It’s Mother’s Day weekend and that means it’s time to head out to a fun family activity (after breakfast in bed, of course!). There’s so much to do in NJ this weekend, from special events to honor moms to a fun shopping bazaar to serene hikes in the forest. Whether you’re a sporty mom, a shopaholic mom or just a mom that loves to have fun, get out there with your crew!
All Weekend
Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
Whitechapel Projects, Long Branch
Grand Arcade at Asbury Park Convention Hall, Asbury Park
The weekend will feature a shopping, arts & crafts and music experience in two beautiful locations by the beach. Enjoy shopping from local makers, artists, designers, crafters and collectors. Don’t miss fresh flower bouquets, Mother’s Day photos and photo stations, music and entertainment, craft workshops, kids’ workshops and face painting, brunch and delicious food and libations. *Due to forecast for rainy weather Grand Arcade Asbury Park’s event will be all indoors; Whitechapel Projects will be indoors and there will be a large tent covering the outside areas.
Farm to Table Mother’s Day Brunch
Alstede Farms, Chester
Saturday – Sunday
Treat the special mother in your life to a Farm to Table Mother’s Day Brunch at Alstede Farms. Enjoy tractor drawn wagon rides around the farm while taking in the relaxed farm atmosphere and enjoying a casual family style meal for a truly memorable day. Stay and enjoy friendly farm animals, self-guided museum tour, visit the charming farm store or enjoy homemade ice cream.
All Vows
Bickford Theatre at Morris Museum, Morristown
Friday – Sunday
All Vows is a puppet memory play by puppeteer, theatre artist and writer, Sam Jay Gold, where history and imagination collide in a heartwarming tale. The play is centered on the possibly true life of his grandfather, Poppy, a Russian Jewish refugee raised in China. Poppy is portrayed through five hand-carved, wooden puppets, each modeled after him at a different age in his life.
Mother’s Day Weekend Boat Tours
Tuckerton Seaport, Tuckerton
Join Tuckerton Seaport for special Mother’s Day Weekend Boat Rides along Tuckerton Creek. The Seaport Captain and tour guide will take groups out for a scenic, one hour tour of Tuckerton Creek. Learn about the local women who helped shaped Tuckerton’s history.
Still haven’t made a ressie? These are our favorite brunch spots for Mother’s Day in NJ!
Friday
Movies Under the Stars
Crystal Lake Park, Mansfield
Join for the Movies Under the Stars Series which will be traveling to different locations throughout Burlington County. Come early, have a picnic in the park. Bring a blanket or chairs and don’t forget your favorite food or snacks. This week’s movie is Black Panther.
Merchantville Art Walk
Chestnut Ave. & Park Ave., Merchantville
Tour the town and take in an incredible collection of works from local artists. Local businesses will team up with artists to show their work for one night. Live music will take place at several spots.
Saturday
Skylands Stadium Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Bring the whole family to this all-day party that takes place right on the field. This spring festival features a stacked lineup of more than 20 food trucks, over 100 craft beers, music, games, sports on the big screen, shopping and more. Ages 21+ will receive a wristband to participate in the beer sampling.
Lilac Garden Splendor
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
The Lilac Garden is a large collection of these sweet-scented and prolific spring beauties, in the peak of bloom this time of year. Members of New Jersey Botanical Garden’s Lilac team will be in this part of the Garden to answer any questions you might have.
Annual Azalea Festival
Sayen Gardens, Hamilton
Join for a Mother’s Day weekend of fun filled with local craft vendors and good food as you stroll through the renowned botanical gardens complete with blooming Azalea shrubs. After a 3-year hiatus, Sayen Gardens looks forward to welcoming you back to this signature event.
Creative Arts Festival
Thompson Park, Lincroft
Spend a day perusing the artists of this juried arts festival. Fine artists from all mediums will be on display, including pottery, jewelry and painting, just to name a few. Plus, enjoy live music and food vendors. Admission and parking are free.
Pop-Up Market
Calgo Gardens Freehold
Come visit Calgo Gardens and shop the outdoor pop-up market featuring local artists and vendors. Artists and vendors will include wood designs, jewelry, flowers, glassworks, photo prints, crystals and more. There will also be an animal adoption taking place.
Geocaching for Beginners
Duke Farms, Hillsborough Twp.
Join for this 45-minute crash course in geocaching for beginners. Geocaching is an outdoor scavenger hunt that makes use of your phone’s GPS technology as you search for hidden caches along established trails.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse 5K
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, Sandy Hook
Join for this scenic 5K around the lighthouse to benefit New Jersey Blind Citizens Association and Camp Happiness. There will also be a kids’ run.
Broadway at Westfield Garden State Plaza
Paramus
Westfield Garden State Plaza is hosting a free 15-week series every Saturday through June 25 that features performances from hit Broadway shows for children in partnership with Bergen Performing Arts Center. Come out and see memorable scenes and songs from your favorite Broadway shows and modern movies — this weekend it’s “Encanto.”
