Top 10 New Jersey Events for January 13 – 15, 2023

Are you fully embracing 2023?  It may be coldish – but there’s still plenty to do! Winter walks, wine events, the Wildwood Polar Bear Plunge and more. Let’s leave the house to explore what NJ has to offer (or not, you do you). These are my top 10 New Jersey Events for January 13 – 15, 2023.

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

If you’d like to submit your event, click here.

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

Top 10 New Jersey Events for January 13 – 15, 2023:

Winter Walk in Taylor Park
Now – January 15
Follow the lights through a path of handmade snowflakes, courtesy of local Boy Scout Troop 15. The trees along the path are wrapped in lights, the enormous polar bear is the perfect setting for family photos, and the bridge is adorned with hundreds of lights that reflect into the stream that runs along the Main Street section of the park. Continue your stroll along the Main Street entrance, over the bridge near the Bauer Center and then head for hot chocolate or dinner at your choice of numerous restaurants.
Taylor Park, 100 Main Street, Millburn, NJ

Let It Glow a Holiday Lantern Spectacular
Now – January 15 (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

Country Mile Gardens Plant Fundraiser
Tuesday, January 10 to Saturday, January 14, 9AM – 5PM
A great way to begin 2023 is to freshen up your house with new indoor plants, or add bird feeders to your yard while doing good. Stop by Country Mile Gardens for a fundraiser on behalf of the nonprofit Mrs. Wilson’s Treatment Center, where you may find beautiful indoor plants and bird feeders. Mention the fundraiser for a portion of proceeds to go to Mrs. Wilson’s to provide housing, treatment, and life skills training to women in recovery from substance use and mental health conditions. The best part is that you may stop by Country Mile Gardens on any day that the event is running.
***Admission is free but an indoor plant or bird feeder must be purchased to count as part of the fundraiser.
Country Mile Gardens at 1108 Mt. Kemble Ave, Morristown, NJ

Winery with Music, Firepits & Mulled Wine
January 14 & 15, 12PM – 5PM
Join for a chance to gather with friends, and family. This winter Terhune Orchards winery will be open Saturdays & Sundays with indoor and outdoor seating. Seasonal hot mulled wine is a wonderful way to warm up. Sample a variety of wines in tasting flights or enjoy wine by the glass. Fire pits will be going all weekend. Bring your glasses and enjoy them fireside. Light fare is available. All ages can enjoy s’more kits and hot cocoa. Families are welcome. No reservations are needed, maximum group of 8 guests.
Terhune Orchards, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free to attend

Polar Bear Plunge for the Special Olympics at Wildwood
January 14, 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 14, 10AM – 12PM
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

The Rahway Soup Stroll
January 14, 1PM – 4PM
Warm up this winter with some delicious soups!
On Saturdays in January (7, 14, 21, & 28) from 1-4pm, bundle up and visit participating restaurants for a taste of their featured soups. Here’s what you do:
– Visit the participating restaurant.
– Ask for a Soup Stroll Sample and receive a FREE 4oz sample of their featured soup.
– Stroll outside to enjoy your soup!
– Take a Souper Selfie at the establishment to submit for the photo contest!
– Stroll to the next participating establishment and repeat!
– Take a SOUPER SELFIE and enter a drawing for one of four $25 Gift Certificates to your favorite participating Rahway Restaurant!
Visit participating restaurants, snap a picture with your soup at that restaurant and post it to your Instagram Feed or Story. Tag @rahwayishappening and the restaurant (if they have an account) and you will be entered into the drawing. (One entry per Instagram account)
Rahway, NJ

Ice Carving Exihibition at Pier Village
January 14
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.
Festival Plaza, Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ

Rutgers University Wedding Expo
January 14, 12PM – 4PM
New Jersey’s Largest Winter Bridal Show at Rutgers University – Over 100 Wedding Professionals Exhibiting.
Rutgers–New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ

Wine and Cheesecake Weekend
Janaury 14 & 15, 12PM – 5PM
It’s a new year and that means Cocoa Currant is BACK and better than ever. At the event, you will be pairing the release date for Cocoa Currant with their Cheesecake Weekend. Cheesecakes by DeesCakes!
Cream Ridge Winery, 145 Route 539 Cream Ridge, NJ
Cost: Tickets are $15 and include your personal sized cheesecake and a select glass of wine.