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MLK Weekend 2023 in New Jersey: Top Things To Do With Kids

The Arts Council of Princeton celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a bagel and coffee breakfast, a canned food drive, and a limited-edition coloring book. Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of Princeton
The Arts Council of Princeton celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a bagel and coffee breakfast, a canned food drive, and a limited-edition coloring book. Photo courtesy of the Arts Council of Princeton
1/11/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this long weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend.

The first three-day weekend of 2023 kicks off with a celebration on ice and concludes with an important day of service and legacy. Disney stars glide through town this weekend with Disney on Ice: Into the Magic. Plus, enjoy festivals this weekend, including outdoor events like Ice Sculpture Show at Pier Village and indoor ones like American Dream's Lunar New Year Celebration. Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and there are service opportunities for all ages in Scotch Plains, Princeton, and Summit, among others.

Find more cold-weather activities for the long weekend, including the 30 Best Things To Do this Winter in NJ 2023, in our Winter Fun Guide and our packed Family Activity Calendar.

More Things To Do in New Jersey this Week with Kids:​

Be sure to click through to each listing for all the details, including recommended ages and times. Check with each venue for its COVID guidelines before heading out to any event.

 

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Disney On Ice: Into the Magic center stage at the Prudential Center. Photo courtesy of Disney
Disney On Ice: Into the Magic center stage at the Prudential Center. Photo courtesy of Disney

Top Things To Do in New Jersey this Weekend

Disney On Ice: Into the Magic

Newark
Thursday, January 12-Monday, January 16, 2023
Magical Disney characters skate their way to Prudential Center for this festive celebration on ice. Join Belle, Coco's Miguel, Rapunzel, Moana and more.  READ MORE

Lunar New Year Celebration at American Dream

East Rutherford–FREE
Select dates through Sunday, February 5
Ring in The Year of the Rabbit at American Dream with festive performances, shopping deals, and beautiful decor in honor of the Lunar New Year. Performances take place at the Dream Stage in Court A. READ MORE

Wild Con Collectibles Festival

Wildwood
Saturday, January 14
Wild Con is a collectibles festival for families, featuring comic books, trading cards, toys, manga, anime, Pokemon, graphic novels, posters, artists, writers, and costume groups. READ MORE

Ice Sculpture Show at Pier Village

Long Branch–FREE
Saturday, January 14
Pier Village is ready for winter with a live ice sculpture demonstration. Award-winning sculptors design and carve 14 sculptures in an elimination style speed carving format. READ MORE

Wonders of Science at Lakeshore Learning

Various locations–FREE
Saturday, January 14
We have seen the Wonders of Science and they are -- kinda slimy. Lakeshore Learning stores host a free afternoon of hands-on activities introducing kids to the wonders of science. READ MORE

Dragons and Mythical Beasts

New Brunswick
Sunday, January 16
Magnificent and terrifying beings, including the colossal Stone Troll, the mysterious Indrik, and Japanese Baku, the adorable Unicorn and the majestic Griffin, take the stage at State Theatre New Jersey. READ MORE

Family Sundays at the Nature Center

Hamilton–FREE
Select Sundays through February 26
Swing by this free naturalist-led program on select Sundays that encourages families to explore the wonders of nature. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2023

Princeton–FREE
Monday, January 16
The Arts Council of Princeton celebrates the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with a bagel and coffee breakfast, a canned food drive and a limited-edition coloring book. READ MORE

Scotch Plains Fanwood Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Scotch Plains
Monday, January 16
Join the Scotch Plains Fanwood community for its 13th annual day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year's projects include virtual, drop-off, and in-person volunteer opportunities, such as card-making and food drives. READ MORE

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service at Reeves-Reed Arboretum

Summit–FREE
Monday, January 16
Stop by the patio of Reeves-Reed Arboretum to pick up supplies to create a Valentine for essential workers. On this important day of service memorializing Martin Luther King Jr., participants can warm the hearts of all those who help people on a daily basis.  READ MORE

Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

Multiple Locations
Monday, January 16
Jersey Cares Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service welcomes children and adults to take part in virtual and in-person projects to strengthen communities and build a stronger New Jersey. Projects require registration. READ MORE

Snow Globes & MLK Day Activities

Madison–FREE
Monday, January 16
Join METC in celebration of MLK Day with this drop-in snow globe craft workshop. Participants engage in a hands-on activity by learning to design and create their own snow globes. There are also MLK-themed paper crafts and books. READ MORE

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony

Ocean City–FREE
Monday, January 16
Gather at the Ocean City Music Pier for the opening ceremony at noon, and honor Dr. King through words, song and dance. A complimentary buffet luncheon follows at the Music Pier solarium. READ MORE

MLK Day: A Day of Service

Ramsey–FREE
Monday, January 16
Stop by Ramsey Free Public Library for an afternoon of service activities, including decorating lunch bags that are filled with food and listening to MLK speeches.  READ MORE

Winter Ecology Hike

Ringwood
Monday, January 16
Schools are closed, so come to The New Weis Center for a guided hike that focuses on the beauty of nature that stands out during the winter months. READ MORE

Science Rocks! Mini Day-Off

Medford
Monday, January 16
Spend a day off from school at the Cedar Mill Wildlife Refuge with outdoor, educational fun. The day's theme is Chilly Challenge. Take part in science experiments, hikes, animal encounters and more.  READ MORE

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Multiple Locations–FREE
Monday, January 16
On select days throughout the year, all national parks are open to the public with no admission fee. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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