Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival (April 7-15)
Celebrate the nation's largest cherry blossom collection. (And, no, it's not in D.C.!) Go to Newark's Branch Brook Park, where you can see 2,700 cherry blossom trees. Events include a bike race (April 7), 10K run (April 8), and a one-mile fun run and Family Day (April 14). The festival culminates with Bloomfest (April 15), featuring Japanese cultural demos, live music, crafter marketplace, food and more.
Hoboken Food & Culture Tour (Ever Other Saturday Starting April 14)
Bring your "vagabond" walking shoes and appetite to Hoboken, the birthplace of Frank Sinatra, for an authentic and tasty experience. Stops include Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop (of Cake Boss fame), a bakery where the crusty Hoboken bread is baked, a sampling of free mozzarella, and of course, pizza! Tours run April-October every other Saturday at 2 p.m. from the Hoboken PATH Station.
Stirling Street Fair (April 22)
Main Street in Stirling turns into a giant block party from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for this family-friendly event. Here's your chance to treat yourself to funnel cakes, zeppoles and empanadas while you enjoy live entertainment and peruse the wares from 100 exhibitors and local merchants. Clowns, face painters, a petting zoo and more will be on hand to entertain the kids.
Lambert Castle Victorian Tea (April 27-29)
Missing Downton Abbey? Step back in time to enjoy the veddy civilized tradition of afternoon tea in Passaic County's grand Victorian castle. Sip tea, savor authentic goodies and listen to the harmonizing of a barbershop quartet. Choose from two seatings daily (noon and 3 p.m.).
Lambertville Shad Festival (April 28-29)
Eat, shop and play at the festival that "o-fish-ally" celebrates the American Shad, the largest fish in the herring family. The Shad Festival features over 80 artists and crafters, live music, children's games and activities, carnival rides, and a food court, where you can enjoy everything from shad chowder and kettle corn to taco salad and hot dogs. See how shad were traditionally caught at a seining demo and don't miss seeing the exhibit of the annual poster contest.
Cape May's Spring Celebration (April 27-May 20)
America's first seaside resort pays homage to spring in style! Over the course of four weeks, you can enjoy food and wine events, take walking and trolley tours and solve clues at murder mystery dinners. New in 2018: Sip into Spring Festival (Saturday, May 12), featuring gardening and nature demos, live music and food and drinks from local food vendors, wineries and breweries.
Morven in May (May 3-6)
Don't miss this annual spring ritual in Princeton. Go garden and art treasure hunting, choosing from the juried works of 36 national contemporary craft artists and Morven's own distinctive collection of perennials and heirloom annuals. Enjoy historic gardens at the former official residence of New Jersey's Governors.
Peters Valley, School of Craft Open House (May 6)
Tour studios, see demonstrations, shop for handmade art and join in hands-on activities at this nationally recognized fine arts education center. This annual spring event, which features blacksmithing to ceramics will be held from 11am-4pm. Set within the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area in Layton.
Jersey Fresh International 3-Day Horse Show (May 9-13)
Whoa! Did you know that this event, which will be held at Allentown's Horse Park of New Jersey, is a selection trial for the World Equestrian Games? This exciting show features dressage, cross country and show jumping events. Watch top riders in action while you enjoy an outdoor country setting.
Find more NJ spring events at VisitNJ.org. Plus, download a free NJ travel guide or sign up for e-news from New Jersey Travel and Tourism.
