Experience the Best of New Jersey: March 2026 Events and Festivals

March in New Jersey: Welcoming the First Signs of Spring

As winter fades and the first hints of spring emerge, March brings a renewed sense of energy to New Jersey. Warmer days, blossoming landscapes, and an exciting lineup of events make this transitional month a perfect time to explore the Garden State.

From cultural festivals that celebrate New Jersey’s diverse heritage to outdoor adventures that highlight its scenic beauty, March offers something for everyone. History enthusiasts can explore fascinating landmarks, nature lovers can hit the trails as they come back to life, and those seeking relaxation can unwind along the tranquil shorelines.

Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or simply a fresh start to the season, March in New Jersey is filled with opportunities to inspire and delight. So, shake off the winter chill, embrace the changing season, and experience all the wonders the Garden State has to offer!

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Northern New Jersey March 2026 festivals, winter fairs, and community events

Maple Sugaring Demo & Festival

Saturday, Sundays, beginning January 24th until March 7th, 2026
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham, NJ
Ticket Price: $7 per person. Preregistration is required. Age: 6 & up with an adult.
Learn how to identify and tap maple trees, collect sap, and make real maple syrup over a wood-fired evaporator. Finish with a syrup taste test! This program will be held entirely outdoors, so dress for the weather. Syrup will be available for purchase, while supplies last. For ages 6 and up.

Annual New Jersey Jewish Film Festival

March 5 until 22, 2026
New Jersey Jewish Film Festival
760 Northfield Ave
West Orange, NJ
The New Jersey Jewish Film Festival brings audiences an inspiring lineup of international films that celebrate Jewish culture, heritage, and storytelling. The event features award winning documentaries, dramas, and comedies from around the world. Including: panel discussions, guest speakers, and filmmaker Q&A sessions. This cultural celebration explores themes of identity, resilience, tradition, and innovation through cinema. family-friendly programming with special screenings and events designed for all ages.

The Big Brew Beer Festival

Saturday, March 7, 2026,
The Morristown Armory , 430 Western Ave., Morristown, NJ
The Big Brew Beer Festival is a perfect opportunity for beer aficionados to meet and hang out. With over 150 unique tastings it's a great place to discover new beers and speak to brewery representatives. Enjoy great food, vendors & live music. Live entertainment by Mr LoveJoy.
Free shuttle to and from the Morristown Train Station

Hoboken LepreCon Day Bar Crawl

March 7th, 2026
@ 12 noon, the Hoboken LepreCon Day crawl will begin with over 20+ Bars open to bar hop through. The festivities kick off as thousands gather for a lively day of bar crawling and revelry. Hoboken's top bars are ready to welcome you with incredible food and drink specials, creating an atmosphere you won't want to miss. Hoboken LepreCon Day is a one-of-a-kind event where the spirit of St. Patrick's Day comes alive. Expect fully staffed bars buzzing with friendly pub crawlers, all hopping from one venue to the next. With dynamic music and an electrifying crowd, LepreCon Day is sure to be an unforgettable celebration of Irish spirit and community fun!

Newark St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 13, 2026
A high-energy weekday parade that still feels like a big event, with deep roots and easy transit access. @ 1:00 PM the Newark St Patricks Day Parade begins at the corner of Mulberry Street and Raymond Boulevard, rolls by NJPAC onto Central Avenue and concludes on Washington Street.
Newark’s parade is widely known as one of the state’s longest-running celebrations, and it’s promoted as the oldest in New Jersey. It also has that rare “weekday parade” feel, like you’re in on something locals know and visitors discover. If you’re bringing kids, plan a simple meet-up spot in case the crowd splits, like “we’ll regroup by the nearest station entrance” or “outside the same cafe.”

Spring Craft Morristown

March 13–15, 2026
Morristown National Guard Armory, 430 Western Ave, Morristown, NJ
This event features unique and one-of-a-kind handmade items for every age, taste and budget. This a thoughtfully curated shopping event includes 175+ modern makers! Find original fashions, accessories, jewelry, home decor, furniture, photography and fine art, as well as functional and sculptural works in ceramics, glass, metal, wood, mixed media and more! After you shop-til-you-drop enjoy yummy gourmet specialties to snack on or bring home like gourmet nut butters, bourbon barrel -aged maple syrup and much more.

