Ready for 2025? The new year brings a fresh start, along with lots of FREE things to do this month with the family. Connect with nature and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds at the First Day Wildlife Beach Walk in Sandy Hook, admire intricate ice sculptures and taste hot chili at the Fire & Ice Festival in Mount Holly, or celebrate the Year of the Snake with a fun day of performances, engaging children’s activities, and delicious food at the Lunar Fest 2025 – Year of the Snake in Maplewood. And for more winter fun, check out everything on our seasonal bucket list. (Featured photo credit: iStock/smontgom65)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
First Day Hike
January 1 at 11 AM
Start 2025 off on the right foot by hiking with the family in nature. This easy 3-mile hike through the forest is suitable for all ages.
Cost: Free
495 Don Connor Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527
First Day Hike
January 1 at 10 AM
Get moving for a fresh start on Jan 1 with this First Day hike. This is a leisurely hike along the 1.5-mile Mill Pond Trail, and children 10 and over with an adult are welcome to join.
Cost: Free
Double Trouble State Park, 581 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville, NJ 08721
First Day Wildlife Beach Walk
January 1 at 12 PM
Connect with nature as the new year begins, and enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds around Sandy Hook Bay. If you’re lucky, there might even be a seal or two.
Cost: Free
Meeting Location: Sandy Hook Beach, Parking Area C, Hartshorne Drive, Highlands, NJ 07732
First Day Battlefield Walk
January 1 at 11 AM
Learn about this Revolutionary War battle spot while traversing the first hike of 2025. This moderate hike is open to ages 10 and up. Registration is not required.
Cost: Free
Meeting Location: Monmouth Battlefield State Park Visitor Center – 20 Business Rte. 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Holiday Light Show on the Lake
January 1-6
Visit Historic Smithville to hear your favorite holiday tunes synchronized to a unique light display. Over 120 Christmas trees, constructed from 50,000+ Christmas lights, will magically float atop Lake Meone in the center of the village. When the sky is dark, an orchestrated show of lights dances across the water to Christmas music. You can catch the show from either side of the village or right on the bridge.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Festival of Trees
January 1-7
The 36th annual Festival of Trees is a fun event for the whole family to enjoy together. Take in the gorgeous trees and spend time walking around together. Before you go home, check out the newly renovated museum space in honor of the 70th anniversary.
Cost: Free
American Hungarian Foundation, 300 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903
Patacong Valley Model Railroad Open House
January 4 and 11 at 10 AM, 5 and 12 at 12 PM
Take in the sights and sounds while exploring the layout of the Patacong Valley Model Railroad. It takes about 30-45 minutes to view the entire setup. Don’t miss the seek-and-find puzzles ranging from easy to hard.
Cost: Free
1308 US-40, Richland, NJ 08350
A Twelfth Night Celebration: 1775 On The Eve Of War
January 4 at 1 PM
This colonial celebration includes live music, games, refreshments, and a Twelfth Night cake. This event focuses on the last peaceful holiday season before the Revolutionary War.
Cost: Free
Hancock House Historic Site, 15 Front Street, Hancocks Bridge, NJ 08038
NJ Audubon: New Year’s Resolution Hike at Hawk Rise
January 5 at 9 AM
Start the new year with a nature walk where you will encounter birds and many other animals that stay active all winter. On this walk, you will have the chance to discuss and observe wildlife in winter’s beauty. Hot beverages will be served afterward.
Cost: Free
Hawk Rise Sanctuary, Range Road, Linden, NJ 07036
Experience The Battle of Princeton
January 5 at 9:30 AM
This event is fun for all the history buffs in your family. During the day, you can witness British and American reenactments of the Battle of Princeton, talk with living historians, participate in a memorial wreath-laying ceremony, tour the historic Thomas Clarke House, and more.
Cost: Free
Princeton Battlefield, 500 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cutting, Splitting & Hewing
January 12 at 12 PM
Head to the farm, where you will get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge, then learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad axe to hew beams.
Cost: Free
Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Parlor Games for Wintry Weather
January 12 at 12 PM
No winter blues here – enjoy time with the fam with some healthy competition. Take part in two 1890s board games, including Backgammon, Checkers, Reversi, Halma, and Basilinda.
Cost: Free
Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Martin Luther King Jr Ceremony
January 20 at 12 PM
Come to an event that will unite the community to remember Dr. King through words, song, and dance. There will also be community resources and a soul food lunch.
Cost: Free
Ocean City Tabernacle, 6th & Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Community Day Martin Luther King Jr: Stronger Together
January 20 at 12 PM
Head to the Newark Museum for a day to come together and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life, vision, and legacy. This year’s theme is Stronger Together, which reminds us that no matter what happens, we are always stronger together.
Cost: Free
Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Wondrous Winter Walk at Hartshorne Woods Park
January 22 at 10 AM
Grab your winter gear and enjoy a fun winter walk. You will go with a Park System Naturalist who will help you explore the park in winter.
Cost: Free
Rocky Point, 1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
Fire & Ice Festival
January 25 at 10 AM
Bundle up and spend a cold day with the family, enjoying all things winter. There will be a chili contest, an ice carving competition, and more.
Cost: Free
1 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Rutgers Geological Museum Annual Open House
January 25 at 9 AM
This annual event is fun for the whole family. The theme of this year’s 56th open house is Ancient Seas, and it features crafts, activities, guest appearances, and a mineral sale.
Cost: Free
Rutgers Geology Museum, 85 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Wassailing the Apple Trees
January 26 at 1 PM
Dance, sing, and re-enact traditional Old English rituals with the family. These include chanting and music making, toasts of hot cider, and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches. The evening will end with a bonfire and live music.
Cost: Free
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Lunar Fest 2025 – Year of the Snake
January 26 at 12 PM
Celebrate the Year of the Snake at a day filled with performances, engaging children’s activities, and delicious food.
Cost: Free
The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Under the Winter Stars at Dorbrook Recreation Area
January 29 at 7:30 PM
Take some time with the family to search the night sky for key objects and constellations. Bring a chair to sit on and a flashlight to help you see in the dark.
Cost: Free
Dorbrook Recreation Area, 353 County Road 537, Colts Neck, NJ 07722
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