With the snow and rain behind us, it’s time to plan to get out this weekend. Friday is National Hot Tea Day, the weekend is dedicated to preserving the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Monday is National Bagel Day. While you’re out and about, check out an ice sculpture festival, go to a comic book show or learn about Bald Eagles.
WEEKEND
Big Apple Circus: Journey to the Rainbow
Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park, New York, NY
Thursday – Monday
More than 30 artists from all over the world will perform in costumes specially designed for the show, and there will be a live orchestra of eight musicians. This weekend will be the final performance in NY.
Mean Girls Not Like A “Regular” Dinner
The Lola, Hoboken
Friday – Saturday
There will be a DJ, giveaways, photo ops, special food selections and themed drinks. Show up in Mean Girls attire for a chance to win a prize.
Free Entrance to Paradox Museum With Recitation of Dr. King’s Speech
American Dream, East Rutherford
Friday – Monday
If you’re able to recite the 76-word closing paragraph of Dr. King’s renowned “I Have a Dream” speech, you’ll get free admission: “When we let freedom ring, when we let it ring from every tenement and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old spiritual, “Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last.”
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: King For a Day
Saturday: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Sunday: Bergen PAC, Englewood
Daniel and his friends invite you to an adventure in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Daniel learns what it takes to be king.
Souperhero Stroll
Downtown Cranford
Saturday – Sunday
You and your family can stroll through the downtown area to view life-size superhero balloon sculptures created by Dream Factory Balloons while sampling soups offered by local restaurants. Kids are encouraged to dress up in superhero costumes or wear their favorite capes.
Fire & Frost Fun
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Enjoy live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations, fire pits, outdoor food and drinks, and a village-wide display of over 30 ice sculptures (including an ice throne made perfect for selfies).
FRIDAY
Feelin’ Good: The Ultimate Michael Buble Experience
The LeVoy Theatre, Millville
Anthony Bernasconi sings Michael Buble’s songs from the American Songbook, plus some originals.
Together Everyone Achieves More
North Brunswick Senior Center, North Brunswick
Every year, the Township of North Brunswick brings together community members, dignitaries and kids from the schools to put on a huge MLK Day celebration. Expect presentations, inspirational speakers, music and art.
YMCA Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast
Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch
This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Maysa Akbar, Ph.D., the chief diversity officer and chief of psychology in the public interest at the American Psychological Association. Awards will be presented to community honorees whose work reflects Dr. King’s principles: Suzy Dyer, executive director of the Parker Family Health Center in Red Bank; Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy, founded by Ritesh Shah; and Kelly Ellis-Foster, a dedicated supporter of the Y’s volunteer initiative, Togetherhood. Additionally, the two winners of the Y’s Annual Dr. King Essay Contest will present their essays.
Pastel Painting Workshop
AKC Museum of the Dog, New York, NY
Award-winning artist Karen Miura of New York Adventure Club, and her dog Lucy, will paint along with you.
SATURDAY
Polar Bear Plunge
Beach behind the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Kick off 2024 with a chilling plunge into the Atlantic Ocean to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey. All plungers are encouraged to dress up in costume, break out the plunge props, and make banners and signs. Immediately following the plunge, participants and children under the age of 12 can enjoy a free lunch inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Note: The Polar Bear Plunge in the Wildwoods is a free event for spectators to watch, but plungers pay donations in tiered levels.
Atlantic City Jazz Fest
Resorts Casino Hotel, Atlantic City
World-class musicians will play everything from the classics to contemporary favorites. Hosted by Patty Jackson, performers for the winter edition include Jeff Bradshaw, Jeanette Harris and Joe Leavy.
Central Jersey Health and Wellness Fair
Quakerbridge Mall, Lawrenceville
Join Central Jersey Newspapers and learn how to live a healthy life. This event will provide information, resources and interactive activities for people of all ages.
Pier Village Ice Festival
Pier Village, Long Branch
Sculpting teams from across the country will work during an afternoon of live ice carving in an elimination style “speed carving” format. As part of Winterfest, there will be firepits, live entertainment, winter cocktails and hot chocolate.
Wild Con Collectibles Festival
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Guests include Bob Petrecca from Marvel Comics, Jeff Brennan from DC Comics and Tony DiGerolamo, author of “The Jersey Devil” book series, plus the Philadelphia Avengers and the Star Wars Mercs. There will be a costume contest for all ages.
