Good morning NJ! Hope everyone made it through the storm OK.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news - but Mother Nature apparently didn't get the memo that we already paid our dues. Another storm might be heading our way this weekend. Those of us closer to the shore may get the VIP treatment (lucky us), but you know how it goes - Jersey weather likes to keep us on our toes.
Remember - one of the best things about Jersey is the change of seasons right? RIGHT? 🙃
If you are not already - don’t forget to give me a follow on Facebook (see event shoutouts, news and funny stuff) or Instagram (see pretty pictures and event shoutouts)
I also just started a Reddit community as well. This could be a great place for us to talk - share cool things and for me to share things you will actually see (yes, bashing FB and Insta here). So if you are interested - join me on there and lets make some friends!
Keyport Waterfront - January 2026
Visit the Wander Jersey Event Calendar for the most updated events - and save your favorite events by clicking the heart so you can access them easy!
The events are light this weekend. A few that I had planned to share were canceled due to the extreme cold - like the Lambert Castle grand reopening. Please be sure to check with all events this weekend to make sure they are still happening in the event a new storm hits!
Atlantic County
View all Atlantic County events ➜
Holy Trinity Church Greek Winter Fest from 1/30-2/1
Three day Greek cultural event. Visit Event Website →Atlantic City Punk Rock Flea Market on 2/1 from 12-6pm | Anchor Rock Club, Atlantic City | $10+
Flea market featuring oddities, vintage clothing, upcycled goods and more. Visit Event Website →
Burlington County
View all Burlington County events ➜
Fire & Ice Festival on 1/31 from 10am-4pm | Mount Holly | $8
33rd annual Fire & Ice Festival with over a dozen carved ice blocks around town. Visit Event Website →
Camden County
View all Camden County events ➜
The Bygone Boomerang Vintage Show on 2/1 from 10am-4pm | Cherry Hill Armory | $5,, under 12 free
Collectibles from the 50-90s. Visit Event Website →
Cumberland County
View all Cumberland County events ➜
Dead On Live: Grateful Dead Tribute on 1/31 at 8pm | Levoy Theater, Millville | $30+
Grateful Dead tribute band Dead on Live recreates all the bands iconic songs. Visit Event Website →
Hudson County
View all Hudson County events ➜
Jersey City Whiskey Fest on 1/31 from 6-9:30pm | Harborside, Jersey City | $60 advance, $70 at door
Over 100 styles of whiskey and spirits for tasting. Visit Event Website →
Mercer County
View all Mercer County events ➜
Wassailing Apple Tree Fest on 2/1 from 1-4pm | Terhune Orchards, Princeton | Free
Annual free gathering of singing, dancing, noise making, roasting, toasting and blessing our apple trees for a bountiful 2026 harvest! Visit Event Website →
Monmouth County
View all Monmouth County events ➜
Super*Friendz Collectibles Show on 1/31 from 10am-4pm | Jersey Shore Arts Center, Ocean Grove | $4, under 12 free
Collectibles show featuring cards, toys, comic books, clothes and more. Visit Event Website →Bell Works FRESH Holiday Pop-Up on 2/1 from 11-4pm | Bell Works, Holmdel | Free
Shop for the perfect gift at FRESH markets at Bell Works. Pet friendly, live music, interactive experiences and more. Visit Event Website →
Ocean County
View all Ocean County events ➜
Dine On Us Casino Night Fundraiser on 2/1 from 12-5pm | Aqua Blu, Toms River | $70 advance, $90 door
Casino Night is a fundraiser for Dine On Us which assists NJ military families. Visit Event Website →
Union County
View all Union County events ➜
Rahway Soup Stroll on 1/31 from 1-4pm
The last weekend to enjoy a day strolling Rahway and enjoy free samples of soups from participating restaurants. Visit Event Website →
This summer brings a new concert experience to Monmouth County. The Count Basie Center for the Arts worked with the Monmouth County Tourism organization to create ParkStage. This open-air performance venue is located at the East Freehold Showgrounds and will be opening this summer.
Here are some of the first shows that will be happening at ParkStage. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am.
Sublime on June 19th
The Head and the Heart with Wilderado on June 26th
The B-52s with The English Beat on July 11th
Rendering ParkStage / credit: ParkStage
If you are looking for a way to give back, here are a couple of opportunities to do good and feel good in the Garden State.
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford is looking for 14 volunteers to add to their team - and man do I wish I lived closer to them because this is like a dream volunteer position. Volunteers will assist with feeding, medicating, cleaning enclosures, maintaining records, and ensuring high standards of animal welfare.
180 Turning Lives Around is a Monmouth County organization looking for volunteers to help domestic and sexual abuse survivors. There are opportunities to work as an advocate which is critical in helping victims leave their abusers behind. Training is mostly online with a few in-person sessions.
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Your support helps me keep bringing you the best events, places to explore and inside scoop on what's happening in Jersey every week. Your contribution will go towards keeping Wander Jersey going - and growing!
Your support and feedback is always appreciated! Jill
Jersey Shore Comic Book Show on 2/22 in Toms River - The biggest little con on the East Coast featuring artists, vendors, cosplay, comics and more!
30th Annual Fishing Flea Market on 2/22 in Point Pleasant. Get ready for summer with this show just for those that love to fish.
Red, White and Brew Fest on 3/7 in Trenton featuring over 50 craft beer, wine and spirits to sample
St Patrick’s Day Events - if this is your holiday, be sure to check the events for this holiday often. We are adding new ones weekly.
Madison Marquette has asked the city of Asbury Park for a permit to demolish the breezeway that is attached to the Casino Building on the boardwalk. This has resulted in many angry people taking to social media to express their outrage about this iconic landmark being removed. You can read more on the Asbury Park Facebook Group. As someone who is in Asbury Park weekly, I HATE everything about this and the town is changing into something unrecognizable, losing all that makes it special. There is a council meeting tonight if anyone is interested in going and voicing their concerns.
Murphy signed Assembly Bill 5157 into law as one of his last acts as governor. This law bans the automatic distribution of plastic utensils and condiment packets.
Another bill signed into law is the “bell to bell” cellphone ban for students while in school. This will start in the 2026-2027 school year.
Do you have feedback, questions, or a story you want me to share? Just reply to this email—I read every message, and your input helps make this newsletter better.
