Winter can feel long in Jersey City, especially once the holidays pass. If you’re itching for something to look forward to, these winter festivals near Hudson County offer a mix of food, live music, culture, and easy weekend adventures.
If you’re curious about whiskey, Jersey City Whiskey Fest offers a chance to sample a wide range of spirits while enjoying music, food vendors, and skyline views.
The festival features 100+ styles of whiskey and spirits, with experts on hand to answer questions and guide tastings. Not a whiskey fan? You’ll also find vodka, gin, tequila, craft spirits, and a few local brews in the mix.
If winter has you craving live music, the South Orange International Blues Festival delivers a powerful night of blues and electric performances.
The festival brings together a dynamic lineup of nationally recognized blues artists, ranging from high-energy blues-rock to traditional acoustic styles rooted in Delta and Piedmont blues.
Ideal for live-music lovers or anyone craving something soulful mid-winter.
For one weekend only, Terhune Orchards is hosting a cozy Wine & Chocolate Weekend featuring curated wine and chocolate pairings with handcrafted chocolates. Each pairing includes a tasting flight and a souvenir wine glass to take home. No reservations required.
It’s an easy, low-pressure outing for a winter date, a friends’ weekend plan, or anyone looking for something sweet to do in February.
Held inside the Grand Arcade at Convention Hall, this two-day Valentine’s Bazaar brings together local makers, artists, food vendors, and live music in a warm, festive space.
Great for couples, Galentine’s plans, or a low-key Valentine’s weekend outing.
Czig Meister StoutFest is a Valentine’s Day timed celebration of rich, dark beers made for winter drinking, hosted at Czig Meister Brewery in Hackettstown. The event highlights a curated lineup of stouts alongside hearty food options in a relaxed brewery setting designed for easy sipping and socializing.
A cozy pick for craft beer fans and friend groups looking for a February plan outside the city.
The 45th anniversary season of the Thomas Edison Film Festival kicks off with a special in-person premiere at Princeton University’s James Stewart Film Theater, featuring award-winning short films across animation, documentary, experimental, narrative, and screen dance.
The evening includes a pre-screening reception, a curated lineup of films, and a live Q&A with filmmakers – a rare chance to hear directly from artists working at the highest level of independent cinema.
A standout event for film lovers and creatives who enjoy thoughtful, independent cinema.
Bent Iron Fire Festival is the brewery’s inaugural fire-themed celebration, inspired by its “born from fire” origins and set on its scenic 55-acre farm in Hamilton Township. The day features craft beer tastings, roaring bonfires and fire pits for warmth and s’mores, a spicy chili cook-off, food trucks, and live music that keeps the energy high throughout the event.
A lively winter festival for groups looking for an outdoor, fireside hang that balances cozy vibes with plenty of action.
Unlike traditional cookoffs with a formal judging panel, you’re the judge here. Grab a tasting pass and sample chilis from local home cooks, then vote for your favorites to help crown the champion.
You can also enter a chili and put your skills to the test!
This alternative art expo, Darkside NJ Art & Oddities Expo, features a unique mix of vendors selling gothic, horror inspired, vintage, and offbeat art, collectibles, and handmade oddities. The casual, browse at your own pace setup makes it easy to explore and discover unexpected, one of a kind finds.
A good fit for anyone drawn to darker aesthetics or looking for something outside the typical craft fair scene.
If winter had an official comfort food, this would be it. Mac & Cheese Mayhem brings together local chefs and restaurants serving up creative takes on everyone’s favorite cheesy dish — and yes, you get to taste and vote for the Mac Daddy Award.
Beyond the mac, expect a lively indoor festival vibe with music, kid-friendly activities, and optional drinks for the grown-ups. It’s an easy, low-stress winter outing that works just as well for groups as it does for families.
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