March is roaring in like a lion, especially with all the FREE things to do with the family this month, where you won’t need to spend a dime to have lots of spring fun. Wear your green and watch Irish dancers, floats and brass at one of the St. Patrick’s Day parades happening up and down the state, get ready for spring with Sawmilling and Tree Planting at Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell, or celebrate Pi Day in the town where Einstein lived at the Pi Day Princeton. And for more family fun, check out what’s happening at the festivals this month. (Featured photo credit: iStock/Ultima_Gaina)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 1 at 1 PM
The 45th Annual Nutley St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off promptly at 1 PM, go north up Franklin Ave, and end on Chestnut Street with the Review Stand in front of John Walker Middle School.
Cost: Free
The parade starts at Harrison and Evergreen Street
Blue Hole Walk
March 1 at 10 AM
Bundle up with the fam and take a walk along the sand roads of the Winslow Wildlife Management Area. The walk will take you through abandoned blueberry fields, wetlands, and the famous “Blue Hole.”
Cost: Free
Winslow Wildlife Management Area, Atsion Batsto Road, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Irish Festival in Toms River
March 1 at 12 PM
Head to this Irish-themed festival where local businesses, vendors, and handcrafters 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
Burlington County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 1 at 1 PM
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade begins at 1 PM with music, Irish dancers, and pipe bands. Stick around for the after-party.
Cost: Free
High Street, Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060
Songs of the Irish Heart
March 1 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
Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm
March 1, 15, and 29 at 11 AM
Visit the outdoor kitchen to discover how recipes and cooking techniques have changed since the 1890s.
Cost: Free
Historic Longstreet Farm – 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
2025 Millburn Lunar New Year Festival
March 2 at 12 PM
Bundle up the fam and bring them to this family-friendly festival that is full of delicious food, games, live performances, and a fun street fair. Rain date is March 9.
Cost: Free
Millburn Avenue between Main Street and Spring Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
Gloucester Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 2 at 1 PM
This impressive 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.
Cost: Free
Johnson Blvd. and Francis Street, Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Rutherford St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 2 at 1 PM
Bring your Irish pride to the Rutherford St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Hosted by the Rutherford Irish American Association, this parade is one of the year’s most popular events.
Cost: Free
Park Avenue, Rutherford, NJ 07070
Belmar/Lake Como St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 2 at 12:30 PM
Everyone is a little bit 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
Brigantine Shake the Shamrock and St. Paddy’s Day Parade
March 7 through 17
The island will host St. Patrick events, including Pot Of Gold Cards, a Leprechaun Chase on March 7, and special green-themed activities all week. Then, on March 15, everyone is welcome to march in the Brigantine parade, which starts at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
Brigantine, NJ 08203
Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 8 at 1 PM
Get your green ready for the 37th annual Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day parade. There will be string and piper bands, Irish dancers, and floats.
Cost: Free
Atlantic City Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08201
Visit from the Horse Doctor and Shoer at Howell Living History Farm
March 8 from 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
Sussex County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 8 at 11 AM
Join the St. Patrick’s Day fun and watch as marching bands, animals, and firetrucks go by. This parade takes off promptly at 11 AM.
Cost: Free
Spring Street, Newton, NJ 07860
Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 8 at 12 PM
Start the lineup early for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. At the end of the parade, see the Massed Band and a 40′ long American flag, and celebrate post-parade at a party at the Hershey Motel.
Cost: Free
The Boulevard starting at J-Street, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
The Original St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Hamilton
March 8
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
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s
March 8 at 1 PM
If you have ever wanted to listen to the melodies from the 1890s, then grab the fam and come take in the sounds for the afternoon.
Cost: Free
Historic Longstreet Farm – 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
SatARTdays: Free Kids’ Art Classes
March 8 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 8 and run until April 12.
NJ 08401
Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 9 at 1 PM
Feel the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day in Asbury Park, where you can enjoy local participation from veterans, local Boy and Girl Scout troops, dance schools, high school marching bands, and regional pipe and drum groups. The parade route will take off at 4th Avenue and Ocean Avenue.
