Sunday marks the start of spring and we couldn’t be more ready for it! Celebrate with a visit to Terhune Orchards to get back into planting and gardening, take the family on a Signs of Spring nature walk at New Weis or enjoy opening day of the Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure. It’s time to come out and play!
All Weekend
State Theatre New Jersey Presents CATS
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Friday – Sunday
Audiences and critics alike are rediscovering this beloved musical with breathtaking music, including one of the most treasured songs in musical theater, “Memory.” Composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the record-breaking musical spectacular has captivated audiences in over 30 countries in 15 languages, is back on tour across North America. This tour features new sound design, direction and choreography.
Discovering Antarctica: Heroic Tales of Shackleton, Crean & Scott
Bickford Theatre at the Morris Museum, Morristown
Friday- Sunday
Tom Crean, the intrepid Antarctic explorer and one of Ireland’s unsung heroes, is brought to life in this dramatic and humorous solo performance by Aidan Dooley. Set during The Golden Age of Antarctic Exploration (1901-1916), discover the riveting stories of the only man who served standing alongside Scott and Shackleton in three of the most daring and challenging expeditions to the great white continent including Shackleton’s ill-fated Endurance expedition.
96th Anniversary Model Train Exhibit
Saturday – Sunday
Society of Model Engineers, Carlstadt
The Society operates a train museum with two large model train layouts that cover almost 5,000 square feet. Model trains operate on both layouts. Many of the models are one of a kind and were handmade by Society members. Members take pride in operating their miniature railroad just like real railroads operate. Also on display is the Society’s collection of historic railroad memorabilia and artifacts. Final weekend!
New York International Children’s Film Festival
Friday- Saturday
SVA Theatre, New York, New York
Return to the magic of big screen events with the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), North America’s largest film festival for kids and teens, and celebrate their 25th annual festival in-person. Catch must-see screenings of exciting new animated, live action and doc films for young audiences, plus filmmaker Q&A’s. Final weekend!
Lenape High School’s Spring Musical – Little Shop of Horrors
Friday – Saturday
Lenape High School
This musical has been devouring the hearts of theatre goers for over 30 years. With lyrics and music by creative geniuses Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the show has been produced worldwide with resounding success. Lenape High School is excited to bring this deviously fun show to South Jersey.
Friday
A Cache of Kinetic Art: Timeless Movements
Morris Museum, Morristown
This exhibition explores broad themes of the human experience and how time manifests in nature through 35 works of kinetic art. Created by 26 artists, these art objects are expressions of measuring, marking, embracing and resisting time. This is the fourth and final installment of A Cache of Kinetic Art that launched in 2018 with Curious Characters.
Spring Equinox Celebration: Full Moon Rising
Rancocas Nature Center, Westampton
To celebrate the 2022 Vernal Equinox, Rancocas is targeting the large meadow for sights and sounds. Suitable for older teens and adults, this outdoor evening gathering will combine naturalist observations, astronomy, live music, and camaraderie for a relaxing, outdoor event. Bring a chair and picnic basket (if desired). There will be fire pits to warm your fingers and toes.
Pirates in Pajamas Sleepover
The Center for Aquatic Sciences at Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Did you ever want to “sleep with the fishes”? Now you can at The Center for Aquatic Sciences. It’s an exciting experience for a group or an individual family.
Did you know photos with the Easter bunny are already starting? Book yours now!
Saturday
Read and Explore: Getting Ready for Spring
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
This program is about Getting Ready for Spring. Kids will get ready to wake up from winter and prepare to start gardening, as Saint Patrick’s Day is the traditional day to plant peas and spinach and get the garden ready! The program lasts about an hour and includes a story and educational segment. After story time, each child will plant seeds to take home.
18th Annual Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Huddy Park, Highlands
The Highlands Business Partnership will paint the town green for the 18th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The colorful festivities will highlight Irish culture with nearly 100 marching units including bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers and beautifully decorated floats. The parade will begin at Waterwitch Avenue and extend along Bay Avenue.
Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure Opening Day
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Boasting 1,200 animals from six continents including elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes and lions, Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure takes explorers on an exhilarating, interactive animal adventure. The journey takes from 1.5 to 3 hours from the comfort of your own vehicle.
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner
Brook Hollow Winery, Columbia
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with delicious corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, soda bread and live music. Eat-in or take-out available but stick around to hear your favorite Irish jig.
Planetarium: Secret of the Cardboard Rocket
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Embark on an amazing adventure with two children as they explore the Solar System and learn about each of the planets along the way. This adventure is recommended for families with kids ages 3-10.
Sawmilling and Tree Planting
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
During the day there will be opportunities for visitors to help roll logs to the mill with logging tools, cut firewood for the kitchen stove, make pegs for use in barn framing and plant replacement trees in the farm’s woodlot. Helpers will receive a free tubling from the NJ Tree Foundation to take home and plant, while supplies last.
St. Paddy’s Day Plunge and 5K
Carney’s, Cape May
Come for the Plunge the 5K Run, a family-friendly 1 Mile Walk, or just to cheer participants on. Everyone can stick around for refreshments and an after-party. There will be live music, a face painter and Irish fare.
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit to the farm. This event is free.
Annual Keyport Fire Department St. Patrick’s Day Parade
2 W. Front St., Keyport
Come on out for live music, floats, entertainment, participating community organizations and of course Fire Department Apparatus. There will be fun events to celebrate Irish heritage and pride in the community.
Collingswood Food Tour
Downtown Collingswood
Take a tour of this wonderful town of Collingswood while sampling global flavors along the way. Prepare your palate for delicious traditional and modern Indian Cuisine. You’ll also have an opportunity to eat a freshly prepared curated sandwich from the newest kid on the block, Haddon Culinary. Stop by a modern patisserie for a bite and a bakery lesson from the pastry chef. If you like nostalgic candy and chocolate indulgence, you won’t want to miss this candy shop visit.
Get Lucky on Main Street! Scavenger Hunt for Reily’s Chocolate!
Main St., Medford
Main Street is hosting a scavenger hunt — you’ll receive a card to have stamped at each location all within walking distance on Main Street inside shops. Find them all and when completed you’ll receive a box of St. Patrick’s themed chocolates made especially for the Main Street Merchants by Reily’s Candy.
Sunday
Maple Sugaring at Tenafly Nature Center
313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
Learn how to identify a maple tree. Discover the history of syrup making and how technology has changed the way we gather sap over the centuries. The group will check Tenafly Nature Center’s tapped tree and boil down sap to make fresh, warm maple syrup, a sweet treat for all to taste. All ages are welcome. This is the last day for this event!
Signs of Spring Nature Walk
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts and Recreation, Ringwood
To celebrate the first day of spring, visitors will take a walk through the forest and along the stream, looking for signs that the season is shifting. Spring peepers, budding trees and spring ephemeral wildflowers will be some of the stars of this hike.
Family Woodland Hike
NJ Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Join NJBG hike leaders on an easy, child-friendly hike in the Garden’s woodlands. Learn a bit about the plants, animals and geology around you on a hike designed to fit the group. Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House.
Paint Like Pollock
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Get ready to get messy at this family drop-in event where kids can create their own abstract masterpiece. Appropriate for children ages 5-10, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Getting egg-cited for Easter? Check out these awesome Easter egg hunts in NJ!
Ongoing
Night Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
Thursday – Sunday
Grounds For Sculpture announced a two-year partnership with Klip Collective to present a distinctive after-hours multi-sensory experience. The Night Forms series will directly interact with a selection of contemporary artworks and signature horticultural features across the park’s 42 acres, furthering the nonprofit’s commitment to creating unique experiences bringing art and nature together. *Show extended to April 3.
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.