Bring out the luck o’ the Irish this weekend by taking your family to the streets of your favorite town to watch a St. Patrick’s Day Parade roll by. Or celebrate Read Across America at a Dr. Seuss birthday celebration.
WEEKEND
Seuss Week
Collingswood
Thursday – Sunday
Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday all week throughout town, but on Saturday there will be a special party at The Pop Shop where you can eat Seuss-themed foods and make a craft featuring Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Restaurant Week
Downtown Haddonfield, Haddonfield
Thursday- Sunday
Stop by your favorite restaurant – or try a new one – during lunch or dinner time. There will be discounts and special menus at participating restaurants.
Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show
Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City
Thursday – Sunday
If you are a nautical novice, seasoned sailor or just a water lover who wants to escape the cold, come experience the best of the boat life with an indoor paddle sports pool, Art of Casting Pond, kids paddle boating mini lake, and selection of new boats and marine gear you can buy.
Theater Revue
North Brunswick Township High School, North Brunswick
Friday – Saturday
Celebrate 50 years of community theater with this revue that will include selections by the North Brunswick Drama Group of your favorite songs from musicals performed since the program began in 1970.
Heart of One Holistic Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Friday – Sunday
Treat yourself to a weekend of healing, upliftment and transformation. More than 140 vendors will offer crystals, Reiki, aura photography, meditation, organic skincare, natural herbs, soaps, candles, visionary artwork, essential oils, psychic readings, angelic inspirations, sound healing, higher learning, henna tattoos, oracle cards, inspirational authors, mindset coaching and jewelry.
David Anthony: Comedy Magician
Avenel Performing Arts Center, Avenel
Friday – Sunday
David Anthony performed his first magic show at age 12. Now, he performs for kids and adults and involves the audience. Get ready for lots of laughs.
“Passing Strange”
Vanguard Theater Company, Montclair
Friday – Sunday
This 2008 Tony Award-winning comedy-drama is an autobiographical rock musical about a young African American’s artistic journey of self-discovery, with elements of philosophical existentialism, metafiction and the artistic journey. It’s a good lesson for kids 13+.
Jurassic World
Prudential Center, Newark
Friday – Sunday
Take the kids to the arena where you’ll find yourselves in the jungles of Isla Nublar from the “Jurassic World” movie, where real Gyrospheres roll through the valley and scientists work to unravel a corrupt plan and save a new dinosaur from a terrible fate. The production features more than 24 film-accurate, life-sized dinosaurs operated by animatronics and performers.
Soul of African American Art
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
Friday – Sunday
The all-new exhibit featuring 58 selected works of art by 31 artists celebrating African American culture will be for sale. This is the last weekend the art will be on view.
Maple Sugaring Demos
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, Chatham Twp.
Saturday – Sunday
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!
Cranbury Craft Show
The Cranbury School, Cranbury
Saturday – Sunday
The show is family-friendly, featuring a wide-range of handmade items such as jewelry, art, photography, pottery, candles, pet apparel, clothing, toys, gourmet foods, candy, desserts and more from more than 115 exhibitors. Lunch service is back this year and will be available for purchase by shoppers and exhibitors.
Shamrock Celebration
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
Families are welcome to visit the winery for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The Devrin Academy of Irish Dance will perform on Saturday. A special food menu will be available for purchase.
The Reock & Roll Revue’s Songwriters
Kelsey Theatre at Mercer County Community College, West Windsor
Saturday – Sunday
The members of Reock & Roll Revue have been performing classic rock hits from the late 1960s to 1970s for 15 years and will come to Mercer County to showcase their original music.
WEST WINDSOR ARTS COUNCIL / Family Fun Night
FRIDAY
Family Fun Night
West Windsor Arts Council, Princeton Junction
Meet other families with similar interests and have fun getting creative together. Activities include arts and crafts stations, board and card games, collaborative art projects, and glow painting fun in the blacklight room.
World Wildlife Day
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford
Come by for a fun visit with one of the sanctuary’s resident ambassadors. Grab your lunch and hang out with a mystery feathered, scaly or furry friend. Suitable for all ages.
Game Show Night
Columbian Club, Freehold
Bob Scott will host games of Table Feud, Spinner of Fortune and NJ Says for the whole family to enjoy.
International Juried Exhibition
The Contemporary Center for Art, Bedminster
Juror Esteban del Valle has selected 53 contemporary works representing a broad range of mediums. This is free to attend, so your whole family can indulge in the beauty of art.
Danielle Scott: Kinfolk
Harold B. Lemmerman Gallery, Jersey City
This exhibition presents the artist’s dedication to social commentary and ancestral storytelling. This collection integrates photographs, delicate papers, reprinted documents, fabrics and objects to create layered portraits of the lineage of Black families across generations. It’s appropriate for the whole family to view.
