Best Things to Do in Newark – Events & Attractions

cherry blossoms in branch brook park in Newark
credit: ©istockphoto.com / andykazie / Cherry blossoms in Newark

Discover the best things to do in Newark, NJ!

From arts and entertainment to top-rated family-friendly attractions, this list covers Newark’s best events, festivals, restaurants, and outdoor activities, including visits to the Newark Museum of Art, concerts at NJPAC, hockey games at Prudential Center and the beautiful (cherry blossomed-filled) grounds of Essex County Branch Brook Park.

🔹 Top AttractionsPrudential Center arena, NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center), Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark Museum of Art, Rutgers University-Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark Liberty International Airport’s Terminal A
🔹 Outdoor Adventures – Cherry blossoms at Essex County Branch Brook Park, ice skating at Newark Winter Village
🔹 Upcoming Events – Seasonal festivals (Let’s Talk Women’s Wellness, North to Shore Festival), concerts, family-friendly activities

Whether you’re searching for “things to do in Newark this weekend,” kid-friendly activities or seasonal events, we’ve got you covered. Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings and plan your perfect Newark adventure!

Best Things to Do in Newark

Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert Are Teaming Up for Montclair Film Fundraiser at NJPAC

Big comedy news! Conan O'Brien will join Stephen Colbert on stage this week at NJPAC in a fundraiser in support of Montclair Film. O'Brien is...

Make This Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy Your Next Night Out

Speakeasies are having a moment, with semi-hidden entrances, dark, moody lighting and next-level craft cocktails combining for a unique night out. Now Fever, the...

New Jersey’s 10 Best Colleges and Universities for 2026, According to WalletHub

WalletHub’s new 2026 Best College & University Rankings are out and Princeton University is at the top of the national list once again. The...

These Are New Jersey’s Best Colleges For 2026, According to US News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report’s eagerly awaited 2026 rankings of the country's best universities is out and once again, New Jersey's Ivy League school...

What Are the Best Public Colleges in NJ? Money Magazine Says These Two Schools

Choosing an in-state public college can mean lower tuition and strong local job prospects—and two New Jersey schools just earned national praise for offering...

Mickey’s Search Party, Disney on Ice’s New Show, Is Coming to NJ in January

Kids will follow Mickey Mouse and his pals on a quest to find Tinker Bell using Captain Hook's treasure map during next year's Disney...

Monster Jam’s Massive Trucks Are Coming Back to Newark This Summer

Have a kid who's obsessed with mini monster trucks? This August, they can see them come to life at Monster Jam at Prudential Center...

This NJ University Ranks Among the World’s Best, Says U.S. News

U.S. News & World Report released its top universities around the world for 2025-2026, and 7 New Jersey higher institutions made the full list,...

Jon Stewart + Stone Temple Pilots Set to Be Part of 2025’s North to Shore Festival

When Prudential North to Shore Festival returns this week, it will be all about Laughs and Jams. This will be the third year that the...

The Best Cities to Live in New Jersey (2025-26), According to U.S. News & World Report

Yet another study released this spring touts the best cities to live in New Jersey. The study by U.S. News & World Report ranked the...

Free Tickets? Yes, Please! North to Shore Festival is Holding a Ticket Scavenger Hunt This Weekend

This Saturday (May 31) you can score free concert tickets to next month's Prudential North to Shore Festival by playing along during National Scavenger...

The Best Rooftop Bars in New Jersey

A night out without the kids calls for a pretty cocktail on a rooftop. These rooftop bars are all about views, drinks, next-level dining...

What You Need to Know About Traveling Out of Newark Airport

Newark Liberty International Airport and its aging infrastructure have been in the headlines for weeks. If you’re a frequent flier or planning summer travel...

12,000-Pound Monster Trucks Will Roll Into New Jersey This Weekend

A series of 12,000-pound monster trucks will roll into New Jersey this weekend, with their world-champion drivers ready to show off their well-known tricks...

Tickets Are on Sale for Peppa Pig: My First Concert at NJPAC in 2026

Get ready for giggles, snorts, and muddy puddles on stage. Peppa Pig is putting on her very first concert, and she's making a stop...

First Urban Area Girl Scout Leadership Center Opens in Newark

  Joining the Girl Scouts is a rite of passage for many. A new center in Newark is hoping to expand the program to more...

Newark Calendar of Events

NJ Events Calendar

  • Downtown Newark for the Holidays & Newark Winter Village

    Mulberry Commons Park Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ, United States

    From ice skating and go-karts to festive shopping and cozy igloos, the Newark Winter Village returns to Mulberry Commons Park as part of Downtown Newark for the Holidays—a citywide celebration […]

    Varies
  • Newark Winter Village

    Newark Winter Village

    Mulberry Commons Park Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ, United States

    Experience the wonder of Newark Winter Village - with ice skating, go-carts on ice, shopping, food trucks, and more at Mulberry Commons. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, November 29 through January […]

  • Columbia Bank Family Series at NJPAC

    NJPAC 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ, United States

    The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has launched the Columbia Bank Family Series, a season’s worth of sensational performances and events designed to entertain and educate both children and […]

  • Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend

    Through Museums on Us, Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can receive free general admission to various cultural attractions on the first full weekend of […]

  • New Jersey Symphony: 2026 Lunar New Year Celebration

    New Jersey Performing Arts Center 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ, United States

    Enjoy an evening of community and cultural exchange for families to celebrate the Year of the Horse. Seattle Symphony Associate Conductor Sunny Xia and Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Winner […]

    $29 – $89
  • Drumline Live

    NJPAC 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ, United States

    Drumline Live is an international tour that celebrates the marching band tradition of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This stage show features riveting rhythms, bold beats, and dynamic energy, […]

    $39
  • New Jersey Symphony: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone™ in Concert

    New Jersey Performing Arts Center 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ, United States

    Relive the film that started it all. Watch the wand choose the wizard, a troll run amok and magic mirrors in high-definition while a live orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic […]

    $58 – $112
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