New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
January, 2020

Happy New Year!
January is the coldest month of the year and a time for many indoor events, and for the more adventurous, there are some great outdoor winter fun activities like skiing, snow boarding, and skating

. This Edition's Contents...

• Popular January Events and Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant
  

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event

Popular January 2020 Events and Things To Do

An Old Fashioned Christmas in Cape May
Now until through January 1, 2020 (Open daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas )
Cape May, NJ
Website
The wonders of the season come to life in "An Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit: Holiday Traditions through the Years," at the Carroll Gallery in the Physick Estate Carriage House. Experience a breathtaking exhibit of holiday traditions complete with a giant Christmas tree, a Dickens Village, model trains, nostalgic photos from Christmas past, and more!

Annual Sons of Ireland Polar Bear Plunge
January 1, 2020
Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
732.897.881
Website
Looking for an unusual way to begin the New Year with a splash? Event features the plunge into the ocean, a Bagpipe March to Beach, Food and Entertainment. Proceeds from this event support local charities.
Every year, 2 Local charites are chosen to be the sole beneficiaries of every penny raised.

Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
Now until January 4, 2020; Sunday - Thursday: Dusk to 10pm & Friday & Saturday: Dusk to 11pm
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $20-$30, standard vehicle
This popular Holiday event features more than a mile of festival and vibrant light displays celebrating the joy of the holidays. Experience the drive-through from the comfort of your car! At every turn, and in every direction, the magical route is overflowing with spectacular light displays and animations. Multiple holiday themes come to life with hundreds of sparking lights.

Albert Music Hall's 23rd Anniversary
January 4, 2020; doors open @6pm, music starts at 7:30pm
Albert Music Hall
131 Wells Mills Rd.
Waretown, NJ 08758
Website
Cost: Admission $5 adults. No reserve seats. Tickets are purchased at the door. Doors open at 6 pm and music starts at 7:30 pm.
This event features a celebration of the Albert Music Hall's 23rd anniversary with a special program to honor the many volunteers who enabled the new Albert Music Hall building to come into being. The anniversary show will begin at 7 pm with a showing of a historic video "Building the New Albert Music Hall". At 7:30 pm, the show will continue with live stage presentations of bluegrass, country, and old time music by Albert Hall musicians. Admission $5 adults.

Exploring New Jersey's Pre-Colonial Forests
January 11, 2020; 2pm - 4pm (Snow date:  Jan 18)
Metlar-Bodine House Museum
1281 River Road
Piscataway, New Jersey 08854
Web Site / On-line payment
Contact: Hara Durkin, Phone: 732-463-8363, Email: metlarbodine@gmail.com
Event Cost: $12; $15 at door.  Limited seating. Reserve early.
Exploring New Jersey’s Pre-Colonial Forests
Presenter:  Matthew Knoblauch, Esq.
Have you ever wondered what New Jersey looked like just before the first Europeans set foot here around 1600?  In a fascinating program using 17th century European writings and contemporary research, discover the answers to age-old questions: Was this land a dense, unspoiled wilderness? Did the Native Americans, “the First Gardeners,” really use environmentally sensitive agricultural practices leaving the land “pristine?”  Find out what the European settlers encountered and their role in land management.
(Power Point presentation with slides)

Warren Winter Festival, Bonfire & Fireworks
January 11, 2020 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm (rain date Jan 18th)
At Warren Municipal Baseball Fields
46 Mountain Blv'd
Warren, NJ
Website
Enjoy horse & carriage rides, carnival rides, Music, a petting Zoo, food, and Fireworks.

New Jersey RV & Camping Show
January 17, 18, 19, 2020
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave.
Edison, NJ 08837
804-243-8847
Website
This show features the latest makes and models of recreational vehicles from all the nation's top manufacturers. Special factory rebates, financing, and on the spot loan approval makes this show a cannot miss for the serious RV enthusiasts!
The show will feature all kinds of industry vendors, along with campgrounds, tow vehicles, seminars, and everything you may need for your next RV vacation. ​

Lambertville New Hope Winter Festival
January 18 - 26, 2020
Downtown Lambertviille, NJ
Website
This popular winter event features activities and events that provide a healthy, invigorating cold-weather experience in the river town communities of Lambertville and New Hope to demonstrate that that these communities are alive and well in the winter months with exciting and diverse activities raise funds and awareness for local non-profit organizations. These family events are held at a variety on venues in the two communities and includes live music, hikes & tours, ice sculptures, snow folk art and a parade.

Comedy Uncorked
January 18, 2020: 6:00pm — 10:00pm
Willow Creek Winery
160 Stevens St.
West Cape May, NJ 08204
Website / Tickets
609-770-8782
Cost: $65/person includes dinner, wine, and a show
This event features a three-course wine-paired dinner is served at 7 pm. Comedy Show begins immediately following dinner at 8 pm, featuring three amazing NYC comics and comedic host, Sam Mushman. Rated MA for Mature Audiences – Must be 21 years of age to attend. The easily offended should stay home for this event.

