Hey, spring, we see you—and with a bunch of family-friendly things to do this weekend, we’re making the most of the glorious days ahead. Celebrate Earth Day with planting, a scavenger hunt and play at Earth Day at Eastside Park in Paterson, experience the region’s finest artists, fun family activities, and a farmer’s market at Shadfest in Lambertville, or gaze up in amazement at kites of all shapes and sizes as they soar over Pier Village at the 7th Annual Pier Village Annual Kite Festival in Long Branch. If you’re looking for even more fun seasonal events, check out our spring bucket list. (Featured Photo Credit: istock/CHUYN)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
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Brand Groupies 2nd Annual Fashion Funds the Fight for Cancer Cartel
April 28 at 12 PM
Join in on an afternoon of fun, shopping, and philanthropy. You’ll get the opportunity to come together for an inspiring cause and do a little spring cleaning at the same time. Donate your new or gently used designer items by April 23rd and purchase an event ticket, where 100% of ticket sales are donated to Cancer Cartel. And on April 28th, shop the event and meet the three inspiring Founders of Cancer Cartel while enjoying a bubbly bar, light bites from The Blonde Shallot, jewelry from designer Christina Caruso, and a live DJ and supporting the NJ-based Cancer Warriors in need.
Cost: $50
32 Mechanic Street Red Bank, NJ 07701
7th Annual Pier Village Annual Kite Festival
April 22 at 9 AM
Watch giant kites of all shapes and sizes in amazement as they soar over the beach in Pier Village. This event will feature kite flyers from all areas of the eastern seaboard flying their most incredible creations for miles and miles.
Cost: Free
50 Chelsea Ave Ste 137, Long Branch, NJ 07740
MHANJ: Ocean 2023 Color Fest
April 22 at 9 AM
Wear a white tee for this Color Fun Run and get plastered with color powder as you run, walk, dance, and skip to the finish line. Afterward, stay to enjoy community resources, raffles, food, games, and activities for all ages.
Cost: Free for ages 0 – 4, $5 for ages 5 – 17, and $10 for ages 18 and over. Prices vary for color pass options.
Veterans Park Bayville, 489 Bill Zimmerman Jr Way Bayville, NJ 08721
The Northeast Coalition Earth Day Celebration Week
April 15-22 starts at 9:30 AM
Join the Official Earth Day Celebration at Crane Park in Montclair. Volunteers will gather for cleanups on Pine Street, Erie Park, Brookdale Park, and Glenridge Avenue (behind the Bay Street Train Station). The celebration will continue in and around Crane Park until 2 PM with tabling, music, and other family-friendly activities.
Cost: Free
Montclair, NJ 07042
Potato Planting
April 22 at 10 AM
Help plant a field of potatoes yielding over 2,000 pounds of food for local soup kitchens. While farmers drive the horses and steer the plow, you will follow behind with baskets of seeds and place them in the furrows.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Outdoor Adventures Family Program: Celebrate Earth
April 22 at 10 AM
Learn about the outdoors through crafts, scavenger hunts, activity sheets, and displays. Each program will focus on a specific theme, and the Van Vleck Education team will guide your family through this interactive learning experience.
Cost: $15. Free for members, but registration is required.
Van Vleck House & Gardens, 21 Van Vleck Street Montclair, NJ 07042
Family Fun Walk – Chalk the Walk
April 22 at 10 AM
Join the Lacey Municipal Alliance and the Lacey Recreation Department at this fun family event. Walk the outer loop of Gille Park and find signs with drug awareness and nutrition facts with inspirational quotes from high school students along the way. This event will feature giveaways, a DJ, and refreshments.
Cost: Free
Gille Park, 102 Manchester Ave, Lanoka Harbor, NJ 08734
Shadfest
April 22-23 at 11 AM
Celebrate 40 years of family, fun, and fish in Lambertville. This year’s Shad Fest will feature the region’s finest artists and crafters, children’s activities, and a farmer’s market. Local’s Lane will feature artists from the Lambertville and New Hope areas.
Cost: Free
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Whole Lotta Empanada, Food Truck & Music Festival
April 22 at 11 AM
Get ready to judge 15 empanada vendors all vying for the EMPY! (People’s Choice Best Empanada). Besides empanadas, enjoy gourmet food trucks offering lobster rolls, seafood, Puerto Rican, Greek, Latin, Peruvian, and more. This event will feature music from Jingo and The Ultimate Carlos Santana Tribute Band.
