It’s February, and while we’re still not sure how long winter will last (here’s looking at you, Mr. Groundhog), we can liven it up with lots of free events this month. Watch the Lantern Fest and Opera Night performances at American Dream in East Rutherford, bring in the summer vibes with the 4th Annual Summer in Winter Carnival in Stafford Township, or get your face painted, browse the vendors, and snap selfies at the Valentine’s Pop-Up at Bell Works in Holmdel. And if you want more to do, check out winter activities in New Jersey. (featured photo credit: Rosebud Photography and Asbury Park Bazaar)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Live Performance of Traditional Chinese Music
February 3 at 3 PM
The spirit of the Lunar New Year comes alive with the sounds of traditional Chinese music played live from the Dream Stage.
The Dream Stage – Court A, Level 1,1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Movie Night on the Ice
February 3 at 5 PM
Enjoy a movie night on the ice, and watch Shrek come to life at Renault’s Winery and Resort’s Vinter Wonderland.
Renault Winery Resort, 72 N Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Flower Power Flea Market
February 4 at 12 PM
Find custom accessories and home goods, handmade jewelry, art, ceramics, and vegan baked goods available at this Flower Power Flea Market.
503 Main Street, Butler, NJ 07405
NJ Camp Fair
February 4 at 12 PM
Not sure what your kids are doing for summer? Meet face-to-face with several high-quality camps from various locations, all under one roof. There will be something for everyone, from sleepaway camps and traditional day camps to specialty camps.
Quaker Bridge Mall (Ground Level), 3320 US-1, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
Old Dutch New Year “Candlemad” Winter Walk
February 4 at 2 PM
Get outdoors on a February afternoon with a winter walk along historic Somerville’s Peters Brook Greenway and Main Street with brief stops for historical storytelling. There will also be a brief festive open house at Old Dutch Parsonage as the winter sunsets. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring water.
Wallace House & Old Dutch Parsonage State Historic Sites, 71 Somerset Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Patacong Valley Model Railroad Open House
February 4 and 5 at 10 AM
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.
1308 US-40, Richland, NJ 08350
Just in Time for Valentine’s Day Vendor and Craft Fair
February 5 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family for crafts and activities, door prizes, food and refreshments, a photo booth, and free admission with 50+ vendors.
Old Bridge High School, 4209 County Road 516, Matawan, NJ 07747
Lantern Festival and Opera Night
February 5 at 5 PM
Celebrate the closing of Lunar festivities with two events—a traditional lantern festival with magical lights dotting the sky and an opera performance.
The Dream Stage – Court A, Level 1,1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Texier House Museum – Watchung History Comes Alive
February 5 and 19
Spend the day learning about Watchung’s (nearly) 100-year-old history as you speak with tour guides, and learn about the many wonderful tales of this historic house and town. Donations are always greatly appreciated.
Texier House Museum, 10 Mountain Boulevard Watchung, NJ 07069
Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market at Bell Works
February 8 and 11
Shop until you drop, or browse the handmade and unique gifts while enjoying live music at Bell Works in Holmdel.
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Love is in the air! POP UP Market
February 11 at 10 AM
Visit the Pop Up Market at Town & Country Diner in Keyport and shop for soaps, candies and chocolates, jewelry, and candles.
Town & Country Inn, Rt. 35 North, Keyport, NJ 07735
Old-Fashioned Valentine’s Day at Howell Living History Farm
February 11 at 10 AM
Cozy up for Valentine’s Day ride on a two-seater sleigh, carriage, bobsled, or hayride. There will be soup on the stove, and a children’s craft is available for a small fee between 11 AM and 3 PM.
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Sandy Hook Beach Cleanup
February 11 at 10 AM
Join Save Coastal Wildlife Nonprofit members to clean up and restore the north end of Sandy Hook. Volunteers will collect tiny plastic debris and other trash items to help save coastal wildlife. All ages are welcome; ages 12 and under need parental supervision.
Visitor Center Parking, Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook, NJ 07732
Asbury Park Valentine’s Bazaar 2023
February 11 at 12 PM
It’s a fun-filled day with local and regional vendors selling goods and gifts handmade with love. Shop at both pop-up locations at The Asbury Hotel and Grand Arcade of Convention Hall. Local vendors, photo stations, a flower bar, face painting for kids, and workshops will be available.