Irish Night
Albert Music Hall, Waretown
Start your evening of Irish pride by watching bagpipers and Irish dancers on stage. Then, listen to music played by Paper Town Blues, Cook College Ramblers, Banjo Don and Shenanigans Irish Band. Corned beef sandwiches and hot dogs will be on the menu.
SATURDAY
Kids’ Choice Awards Viewing Party
Nickelodeon Universe at American Dream, East Rutherford
Your kids will have an exclusive watch party for Nickelodeon’s yearly awards show. They can walk the Orange Carpet, meet lots of Nickelodeon characters, play on the rides and attractions and dance the night away. After they watch the show, one lucky group will be brought on stage to get slimed in real time.
Central Jersey Kids Expo
Monroe Sports Center, Monroe
There will be lots of fun, games and more from exciting vendors for kids and parents.
Champions of Magic
State Theatre NJ, New Brunswick
During The Worldwide Wonders Tour, this awesome team of magicians present their original ensemble illusions.
Downtown Toms River Irish Festival
Garden State Distillery Company, Toms River
Join members of radio station B98.5 and the Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee for live music by The Eamon Ryan Band, St. Patrick’s Day festivities and your chance to win swag and prizes.
Ghost Hunt
The Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Ogdensburg
Visit the museum for a nighttime ghost hunt. Make sure your kids are old enough not to get scared.
Guinness Run
Off the Hook, Highlands
Grab your cup, fill it up and race from Off the Hook to Grand Tour and back to Off the Hook. The contestant with the most liquid in their cup at the finish line wins the first-place trophy and $100 in Bid Bucks. This event helps fund the Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 18.
The Big Brew Beer Festival
The Morristown Armory, Morristown
This is the perfect opportunity for beer lovers to sample 150 different beers while eating great food and listening to live music. Plus, this charity event benefits Morris Rugby.
African American Read-In
Piscataway Public Library, Piscataway
For the fourth year, you can celebrate Black literary excellence and cultural history. You can bring your favorite book to share, or you can join to listen. Learn about Gee’s Bend quilters and create your own version to take home.
Into the Sugar Bush
Duke Farms, Hillsborough
Visit a sugarbush to see how trees are tapped for sap, then explore the process of making maple syrup and why it is a seasonal favorite. This walk-and-talk program is perfect for anyone age 8+.
SUNDAY
The Cat in the Hat
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
A boring, rainy afternoon turns into a crazy adventure when The Cat in the Hat arrives. Your kids will love seeing this classic Dr. Seuss book come to life. There is a second show at 4:30 pm that is sensory friendly.
Lunar New Year Fest
Downtown Millburn
This lively street fair will celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with games, live performances, food options, hands-on activities for adults and children, carnival games, scavenger hunts, bouncing houses, trackless train rides, dragon dances and martial arts demonstrations.
The Chocolate Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Sample tons of chocolate treats, such as cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other desserts. Shop at the vendor booths as well.
Antique and Collectibles Show and Vintage Flea Market
Wayne PAL, Wayne
Browse through vintage and sterling jewelry, vintage glassware, Lenox, vintage toys and trains, antique and collectible dolls and action figures, vintage postcards and photos, artwork, military, political and sports memorabilia, vintage coins and watches, classic rock CDs and more. Plus, stop at Nonna’s for some homemade baked goods.
Pirate School: Sea Dreams
Wilkins Theatre, Kean University, Union
Pirate Professor Billy Bones offers up zany lessons on how to stand, talk, sing and laugh like a pirate while promoting good manners, polite behavior and social courage for your kid aged 4 and up.
Prisms of Dance
KNJ Peridance Theater, New York
This collection of dances from a variety of choreographers in contemporary, modern, jazz, lyrical and ballet features the students of Dance Innovations and the Dance Innovations Performance Company.
Soup & Sandwich Social
Sussex Firehouse, Wantage Twp.
You can order your choice of homemade soup, sandwich and a drink for dine in or carryout. All proceeds benefit the Sussex Fire Department and EMS.
Purim Carnival
JCC of Middlesex County, Edison
At this Jewish holiday celebration, watch the live Party Pups show, plus play carnival games, go inside the bounce house and order lots of hamantaschen.
Omnium Circus: I’m Possible
Shea Center for the Performing Arts, William Paterson University, Wayne
Follow the story of Johnny, a young boy who dreams of joining the circus. Watch as he enters a world of aerial artistry, flying hula hoops, free standing ladder, the daring wheel of destiny, contortion, comedy and more in this one-hour multi-sensory experience.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Main Street, Belmar/Lake Como
Line the streets for this annual parade that will fill your whole family with Irish spirit.
Road to WrestleMania
CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton
Watch your favorite WWE wrestlers battle it out for a chance to compete at WrestleMania.
