Things to Do This Weekend in NJ Jan. 20 – 22

See eagles soar or a dance performance this weekend.

VANDY PHOTOGRAPHY / Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Year of the Black Water Rabbit

Lunar New Year is Sunday. Aside from beautiful Asian performances, you can take your family to Bollywood music concert, an outdoor bald eagle count or a guided house tour.

WEEKEND

Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience
Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park, Yorktown, Westchester, NY
Thursday – Sunday
Fans can walk along a lit trail as they take in sights and sounds inspired by the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series. It’ll feel like you’re walking through a movie set. Make sure you try the steak and ale pie and sausage rolls, Aragog’s Lair Cupcake and Deathly Hallows Sugar Cookies for dessert and wash it all down with Butterbeer. This is the closing weekend so don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the fun!

Jersey Shore Spring Home Show
Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft
Saturday – Sunday
You’ll find lots of great ideas for your upcoming home improvement, whether it’s a minor renovation or a major remodel. Meet hundreds of home improvement professionals in a fun, interactive environment. Admission is free if you register online in advance (or $10 at the door).

Year of the Black Water Rabbit
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark
Saturday – Sunday
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will combine traditional Chinese celebration with modern flair. The Red Lions dance to a hip hop beat. The Golden Dragon brings good luck and fortune for the coming year. The company will also showcase a contemporary dance work, Ashes of A Dead Frog. Guest artists from the Chinese Music Ensemble of New York will provide traditional and contemporary music on classical and folk Chinese instruments. The Company Dancers, acrobats and musicians perform with plenty of prosperity and good fortune for everyone to enjoy and share.

FRIDAY

Rutgers Law BLSA’s MLK Gala
The Merion, Cinnaminson
On behalf of the Rutgers School of Law-Camden Black Law Student Association (BLSA), the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Champions of Social Justice and Equality Gala will be hosted in-person for the first time in three years! The festivities will begin with a cocktail reception, followed by a seated dinner and the awards ceremony.

Chinese New Year Culinary Class
Barry’s Appliance, Bridgewater
Learn how to make Chinese spring rolls, garlic ginger soy tiger prawns, orange chicken and Hong Kong egg tarts.

Baby It’s Cold Outside Wine & Soup Pairing
Tomasello Winery, Hammonton
Taste samples of beef barley, creamy chicken saffron and Manhattan clam chowder soups that are paired with Tomasello’s premiere wines. And have cheesecake for dessert!

Vision Board Workshop
She-Shed, Point Pleasant
This Girls Night Out event includes breathwork and meditation to manifest an incredible new year. You’ll receive all the necessary supplies to create a vision board. Have some pizza and snacks, too.

DARLENE DE SANTIS / DOUBLE D PHOTOGRAPHY

SATURDAY

Eagle Count
Along Lower Hackensack River, Bergen County
Volunteers are needed to help the Bergen County Audubon Society count eagles in the area. If you aren’t a vampire, get out into nature at sunup and spend a few hours looking for these beautiful birds out in nature.

Attracting Bluebirds
Community Center, Manalapan
The population of eastern bluebirds is making a comeback after years of decline. Households across NJ have played a major part by providing habitat. Learn how to attract these beautiful birds to your yard or nearby trails. It’s a great family project – you will learn how to build a bluebird box and how to become a citizen scientist through monitoring those boxes.

Eagles Spirit Day
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Show your team spirit and wear your Philadelphia Eagles jersey to the aquarium during this special pre-Eagles-Giants divisional football game.

Lunar New Year Celebration
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark
The New Jersey Symphony presents the talents of Music Director Xian Zhang in a festive family-friendly evening of cultural exchange to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. This performance will feature the world premiere of James Ra’s Fantasia on Sae Taryeong performed by Min Kwon, a Korean-American pianist and professor of piano at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. The evening will include performances from the Peking University Alumni Chorus, Starry Arts Group Children’s Chorus, and the Edison Chinese School Lion Dance Team. Prior to the performance, the symphony is hosting a gala fundraiser.

Bollywood Winter Music Concert
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, Princeton Junction
Roohaniyat, a group of West Windsor residents who share their soul through South Asian music and culture, in collaboration with the West Windsor Lions Club, will present an evening of Bollywood music and dance.

TERHUNE ORCHARDS

Read and Explore: The Gingerbread Man
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Your kids will read “The Gingerbread Man” and then each child will decorate a big gingerbread man cookie to take home. Kids will be amazed at how many gingerbread man ingredients come from farms.

Sew a Tote Bag Workshop
The Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Kids ages 8 – 14 can bring their sewing machine to the shop and learn how to make their own tote bag. Your teacher will instruct you on how to set up your sewing machine, sew your fabrics and finish your project.

New Jersey National School Choice Week Fair
Kean University, Union
Join more than 350 New Jersey community members to explore local school options, buffet-style, at a school fair and family fun day. From face painting and balloon twisting to a photo booth and snacks, this free event will feature fun for all ages.

Sandy Hook Beach Cleanup
Visitor Center Parking Lot, Sandy Hook
Dress the kids in outdoor gear and teach them the importance of cleaning up the environment. You’ll pick up litter and debris around Spermaceti Cove.

Winterpalooza Open House
YMCA, Wayne
The free afternoon of family fun activities includes a bounce house, bubble soccer, Gaga pit, carnival games, snowball fights, a dance party and food vendors.

MPAC / Soul of African American Art

SUNDAY

Soul of African American Art
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
The all-new exhibit featuring 58 selected works of art by 31 artists celebrating African American culture will be for sale. Opening night is free and open to all.