The Asbury Hotel, 210 Fifth Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave. N. unit c-4, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Valentine’s Skating in Summit
February 11 at 1 PM
Skate with your sweeties at this family event, where skating sessions will be every half hour, with free skate rentals. After a glide around the ice, enjoy making valentine’s crafts, eating chocolate-covered strawberries, and warming up with bonfires, music, and complimentary cocoa.
Cost: Free
Summit Elm Street Parking Lot/Village Green
Hispanic Heritage Expo
February 11 at 1 PM
It’s free to enter this lively festival, featuring a mix of Hispanic-owned businesses and shops for food, crafts, desserts, and clothing.
267 Madison Ave., New Milford, NJ 07646
Historical Valentines at Historic Walnford
February 12 at 12 PM
Make your own valentine and get inspired by the historic 19th century Valentine’s on display at Historic Walnford.
Cost: Free
62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
(609) 259-6275
Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market at Porta
February 12
Shop local for your sweeties at this pop-up market with NJ artisans, makers, drinks, and food at Porta in Asbury Park.
Porta, 911 Kingsley Street, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Valentine’s Day Bird Walk
February 14 at 9:30 AM
Bring your love and binoculars to this free guided bird walk at Lorrimer Sanctuary. Learn about beginner techniques for birdwatching and looking for early nesters. This program is entirely outside; please dress appropriately.
Lorrimer Sanctuary, 790 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Pier Village Valentine’s Day
February 14 at 4 PM
Cozy up together on a free Horse and Carriage ride while listening to the sounds of love with a duo of singers through Pier Village.
Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ 07740
4th Annual Summer in Winter Carnival
February 19 at 12 PM
It’s the Fourth Annual Summer in Winter Carnival with games like Skee Ball, Milk Can toss, and carnival food. There will also be entertainers such as face painters, balloon artists, and several special guests for the kids. Holiday Inn Manahawkin/Long Beach Island, an IHG Hotel, 151 New Jersey 72 #West, Stafford Township, NJ 08050
Recycled Crafts
February 19 at 1 PM
Try a workshop to re-purpose everyday household items into unique crafts. This program is for ages 5 and up.
Pre-registration is required.
Liberty State Park, Nature Center, 275 Freedom Way, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Program on “George Washington Minute by Minute at Monmouth”
February 19 at 2 PM
Come to the Visitor Center Auditorium to meet the Friends of the Monmouth Battlefield and learn more about George Washington and the Battle of Monmouth.
16 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726
RWJBarnabas Health Events
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
February 11 at 9:30 AM
Join us in-person or virtually for this hands-on cooking class for ages 4-7 with a parent/guardian present. Even the pickiest of eaters will learn to love their veggies in this fun and interactive class.
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Isreal Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen
February 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 4:30 PM
Come in person or join virtually for this hands-on cooking for ages 8-12. Your child will learn how to cook with nutritious ingredients, how to read a recipe, kitchen safety tips, measuring techniques, and learn knife skills.
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
February 11 at 11 AM
Join RWJBarnabas Health in-person or virtually for this mommy-and-me style healthy cooking class for ages 2-4 with a parent/guardian.
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Wheee Get Fit & Play
February 2 and 16 at 9:30 AM
Wheee Get Fit and Play is a boot camp-style group fitness class for moms and their little ones. Class includes a 30-40 minutes workout followed by 15-20 minutes of kid-time activities during which we play songs, dance, and crawl!
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Teen Takeover Trending Nutrition (hybrid)
February 15 at 6:30 PM
Join Ms. Jenn for a hands-on cooking class in our demonstration kitchen, where we’ll have fun making a healthy TikTok recipe. While we taste, we’ll test our knowledge with a social media nutrition quiz. Kids 11-17 years old are welcome to attend. Registration is required.
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Toddler Snack Time
February 20 at 10:30 AM
Bring your little ones, ages 2 to 4, for a hands-on cooking class with our registered dietitian featuring fun
and festive holiday snacks.
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Healthy Kids Cooking Class (in-person)
February 8 at 5:30 PM
Grab your apron and join Ms. Jenn in a hands-on cooking class at the LiveWell Center. Young chefs aged 4 and up are welcome to attend with an adult.
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Rd. Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
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