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free; please bring an item for the food pantry too
20th Century Park, Elizabeth Street Garfield, NJ 07026
BaconFest Food Truck Festival
April 22 -23 at 11 AM
Bring your appetite for delicious food to this bacon-themed food truck festival, presented by Laurita Winery. This event will feature live music, fire pits, face painting, wine tasting, and more. Make sure to bring your own chair.
Cost: $13
Adventure Crossing USA, 515 Monmouth Rd., Jackson Twp. NJ 08527
Fur Baby Festival
April 22 at 12 PM
Together with the friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter, you will help to find forever homes for some amazing dogs and cats, and other small animals. This event will feature 15+ food vendors, live music, games, a pet costume contest, and more. Enjoy live music from Naughty Humphry and The Big Fuss.
Cost: Admission will be $6 for everyone Over 5 years old. Tickets are $5 in advance (plus a service charge), or you can purchase them at the door.
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd. Jobstown, NJ 08022
Community Day: Celebrating Earth
April 22 at 12 PM
Celebrate the planet with a day full of art-making, education, and performances centered around endangered animals, climate change, and farming. This event will feature music from interactive kid’s podcasts, Noodle Loaf, traditional Lenape performances and demonstrations, planetarium shows, and much more.
Cost: Free general admission to the Museum all day during Community Day.
The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St Newark, NJ 07102
Spring Fest: Earth Day 2023
April 22 at 12 PM
Celebrate Earth Day at this event for the whole family. Enjoy music, games, food, and more. Let your kids explore a fire truck, and enjoy face painting, henna tattoos, a bouncy house, and meeting a special guest–Spider-Man!
Cost: $5-$8. Children 2 and under are free.
139 Beverly Rancocas Rd, 139 Beverly Rancocas Road Willingboro, NJ 08046
Accordion Melodies of the 1890s at Historic Longstreet Farm
April 22 at 1 PM
Come to the farm for the day and enjoy accordion music with 1890s tunes.
Cost: Free
Historic Longstreet Farm – 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
Kids Workshop: Earth Day Fun
April 22 at 2 PM
Learn about the seasonal vegetables and flowers that grow in your area and get all the tips and tricks you need to create a thriving at-home garden while your kids join in on the gardening fun too. Your kids will get to decorate and plant their own seeds in a clay pot and two other biodegradable peat pots for even more planting adventures. There will be a fun movie playing while the kids enjoy delicious cups of dirt with gummy worms for dessert.
Cost: $25
Renault Winery Resort, 72 N Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Morris Plains: Earth Day Event
April 22 at 3 PM
Make every day Earth Day in Morris Plains. This special event will be held at the town’s Community Center. Your kids will get the chance to celebrate by making crafts and playing games, including making bird feeders, bee and butterfly watering stations, and an Earth Day pledge card kids can sign.
Cost: Free
Morris Plains Community Center, 51 Jim Fear Dr, Morris Plains, NJ 07950
Earth Day Dune Planting at Swimming River Park
April 21 at 4 PM
Join a new restoration project celebrating Earth Day at Swimming River Park. Eventgoers will be planting native plants and helping to provide valuable food and shelter for local wildlife. Plants are in limited supply so that this program will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Open to all ages; under 18 must attend with an adult.
Cost: Free
719 Port Monmouth Road, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
Earth Day Celebration
April 22 at 7:30 AM
Head out in nature to this fun-filled, educational celebration of Earth Day. This event will feature Family Bird Walk with Montclair Bird Club, Hike and Trail Clean-Up with Passaic Valley Girl Scouts, Earth Day Expo activities, ceremonial tree planting, and more.
Cost: Free
Garret Mountain Reservation – Pat DiIanni Boathouse, 8 Mountain Ave. Woodland Park, NJ 07424
Earth Day Celebration 2023
April 22 at 9:30 AM
Kick off your Earth Day celebration with a pollinator garden tour, planting of native plants, and park cleanup. This celebration is part of a week of events focused on restoring the planet.