Cost: Free
4th Avenue and Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 9 at 1 PM
Join the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and if you want to enter their essay contest, poster contest (for kids), and the Lucky the Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt (for kids), check their website.
Cost: Free
Step off at Allen Street and River Road, Rumson, NJ 07760
Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 9
The parade will take place on Main Street. This year’s parade will be the 51st Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Jersey.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Line on the Pines 2025
March 9 at 11 AM
This annual gathering features artists, authors, and other artisans passionate about the Pines. This event is perfect for bringing the fam and will have a kids’ zone with crafts, activities, and hands-on displays.
Cost: Free
Stockton University Campus Center, 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205
Pi Day Princeton
March 14 and 15
Celebrate Pi Day in the town where Einstein lived. This event includes a pie-eating contest and movie screening, a pie flight contest, a physics show, a Dinky train ride with Einstein, a Pi-rade, and a pie sampling experience.
Cost: Most events are free
Downtown Princeton or Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton, NJ 08542
Newark St. Patrick’s Parade
March 14
Wear your green and join the 90th 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
Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 at 1 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, there is a Grandstand program in Union Center.
Cost: Free
Scheduled to step off from Morris and Jeanette Avenues, Union, NJ 07083
Workhorse Rides at Howell Living History Farm
March 15 at 10 AM
Come out to the farm to learn about the differences between draft, saddle, and carriage horses, and 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
Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 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
Sea Isle City’s 2025 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15 at 2 PM
Bring your best green outfit and Irish pride to Sea Isle City’s 2025 Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. This event will include a best dressed contest beginning at 2 PM, followed by the parade starting at 3:30 PM.
Cost: Free
120 63rd Street, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
North Wildwood St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 15
Celebrate the Irish 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
The parade begins at North Wildwood City Hall and will proceed west on 9th Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Spring Fling Sip & Shop Vendor Market
March 15 at 12 PM
Get ready to shop local at this fun event that brings together all types of vendors. While you’re there, enjoy a tarot reading and grab a craft cocktail.
Cost: Free
Garden State Distillery, 13 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 09753
New Jersey Youth Symphony Playathon Festival
March 16 at 4 PM
Celebrate and support young musicians as they spread the joy of music at the New Jersey Symphony Playathon Festival. Nearly 600 talented young musicians will perform as one combined orchestra for this annual concert, performing iconic cinematic scores and show tunes.
Cost: Free
The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Rd Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Freehold Borough Art Council St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 at 12:30 PM
Downtown Freehold kicks off St. Patrick’s Day in New Jersey with its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade with contests, live music, food, and contests.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Somerville St. Patrick’s Parade
March 16 at 1:30 PM
Remember to wear green and line up along Main Street for the annual Somerville St. Patrick’s Parade. It was rated “The Biggest and Best St. Patrick’s Day Parade Across The US” by Forbes Magazine.
Cost: Free
Line up along Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 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 going to the parade.
Cost: Free
North on Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 16 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 16 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
Ringwood St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 22 at 1 PM
This parade will kick off at 1 PM on Saturday, March 22, on Skyline Drive.
Cost: Free
Stepping off from Skyline Drive, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 22 at 2 PM
Help paint the town green at Highland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Your family will enjoy bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, and decorated floats.
Cost: Free
The parade will run along Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
Sawmilling and Tree Planting at Howell Living History Farm
March 22 at 10 AM
Spring on the farm means upgrading the horse stalls with barn beams, siding, and floorboards after a cold winter. Visitors can help roll logs with logging tools, make pegs for the barn framing, cut firewood for the kitchen stove, or plant replacement trees in the farm’s woodlot.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Bayonne St. Patrick’s Parade
March 23 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
Bergenfield High School Flea & Collectible Market
March 29 at 9 AM
With around 50 exhibitors selling items, such as arts and crafts, collectibles, handbags, sports collectibles, and more, there is something for everyone to browse.
Cost: Free
Bergenfield High School, 80 South Prospect Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ 07621
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