‘Tis the month of green milkshakes, Leprechauns, and corned beef & cabbage. The one day a year you pull out your ‘Kiss Me, I’m Irish’ shirts (even if you’re not actually), but it’s a feel-good holiday with feel-good festivities so who can resist? From St. Paddy’s Day parades and festivals to themed green crafts and an Irish music concert, grab your kids and head over to any of these 18 kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day events in New Jersey. No kilts required – unless you want to, of course.
18 Kid-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Events in New Jersey
1. Mt. Holly St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 12:30PM to 2:30PM
Head to the Fairgrounds Plaza in Mt. Holly for the town’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which steps off at 1:00PM. This march starts from the top of High Street and proceeds downtown.
Fairgrounds Plaza
555 High Street, Mount Holly, New Jersey 08060
Cost: Free
2. 2018 Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 12:30PM to 3:30PM
The glorious sea of Irish green will be in full effect in Belmar on Sunday for the town’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. For the 45th year in a row, families gather to partake in the processions of fire trucks, pipe-and-drum band, and parade floats, which start at 12:30PM on North Lake Boulevard and Main Street in Lake Como. Marchers will proceed along Belmar’s Main Street, heading north to the border of Avon by the Sea.
North Lake Boulevard and Main Street, Lake Como, NJ 07719
Cost: Free
3. Gloucester 3rd Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 1:00PM to 6:00PM
The Gloucester parade will begin at Martin’s Lake and proceed down Monmouth to King St. This amazing procession will feature string bands, bagpipes, Irish dancers, music bands, community groups and more. Be sure to check out the before and after festivities, too, including the opening ceremony Irish mass at St. Mary’s Church beginning at 11:30AM; after the parade, hit up the local business downtown for food, drinks, and live music.
Martin’s Lake
Corner of Baynes Ave & Johnson Blvd, Gloucester City, NJ 08030
Cost: Free
4. Union County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 10, 2018 | 1:00PM to 4:00PM
The parade will gather on Morris Avenue at Commerce and Jeanette avenues. The route will go east along Morris Avenue, making a turn to the Main Reviewing Stand at Stuyvesant Avenue. It will ultimately end at Roosevelt Avenue. Family and friends are welcome to march as well.
Corner of Commerce and Jeanette Avenues on Morris Avenue, Union, NJ
Cost: Free
5. Ocean County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 10 | 12:00PM to 3:00PM
People will line the streets of Seaside Heights for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Grand Marshall for the parade is Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher and the inaugural Irish Woman of the Year will go to Ocean County Freeholder Virginia E. Haines. An after-party for 21 and over at the Tri-Boro First Aid Squad Building (61 J St., Seaside Park, NJ) begins at 4:00PM; there is a $5 entrance fee which will include energizing Irish music and traditional foods and refreshments.
Between I and J streets, Seaside Heights, NJ
Cost: Free
6. 67th Annual West Orange St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 12:00PM
The parade will step off at Main Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue in West Orange. There will be a mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in West Orange before the parade beginning at 9:30AM.
Corner of Main Street and Mt. Pleasant Avenue, West Orange, NJ
Cost: Free
7. 7th Annual Freehold Borough Art Council St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 12:00PM to 2:30PM
Downtown Freehold Irish Week kicks off with the 7th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and a new parade route starting from McLean Street to the Elk’s Lodge. The parade begins at 1:00PM and parking is available at all public and borough parking lots.
McLean Street, Freehold, NJ
Cost: Free
8. Hackettstown 10th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 3:00PM to 5:00PM
Over 14,000 people line the streets of Hackettstown for this event each year. Kickoff for the Hackettstown parade is at 3:30PM. Between costume contests for the best-dressed pooch and the numerous floats that make their way through the town, your whole family will have a great time at this St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Corner of Washington and Grand Avenues on Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ
Cost: Free
9. Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 1:00PM to 4:00PM
The fourth annual Asbury Park parade will get you in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day with dance performances, marching bands, an animal rescue group, classic cars, traditional Irish music and more. Bring your furry, four-legged pals, too; animals welcome – especially if you dress them up in cute costumes!
Asbury Park Boardwalk, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free
10. Woodbridge St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 1:30PM
The parade will start at Woodbridge High School and end at Woodbridge Town Hall. Joan Dias is the Grand Marshal of the parade with Cindy Jacovinich and Daniel Harris being named the Irish Woman and Man of the Year.
1 Samuel Lupo Place, Woodbridge, NJ
Cost: Free
11. Bergen County St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 2:00PM to 4:00PM
This year’s parade will take place down Washington Avenue in Bergenfield. The 37th annual parade will bring out Irish traditions that the county celebrates.
Washington Avenue, Bergenfield, NJ
Cost: Free
12. West Hudson St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Sunday, March 11, 2018 | 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Starting in Harrison, the parade will proceed through East Newark and finish in Kearny. The parade has been a staple in Hudson County since 1973, and all are welcome to attend.
Corner of South 3rd Street and Harrison Avenue, Harrison, NJ
Cost: Free
13. St. Patrick’s Day Party
Wednesday, March 14, 2018 | 4:00PM to 5:30PM
The whole family can enjoy green treats, mix a loaf of Irish Soda Bread to bake at home and make a craft – if you’re lucky, there will be a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Piscataway Public Library
500 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Cost: Free
14. St. Patrick’s Day Annual Irish Music Concert
Friday, March 16, 2018 | 7:30PM to 9:00PM
This annual event will feature traditional Irish music to raise money to support the local organization, Churches Improving Communities. This non-profit helps improve the lives of people throughout central New Jersey.
Reformed Church of Highland Park
19 S. Second Ave., Highland Park, NJ 08904
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, kids are free
15. North Wildwood St. Patrick’s Day Celebration and Parade
Saturday, March 17, 2018 | 11:30AM to 1:30PM
A parade will begin at the steps of the North Wildwood City Hall and then proceed north on Atlantic Avenue to Olde NJ Avenue. The procession will include the VFW Color Guard, the Irish Pipe Brigade, school bands, the Sheriff Mounted Patrol and more.
901 Atlantic Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ
Cost: Free
16. The Gingerbread Man and the Leprechaun Loose at School Storytime
Saturday, March 17, 2018 | 11:00AM
A mischievous leprechaun is causing all kinds of trouble at school, but Gingerbread Man is back to save the day! Join Barnes and Noble for this special St. Patrick’s Day storytime of the newly released children’s book by Laura Murray, with fun activities to follow.
Barnes and Noble – MarketFair
3535 US Highway 1, Suite 400, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cost: Free
17. St. Patrick’s Day Skate
Saturday, March 17, 2018 | 12:00PM to 3:00PM
If you wear green, you get free admission. If not, you have to pay the admission price of $5. The cost of skate rental is $3.50. There will also specials in the cafe during the three-hour skate period.
Millennium Skate World
1900 Carman St., Camden, NJ 08105
Cost: Ranges from $0 to $8.50
18. Annual Keyport Fire Department St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Saturday, March 24, 2018 | 1:00PM to 3:00PM
Live music, floats, entertainment and participating organizations throughout the community will come together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. There will also be multiple events leading up to the parade to get everyone in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit.
2 W. Front Street, Keyport, NJ
Cost: Free
Where will you be celebrating St. Paddy’s Day in New Jersey? Let us know in the comments!