Boy Scout Showcase
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Come out to Historic Smithville and meet Scout units, participate in activities and see demonstrations such as archery, a fishing Demo, camping, Pinewood Derby car racing and more! For boys and girls ages 6 to 20 years old.
British Car Show
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Enjoy the day seeing spectacular vintage British cars on display and strolling the Village.
Spring Stream Taster Workshop
Mine Brook Park, Flemington
The Sourland Conservancy is partnering with the NJ Watershed Ambassador Stevie Ader to host a stream monitoring workshop geared toward beginners. Volunteers will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in stream monitoring and will learn about the importance of water quality, how water health is impacting the Sourlands and how to monitor stream health.
ECO Fair: Awakening of Mother Earth
WheatonArts, Millville
In partnership with the Authority of Cumberland County, WheatonArts presents the 15th annual ECO Fair, a free family day event inspired by natural living. ECO Fair highlights across the WheatonArts campus include local gardening clubs, including Rutgers Master Gardeners, with various plants, vegetables and herbs for sale, handmade works of New Jersey artists, environmental organization booths, nature trail tours, eco-friendly activities for families and more.
An Herbal Discovery
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Your kids will smell, touch, taste and explore herbs with all senses! Discover the history, uses and superstitions associated with some of the herbs in the garden through stories, crafts and activities. Be sure to also visit the Annual Herb Sale. Ages 5 – 10.
Princess Charming and Rubylicious Visit Montclair
Montclair Public Library tent, Monclair
Rubylicious and Princess Charming meet for a playdate in Montclair! Children’s author Zibby Owens will read her new book Princess Charming and Victoria Kann will read one of her latest Pinkalicious books, Rubylicious. After the readings, Princess Charming and Rubylicious will give away little crowns and stickers, and everyone can draw along with the authors. Recommended for ages 3-7.
Branchburg Food Truck & Music Festival
White Oak Park, Branchburg
The Trucks are rolling into Branchburg! This is a fun-filled family day with 20 gourmet food trucks, beer & sangria, live music with some incredible bands, Mother’s Day plant sale, 50/50, axe throwing, kid activities including pony rides, petting zoo, airbrush & glitter tattoos, inflatables, games, sand art, spin art and so much more.
11th Annual Secaucus Green Festival
The Xchange at Secaucus Junction, Secaucus
Join at the Secaucus Xchange for a celebration of the planet with environmentally conscious vendors, exhibits and fun activities for all. Admission to the event is free. Food and eco-friendly products will be available for purchase.
National Public Gardens Day
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day in MHHM’s historic garden. Special presentations, nature scavenger hunts and art activities will take place in the garden. At 1:30 pm see The Raptor Trust’s Fantastic Falcons. This program is offered for free through support from The Astle-Alpaugh Family Foundation.
Mother’s Day at the Park
Phil Rizzuto Park, Elizabeth
Join for crafts, food, prizes, giveaways and family-friendly hikes. This event is presented by Hike It Baby.
Mama got a sweet tooth? Take her to Candytopia!
Sunday
The Perondi’s Stunt Dog Experience
Wilkins Theatre, Union
This cast of performers and dogs will delight audiences of all ages, with high energy excitement from beginning to end. During the Stunt Dog Experience, audience members will witness some of the most incredible stunts and behaviors ever performed by dogs. With amazing tricks, big air stunts, comedy antics, dancing dogs and athletic feats, it is the most entertaining show of its kind. This is a sensory-inclusive performance with ASL interpretation.
Forest Bathing Walk
New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, Ringwood
From the Japanese ‘shinrin-yoku’, the practice of forest bathing means to immerse oneself in the forest and soak in the atmosphere through the senses. This walk at an easy pace will focus on connecting to nature through mindfulness, as visitors explore their senses and the present moment through short, guided, meditations in the forest. Led by Weis Educator Lauren Lynch.
Mother’s Day Hikes
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum, Short Hills
Celebrate Mother’s Day with a guided hike through our woodlands and learn about some of the wildflowers that grow in the spring. There will be iced tea and sweet treats after the hike. The entire event will take place outside.
Mother’s Day Throughout Town
Downtown Flemington
Give the gift of Flemington this Mothers’ Day by enjoying the town’s numerous shops and restaurants. Take in the beauty of the town that every mother will love. There’s something for every mom in more than 450 retail shops, restaurants, and health, beauty and wellness businesses.
Think you’ve done everything there is to do in NJ? Have you been to an alpaca farm?
Ongoing
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards., Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Grab a glass of one of Terhune’s award-winning wines, sit back, relax and enjoy live music from local artists each week. Styles range from Jazz and Blues to Folk and Rock. Music is from 1 pm-4 pm.
Ready to head outdoors with the fam? Check out one of these beautiful gardens.