Brewsology Beer Fest

Saturday, March 14, 2026: 7 pm – 11 pm
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: $65 – $80
The Brewsology Beer Fest is the boozy hybrid of your middle school museum field trip. Taking over the Liberty Science Center after hours, the event will feature dozens of local craft breweries and cideries and will give attendees access throughout the museum including exhibits, science demonstrations and access to brewery reps.

Bayonne St Patrick's Day Parade

March 22, 2026
@1PM the Bayonne St Patricks Day parade will begin on Broadway and 5th Street, proceeding north to 39th Street where we turn west to Avenue C and end at the entrance of Stephen R. Gregg/Bayonne County Park. The event blends formal Irish-American pageantry with a relaxed neighborhood feel, featuring Grand Marshal Peggy McGarvey leading divisions that include pipe and drum bands, Irish organizations, schools, scouts, civic groups, and public-safety honor guards. Expect a festive soundtrack of bagpipes, marching bands, and cheering crowds, along with kids waving flags, families in green, and local groups showcasing Bayonne's close-knit community character.

Central New Jersey March 2026 festivals, winter fairs, and community events

Sugar Shack Maple Sugaring Demonstration

February through March 2026
Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Rd, Manalapan, NJ
Tours will take place at select times (10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm). . Tickets will be sold at the door only, no reservations are required
This is a great outdoor winter experience where attendees will take a tractor ride of their 130-acre farm. Pancakes and maple syrup will be available to purchase. Visitors will then see their 'sugar bush', find out what equipment is needed to collect sap, learn first hand how to identify maple trees, and lend Farmer Tim a hand in the tapping process. In Olivia's Sugar Shack, visitors can see how sap is finally produced into our delicious maple syrup. The sap is boiled and evaporated in a wood-fired evaporator. They have over 700 maple trees and it takes about 80 gallons of sap to make a gallon of syrup. Goats and chickens will be available to feed?

Belmar - Lake Como St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 1, 2026
@12:30pm the Belmar - Lake Como St Patricks Day parade will kick off from the western end of Lake Como at 22nd Ave and North Blvd and proceeds along Main St, past the reviewing stand on 9th Ave. The Belmar-Lake Como parade is renowned as one of the largest and most spirited St. Patrick's Day celebrations in New Jersey. It has a distinct, energetic Shore-town characterâmore laid-back and raucous than the big city parades, with a strong community feel. Expect a sea of green, festive costumes, and a party atmosphere that fills the town. A unique highlight is the massive contingent of marchers in green army fatigues. This tradition, started by locals decades ago, sees thousands of participants (and now many visitors) donning green military-style gear, creating a fun, unifying visual spectacle.

The Chocolate Expo

March 7, 8, 2026
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ
This event features features tastings & sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, dairy products, craft beverages (wines, spirits, cider, mead and more, which varies by state and facility) and ready-to-eat foods from 60-120+ vendor booths. Entertainment can include demos, interactive presentations and celebrity appearances, plus fun for children in our "Kidz Zone" with face painting and balloon twisting.

13th Annual Highlands Guinness Run

March 7, 2026: 12:30pm until 4pm
Off the Hook, 1 Navesink Ave., Highlands, NJ
This exciting race is where contestants will get to fill their cups and race to Grand T and back to the finish line at Off the Hook. The runner who carries the most Guinness in their cup to the finish line will win the 1st Place trophy and $100, while the 2nd Place winner receives $50. Participants are encouraged to dress in their best Irish green attire, hats, or fun costumes to add to the festive atmosphere. Spectators are welcome to cheer, take photos, and join in the fun, making this event a lively and memorable celebration for the whole community. Families, friends, and Guinness enthusiasts are all invited to join.
Registration is $50.00 and includes a commemorative t-shirt and a Guinness pint glass for the first 100 registered runners. All participants have access to the Post-Race Party, featuring complimentary appetizers, live music, and plenty of Guinness beer to celebrate a fun-filled afternoon.

