Don’t get stuck in that mid-January rut—whether it’s exploring, creating or celebrating, there are plenty of ways to get out and about this weekend. Go ahead and experience traditional Chinese dance performances at the Lunar New Year Celebration in Paramus, take a stroll along the Delaware at the 2020 Winterfest in Lambertville, or watch blocks of ice get transformed into art at Frost & Flames in Hamilton.
Featured image via Hartshorn Arboretum
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Berlin Farmers Market Family Fun Fridays
January 17, 5PM – 7PM
Friday nights are all right when you can do something for you, and your kids: Stop by this lively indoor market that hosts free family fun with special events just for littles. You can shop for local foods and crafts, pick up dinner and watch entertainers shape balloons into animals that kids can take home for free.
Berlin Farmers Market
Berlin, NJ
Cost: free
2020 Lambertville New Hope Winter Festival
January 18-19, 12PM – 10PM
Kick off a week full of events for the whole family in the historic and picturesque towns of Lambertville and New Hope. Take in the beauty of the Delaware with guided walks along the river and historic walking tours or discover nature with their Owl Prowl or Winter Bird Walk. After, hunker down with a bowl of soup and vote on your favorite at the Soup-a-Thon contest. Kids can make and bring home slime from the Mad Science booth, get tatted up in glitter and hit the Frozen photo booth for some selfies with Olaf. Wrap up the day with a performance of Disney’s Frozen Jr. Adventures at the Music Mountain Theatre.
Lambertville, New Hope, NJ
Cost: various free activities, select activities are ticketed
4th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
January 18, 11AM – 2PM
Bring the whole fam to ring in the Year of the Rat with this annual celebration with events that will keep all ages busy. As you listen to traditional Korean songs, watch dancing and a drum performance, your kids can make a craft. play games and feast on traditional dishes. Don’t miss the lion dance, a traditional Chinese New Year dance that’s said to bring good fortune and chase away evil spirits, a prize wheel and the 50/50 raffle sponsored by Fort Lee Friends of the Library.
Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center
Fort Lee, NJ
Cost: free
Lunar New Year Celebration
January 18, 11AM – 2PM
Head indoors to the mall and celebrate Lunar New Year with lively performances originating from China, Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines. Kids can bop to tune by DJ Chris, as you enjoy red envelopes that will include special discounts from stores like Coach, 16 Handles, Lord & Taylor and more.
Westfield Garden State Plaza
Paramus, NJ
Cost: free
Art Fest 2020
January 18, 11AM – 3PM
Do you have a few budding artists in your crew? Bring them to this fundraiser to cultivate their interest (and join in yourself) with stations available to paint, make jewelry, fold books, design sculptures, and be creative making a variety of different art projects over the course of 4 hours. If your kids aren’t feeling it, you can stay and watch others make their creations—adults helping young children are free, as well as those only watching.
Westwood Regional High School
Washington Township, NJ
Cost: $15 for participants (recommended for kids ages 5 and up)
Franklin Township Winterfest 2020
January 18, 11AM – 2PM
Kids of all ages will want to check out this winter carnival, that will have games, crafts and free pizza all afternoon. You can learn more about community providers and jobs with Census 2020, while kids make popsicle snowflakes. Make sure you get a family photo at the selfie station before you head out.
Franklin Middle School
Somerset, NJ
Cost: free
Frost & Flames
January 18, 11AM – 4PM
You and your family will be in awe as you watch talented master carvers transform huge blocks of ice into sculptures using power saws, chisels, and grit all throughout the park grounds. Get up close and personal as you converse with the artists about their art and techniques for creating. And in case you were wondering where the ‘flames’ part of this event comes in, be sure to catch the artists from The Seward Johnson Atelier, who will be demonstrating heat and metal techniques throughout the grounds. After, warm up with hot chocolate and pastries from the on-site Van Gogh cafe.
Grounds for Sculpture
Hamilton, NJ
Cost: $18 online, $20 in-person, free for members
Lunar New Year Celebration
January 19, 12PM – 1:30PM or 2PM – 3:30PM
Looking to celebrate the Lunar New Year but also get outdoors? Join the CHA and the Chinese Association of Millburn-Short Hills as they start the Year of the Rat off on the right foot. Follow the lion through the woods (he’s known to bring good fortune to all who greet him) and then head indoors for rousing games, trivia, crafts and traditional stories.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
Short Hills, NJ
Cost: $8 per person
