A certain green-themed holiday is dominating our weekend calendar, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of other fun alternatives if you’re not the kissing Irish type. Spend time with your little ones this weekend cheering on a marching band procession at the St. Patrick’s Day Parades in Mount Holly, Belmar, or Gloucester City, exploring boats at the Atlantic City Boat Show, celebrating Dr. Seuss’s Birthday at Jenkinson’s Aquarium or Liberty Hall Museum, plus so many more kid-friendly things to do around New Jersey this weekend.
Be sure to tag #NJMOM and @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are 15 Things to Do in NJ This Weekend:
1. Progressive Insurance Atlantic City Boat Show
Wednesday, February 28 – Sunday, March 4, 2018 | Wednesday – Friday 11:00AM to 8:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM to 8:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM to 6:00PM
I’m on a boat… your whole family will be singing that when you head to the Mid-Atlantic’s largest boating event of the year. With over 80 brands and 500 new cruisers, sport fishers, tow boats, performance boats, kayaks and more, the Atlantic City Boat Show offers something for every boating enthusiast and nautical fun for all ages. Little skippers can explore a number of really cool boats – including a working United States Coast Guard Boat, a Sea Tow Work Boat, and Fire Boat, meet captains, and hear stories of life on the high seas on the Touch-A-Boat Tour. They’ll also have a chance to go paddle boating on a mini lake and build a toy boat to take home as a show keepsake.
Atlantic City Convention Center
One Convention Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Cost: Free for Kids 12 & Under, $16 Adults ($14 Adults if you purchase in advance).Tickets can be purchased here.
2. Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4, 2018 | Friday & Saturday 10:00AM to 6:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Not your country crafts fest, folks. America’s premier handmade festival, Sugarloaf Crafts Festival, will bring 250 carefully curated and juried independent artisans to the NJ Convention & Expo Center this weekend. This festival that is consistently ranked in the top-50 craft shows in the world offers only handmade items ranging from fashion and jewelry to fine art and furniture. Swing by and chat with the artisans, watch live art demonstrations, sample specialty foods, and bring the kids for family-friendly entertainment.
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, New Jersey 08837
Cost: Free for Kids 12 & Under, $8 General Admission Online, $10 General Admission at the Door, $28 Four-Pack. Tickets can be purchased here.
3. New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival 2018
Friday, March 2 – Sunday, March 4, 2018 | Friday 5:00PM to 11:00PM, Saturday 10:00AM to 7:00PM, Sunday 10:00AM to 5:00PM
If “The House of Devil” and “Willow Creek” are more up your frightful alley than “Scream,” look no further than the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival. For three days, this event will bring over 30 well-known indie horror film celebrities, vendors from the horror business, and film screenings at the Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel. There will also be Q&A sessions and awards. All ages are welcome; children ages 11 and under are free with a paying adult. This event will leave your family screaming with excitement. Pun intended.
Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
515 U.S. 1, Woodbridge, New Jersey 08830
Cost: Free for Kids 11 & Under, $25 General Admission. Tickets can be purchased here.
4. Dr. Seuss’s Birthday
Friday, March 2, 2018 | 2:00PM to 5:00PM
In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, make sure to bring your favorite Seuss book and share it during storytime with The Cat in the Hat at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. There are three storytime hours: 2:00, 3:00 and 4:30PM. Crafts will follow storytime.
Jenkinson’s Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey 08742
Cost: $8 Child, $14 Adult
5. Milk & Cookies – Suzi Shelton
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:00AM & 12:00PM
Award-winning songwriter and performer Suzi Shelton will be rocking out at State Theatre this weekend, and she’s bringing milk and cookies – her interactive storytelling and music series for families called “Milk and cookies,” anyway. Suzi’s catchy pop-rock songs and lively energy are sure to have your little ones dancing and bouncing! This event is perfect for children ages 3 to 8.
