan a birthday party or special event on the weekends.
Après-Ski
Auburn Road Vineyards, Pilesgrove
Every day, through March 31
Après-Ski means after skiing, and although there is no ski resort here, you can still take in winter in all its glory by sipping a glass of wine and eating tableside s’mores by the fire pits. There are movie nights every Thursday – Sunday.
The Golden Girls Kitchen Pop-Up
Fulton Street, New York
Select dates, through March 31
Immerse yourself in the world of the iconic comedy show, dining in the girls’ kitchen and visiting other memorable sets from the show including the Rusty Anchor Bar where you can order cocktails and mocktails, a full kitchen and lots of photo ops. There’s also a drag brunch on certain Sundays.
Food Truck Experience
Gloucester Premium Outlets, Blackwood
Thursdays – Sundays throughout March
A variety of food trucks will be on site during mall hours. Try BBQ, hot dogs, smoothies, freshly roasted nuts, cupcakes, seafood and more.
Winter Market
Convent Train Station, Morris Twp.
Sundays, through April
Grow it Green Morristown holds a winter farmers market every Sunday through April. There are selections of fresh locally grown produce and microgreens, farm raised meat and eggs, seafood, fresh baked goods, artisan bread and cheese, mushrooms, honey, syrups, sauces, seasonal items, specialty ethic items, prepared food and probiotic drinks. There will be food trucks on site, plus wares by local artisans.
Winter Stargazing
Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University, Glassboro
Saturdays, through April 1
Listen as educators share the ancient stories of the constellations, take you on a journey to distant planets and stars, and share the latest space news and discoveries. You’ll see something new each time you visit, plus you will learn how to discover the night skies from your own backyard.
Super Volcanoes
Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University, Glassboro
Saturdays, through April 1
Adults will love the narration by Benedict Cumberbatch, while kids will get a kick out of flying down to Neptune’s frigid moon Triton, Jupiter’s moon Io and Yellowstone National Park.
Night Forms: Infinite Wave
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
Select dates, through April 2
This after-hours, multi-sensory light and sound experience uses projection mapping that enhances the art and sculpture park, creating a dynamic show to stimulate the senses.
The Orchid Show
New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx, NY
Select dates, through April 23
During the day, families can view the thousands of orchids on the grounds of the botanical gardens. On select nights, adults 21+ can attend for a special view-and-sip option.
Hidden Gems
Nancy Thompson Learning Commons, Kean University, Union
Through May 8
A geode may look like an “ugly rock” but once they are broken open, there are beautiful crystals inside. The freestanding sculptures in this exhibit are inspired by rock structures created with multiple parts of cast, assembled and carved resin.
Trail Riding Program
Mercer Meadows Equestrian Center, Pennington
Saturdays, through mid-May
Kids (and adults) 12 and up can go on a leisurely 45-minute horseback trail ride around the Mercer Stables property. No riding experience is necessary. You must book in advance.
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through May 27
Enjoy a quiet morning at the sanctuary walking the trails with an NJ Audubon staff or Associate Naturalist. These walks are informal and informative; birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians are a few of nature’s wonders waiting for you to discover.
The FRIENDS Experience: The One Near Philadelphia
King of Prussia Mall, King of Prussia
Through May 29
Sit on the big orange couch at Central Perk, hang out in Joey and Chandler’s apartment, sit at Rachel and Monica’s kitchen table and read the 18-page letter – front and back – at this awesome experience that brings the Friends set to you!
Growing in the Garden
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
Second Saturday of the month, through June
This hands-on art program for children age 4 and older and their caregivers includes a story, a visit to MHHM’s gardens, and an art project.
Disney 100: The Exhibition
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Through August 27
Disney fans will love this behind-the-scenes look at their favorite characters, movies and theme parks. Walk through 10 different galleries that will immerse you in sight, sound and touch.
Thomas and Friends Explore the Rails
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 4
Kids can learn, play and solve problems while finding themselves in locations from the beloved TV series. Younger kids can practice counting objects, comparing sizes and learning colors. Older kids can practice their math skills, learn basic engineering concepts, discover science ideas through play, and see how technology works to keep engines running.
Tuesday, March 14 is Pi Day, a celebration of Albert Einstein’s birthday and the numerical value of pi (3.14). Celebrate by picking up your favorite pizza pie or dessert pie!
Read More:
Free Things to Do in March
The Best Fairs & Festivals in March