Spend this weekend with your kids experiencing fun and interactive events throughout New Jersey. Celebrate all things winter at the WinterFest at Thompson Park or the Fire & Ice Festival in Mount Holly. Sing-a-long with Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, and the Scarecrow at the Mayo Performing Arts Center for Sing-A-Long Wizard of Oz or learn about traditions at Reeves Reed Arboretum’s Chinese New Year Celebration.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:
1. WinterFest at Thompson Park
January 28, 2017 | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Celebrate all that winter can offer with a full day of fun, free, and family friendly events. You and your family could start your day off with an adventure such as Cross Country Skiing or various nature walks. You can also make plenty of memories at the ice skating rink and arts & crafts stations, which you cantake with you as you explore the festival! Also showcased for the whole family are: Live Music, Various Food Vendors, Wagon Rides, Historical Displays, Winter Sports Vendors, as well as Snowmobile Activities and Photo Ops.
Thompson Park
805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Costs: Free
2. 2017 Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters Annual Winter Show
January 28 – 29, 2017 | Saturday 10:00 AM – PM, Sunday 5:00 PM
The Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters Winter Show is back and better than ever! This popular event showcases 1,000 feet of train tracks, hands-on play, craft stations, as well as rare and classic O-scale trains. You’ll also see fan favorites like Thomas the Tank Engines and The Polar Express. There will also be over 50 vendors and crafters…so don’t forget to get something for home!
Somerset County 4-H Trainmasters Events
310 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Cost: Children $2, Adults $4
3. Fire & Ice Festival 2017
January 28, 2017 | Saturday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Fire and Ice Festival combines the best of the chili world and ice sculpting world into one amazing event! Let your taste buds go wild as you feast on all the chili Burlington County can offer, and then vote for the Peoples Choice Award for the Finest Chili. After you’ve got your fill of the excellent chili options, watch professional ice carvers transform 300 pound blocks of ice into breath-taking ice masterpieces. To top it all off, there will also be Fire Truck rides for all the kiddies!
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
5 Church Street, Mount Holly, NJ 08060
Cost: Free
Ponycon, Photo via Ponycon.nyc
4. Ponycon
January 27 – 29, 2017 | Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 AM
The Ocean Place Resort and Spa will be hosting the 5th annual Ponycon, which will be celebrating My Little Pony and will explore the true meaning of the phrase, “Friendship is Magic”! There will be hands-on activities, exhibits, performances, and so much more. Experience special appearances by Ashleigh Ball, whom voices Rainbow Dash and Applejack, Kyle Rideout, whom voices Thorax, and Ali “Willa” Milner, whom voices Princess Ember. The fun does not stop there! The 5th annual Ponycon also features games, food, and surprises for everyone. You don’t want to miss this jam packed day of My Little Pony!
Ocean Place Resort & Spa
1 Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Cost: $15 – $75+
5. Wassail Festival
January 29, 2017 | 1:00PM – 4:000PM
Come and join one of Great Britain’s oldest traditions this weekend at Terhune Orchards for the Wassail Festival. This festival honors this ancient tradition with plenty of fun for the family as well as raising awareness to protect and maintain crops in hopes for a successful harvest the following season. This event includes dancing, singing, and re-enactments of old English rituals. You can also warm your spirits with bonfires, marshmallows, apple ciders, the farmer’s market, and family farm wagon rides for everyone to enjoy. This event is free and open to all ages that are interested in singing, dancing, celebrating traditions, and bringing in the new year with many families who wish to be merry!
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton,NJ 08540
Cost: Free
6. Fly Fishing Show
January 27 – 29, 2017 | Friday 9:00 AM – 6:00PM, Saturday 8:30PM – 6:00PM, Sunday 9:00PM – 4:30PM
This exciting three day showcase brings you plenty of fly fishing authors, exhibitors, and a full day of learning. Stop by the IFFF Learning Center to learn everything you need to know about Fly Fishing including: basic fly casting, fly tying, and knot tying. The International Fly Fishing Film Festival will also be held for one night only, on Friday, January 27th.
Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Drive, Franklin Township, NJ 08873
Cost: Children $2, Adults $18
Monster Jam, Photo via PruCenter.com
7. Monster Jam Triple Threat Series
January 28 – 29, 2017 | Saturday 1:00 PM & 7:00 PM, Sunday 1:00 PM
Love trucks, racing, monster wheelies, and the roar of a big crowd? Then the Monster Jam Triple Threat Series is the perfect event for you and the kids! Various Competitors will push their limits and participate in several different competitions throughout the series that will display three different vehicles: Trucks, Speedsters, and ATVs. The winner will get a bid to the Monster Jam World Finals, and have a chance to compete in the World Championship!