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
Cost: $3 General Admission
Tickets can be purchased here
6. Day of Drones
Saturday, March 3 – Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Drones take flight at Liberty Science Center this weekend for its annual celebration of drones and the people who build and fly them. You’re sure to have a buzzy, good time – on Saturday, enroll in Drone University for quick, 10-minute beginners classes about the science of flight and the basics of aeronautics. After class, you’ll get some flying time. On Sunday, the entire building will be packed with drone adventures and activities. Highlights include indoor and outdoor drone races; classes at beginner, intermediate, and expert levels; award-winning drone films from NYCDFF (New York City Drone Film Festival); the Drone EXPO; and more! See the full list on the website.
Liberty Science Center – Liberty State Park
222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Cost: $22.75 Adult, $18.75 Child
7. South Jersey Book Expo
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM
The South Jersey Book Expo hosted by Broken Bars Publishing brings together local artists and authors under one roof. This book lovers’ dream of an event will also have an indoor art show, book signings, raffles for prizes, spoken word poetry, and a live band. Artists will also be displaying their latest artworks and there will be plenty of giveaways.
Cherry Hill Mall
2000 New Jersey 38, Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002
Cost: Free
8. Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Party
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 11:00AM to 1:00PM
Liberty Hall Museum will be throwing a huge birthday bash in honor of America’s favorite children’s author, Dr. Seuss! Enjoy the themed breakfast snack bar, make a Cat in the Hat hat, go fishing for 1 fish-2 fish-Red fish-Blue fish, and of course, take silly pictures with props and The Cat in the Hat himself! There will even be a Seussical the Musical sing-along that will inspire your little ones.
Liberty Hall Museum
1003 Morris Ave, Union, New Jersey 07083
Cost: $25.00 Child & One Adult, $5 Additional Adults. Tickets can purchased here.
9. 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
10. Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert
Saturday, March 3, 2018 | 2:00PM & 7:30PM
Hogwarts fans, get spellbound by the magic and wizardry of Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban in concert with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. Tthe full-length film will be projected in high-definition on a giant screen, and Oscar-winning composer John Williams’ score performed live by the NJSO. Watch – and listen – as Harry and his friends enter their third year at Hogwarts and together they master advanced magic, cross the barriers of time – and change the course of more than one life.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC)
1 Center St, Newark, New Jersey 07102
Cost: $39 – $89 General Admission. Tickets can be purchased here.
11. 2nd Annual Holi Festival
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 12:00PM to 2:00PM
Celebrate the arrival of spring with the Arboretum and The Indian American Association for the “festival of colors.” Signifying the victory of good over evil and the end of winter, your family will enjoy traditional dances and performances, hikes, and more at the Arboretum! Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
324 Forest Dr. S, Short Hills, New Jersey 07078
Cost: $8 General Admission. Tickets & Reservations can be purchased and made here.
12. Lunar Fest NJ – Celebrates The Year of the Dog
Sunday, March 4, 2018 | 12:00PM to 6:00PM
Gung hay fat choy! Lunar Fest NJ 2018 is a multicultural celebration ringing in The Year of the Dog; rhythmic lion dances, Korean sword dancing, Vietnamese fan dancing, and Chinese ribbon dancing will captivate your family with its colorful and vibrant display of Asian cultures. There will also be traditional cuisines, vendors, crafts and themed activities for children.
The Woodland
60 Woodland Rd, Maplewood, New Jersey 07040
Cost: Free
13. 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
14. 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
15. Atlantic City Restaurant Week
Sunday, March 4 – Friday, March 9, 2018 | Times vary by location, please click here for full details
Spice up your week at the Atlantic City Restaurant Week beginning March 4th to March 9th. Restaurant Week is a mouth-watering restaurant promotion showcasing the very best of Atlantic City cuisine. Over 70 participating Atlantic City restaurants will offer fixed price, three-course meals at prices far below the normal cost: Lunch at $15.18 per person and dinner at $35.18 per person. Prices DO NOT include taxes, beverages or gratuity.
Downtown Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Cost: Prices vary by Restaurants, please click here for a full list of restaurants and pricing
Be sure to tag #NJMOM and @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- Top 12 Ice Skating Rinks in New Jersey
- Best Ski Resorts in NJ
- 25 {Must Know} Kid-Friendly Landmarks 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
