The Best Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events

These popular Central Jersey family festivals and events occur at venues in all corners of Central NJ and have wide appeal with families with kids.

They feature festivals and events with special themes and are known for having good music, food, entertainment, skilled artisans and performers, fun activities, crafts, and more!

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.

December 2018 Central Jersey Family Festivals & Events

Monster Jam
December 1, 2, 2019; 1:00PM
Cure Insurance Arena
Trenton, NJ
Tickets
An action-packed live event on four wheels where world class drivers compete in front of capacity crowds around the globe. Monster Jam features high octane spontaneous entertainment and intense competition, featuring the most recognizable trucks in the world.

NJ State Museum - Planetarium Shows
December 22, 23, 2018
NJ State Museum
205 West State Street
Trenton, NJ
Website
Sceheduled Planetarium Shows:
One World, One Sky - 11:00 am
Earth Moon Sun - 12 pm
Dinosaurs at Dusk - 1:00 pm
Laser Holiday Magic - 2:00 pm
Dark Universe - 3:00 pm

The North Pole Express
Weekends, until Sunday, December 23, 2018
Flemington, NJ
Website
This is an exciting holiday fun family train ride to North Pole Station to visit Santa and Mrs Claus! Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, singing along with the elves, a chance to tell Santa your Christmas wish, and much more. This is a special experience that the entire family won't forget. The train operates rain or shine. The North Pole Express runs as listed: All trains depart Flemington Station and operate round-trip. Allow approximately two hours for your trip.

Polar Express
Trips run Friday, Saturday, & Sunday until December 16, 2018; Friday 6 & 8 pm, Saturday 2,4,6,& 8 pm, Sunday 2,4,6 pm
Lehigh Junction
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
877-872-4674
Website
Train Ride departs from Lehigh Junction located in the Historic Main Street area of Phillipsburg. On the train you will re-live the experience of the little boy in The Polar Express. The story focuses on a little boy who has been told by his friends that there is no Santa Claus. Unwilling to believe this, he lies awake in his bed on Christmas Eve, waiting for the sound of Santa's sleigh. Instead, he hears the hissing steam and squeaking metal of the Polar Express as it stops outside his window, ready to take him and other children to the North Pole. During your ride you will listen to this wonderful story, every child will be served hot chocolate and cookies Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join in on the magic of Christmas.

Casino Pier Holiday Festival
Dec 1, 2018; Noon - 3pm
Casino Pier Arcade
800 Ocean Ter.
Seaside Heights, NJ
732-793-6488
Website
Celebrate the holidays at the Casino Pier Arcade. Wear your Ugly Christmas Sweater or Festive Holiday outfit to their contest to win a prize! Bring your creative minds for our arts & crafts! They will be making cards and special pictures and sending them to our Service Members! There will be lots of fun and don't miss the indoor snowball fight! And of course a visit from Santa. Please bring non-expired canned goods for donations to the Fulfill of Monmouth & Ocean Counties!

Christmas at Allaire
December 2, 2018 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Farmingdale, NJ
Website
This event is a celebration of the joys of Christmas past.  Experience the sights and smells of an early American Christmas with hearth cooking,  singing, dancing, wagon rides and St Nicholas! This is a day full of fun interactive programs.  You can also bring your holiday cards to be sent from our historic post office located in the General Store.  Bring your addressed envelopes with a stamp.

Jenkinson's Aquarium Sea of Lights Holiday Festival
December 14, 15, 21, 22 and 26-28, 2018: from 6-9pm.
Jenkinson's Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave.
Point Pleasant, NJ
732-892-0600
Website
This annual Holiday festival features the Aquarium done up with the holiday spirit with hundreds festive lights and decorations, plus make and take crafts, face painting, even a scuba diving Santa and other special guests from the coolest new animated movie.

Patriots Week
December 26, 2018 - December 31, 2018
The Old Barracks Museum
101 Barrack Street
Trenton, NJ
609-396-1776
Website/Schedule of Events
Patriots Week is a celebration of Trenton's revolutionary role in America's history! Attendees will get to enjoy an immersive experience that commemorates and recognizes Trenton's unique and pivotal role in the Revolutionary War. A role that has shaped some of the very streets and buildings that can still be seen standing today as they were in 1776. The festival is anchored by the historically-accurate re-enactments of the Battles of Trenton on the very streets where they took place, as well as lectures by historians and topic experts, immersive demonstrations, tours, educational activities for children, reenactments, or musical entertainment. This year use your holiday break for a fun & history-filled family staycation! With over 70 events taking place during the six-day period it's easy for families and history aficionados to spend a few days in Central New Jersey this December.

