It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and lucky for us, there are a bunch of kid-friendly things to do this weekend to welcome longer days and the first signs of spring. Celebrate Pi Day with a pie eating contest, a physics show, pie sampling, and more at Pi Day Princeton, sport your green at one of the many St. Patrick’s Day parades happening up and down the parkway or enjoy all things maple sugaring with guided maple sugaring history walks, sap cooking demos, taste testing, maple snow cones, and more at the Maple Sugar Festival in Chatham Township. And for more March fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo credit: iStock/Roberto Galan)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Newark St. Patrick’s Parade
March 14
Wear your green and join the 90th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities, where the bagpipes, Irish dancers, marchers, and more are coming out to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day in Newark.
Cost: Free
From the Prudential Center on Mulberry Street past Gateway Center, NJPAC, Military Park, St. Patrick’s Pro-Cathedral, the Newark Museum, and Washington Park, Newark, NJ 07102
Pi Day Princeton
March 14 and 15
Commemorate the mathematical constant pi (π 3.14) with a lively two-day festival in NJ’s favorite university town where Einstein lived. This event includes a pie-eating contest and movie screening, a pie flight contest, a physics show, a Dinky train ride with Einstein, a Pi-rade, and a pie sampling experience.
Cost: Most events are free
Downtown Princeton or Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton, NJ 08542
Hunterdon County Irish Festival
March 14-16
Enjoy delicious treats and groove to some lively Irish music at the Red Mill Museum Village, where kids of all ages will have a blast at the fun-filled party packed with exciting Irish activities, games, and entertainment. There is also a kickoff concert by the Amish Outlaws, a Pub Night, a Parade, and a Parade After-Party.
Cost: Prices vary per event
56 Main St, Clinton, NJ 08809
Brigantine Shake the Shamrock and St. Paddy’s Day Parade
March 14-17
The island will host St. Patrick events, including Pot Of Gold Cards, a Leprechaun Chase on March 7, and special green-themed activities all week. Then, on March 15, everyone is welcome to march in the Brigantine parade, which starts at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
Brigantine, NJ 08203
Carney’s Cares St. Patrick’s Plunge Weekend in Cape May
March 14-15
Kick off St. Patrick’s Day in New Jersey with the Plunge, 5K Run, or 1 Mile Family Walk. 100% of the proceeds will benefit community nonprofit organizations like the Cape May Food Closet and NextGen30.
Cost: Prices vary per event
411 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
Sea Isle City’s 2025 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 at 2 PM
Bring your best green outfit and Irish pride to Sea Isle City’s 2025 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. This event will include a best-dressed contest at 2 PM, followed by the parade at 3:30 PM.
Cost: Free
120 63rd Street, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Workhorse Rides at Howell Living History Farm
March 15 at 10 AM
Come out to the farm to learn about the differences between draft, saddle, and carriage horses, and then take a ride on a fully harnessed workhorse. Afterward, help farmers with barn chores, including bedding stalls, filling water troughs, and making feed.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
North Wildwood St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15
Celebrate Irish pride and maybe see a leprechaun at this festive parade featuring the VFW Color Guard, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Irish Pipe Brigade, and Miss North Wildwood.
Cost: Free
The parade begins at North Wildwood City Hall and will proceed west on 9th Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Maple Sugar Festival
March 15 at 12 PM
Enjoy all things maple sugar at this annual event. There will be guided maple sugaring history walks, sap cooking demos, taste testing, maple snow cones, and more. Make sure you buy some maple products before you head home.
Cost: $6 per person
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ, 07927
Family Saturday: The ABCs of Women’s History
March 15 at 12 PM
This family-friendly event is a great way to enjoy a special Women’s History Month Family Saturday. There will be self-guided tours, story time, special women’s history coloring pages, and more.
Cost: Free
128 Hooton Rd., Mt Laurel, NJ 08054
Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 at 1 PM
Wear your green to this parade, starting on Morris Avenue and Jeanette Avenue. Parade activities begin at 9 AM with a mass, and at noon, Union Center has a Grandstand program.
Cost: Free
Scheduled to step off from Morris and Jeanette Avenues, Union, NJ 07083
Knights of Colombus Council St. Patrick’s Celebration
March 15 at 6 PM
Get your St. Patrick’s celebration on with food and music. Your ticket includes an entry meal and entertainment. Enjoy Irish dancers, pipers, and a DJ. Tricky Tray and 50/50 tickets will be sold at the event.
Cost: $40. Advance Purchase Only
630 Valley Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470
Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 at 12 PM
Everyone is a little bit Irish at this parade, one of the largest and most celebrated in Morris County. Watch bagpipers, bands, officers, Irish dancing, and more at this annual event.
Cost: Free
Morristown Town Hall – 200 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Spring Fling Sip & Shop Vendor Market
March 15 at 12 PM
Get ready to shop local at this fun event that brings together all types of vendors. While you’re there, enjoy a tarot reading and grab a craft cocktail.
Cost: Free
Garden State Distillery, 13 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 09753
Shamrock and St. Patrick’s Weekend
March 15-16
Want to be Irish for a few weekends in March? Head to this extravaganza, where there will be live Irish music, dancers, vendors, homemade Irish food, and more.
Cost: $13 online or $15 at the door
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
New Jersey Youth Symphony Playathon Festival
March 16 at 4 PM
Celebrate and support young musicians as they spread the joy of music at the New Jersey Symphony Playathon Festival. Nearly 600 talented young musicians will perform as one combined orchestra for this annual concert, performing iconic cinematic scores and show tunes.
Cost: Free
The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Rd Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Freehold Borough Art Council St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 at 12:30 PM
Downtown Freehold kicks off St. Patrick’s Day in New Jersey with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, best-dressed contests (for Fido, too!), Irish food specialties, and live music.
Cost: The parade is free; some events have a cover charge.
Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Somerville St. Patrick’s Parade
March 16 at 1:30 PM
Remember to wear green and line up along Main Street for the annual Somerville St. Patrick’s Parade. It was rated “The Biggest and Best St. Patrick’s Day Parade Across The US” by Forbes Magazine.
Cost: Free
Line up along Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 at 12:15 PM
The parade will step off at Main Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue in West Orange. There will be a mass at Our Lady of the Valley Church in West Orange before the parade beginning at 9:00 AM. There will be complimentary shuttle buses for marchers and spectators to the starting location of the parade.
Cost: Free
North on Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 at 2 PM
Bergen County’s 43rd annual parade celebrating Irish Heritage will march down South Washington Avenue and West Englewood Avenue in Bergenfield. Stay after the parade for some music and fun.
Cost: Free
South Washington Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ 07621
South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 at 2 PM
Celebrate Irish culture at the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Marchers, including floats, scouts, bagpipers, and marching bands, will line up on South Pine Avenue starting at noon.
Cost: Free
The parade starts on South Pine Avenue, South Amboy, NJ 08879
40th Annual Norma & Ralph Lamo Daisy Breakfast
March 16 at 8 AM
Get the crew up early and head to this annual breakfast featuring a DJ, 50/50 raffle, games, and lots of yummy breakfast foods. All proceeds benefit the Daisy Foundation, which provides recreational programming for children and young adults with special needs.
Hilton East Brunswick Hotel
3 Tower Center Blvd, East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $20 adults, $5 Kids
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown
Every Thursday at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown is back! Join us every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM for fun and socializing. Children and caregivers love our padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM. A lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child, and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
