Spring weather is upon us this weekend so head to a festival (Rutgers Day is a favorite!), sign up for a color run or walk through a field of stunning tulips. While you’re out and about, check out these free food deals, too.
WEEKEND
Downtown Somerville Restaurant Experience
Downtown Somerville
Thursday – Saturday
Go back to your favorite restaurant or try a new one this week.
Wild About Animals
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Thursday – Saturday
There will be meet-and-greets with lots of animals, science demonstrations, an animal scavenger hunt, special theater and planetarium shows, and more surprises throughout the month. Every Sunday, you can meet Buzz Lightyear in person.
Do Portugal Circus
Woodbridge Center, Woodbridge
Thursday – Sunday
The action-packed show includes death-defying stunts, aerial acrobatics, Spanish Web, aerial hoop, hand balancing acts, jugglers, dancers, and the funniest clowns around.
Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Tulips
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
Thursday – Sunday
Every spring and fall, the flower fields burst into bloom with millions of rainbow tulips, sunflowers, gladiolus, dahlias and lilies. You can pick flowers, take photos and eat at the bakery and food trucks. This is the final weekend of the festival.
Grand Opening of 87 Sussex
87 Sussex, Jersey City
Friday night is the official ribbon cutting and grand opening, but the party continues on Saturday. Singer/songwriter/guitarist/harpist Candice Lee, AKA Pink Guitar Girl, will perform Saturday night. Bennett Rhoad, a NJ cover band, will perform Saturday. There will be liquor and wine tastings, giveaways and surprises all weekend.
Footloose: The Musical
The Burgdoff Center For the Performing Arts, Maplewood
Friday – Sunday
When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the adjustment period at his new high school but he’s not prepared for the ban on dancing or the stereotypes from neighbors.
The Lightning Thief
Sitnik Theatre, Hackettstown
Friday – Sunday
The best-selling book “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan comes to life on stage with an original rock score.
Union Muster
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Saturday – Sunday
Experience the sights and sounds of the Civil War era. You can interact with historical interpreters including Union officers and soldiers, learn what it means to “pass muster” with firing demos and combat maneuvers, and witness what camp life was like with musicians, medical personnel and civilians. There will be crafts for kids, food trucks, and activities for all ages.
Springtime Family Fun
Alstede Farms, Chester
Saturday – Sunday
Take a scenic hay ride around the farm, wander through the evergreen maze, climb on the giant hay pyramid, ride a pony or on the wagon train, and jump in the bounce house.
BaconFest
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
This weekend kicks off Laurita’s Food Truck Festival Season with everything bacon! Macaroni Anne Cheeze will be doing face and arm painting in The Grove. There will be vineyard wagon tours and wine tastings. There will be food trucks and musical acts on site both days, plus fireworks on Saturday night.
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Mark the holiday with a presentation and sing-along led by a local cantor. There will be Passover Storytime with the cuddly Baby Bear. During the weekend, you can also ride the reopened Sunday Day Carousel and make reservations to meet PJ Masks heroes Catboy, Owlette and Gekko.
FRIDAY
Earth Day
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Galloway Green Market will offer native plant sales, baked goods, natural foods and crafters in the evening.
Black River Limited Train Ride
Black River & Western Railroad, Ringoes or Flemington
Begin your trip from the Ringoes or Flemington stations and experience Hunterdon County from aboard a train.
Montclair Film + Montclair Improv Comedy!
Cinema505, Montclair
There will be original long-form and short-form improv comedy from veterans of Chicago’s, NY’s and LA’s best-known improv theaters.
The Breakers: A Tribute to Tom Petty
The Newton Theatre, Newton
Listen to the music of one of the country’s premier Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tribute bands.
Manhattan Fencing Center Open House
Manhattan Fencing Center, Englewood
The NYC-based Olympic training center will offer free classes and snacks for families who want to foil and sabre fence with professional, Olympic coaches.
Renaissance Runs the Runway
The Bridgewater Manor, Bridgewater
Jennifer Korab, owner of Renaissance Salon, presents her ninth annual charity fashion show. Hosted by Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga, the event supports Steps Together, a non-profit dedicated to supporting children and families facing medical issues.