Red, White & Brew Fest

Saturday, March 7th, 2026
CURE Insurance Arena, 81 Hamilton Ave, Trenton, NJ
21+ Event
The Beer Fest is Coming! The Beer Fest is Coming! Grab your steins and rally your crew. George Washington once brewed his own "small beer" back in the 1750s. In 2026, They are taking that revolutionary pint to the next level with over 50 craft beers, wines, and spirits to sample from some of the best local and regional makers. Join in for a day that's sure to make history, featuring music, interactive games & contests, and more.

Asbury Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 8, 2026
@1pm the Asbury Park St Patricks Day Parade begins at the intersection of Ocean Ave and 4th Ave and travels southwest towards downtown ending at the corner of Cookman Ave and Main St. The parade route takes marchers and spectators south on Ocean Ave alongside the historic Asbury Park boardwalk, past legendary landmarks like the Wonder Bar, The Stone Pony and the Empress Hotel, The Carousel House and Casino, continuing to the heart of the downtown district. Asbury has its own style. You get classic parade beats, but you also get artsy touches, lively crowds, and plenty of places to warm up afterward. Street closures can make the area feel tighter than expected, so arrive early if you want a prime spot near the start.

Greenberg's Toy & Train Show

Saturday, Sunday, March 28, 29, 2026; 10am until 4pm
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ
The largest and longest-running train and toy show in the northeast, Greenberg's has been running train shows since 1976. The shows feature thousands of trains and collectible toys for sale, hundreds of merchandising tables, huge operating layouts, free modeling seminars and more.

Southern New Jersey March 2026 festivals, winter fairs, and community events

Taste Atlantic City

A month-long culinary celebration happening in March 2026.
This premier month-long culinary celebration transforms America's Playground into a gourmet destination, showcasing the incredible talent of its world-class chefs and restaurants. Throughout the month, foodies can explore exclusive dining events, from chef-hosted tasting menus and wine pairings to interactive cooking demonstrations and exclusive deals at top-rated eateries. Whether you're craving fresh Atlantic Ocean seafood, innovative international cuisine, or classic East Coast comfort food, Taste Atlantic City offers an unforgettable gastronomic journey.

Atlantic City St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 7, 2026
@ 1pm the Atlantic City St Patricks Day parade will kick off on the Boardwalk at St. James Pl, then will march to Albany Avenue along the Boardwalk.
On this day in Atlantic City everyone is Irish, Break out your green and join us on the boardwalk for a fun-filled family day in Atlantic City!
Its a Boardwalk parade that turns into a full Atlantic City day trip, even if you only came for the marching bands. You get the Boardwalk backdrop, plus easy add-ons, food, arcades, casinos, and classic people-watching. It’s also one of the easiest Shore parades to pair with an overnight stay if you don’t want to drive back the same day.

North Wildwood St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 14, 2026
@ 12pm the North Wildwood St Patricks Day parade will kickoff immediaterly following the ceremony on the front steps of North Wildwood City Hall, 9th & Atlantic Avenue. The parade proceeds north on Atlantic Avenue to Olde NJ Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ
Participants in the parade include VFW Color Guard, Vietnam Veterans of America, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish Pipe Brigade, Emerald Society, Miss North Wildwood, Queen Oceania, Anglesea Irish Society, local school bands, and much more!
The parade is famously sandwiched by a bustling bar scene. Establishments like Keegan's are hubs of activity, with live Irish music, drink specials, and packed patties starting early and lasting long after the parade ends.

Nerd Force Fan Fest Episode 3

Sunday, March 15, 2026
Rowan University, 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ
Admission $10, Kids 12 and under Free with paying Adult.
This event will be transforming Rowan University into a vibrant hub of comics, cosplay, gaming, and pop culture celebration. This year’s installment promises an even bigger lineup of special guests, interactive panels, indie creators, and handson experiences designed to delight fans of every universe—from superheroes and sci-fi to anime, tabletop adventures, and retro gaming. With its lively marketplace, family friendly activities, and a community atmosphere that encourages creativity and connection, Episode 3 is shaping up to be a standout spring gathering for fans across New Jersey and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Upcoming Ticketed Events

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