 from January 27-29.){kind=link}
February is almost upon us which means it’s time to wassail the apple trees to welcome a new harvest, tap some maple trees for sap to make syrup, head to a fly fishing show or hit the theater for a live show.
WEEKEND
Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History at Deptford, West Deptford
Thursday-Sunday
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.
Dead of Winter Paranormal Investigation
Paranormal Museum, Asbury Park
Friday – Saturday
Join Adam Berry of TB’s Ghost Hunters and Kindred Spirits and historian and curator of The Paranormal Museum, Kathy Kelly, as they share their stories and investigate the hundreds of haunted objects in The Paranormal Museum.
Hairspray
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Friday – Saturday
Sixteen-year-old Tracy Turnblad sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show during the 1960s in Baltimore. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?
The Fly Fishing Show
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Friday – Sunday
The expo center floor will be packed with vendors selling everything you can imagine related to the sport of fly fishing. You can also learn about basic fly-casting, fly-tying and knots.
Winterfest
Downtown Haddonfield
Friday – Sunday
Celebrate the New Year by shopping in the stores and on the sidewalks downtown, looking for specials and deals on winter apparel and holiday products. The second annual Souper Bowl takes place at Kings Road Brewing Co. on Saturday; sample soups from local restaurants while drinking beer out of a mug shaped like a football. On Sunday, you can take pictures with your favorite characters by the ice sculptures around town.
Winter Artisan Market
Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes
Saturday – Sunday
Sip on your favorite Unionville wines while shopping from 20+ artisan vendors, including Jams by Kim, Gorgeous Goat and more, inside the 1858 Farmhouse. Lunch will be served and sold by Under the Moon Café.
Mid-Winter Antique Show
WheatonArts, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
About 40 dealers representing the Mid-Atlantic region will bring their collections so that you can explore a wide array of antique furniture, books, ceramics, glass, jewelry, linens, memorabilia, paper, toys, pottery primitives, vintage accessories, and more. Admission includes access to WheatonArts Glass Studio and Pottery Studio to watch live artist demonstrations, as well as the museum stores.
New Jersey Home Show
Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus
Saturday – Sunday
Are you thinking of renovating your home? Check out modern ideas for your living, kitchen and bathroom spaces.
FRIDAY
Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra
Pfleeger Concert Hall at Rowan University, Glassboro
The multi-Grammy award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – led by pianist, composer and Artistic Director Arturo O’Farrill – brings their blend of big band and Latin music to the stage.
‘Throwback’ Block Party
Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center, Carteret
Kick-off 2024 with the best of Treach, Mark McGrath, Kid N’ Play, Lisa Lisa and Tone Loc. The special guest is DJ Mister Cee.
Full Moon Ritual & Meditation With Singing Bowls
My Thai Massage & Wellness, Toms River
Led by Jaime Zazzara, you will experience a series of mindfulness exercises and visualizations to help you tap into the healing and transformative energy of the full moon. Jaime also plays the crystal singing bowls, which are known for their ability to induce a deep state of relaxation and meditation.
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.
Movie Night
Five Star Swim School, Deptford
Kids can go for a swim, and then after changing into clothes or PJs, they can watch Disney’s “Frozen” on the big screen. Pizza and snacks will be served.
SATURDAY
Freestyle Flashback Concert
State Theatre NJ, New Brunswick
Performing live on stage will be TKA, Judy Torres, Cynthia, Coro, Betty D of Sweet Sensation, The Cover Girls, Brenda K. Starr, Soave, Pretty Poison, Joe Zangie and Sammy Zone. Hosted by Sal Abbatiello and Speedy. Music by DJ Whiteboy KYS.
Bar Citizen NJ/Philly/NY
The Greene Turtle, North Brunswick
Space enthusiasts will meet to share stories and their passion for all things space-related, like their favorite sci-fi movies and the latest space discoveries.
South Orange International Blues Festival: Winter Edition
SOPAC, South Orange
New York City-based Blues guitarist Popa Chubby joins Asbury Park Music Awards winner Billy Hector and North Jersey’s 2023 International Blues Challenge winner Blues People for three hours of Blues music on the main stage.
Lunar New Year
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Traditional Korean, Chinese and Filipino dances will be performed by a variety of northern New Jersey schools and organizations. Upon check-in, you will receive a red envelope with special surprises inside, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.
Open House
Rutgers Geology Museum, New Brunswick
The theme this year is Ancient Seas. There will be a fun-filled day of lectures and activities focused on ancient sea life like mosasaurs and trilobites. Check out the exhibits, buy something to take home at the mineral sale, and let the kids do arts and crafts. All of the exhibits will be open to view.
