Things To Do This Weekend in New Jersey May 13-15 – NJ Family
This weekend is jam-packed with fun for families in the Garden State! Take the kids to the Cognizant Founders Cup to inspire a love of golf and get some much-needed time together outdoors. Celebrate spring at Mayfest in Historic Smithville, learn how to grow and harvest delicious herbs at Terhune Orchards or adopt a pup (while sipping a pint!) in Haddon Twp. Happy weekending!
ALL WEEKEND
LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup
Upper Montclair Country Club, Clifton
Thursday – Sunday
The world’s best professional women golfers are set to tee it up in the 2022 LPGA Cognizant Founders Cup. The Cognizant Founders Cup, one of the most celebrated events on the LPGA Tour, pays tribute to the 13 women – known as the Founders – who created the LPGA Tour over 70 years ago, including surviving founders, Marlene Bauer Hagge and Shirley Spork.
Mayfest
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Saturday – Sunday
Historic Smithville hosts over 100 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations and much more for this event. All of this is in addition to 50 Shoppes, seven eateries, a carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats, arcade, on-site lodging at the Colonial Inn and over 26 free weekend events.
Exit Zero Jazz Festival
Exit Zero Ferry Park, North Cape May
Friday – Sunday
This three-day music festival features international touring artists on two outdoor stages overlooking the Delaware Bay. Don’t miss headliners Mingus Big Band, Marcus Miller and Arturo Sandoval. Each night, the music continues with shows in the bars and restaurants of Cape May.
Valley Stream Carnival
Arthur J. Hendrickson Park & Pool, Valley Stream
Thursday – Sunday
There’s something for everyone at this family-fun event, from thrilling rides and games for all ages to tasty fair food for every appetite.
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific
MPAC, Morristown
Friday – Saturday
Love transcends the harsh realities of war and prejudice in this sweeping tale centered around two unlikely love affairs. Set on a tropical island during World War II, this timeless Rodgers & Hammerstein classic features some of the most beautiful music ever composed woven into an inspiring story cherished the world over. Winner of ten Tony Awards, the beloved score’s songs include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” and “There is Nothing Like A Dame,” amidst big Broadway performances and a chorus of American sailors and Navy nurses ready to transport you to Bali Ha’i.
PuchiCon PA
Camelback Resort, Tannersville, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Join for a weekend full of anime, gaming, cosplay, maid cafe, karaoke, screenings and much more. It’s all ages, all-inclusive fun! Don’t miss the onsite indoor waterpark, treetop activities, arcade and more.
The Addams Family
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Deal Park
Saturday – Sunday
The Axelrod Performing Arts Academy presents this new musical by Andrew Lippa with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. America’s favorite “creepy and kooky” family, The Addams Family was a hit TV series in the 1960s and the subject of five Hollywood films. The musical is based on Charles Addams’ original single-panel cartoons and the musical focuses on an 18-year-old Wednesday who has fallen in love with a “normal” teenager from Ohio and the chaos that ensues as the Addams face the possibility of changing their traditional macabre ways.
FRIDAY
May Car Cruises
Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Galloway
Stop by the Village Greene at Historic Smithville from 5 pm – 8 pm to see some spectacular vehicles on display, or show off one of your own! The Car Cruise is a perfect hang-out for all car enthusiasts to see, show, and talk cars.
Little Ones Nature Series
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
This is a weekly outdoor nature program for ages 3-5 with parents featuring a story, activities and crafts. Come explore what’s happening in the Spring at the Plainsboro Preserve. The program will be held mostly outdoors so please dress for the weather.
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank
Luke Skywalker begins a journey that will change the galaxy, as he leaves his home planet, battles the evil Empire and learns the ways of the Force. Don’t miss Star Wars: A New Hope in concert, with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performing John Williams’ Oscar-winning score live to the complete film.
SATURDAY
Forest Therapy Walk
Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury
Based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing, Forest Therapy Walks are designed to engage one’s senses and allow individuals to reconnect to the More Than Human World. These walks are slow, deliberate explorations that cover on average less than a mile while benefiting participants physically, emotionally and spiritually. Each walk is designed to be under a mile in length and concludes with a modified tea ceremony.
Happy Birthday Mr. Olmstead Parks Celebration
Anderson Park, Montclair
Friends of Anderson Park is celebrating the 200th birthday of the pioneering landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted. Live music, kids’ activities, a puppet show, vintage bicycles and a half-hour theatrical living-history portrayal of Olmsted are all part of this free celebration.
