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.
Looking to get outside this winter? Go ice-skating at an outdoor rink or try cross-country skiing. If cozying up by the fire is more your thing, here are fun indoor activities that’ll keep you toasty all winter long.
Need an escape? We’ve put together a guide to 8 weekend getaways.
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 January 15-19:
An Evening with Judge Reinhold and Screening of Beverly Hills Cop
📅: Friday, January 17 | 7 pm
📍: Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood
ℹ️: Take an action-packed trip with Officer Billy Rosewood himself, the acclaimed actor Judge Reinhold, for a screening of the classic buddy comedy Beverly Hills Cop.
💸: $29+
Cody Johnson
📅: Friday, January 17 | 7 pm
📍: Prudential Center, Newark
ℹ️: The platinum-selling country superstar stops by New Jersey on his Leather Deluxe tour.
💸: $56+
Step Afrika!
📅: Friday, January 17 | 7:30 pm
📍: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
ℹ️: This percussive performance is dedicated to the tradition of stepping, fusing traditional African dances with other contemporary forms of dance.
💸: $19+
The Wild World of Animals
📅: Friday, January 17 | 7:30 pm
📍: Carteret Performing Arts Center, Carteret
ℹ️: With a wide assortment of furry, feathered and scaly critters, Grant Kemmerer has education and entertainment in store for his audience.
💸: $19.50+
Polar Bear Plunge
📅: Saturday, January 18
📍: Wildwood Beach
ℹ️: Take an icy dip into the Atlantic to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey.
💸: $100+
WildCon Jersey Shore Comic Book Show
📅: Saturday, January 18 | 10 am
📍: Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
ℹ️: The Jersey Shore Comic Book Show is back with games, vendors, special guests such as artists and writers, and more.
💸: $10
Dancing With the Stars: Live!
📅: Saturday, January 18 | 8 pm
📍: Borgata Event Center, Atlantic City
ℹ️: Watch your favorite pro dancers from the hit competition series perform.
💸: $300+
Affordable Art Fair
📅: Saturdays and Sundays through January 18
📍: Art House Gallery at the Hendrix, Jersey City
ℹ️: Featuring more than 400 works—paintings, sculptures, jewelry, gifts—by 138 local artists. Everything is priced at $500 or less.
💸: Free
Cool School & Hard Bop: The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
📅: Sunday, January 19 | 7 pm
📍: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
ℹ️: The acclaimed orchestra, comprising some of today’s premier jazz musicians, performs an eclectic mix of music.
💸: $67+
Martin Lawrence
📅: Saturday, January 25 | 8 pm
📍: Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, Atlantic City
ℹ️: Best known for his eponymous series Martin and the Bad Boys movies, this comedy icon hits the stage.
💸: $79+
Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches
📅: Through Sunday, January 26
📍: Ritz Theatre Company, Haddon Township
ℹ️: See the first part of Tony Kushner’s epic Tony-winning play, set at the height of the AIDS crisis in 1980s New York City.
💸: $35+
Disney’s Frozen Kids
📅: Through Saturday, February 1
📍: Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville
ℹ️: Disney’s beloved film has been adapted for young performers and audiences, featuring everyone’s favorite tunes and tales.
💸: $13
Find More Events
Want to find even more events? Browse additional events by date and category using our calendar below. And to submit your own event to the calendar, click here.
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- Family/Kids
Digging Dinosaurs Family Tour
When: Thursday, January 16, 2025Venue - City: Morris Museum - MorristownJoin the Education Department for this 20-minute, FREE, multi-family tour experience designed to captivate the imagination of all ages, starting with our youngest explorers.
More Information - Family/Kids
North Jersey Orchid Show & Sale
When: Friday, January 17, 2025 - Sunday, January 19, 2025Venue - City: Rutgers University - New BrunswickJoin us at the Rutgers University Cook Student Center for a blooming good time surrounded by beautiful orchids.
More Information - Family/Kids
THE WILD WORLD OF ANIMALS
When: Friday, January 17, 2025Venue - City: Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center - CarteretWild World of Animals features an array of reptiles, birds and mammals and is a fast paced great balance of fun and facts!
More Information - Family/Kids
LSC Winter Fest
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Monday, January 20, 2025Venue - City: Liberty Science Center - Jersey CityA highlight of Big Weekend will be performances by Imagine Circus which will include: LED “Ringmaster” Shows, Bubble Guy Shows, and an LED Hooper.
More Information - Family/Kids
Bergen County “Unplugged” Reading Challenge Kick-Off Event
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025Venue - City: Westfield Garden State Plaza - ParamusChildren participating in the challenge will have the ability to log the number of minutes they read per day through the library’s Beanstack website or mobile app for the chance to win exciting prizes.
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Junior Historians Club
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025 - Saturday, March 22, 2025Venue - City: Historic Wicoff House Museum - PlainsboroThe Junior Historians Club meets at the Wicoff House Museum, where they solve museum mysteries and learn about topics related to history and preservation.
More Information - Family/Kids
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown: The Musical
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025Venue - City: Algonquin Arts Theatre - ManasquanYou’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown brings to life the timeless stories that have captured the hearts of audiences for generations.
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Penguin Awareness Day
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025Venue - City: Jenkinson's Aquarium - Point Pleasant BeachThis is a day to celebrate the world’s penguins! Come learn about all 18 species through crafts, activities, and keeper chats! All ages. Included with general admission.
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Sewing Machine Basics for Kids Age 8 to 12
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025Venue - City: The Eclectic Chic Boutique - MontclairDive into the colorful world of sewing with your little fashionista in our fun and engaging Sewing Machine Basics workshop!
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Read and Explore: Gingerbread Man
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025Venue - City: Terhune Orchards - PrincetonTerhune Orchards Read and Explore Program is our winter education series, following the popular seasonal Read and Pick Program.
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