30 Free Things to Do in New Jersey January 2020

December 23, 2019 newjerseyisntboring

My favorite four letter word is FREE, so combining it with New Jersey Events is a win-win. I have listed 30 FREE Things to Do in New Jersey this January that include hiking, bonfires, museum open houses, and much more!

30 Free Things to Do in New Jersey January 2020:

New Years Day Beach Walk
January 1
Greet the New Year with a winter stroll on Sandy Hook. Afterwards, warm up at the Littoral Society Headquarters with hot cocoa and hot dogs. Potluck desserts and contributions are welcome!
Building 18, Sandy Hook, NJ

2020 First Day Hikes – New Jersey State Parks
January 1, various times
The New Jersey State Park Service is hosting 20 guided hikes, 2 mountain bike rides, 1 horseback ride, and 1 lighthouse climb in state parks, forests and historic sites on New Year’s Day as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes program. These free First Day Hikes offer a great incentive to get outside, exercise, experience history, enjoy nature, and celebrate the New Year with friends and family in one of your state parks.
At participating New Jersey State parks

Fire & Ice, Food Trucks & Fireworks
January 1, 12PM – 6PM
Enjoy the first day of the new year with Fire & Ice, Food Trucks & Fireworks. Tuckerton Seaport will be offering complimentary admission for a full day of family-friendly activities, including yummy food trucks and a dazzling fireworks display. Take a sip of the best craft brews from Pinelands Brewing.
The Tuckerton Seaport, 120 Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ

The Craft Farm Christmas Light Show
Now – January 8, Dusk
The Craft Farm Christmas Light Show was created to spread the joy and happiness of Christmas through colorful musical displays. The show runs every year between Black Friday and January 8th and features four Christmas season related songs totaling about 16 minutes in length. Attendees enjoy the show from their cars, they tune to the correct radio station and the show begins!
19 Craft Farm Dr, Bridgewater, NJ

Holiday Light Show on the Lake
January 1 – 5, Dusk until 8:30PM
Enjoy popular holiday songs synchronized to a dazzling Christmas tree light show. These trees “float” over peaceful Lake Meone in the Historic Smithville Village. With over 120 trees and thousands of sparkling lights, this show will keep you in the holiday spirit.
615 East Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ

Wellness Walks: Island Trail
January 4, 10AM – 12PM
Better health may be just a walk in the park! Enjoy an even bigger boost to the natural mind-body benefits of walking by doing it outdoors. Part of the First Saturday Walk Series by the Friends for the Abbott Marshlands. See www.abbottmarshlands.org for a full monthly schedule.
Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Ave, Trenton, NJ

Live Music Saturday at Working Dog Winery
January 4, 11, 18, 25, 1PM – 5PM
Free music series at Working Dog Winery featuring local musicians. Wine sold separately!
Working Dog Winery, Hightstown, NJ

Morris County Farmer’s Market
January 5, 12, 19 & 26 , 10AM – 1PM
The Morris County Winter Farmers’ Market is produced in partnership with the Foodshed Alliance Farmers’ Access Network and Grow it Green Morristown. The market features local vendors featuring produce, bread, desserts and more!
Alexander Hamilton School, 24 Mills Street, Morristown, NJ

Hunterdon Land Trust’s Winter Farmers’ Market
January 5 & 19, 11AM – 1PM
Join the Hunderdon Land Trust’s Winter Farmers’ Market which runs the first and third Sundays of every month from December to early May. New participants this year include seafood vendor, Local 130 Seafood; Aquasprouts Farm, an aquaponics farm with lettuce and kale; Oak Grove Angus Farms with beef; Picklelicious, who offers an incredible assortment of pickles and olives; and Will’s Amazing Vegan Burgers. They’ll also host a number of returning farmers and vendors including Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, Comeback Farm, Sandbrook MeadowFarm, WoodsEdge Farm, Fired Up Flatbread Co., Purely Farm, Fieldstone Coffee Roasters and River Lea House.
111 Mine St, Flemington, NJ

Winter Beach Walk at Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area
January 8, 11AM
Take a guided walk with a Park System Naturalist along the beach at Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan, collecting and identifying some of the ocean’s natural treasures. Make sure you dress in warm clothing and bring along something to carry shells.
391 Third Avenue, Manasquan, NJ

