January 2027 Events in Bergen & Hudson Counties: Your Month-Ahead Guide

January is Northern New Jersey's reset month. The holiday lights come down, the calendars clear, and the region's signature January events are the ones that get you moving, outdoors, and giving back. Below is my month-ahead rundown. Community calendars still fill in as the month approaches, so confirm details with organizers before you head out.

New Year's Day: First Day Hikes Across the State Parks

The best way to start 2027 is the tradition New Jersey has kept for years: free, guided First Day Hikes on Friday, January 1. The NJ State Park Service hosts these walks at parks, forests, and historic sites across the state as part of the national America's State Parks program, and they are open to all ages and fitness levels.

The River Edge area gets the county's signature outing: the Bergen County Historical Society's New Year's Day Walking Tour at Historic New Bridge Landing, a 1 p.m. step back into Revolutionary War history at the site where Washington's army crossed the Hackensack River. It is a short, family-friendly walk with costumed interpreters, and it fills up, so arrive early.

Across the river, Liberty State Park in Jersey City has hosted a Caven Point First Day Hike in past years; the 2027 listing had not yet been published as of this writing, so check the NJDEP parks calendar as New Year's approaches.

The Winter Wonderland's Final Weeks at Van Saun Park

The Bergen County Winter Wonderland at Van Saun County Park in Paramus has been running since Friday, November 20, and its closing stretch is the month's biggest family draw. Recent seasons have carried the outdoor ice rink, rides, and food trucks into the first week of January, with past runs extending to January 4 or even mid-month depending on the year.

Typical hours are Friday 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 or 9 p.m., with the skating rink open on selected weekdays. Book time slots ahead on peak holiday weeks, and check the official site for the exact 2027 closing date. The December events guide tracks the full holiday run.

MLK Day of Service: Monday, January 18, 2027

Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Monday, January 18, 2027, and it is a federal holiday and national day of service. Jersey Cares organizes its statewide Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on that date, coordinating volunteer projects across New Jersey, including Bergen and Hudson County sites.

Project locations and registration are posted on the Jersey Cares site as the date approaches, and slots go quickly. It is one of the easiest days of the year to volunteer with your kids: food drives, park cleanups, and community projects run all morning, and most are walk-in friendly.

More on the January Calendar

January is also the season for indoor arts across both counties: bergenPAC in Englewood fills its stage with music and comedy most weekends, and Mile Square Theatre in Hoboken runs its winter season through the month. Liberty Science Center in Jersey City and the American Dream complex in East Rutherford are the go-to indoor family destinations when the weather turns.

If the new year has you thinking about a move, January is an underrated month to visit towns: you will see how a community handles winter, which parks get cleared, and which downtowns stay active when the holidays are over.

Scott's Tips for a Smooth January

• Book New Year's Day early. First Day Hikes and the New Bridge Landing tour fill up fast, and parking is limited.
• Catch the Wonderland before it closes. The exact 2027 end date is still pending, so check the official site before planning a trip.
• Register for MLK Day of Service. Jersey Cares projects are posted a few weeks out and volunteer spots go quickly.
• Confirm before you head out. January schedules are still being finalized, so check with organizers.

Use the Season to Judge a Town

If you are deciding between towns, January tells you a different story than the summer does. A town whose parks get used, whose historical society draws a crowd, and whose residents turn out to volunteer is showing you the community you would actually join.

Last month's guide is archived in the December 2026 events guide, and the New Year's Eve guide covers the transition into the new year.

Already settled, or still deciding? I would love to help you connect with the right town for your next chapter. Reach me at (201) 970-3960 or Scott@sellecksellsnj.com, or book a free discovery call below.