Cost: Free
Crane Park, Glenridge Avenue Montclair, NJ 07042
Earth Day Celebration in Cape May
April 22 at 10 AM
Cape May County Park & Zoo will co-host its Earth Day Celebration, where the whole family will experience hands-on educational exhibits, children’s amusements, live entertainment, a variety of environmental eco-shops, and a scavenger hunt.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park and Zoo, 700 US 9, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Earth Day/Arbor Day Celebration
April 22 at 10 AM
Celebrate Earth Day with a fun-filled day, including a rain barrel raffle, tree planting, seedling giveaways, bike share info, eco vendors, and more.
Cost: Free
Acacia Youth Center, 95 Port Reading Ave, Woodbridge Township, NJ 07095
Nature Explorers – Spring 2023
April 22 at 10 AM
Watch your budding naturalist ‘go wild’ experiencing woodland adventures at Lorimer Sanctuary. Children will use all of their senses to safely explore and discover the wonders of nature with a combination of storytelling, exploration, and arts and crafts.
Cost: $6 – $8
Lorrimer Sanctuary, 790 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
Earth Day 2023
April 22 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family to celebrate Earth Day with crafts, games, and recreational opportunities, such as canoeing and hiking. This event also features demonstrations and a local eco-vendors’ sale. Environmental Center staff and partner groups will be on hand to guide you throughout the day.
Cost: Free
Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Ave, Roseland, NJ 07068
Earth Day at Eastside Park
April 22 at 11 AM
Come celebrate Earth Day at City Green’s Earth Day Festival at Eastside Park. This event includes nature crafts, gardening lessons, story time, scavenger hunts, giveaways, and more. RSVP to attend here.
Cost: Free
Eastside Park, 587 Park Avenue, Paterson, NJ 07504
Party Like It’s Your Earth Day
April 22 at 11 AM
Head out to Marven Museum and Garden and party like it’s your Earth Day—this festive day of community action offers something for everyone, including Historic Garden tours, native seed crafting, free bike repairs, yoga provided by Gemma from Gratitude Yoga, gently used toys provided by R+K=Smiles, and much more.
Cost: Free
Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ 08540
Earth Day Celebration
April 22 at 11 AM
All ages are welcome to this free Earth Day celebration full of activities for the whole family. This event will feature guided nature walks and hikes, educational displays, tree sapling giveaways, volunteer opportunities, nature crafts and games, a scavenger hunt, and much more.
Cost: Free
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts & Recreation, 150 Snake Den Rd, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Earth Day Celebration at Riverfront Park
April 22 at 12 PM
The Point Pleasant Environmental Commission will host its annual Earth Day Celebration at Riverfront Park. This event will be a fun-filled day for the whole family with music, food, and activities while learning about the environment.
Cost: Free
Riverfront Park, 2303 River Rd, Point Pleasant, NJ 08743
Earth Day Nature Fest
April 22 at 1 PM
Participate in nature-inspired activities to celebrate Earth Day. Activities at this event include a group hike, land and river clean-up, take-home potted seed starter, watercolor pinwheels art project, and a compost demonstration.
Cost: $5 donation
Camp Wyanokie, 550 Snake Den Road West Milford, NJ 07480
Historic Smithville Earth Day Event
April 22 at 4 PM
Spend the afternoon outdoors and enjoy this special Earth Day Green Market. The market will feature native plants, baked goods, crafters, and more.
Cost: Free
615 East Moss Hill Road Smithville, NJ 08205
Earth Day Activities in Monmouth County
April 23, times vary
The whole family can try outdoor events, including Saltwater Fishing at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Discovering Freshwater Creatures at Huber Woods, or Beachcombing and Clean up at Seven President’s Park this Earth Day. There are even more activities available here.
Various locations in Monmouth County
31st Annual Earth Day Festival
April 23 at 10 AM
Rain or shine, there will be a variety of free, fun, and educational activities for all ages. The celebration
has more than 150 vendors, crafters, food vendors, and exhibitors.
Cost: Free
Atlantic County Utilities Authority, 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Millburn Street and Craft Fair
April 23 at 11 AM
Take it to the streets to enjoy live music, a DJ, dancing, delicious foods, performances, and more. There will be rides, games, and lots of fun for the kids.
