Lucky you—with St. Patrick’s Day headlining and spring around the corner, there are plenty of things to do this weekend to welcome the new season with the fam. Dance a jig at one of the St. Patrick’s Day Parades up and down the Garden State, grab your Easter basket and hunt for eggs at the Easter Egg Hunt in Belmar, or celebrate Women’s History Month at the Ladies of Liberty Hall: Women’s History Month Tour in Union. And with Easter coming soon, make sure you don’t miss all the egg hunts, bunny visits, and more this month. (featured photo: iStock/erniedecker)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Brigantine Shake the Shamrock and St. Paddy’s Day Parade
March 15-16
The island will host St. Patrick events all week, including a Pot Of Gold contest and special green-themed activities. Then, on March 16, everyone is welcome to march in the Brigantine parade. Line up is at 11:30 AM, and the parade starts at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
331 8th Ave., Brigantine, NJ 08203
Mermaids at Adventure Aquarium
March 15-17
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 15-17
Meet the Easter Bunny at his new Flower Garden in Center Court. Pre-book your photo session for the easiest experience.
Cost: Prices Vary
1750 Deptford Center Road, Deptford, NJ 08096
Carney’s Cares St. Patrick’s Plunge Weekend in Cape May
March 15-17
Kick off St. Patrick’s Day in New Jersey with the Plunge, 5K Run, or 1 Mile Family Walk. Then, on March 17, wear your green and head to Carney’s to raise a pint for a Sunday Jam and Irish Fare for more fun.
Cost: Prices vary per event
411 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
Newark St. Patrick’s Parade
March 15 at 1 PM
Wear your green and join the 87th 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
Knights of Colombus Council St. Patrick’s Celebration
March 16 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
Easter Egg Hunt at Newport Center
March 16
Grab your Easter basket and get ready to collect goodies at Newport Center. Prizes and holiday activities are included.
Cost: Free
30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City, NJ 07310
Belmar Easter Egg Hunt
March 16
Is there anything better than a fun egg hunt on the beach? Come out with the little ones and hunt for the 3,500 eggs placed in the sand. There will also be one golden egg for every group to find, including a prize ticket. Rain Date is March 23.
Cost: Free
4th and 5th Avenues of Belmar Beach Ocean Avenue, Belmar, NJ 07719
Sea Isle City’s 2024 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 at 2 PM
Bring your best green outfit and Irish pride to Sea Isle City’s 2024 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. This event will include a costume contest at 2 PM and a parade at 3:30 PM.
Cost: Free
120 63rd Street, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Sussex County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 at 11 AM
Join the St. Patrick’s Day fun and watch as marching bands, animals, and decorated floats go by. This parade takes off promptly at 11 AM.
Cost: Free
Spring Street, Newton, NJ 07860
North Wildwood St Patrick’s Parade
March 16 at 12 PM
Celebrate the Irish at this festive parade, which features the VFW Color Guard, Vietnam Veterans of America, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish Pipe Brigade, Emerald Society, Miss North Wildwood, and more.
Cost: Free
From North Wildwood City Hall, proceed west on 9th Avenue to Central Avenue and end at 1st & Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Celebrate Spring: A Shopping Extravaganza
March 16 at 10 AM
Get ready for spring to return to our state with this fun shopping event. Over 50 vendors will be in attendance, and you will find gifts for Easter, Mother’s Day, and more.
Cost: Free
Saint Jude’s Church, 40 Maxim Drive, Hopatcong, NJ 07843
Workhorse Rides at Howell Living History Farm
March 16 at 10 AM
Come to the farm to learn the differences between draft, saddle, and carriage horses. 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
Makers Day
March 16 at 11 AM
Have you ever created crafts using potatoes? Spend the day making potato stamps, potato batteries to power a lightbulb, and potatoes to create Play-Doh.
Cost: Free
23 Main Street, Madison, NJ 07940
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s
March 16 at 1 PM
Step back in time for a relaxing afternoon listening to the melodies from the 1890s. Visit the farm after to learn more about this historic site.
