Feeling lucky? The days are getting longer, and we’ve got spring fever with lots of kid-friendly things to do this weekend to usher in a new season. Wear your green and head to one of the festive St. Patrick’s Day parades and events happening up and down the state, celebrate all things maple syrup at the Maple Festival at Happy Day Farm in Manalapan, or hunt for eggs and ride the rails with the Easter Bunny on DiDonato’s Easter Eggspress in Hammontown. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: iStock/Ultima_Gaina)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
FEATURED
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Newark St. Patrick’s Parade
March 13
Wear your green and join the 91st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities, where the bagpipes, Irish dancers, marchers, and more come 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
North Wildwood St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 13
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
Begins at North Wildwood City Hall and it will proceed west on 9th Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Carney’s Cares Weekend Extravaganza
March 13-15
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and do some good, too: Take the plunge, run the 5K, or cheer on the participants in this rousing morning that benefits No Limits Boxing Academy (a nonprofit boxing and youth development center serving children of Cape May County) and NextGen30. Right after, spend the rest of the day celebrating at Carney’s, which will have a ton of Irish-themed family fun, including bagpipe players, face painters, balloonists, magicians, live bands, a DJ, and all the St. Paddy’s Day food you can eat.
Cost: $20 – $60
411 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
Hunterdon County Irish Festival
March 13-15
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
Easter Bunny Photos at The Mall at Short Hills
March 13-15
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.
Cost: Prices Vary. Reservations are recommended.
1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Easter Bunny Photos at Rockaway Townsquare
March 13-15
Start a new family tradition by snapping photos with the Easter Bunny at Rockaway Townsquare. You can also take pet photos, and for kids with sensory issues, there are special visit times with their Caring Bunny.
Cost: Prices Vary
301 Mt Hope Avenue, Rockaway, NJ 07866-2130
Photo with the Easter Bunny at American Dream
March 13-15
Visit the Bunny in the Garden for an Easter photo experience. Get a basket full of virtual goodies and activities when you register online for a reservation.
The Garden, Level 1, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Easter Bunny Photos at Westfield Garden State Plaza
March 13-15
Register your family and friends to take a photo with the Easter Bunny at Westfield Garden Plaza.
Cost: Prices Vary
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Easter Bunny Photos at Quaker Bridge Mall
March 13-15
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
Bunny Photos at The Menlo Park Mall
March 13-15
Get ready to welcome the Easter Bunny at Menlo Park Mall. Pet photos with the Bunny will be on March 15, and a special visit with the Caring Bunny will be available on select dates.
Cost: Prices vary
55 Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ 08837
Easter Bunny Events at MarketFair
March 13-15
Take photos with the Bunny on March 13-April 4, with the Sensory-Friendly Bunny on March 22, and Pet photos on March 16, 23, and 30.
Cost: Prices vary
3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ 08540
Photos & Visits with the Easter Bunny at Deptford Mall
March 13-15
Meet the Easter Bunny and take a photo with him. There will also be lots of events to join, like Pet Photos and a Bunny Cares Event.
Cost: Prices Vary
1750 Deptford Center Road, Deptford, NJ 08096
Photos with the Bunny at Cherry Hill Mall
March 13-15
Capture special family memories with a visit to the Easter Bunny at Cherry Hill Mall. Look out for their KidzBop Bunny Dance Parties.
Cost: Prices Vary
2000 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Photos with the Bunny at Moorestown Mall
March 13-15
Snap photos with the Easter Bunny in HomeSense Court at Moorestown Mall.
Cost: Prices Vary
400 Route 38, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Paint A Peep Party
March 14, 10 AM – 12 PM
Head to the Freehold Raceway Mall on the lower level to paint ceramic “Peeps” with Color Me Mine, hang out with 94.3 The Point Crew, and look for special visits with characters. Then take a moment to visit and pose for photos with the Easter Bunny.
Cost: Peeps available until supplies last.
3710 US Route 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
Maple Sugaring at Echo Hill
March 14
Collect sap and start the sugaring process at Echo Hill in Hunterdon County. This program runs every 30 minutes from 10 AM to 3:30 PM (last session begins at 2:30 PM). See an early American Frontiersman tapping his trees, visit a sugar “farmer” at his evaporator, and enjoy a Native American story about the discovery of maple sap.
Cost: Free, no pre-registration required
42 Lilac Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822 US
The Cook College Ramblers: An Irish Celebration
March 14 at 2 PM
Listen to the beautiful music from Ireland presented by The Cook College Ramblers. There will be lots of songs, dances, and opportunities to sing along. Make sure you wear your green.
Cost: Free
Monmouth County Library, 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
Visit from the Horse Doctor and Shoer at Howell Living History Farm
March 14 at 10 AM
It’s time for spring on the farm, where you can listen to a horse’s heart through a stethoscope, watch an equine dentist at work, and learn about veterinary instruments and techniques.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14 at 12 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
The Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Hamilton
March 14
Bring your Irish pride to this festive day of celebration in Hamilton. The parade begins at the Nottingham Firehouse.
Cost: Free
200 Mercer Street, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690
Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14 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
Knights of Columbus Council St. Patrick’s Celebration
March 14 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 available for purchase at the event.
Cost: $40. Advance Purchase Only
630 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
Sea Isle City’s 2026 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
March 14 at 1 PM
Bring your best green outfit and Irish pride to Sea Isle City’s 2026 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
The Luck of Laurita Weekends at Laurita Winery
March 14-15
Bring your clan to Laurita Winery to hear live music, shop from Irish vendors, and try the wine, including the special Shamrock Sangria. And on the menu each weekend is delish homemade Irish food like freshly baked Irish soda bread, corned beef, and potato and leek soup.
Cost: Free to enter
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress
March 14-15
Hop aboard DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress and step into a magical Spring Village adventure the whole family will love. This beloved South Jersey tradition is packed with Easter fun, outdoor play, and memory-making moments for kids of all ages. Your Easter EGGspress experience includes: An Easter-themed train ride through our Spring Village, meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, Mrs. Bunny + FREE photo opportunity, a fun filled egg hunt for children, our whimsical Spring Hedge Maze, a FREE snack for each child, a special Easter prize from DiDonato’s, endless outdoor play on the giant slide, 40 foot inflatable obstacle course, interactive climbing, imaginative play, and custom train experiences, and one FREE game of bowling with shoe rental per guest.
Cost: $22.90 per ticket
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
41st Annual Norma & Ralph Lamo Daisy Breakfast
March 15 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.
Cost: $20 adults, $5 Kids
Hilton East Brunswick Hotel, 3 Tower Center Boulevard, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Maple Festival at Happy Day Farm
March 15
Did you know it takes about 80 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup? Take a tractor ride on the 130-acre farm with over 700 maple trees, where you’ll see the sugar bush and learn the process to collect sap (you may be asked to help out Farmer Tim). There will be an educational tour, animal feedings, and a wooden train too.
Cost: $18 per person
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Freehold Borough Art Council St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 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: Free for the parade; some events have a cover charge.
Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 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 15 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
Somerville St. Patrick’s Parade
March 15 at 1:30 PM
Remember to wear green and line up along Main Street for the annual Somerville St. Patrick’s Parade. Rated “The Biggest and Best St. Patrick’s Day Parade Across The US” by Forbes Magazine, this parade promises lots of Irish-themed fun.
Cost: Free
Line up along Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 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 parade’s starting location.
Cost: Free
North on Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
