Hello, March—usher in the new month with lots of family-friendly fun this weekend. Join an action-packed adventure as dinosaurs come to life at the Jurassic World Live Tour in Newark, pedal a paddle boat around the indoor mini lake at the Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show in Atlantic City, or indulge in delicious chocolate treats, specialty foods and much more at The Chocolate Expo in Edison. For more fun ideas, check out our winter activities bucket list before the season changes. Featured Photo Credit: (Feld Entertainment)
Jurassic World Live Tour
March 3 – 5
Bring your family out to experience Jurassic World in an action-packed, live arena show. You will see some of Jurassic World’s most iconic dinosaurs, including Blue the Raptor, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, and the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex. Start your adventure with a special pre-show experience, included with your ticket, where you can get up close and personal with some of your favorite Jurassic World dinosaurs and vehicles.
Cost: Varying prices
25 Lafayette St, Newark, NJ 07102
Visit from the Horse Doctor and Shoer at Howell Living History Farm
March 4 from 10 AM
It’s time for a spring checkup on the farm—listen to a horse’s heart through a stethoscope, watch an equine dentist, and learn about veterinary instruments and techniques.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Craft & Maker Fair at Rockaway Mall
March 4 at 10 AM
Bring the family out to shop for handmade, unique, and one-of-a-kind items, including jewelry, personalized items, accessories, seasonal home decor, pet products, sweet treats, and more.
Cost: Free
Rockaway Townsquare Mall, Upper-Level Concourse, 301 Mount Hope Avenue Rockaway, NJ 07866
Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show
March 4 – 5 at 10 AM
Get ready to experience a boat lover’s dream, where hundreds of boat brands and models are on display at the 2023 Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show. This is your one-stop shop for boats, boating accessories, and on-the-water adventures. Check out the interactive boating exhibits for the whole family, where you can learn the art of casting, experience paddle sports, build your own boat, splash around on a paddle boat on the water, and so much more.
Cost: Adult admission (ages 13+) is $20. Children (12 and younger) are free. Group admission (10-30) is $17. Group Admission (31+) is $15.
Atlantic City Convention Center, One Convention Boulevard, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Into the Sugar Bush
March 4 at 10 AM and 1 PM
Want to know how syrup goes from the tree to your table? Learn how trees are tapped for sap, the process of making maple syrup, the characteristics of sugar maple trees, and the impact of climate change. Appropriate for anyone ages 8+.
Cost: $10
1112 Dukes Parkway West Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm
March 4 at 11 AM
Discover recipes, cooking techniques, and kitchens from the 1890s and taste what’s cooking up on the farm.
Cost: Free
Historic Longstreet Farm – 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Irish Festival in Toms River
March 4 at 12 PM
Bring your whole clan to this Irish-themed festival where local businesses, breweries, restaurants, and more will be out to celebrate with a day of food, fun, and music. Washington Street will be closed between Main Street and Robbins Street.
Cost: Free
Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
NJ Camp Fairs at Menlo Park Mall
March 4 at 12 PM
Get your family free resources from various camp and summer camp options at Central Jersey’s biggest camp fair.
Cost: Free
Menlo Park Mall, 55 Parsonage Road (Centercourt) Edison, NJ 08837
Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 4 at 1 PM
The 44th Annual Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off promptly at 1 PM, and after the parade marches by, join the parade goers at a family-friendly post-parade party at the Parks and Rec at 44 Park Ave. There will be food, live music, and lots of St. Patrick-themed fun.
Cost: Free, parade party $30 at the door for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under.
The parade starts in Holy Family Parking Lot
Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 4 at 1 PM
This St. Patrick’s Day in New Jersey parade begins at 1 PM. This March will have music, Irish dancers, food, and more for the whole family.
Cost: Free
High and Washington Street, Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060
Super Volcanoes
March 4 – April 1 at 5:30 PM
Immerse yourself in a planetarium show that looks back at rare classes of volcano eruptions. The program explores the impact of giant volcanic eruptions around our solar system and asks the question—can a supervolcano erupt in our time?
Cost: $5 for adults/non-Rowan students; $3 for Seniors 60+; $3 for Children (16 and under); and $3 for Rowan students (with ID).
Science Hall, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ, 08028
The Chocolate Expo 2023
March 5 at 10 AM
Chocolate lovers unite at the NJ Expo Center. You will enjoy tastings and sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, wines, and much more. Kids will love getting their faces painted, making crafts, and watching exhibits like the “Science of S’mores.”