New Year's Eve in New Brunswick
December 31, 2018; Celebration beginsat 11:30 PM
Monument Park at George Street and Livingston Avenue
New Brunswick, NJ
Website
Ring in the New Year with Fireworks and a DJ. The Restaurant Guys, aka Stage Left Steak owner Francis Schott and Catherine Lombardi owner Mark Pascal, will present the city's ninth annual fireworks extravaganza. The spangled display will be shot off the roof the Heldrich Hotel.

Hogmanay Bonfire
December 31, 2018, 6 pm to 8 pm
Great Meadow behind the Brearley House
100 Meadow Road
Lawrenceville, NJ
609-895-1728
Website
Celebrate the coming New Year with this Scottish tradition. Toss all of last year's bad memories into the fire symbolizing a clean break with all that went wrong in the old year. A bagpiper will be onsite to entertain the crowd and the house will be open. Paper and pencils will also be available for you to write down all the bad things from the previous year that you wish to toss into the fire. You are also invited to prepare a list in advance and bring it to the fire.
Parking Information!!! Parking will be offsite at the Prism complex on Lenox Drive. Visitors are asked to enter the lot at the light on Princeton Pike and Lenox Drive. Follow the road to one of the rear lots, where you can either walk a lighted trail to Brearley House or board a shuttle bus

Seaside Heights - First Night
December 31, 2018
On the boardwalk
1-800-732-7467
Website
Enjoy a day filled with entertainment and begin a lasting family tradition. Starting at 12 noon until 5 PM with a Fireworks Display at 5pm

January 2019 Central New Jersey Family Festivals And Events

Disney On Ice: 100 Years of Magic
January 3, 4, 5, 6, 2019
Cure Insurance Arena
Trenton, NJ
Tickets
100 Years of Magic (also known as Everyone's Story) is a Disney on Ice show that has over 50 Disney characters in this show.

Garden State Outdoor Sports Show
January 10 - 13, 2019
NJ Convention & Expo Center
97 Sunfield Ave
Edison, NJ 08837
Website & Tickets
This sports show is one of largest sport shows on the east coast. It features seminars, attractions, and exhibits to an audience sportsmen and sports women of all ages with a focus on activities the whole family can enjoy. The event is presented in partnership with The New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife, United Bowhunters of New Jersey and The New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs.

Lambertville New Hope Winter Festival
January 19 - 27, 2019
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.

The Fly Fishing Show
January 25 - 27, 2019; 9:00am - 6:00pm
New Jersey Convention and Expo Center
97 Sunfield Ave.
Edison, NJ 08837
Website
The show is for all levels and all ages, from the "Learning Center" for beginners to advanced demonstrations for the most experienced. You can see the latest in rods, reels, lines, leaders and accessories with over 200 exhibitors! There is a huge lineup of the world's greatest fly tiers demonstrating their skills non-stop just a foot or two in front of you. The legends of the casting game are demonstrating – not on a video – but close enough to touch.

February 2019 Central New Jersey Family Festivals And Events

Super Pet Expo
February 8 - 10, 2019
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave.
Edison, NJ 08837
Website
Tickets: One Day Adult (12+) $13.00. One Day Child (4-11) $8.00. Weekend Pass (Adult) $20.00. Weekend Pass (Child) $10.00. Kids 3 & Under Free (one per adult).
Animal lovers big and small-pet parents and future pet owners--will discover electrifying new activities and returning favorites at the 19th Super Pet Expo, the largest pet shopping extravaganza on the east coast. Over 2,000 dogs, cats and an occasional pig, pony, parrot or iguana will visit the show along with 20,000 pet lovers and enjoy the expertise of 200 exhibitors addressing pet adoption, pet care and health, grooming, food, and daycare. An exceptional array of creative pet gifts, treats, fashion, grooming accessories and toys will be for sale. Pets are welcome. Leashed pets admitted free.

Jack Hanna's Into the Wild Live
February 18, 2019 (10am, 12pm, &3pm)
State Theatre New Jersey
15 Livingston Ave.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Tickets
A show for animal lovers of all ages! America's most beloved animal expert, Jack Hanna, brings his Emmy Award®-winning television series to the stage with Jack Hanna's Into the Wild Live! In this awe-inspiring event, Jungle Jack will introduce you to some of the world's spectacular animals. Jack will also share humorous stories and amazing exclusive footage from his worldwide adventures.

More New Jersey Family Festivals

North Jersey Family Festivals

South Jersey Family Festivals

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