Knit In the Pit
January 10, 6PM – 8PM
Bring a project or just a set of knitting needles (crochet hooks too!) for a community KNIT IN THE PIT. Hosted by Jon Giswold with sponsorship by Lion Brand Yarns, this event will be held in the spirit of the #hatnothate campaign. So come one and all crafters – there will be Raffle drawing highlighting Hand Dyers from around the world, as well as local yarn shops like our summer house BALZAC & Co of Ocean Grove. Join the Social Knitwork the season
The Asbury, 210 5th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ

Warren Recreation Winter Festival, Fireworks & Bonfire!
January 11
This FREE EVENT is January 11, 2020 (rain date January 18) from 4-7pm at the Municipal Complex Baseball Field Area off of Bardy Road. Come enjoy live music, ice carver, petting zoo, horse drawn carriage rides, carnival rides, marshmallow roasting and free hot chocolate!
WarrenNJRec, 46 Mountain Blvd, Warren, NJ

Open House! Spring & Summer Performing Arts at NJPAC
January 11, 11AM – 1PM
Come see why families choose NJPAC for their student’s arts training experience! What to expect: You’ll get to meet NJPAC’s arts training faculty and staff, participate in trial classes, see our facility, register for classes on-site, and be able to enjoy a day at NJPAC!
NJPAC Center for Arts Education, 24 Rector Street, Newark, NJ

Polar Bear Plunge at Wildwood
January 11, 1PM
The Polar Bear Plunge at Wildwood is so much more than an icy dip into the Atlantic Ocean. Special Olympics New Jersey provides year-round sports training, competition, leadership opportunities and health screenings to more than 25,000 athletes. As always, it’s free to spectate.
Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Family Festival in Jersey City
January 11, 1PM – 4PM
First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Family Festival is coming to New Jersey City University in Jersey City! Bring your family, friends, and kids for free food, music, prizes, and fun! Grab a balloon animal, get your face-painted, and hear more about the services available to you, your family, and your community in Jersey City. Learn how to access state, county, and local programs and resources—from health insurance to energy assistance programs to child care centers and so much more.
Gilligan Student Union Building, 2039 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ

Princeton Farmer’s Market
January 16 & 30, 10AM – 3PM
Join the Princeton Farmers’ Market in the Community Room, located on the first floor of the Princeton Public Library. Offering a variety of goods including local, organic fruits and vegetables, free-range beef, poultry, pork, eggs, cheese, pickles, honey, baked goods, linens, nut butters, and more!
Princeton Family YMCA, 59 Paul Robeson Place Princeton, N

Annual North Jersey Orchid Society Show and Sale
January 17 – 19
The Annual North Jersey Orchid Society Show and Sale will take place during the second weekend in January. It will feature out of this world orchid exhibits, showcasing plants grown in homes and greenhouses across the tri-state area.
Rutgers University – Douglass Student Center
100 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1412

Lunar New Year Celebration
January 18, 11AM – 2PM
Come celebrate Lunar New Year from 11am – 2pm in Macy’s Court area Level 2. Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, and Filipino performances from The Korean Community Center, Ace Education, Woorigarak Cultural Art Center, Haesun Jung Korean Dance Academy, HuaXia Chinese School at Bergen, Chinese Service Center, and Hope Sing and Dance Art Troupe. Enjoy red envelopes including special discounts from our retailers. And much more!
1 Garden State Plaza Boulevard, Paramus, NJ

REI Workshop: Winter Family Hike
January 19, 1PM – 3PM
Just because it’s cold and snowy outside, does not mean you have to stay indoors. Join our REI instructors on a kid-friendly winter hike to discuss tips and essentials for planning safe trips into the outdoors. Kids need to be old enough to hike, or, bring your child carrier backpack. Meet at the Historic Hunt Barn located at 197 Blackwell Road in Pennington.
197 Blackwell Road in Pennington, NJ

Entrance Fee-Free Day at NJ National Parks
January 20
Tie your shoes and spend a day outside with your family. At various parks throughout the Garden State, your family can enjoy free entrance, which only happens about four times a year. This includes the Delaware Water Gap and Pinelands National Reserve.
various parks throughout NJ

