Ultimate Guide to Family Festivals, Attractions, and Events in Central New Jersey
Our recommendations for the best 2024 Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events. Features Family oriented Events with Music,
Food, Entertainment, and Fun Activities
The Central Jersey Family festivals feature a robust offering of entertainment, food, and fun activities..
From talented artisans crafting unique pieces, and performers captivating the audiences to enjoyable activities and a wide range of food options, there is something for everyone, especially for families with kids.
Especially notable is they feature festivals and themed events with a large variety of kids activities.
To cap it all, every festival further sparks interest by providing a distinct theme that differentiates it from the rest, making these festivals not only a fun-filled experience but also one-of-a-kind!
Ring in the New Year in style! Join us for the Ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration from 7PM to 1AM at iPlay America! Enjoy a night of rides, games, party favors, DJ, giveaways, and more!
Multi-Date, Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events
Lumino City's "Wonder Journey" Festival
November 15, 2024 through January. 5, 2025
Freehold Raceway Mall
3710 US-9
Freehold, NJ
Lumino City uses light and imagination to turn creative ideas inspired by the world into stunning displays of light and color. The "Wonder Journey" festival will completely transform the Freehold Mall parking lot into a fantasy filled journey inspired by Alice in Wonderland. There will be larger-than-life scenes straight from the story — including the Wonderland Tea Party, the iconic butterfly seat and more.
Holiday in the Park
Select Dates November 21st until January 1st, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd.
Jackson, NJ
Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park! Make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods, and your favorite thrilling coasters. From coasters to cocoa it's a holiday spectacular for the whole family!
Magic of Lights at PNC Bank Arts Center
November 22nd until January 4th, 2025
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116
Garden State Parkway
Holmdel, NJ
The Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of New Jersey's favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.
Polar Express
Trips run November 29, 30, December 1,6,7,8,13.14,15,20,21,22, 2024
Lehigh Junction
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $38 Child and $48.00 Adult
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical hour and a half trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served by dancing chefs. Passengers listen to the classic children's book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. During the trip there is plenty of entertainment from our magical juggling chefs to our singing hobos! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip.
Pine Barren Bonfires
Sunday, December 15, Monday, January 13, Wednesday, February 12, 2025: from 6-8 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park
200 Georgia Road
Freehold, NJ
Cost: $15 per family of four; cash or check only (all ages, under 18 with adult)
There's something about a bonfire that's so magical. The flames dancing in the night, the smell of wood smoke in the air, and the feeling of warmth and companionship around the fire. Enjoy a winter evening with us at Turkey Swamp's council ring. There will be games, s'mores, and a full moon!
Please dress appropriately for the weather.
December 2024 Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events
Downtown Red Bank Ice Carving Experience
Sunday,
December 22nd, 2024; 1pm-4pm
Downtown Red Bank, NJ
This family winter event features ice carvings and treats at 3 different downtown Red Bank locations.
Ice Carving Schedule: 1pm - Edmund Wilson Plaza (between Triumph Brewing and the Two River Theater) 2pm - The Monmouth Street Parklet (by Ce La Vi, Johnny's Pork Roll & Coffee Too!, Mr. Pizza Slice, Toss'd, The Green Room, and Whipped) 3pm- Broad Street (corner of Broad Street and Peter's Place by Paris Baguette, Salad House, and Fourchette)
Jurassic Quest roars through Edison
Friday, December 27 - Monday, December 30, 2024
NJ Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave
Edison, NJ
Cost:
$22.00 - $36.00
Jurassic Quest is the world's largest, most popular Dino event with the unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Observe our herd of life-size dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, and an incredible T.rex!
First Night Ocean County
Saturday, December 31, 2024: 1pm-5pm
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ
The popular annual family non-alcohol New Years Celebration promises lots of fun at the four First Night locations. Lucky Leo's, Coin Castle, Casino Arcade, and Shake Shoppe are all part of the fun. Enjoy a New Years Eve afternoon of entertainment from music to magic shows and more family fun entertainment! Two trackless trains will circulate on the Boardwalk between event locations and Fireworks are scheduled for 5 pm, weather permitting.
January 2025 Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events
Super Pet Expo
January 3-5, 2025
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave.
Edison, NJ
Attendees with pets can have a top talent scout audition their pet for possible roles in TV, film and commercials and discover what their pup is really thinking.
