Top 10 Things To Do This Weekend

Despite the freezing temperatures (and the overall feeling that we are living in the frozen tundra rather than the Jersey Shore), this weekend is packed with festivals that are sure to keep you warm and your spirits up – no S.A.D. here!

If you’re digging the North Pole temperatures, take the plunge into the Atlantic (we know you can’t get enough of these!)

Love the beauty of winter, but not the temperatures? Check out the winter wonderland at Laurita Winery.

For those of us that are keeping sane by focusing exclusively on spring, head to the Atlantic City Home and Garden show where you’ll get creative ideas from over 200 experts.

Or warm up with a few drinks in a beer lovers paradise or during some early St. Patrick’s Day festivities.

No matter where you’re headed this weekend, bundle up and stay warm!

#1 Asbury Park Beer Festival, Asbury Park 

Location: Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
Date: Saturday, February 21st 12-4pm and 6-10pm and Sunday, February 22nd 12-4pm
Cost: $37.50 in advance or $42.00 at the door

Description:
Beer enthusiasts rejoice! The time has finally come for the annual Asbury Park Beer Festival! Join hundreds of fellow beer drinkers as you enter a beer lovers paradise, featuring craft beer from around the world, ciders, iconic retro beers, and even beer sports like Masskrugstemmen (a beer-stein-holding contest)! This event has been known to sell out so get reserve your tickets ASAP. Go get your stein on!

#2 Polar Bear Plunge, Seaside Park

Location: Bum Rogers Crab House 2207 SW Central Ave, Seaside Park
Date: Saturday, February 21st 1pm
Cost: $25

Description:
We seriously can’t get enough of the polar bear plunges! Maybe it’s because we’re so impressed that people are actually doing it! So if you’ve wimped out (like us) before, now’s your chance to go for it! Join “Simply Bums” and their Polar Bear Plunge Team on Saturday as they take the big dip into the icy Atlantic. They’re even enticing participants with free beer and food at Bum Rogers Crab House – oh and a sweatshirt and t-shirt to bring your core temperature back up to normal again. Stay and party with the Bum Rogers Crab House crowd – they promised us they’ll be heat, beer specials and entertainment!

#3 Red Bank Restaurant Week

Location: Participating Red Bank Restuarants
Date: February 16th – 26th (excluding Friday and Saturday)
Cost: $30 Prix Fixe Dining Specials

Description:
This week marks the beginning of the long awaited Red Bank Restaurant Week. Dine at over 30 restaurants from February 16 – 26th (except for Friday and Saturday) for a special $30 prix fixe three-course dining menu. It’s the best way to try some of Red Bank’s newest restaurants like Catch, Gotham, and RUNA Peruvian Cuisine. Or stay with the Red Bank institutions including The Bistro at Red Bank, Molly Pitcher Inn, and Teak. At such a great price, you can enjoy the old and the new!

#4 Ice Sculpture Festival, New Egypt

Location: Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt
Date: February 21st – 22nd 11am – 7pm
Cost: $6

Description:
Since it’s going to hit single digits this weekend, why not bring the entire family to a winter wonderland event as Laurita Winery transforms into a vineyard ski lodge for the Ice Sculpture Festival supporting the Boys and Girls Club. Stare in awe at the ice sculpture displays including a Fire & Ice truck by a world-renowned sculptor and four-time Guinness World Records holder. Laurita Winery’s award winning wines, legendary sangria, spiked hot chocolate, and hot apple wine ciders are sure to keep you warm. They’ll even be fireworks to light up the night sky on Saturday at 7pm.

#5 Home and Garden Show, Atlantic City   

Location: Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City 
Date: Friday, February 20th – 22nd
Cost: $8

Description:
It’s almost spring (yes, we promise it’s coming) and what better way to kick off  the warm weather then by attending the first Atlantic City Home & Garden Show at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Get a jump start on your “To Do List” as you learn from over 200 expert exhibitors and DIY expert James Cameron. There’s even a chance to win $250,000 to turn your dream home project into a reality! 

#5 Winter Water Fowl and Seal Walk

Location: American Littoral Society, 18 Hartshorne Drive, Sandy Hook, NJ
Date: Saturday, February 21st 9-11am
Cost: $5

Description:
It may be chilly outside but that doesn’t mean the wildlife isn’t out and about. Bundle up the family, grab a pair of binoculars and join the American Littoral Society as they trek to the coastal estuaries and ponds in picturistic Sandy Hook in their hunt to capture the perfect picture of a lounging seal. Warm up after with toasty beverages and snacks at Harborside Grill in Atlantic Highlands while you check out your best wildlife shots that rival National Geographic’s.

#6 Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraiser

Location: Val’s Tavern, 123 East River Rd., Rumson
Date: February 22nd 1-5pm
Cost: $10

Description:
Who else has their St. Patrick’s countdown on? (26 days and counting!) Get into the Irish spirit early by joining in the fun at Val’s Tavern to benefit the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade. With bagpipers and live Irish music by Kevin Feehand, attendees are sure to get into the spirit early. Enjoy an Irish beer with the complimentary buffet and get your Irish jig on early.

#7 Laugh Out Loud Comedy Show Fundraiser, Red Bank 

Location: Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
Date: Saturday, February 21st 7:30pm
Cost: $40

Description:
LOL with comedians Mike Gaffney and Gina Brillon at the Two River Theater for a night of comedy and community at the Laugh Out Load Comedy Show Fundraiser. Beat your Seasonal Depression Disorder by laughing with the professionals and supporting local non-profit, 180 Turning Lives Around. Keep the laughs coming as you bring your party to Danny’s Steakhouse where you’ll find plenty of dishes and cocktails that will keep you smiling well into the evening.

#9 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off, Highlands

Location: Windansea, 56 Shrewsbury Avenue, Highlands
Date: Sunday, February 22nd 3-7pm
Cost: $25

Description:
Who doesn’t love a hot bowl of chili on a frigid Sunday? Support the Highlands 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade by eating some chili and drinking some beer. Head over to Windansea in the Highlands for the 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off featuring two contests, professional and amateur. Bring out your best Chopped personality as you taste test the chilis and help decide who will reign supreme.

#10 A Tribute to The Beatles, Red Bank 

Location: Count Basie Theater, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank
Date: Sunday, February 22nd 3pm
Cost: $35-69

Description:
Come Together on Sunday afternoon for A Tribute to The Beatles with TRAIN at the Count Basie Theater. Take the family on this musical journey though the life and times of the world’s most celebrated band. You’ll be singing along to all the hits you love as you take a little journey of your own down memory lane, or should we say Penny Lane. Enjoy the Broadway smash that has taken the world by storm! And before your show, don’t forget to dine at one of Red Bank’s many restaurants. Most of whom will be participating in Restaurant Week.