It’s official—the first spring weekend is here, and we’ve got a vibrant lineup of things to do with the family to help you celebrate the new season. Get a jump on Easter with festive activities, a maze, and the Easter Bunny at DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress in Hammonton, check out farm trucks at Truck-A-Palooza at Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff, or get to know notable women in the interactive show IN HER FOOTSTEPS: A Celebration Of Women In History in Jersey City. And for more March fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo taken at DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
FEATURED
DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress
March 22-23, 29-30 & April 5-6, 12-14, 18-19
Celebrate spring with a family-fun adventure at DiDonato’s Easter EGGspress! Hop aboard our Easter-themed train and journey through a magical Spring Village filled with festive activities, perfect for all ages. You will find a spring maze, climb and slide, meet and greet with the Easter Bunny and Mrs. Bunny, a free snack, and more. Stop by the Toy Market’s pop-up snack and toy cottage before heading home.
Cost: $16.95 per person in advance or $20.95 at the door
DiDonato Family Fun Center, 1151 South White Horse Pike, Hammonton, NJ 08037
FEATURED
Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet
March 23 at 2pm
New Jersey Ballet’s Once Upon A Time, featuring excerpts from Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and Romeo & Juliet, is a family show taking its audience on a comical tour through some of classical ballet’s greatest stories. Part educational, part dance, the performers will dissect classic tales, providing insight into the movement while giving you a fun and entertaining peek behind the balletic curtain.
#IMOMSOHARD
March 21 at 8 PM
Grab your mom crew for a fun night out with your mom friends at this hilarious stand-up show featuring Jen and Kristin, the creators of #IMOMSOHARD. The show will touch on all things womanhood, motherhood, and friendship. Get ready to laugh until you cry.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Easter Bunny Photos at The Mall at Short Hills
March 21-23
Get your kids dressed in their Easter best, and stop by for a keepsake photo with the Bunny at The Mall at Short Hills. He’ll hold court in a beautiful spring garden with an interactive selfie wall. All children will receive a complimentary sweet treat.
Cost: Prices Vary. Reservations are recommended.
1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Easter Bunny Photos at Rockaway Townsquare
March 21-23
Start a new family tradition by snapping photos with the Easter Bunny at Rockaway Townsquare. Make sure to reserve your visit. You can also take pet photos, and there are special visit times with their Caring Bunny.
Cost: Prices Vary
301 Mt Hope Ave., Rockaway, NJ 07866-2130
Easter Bunny @ The Commons
March 21-23
Step into a colorful spring flower field at Bridgewater Commons to see the Easter Bunny. On March 23, after you get your photos with the Easter Bunny, visit with Snow White and Cinderella and snap a picture with them, too.
400 Commons Way, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Photos & Visits with the Easter Bunny
March 21-23
Meet the Easter Bunny at his new Flower Garden in Center Court. For the easiest experience, pre-book your photo session.
Cost: Prices Vary
1750 Deptford Center Road, Deptford, NJ 08096
Truck -A -Palooza at Abma’s Farm
March 22 at 10 AM
Have a little one who loves all things trucks? Bring them to this fun event where they can participate in Touch-A-Truck and settle in to listen to a read-aloud storytime about trucks.
Cost: $5 for adults 18+ and $10 for children 17 and younger
Abma’s Farm, 700 Lawlins Road, Wyckoff, NJ 07481
2025 Shamrock Shuffle
March 22 at 9:30 AM
Grab your running shoes, wear your green, and join in spirit for fresh air and exercise after a long winter. There is an option to choose from a 5K race, a 2-mile walk, or a FREE kids’ fun run, and after, there will be lots of St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
Cost: Fees vary per event
111 Claremont Road, Bernardsville, NJ 07924
Sawmilling and Tree Planting at Howell Living History Farm
March 22 at 10 AM
Spring on the farm means upgrading the horse stalls with barn beams, siding, and floorboards after a cold winter. Visitors can help roll logs with logging tools, make pegs for the barn framing, cut firewood for the kitchen stove, or plant replacement trees in the farm’s woodlot.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
KidsFit in Motion
March 22 at 9 AM
This lively weekend class will help young children improve their mobility, flexibility, and coordination through various fitness games and dance moves. Fun Fitness is for children ages 5-7 with a parent or guardian. Wear sneakers! For more information or to register, contact Kerri Likakis, MS, RDN, at 973-926-7371 or Kerri.Likakis@rwjbh.org.
Cost: Free
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112
Sponsoring Facility: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
St. Paddy’s 5-Mile Race
March 22 at 10:30 AM
Get ready for a 5-mile course, all contained within Tighe Park. The annual St. Paddy’s Race is a great way to take in the beautiful scenery in the park. Refreshments will include beer and hot dogs; T-shirts are guaranteed to all preregistrants. The St. Paddy’s 5 Mile Race supports Freehold Twp. Parks and Recreation Special Olympics and Freehold Twp. Recreation Challenger Sports for Special Needs.
Cost: Prices vary
65 Georgia Rd, Freehold Township, NJ 07728
Ringwood St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 22 at 1 PM
This parade will kick off at 1 PM on Saturday, March 22, on Skyline Drive.
Cost: Free
Stepping off from Skyline Drive, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Highlands St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 22 at 2 PM
Help paint the town green at Highland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New Jersey. Your family will enjoy bagpipers, marching bands, Irish dancers, and decorated floats.
Cost: Free
The parade will run along Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
SatARTdays: Free Kids’ Art Classes
March 22 at 12 PM
Bring the kids to get free art lessons. This series of six free children’s art classes will occur every Saturday in the spring with a professional artist at the Noyes Arts Garage. These classes will begin on March 8 and run until April 12.
Cost: Free
NJ 08401
World Water Day at Historic Walnford
March 22 at 9 AM
This free event will allow you to drop-in and take a look at the water source that once powered Waln’s Mill. Then, walk around and enjoy viewing the mill itself.
Cost: Free
Historic Walnford, 62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
Photos with the Bunny at Moorestown Mall
March 22-23
Snap photos with the Easter Bunny in HomeSense Court at Moorestown Mall. Digital photo packages are available with the option to purchase prints. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Cost: Prices Vary
400 Route 38, Moorestown, NJ 08057
IN HER FOOTSTEPS: A Celebration Of Women In History
March 22-23
Step into history with IN HER FOOTSTEPS, a fun, family-friendly, immersive theatrical experience that brings great women from the past to life through dynamic performances, multimedia displays, and hands-on activities.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Museum of Jersey City History (located at the historic Apple Tree House), 298 Academy Street, Jersey City, NJ 07306
Bayonne St. Patrick’s Parade
March 23 at 1 PM
This parade will step off from 5th and Broadway at 1 PM sharp. The procession will make its way north to 39th Street, turn west, and then proceed to the entrance of Stephen R. Gregg Park on Avenue C.
Cost: Free
Stepping off from 5th and Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002
ONGOING EVENT
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown
Every Thursday at 10 AM
Play & Swim at Five Star Swim School Eatontown is back! Join us every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 AM for fun and socializing. Children and caregivers love our padded play area and heated pool. Homeschooler groups are welcome. The pool is open from 10 to 11 AM. A lifeguard is always on duty.
Cost: $15 per child, and parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School, 1 Corbett Way, Eatontown, NJ 07724
