Feeling cooped up in your house as the winter weather sets in? Don’t let frigid temperatures keep you away from all of the wonderful events that the Garden State has to offer! From model train shows to beer festivals, this list will keep you busy all month long. Our Best January Festivals in NJ roundup offers a great start to the New Year!
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region below to find a January Festival near you.
| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
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North Jersey
62nd Annual Model Railroad Show
Where: Garden State Model Railway Club, 575 High Mountain Road, North Haledon
When: January 4 & 5 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Price: $6 per person, free for kids under 12
Details: Behold the extensive collection of model trains featuring intermodal, mixed freight, coal, and passenger trains at the 62nd annual Model Railroad Show. Check out the special trains on display for children, including Thomas the Tank Engine and the Santa Claus Express.
More info: Visit the website.
Winter Festival Bonfire & Fireworks
Where: 46 Mountain Boulevard, Warren
When: January 11 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Price: Free
Details: Bring your unwanted Christmas tree to discard and then have some good old-fashioned winter fun! The lighting of the bonfire is at 4:20 pm following a speech from the mayor. A petting zoo, ice sculptures, marshmallow roasting, carnival rides, horse drawn carriage rides, and more will entertain the masses. Enjoy tasty snacks from food trucks like Angry Archies and The Empanada Guy, plus fireworks at 7:00 pm!
More info: Visit the website.
Central Jersey
Family Arboretum Challenge
Where: Reeves-Reed Arboretum, 165 Hobart Avenue, Summit
When: January 11 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
Price: $5 per person (members) and $10 per person (non-members)
Details: While this isn’t technically a January festival, it is a fun, original event that the whole family can enjoy. Families are given a map and a compass before heading out into the woods to look for clues. Regroup inside with some hot chocolate as you attempt to solve the puzzle. Registration is required.
More info: Visit the website or click here to call.
Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival
Where: Locations throughout Lambertville and New Hope
When: January 18-26 at various times
Price: Prices vary
Details: Nine days of fun events make this event a must. A chili cook-off, soup-a-thon, Revolutionary Pub Crawl, Oldies Dance Night, ice sculptures, and more; it all brings these two bordering towns of New Jersey and Pennsylvania together. Last year this event raised over $45,000 for local charities. Note, however, that some events are free and some require tickets; check the website for the full schedule and details for each event.
More info: Visit the website.
Jersey Shore
Asbury Park Beerfest
Where: Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park
When: January 25 & 26 at various times
Price: $44 per person (in advance), $48 per person (at the door)
Details: Say “Cheers to beers!” at this Jersey Shore beer festival. Beer connoisseurs gather to enjoy craft beers, ciders, and retro beers, along with classic boardwalk food. There are two sessions on January 25 (noon to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm) and one session on January 26 (noon to 4:00 pm).
More info: Visit the website.
Fire & Ice Food Trucks & Fireworks
Where: Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton
When: January 1 from noon to 6:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Kick off the New Year with a fun festival at Tuckerton Seaport, featuring live music, craft beer from Pinelands Brewing Co., food trucks, and family activities. Explore the historic Captain’s House, take a hayride through the frozen woods, and watch an ice-cream making demo. The fireworks show takes place at 6:00 pm over the lake. Admission is free, but there will be collections of canned goods for the Tuckerton Food Pantry and new or gently used books for the Little Free Library.
More info: Visit the Facebook page or click here to call.
Seashore Open House
Where: Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, 1 Joline Avenue, Long Branch
When: January 12 from noon to 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Stop by the Activity Center to get a dose of summer fun during the winter! This free January festival features engaging hands-on activities that are both entertaining and educational. Check out the aquatic animals on display or ask a Park System Naturalist about your own shell collection. They will also provide light refreshments.
More info: Visit the website or click here to call.
South Jersey
Fire & Ice Festival
Where: Main Street, Historic Mount Holly
When: January 25 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Delight all your senses at the annual Fire & Ice Festival, which features cool ice sculptures and a hot chili competition. Sample the chili and vote for your favorite while enjoying live music, a craft beer tent, a cupcake decorating contest, and fire engine rides.
More info: Visit the website or click here to call.
Mid-Winter Antique Show
Where: WheatonArts Event Center, 1000 Village Drive, Millville
When: January 25 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm & January 26 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: $6 per person
Details: Over 40 quality antique dealers will be showing off their wares at this annual event. Furniture, books, ceramics, glass, jewelry, linens, paper, toys, pottery primitives and more can all be found here. Come enjoy some post-holiday shopping in the new year!
More info: Visit the website.
Looking for year-round listings of more great activities? Check out our roundup of New Jersey’s Best Fairs & Festivals.
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © LuckyImages / Adobe Stock
Additional Images ©:
Garden State Model Railway Club, Inc. / Website
Asbury Park Beerfest / Facebook
