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Take in thousands of flowering cherry trees at Branch Brook Park's Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
Take in thousands of flowering cherry trees at Branch Brook Park's Cherry Blossom Festival. Photo by Rose Gordon Sala
3/25/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE things to do this April in New Jersey? Check out dozens of great options below. 

The month of April is hoppin' with free fun, including Easter freebies like Easter EGGStravaganZoo at Cape May Zoo, which features a scavenger hunt, hop-stacle course, and a bunny visit. Plus, take in the spring weather at no-cost annual festivals, including the picturesque Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival and Rutgers Day, chock full of learning and entertainment. 

Mark your calendars with these FREE April events that take place nearly every day of the month. Find more spring happenings in our Family Activity Calendar and Spring Activities Guide. 

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Free Things To Do in New Jersey in April 2025

Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival at Branch Brook Park

Newark
Daily from Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 13, 2025
Rejoice in thousands of flowering cherry trees, plus tons of family fun, as Essex County presents this two-weekend festival in Branch Brook Park. The fun includes Bloomfest, Essex County Family Day, 10K and 1-mile family fun runs, bike races, and a community fair.  READ MORE

Strolling Spring Bunny in Palmer Square

Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays, from Saturday, April 5-Saturday, April 19, 2025
Catch the Spring Bunny as he hops throughout the Square. Photo-ops are encouraged.  READ MORE

Newport Centre Easter Egg Hunt

Jersey City
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Don't miss Newport Centre's special Easter event, featuring an egg hunt, activities, prizes and a visit from the Easter Bunny. READ MORE

Wheaton Springs Open House

Millville
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Celebrate the start of WheatonArts' 2025 creative season with this free kick-off event highlighting daily offerings and hands-on programming. Explore thought-provoking exhibits in the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center, showcasing glass collections and the complexities and values of traditional arts through modern-day times. READ MORE

Clinton's Art in Bloom Festival

Clinton
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Art in Bloom is back for its second year in historic downtown Clinton. Indulge in a day of art, creativity, and fun with over 100 local artists and artisans showcasing their unique works. Plus, enjoy live music, a kids zone, and wine & beer gardens. READ MORE

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various locations
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Scotch Plains Easter Egg Hunt

Scotch Plains
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Scotch Plains' parks department hosts this special Easter event. The fun includes balloon art, activities, and a visit with the Easter Bunny.  READ MORE

Smithville Renaissance Faire

Absecon
Saturday, April 12-Sunday, April 13, 2025
Join the players of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire and travel back to the days of yore and merry Olde England. The Historic Village of Smithville is transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English Renaissance.  READ MORE

Petting Zoo at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Saturdays, April 12 and 19, 2025
Come out and enjoy the kick off to the Easter Weekend at Casino Pier. The kids are treated to a free petting zoo with Backyard Buddies. READ MORE

Belmar Easter Egg Hunt

Belmar
Saturday, April 12, 2025
More than 3,500 eggs are waiting in the sand for young hunters to find. Groups are divided by age. Don't miss an appearance by the Easter Bunny.  READ MORE

Sonny the Bunny's Colossal Carrot Adventure at iPlay America

Freehold
Saturday, April 12, 2025
This free and fun event features a festive bunny trail you can hop along. Collect treat-filled eggs, pose for holiday-themed photos, and look out for amazing raffle prizes, including an iPlay America Mega Birthday Party giveaway. READ MORE

Essex County Family Day at Branch Brook Park

Newark
Saturday, April 12, 2025
Stop by the concert grove in Branch Brook Park to enjoy an afternoon outdoors with your family. Enjoy live performances, children's activities, a fishing derby, food vendors and more. READ MORE

Bloomfest at Branch Brook Park

Newark
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Enjoy a family day in Branch Brook Park beneath thousands of flowering cherry trees. Scheduled events include cultural demonstrations, children's activities, live music, a crafter's marketplace, food, and more. READ MORE

Seaside Heights Egg Hunt

Seaside Heights
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Stroll the Seaside Heights Boardwalk on the hunt for Easter eggs. Entrance locations are grouped by age. Plus, meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy music, games, and activities. READ MORE

Easter Bunny Photos at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Say hi to the Easter Bunny and get adorable photos for the Easter holiday. Photos take place in the Casino Pier Arcade. READ MORE

Jenkinson's Egg Hunt

Point Pleasant
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Head to the beach, but leave your sand toys at home for this free Easter celebration. Each child is welcome to find three eggs. Groups are divided by age. READ MORE

Art Together at Zimmerli

New Brunswick
Sunday, April 13, 2025
On select Sundays throughout the year, families can work side-by-side on arts and crafts projects at Rutgers' Zimmerli Art Museum. Each session includes a brief, instructor-led tour through one of the galleries. READ MORE

Easter EggstravaganZoo at Cape May County Zoo

Cape May
Daily, from Friday, April 18-Friday, April 25
All are invited to Cape May County Park and Zoo for its annual EggstravaganZoo, featuring the Easter Bunny. Visitors can have their picture taken with the popular rabbit on Saturday, April 19. READ MORE