Hot Chocolate Open House at Cora Hartshorn Arboretum
January 20, 10:30AM
Spend the day at the Arboretum to learn about the exciting things going on in 2019, including their plan to build a nature discovery area! At 10:30 experts from Wild Birds Unlimited will be teaching everyone how to attract a variety of winter birds to their yards. Take a hike, play a game, hear a story, and enjoy their winter wonderland!
324 Forest Dr S, Short Hills, NJ

MLK Day Celebration: Lift Every Voice
January 20, 10AM – 5PM
We will never forget Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words and actions, or his impact as an activist, working to give a voice to all. Join us at the Museum to celebrate his life and further his mission. All day long we will have hands-on activities, planetarium showings, music, performances and free health screenings. You and your family won’t want to miss this annual celebration!
The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington Street, Newark, NJ

Celebrate the Life & Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr
January 20, 9AM – 12PM
Join the Arts Council of Princeton as we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of interactive workshops, music, and discussions as they relate to Dr. King’s life, teachings, and civic engagement. Free and open to everyone
102 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ

Wondrous Winter Walks – Thompson Park
January 22, 10AM – 11:30AM
Nature walks are like snowflakes, each one is unique in its own way. Toss on your winter gear and tag along with a Park System Naturalist as you explore the serenity that is nature in the wintertime. Please Note: Sturdy footwear recommended, trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over.
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ

New Year New You at Courtyard by Marriott
January 22, 5PM – 8PM
Featuring:
Psychics:
Laurie Knapp Siciliano Intuitive Angel & Tarot Card Readings
Melissa Marder Claivoyant – Tarot Card Readings
Michele Germann Rothermel Medium – The Spirit Whisperer
Shelley Shayner Intuitive Tarot & Oracle Card Readings
Christine Gurganus Spiritual Psychic & Medium
And Matt Penner Numerology Readings and Intuitive Services who was featured on FOX 29’s Morning Show!
Courtyard by Marriott Deptford, Deptford Township, NJ

The Casual Birder – Seven Presidents
January 23, 9AM – 10:30AM
Join a Park System Naturalist for these laid-back morning bird walks. We’ll meander through the parks for about an hour and a half to see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy these walks. A limited number of binoculars will be available to borrow if needed. We will go even with light rain or snow, so please come dressed for the weather
Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, 221 Ocean Avenue North, Long Branch, NJ

Fire & Ice Festival
January 25, 10AM – 4PM
Downtown Mount Holly will host a Fire & Ice Festival that features ice carvers who will transform 300-pound blocks of ice into beautiful crystalline works of art. Take lots of photos and be sure to use the hashtag: #FandINJ.
Downtown Mount Holly, NJ

Canal and River Walk
January 25, 2PM
Explore two historic canals and cross the Delaware River on this scenic and informative 2-mile, guided walking tour. See the lift lock and the outlet lock on New Jersey’s D&R Canal and learn how canal boats crossed the river from New Hope to Lambertville. Enjoy the river vistas and then follow the Delaware Canal to Lock 11 and its Locktender’s House where hot chocolate and cookies will be waiting.
Lambertville Station, 11 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ

Meadowlands Racetrack Chili Cook-off
January 25, 8PM – 10PM
Annual chilli and salsa competition where the winner can win big money! Chili is free to taste and the public can watch and wager on live horse racing starting at 7:15pm!
Meadowlands Racetrack, 1 Racetrack Dr, East Rutherford, NJ

Wassailing the Apple Trees
January 26, 1PM – 4PM
Raise a glass of hot cider with us as Terhune Orchards honors the trees that give us our wonderful apples. The ancient British tradition of wassailing the apple trees to protect them from harm is a popular winter celebration at Terhune Orchards that you won’t want to miss! Activities include singing, dancing and playing of primitive instruments, toasts of hot cider and placing gifts of cider-soaked bread in the tree branches while chanting the lively words of praise and New Year. Warm yourself next to our bonfire (marshmallow roasting included) or in our store. Live music will be performed all afternoon. The festivities are FREE and open to the public, young and old
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ

More Ideas of Things You Can Do this Winter: