Your Jersey Shore Local Weekend Calendar

Remember the saying “March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb?” Well, we know they were talking about the weather, but we’re pretty sure it refers to this weekend.

This weekend, Jersey Shore families can have fun with a night exploring the mysteries of the woods, enjoy kid-friendly music in Red Bank and admire local artists work at one of our favorite markets.

There are also plenty of opportunities to give back and help support while having fun – drinking beers or running 13.1 miles!

Oh and did we mention that we are now in full St. Patrick’s Day celebratory mode? Yea. We are. And we’re not the only ones. This weekend is packed with events, including the opening of Beach Haus Brewery during the Annual Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

So grab your best green sweater, a flashlight, and sneakers. We promise, that’s all you’ll need for a Jersey Shore weekend to remember.

We even helped you plan out your weekend, listing events from Friday all the way through Sunday.

Lantern-Lit Night Hike in the Woods

Location: Harshorne Woods, Rocky Point Parking Lot
Date: Friday, February 27th 6:00 – 7:00pm
Cost: Free (ages 10 and up with adult)

Description:
Looking for a little family friendly adventure right in your backyard? Join Monmouth County Park’s naturalist on Friday night for a lantern-lit tour through Hartshorne Woods. You’ll explore a part of the 787-acre park, learning about the sights, smells, sounds, and things that go bump in the night! Bring a flashlight and dress for the weather as you explore what the night woods. Reward your family for being brave after their night hike by bringing them to a local’s favorite hangout, Off the Hook Restaurant and Bar where you decide whether that noise was really the Jersey Devil visiting the Jersey Shore from the Pinelands.

Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser Weekend

Location: Molly Maguire’s Black Point Inn, 132 East River Rd., Rumson and Victory Park, Rumson
Date: Friday, February 27th 8:00pm and Sunday, March 1st 4:30pm
Cost: $10 donation on Friday, free on Sunday

Description:
If one celebration wasn’t enough, why not make it a month long event! Support the Rumson St. Patrick’s Day Parade at Molly Maguire’s Gastropub where you’ll enjoy a complimentary buffet and get into a Celtic crush with live music from the Bloody Callán Band. Throw in some bagpipers and you’ve got what is destined to be a memorable Friday night! The Irish celebration doesn’t stop there, on Sunday, bring along the entire family to Victory Park where they’ll be even more live Irish music, free food and a special proclamation by mayor John Ekdahl. A month long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day? We’re so in.

International Polar Bear Day at Jenkinson’s

Location: Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Pt. Pleasant Beach
Date: Saturday, February 28th
Cost: 

Description:
Learn more about the lovable polar bear with Jenkinson’s Aquarium as they celebrate International Polar Bear Day. Along with Jenkinson’s partner for the day, Polar Bears International, kids will learn more about the polar bear and what everyone can do in their lives to help them these majestic creatures stand the test of time. Families will enjoy informational displays and chats as well as crafts, stories, and games.

Winter Warm Up and Family Expo

Location: St Mary’s Parish Center, Manahawkin
Date: Saturday, February 28th 10:00am – 2:00pm
Cost: Free

Description:
Warm up this weekend at the Winter Warm Up and Family Expo in Manahawkin. Members of the Southern Ocean Chamber will be embracing the very cold season with an all out winter blast featuring everything from an outdoor gaming garden and a National Guard Call of Duty virtual exhibit to disc golf lessons and a winter warming station – and that’s just outside! Head inside for hot chocolate, culinary treats, children’s workshops from Home Depot, and spring previews at the merchant marketplace. The Lighthouse International Film Society will also be on hand with Jetty to screen their acclaimed film Landfall. If you’re dying to get out of the house and warm up, this afternoon is right up your (very warm) alley.

Live Bluegrass and Folk Music

Location: 131 Wells Mills Road, Waretown
Date: Saturday, February 28th 7:30pm

Description: 
Head over to Albert Music Hall for their Saturday nights that are jam packed with hours of live music! This week, enjoy the sounds of five bluegrass and folk bands that will be playing from 7:30 till well into the evening.

Support the Police Unity Tour

Location: Rivoli’s Grill and Chill, 8 Ramtown Greenville Road, Howell
Date: Saturday, February 28th, 4:00 – 10:00pm

Description:
Dine at Rivoli’s Grill and Chill on Saturday and everything excluding alcohol will be donated to the Police Unity Tour, a foundation that raises awareness of Law Enforcement officers who’ve died in the line of duty and raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. What better way to spend your Saturday night then by enjoying an ice cold beer, a juicy burger, and playing some shuffleboard, all while supporting our men and women in blue!

Artist’s Weekend at Sickles Market

Location: Sickles Market, 1 Harrison Ave. (off Rumson Rd.), Little Silver
Date: February 28th – March 1st 11:00 am – 3:00pm
Cost: Free

Description:
This weekend, meet and greet with some of the Jersey Shore’s local artists during the Artist’s Weekend at Sickles Market. Not only will beautiful pieces of artwork be on display by dozens of local Jersey Shore artists, but they’ll also be featured demonstrations from some of these talented artists. Learn the story behind the artwork! All proceeds from the art sales will be going directly to the artists. After you purchase your one of a kind piece of art, dine out and enjoy a one of a kind meal at Zoe: A Mediterranean Bistro right down the street. You can admire your taste for art and for food all in one day!

Pink Floyd Laser Show at Ocean County College 

Location: Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Ocean County College, Toms River
Date: Saturday, February 28th 7:00 and 8:30pm
Cost: $10 adult, $7 children, $8 seniors

Description:
Pull out your bell bottoms, it’s time to get groovy at the Robert J. Novins Planetarium at Ocean County College where you’ll enjoy a mixture of psychedelic, rock, and jazz sounds, sonic backdrops and atmospheric soundscapes, combined with a unique assortment of sound effects, accompanied by a diverse and unusual display of laser art. Hey, it’s Pink Floyd! What did you expect? After the show, satisfy your case of the munchies with a trip to Tuscan Bistro Bar for some seriously good eats. 

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Location: Count Basie Theatre, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank
Date: February 28th 3:00pm and 8:00pm
Cost: $7 – 88

Description:
Enjoy an afternoon of kid friendly musical selections such as Harry Potter from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra during a matinee for kids at the Count Basie Theatre. Designed for kids ages 3 to 12, this “no shush” event welcomes all the chatter, questions, dancing, and moving that kids want to do when they hear the songs they love. There’s an a pre-show “Instrument Petting Zoo” and arts activities! Make your kids love music even more with a trip to Whipped down the street where they’ll whip you up some chocolate crepes that will have your kids singing some tunes of their own. After sharing your love of music (and crepes) with your kids, come back for the full adult program as the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra plays Mozart’s effervescent Flute and Harp Concerta and Mendelssohn’s Third Symphony. While the night is young, grab some post-show cocktails and dinner at Teak where you can figure out just how much smarter you’re getting with all of this live classical music.

E. Murray Todd Half Marathon

Location: Brookdale Community College, Robert J. Collins Arena
Date: Sunday, March 1st 8:00am
Cost: $50

Description:
Lace up your running shoes for a 13.1 mile course through Lincroft, Holmdel, and Colts Neck during the E. Murray Todd Half Marathon. For the past 39 years, runners have been pounding the pavement on one of New Jersey’s most attractice courses. Race day registration begins at 7:15am as runners line up at the starting line at 9:00am. Not only are you taking part in a long standing tradition, but you’ll also be working a sweat for some Irish beers later!

Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Location: Main Street, Belmar and Lake Como
Date: Sunday March 1st 12:00 – 2:00pm

Description:
In New Jersey, people take their St. Patrick’s Day parades very seriously. This year, four Mayors will be squaring off to host what they deem to be the best St. Patrick’s Day parade in the state. Mayors Matt Doherty and Brian Wilton of Belmar and Lake Como will be squaring off against Jersey City’s Steven Fulop and Morristown’s Jim Dougherty in what is expected to be the start of March Madness. We’re voting for Doherty and Wilton because with roughly 200,000 spectators, dozens of floats, over 40 bands, and 5,500 marchers, the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day parade can’t be beat!

Beach Haus Brewery Opens Their Doors

Location: 801 Main Street, Belmar
Date: Sunday, March 1st

Description:
You’ve been waiting, we’ve been waiting, we’ve all been painstakingly waiting for Beach Haus Brewery to open its Belmar brewery doors to the public. And on Sunday, our wait comes to an end as we, the thirsty public, can finally stop staring at the building and actually enter – even better, they’re going to be serving Beach Haus beer! Made by brewers with Jersey Shore sea, sand, and sun in their DNA, you’ll feel like this beer was made for those days at the shore, no matter what the temperature.

Knibble, Knit, n’ Crochet

Location: Moore Yarn, 1366 Route 36, Hazlet
Date: March 1st 3:00 – 6:00pm
Cost: Free

Description:
Attention Bayshore area knitters! Moore Yarn is hosting their monthly Knibble, Knit, n’ Crochet where all levels of committed knitters can come together, enjoy some “knibble” and trade your tips and tricks with others. Whether you knit or crochet, Moore Yarn offers over 1,300 different yarns and colors to choose from in their “Yarn Hangout.” Come for the tips and stay for the company!