Prudential Center
621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07069
Cost: $17+
8. New Meadowlands Market
January 28, 2017 | 8:00AM – 4:00PM
The New Meadowlands Market is a shopper’s paradise! It will be filled with hundreds of vendors selling merchandise and food. Along with that great combination, there will be plenty of entertainment and games for the whole family to enjoy!
MetLife Stadium – Lot 3
1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Cost: Free
9. Chinese New Year Celebration
January 27, 2017 | 1:00PM – 2:00PM
Celebrate the Year of the Rooster at Reeves Reed Arboretum! Children will be creating crafts and listening to stories celebrating the traditions of Chinese New Year.
Registration is required at Reeves-Reedarboretum.org
Reeves Reed Arboretum
165 Hobart Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Cost: $15 Non-Members, Free for Members
Block Party Exhibition, Photo via Liberty Science Center
10. Block Party Exhibition
On going exhibit
Build, stack, and knock down your creations at the Block Exhibition at the Liberty Science Center! The Block Party Exhibit is made up of thousands of oversized foam and wooden shapes that allow visitors to build anything their hearts desire. Create towers, cars, houses, and so much more….They don’t mind if you stay all day!
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Cost: Children $17.75, Adults $21.75
11. Sing-a-Long Movie: Wizard of Oz
January 29, 2017 | 3:00PM – 5:00PM
During the show, viewers are encourage sing with the classic characters Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man for the musical’s timeless songs. Viewers are also encouraged to attend in costume!
Mayo Performing Arts Center
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: $5, Family 4-pack tickets available for $16
12. Groundhog Day Celebration
January 28, 2017 | 10:00AM – 11:30AM
Groundhogs are well known for their participation during February 2nd, but you would never guess what else they contribute to the community and the environment. At the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, your youngsters will learn the importance of these cute and furry weather forecasters, their role in the ecological community, and about hibernation. The day also includes a hike through the Watershed Reserve, outdoor fire, roasted marshmallows, and a hot beverage.
Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Cost: Free
Twisted Kids Fun Sessions, Photo via Mountain Creek
13. Twisted Kids Fun Sessions
January 29, 2017 | 11:00AM – 12:00PM (Registration 9:00AM – 10:00AM)
Whether your kids want to learn how to ski, snowboard, or do tricks on the slopes, the Twisted Kids Fun Sessions is the best place to learn! Children are taught and coached to better improve their skills while learning how to have fun safely up in the mountains!
Mountain Creek
200 Route 94, Vernon Township, NJ 07462
Cost: Free with Park Admission, Children $59,99, Adults $74.99
14. The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus
January 29, 2017 | 3:00PM – 5:05PM
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus is a fun filled event full of jugglers, acrobats, and risk-taking performances. The performers display novelty acts that engage the audience and encourage viewers to take part in all of the fun. The performance also includes brain twisters and artistic twists, which leads to an interactive experience for everyone watching.
Ramapo College Berrie Center
505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430
Cost: $20+
15. Gill’s Grotto
On going exhibit
Visit Gill’s Grotto in Adventure Aquarium to explore the ocean like never before! Kids will be able to touch and handle more than a dozen warm-water invertebrates. Gill’s Grotto is also filled with the ocean’s friendliest creatures such as: sea stars, fire shrimps, and horseshoe crabs.
Adventure Aquarium – Zone C
1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
Cost: Children $21, Adults $28
Bonus. Milk & Cookies with Suzi Shelton
January 28, 2017 | 10:00AM & 12:00PM
Milk & Cookies is a fun, interactive program that combines music and storytelling for all its participants. It’s a great introduction for young children to the live theater! Suzi Shelton’s songs are upbeat with heartfelt lyrics that will guarantee a fun time…and to top it all off there there will be milk and cookies so prepare to rock your milk mustaches!
State Theater New Jersey
15 Livingston Avenus, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Cost: Free
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 FREE NJ Events in January
- Top 15 Things To Do in NJ This January
- 10 Indoor Activities To Do in January
- 10 Outdoor Activities To Do in January
- Best Ski Resorts for NJ Families
- Must Know Winter Classes in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