Introduction to Leatherworking
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
Attempt a new skill by learning the basics of fine leatherworking techniques. Open to age 16 and older.
Mad Science: Sounds Like Science
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
Grab your goggles and join guest scientists to explore how sound is made and how we hear it. Create a dinosaur roar and a funky disco show with magnets. Included with museum admission.
SUNDAY
NJ Meadowlands Eagle Festival
Meadowlands Environmental Center, Lyndhurst
Celebrate all things eagles with an Eagles Walk and Talk, information on eagles, and details about the incredible comeback for these remarkable birds.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse Night Climb
Gateway National Recreational Area, Middletown Twp.
See the shimmering lights of Jersey Bayshore, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan from atop the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States. At the top, stand next to the historic Fresnel lens that has been guiding ships into New York Harbor for over 160 years. Be prepared to walk up 95 stairs up a spiral staircase and to climb a 9-rung ladder. Your child must be at least 48 inches tall to climb.
Dean Seda Zumba Class
The MC Hotel, Montclair
The one-hour Zumba class will have you dancing to the beats of Salsa, Merengue, Samba and more for a fun afternoon of wellness.
ONGOING
Makerspace Saturday
Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison
First Saturday of every month
Whether you are looking for a kid-friendly project or for something creative to do after spending time at the museum, drop by Makerspace for hands-on activities in a new collaborative workspace geared toward kids ages 5 -12. Kids will build with LEGOs, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more.
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.
Winery in Winter Weekends
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays in January
There will be live music ranging from jazz to blues to folk to rock. Seating is available indoors amongst the wine tanks or outdoors with firepits. Adults can have hot mulled wine or tasting flights of Terhune’s wines. Kids can have fun with s’mores and hot cocoa kits. Light bites of cheese plates and chips & salsa baskets are available inside.
Sunday Character Meet & Greets
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
Sundays, January 14 – February 4
Take a break from playing in the arcade to take photos with your favorite costumed friends: January 14 Australian Pups; January 21 Snow Sisters; January 28 Trolls; and February 4 Enchanted Rose Princess and Mermaid Princess.
Lunar New Year Festitivies
American Dream, East Rutherford
January 14 – February 25
To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, stop by on different days for a fashion show, runway pageant, dance-off, gala, youth competition, Dream Wheel lighting ceremony, opera and orchestra concert.
Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History at Deptford, West Deptford
Thursdays-Sundays, through January 28
The show will feature O and O-27 gauge toy trains from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines, with adjoining cars, will race against each other on two platforms.
Holiday Tea
The Mathis House, Toms River
Select dates, through January 31
Visit this gorgeous Victorian B&B with beautifully decorated tea rooms on the first floor, plus a year-round Christmas store in the attic. During the holiday season, come by for a special afternoon holiday tea or themed events like Friendsgiving Dinner, Scones With Santa, Most Wonderful Crime of the Year Murder Mystery and several holiday open houses.
Ice Skating at Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY
Through March
The famous ice-skating rink returns to Rockefeller Center in NYC for its 87th season. While you’re watching the skating, or when you need to take a break from the ice, you can warm up inside the special skate chalets on the South Esplanade. This year will be the first time you can enjoy alcoholic beverages in the chalets, with a soon-to-be-announced menu of drinks by Other Half Brewery, served alongside a menu of après-skate bites. Skating runs through March but the chalets will be rentable from November 4 to January 14, 2024. Details on Family and Kids Day and opportunities to take photos with Santa will be announced.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, New York, NY
Through March 3
The rink is the largest, free ice skating rink in New York. You can relax at The Lodge, where you can eat and drink while watching the skaters.
Newport Skates
Jersey City
Through March 15, 2024
JC’s only outdoor ice skating rink is not only available for open skating but for lessons and parties, too.
Roosevelt Park Family Skating Rink
Roosevelt Park, Edison
Through March 31, 2024
There is open skating as well as skating lessons.
Night Forms
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
Through April 7, 2024
You will have nighttime access to the art and horticulture throughout the sculpture park, which will be illuminated in an immersive experience.
The Science Behind Pixar
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 5, 2024
Learn all about the science behind Pixar’s animated films. Kids can try a bunch of 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.”
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
8 Ski Spots to Check Out This Winter
The Best Fairs and Festivals in NJ in January
Free Things to Do in January in New Jersey
50+ Things To Do Indoors in New Jersey
Bergen County Winter Wonderland is Back