Cost: $20 for adults; $10 for children (ages 5-12). Children under age 5 are free. Tickets purchased at the door are $30/adult & $15/child (ages 5-12).
97 Sunfield Avenue Edison, NJ 08837
Purim Carnival 2023
March 5 at 11 AM
Celebrate the holiday of Purim at a carnival for the whole family. Enjoy a bounce house, carnival games, prizes, a cash raffle, food, and much more.
Cost: Free
JCC of Middlesex County, 1775 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820
2023 Millburn Lunar New Year Festival
March 5 at 12 PM
Close out the Lunar Year festivities with a street fair with food, live music, and cultural performances. There will be hands-on activities for the whole family, including carnival games with free prizes, scavenger hunts with special gifts, bouncing houses, trackless train rides, dragon dances, and martial arts demonstrations.
Cost: Free
Millburn Ave, between Main St. and Spring Street.
Shamrock Celebration at Laurita Winery
March 5-6 at 11:30 AM
Bring your clan to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with live music, Irish dancers, and a few Irish vendors. No reservations are needed.
Cost: Free to enter
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 5 at 12:30 AM
Everyone is a little Irish at this parade, one of the state’s largest and most attended St. Patrick’s Day parades. Come to hear the bagpipes, watch the fire trucks go by, and don’t forget to wear your green to celebrate.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Belmar, NJ 07719
Gloucester Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 5 at 1 PM
This amazing procession will feature string bands, bagpipes, Irish dancers, Irish music bands, community groups, and more. Be sure to check out the before and after festivities, including the Irish Person of the Year and the restaurants with Irish cuisine.
Cost: Free
Baynes Ave. and Johnson Blvd., Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Rutherford St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 5 at 1 PM
Bring your Irish pride to Rutherford St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Hosted by the Rutherford Irish American Association, this parade will take off at Woodland Avenue and end at Ames Avenue.
Cost: Free
Downtown Rutherford starting at Woodland Avenue
Omni Circus at Shea Center for the Performing Arts
March 5 at 2 PM
Experience a world-renowned, fully inclusive circus company with your family and discover the power, passion, and perseverance of the human spirit. This is a multi-sensory friendly performance accessible to everyone.
Cost: Varying Prices
William Paterson University, 300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ 07470
Ongoing Events
Maple Sugaring
February 18 – March 5
Learn about the process, history, and ecology of maple sap and syrup. Start with a short hike, and see how to tap, collect and evaporate the sap. Finish off the day with a syrup taste test.
Cost: $14 per person; free for those under age 5. Under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
The New Weiss Center, 150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Maple Sugaring
February 19 – March 26
Bring the whole family out to identify a maple tree, hear about the history of maple sugaring and see how the technology has changed.
Cost: Children under 2 are free, members $8, member family (up to 6) $60, nonmembers $12. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.
Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Maple Sugaring
Now-March 5
Learn how to make the sweet stuff by identifying and tapping maple trees, collecting sap, and making real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Then taste the syrup too. This program will be held entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. The syrup will be available for purchase while supplies last. Pre-registration is required.
Cost: $6 per person
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ 07928
Night Forms: Infinite Wave at Grounds For Sculpture
Now-April 2
The whole family will love to see the Grounds of Sculpture reimagined after hours, with a multi-sensory light and sound experience designed to engage with the art and horticulture collection. Spend the evening outdoors exploring the lighting, sound, and video projection mapping, and join the interactive exhibits, which will delight kids and adults.
Cost: $22 and up
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Hidden Gems Exhibit
Now – May 8
Journey into a fascinating world of rock structures that underscore the wonder of nature. Enjoy freestanding sculptures inspired by rock structures created with multiple parts of the cast, assembled, and carved resin.
Cost: Free
Kean University, 1003 Morris Ave Building 2, Union, NJ 07083
Thomas and Friends Explore the Rails at Liberty Science Center
Now – September 4
Learn, play, and solve problems with Thomas the Tank Engine and his engine friends. Immerse yourself in locations from the TV series where kids can practice essential skills like counting objects, comparing sizes, and learning colors. Older kids can hone their math skills, understand basic engineering concepts, and see how technology works to keep engines running.
Cost: Tickets included with general admissions
Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
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