January Events:
Our Top Picks To Plan Your Day Out in New Jersey

Discover New Jersey's Best January Events: Uncover The Month's Top seasonal attractions, popular events, and hidden gems

The January Events calendar for 2023 is packed with exciting things to do in NJ. It includes concerts, theatre, festivals, sports, and entertainment, that have appeal to people of all ages and interests

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.

Note: 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.

Northern NJ January 2023
Festivals and Themed Events

Let It Glow: A Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Now through Sunday January 15, 2023.
Bergen County Zoo at Van Saun County Park
216 Forest Avenue
Paramus, NJ 07653
Website/Tickets
Cost: $18/adult, $9/child- aged 3-17
Larger-than-life glowing lanterns have been installed creating 30+ glowing scenes. See animals real and imagined laid out throughout the zoo.
Let it Glow is a symphony of vivid glowing colors to tease your eyes and dazzle the mind. Come and enjoy an enchanting stroll throughout the zoo These larger than life lanterns are amazing in picture but stunning in person! With over 30 scenes, these hand-made artistic wonders are more breath-taking than the last! Its one of those things you need to see in person to truly appreciate.

64th Annual Model Train Show
Saturday & Sunday, January 7, 8, 2023
Garden State Model Railway Club
North Haledon, NJ
Website
Cost: $8 adults, Children under 10 free with an adult.
Steam and diesel trains of all kinds on our 1200 square foot HO scale layout, including Thomas the Tank Engine and his friend.

Family Woodland Hike
January 15, 2023; 1pm - 3pm; Snow/rain cancels
New Jersey Botanical Gardens
2 Morris Rd
Ringwood, NJ
Website
973-962-9534
Cost: Free event
Join NJBG hike leaders on an easy, child-friendly hike in the Garden's woodlands. Learn a bit about the plants and animals around you on a hike designed to fit the group. Wear sturdy shoes, meet at the Carriage House.

Monster Jam
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, January 27 - 29, 2023
Prudential Center
25 Lafayette St
Newark, NJ 07102
800-345-3000
Tickets
Cost: $20+
This action-packed motorsport event features some of the most famous trucks in the world, like Grave Digger -- driven by Krysten Anderson, Max-D, El Toro Loco, and others, competing in action-packed motorsports events.

Central NJ January 2023
Festivals and Themed Events

Skating On The Square
Now until Feb 26, 2023; Every Thursday – Friday, 4pm – 7pm Every Saturday – Sunday, 12pm – 3pm & 4pm – 7pm (Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas)
Hulfish Street (behind the Nassau Inn Hotel)
Princeton, NJ
Website
Cost:$10 cash PER PERSON/ $12 +fees with credit card. Bring your own skates or borrow ours! (skate rental included in ticket price)
Start new traditions this holiday season at Palmer Square's "eco-friendly" outdoor synthetic skating rink!
Bring your own skates or borrow ours! (skate rental included in ticket price) ALL skaters/guardians must sign the electronic waiver to be eligible to participate! Please sign in advance for a contactless experience at the rink.

Super Pet Expo
January 6-8, 2023
New Jersey Convention Center
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
Website
This event features the bringing thousands of pet lovers together for three days in a shopping and entertainment extravaganza. There will be Celebrity Dog Shows, Dachshund Racing, Corgi and Mixed Breed Races, and more.

The Garden State Outdoor Sports Show
January 12th - 15th, 2023
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
(Raritan Center Expo Hall)
97 Sunfield Avenue
Edison, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $10+
This event provides a forum for the entire family and the next generation of the outdoor enthusiasts. The 38th Anniversary Show kicks off with a Pro Staff Fishing Demonstration on the world famous Hawg Trough, 5000 Gallon Aquarium, Check out the latest in boats, outboards, RVs, powersports,fishing tackle,and hunting gear all featured on the expo floor. Schedule your time appropriately as there are 4 days of seminars, multiple entertainment events; starting with the spectacular Chics with Axes, kids zone, 3D archery tournament, endless shopping and much more.

Ice Carving Exihibition
January 14, 2023
Festival Plaza
Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Website
Four professional Ice Sculptors will create 14 sculptures in an elimination style "speed carving" format over a three hour period (12pm -3pm). Witness carvings formed in less than 30 minutes before your eyes. Competition will have staggered heats of live carving and will be emceed by an experienced carver to entertain you with bios of carvers, facts and information on the carving as well as facilitate spectator participation in selection of themes and judging of carvers to be eliminated in the perspective rounds.
This event also includes ice skating, food, libations and shopping from Pier Village retailers.

Light of Day WinterFest "Bob's Birthday Bash" Saturday January 14, 2023 - Count Basie Thetre - Ticketmaster
This festival for Twenty-three years of Light of Day shows has been spanning the globe from Asbury Park to Rome to Los Angeles to London to Philadelphia to Stockholm and beyond. This year the Count Basie Theatre will be hosting the main event. Bruce Springsteen has performed at 12 of the previous 21 live Light of Days, all unannounced. Other past performers include Southside Johnny Lyon, Michael J. Fox, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, the Smithereens, Willie Nile, James Maddock, and many more.

Winter Wonders in the Garden Horticulture Tour
Wednesday & Saturday, January 18 & 21, 2023; 11am - 12pm
Grounds For Sculpture
80 Sculptors Way,
Hamilton, NJ
609.586.0616
Tickets
Cost: $15 member, $25 non member
Join Grounds for Sculpture Horticulturist Janis Napoli for a tour of the winter wonders in the gardens. Explore the beauty of trees and plants in winter and learn how the garden is maintained during the cold months during this 1-hour tour. Electric Convenience Vehicles (ECVs) and wheelchairs are available to rent from the Welcome Center. new perspectives and turning the act of viewing into immersive event. Sculptures shrouded in the winter landscape become beacons to remembering a long-forgotten ritual.

Southern NJ January 2023
Festivals and Themed Events

First Day Hike
Sunday, January 1, 2023: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Historic Whitesbog Village
120 West Whites Bogs Road
Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Facebook Page
Free Event
There isn't a better way to start the year. Dress appropriately, bring water, and any snacks you want as we may pause to take in some views. Dogs are welcome, leashes required. Children are welcome with an adult. Bathrooms are available in the village for use. Migratory birds may be in the area so having a pair of binoculars might be a good idea.

Patcong Valley Model Railroad Open House
January 7, 8, 14, 15, 2023; 10AM - 3PM
Patcong Valley Model Railroad Club
Route 40 at Fir Avenue
Richland, NJ
Website
Admission: Free
The event features highly detailed, museum quality, HO scale model railroad.

Brunch is a Drag - Disney Extravaganza!
Sunday, January 15, 2023; 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Elizabeth Baooromm
419 Highland Boulevard
Gloucester City, NJ
Tickets -- (Includes Show, Server Attended Brunch Buffet, First Cocktail)
Cost: $54.95
This magical Disney themed Drag Brunch is filled with performances and costumes that will have you thinking you're in the Most Magical Place on Earth! You're in store for an afternoon full of hilarious skits, side-splitting performances and whatever other absolute ridiculousness these Divas can come up with! The Tri-State Area's top Drag Queens combine with the DELICIOUS brunch selections at Elizabeth's Ballroom to bring you this One of a Kind Monthly Treat! From hilarious performances & dancing divas to delicious food and audience games.

Fire & Ice Festival
Saturday January 28, 2023; 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
downtown Mount Holly
Facebook Page
This free family friendly fun tradition features about 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 transform 300 pound blocks of ice into beautiful crystalline works of art, right before your eyes, throughout town.