New Jersey Events January 12 – 14, 2024

Hey there! It’s the second weekend of 2024 in New Jersey, and there’s a bunch of cool stuff happening. From yummy food events to free activities, there’s something for everyone. Check out our list of the best events in New Jersey until January 14, and get ready to have a great time as you kick off the new year with awesome experiences and fun moments.

Always check the weather and the event links before you attend in case of cancellations and rescheduling.

For more New Jersey events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.

For more New Jersey adventures and New Jersey Events, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.

New Jersey Events January 12 – 14:

Let It Glow a Holiday Lantern Spectacular
January 11 – January 14  (Thurs – Sun)
The Friends of the Bergen County Zoo are pleased to announce that a brand new winter event is happening! Let it Glow – A Holiday Lantern Spectacular. This Extraordinary event is located inside the Bergen County 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!
Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus, NJ
Cost: $18, $9 child

Renault Winery Resort and Golf Vinter Wonderland
Now – January 14
The Renault Winery grounds have been transformed into a festive winter wonderland! Come experience the Outdoor Renault Rink, designed for skaters of all ages and skill levels! Then, take a stroll through their Champagne Patio Garden and enjoy their spectacular holiday lighting displays. Sip on a Renault seasonal wine or warm up with a hot signature cocktail! Grab a quick, casual bite outside or make a dining reservation inside their newly renovated Tasting Room.
Renault Winery, 72 Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ
Cost: Free to enter. Activity costs vary

Polar Bear Plunge for the Special Olympics at Wildwood
January 13, registration opens at 10 am
Get to the beach in Wildwood to plunge into the frigid Atlantic Ocean and know that you are supporting thousands of registered Special Olympics New Jersey athletes. Have fun, get dressed up in costumes, use plunge props, and make banners and signs. There is a virtual option too.
Wildwoods Convention Center – 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
Cost: FREE to spectate. Register online for $25

Nature in Winter Walk
January 13, 10 am – 12 pm
Winter is a quiet time in nature, but there’s still lots to explore! Join for a naturalist-guided winter walks on Saturday mornings. The focus of the walks will depend on the weather and snow conditions, but will include looking for tracks and signs of wintering wildlife, observe dormant trees, plants, insects, and much more! Walks will cover two miles or less over easy to moderate terrain. You’ll want to dress warmly and wear sturdy boots.
High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans’ Memorial 1480 State Route 23 Sussex, NJ
Cost: Free

Wild Con
January 13, 10 am – 5 pm
This exciting event brings together Guests, Artists, Vendors, and Cosplayers on the Wildwood, NJ boardwalk. Special guest “Brimstone” and other comic book industry figures will be in attendance, along with diverse vendors offering a range of items, including Comic Books, Anime, Manga, Trading Cards, Funko Pops, Lego, Toys, Pokemon, Retro, Pop-Culture, Crafts, Action Figures, Collectibles, and more.
Wildwood Convention Center located on the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ
Cost: Admission is $10, Kids 12 and under are free with paying Adult

Ice Carving Exihibition at Pier Village
January 13, 12 pm – 3 pm
Professional Ice Sculptors will create ice 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.
Festival Plaza, Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ
Cost: Free

New Jersey Wedding Expo at Rutgers University
January 13, 12 pm – 3:30 pm
The New Jersey Wedding Expo at Rutgers University is an exhilarating event serving as a one-stop shop for all things wedding-related. It caters to brides-to-be, grooms, and wedding enthusiasts alike, offering the perfect opportunity to gather inspiration, connect with vendors, and meticulously plan their dream weddings.
130 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Free

Rahway Soup Stroll
January 13, 1 pm – 4 pm
Warm up this winter with some delicious soups! On Saturdays in January (6, 13, 20, & 27) from 1-4pm, individuals can bundle up and visit participating restaurants for a taste of their featured soups. The experience requires no registration, as it is a free event! To participate, one should visit the chosen restaurant, ask for a Soup Stroll Sample, and receive a free 4oz sample of the featured soup. Participants can then stroll outside to savor their soup, take a Souper Selfie at the establishment for a chance to enter the photo contest, and proceed to the next participating restaurant to repeat the enjoyable experience. By taking a Souper Selfie and entering a drawing, participants stand a chance to win one of four $25 Gift Certificates to their favorite participating Rahway Restaurant. To enter, individuals need to visit participating restaurants, snap a picture with their soup at that restaurant, and post it to their Instagram Feed or Story. Tagging @rahwayishappening and the restaurant (if they have an account) will earn them an entry into the drawing, with one entry allowed per Instagram account. For a bonus entry, participants can post a photo with an additional purchase they make at a participating restaurant and tag @rahwayishappening and the restaurant.
Downtown Rahway, Rahway, NJ
Cost: Free

Cranford Souperhero Crawl
January 13 & 14, 12 pm – 4 pm
Excitement surrounds the upcoming Downtown Cranford Souperhero Stroll on January 13th and 14th. Participants and their families are invited to explore Downtown Cranford, admiring life-size superhero balloon sculptures by Dream Factory Balloons while savoring soups from local restaurants. Tickets must be purchased for specific dates and time slots, with one ticket required per soup-tasting participant. Kids are encouraged to dress as superheroes. The event, sponsored by Downtown Cranford, supports CHS Class of 2024 Project Graduation. Rain, snow, or shine, the event takes place with NO REFUNDS. Additionally, canned soup donations for local food banks are welcome and can be brought to registration on the event day.
Downtown Cranford, NJ
Cost: $10

Terhune Orchard’s Winery Weekend Music Series
January 13 & 14, 12 pm – 5 pm
Families and friends are invited to the winery music series this Winter. Attendees can grab a glass of the award-winning wines, sit back, relax, and savor live music from local artists each week. The music styles vary from Jazz and Blues to Folk and Rock, taking place from 1 pm to 4 pm. Guests can bask in the fresh farm air in the historic apple orchard or seek comfort on inclement weather days in the heated wine barn.
330 Cold Soil Rd, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free