Dr. MLK, Jr. Celebration: Stephanie Mills & The Whispers
Saturday, January 18, 2020 @ 8:00 PM
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Newark, NJ
Tickets
Be inspired by the life and legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at NJPAC's annual musical tribute, featuring Stephanie Mills. She’ll perform hits from her five gold albums, including: “I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love”, “Something in the Way (You Make Me Feel)”, “Never Knew Love Like This Before”, And, of course, the soul-stirring anthem “Home” from The Wiz

Evil Expo
January 24, 25, 26, 2020
Radisson of Piscataway
21 Kingsbridge Rd.
Piscataway Township, NJ 08854
Website
732-980-0400
All ages are welcome
This event features a celebration of joyous villainy! Enter the world of rogues, miscreants, ne'er do wells, and other glorious scoundrels. as Darth Vader points out, it's never too early to learn the Dark Side.

Asbury Park Beerfest
January 25, 26, 2020
Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Avenue
Asbury Park, NJ
Website / Tickets
Cost: $44 advance, $48 at the door
This event features local craft beers, cider, vendors, and more!
There will be 3 sessions from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 10 p.m. on January 25, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, January 26.

Meadowlands Racetrack's Chili Cook Off
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
1 Racetrack Drive
East Rutherford, NJ
Website - Information & Registration
Calling All Cooks....enter their Chili and Salsa Cook-off. Not a cook? Free samples will be given for the People's Choice vote following the 8 pm Judging. Cook-off takes place in the Food Court.

Fire & Ice Festival
Saturday January 25, 2020: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Downtown Mount Holly, NJ
Website
This annual family event features over a dozen professional ice carvers from up and down the east coast, an equal number of professional chili chefs plus a wide variety of interesting entertainment for young, old and everyone in between. The ice carvers will transform 300 pound blocks of ice into beautiful crystalline works of art, throughout town, There will be lots of artistic eye candy and hear Suze & Watson play everything from show tunes to Springsteen while having plenty of free family friendly fun.
Besides playing host to over a dozen professional and amateur ice carvers from up and down the east coast, the Fire & Ice Festival features the best professional chili cooks around vying for the Award for the finest chili in Burlington County. It will be held again this year at The Union Firehouse at 18 Washington Street.

Seasonal Frequently Asked Question:

Question: We need to be in Atlantic City for a business trade show during the winter off season and since we are not Casino people, we would like to take the kids with us. Are there activities or things for kids to do the AC?

Answer: Atlantic City is becoming a family destination with plenty of year round activities and things to do for kids. Some of the popular Winter kids things to do are:
Atlantic City Aquarium - Get to see  more than 100 species of fish and other marine creatures.
The Marine Mammal Center - Located in neighboring Brigantine. They are an organization that rescues, rehabilitates and releases sick and injured marine mammals and sea turtles that wash ashore on NJ beaches.
Haunted Tales - On the Boardwalk. This is a  ghostly Adventure with a special effects theatre where people can get to hear about the Jersey Devil and  pirates who still haunt the Jersey shore.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! - Located on the  Boardwalk. Exhibits a collection of weird and unusual relics and rare treasures.
IMAX Theater. Located at the Tropicana.  Has a 5-1/2 story screen with the newest  Hollywood  films and IMAX 3D releases.
Family Fun Station - Located in the Tropicana. An arcade with lots of games and prizes.
Placade Amusements. Located on the Boardwalk. Open daily, year round.  An arcade with a huge selection of games and prizes.
Skate Zone - Located on North Albany Ave. Offers public ice skating and rental skates
Rainforest Café - Located in the trump Plaza hotel. It’s a great place to eat with kids. A tropical rain forest with cascading waterfalls, lush vegetation,  animated wildlife and live tropical fish. They have a kids menu with a special treat for dessert!
For More information, visit Atlantic City Kids Activities

New Jersey Restaurant Reviews - New Jersey has over 23,000 restaurants and finding about them is often times a time consuming task. Find a restaurant in a town of your choice with comprehensive restaurant reviews.

This Month's Featured Restaurant:
Il Capriccio
Whppany, NJ
Website
Il Capriccio is an exceptional fine dining destination restaurant, with an Italian villa ambiance, ideal for celebrating a special occasion or a romantic dining experience. The food is prepared with healthy, high quality, fresh ingredients, and when available organic, free-range meats and vegetables are sourced locally
Restaurant Review

Top Ten Things To Do in January - The popular NJ seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages.

January 2020 Events - This months events includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Monthly Events - This page has links to events that appear in future months, usually 3-4 months in advance. The Monthly newsletter that you are receiving includes many of the events found on the pages.