February is coming to a close, so make the most of this last weekend of the month with lots of things to do with the fam. Hike to the trees and tap them for the sweet stuff at Maple Sugaring at The Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge, enjoy shopping, cultural dishes, talent, and more at the Black History Celebration in Lawrenceville, or celebrate the diverse artistic expressions of music and dance at the Lantern Festival Gala in East Rutherford. (Featured photo: iStock/lisegagne)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Next Generation Weekend With The NJ Devils and RWJBarnabas Health
February 24-25
The New Jersey Devils will host their Next Generation Weekend presented by RWJBarnabas Health on February 24-25 when they face off against the Montreal Canadiens for a 2:00 pm contest on Saturday and a 1:00 pm content on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Prudential Center. The first 9,000 fans in attendance each day will receive a Dawson Mercer bobblehead on Saturday and a Jesper Bratt bobblehead on Sunday courtesy of RWJBarnabas Health. Be sure to come to both games that weekend to collect and connect this limited edition bobblehead set. There will be an exclusive pre-game brunch with Devil’s mascot, along with face painters and themed coloring sheets.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Skating on the Square
February 23-February 25
This is the last weekend to bundle up and bring your ice skates for a fun day of skating outside. This eco-friendly, outdoor synthetic skating rink is so much fun for the whole family.
Cost: $10 per person
19 Hulfish Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Stuffie Sleepover
February 23 at 6:30 PM
Bring your stuffed animal friend for a fun evening together. When you arrive, littles will join their stuffed animal for a bedtime story of Bluey Sleepytime, share a snack, tuck them in, and then say goodnight while they stay and have a sleepover with the other stuffed animals. Then, come back the following day to pick them up, enjoy a light breakfast, and see what kind of mischief they got into overnight.
Cost: $25; the event includes a hardcover copy of the book, a snack, and a light breakfast.
Sparta Books, 29 Center Street, Sparta, NJ 07871
Winter Movie Night
February 23 at 6:30 PM
Grab the whole family and head for a fun movie night. Come with your blankets and pillows and watch Ice Age together.
Cost: Free
Maywood Elementary School, 764 Grant Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607
Free Cardiac and Concussion Screenings for Young Athletes
February 24 from 9 AM-12 PM
When preliminary testing to identify serious cardiac problems is provided to young athletes, sudden cardiac arrest and tragic deaths may be avoided. Ninety percent of sudden cardiac deaths in young athletes occur during or after athletic activities, and hidden heart conditions are often the cause. This Cardiac Screening will help to identify players aged six to 18 years of age, who may require further testing or intervention. The Concussion Baseline Screening is for young athletes ages 12 to 18. Having a Concussion Baseline Study (ImPACT) for young athletes can help identify issues in the future. If an athlete is believed to have suffered a head injury, this screening test may be used to evaluate the severity of the head injury and determine when it is safe to return to play. Screenings are free of charge, but a parent or guardian is asked to be present. To register and schedule an appointment time, please email teamlink@rwjbh.org.
Cardiac Screening, 6-18 years old (open to the first 130 athletes)
Concussion Screening, 12 years old and up (open to the first 80 athletes)
Cost: Free
South Toms River Recreation Center, 1 Drake Lane, South Toms River, NJ 08757
Moonlight Walk
February 24 at 7 PM
Bundle up and bring the whole family for a beautiful walk at night. The trails can be bumpy and sandy, so make sure you come prepared. The walk is around 3-5 miles in length.
Cost: Free
Whitesbog Historic Farm and Village, 120 W. Whites Bogs Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Maple Sugaring at Howell Living History Farm
February 24
On this historic farm, you’ll watch farmers collect sap in the woods, make syrup in the sap house, and then taste it on top of whole wheat pancakes after visiting the farmhouse kitchen. Take your newfound knowledge home to tap maple sugar in your backyard.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
5th Annual African American Read-In
February 24 from 11 AM – 1 PM
This is an event the whole family can enjoy, listening to literary excellence and cultural heritage. Feel free to bring a selection to share with the group or just come and listen.
Kennedy Library, 500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Maple Sugaring at Watershed Institute
February 24
Give your kids a lesson on the history, folklore, and science of maple sugaring. Visit maple trees, find out how they are tapped using drills and spiles, and try a sample of sweet maple sugar. You will have an up-close view of the evaporation process and how sticky sap transforms into sweet maple syrup.
Cost: $10 per child. $10 per adult. For ages 5 and up. Adult attendance is required.
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534, US
Black History Celebration
February 24 at 3 PM
It’s the Annual Black History Celebration—bring the whole family and enjoy shopping from Black business owners, cultural dishes, local talent, student presentations, and more.
Lawrence High School, 2525 Princeton Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Black History Month Celebration – African American History and Arts
February 24 at 5:30 PM
Learn all about African American history through music, dance, and the arts. Immerse yourself in various captivating performances, inspiring exhibitions, and engaging activities that honor the achievements and resilience of the African American community. Admission is free, and families are welcome.
Stangl Center, 4 Stangl Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Maple Sugaring at The New Weis Center
February 24 and 25
Learn about the process, history, and ecology of maple sap and syrup. Start with a short hike, and they’ll you’ll see how to tap, collect, and evaporate the sap. Finish off the day with a syrup taste test.
Cost: prices vary per event
150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Maple Sugaring at The Environmental Education Center in Basking Ridge
February 24 and 25
Take part in a 60-minute outdoor program at the Sugar Shack, a half-mile hike from the Environmental Center. See how trees are tapped, view sap-collecting methods from the past and today, and see the boiling process used to make maple syrup.
Cost: $6 per student/senior or $7 per adult
190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Tri-State Summer Camp Fair
February 25 at 12 PM
Not sure where the little ones will be doing this summer? Don’t miss this fair, where over 50 summer camps will participate, from day camps to sleepaway camps and everything in between. There will also be games, prizes, activities for kids, and food.
Cost: Free
Rutgers University – Newark Campus, 195 University Avenue, Newark, NJ 07102
Lantern Festival Gala
February 25 at 2 PM
Celebrate the diverse cultural expressions of music and dance with this exceptional performance hosted by Sunflower Dance and Music Center. There will also be a model show.
Cost: Free
American Dream, The Dream Stage, Court A, Level 1, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Black History Month Celebration Concert
February 25 at 3 PM
Celebrate with a special NJYS concert featuring music by Ellington and William Grant Still. There will also be a world premiere performance of Microvids for Piano and Orchestra by Stefania de Kenessey with guest pianist Donna Weng Friedman.
Cost: $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors.
1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
Beat the Winter Blues Party!
February 25 at 2 PM
Winter blues got you down? Bring the whole fam and have fun to beat those blues. There will be games, arts and crafts, prizes, a hot cocoa bar, therapy pups to cuddle, snacks, magic, and more.
Cost: Free
The Brookside Community Club, 1 E. Main Street, Mendham, NJ 07926
Broadway by the Beach
February 25 at 2 PM
It might still be winter, but the beach is always a good idea. Come listen to the Ocean City High School Drama Guild present a live performance at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Cost: $10 for adults and $5 for kids 17 and under
Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Washington’s Birthday Ball
February 25 at 1 PM
Celebrate Washington’s birthday with the Bergen County Historical Society. There will be a performance celebrating General Washington through song and dance in the 1752 Steuben House. Space is limited.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661
ONGOING EVENT
Maple Sugaring
Now-March 17, Sundays
All ages are welcome to this fun and educational event. Learn how to identify a maple tree, discover the history of syrup making, and see how technology has changed how it’s done. You will tap trees and boil the sap to make fresh, warm maple syrup.
Cost: Prices vary
Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
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