12 Ways To Have Winter Fun

Don’t let the cold get you down. These events are filled with adventure, laughs and lots of warm thoughts.
Cheryl De Leon,
2 Winter Fun

Baby, it’s cold outside, but don’t let winter weather keep you cooped up at home for too long! This weekend in Bergen County, families and friends can embrace the season with a mix of frosty fun and cozy indoor adventures that promise giggles, creativity and maybe even a little snowball mischief.

From hands-on activities to outdoor escapades, our picks make it easy to turn chilly days into warm memories. So bundle up, grab your crew and get ready to squeeze every last bit of winter magic out of January before the calendar flips to February! Some events to consider:

Jan. 30

  • See former American Idol winner Lee DeWyze at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck. A special VIP meet and greet is available at 5 p.m., which will be followed by a concert at 7 p.m. DeWyze’s performance is part of his “All Is Well Tour 2026.” Tickets for the meet and greet as well as the concert can be purchased online.
  • Superstar comedian, actor and television producer Cedric the Entertainer will visit Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood for a one-night show. The star of CBS’ The Neighborhood will perform his stand-up routine, which has kept audiences laughing for decades. Curtains go up at 8 p.m. Purchase your tickets online.

Jan. 30–Feb. 1

  • Stand-up comedian Cristina Mariani comes to Bananas Comedy Club in Rutherford and will perform five shows over three nights. A regular at venues throughout Texas, Mariani gained national acclaim with her dark and quirky routines, many of which gained millions of views online. See the complete schedule and ticket availability on the club’s website.
  • You don’t have to be a theater lover to enjoy Leonia Players Guild’s latest show, “Blithe Spirit.” Audiences will laugh throughout the show, which is filled with mischievous ghosts, bumbling seances and a stressed-out husband. The Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m., and the Sunday performances starts at 2 p.m. Visit LPG’s website for tickets.

Jan. 31

  • Lace up your boots, throw on a parka and join NJ Audubon for a fun Winter Tree ID Hike at Lorrimer Sancuary in Franklin Lakes. Starting at 10 a.m., participants in this informal hike will learn to identify trees in the chilly winter months. Register and find the latest weather-related hike details at the NJ Audubon website.
  • Relive the excitement of Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse, which is screening at 10 a.m. at Fort Lee’s Barrymore Film Center. The animated film tells the story of Miles Morales, who becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities. Tickets can be purchased at the Barrymore website.
  • Snowy hills can keep kids occupied now, but what happens in summer? A free NJ Camp Fair is taking place from noon to 3 p.m. at Bergen Town Center in Paramus, giving parents a chance to meet personnel from some of the area’s leading day, sleepaway and specialty summer camps. Admission is free, but online registration is requested and comes with a gift.
  • Montclair Pickleball in Fair Lawn is hosting WinterFest, the ultimate winter pickleball party. From noon to midnight, players of all ages and levels can enjoy open play, tournaments, food, drinks, music, demonstrations, giveaways and more. Sign up online.
  • The Brandeis Men’s Club at Ridgewood’s Temple Israel hosts Comedy Night from 7 to 10 p.m. The show will feature performers Marion Grodin, Mike Spears and Jon Fisch. Tickets can be purchased online and will include snacks, drinks and dessert.

Feb. 1

  • Ever wonder where that delicious maple syrup you pour on your pancakes comes from? Sap to Syrup at the Tenafly Nature Center will guide visitors into the outdoors to identify tree species, learn how sap flows and practice using real tapping tools. Sessions are offered at 1 and 2:30 p.m. Register online.
  • Celebrate the Lunar New Year at American Dream in East Rutherford, which is hosting a Bravura Youth Orchestra Concert at 2 p.m. The free show will feature an original Lunar New Year Overture, Asian contemporary classics and timeless masterpieces by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
  • There’s nothing quite like a wintry, moon-lit night, and you can enjoy it during Closter Nature Center’s Full Moon Hike. Beginning at 6 p.m. (weather permitting), guests can participate in a walk under the full moon followed by a campfire and s’mores. Find out more at the nature center’s website.

What are your weekend plans? Tag us in all your favorite fun photos @bergenmagnj.

Categories: Bergen Health & Life