We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Sponsored Post: The newly renovated, state-of-the-art Early Childhood Center at the JCC of Northern New Jersey is now accepting registrations for the 2019 – 2020 school year. Offerings include 3- or 5-day classes for 2-year olds and 5-day classes for 3- and 4- year olds. Before and after care are also available. Drop-in Blooming Babies and Tot Shabbat classes are available starting now. (Please see the website or call the school at 201.666.6610 for more information,The Early Childhood Center at the JCC of NNJ, 605 Pascack Road, Washington Township)
Events Not To Miss:
Why: Meet the team, visit classrooms and learn how the Montessori Plus approach can work for your family.
When: Friday January 25, 9-10:30 am, 1-2:30 pm
Where: 75 East Ramapo Ave., Mahwah
Why: Hang with the famous pig and enjoy open play, balloons and tattoos.
When: Friday January 25, 3:30-5:30 pm, $28
Where: The Big Playhouse, 312 Kinderkamack Rd., Westwood
What: Parents’ Night Out
Why: Shop, dine out, clean the house – all without the kids! Drop them for movie and crafts night and enjoy your own night out.
When: Saturday January 26, 6-10 pm, $45, reserve a spot at 201-894-1333
Where: Progressive Dance Studio, 27 S Van Brunt St., Englewood
What: Make & Take: Bean Bag
Why: Jazz up your kid’s room with a DIY bean bag chair.
When: Saturday January 26, 12-2:30 pm, member/$75, non-member/$85
Where: Wyckoff Family YMCA, 691 Wyckoff Ave., Wyckoff
What: Family Fun Carnival
Why: Games, food, raffles and more indoor family fun.
When: Saturday January 26, 12-2 pm, $5
Where: Cliffside Park School 6, 440 Oakdene Ave., Cliffside Park
Why: Tour the school and learn about how the program can work for your child’s education and Catholic faith.
When: Sunday January 27, 11 am-1 pm, Tuesday January 29, 9-11 am
Where: St. John’s Academy, 460 Hillsdale Ave., Hillsdale
What: The Chocolate Expo
Why: Chocolate takes over NJ, plus meet actors from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang or enjoy the Kidz Zone.
When: Sunday January 27, 10 am-7 pm, $10 online, $15 at the door
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, Level 2, 1 Garden State Plaza Blvd., Paramus
Why: A pinkatastic show about the beloved children’s book character and her pinka-predicament.
When: Sunday January 27, 1 pm and 4 pm, $15-$39
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood
What: Fur-Real Friends
Why: Meet animal ambassadors and go on a search for mammal signs.
When: Sunday January 27, 11 am-12:30 pm, members/$3, non-members/$6
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
Why: Dine in or out and enjoy a delish 3-course meal at a hot spot in Ridgewood.
When: Sunday January 27-Thursday January 31, $30.19 for 3-course prix-fixe menu.
Where: Participating restaurants, Ridgewood
What: Painting Party
Why: Kids flex their creativity with a painting lesson and more fun.
When: Wednesday January 30, 5:30-8:30 pm
Where: Life Time Athletic, 10 Van Riper Rd., Montvale
What: Luxury Bridal Experience
Why: Get help planning your dream wedding from industry experts, and enjoy champagne and gifts.
When: Wednesday January 30, 6:30-9:30 pm, rsvp to [email protected]
Where: Rockleigh Country Club, 26 Paris Ave., Rockleigh
Why: Local chocolates and wines bring you the night out you deserve.
When: Thursday January 31, 6-8 pm, $35
Where: The Tomasello Winery Tasting Room, Abma’s Farm Market, 700 Lawlins Rd., Wyckoff
Why: Race down a snowy mountain in a tube or practice ski skills in the cool outdoors.
When: Mondays-Thursdays, 2-8 pm, Fridays 1-10 pm, Saturdays 8:30 am-10 pm, Sundays 8:30 am-8 pm, $22-$45
Where: Campgaw Mountain, 200 Campgaw Rd., Mahwah
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
Why: Get involved in the magic tournament or shop vendors to complete your magic kit.