Veterans Model Train Show
Community Center, Manalapan Twp.
Aside from checking out all the really cool model train displays, you can also meet NY Giant Stephen Baker the Touchdown Maker who will show off his radio control planes and virtual reality equipment.
ONGOING
Seussical the Musical
Middletown Arts Center
Fridays – Sundays, March 3-12
Perfect for Dr. Seuss fans age 13 and up, this tale follows the chaos that erupts in the Jungle of Nool, and how The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz and other characters work to bring harmony back to their world.
The Garden Electric Philadelphia Flower Show
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA
March 4-12
Take the drive to Philly for this floral experience, which brings together designers, exhibits, world-class shopping, education, music, food and family fun.
Student Art Show
The Museum of American History, Deptford
March 4-17
See artwork produced by students from area colleges and universities. A special open house and Meet the Artists will be March 4. While visiting the Student Art Show, be sure to see the museum’s permanent exhibits which include artifacts from the Pre-Columbian through the Colonial Era, American Farmstead, antique hand tools and equipment, the Pine Barrens, glass and a new fossil exhibit.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays, March 4-26
Enjoy live music either indoors in the wine barn among the wine tanks, or outdoors by the fire pits. Adults can sip on hot mulled wine or tasting flights of Terhune wines, but all ages can have fun with s’mores and hot cocoa kits.
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, March 4 – May 27
Enjoy a quiet morning at the sanctuary walking the trails with an NJ Audubon staff or Associate Naturalist. These walks are informal and informative; birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians are a few of nature’s wonders waiting for you to discover.
Princeton Restaurant Week
Downtown Princeton
March 5-11
There will be more than 20 restaurants in town offering prix fixe menus, special items or discounted meals. It’s a great time to visit your favorite resto or try a new place!
Winter Restaurant Week
Burlington County
March 5-11
You have tons of choices, since more than 50 restaurants throughout the county will offer specials, discounts and new menus to celebrate the best to eat in Burlington.
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.
Restaurant Week
Jersey City
March 4-18
Walk along from Grove Street to Greenville and pop in to different restos to see what their specials are. Try everything from a full course dinner to light bites.
Roller Skating
Cape May Convention Hall, Cape May
Fridays – Sundays, through March 26 (except Feb. 18 and 19)
The rink is open for family skating, but you can also plan a birthday party or special event on the weekends.
Après-Ski
Auburn Road Vineyards, Pilesgrove
Every day, through March 31
Après-Ski means after skiing, and although there is no ski resort here, you can still take in winter in all its glory by sipping a glass of wine and eating tableside s’mores by the fire pits. There are movie nights every Thursday – Sunday.
The Golden Girls Kitchen Pop-Up
Fulton Street, New York
Select dates, through March 31
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.
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.
Super Volcanoes
Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University, Glassboro
Saturdays, through April 1
Adults will love the narration by Benedict Cumberbatch, while kids will get a kick out of flying down to Neptune’s frigid moon Triton, Jupiter’s moon Io and Yellowstone National Park.
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.
The Orchid Show
New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx, NY
Select dates, through April 23
During the day, families can view the thousands of orchids on the grounds of the botanical gardens. On select nights, adults 21+ can attend for a special view-and-sip option.
Hidden Gems
Nancy Thompson Learning Commons, Kean University, Union
Through May 8
A geode may look like an “ugly rock” but once they are broken open, there are beautiful crystals inside. The freestanding sculptures in this exhibit are inspired by rock structures created with multiple parts of cast, assembled and carved resin.
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.
The FRIENDS Experience: The One Near Philadelphia
King of Prussia Mall, King of Prussia
Through May 29
Sit on the big orange couch at Central Perk, hang out in Joey and Chandler’s apartment, sit at Rachel and Monica’s kitchen table and read the 18-page letter – front and back – at this awesome experience that brings the Friends set to you!
Growing in the Garden
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
Second Saturday of the month, through June
This hands-on art program for children age 4 and older and their caregivers includes a story, a visit to MHHM’s gardens, and an art project.
Disney 100: The Exhibition
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Through August 27
Disney fans will love this behind-the-scenes look at their favorite characters, movies and theme parks. Walk through 10 different galleries that will immerse you in sight, sound and touch.
Thomas and Friends Explore the Rails
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 4
Kids can learn, play and solve problems while finding themselves in locations from the beloved TV series. Younger kids can practice counting objects, comparing sizes and learning colors. Older kids can practice their math skills, learn basic engineering concepts, discover science ideas through play, and see how technology works to keep engines running.
There’s still time to take the kids maple sugaring before the season ends. Or, with some more snow expected this weekend, find out where to go snowtubing.
Read More:
Free Things to Do in March
The Best Fairs & Festivals in March