Ice Harvest
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
At one time, neighbors could buy ice from the pond to keep their milk cool on the way to the train station on Pleasant Valley Road. When you visit the farm, you will learn about the tools and technology that made ice harvesting a successful business at the turn of the 20th century. There will be demos of ice cutting, hauling and handling. You can the kids can pull ice blocks up the ramp to the ice house, chip ice to make ice cream and make an ice candle to take home. Ice cream and snow cone samples will be available in the afternoon, and food will be available at the farmhouse for purchase.
Silent Disco
Barrow Mansion, Jersey City
Kids will put on headphones so they can choose what music they want to listen to, and then dance the night away.
Monster Jam
Prudential Center, Newark
Drivers compete while controlling 12,000-pound monster trucks capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles per hour.
Clang Rose Film Festival
The Chateau Grande Hotel, East Brunswick
The festival celebrates love through filmmaking.
Montclair Film: Montclair Improv Comedy’s Kid Show
Cinema505, Montclair
Geared for children 3-10 years old, this high-energy performance featuring professional improvisers will be 100% family-friendly (G rating).
Soup & Wine
Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
Pair warm soups with fine wines and cool desserts. Menu items include smokey butternut squash soup, wild mushroom beef barley soup, potato leek with crab soup, and apple strudel with butterscotch sauce.
The Metropolitan Opera Live: Carmen
The Clairidge, Montclair
The Met begins the New Year with a new production of one of opera’s most powerful works. The live performance is on January 27, but there will be an encore performance on January 31.
Lunar New Year 2024
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
Usher in the Year of the Dragon with a dragon parade, Korean traditional dance of Choomnori, The New York Choy Lay Fut Lion Dance Team, local Asian food, kid-friendly crafts and activities, a Vietnamese cultural performance, acrobatics of the Lion Dancers and sleight of hand from the Face Changer. Inside the museum will be a master paper cutter, photo booth, calligraphy, origami, and Korean hanboks. Your ticket gives you full access to the galleries inside the museum.
Embracing the Roar, Unveiling the Year of the Dragon
American Dream, East Rutherford
Listen to the Kunqu and Peking Opera, watch traditional folk dances, and check out a Chinese costume show.
South Orange International Blues Festival: Winter Edition
SOPAC, South Orange
Popa Chubby, Billy Hector and Blues People headline the concert.
Family Winter Trail Walk
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
Everyone in the family can hike and explore what winter has to offer as you get close to nature out on the trails of Maggie’s Trail.
Wassailing the Apple Trees
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
The ancient British tradition of wassailing the apple trees to protect them from harm is a popular winter celebration. Activities include singing, dancing and playing of primitive instruments, toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting the lively words of praise and New Year. The Handsome Molly Dancers and Kingessing Morris Dancers will lead the group in singing and dancing to ensure the orchards have a good harvest in 2024. There will be more live music by Spiced Punch, and marshmallow roasting. The winery and Barn Door Cafe will be open.
Literature at Play Workshop
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
Presented by the New York Children’s Theater Company for children ages 3-8, children’s literature comes to life through theater, music, and movement, sparking their imagination and critical thinking. Included with museum admission.
Framed Quilling Art Workshop
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Quilling is an ancient art of rolled paper. You will be taught how to create a quilling design with birds, flowers, mushrooms or animals and frame it in a shadow box.
Pizza Party With The Jersey Shore Medium
BrunchBox Daytime Eatery, Sayreville
Linda Shields will bring messages from loved ones who have passed away, while you enjoy a pizza buffet.
TADA! Youth Theater Open House
TADA! Youth Theater, New York, NY
Have your kid take a sample class in acting, singing and dancing before signing up for TADA!’s winter and spring semesters. Kids ages 4-12 will be directed by two professional NYC Teaching Artists, and then TADA’s director of Education will hold a Q&A for parents.
Galentine’s Day Winter Extravaganza
Beauty at the Creek, West Creek
While you relax during spa treatments, listen to calming music, sample wines and eat some sweet treats.
Taylor Swift Dance Party and Trivia
Proving Ground Waterfront Dining, Highlands
Wear your best T. Swift outfit to celebrate The ERAS Tour. Of course, there will be Taylor Swift music playing all night, plus some fun Swiftie trivia.
SUNDAY
Maple Tree Tapping
Echo Hill Park, Flemington
The group will take a short walk to the Echo Hill Park Sugar Bush where you will learn how to identify a sugar maple and learn how to tap a maple tree.