When: Friday January 25, 10 am-10 pm, Saturday January 26, 8 am-10 pm, Sunday January 27, 8 am-9 pm
Where: Meadowlands Exposition Center, 355 Plaza Dr., Secaucus
Why: A high-powered competition with four-wheel flying action.
When: Friday January 25, 7 pm, Saturday January 26, 1 pm and 7 pm, Sunday January 27, 1 pm, $19-$85
Where: Prudential Center, 25 Lafayette St., Newark
What: Winter Jam
Why: Have snow much fun in Manhattan learning to ski, sledding and more winter sports fun.
When: Saturday January 26, 11 am-3 pm
Where: Central Park, Bandshell Area, 72nd St., NYC
What: The Magic of Adam Trent
Why: The master of illusions brings excitement, magic and family-friendly comedy to the stage.
When: Saturday January 26, 7:30 pm, $29-$69
Where: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown
What: Hudson Restaurant Week
Why: Give your stove -- and yourself -- a break and dine out.
When: Monday January 28-Tuesday February 5, lunch and dinner.
Where: Participating restaurants, Hudson County
What: Big Apple Circus
Why: Amazing acrobatics, juggling and animals to make you flip.
When: Now through Sunday January 27, check schedule for times, $29-$175
Where: Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC
Why: The Doc is in! Kids step into the doctor’s role as they perform check-ups and groom toy pets.
When: Now through Sunday January 27, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
What: NYC Restaurant Week
Why: Forget cooking and visit one of hundreds of restaurants ready to please your palate.
When: Now through Friday February 8, two-course lunch/$26, three-course dinner/$42
Where: Participating restaurants, NYC
What: NYC Broadway Week
Why: Two-for-one tix to the shows you’ve been waiting to see.
When: Now through Sunday February 10, tickets go on sale Wednesday January 9
Where: Broadway theaters, NYC
Why: A dazzling display of model trains that travel from NYC to the North Pole.
When: Now through Sunday February 3, Monday-Friday 8 am-8 pm, Saturday-Sunday, 10 am-6 pm
Where: New York Transit Museum Gallery & Store, 89 East 42nd St., NYC
Why: Show some love to the original Disney icon with over 16,000 square feet of Mickey paraphernalia, art and history.
When: Open Tuesdays-Sundays through February 10, 10 am-8 pm, $38
Where: 60 10th Ave., NYC
What: Bear Mountain Ice Rink Opening
Why: Lace up the skates for a cool family day on the rink.
When: Now through March 3, check website for session times, $5
Where: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Route 9W N, Bear Mountain
Why: Lace up the skates for a cool family day on the rink.
When: Now through March 3, check website for session times, $5
Where: Bear Mountain Ice Rink, Route 9W N, Bear Mountain
Why: A winter wonderland filled with ice skating, holiday shopping, and tasty treats.
When: Now through Sunday March 3, 8 am-10 pm, $20 skate rental
Where: Between 40th and 42nd Street and Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC
Why: A wintery wonderland where you can slip on skates and enjoy eats at The Lodge.
When: Now through Sunday March 3, 8 am-10 pm
Where: Bryant Park, 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Aves., NYC
Why: Play detective for the day and solve a murder mystery.
When: Now through Monday May 27, available with combination or premium pass
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City
Why: Dancing, singing and plenty of hug time with Poppy and friends.
When: Now through Sunday May 12, 10 am-9 pm weekdays, 9 am-8 pm weekends, $25
Where: 218 West 57th Street, NYC
Upcoming:
What: Family Fun Day 2019
Why: Have an afternoon of fun filled with sports, science, face painting, bouncing and learning about camp.
When: Sunday February 3, 1-3 pm
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly
What: Maple Sugaring
Why: ID a maple tree and help turn sap to syrup, then taste the sweet stuff.
When: Sundays February 3-March 24, 12:30-1:30 pm, 2-3 pm, 3:30-4:30 pm, members/$5, non-member/$10
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly
Why: Put your best foot forward for a night of fitness, trainer meet-and-greets, massages, stress management and more.
When: Wednesday February 13, 7-9 pm, preregistration encouraged
Where: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades, Taub Auditorium, 411 East Clinton Ave., Tenafly