Birding Jugtown Mountain
Jugtown Mountain Nature Preserve, Asbury
Principal Park Naturalist Laura Bush will guide the group through the forest habitat where Hooded Warblers, Worm-eating Warblers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have been observed in the past. Expect to walk at least 1 ½ miles with a gradual slope on the return. This event is for birders of any ability level and binoculars will be available to borrow. Please note, there are no restroom facilities at this location.
History Day 2022
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Visit East Jersey Old Town Village for History Day! Festivities include a vintage baseball game Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers historic gardening and agriculture stone carving a 19th century print shop home and hearth demonstrations live music horse-drawn wagon rides food trucks children’s games and crafts and much more! ADA accessible, admission and parking are free of charge.
For the Birds! Family Program
City Green’s Farm Eco-Center, Clifton
Join City Green in the Learning Farm for games, crafts and garden exploration to learn all about local birds and why they are so important for the garden. This workshop is available for children ages 5-12.
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 “Frozen.”
Pam’s Annual Herb and Garden Class
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Come to a free herb growing and using workshop. Owner of Terhune Orchards, Pam Mount, has been growing and using herbs here at Terhune Orchards for over 35 years. Pam’s class is a great way for home gardener to learn tips on growing and combining herb plants in the garden. She will discuss herb garden planning, care and maintenance, as well as some tips for using fresh herbs. The class will be held in Pam’s perennial herb garden.
My Beauty is My Aesthetic: Teen Expo
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Join Artworks Trenton and New Jersey State Museum for art, food and fun. Explore the exhibition “Posing Beauty in African American Culture” and make art with three local artists. The event is free, but registration is required.
6th Annual Bridgewater Beerfest
Shimon and Sara Birnbaum JCC, Bridgewater
The community is invited to attend the Beerfest event that benefits The JCC Sustainability Fund and JCC Special Needs programs for children and adults. The Beerfest will feature tastings of more than 40 beers. The event will also include bourbon and tequila tastings. There will be live music and food will be available for purchase from food trucks.
Under Cover Music Fest
Sloan Street Parking Lot, South Orange
This one-of-a-kind event features world-class musicians performing covers of the most popular hits from a collection of famous artists: The Grateful Dead (Deadful Greats), Herbie Hancock (Karl Latham Big Fun(K)), Stevie Wonder (Vivienne Frederick and Mark Murphy’s Music Faculty Band), Lauryn Hill (Autumn Jones ), Phil Collins (Dustin Kaufman) and Led Zeppelin (Charlie Pollock and Friends).
Pups & Pints
The Pour House, Haddon Twp.
This free-admission event will feature the best local brews and pet-centric events for our four-legged friends. Attendees can also meet with pets available for adoption and even take a chance at winning paw-some prizes and raffles. Furry friends can show off their best costumes, sample treats, paint with their paws and pose for pet photos.
SUNDAY
The Laurie Berkner Band
MPAC, Morristown
Recognized as “the queen of kids’ music” Laurie Berkner has released thirteen bestselling, award-winning albums, was the first recording artist ever to perform in music videos on Nick Jr., appeared regularly on the network’s Jack’s Big Music Show, and helped develop the short-form animated musical preschool series Sing It, Laurie! on Sprout TV. The popular group will perform their greatest hits.
Garden State Plaza Food Truck and Music Fest
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Come on out to this fun festival for 14+ food trucks, live music, games and activities for all ages. There will be an air soft shooting range, hatchet tossing, extreme grand prix racing, Boardwalk-style games, bounce houses, face painters, Henna by Dana and more.
Family Woodland Hike
New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood
An easy, child-friendly hike in the Garden’s woodlands, where you’ll learn a bit about the plants, animals and geology around you in a hike designed to fit the group. Smaller children may need to be carried. Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House Visitor Center. Rain cancels. Free, donations welcome.
Crepuscular Crawl Walk
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts and Recreation, Ringwood
Some animals are nocturnal, some are diurnal, but others take advantage of the in between, and those are the crepuscular creatures. These animals are most active at dawn and dusk. On this moderate-paced evening hike visitors will look for the animals active at this crepuscular hour (bats, nighthawks, caterpillars, deer) and observe what goes on in the forest during the transition from day to night.
ONGOING
May 2022 Train Rides
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
Sundays
Passengers can board a caboose and experience an old-fashioned, relaxing way of spending a Sunday afternoon with the family. Children will love swaying to the motion of the old cars while they listen to the nostalgic “clickety-clack” sounds the wheels make as they clatter over the rail joints. During the 45-minute ride, the train travels the route of the historic “Whippanong Trail” through Whippany, East Hanover, Livingston and Roseland in Morris and Essex Counties. The ride also features the thrill of crossing high above the Passaic River over a steel bridge.
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.