Madison Broadway Cabaret
Rose Hall, Madison Community Arts Center, Madison
Listen to Broadway songs performed by voice artists Jim Conroy, Marni Raab, Rob Richardson, Tom Schmidt, Gabrielle Piacentile, Tom and the Moms, Taye McQueen and Dorothy Jo Blomquist.
Brigid’s Day and Candlemas
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Flutist Anwar “Notes” Overton will play Irish tunes on the flute. Check out a new exhibit of salt-glazed pottery and early chairs of Bergen County. All three 18th-century Jersey Dutch sandstone houses are open for tours. Activities for families include corn husk Brigid’s cross and doll making.
Films and Food
Rutgers EcoComplex, Columbus
Jersey Shore Sea Kayaking Association is holding its holiday party – post holidays – where you can watch a few paddling films while snacking on coffee, danishes and lunch. The films are focused on a sea kayak, white water, SUP and canoe; cold oceans, big waves, crazy wind and polluted water; comedians, indigenous paddlers, pack rafting angler ladies, adaptive paddlers, a white water female “rock star,” and a Guinness World Record holder.
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.
New Jersey Film Festival
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
Weekends, January 26 – February 18
The 42nd Bi-Annual Spring 2024 New Jersey Film Festival will be taking place in person at Rutgers University, plus all films will be available virtually via Video on Demand for 24 hours on their show date.
Around the World in 7 Tails
The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts, Maplewood
Fridays-Sundays, January 26 – February 4
Join Jigsaw the Flying Guinea Pig on a journey through seven fun animal fables from around the globe. Presented by The Strollers.
‘B.O.T.C.H.’
TADA! Youth Theater, New York, NY
Fridays – Sundays, January 27 – February 18
Youth actors will put on this original, jazz-styled musical that follows seven kids on the NYC subway who get lost underground and meet artistic rats, members of B.O.T.C.H. (Bureau of Turmoil, Chaos & Headaches), and find themselves in the basement of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
USA Curling National Championships
The Rink at American Dream, American Dream
January 29 – February 4
American Dream will host NFL Legend Jared Allen, Danny Casper, Andrew Stopera, Tom Howell and his sister Allison Howell, Team Dunham members Scott Dunnam, Cody Clouser and Andy Dunnam, and twin sisters Sarah and Taylor Anderson. Teams will compete for the chance to move one step closer to representing the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics – a berth in the 2025 Olympic Team Trials is up for grabs for both the Women’s and Men’s fields. This marks the first time ever that the event will be held in the Tri-State area.
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.
Sunday Character Meet & Greets
Casino Pier Arcade, Seaside Heights
Sundays, through February 4
Take a break from playing in the arcade to take photos with your favorite costumed friends: January 21 Snow Sisters; January 28 Trolls; and February 4 Enchanted Rose Princess and Mermaid Princess.
Broadway Week
Broadway, New York, NY
Through February 4
There are two dozen plays and musicals that are offering 2-for-1 tickets, like The Lion King, &Juliet and Spamalot.
Bacon Fest
Zeppelin Hall, Jersey City
Through February 11
There will be more than 16 bacon-filled items on the menu.
Lunar New Year
Shops at Riverside, Hackensack
Through February 24
Celebrate with events, exclusive offers and more happenings at the mall. Check each store for the deals and promotions they may be offering. The illuminated cherry blossom tree will be adorned with gold coins to celebrate the Lunar New Year and The Year of the Dragon on level 1 near True Food Kitchen.
Lunar New Year Festivities
American Dream, East Rutherford
Select dates, through 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.
Bergen County Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Through February 25
Rent an ice bumper car and slide around the rink, or choose to go ice skating, before checking out the food trucks.
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. This year will be the first time you can enjoy alcoholic beverages in the chalets, with a menu of drinks by Other Half Brewery, served alongside a menu of après-skate bites.
West Orange Classic Film Festival
AMC Theatre, Essex Green Shopping Center, West Orange
Through March 3 (no showing February 11)
Catch movies on the big screen in the town where Thomas Edison invented movies. There will be an intro before each movie and an interactive Q&A session after. The schedule is In The Heat of the Night on January 28, Laurel & Hardy at Work on February 4, The Conversation on February 18, The Quiet Man on February 25 and The In-Laws on March 3.
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.
Traditions and Transitions: Historical to Contemporary Perspectives in Black Art
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Through March 5
The annual art exhibit by Art in the Atrium will present a range of still life, portrait, landscape, and fiber art, as well as optical art, and abstract expressionistic and non-objective styles. A free public reception will take place on January 28 at 3 pm.
Newport Skates
Jersey City
Through March 15
JC’s only outdoor ice skating rink is not only available for open skating but for lessons and parties, too.
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.
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.
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 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.”
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.
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Read More:
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