Meditative Watercolor
Loopwell, Montclair
You will journal thoughts that arise during class, and then create a watercolor painting that reflects those feelings.
Galactic Cantina: Star Wars-Inspired Chef Pop-Up
Mariel’s Kitchen, East Brunswick
To celebrate May the 4th, Maricel’s Kitchen of East Brunswick will transform into Maricel’s Kalawakan Cantina of the Outer Rim and serve Star Wars-themed food and mocktails.
Unveiling of Van Zandt Way
Cherry Tree Farm Road and Wilson Avenue, Middletown
Honor NJ musicians Stevie and Billy Van Zandt with a street sign named in their honor.
Forest Bathing: Nature Therapy
Loopwell, Montclair
Learn about the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, also known as forest bathing, as you take a 90-minute walk through Glenfield Park and absorb nature through all your senses.
Free Fridays
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
This year’s Free Friday series kicks off with an Astro Live presentation by Tim Straube, deputy manager of APS for NASA’s Orion spacecraft. He will talk about NASA’s work to return humans to the Moon under the Artemis campaign. There will be demos from museum educators and drop-in activities that include creating an astronaut portrait and building a lunar rover. Local astronomers will be on hand with their high-powered telescopes so you can look at the night sky.
Today is National Pretzel Day. See where you can get a free twist today.
SATURDAY
Rutgers Day
Rutgers University, New Brunswick
There’s a street fair along College Avenue and on Busch Campus, plus Ag Field Day on Cook Campus and the New Jersey Folk Festival on Douglass Campus. Think food trucks, farm animals, musical performances, arts and crafts, a farmers market, a book sale and a plant sale, and hundreds of local organizations for you to check out across the university.
Spring Makers Market
Haddon Square, Haddon Twp.
The downtown area will come alive with makers of art, jewelry, accessories, homewares, clothing, beauty products and gourmet treats.
South Jersey Arts Fest
Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer
Celebrate the arts and artists of South Jersey. Appel Farm teaching artists will lead art-making workshops for all ages, and local young artists will display their artwork in a pop-up outdoor art gallery. There will be live music, food and craft beverages.
Spring Wildflower Walk
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Check out the many spring flowers in the woodlands of the Wildflower Garden.
Lilac Care Workshop
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
In the Lilac Garden, you will get a hands-on lesson in lilac pruning, dead-heading and general care.
Spring Plowing & Field Work
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Watch as Bill and Jesse, two of the horses on the farm, get to work in the fields. Kids will make a pumpkin garden sampler.
Made in Monmouth
Brookdale Community College, Lincroft
There will be 200+ vendors with products made in Monmouth County. Products include art, home décor, baked goods, jewelry, bath products and so much more.
Goat Yoga
Rick’s Saddle Shop, Cream Ridge
Relax and play with goats during a yoga session led by Pure Toms River Yoga.
Dinosaur World Live
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
The pre-historic world comes alive on stage with life-like dinos, from a triceratops to a T-Rex.
New Brunswick
Create a team of your family and friends and you’ll become detectives in a magical murder mystery set in a realm of sorcery and spells. You’ll go through New Brunswick looking for clues so you can solve puzzles and uncover the secret that wins the challenge.
Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour
Paramus Park in Paramus
There’s a party with Barbie to celebrate the 60th anniversary of her moving into her Dreamhouse. The truck will roll into Jersey with lots of cute pink merch to celebrate the occasion.
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Poet Niesha Taylor will read an excerpt from her recently published book, “Salt-Soaked Cheeks Still Face the Sun.” You can sign up for the open mic session after her reading.
The Original NJ Empanada Fest
Rustic Mall, Manville
Try a range of empanadas, BBQ, All-American, and Asian delights from food trucks in town. There will be live music, a bungee trampoline, a bounce house, a face painter, a henna tattoo artist, sand art and craft vendors. Adults can purchase beer and wine.
South Mountain Recreation Complex, West Orange
The Arc of Essex County presents a day of fitness and family fun in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in NJ. The event begins with a timed 5K run for runners at all fitness levels. Following the run is a walk for those who want to participate at their own pace. Stay after for Fun Fest, featuring music and activities.
Spring Fest 2024!