Cost: Free
Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
March 16 at 9:30 AM
Join us in-person or virtually for this hands-on cooking class for ages 4-7 with a parent/guardian/loved one present. In this fun and interactive course, even the pickiest eaters will learn to love their veggies.
Cost: Free
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
March 16 at 11 AM
Join in-person or virtually for this mommy & me style healthy cooking class for ages 2-4 with a parent/grandparent/loved one. For class links and more information, contact Emily Ho, RDN. emily.ho@rwjbh.org. 973-926-7371
Cost: Free
Sponsoring Facility: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
Abma’s Farm Easter Events
March 16
Abma’s has a bunch of Easter events for your crew. Get your spring photos at Blooms and Babes, a spring photo session with live baby animals. Make sure you stop by the Barnyard Petting Zoo, which is open all year round.
Cost: Prices vary per event
700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff, NJ 07481
Black River & Western Railroad – Easter Bunny Express
March 16 and 17
Hop over to the annual Easter Bunny Express, where the whole family can take a train ride that stops in Ringoes, snap photos with Peter Cottontail, and then go on an egg hunt (don’t forget to bring a basket).
Cost: $19.99 and up
Flemington Station, 80 Stangl Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Ladies of Liberty Hall: Women’s History Month Tour
March 16 and 17
Celebrate Women’s History Month with a tour of Liberty Hall to honor the women who lived and labored there. From Susan Livingston, whose daring exploits saved Liberty Hall from the British during the Revolutionary War, to Mary Alice Barney Kean, who worked tirelessly for the preservation of our historic structures, to Abbe, an enslaved woman who attempted to self-emancipate while in Paris, their stories resonate and enlighten in this special exhibit.
Cost: $14 plus fee
1003 Morris Ave., Union, NJ 07083
RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group
Shamrock and St. Patrick’s Day Weekends at Laurita Winery
March 16 and 17
Bring your clan to hear live music, shop from Irish vendors, and try the wine, too. Irish Festival Weekend will feature homemade Irish food.
Cost: Free to enter
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Rolling Railway Easter EGGspress at DiDonato’s Family Fun Center
March 16 and 17
Hop on an Easter-themed train ride through Spring Village and take in the sights. This event includes a meet and greet photo op with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, a giant slide, an Inflatable 40′ obstacle course, a free snack, and much more.
Cost: $15.95 plus ticketing fees. 12 months and younger are free
1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Historic Smithville Easter Bunny Strolls
March 16 and 17
Want to catch the Bunny up close? Head to Historic Smithville for this Easter stroll through the Village Green, where the Bunny will hop out to meet and greet visitors. You can also book a breakfast with the Bunny at the Smithville Inn.
Cost: Free
1 N New York Road, Absecon, NJ 08205
The Annual Spring Red Bank Egg Hunt
March 17
Bring your cameras and get ready to see the Easter Bunny in Red Bank. Perfect for children of all ages, this egg hunt is a blast for the whole family. Make sure you arrive early to see the Easter Bunny before the hunt. Rain date March 24.
Cost: Free
11 Henry Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Bayonne St. Patrick’s Parade
March 17 at 1 PM
This parade will step off from 5th and Broadway at 1 PM sharp. The procession will make its way north to 39th Street, turn west, and then proceed to the entrance of Stephen R. Gregg Park on Avenue C.
Cost: Free
Stepping off from 5th and Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Freehold Borough Art Council St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17 at 12:30 PM
Downtown Freehold celebrates the Irish with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade with contests, live music, food, and drinks.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17 at 2 PM
Wear your green and festive hats for the South Amboy St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Starting at noon, marchers, including floats, scouts, bagpipers, and marching bands, will line up on South Pine Avenue.
Cost: Free
The parade starts on South Pine Avenue, South Amboy, NJ 08879
ONGOING EVENTS
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
SatARTdays: Free Kids’ Art Classes
March 16 at 12 PM
Bring the kids to get free art lessons. This series of six free children’s art classes will occur every Saturday in the spring with a professional artist at the Noyes Arts Garage. These classes will begin on March 16 and run until April 20.
NJ 08401
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