They can watch their dog compete in a derby race or frolic in a puppy playground, in a pit filled with thousands of balls or chase a faux rabbit on the popular lure course. They can also get a free paw print of their pet and meet canine social media celebs at a star-studded panel of pet influencers who will explain how to grow the visibility of pets from a modest number of family and friends to worldwide celebrity. Photo opportunities galore all weekend long include celebrity pets, trick dogs, and even the world’s tiniest dog.
Cutting, Splitting and Hewing at Historic Longstreet Farm
Sundays, January 5, & February 2, 2025: from 12-2:30 p.m.
Historic Longstreet Farm
44 Longstreet Road
Holmdel 07733
Free event
Come out to Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and get warmed up using a two-man saw and splitting wedge; learn how farmers used a froe to rive shingles or a broad ax to hew beams.
Experience the Battle of Princeton
Sunday, January 5th, 2025; 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
The historic Clarke House
500 Mercer Rd
Princeton, NJ
The Princeton Battlefield Society (PBS) will mark the 246th anniversary of Battle of Princeton fought on Jan. 3, 1777- with its signature educational event, "Experience the Battle of Princeton".
A narrated reenactment of a portion of the Battle of Princeton will feature reenactors portraying Crown and Continental forces. Attendees will then have an opportunity to interact and converse with living historians and battle reenactors. Also, the New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution will join other hereditary organizations as well as representatives of legacy National Guard and British Army units whose antecedents fought at the battle in a wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial Grove behind the Colonnade on the battlefield.
Tours of the historic Thomas Clarke House, the only building on site remaining from the time of the battle, will also be offered beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The Garden State RV and Camping Show
January 17 – 19, 2025
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
(Raritan Center Expo Hall)
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
This show will feature over 150,000 square feet of the latest in recreation vehicles, camping supplies & services, accessories, and information on campgrounds. The Garden State RV & Camping Show is the ideal place for camping families who are looking to purchase their first RV, upgrade their present RV or for the veteran camper to explore new camping adventures. Dozens of on-site exhibits will provide attendees with literature and information about premier family campgrounds throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Noodle Mountain
Activation dates are January 25, 2025, February 22, 2025, April 26, 2025, June 28, 2025, July 26, 2025, and August 30, 2025
Grounds for Sculpture
80 Sculptors Way
Hamilton, NJ
Noodle Mountain contemplates deeply personal memories, as well as the intergenerational histories of place, labor, and diaspora that food can conjure. Don't miss a special opportunity to see this complex sculpture be activated!
Wassailing the Apple Trees
Sunday, January 26th, 2025; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Road
Princeton, NJ
Free Event - All ages
Enjoy dancing and singing and re-enactments of old English traditional rituals, as well as chanting and music making, toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting the lively words of praise for the New Year. Top the evening off by a bonfire, complete with marshmallows, and live music by the Spiced Punch Quartet playing traditional music using violins and flutes of many kinds Join the fun. Bring noise makers' drums, whistles, bells, clackers, or put a few pebbles in an empty coffee can with a lid. These will make a joyful and worthy noise to drive away any and all spirits.
February 2025 Central NJ Family Festivals and Events
Pine Barren Bonfires
Wednesday, February 12, 2025: from 6-8 p.m.
Turkey Swamp Park
200 Georgia Road
Freehold, NJ
Cost: $15 per family of four; cash or check only (all ages, under 18 with adult)
There's something about a bonfire that's so magical. The flames dancing in the night, the smell of wood smoke in the air, and the feeling of warmth and companionship around the fire. Enjoy a winter evening with us at Turkey Swamp's council ring. There will be games, s'mores, and a full moon! Please dress appropriately for the weather.
New Jersey Boat Expo
February 13th - 16th, 2025
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ 08837
Cost: Adults:Adults: $15 Kids 12 and under FREE
This show has something for every age and interest with hundreds of new boats on sale from the top dealers in the state representing boating's most popular brands. Attendees will be able to board and shop all the top boat brands and models of all sizes. The show also has a Boater's Marketplace, FREE Seminars and Boating Safety Classes and the Kids Cove which includes "I Spy Scavenger Hunt," face painting, and the turtle tank.
Clinton, NJ 16th annual Yuletide Bonfire, Fireworks
Saturday, February 22, 2025; @6pm
Hunts Mill Park
32 Haver Farm Road
Clinton, NJ
Free admission
This annual family event features Hay Rides,a Yule Tide Bonfire, Hot Chocolate & Cookies, Marshmallow Roasting, Live Music, and Fireworks.
Attendees are requested to bring a canned food item for the Open Cupboard Food Pantry.
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