Blue Monkey Tavern, Merchantville
There will be live music, craft beer and wine, and food to benefit the Merchantville Fire Department.
Sparta High School, Sparta Twp.
More than 60 vendors will sell products to support the Sparta Special Olympics and Special Olympics NJ Area 3 programs. You’ll meet the amazing Athletes of Determination and wish them luck for the 2024 season. Visit the kissing booth to see the bulldogs. There will be food trucks on site.
Local Author Day
Princeton Library, Princeton
The Author Fair includes published and nonpublished authors from the area who will sell and sign their books. There will be presentations about how to improve your writing, plus lots of time to network.
Princeton Porchfest 2024
Throughout Princeton
Walk throughout town and see which neighbors have offered up their front porches or lawns as a concert venue. Musicians will be playing all day during this celebration of music, art and the community.
Lake Lenape East Craft Fair
Lake Lenape Park, Mays Landing
Enjoy a day of crafting and shopping.
Spring Festival and Street Fair
Market Street, Elmwood Park
Shop from more than 50 vendors, then grab a bite to eat at any of the 10 food trucks on site.
Eyes on Eagles
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
Join a naturalist by the Eagle Viewing area along Mercer Lake to take a peek at an eagles’ nest through a spotting scope and to have your eagle questions answered.
Morristown & Morris Twp. Library, Morristown
Career Carnival for Kids will present an event that teaches kids how careers focused on public safety make our world a better place. Meet Career Guides from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morristown Police Department, Morristown Fire Department, United States Marine Corps, NJ Army National Guard, National CSI Camp, and more who will “spark career curiosity” with upper elementary and middle school age kids with hands-on activities, demos, games and giveaways.
HCPTA Spring Marketplace
Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, Union
Stop by the school for shopping with local vendors, food trucks, music and fun activities.
HAM It Up! Free Community Day
Hunterdon Art Museum, Clifton
Take part in abstract painting inspired by exhibiting artist Cynthia Carlson;, folded paper book magic based on Carlson’s current exhibition at HAM; creative word collages inspired by exhibiting artist Kate Dodd and her use of encyclopedia pages for sculpture; plein air drawing with HAM’s expert instructor Lena Shiffman; yoga, and other activities.
Autism Night Fundraiser
Dooney’s Pub, Voorhees
In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, Dooney’s Pub is donating $1 for every Guinness sold to the Eagles Autism Foundation to support neighborhood Irish musician Ray Coleman’s fundraiser for his daughter, Céilí. On April 27, events for the night include a live performance by Ray, an opportunity to get your face screen printed on a Guinness pint and giveaways.
Ride of a Life Time
Life Time centers in Berkeley Heights, Bridgewater, Montvale, Florham Park, Middletown and Plainsboro
The indoor charity cycle event raises money for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the Life Time Foundation.
Hungarian Artisan Market
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
There will be Hungarian food, desserts and apparel for sale, in addition to info from Magyar Reformed Church.
SUNDAY
Color Run 2024: A Celebration of Holi and Songkran
Brookdale Park, Bloomfield
Holi is the Indian festival of colors, celebrated by throwing colored powder. Songkran is the Thai New Year, celebrated with water play. While running this 5K or walking in the 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, you’ll be covered in powders along the route. Afterwards, there will be music, activities, a color play zone and a photo booth.
Audubon Spring Nature Walk
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society will take you on a walk through the New Jersey Botanical Garden to look for spring birds.
Spring Treescape Painting Class
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
When class is over, you’ll have a 16-by-12 canvas decorated with spring trees to hang in your home.
POAC’s Autism Walk for A Difference
ShoreTown Ballpark, Lakewood
Join B98.5 and NJ 101.5’s Bill Spadea during this walk for autism awareness that includes free rides, entertainment, food and a resource fair.
Kids Hike For Fun
Cushetunk Mountain Preserve, Lebanon
Kids 5 and up, with a parent, are invited to join a nature walk along the path.
Paramus Food Truck Festival
Paramus Park Mall, Paramus
Considered the OG Bergen County food truck festival, there will be two dozen gourmet food trucks, music, pony rides, a petting zoo, knockerball, a bungee trampoline, mini golf, inflatables, face painting, sand art, vendors, a beer/sangria/margarita garden, and the new Dinosaurs Arise! animatronic costumes and puppets.