Easter Egg Hunt at West Side Presbyterian Church

Ridgewood
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Bring the kids to hunt for eggs and take pictures with the Easter Bunny. The hunt begins in the church parking lot, where children are directed to an area appropriate for their age. Bring a basket and invite your friends to join in the fun.  READ MORE

Kids Magic Show at Casino Pier

Seaside Heights
Saturday, April 19, 2025
This free magic show boasts quality entertainment for any age. Don't miss live doves, a live bunny, puppetry, and audience participation. READ MORE

Easter Parade at Historic Smithville

Galloway
Sunday, April 20, 2025
Put on your Easter best and stroll the Village in style. The parade begins at the Smithville Inn at 1pm, and awards are given for best outfits.  READ MORE

Cape May Earth Day Celebration

Cape May
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Head over to the Cape May County Park and Zoo for a day of Earth-friendly fun, featuring educational exhibits, children’s amusements, live entertainment, environmental eco-shops, and a scavenger hunt.  This year's theme is Seas the Moment: Protect Our Oceans. READ MORE

Shad Fest 2025

Lambertville
Saturday, April 26-Sunday, April 27, 2025
The 42nd annual Shad Fest showcases the region’s finest artists and crafters, featuring jewelry, ceramics, furniture, apparel, accessories, home décor, and more. A children’s activity section includes games and face painting. There is also a home and garden section and farmers market. READ MORE

Allentown Spring Stroll

Allentown
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Spring is in the air in Allentown, with a day of hand-crafted vendors, beer garden, food trucks, music, fun activities. face painting, pony rides, and a bounce house.  READ MORE

Earth Day Celebration & Music Festival in Hoboken

Hoboken
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Honor Earth Day at this family-friendly, open-air event, which features music from local bands, delicious food trucks, live animal encounters, upcycled arts and crafts, fitness demos, and eco-friendly vendors showcasing their products. READ MORE

Stirling's Annual Street Fair - 2025

Stirling
Sunday, April 27, 2025
If you like shopping outdoors, this giant block party is the place to be. Explore quality exhibitors, a special arts & crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides & games, great festival foods & food trucks, and more. READ MORE

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Beloved story characters take the stage at Deptford Mall for FREE monthly shows. Enjoy singing, dancing, story time, fun giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the character. Registration is required.  READ MORE

Rutgers Day

New Brunswick
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Rutgers University’s show-and-tell event for all ages offers free performances by musicians and dancers, health and wellness tips, science demonstrations, and hands-on learning activities in the sciences, arts, and humanities.  READ MORE

South Jersey Arts Fest in Elmer

Elmer
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Celebrate the arts and artists of South Jersey with live music, food and drink, craft vendors, and art-making. Appel Farm teaching artists lead art-making workshops for all ages, and local young artists will display their artwork in a pop-up outdoor art gallery. READ MORE

Wool Days/Sheep Shearing at Historic Longstreet Farm

Holmdel
Saturday, April 26-Sunday, April 27, 2025
The farm's staff demonstrates the way wool was used in Colonial America, with spinning and weaving activities. READ MORE

Earth Day Open House at Huber Woods Environmental Center

Middletown
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Families and friends of all ages are invited to celebrate Earth Day at Huber Woods Environmental Center. Events include live animal displays, guided nature walks, talks, and crafts. READ MORE

Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair 2025

Washington
Saturday, April 26, 2025
The 5th annual Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair is coming to Washington Borough. Enjoy a full day of live music, artisan vendors, street performers, costumes, and general steampunk shenanigans. READ MORE

Red Bank Street Fair & Craft Show

Red Bank
Sunday, April 27, 2025
Take a stroll through downtown Red Bank and explore interesting arts & crafts, shopping, live music, kid's games, and great food. READ MORE

Ongoing Free Things To Do in April 2025

Star Light Star Bright Installation in Hoboken

Hoboken
Daily
Experience Hoboken's brilliant and immersive exhibition, Star Light Star Bright,  a cheerful, eye-catching structure along the Hoboken waterfront, providing a burst of color and light to the public park. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Music & Movement at Johnson Public Library

Hackensack
Every Tuesday
Children and caregivers are invited to sing and dance at this library music and movement time. The program takes place in the auditorium. READ MORE

Bookscape Babies at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Play Cafe at Ramsey Free Public Library

Ramsey
Every Wednesday
Pop in for playtime with lots of toys and fun guaranteed. Parents can relax with a warm cup of coffee. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

Brick
Every Wednesday
Head over to Barnes & Noble every Wednesday for children's stories and fun. READ MORE

Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

Drop in and Discover at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Saturday
Stop by Jakes Branch Nature Center on Saturdays for nature lessons and crafts. A new topic is explored each session. READ MORE

Winery Weekend Music Series at Terhune Orchards

Princeton
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join Terhune for cheer in the winery with live music and time with family and friends. Enjoy indoor seating in the wine barn among the wine tanks and outdoor seating with fire pits. Sample hot mulled wine, tasting flights, and wine by the glass.  READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jakes Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Historic Smithville & the Village Greene
Belmar Beach
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University
Cape May County Park and Zoo
Earth Day Celebration
Appel Farm Arts and Music Center
Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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