Things to Do in NJ This Weekend

Looking for something fun to do this weekend in New Jersey? New Jersey Monthly has you covered! Below we highlight recommendations for events across the state, from festivals to concerts to family-friendly events and more.

Now that it’s officially spring, check out our list of fun things to do outside. We’ve also got a guide to the best outdoor activities in the Garden State—from scenic biking trails to unique hiking spots to luxurious glamping sites.

And don’t forget to check out our list of the 52 things you must do in New Jersey all year, no matter the season!

Our picks for April 3-6:

Fade
: Thursday, April 3-Sunday, April 13
: Vanguard Theater, Montclair
: This play follows the friendship between writer Lucia and janitor Abel while exploring themes of race and class.
: $25+

Sonja in Your City
: Friday, April 4 (8 pm)
: Wellmont Theater, Montclair
: Former Real Housewives of New York City star Sonja Morgan performs cabaret comedy.
: $29.50+

The Wallflowers
: Saturday, April 5 (8 pm)
: Sound Waves at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
: Jakob Dylan and the band perform nearly 30 years after their breakout hit, “One Headlight.”
: $59+

McDonald’s Gospelfest
: Saturday, April 5 (7:30 pm)
: Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway
: Yolanda Adams, VaShawn Mitchell, Rich Tolbert Jr. and others perform at this 42nd annual event.
: $49.99+

Hoboken Mac & Cheese Festival
: Saturday, April 5 (1-5 pm)
: Check in at Union Hall or Hoboken Biergarten
: Go on a food crawl to find your favorite mac and cheese in Hoboken; tickets include a sample from every participating location.
: $15+

Daniel Tosh
: Saturday, April 5 (7 pm)
: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
: The Tosh.0 host hits the stage
: $53.50+

Cherry Blossom Festival
: Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 13
: Branch Brook Park, Newark
: Branch Brook Park, not Washington, D.C., has the largest collection of cherry blossoms in the United States and hosts an annual festival with a bike race, family day, and more activities that can be enjoyed while taking in the breathtaking display.

Tulip & Dinosaur Festival
: Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 27
: Arrowhead Farmstead, Manalapan
: At this unique spring experience, pick tulips amid massive dinosaurs placed on the grounds.
: $27.50

New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
: Thru Sunday, April 6
: Maurice Levin Theater at JCC MetroWest, West Orange
: Now in its 25th year, the festival showcases premieres and first-run films of Jewish interest, plus post-screening talks.
: $15-18

Jersey Shore Restaurant Week
: Thru Sunday, April 6
: Jersey Shore
: A variety of Shore restaurants are offering three-course meals for either $32.25 or $42.25.

45th Annual Juried Art Exhibit
: Thru Sunday, April 13
: Monmouth Museum, Lincroft
: View works from artists in Monmouth County and beyond.
: Free-$14

Take the Lead
: Thru Sunday, April 27
: Paper Mill Playhouse, Millburn
: This new musical, set in New York City, is based on the 2006 film starring Antonio Banderas.
: $50+

Academic Visions: Southern NJ University and College Art Professors Showcase
: Thru Saturday, May 3
: Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, Atlantic City
: From sculptures to paintings, art from professors at southern New Jersey’s institutes of higher education is on display.
: Free

Ellen Kozak and Scott D. Miller: River-Rising
:  Thru Sunday, May 4
: Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton
: This video installation fuses compositions and video of three river shorelines to explore the waters.
: Free-$7

U-Pick Tulips: Spring Spectacular
: Thru May
: Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
: Stroll fields of tulips and pick your own from Jersey’s largest tulip display. There are also food trucks daily, plus a weekend farmers market and more.
: $15-$20 plus 50 cents per stem on weekdays, or $1 per stem on weekends (kids 2 and under free)

Alex Callender: American Lawn
:  Thru Sunday, May 25
: ArtYard, Frenchtown
: The artist imagines lawn grass as a conflicted terrain, touching on themes of public and private space and climate change.
: Free

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit
: Thru Monday, September 1
: Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
: Observe over 130 recovered Titanic artifacts at this new Liberty Science Center exhibit and learn the story behind the “unsinkable ship” and its tragic fate.
: Free-$36+

[RELATED: The Best Food Events in NJ]

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