Vintage and Antique Marketplace
The Hermitage Museum, Ho-Ho-Kus
Either shop from the 50 vendors or bring your own items for appraisal. There will be gourmet food trucks, plus live music.
BRMS Family Fun Color Run
Bordentown Regional Middle School, Bordentown
Dress in white so you’ll look bright when you run through the colored powdered stations. There will be a kids’ corner, food and music after the run.
Building Princeton
Updike Farmstead, Princeton
Working from photographs, you’ll recreate iconic Princeton structures out of LEGO blocks. You can build historic structures, famous residences, community buildings and houses of worship to construct a scale model. When done, the LEGOs will be put on a 30-foot map of Princeton to give you a really cool view of the town in bricks.
Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
At New Jersey’s oldest active winery, you can sign up for a 5-mile run (or walk), then stay for a food truck festival serving pizza, burgers, tacos, wraps, sandwiches and desserts. Live music is by Matt Noffsinger Band.
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
All levels of runners can go through the park during this USATF-NJ Grand Prix qualifier, where you’ll have unbelievable views of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty. After, there will be food, carnival games and more.
Mindfulness in Nature
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
Awaken your senses through guided mindfulness and meditative exercises designed to help reduce stress and anxiety while promoting a sense of well-being and connection to the natural world.
Philly Art Center’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
Philly Art Center Fairmount Location, Philadelphia, PA
The free art party will be held along with the Fairmount Arts Crawl, and includes art-making stations, a face-painting station, a baby activity zone, a special Mummers performance, and cupcakes.
Volunteer Work Session
Schiff Nature Preserve, Mendham
Each work session is two hours of – depending on the season – clearing trails, removing invasive species, planting native trees and shrubs, conducting building repairs, restoring fences and bridges, or raking out the Native Garden.
Sensory Sunday
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
For Autism Awareness Month, there are certain hours when the aquarium will lower the music, soften the lights, and reduce the crowds, all in an effort to create the most enjoyable experience for those with sensory needs.
Meet Buzz Lightyear
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
As part of the Science Behind Pixar exhibit, you can meet Buzz Lightyear in person.
Free Chicken Shack Sandwiches
Shake Shack, multiple locations
Spend $10 and you’ll get a free chicken sandwich.
The Great DuBois: Masters of Variety
The LeVoy Theatre, Millville
This two-person circus show includes juggling, hula hoops, unicycle, aerial, circus stunts, contortion, magic and audience interaction with a lot of comedy.
Meander Big Band
Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
The renowned Dutch High School Big Band, which has a lineup of 36 students aged 14 to 18, is traveling from Zwolle, The Netherlands, on a 10-day grand tour of the United States. The performance will be on Level One in the East Court next to H&M.
Tunes for Troops Concert
Red Rock Tap + Grill, Red Bank
Brian Kirk and the Jirks will play during this concert that benefits local veterans.
ONGOING
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, April 26 through March 2, 2025
This special exhibit is part of Morven’s 20th-anniversary celebration and will shed light on lesser-known stories of this historic home and its residents. You’ll see rarely-seen objects and newly discovered photos about American life: childhood, hosting guests, pets, fashion, and more. Find out what it was like to be a child in a bustling historic home.
Pickleball Smash-It
Tanger Outlets, Atlantic City
April 26 – May 30
A new 6,235-square-foot facility is opening next to Dollar Tree and you get to try it out for free. There will be two indoor, tournament-quality courts with luxury couches, free Wi-Fi and the ability to control music from players’ own phones. You also will have the ability to capture recordings of previous plays or livestream any match to share across social media.
Hello Kitty Cafe Truck
Saturday, April 27, at Menlo Park Mall in Edison
Saturday, May 11, at Bridgewater Commons in Bridgewater
You can’t miss the bright pink truck, which will be selling new goodies and limited edition collectibles like a 50th anniversary iridescent tote, pins, patches, a ringer tee and a 3-piece cookie set; plus fan faves like the ceramic sprinkle mug, thermals, plush, rainbow tote, lunchbox, enamel pin sets, macarons and a Madeleine cookie set.
