Things to Do This Weekend in NJ April 8-10 – NJ Family
This weekend, Easter activities are in full swing, as is the Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark. Don’t miss Bloomfest! on Sunday, featuring Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace and of course great eats. The Renaissance Faire at Historic Smithville is fun for the whole family, or head out on an organized nature walk to get some much-needed outdoor time.
All Weekend
Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival
Branch Brook Park, Newark
Come to this festival at the nation’s first county park to see gorgeous pink cherry blossoms right here in NJ. There’s a fun run/1 mile walk and Essex County Family Day on Saturday and Bloomfest! on Sunday.
Renaissance Faire at Historic Smithville
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Saturday – Sunday
Join the players of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire and travel back to the days of yore and merry Olde England as the Historic Village of Smithville is transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English Renaissance. The good Duke of Northumberland has decreed merriment for all! This event includes comedy, tragedy, sword fighting, dance, song, knights, jesters and so much more.
Garden State 63rd Annual Model Railroad Show
575 High Mountain Rd., Haledon
Saturday – Sunday
This model train show featuring working model trains and interactive layouts is fun for the whole family. There will be a kiddie section with Thomas the Tank plus yummy snacks.
Easter EGGspress
DiDonato’s Family Fun Center, Hammonton
Saturday – Sunday
Hop aboard the Easter EGGspress through Spring Village, meet the Easter Bunny, go on an egg hunt, and giggle through the Spring Hedge Maze! There will be a free snack, prizes, fun on the giant slide and so much more for kids to do.
Bunny Brunch & Springtime Festival
Alstede Farms, Chester
Saturday – Sunday
Kick off spring and the Easter season by joining Alstede Farms at the famous Easter Bunny Brunch. Enjoy a festive atmosphere at Harvest Hall with featured guest the Easter Bunny while indulging in a casual family-style all-you-can-eat buffet meal.
Easter Bunny Express
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
Saturday – Sunday
The Whippany Railway Museum’s “Easter Bunny Express” is back for 2022! The Easter Bunny and helpers will be on board the train greeting everyone during the 45-minute round-trip ride along the historic Whippanong Trail. Kids are sure to be delighted when they receive a special gift from the Easter Bunny while riding aboard this memorable train.
Something’s Coming
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Park
Friday – Sunday
Join Axelrod Contemporary Ballet Theater for a program of suites from iconic musicals, including An American in Paris, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and more! Directed and choreographed by Gabriel Chajnik, Something’s Coming will feature the professional dancers of AXCBT, guest artists, and Broadway performers.
Dalton Farms Tulip Festival
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
Saturday – Sunday
Take pics amongst the beautiful tulips and enjoy live music, food trucks, a wine and beer garden and even yoga. You may even catch the Easter Bunny for a photo op. Stems are $1 each so you can bring some flowers home, too.
245th Commemoration of the Battle of Bound Brook 2022
The Abraham Staats House, South Bound Brook
This two-day event features 18th-century street battles, military drills and camp life, portrayed by living history reenactors as American and British troops, camp followers, sutlers (merchants selling goods) and others of that period.
Have you gotten your photos with the Easter bunny? Book them now!
Saturday
Opening: Jaw Dropping World of Sharks
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
This exhibition aims to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings about sharks and their relatives by exploring their biology, fossil record, conservation and cultural significance. On display will be specimens and artifacts from the Museum’s collections that demonstrate the truly jaw-dropping world of sharks. As part of the opening, Dr. Dana Ehret, the Museum’s Assistant Curator of Natural History and a fossil shark expert, will present a free lecture on the largest shark that has ever lived, Megalodon.
Spring into the Garden! Family Program
City Green’s Farm Eco-Center, Clifton
Learn all about gardening when you join for a hands-on educational workshop with your little ones (ages 5-12). Children will get hands-on experience preparing, transplanting and watering their own take-home garden, while exploring the farm and visiting the animals.
Broadway at Westfield Garden State Plaza
Paramus
Westfield Garden State Plaza is hosting a free 15-week series every Saturday through June 25 that features performances from hit Broadway shows for children in partnership with Bergen Performing Arts Center. Come out and see memorable scenes and songs from your favorite Broadway shows and modern movies — this weekend it’s “Tangled.”