Downtown Millburn, NJ 07041
Earth Day Celebration featuring The NJ Folk & Bluegrass Festival
April 23 at 11 AM
Celebrate Earth Day in Hoboken with family fun featuring nature-inspired art activities for all ages, a green artisan market, fitness class demos, face painting, animal encounters with The NJ Snake Man, and more. As an exciting new addition, this year will feature the first annual NJ Folk & Bluegrass Music Festival showcasing the area’s most talented musicians.
Cost: Free
70 Jackson Plaza, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration
April 23 at 11 AM
Bring the family out to Red Bank Battlefield and celebrate Spring and Earth Day. You will enjoy colonial games, crafts, a petting zoo, sheep shearing demonstrations, magic shows, and more.
Cost: Free
Red Bank Battlefield Park, 100 Hessian Ave, National Park, NJ 08063
Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair
April 23 at 11 AM
The Daffodil Festival and Earth Day Fair will feature a petting zoo, green educational programs and displays, a recycling magician, and musical entertainment. Eventgoers can also enjoy the annual costumed daffy dog parade at 12:30 PM.
Cost: Free
Van Neste Square Memorial Park, S Walnut St, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony featuring the Rowan University Wind Ensemble
April 23 at 3 PM
From New York Times bestselling author and composer Dan Brown, Wild Symphony brings beetles, bats, boars, and other species together for a special concert. With projected illustrations from the children’s book, New York-based stage and screen actor Matt Dallal narrates while the Rowan University Wind Ensemble performs the score, bringing the majestic story to life. Arrive early to enjoy an allergy-friendly snack in the lobby and a color-along activity for the performance.
Cost: $10. Free for Rowan students
Pfleeger Concert Hall, North Campus Drive, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Children’s Day Celebration Event
April 23 at 3 PM
Bring the family out for a good cause. This event will raise funds to help earthquake relief efforts in Turkey. Your family will enjoy a variety of Turkish foods, children’s games, face painting, fun music, and more.
Cost: $20. Kids under 12 are free.
Montgomery Veterans Park – Harlingen Road Fields, Harlingen Road Montgomery, NJ 08502
Ongoing Events
Holland Ridge U-Pick Tulips 2023
Now – April 29
With 8 million tulips in bloom at Holland Ridge Farm, there are plenty of ways to celebrate spring. Snip colorful tulips at $1 a stem to create your own bouquets, and load your Instagram feed with snaps that include their unique floral props, like a giant flower wall and floral throne. There will be over 30 food trucks, rescue animals, a petting zoo, hayrides, and a Dutch gift shop. And new this year, you can take a horse and carriage ride through the tulips.
Cost: $15 per person, ages 3 and up.
Holland Ridge Farms, 86 Rues Road Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Butterfly House Spring Pop-Up at Liberty Science Center
Now – April 30
Experience Liberty Science Center’s springtime pop-up adventure, the Butterfly House. Bring your family out to feel the magic of hundreds of painted lady and monarch butterflies fluttering around, feeding on plants and nectar, and landing on your shoulder or finger. You can also navigate your way through the Hedge Maze and join in on other family fun activities. The Butterfly House is included in your LSC general admission ticket.
Cost: $29.99 for adults, $24.99 for children, and $26.99 for seniors.
Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Hidden Gems Exhibit
Now – May 8
Journey into a fascinating world of rock structures that underscore the wonder of nature. Enjoy freestanding sculptures inspired by rock structures created with multiple parts of cast, assembled, and carved resin.
Cost: Free
Kean University, 1003 Morris Ave Building 2, Union, NJ 07083
Healthy Kids Running Series Spring 2023
Now – May 14
Get up and go! This five-week running program is for kids in Pre-K through 8th grade. Your kid will compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the series, kids who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded trophies. All participants will receive a medal on Week 5.
Cost: $45
LoBiondo Park, 678 Morton Ave, Bridgeton, NJ US 08302
Thomas and Friends Explore the Rails at Liberty Science Center
Now – September 4
Learn, play, and solve problems with Thomas the Tank Engine and his engine friends. Immerse yourself in locations from the TV series where kids can practice essential skills like counting objects, comparing sizes, and learning colors. Older kids can hone their math skills, understand basic engineering concepts, and see how technology works to keep engines running.
Cost: Tickets included with general admissions
Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
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