12 Events To Warm Up Your Winter

Looking for family fun this weekend? Bergen has salsa dancing, circus shows, stars on ice and much more!
Cheryl De Leon,
Circus Hoop Performer

Though this weekend’s forecast sounds uncertain, recent sunshine and mild temps have us thinking about spring. Across Bergen County, families are trading cabin fever for fresh air, weekend strolls and community fun.

From outdoor festivals and nature programs to kid-friendly activities and local happenings, there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the season (even if it’s technically still winter). Here’s a roundup of family-friendly events that make the most of this mid-winter warm-up—and might just have you believing spring is right around the corner.

Feb. 20

  • Celebrate opening night of Circus Vazquez, which comes to Garden State Plaza in Paramus for a two-week stint. The circus tent has a heating and cooling system, so audiences can enjoy acrobats, magicians, stunt performers and more regardless of the weather outside. Tickets, showtimes and complete details are available online.

Feb. 20–21

  • Comedian JC Currais stops by Bananas Comedy Club in Rutherford for three shows over two nights. The funnyman, who’s performed on TBS’ Conan, NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly and has many other stand-up and acting credits (remember the opening scene of 2022’s Babylon with Brad Pitt?), will entertain audiences with his unforgettable brand of comedy. Check out Bananas’ website for showtimes and tickets.

Feb. 20–22

  • Laugh with the Bergen County Players, which stages “Play On!” at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell. The show tells the story of a community theater group trying desperately to put on a play in spite of maddening interference from a haughty author who keeps revising the script. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8 p.m., and the Sunday performance begins at 2 p.m. Check out Bergen County Players online for tickets.

Feb. 21

  • Practice your cat pose and pose with cats during Kittens & Coffee, a gentle yoga class featuring adoptable kittens from FOWA Rescue. Head to the Happy Cat Hotel & Spa in Fair Lawn for yoga, playtime with kittens, coffee from Wander & Whisker, mat rentals, goodie bags and more. Yoga sessions are at 10 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Register online.
  • Celebrate Lunar New Year at Bergen Town Center in Paramus, which is hosting cultural performances at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The free event will feature acrobat Li Liu, traditional dances by a professional dance company and an appearance by a dancing lion.
  • Relive the story of Oz as you’ve never seen it before in The Wiz, which is screening at 1 p.m. at Fort Lee’s Barrymore Film Center. The film is a retelling of The Wizard of Oz and stars Diana Ross, a Harlem school teacher who’s swept to Oz from her urban Manhattan neighborhood. Get your tickets online.
  • You’ve made delicious pancakes at home, now it’s time to learn how to make maple syrup. The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus hosts a family-friendly maple sugaring program, giving participants a tap, tubing and instructions to tap their own maple trees at home. Attendees also can sample maple syrup made from last year’s tapping. Sessions take place at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Sign up on The Hermitage’s website.
  • Motown legends The Jacksons bring their talent and music to Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood for a 7 p.m. concert. Jackie and Marlon Jackson, two of the original five brothers who made up The Jackson 5, will take the stage with Tito Jackson’s son, Tarryl, as well as Haydon Eshun, who performed the lead in London’s Michael Jackson “Thriller” musical, and others. Get your tickets online.

Feb. 22

  • Heat up your winter at Salsa By The Creek, a fundraiser for the Teaneck Creek Conservancy. Visit the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck at 12:30 p.m. for a salsa dance class, which will be followed by a concert featuring the Maria Raquel Trio at 1:30 p.m. The event also will feature food, sangria and more. Purchase tickets online.
  • Head to Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. From 1 to 4:30 p.m., visitors can enjoy performances by the Tricorne Dance Ensemble, food, demonstrations, re-enactments, family-friendly games and activities and more. Ticket reservations are encouraged.
  • The Celadon Stars World Orchestra will perform a Lunar New Year Concert at American Dream in East Rutherford. The orchestra is part of the nonprofit Celadon Youth, a performing arts group that focuses on Asian arts, music and culture. Free shows at the mall’s Court D will be offered throughout the afternoon from 2 to 6 p.m.
  • Return to bergenPAC at 3 p.m. for Wizard of Oz On Ice, a remake of the classic tale. Set on a synthetic ice stage, the show is filled with special effects, memorable choreography and vibrant costumes. Check bergenPAC’s website for more details and tickets.

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

Categories: Bergen Health & Life