Vernal Pools and Wetlands Hike
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts, and Recreation, Ringwood
Melting snow and spring rains create the perfect breeding ground for our woodland frogs to lay their eggs: vernal pools! On this hike, we will visit these springtime wetlands to observe and learn about amphibians’ incredible adaptations to this unique temporary habitat. Be prepared for mud and puddles, and (hopefully) some frog wrangling!
Plowing, Harrowing and Washing Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Farmers in the field will be using horses to plow and harrow the ground to prepare it for planting corn. There will be opportunities for visitors to step into the furrow and try out the plow—something that could come in handy for those attending the farm’s fall plowing match, when visitors of all ages and abilities can win ribbons and prizes for turning good furrows.
24th Annual Building Tomorrows 5K Run/ Walk
Clipper Pavilion, West Orange
This 5k/1mile walk supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Registration includes an event t-shirt for all runners and for walkers who donate or raise at least $25.
Second Saturday Hike: Birds of New Jersey
Fairview Farm Wildfire Preserve, Bedminster
Just in time for early spring migration, learn about those feathered friends that have been around all winter and all the migrants that are showing up for breeding season. Bring your binoculars if you have them, or there will be some to borrow.
3rd annual Hoboken Mac and Cheese Festival
City of Hoboken, Hoboken
This year Mac & Cheese Fest will be held as a food crawl so, round up your crew, bring your family and get ready to take a tour around Hoboken to sample all kinds of mac & cheese creations from some of the best spots in The Mile Square.
Second Saturday Geology Rocks!
Stockton University, Atlantic City
Explore geology and what makes the Earth “rock” with activities like an earthquake simulation table, rocky candy and learning how fossils are formed. Join Stockton University’s Assistant Professor of Geology, Matthew Severs and the Stockton Geology Club for this event.
Red Bank Battlefield Spring Festival
100 Hessian Ave., National Park
Step back in time for a day of history and family fun. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at the event, from games and crafts for children, a petting zoo, and colonial demonstrations to food and unique vendors. Colonial demonstrations include labor saving inventions, candle making, military life and more.
FISH Night
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
As part of an ongoing effort to create an inclusive experience for those with sensory challenges, Adventure Aquarium, in partnership with Shriners Children’s Philadelphia, will host a sensory-friendly F.I.S.H. Night (Family Inclusive Sensory Hours) on Saturday. During F.I.S.H. Night the music will be lowered and crowds reduced to create the most enjoyable experience for guests and families with autism and other sensory needs.
Cape May County Education Association Carpool Cinema Movie Night
Lewes Ferry, North Cape May
“School of Rock” will be shown on a giant digital LED flat screen. Standard vehicles only (cars, pickup trucks, vans); no campers or RVs are permitted.
Sunday
Easter Bunny Express
Flemington
This year’s Easter Bunny event features an egg hunt and ride on steam locomotive #60! The Express departs out of Flemington Station, and all ages are welcome. Children under three ride for free with an adult ticket holder.
Forest Bathing Walk
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts, and Recreation, Ringwood
From the Japanese ‘shinrin-yoku’, the practice of forest bathing means to immerse oneself in the forest and soak in the atmosphere through the senses. This walk will focus on connecting to nature through mindfulness, as participants explore their senses and the present moment through short, guided, meditations in the forest.
Eggstravaganza
Pluckemin Presbyterian Church, Pluckemin
A fun, carnival-like event with activities intended for all kids, from toddlers to teens. An Easter Egg Hunt (kids up to 5 years old), a bunny hunt (older kids search for stuffed bunnies with clues to a puzzle), a small animal petting zoo, a labyrinth walk, “Jesus Rocks” scavenger hunt and craft stations await.
Getting egg-cited for Easter? Check out these awesome Easter egg hunts in NJ!
Ongoing
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards., Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Grab a glass of one of Terhune’s award-winning wines, sit back, relax and enjoy live music from local artists each week. Styles range from Jazz and Blues to Folk and Rock. Music is from 1 pm-4 pm.
Palmer Square’s Spring Bunny Visits
Palmer Square, Princeton
When you’re out on the Square making your way into boutique shops and enjoying lunch with the family, keep an eye out for Palmer Square’s Spring Bunny. Snap some photos with the Bunny on Saturdays and Sundays 12 pm-2 pm, April 2 -16.
Don’t forget to reserve your ride on the bunny train for Easter. Hop to it!