Chinese New Year Spectacular
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, Plainsboro
Take part in crafts and activities, plus a gala show.

New Year’s Traditions from Around the World
Wicoff House Museum, Plainsboro
The Youth Advisory Council will host games and activities inspired by New Year’s traditions from around the world. There will be fun activities for all ages, crafts, a museum scavenger hunt and refreshments.

Guided House Tour: Many Voices
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Stop by and receive a guided tour, where you will hear the many voices of the men and women who lived, worked and played in the house throughout its 226-year history. While you’re there, see what’s cooking on the hearth and explore the herbs in the Landsberger Learning Garden.

QUEY PERCUSSION DUO

Quey Percussion Duo
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Westfield
The duo plays snare drums, xylophones, pianos and tambourines – and also some unexpected musical instruments. The whole family will love guessing what’s up next.

Central Jersey Health & Wellness Expo
MarketFair, Princeton
New year, new you? Learn how to live a healthier life. Some of the perks include a discount on Mystique Hair products, a voucher for a free intro class to Club Pilates and a free flatbread at Seasons 52.

ONGOING

The Alpaca Experience
Unexpected Farm NJ, Newfield
Saturdays, Jan. 21 and 28
During this walking tour of the farm, meet and greet the alpacas: take a photo, feed them, have tea or hot chocolate in the greenhouse, then make a craft such as painting a flower pot or coloring an alpaca worksheet.

Ridgewood Restaurant Week
At participating restaurants in Ridgewood
Jan. 22-26
See if your favorite establishment is offering a special menu or offer during Restaurant Week.

Antique Toy Train Show
The Museum of American History, Deptford
Thursdays – Sundays, through Jan. 29
This antique train show features O and O-27 gauge toy trains from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Lionel, Marx and American Flyer engines with adjoining cars will race on two diverse platforms. Vintage Plasticville buildings from the 1950s will further augment the display. Vegetation and auxiliary structures will give the platforms a traditional holiday appearance.

Newark Winter Village
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
Wednesdays – Sundays, through Jan. 31
This much-loved holiday tradition transforms downtown Newark into a winter wonderland. Come to the park for ice skating, Go-Karts, games and activities, an open-air holiday marketplace featuring local vendors, and cozy heated private igloos to enjoy hot cocoa and treats. There will be many “Instagram-worthy” photo-ops available throughout the village.

STAFF PHOTO / PAW Patrol

PAW Patrol CAMP
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Select dates, through Feb. 4
To celebrate PAW Patrol kids can join their favorite animated K9 rescue team in different themed sections that include interactive games, activities and crafts based on the show.

JEWISH CHILDREN’S MUSEUM / The Chocolate Makery Experience

The Chocolate Makery Experience
Jewish Children’s Museum, Brooklyn, NY
Every day, through Feb. 22
Kids will take part in a five-sense experience related to chocolate. They will harvest pods, grind the cocoa and then make their own creation.

Legends of the Night Sky: Orion
Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium, Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Saturdays, through Feb. 25
Explore the myths and legends of one of the most visible constellations in the winter night sky: Orion, the Hunter. This fun-filled, animated production based on Greek mythology is great for kids 6+.

Experience the Aurora
Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium, Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Saturdays, through Feb. 25
See nature’s most stunning light show as the winter sky comes to life before your eyes. This immersive show, filmed over the course of seven months in the Arctic Circle, features spectacular views of the northern lights and examines the science behind it. Great for kids 12 and older.

Family Sundays at the Nature Center
Tulpehaking Nature Center, Hamilton Twp.
Select Sundays, through Feb. 26
Each weekend will have a different theme, including sharing stories by the fireside, taking care of some animals and making nature crafts.

Bergen County’s Winter Wonderland
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
Every day, through Feb. 24
Lace up your skates for open skating time on the rink, or pop into a huge tube for the Ice Bumper Cars.

The Golden Girls Kitchen Pop-Up
Fulton Street, New York
Select dates, through Feb. 26
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.

Skating on the Square
Hulfish Street, Princeton
Thursdays – Sundays, through Feb. 26
Bring your own skates or rent them so you can spend time skating on the synthetic ice skating rink in the middle of Palmer Square.

Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
Through Feb. 26
Go ice skating or shopping, wine & dine, and enjoy live entertainment. During Christmastime, meet Santa Claus and see the Festival of Trees. The Reindeer Fun Run is Dec. 17. Book a fire pit experience or a private cabana.

SPYSCAPE

BATMAN x SPYSCAPE
928 8th Ave., New York
Through March 1
Your teens will love this experience, mostly because it involves a phone app and lots of texting! You’ll be transported into the heart of Gotham City where you’ll have to become your own superhero to solve the mystery! You’ll infiltrate an underworld organization and figure out who is responsible for the kidnappings.

Soul of African American Art
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Through March 5
The all-new exhibit featuring 58 selected works of art by 31 artists celebrating African American culture will be for sale.

Maple Sugaring Demos
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham Twp.
Saturdays and Sundays, through March 5
Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap and make real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Finish with a syrup taste test!

Winter Walking Club
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
Fridays, through March 10
Grab your winter attire and join the preserve’s manager for a free winter walk.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hudson Restaurant Week starts Jan. 23 and runs through Feb. 3. Check out all your favorite eats when you sit down for a prix fixe menu.

An afternoon tea party is the perfect mother-daughter date!

Be sure to visit to RPM Raceway next week when they unveil a new multi-level electric indoor mega track.

You can also score 2-for-1 tickets to select Broadway shows. It’s a great way to introduce your kids to The Great White Way. The discount is available through Feb. 12.

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