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Fire and Ice, Groundhog Day, and More Things To Do this Weekend in New Jersey

Learn all about groundhogs—and their namesake holiday—at The Watershed Institute. Photo courtesy of The Watershed Institute
Learn all about groundhogs—and their namesake holiday—at The Watershed Institute. Photo courtesy of The Watershed Institute
1/28/26 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.

January tops off on an icy note with a couple of frigid festivities, including the Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival, complete with ice sculptures and delicious chili, plus Howell Living History Farm's Ice Harvest, with crafts and demonstrations.

We're crossing our fingers for an early spring as we celebrate Groundhog Day at Historic Walnford and the Watershed Institute.

Read on for all our top picks for the weekend ahead!

Want even more fun things to do this weekend? Our New Jersey Events Calendar is packed with great family activities every day of the week—and you can filter by age, location, or even FREE events!

Not on our newsletter list yet? Subscribe for FREE and get the best local family fun sent straight to your inbox. Already subscribed? Share it with a friend and start planning your weekend together!

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Curious George comes to life on stage at Bergen PAC. Photo courtesy of Bergen PAC
Curious George comes to life on stage at Bergen PAC. Photo courtesy of Bergen PAC

Top Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend with Kids

Rutgers Geological Museum Open House

New Brunswick – FREE
Saturday, January 31
Head over to Rutgers Geological Museum for its 58th annual open house, featuring crafts, activities, and a sale. This year's theme is minerals.  READ MORE

Mount Holly Fire and Ice Festival

Mount Holly – FREE
Saturday, January 31
Guests at this annual Mount Holly festival can expect to view beautiful ice sculptures carved right before their eyes. Keep warm with a bowl of hot chili while strolling the vendors on High Street and enjoying live music. READ MORE

Ice Harvest at Howell Living History Farm

Lambertville – FREE
Saturday, January 31
Farm visitors learn about the tools and technology that made ice harvesting a successful business at the turn of the 20th century on Howell Living History Farm. Guests can help pull ice blocks up the ramp to the ice house, chip ice for ice cream, and make an ice candle. READ MORE

Peter Rabbit Party at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton – FREE
Saturday, January 31
Come spend a day with literature’s most enduring radish-eater. The Cotsen Children’s Library gallery is transformed into an English cottage and garden where you can serve tea, plant carrots, and learn more about Peter Rabbit’s creator, Beatrix Potter. READ MORE

Groundhog Day Celebration at Watershed Institute

Pennington
Saturday, January 31
Join Watershed Wally the Woodchuck in celebration of winter and the return of spring. Learn all about groundhogs, enjoy a hike to a groundhog hole, and try your hand at chucking wood with a catapult or trebuchet. READ MORE

Terrapin Appreciation Day at Jenkinson's Aquarium

Point Pleasant
Saturday, January 31
Join Jenkinson's Aquarium and Project Terrapin in celebration of the amazing Northern diamondback terrapin with turtle talks, educational displays, crafts, story time, and appearances from Scutes, the Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science's terrapin mascot. READ MORE

ACME Market's New Year Celebration

Fort Lee – FREE
Saturday, January 31
Revel in the Year of the Horse at ACME’s 5th annual Lunar New Year celebration. Enjoy an afternoon full of excitement, including a lion dance performance from Fong's Hung Ga Kung Fu Association, a cultural tea ceremony and tasting from Chinese-American Family Coalition, and more. READ MORE

Wassailing the Apple Trees at Terhune Orchards

Princeton – FREE
Sunday, February 1
The ancient British tradition of wassailing the apple trees to protect them from harm is a popular winter celebration at Terhune Orchards. Raise a glass of hot cider and join in on the fun.  READ MORE

Groundhogs, Woodchucks & Whistlepigs...Oh My at Historic Walnford

Freehold – FREE
Sunday, February 1
In honor of Groundhog Day, stop by Historic Walnford to learn about groundhogs and make a groundhog of your own in the historical kitchen. READ MORE

The Little Mermaid Sing-A-Long at State Theatre New Jersey

New Brunswick
Sunday, February 1
Go under the sea and sing-along with beloved mermaid princess Ariel and her trusted sea creature friends as she explores the human world in Disney's animated classic. READ MORE

Curious George: The Golden Meatball at Bergen PAC

Englewood
Sunday, February 1
Curious George, the inquisitive, engaging monkey-star of books, movies, and the award-winning PBS television show, takes the stage in a brand-new musical. READ MORE
Celebrate love all month long in the Garden State. Photo via Canva
Celebrate love all month long in the Garden State. Photo via Canva

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Toys R Us is a fun play spot during the colder months. Photo courtesy of American Dream
Toys R Us is a fun play spot during the colder months. Photo courtesy of American Dream

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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