The Science Behind Pixar
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through May 5
Learn all about the science behind Pixar’s animated films. Kids can try hands-on experiences like making a short film, creating a robot friend for “WALL·E” and designing a new movie set using props from “Monsters University.” Learn what animation rendering is, then practice it by rendering a scene from “Inside Out.” Create a digital sculpture from an artist’s sketch. Use lights to solve challenges similar to the ones Pixar faced in creating underwater scenes with virtual light in “Finding Nemo.”
Common Ground
TADA! Youth Theater, New York, NY
Thursdays – Sundays, through May 11
Members of the Resident Youth Ensemble will perform this newly commissioned musical for ages 11 and up. It deals with immigration crackdowns, family separation and the perception vs. reality of the American dream.
Morning Walks
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through May 18
During a quiet morning at the sanctuary, you will walk the trails with an NJ Audubon staff member or Associate Naturalist. The group will look for birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians out in nature.
Nature-Infused Yoga
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through May 18
Join this nature-based yoga class in person or virtually to spend 75 minutes unwinding from the workweek.
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through May 19
Members of the public will build birdhouses for this contest, which will display the boxes all around the village. You can vote on your favorites.
Electric Dandelions
Pier A and Monroe Center Plaza, Hoboken
Through May 24
A series of 10 28-foot LED sculptures crafted from sturdy steel will line Hoboken’s waterfront. When the sun sets, the area along Sinatra Drive and around the Ninth Street and Congress Light Rail Station will be illuminated with light and motion from these gigantic pieces of art.
World War II Exhibit
Museum of American History at Deptford, Deptford
Thursdays – Sundays, through June 2
Celebrate the lives and memories of our veterans and fallen heroes through a World War II exhibit featuring military as well as civilian paraphernalia. Some of these items include weapons, equipment, uniforms, flags, and coinage of both the Allied and Axis powers in the Pacific as well as the European theatres.
Yoga Flow on the River
Historic Portland Place, Locust (Middletown)
Saturdays, through June 15
Practice yoga sun salutations and deep stretches along the Navesink River.
Micah Williams: Portrait Artist Exhibit
Cornelius Low House, Piscataway
Through June 30
Learn about Middlesex and Monmouth County residents from the 19th Century through the portraits of artist Micah Williams. Adults can work with pastels to create their own portraits, and kids can contribute to the Student Gallery.
150 Years of Washington Association of New Jersey
The Morristown & Morris Twp. Library, Morristown
Through August 31
The self-guided walking exhibit has original photography, artifacts, pins and medals, and commemorative plates dating back to Revolutionary War time. WANJ was founded in March 1874 to preserve the Jacob Ford Mansion, where General George Washington and his troops stayed during the winter.
Apollo: When We Went to The Moon
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Through September 2
Climb aboard a lunar rover model, leave your footprints on the Moon and learn about the Space Race through this exhibit at the sea, air and space museum. Starting April 4, you can check out the Concorde super jet that recently underwent renovations and returned to the museum.
Delsea Drive-In 2024 Season
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theatre, Vineland
Fridays – Sundays, through September 3
Watch two movies back-to-back while sitting in your car, just like they did in the ’50s.
Hunterdon Wine Express
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington
Select dates, through September 14
The round-trip excursion goes from the Flemington station to Old York Cellars Winery, where you’ll be treated to a wine tasting, chocolate and cheese pairing, and lunch. You’ll have time to walk through the vineyards before heading back.
Yoga on the Beach
Burk Avenue, behind the Wildwoods Convention Center
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through September 29
A traditional Hatha yoga-style class will be infused with Qi Gong, a variety of healing therapies and lots of modifications.
Friday Night Bites
The Hungry Puppy Dog Park, Farmingdale
Fridays, through October 25
Bring your pup and your friends to the double-gated, specially-designed dog park, where you can relax and listen to some music while mingling with other pet parents. There will be free snacks and treats from a sponsoring pet food manufacturer each week.
We All Scream For Ice Cream
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Through November 3
Learn about the history of ice cream dating back to the Victorian era. It started as an elite and expensive dish but by the end of the 1800s came in simpler flavors and was used in cones, sundaes and banana splits. You’ll see an authentic ice cream maker and other equipment, plus a Victorian ice cream wagon.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
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