It’s the first weekend of March, and we’ve got a case of spring fever, especially with all fun things to do with the fam this weekend. Watch pipe bands, Irish bands, and step dancers at the Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Mount Holly, gather round the roaring bonfire for live music, food trucks, and a bounce house at the Bonfire and Food Festival in Parsippany, or watch the mermaids swim in the water with the amazing animals at Mermaids at Adventure Aquarium. (Featured photo: iStock/littleny)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Flip Circus
March 1-5
Head to the circus for fun and lasting memories with the fam. There will be high flyers, jugglers, dancers, and more to enjoy during the show.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Garden State Plaza Mall, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 2 at 1 PM
Everyone’s a little Irish on this fun-filled day with pipe bands, Irish bands, step dancers, and lots of other examples of Irish traditions.
Cost: Free
Fairgrounds Plaza, 500 High Street, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Bunny Bash with New York Fries
March 2
Get ready to welcome the Easter Bunny at Menlo Park Mall. Then, stop by the Dining Pavilion for crafts and get a taste of New York Fries.
Cost: Free
55 Parsonage Rd., Edison, NJ 08837
Downtown Irish Festival
March 2 at 12 PM
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early at this lively festival. The street will be filled with vendors, handcrafters, and live entertainment. Parking is free for the event.
Cost: Free
Downtown Toms River, Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Bonfire and Food Festival
March 2 at 2 PM
Escape the bitterness of winter and embrace the warmth of spring at this festival meant for the entire family to enjoy. There will be a roaring bonfire, live music, food trucks, and hot and cold beverages. For the little ones, there will be a bounce house and sand art creations.
Cost: $5 per person ages 5+
Liquid Church, 299 Webro Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054
Celebrate the Music of Ireland
March 2 at 2 PM
Listen to the beautiful music from Ireland presented by The Cook College Ramblers. There will be lots of songs, dances, and the chance for you to sing along. Make sure you wear your green.
Cost: Free
Monmouth County Library, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
Maple Sugaring at Van Vleck Gardens
March 2
Take the family on a journey of discovery as they identify a sugar maple tree, learn the steps for turning sap into syrup, and visit a tapped sugar maple tree in the Van Vleck Gardens. There will be activity sheets, informative displays, and educators along the way.
Cost: $25-$35. Online registration is required.
21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, 07042
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents The Greatest Show On Earth
March 2 at 7 PM
Bring every member of the family and take in this re-imagined show that includes a triangular high wire, criss-cross trapeze, extreme bicycle trampoline, and so much more.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
March 2-3
At this event, you’ll identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. The syrup will be available for purchase while supplies last.
Cost: $6 per person; Pre-registration is required for ages 6 and up.
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham, NJ 07928
Maple Sugaring at The New Weis Center
March 2-3
Start off the season with a Tree Tapping and Foraged Tea event on January 30. Then, learn about the process, history, and ecology of maple sap and syrup. Start with a short hike and 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
Schiff Natural Lands Trust & Schiff Nature Preserve Maple Sugaring Demonstration Day
March 2-3
This educational presentation will explain the history of maple sugaring, the seasonal life cycle of the sugar maple tree, and how syrup is made, starting with identifying a maple tree by tapping the tree. Watch a wood-fired evaporator at work and then sample the sweet stuff. If you’re up for it, there’s also a two-mile field walk to the working maple grove.
Cost: Free for Schiff members, and the non-member fee is $8 per person (ages 3 & up))
339 Pleasant Valley Road (Use 339 Schiff Dr in your GPS), Mendham, NJ 07945
Casting Shadows: Everything You Need To Learn About The Eclipse
March 3 at 10 AM
Get ready to embrace the dark side— a total solar eclipse is happening in many parts of North America in mid-April. Though New Jersey will see a partial solar eclipse (about 92%), it’s still an extraordinary event that won’t happen again until 2045. Learn about it with an interactive and educational experience that is perfect for the whole family.
Cost: Free
The Paterson Museum, 2 Market Street, Paterson, NJ 07501
Maple Sugaring
March 3
All ages are welcome to this fun and educational presentation. 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
Maple Sugar Fest at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
March 3
The whole family will enjoy spending the day outdoors, hiking the trails, and partaking in a Maple Sugaring Challenge—tap the tree and see how much syrup you can get. Don’t miss the hot chocolate, maple vendors, a story trail, tastings, cooking demos, and more.
Cost: Registration is required; prices vary per event
165 Hobart Ave., Summit, NJ 07901
Belmar Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 3
Come enjoy the 51st anniversary of this fun parade. Filled with thousands of marchers, live bands, and festive floats, this is a great way to gather the family for an early St. Patty’s Day event.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Belmar, NJ 07719
ONGOING EVENTS
Mermaids at Adventure Aquarium
March 1-17
The mermaids are back, and your little ones will be enchanted when they see them swim through the waters. Watch them dive beneath the waves and spend time among 15,000 animals, including the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
Photos & Visits with the Easter Bunny
March 1-17
Meet the Easter Bunny at his new Flower Garden in Center Court. For the easiest experience, pre-book your photo session.
Cost: Prices Vary
1750 Deptford Center Road, Deptford, NJ 08096
Easter Bunny Photos at The Mall at Short Hills
March 1-30
Get your kids dressed in their Easter best, and stop by for a keepsake photo with the Bunny at The Mall at Short Hills. He’ll be holding court in a beautiful spring garden with an interactive selfie wall. All children will receive a complimentary sweet treat.
Cost: Prices Vary. Reservations are recommended.
1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Easter Bunny Photos at Westfield Garden State Plaza
March 1-30
Register your family and friends to take a photo with the Easter Bunny at Westfield Garden Plaza. Want Fido in the photo? Bring along your furry friend during Pet Party nights on March 11 and 14. Bunny Cares will also be available with a sensory-friendly, inclusive environment on March 17.
Cost: Prices Vary
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Easter Bunny Photos at Rockaway Townsquare
March 1-31
Start a new family tradition by snapping photos with the Easter Bunny at Rockaway Townsquare. Make sure to reserve your visit. You can also take pet photos, and there are special visit times with their Caring Bunny.
Cost: Prices Vary
301 Mt Hope Ave., Rockaway, NJ 07866-2130
Photos with the Bunny at Freehold Raceway Mall
March 1-30
The Bunny will be available for photos in the Lower Level, Zara Court. Bunny Cares will be available on March 17, and Pet Nights are on March 4, 11, and 18.
3710 US Route 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
Easter Bunny Photos at Quaker Bridge Mall
March 1-30
Take photos with the Easter Bunny at Quaker Bridge Mall. Make sure to reserve your visit. You can also take pet photos with the Bunny or visit the Caring Bunny.
Cost: Prices Vary
150 Quaker Bridge Mall, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Photos with the Bunny at Moorestown Mall
March 2-30
Snap photos with the Easter Bunny in HomeSense Court at Moorestown Mall. Digital photo packages are available with the option to purchase prints. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Cost: Prices Vary
400 Route 38, Moorestown, NJ 08057
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