Lifestyle

9 Can’t-Miss Events This March in New Jersey

Published

2 months ago

March 10, 2026

March in New Jersey is where winter loosens its grip and the state starts waking up again. Parades roll down Main Streets. Music spills out of venues. Food festivals warm up crowded halls. It’s that in-between month where you still need a jacket – but the energy shifts.

Here are ten standout events happening across New Jersey this March that deserve a spot on your calendar.

1. Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade

March 14 • Morristown

One of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in the state returns to Morristown with bagpipes, marching bands, Irish dance troupes, and community groups lining the streets. Businesses throughout town are already selling official parade pins, and turnout is expected to be strong.

2. Sea Isle City St. Patrick’s Parade

March 14 • Sea Isle City

The Shore goes green with a coastal twist. This parade mixes Irish pride with beach-town spirit, drawing visitors from across South Jersey.

3. Garden State Film Festival Preview Events

Various March Dates • Asbury Park

As the full festival approaches in the spring, March events often include early announcements, networking mixers, and film spotlights that draw local creatives and industry professionals.

4. Fourth Wave Fest

House of Independents • Asbury Park

An all-women-led music festival supporting 180 Turning Lives Around, spotlighting artists while supporting survivors of domestic violence.

5. Devils Home Games

Prudential Center • Newark

March hockey matters. With playoff positioning on the line, home games carry extra intensity.

6. Spring Vendor Markets

Across towns like Red Bank, Montclair, and Hoboken, indoor markets begin popping up again — handmade goods, food vendors, and small business showcases.

7. Community Health Clinics

Several municipalities are offering free or low-cost public health services, including blood pressure clinics and wellness screenings.

8. Asbury Park Live Music Series

Winter schedules are giving way to heavier booking lineups as venues prepare for spring.

9. Early Boardwalk Weekends

Weather permitting, Shore towns are seeing the first wave of seasonal foot traffic return.

March isn’t summer — but it’s movement. And New Jersey thrives on movement.

Related Topics:culture Jersey Shore Lifestyle local news

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Editor-in-Chief

Evan Blaze is a Jersey Shore based editor and writer focused on coastal culture, local arts, and the evolving character of communities along the New Jersey coastline. With a background shaped by years spent around the water and small creative circles along the shore, he brings a grounded perspective to stories about music, independent film, neighborhood businesses, and the people who keep local culture alive. Known for balancing a laid-back coastal sensibility with a sharp editorial eye, Evan works to highlight authentic voices and emerging talent across the region. His work often explores the intersection of surf culture, live music, and the everyday rhythm of shore towns, capturing the energy that defines life along the Atlantic. When he’s not editing stories or working with contributors, he can usually be found near the water, checking the surf, walking the boardwalk at sunrise, or tracking down the next local story worth telling.

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Features

Il Leone: A Refined Italian Experience Rooted in Family, Fire, and Flavor in Matawan

Published

4 weeks ago

April 15, 2026

Jersey Javelin

If you’ve driven past Route 34 in Matawan lately, you might not expect to find one of the more refined Italian dining experiences in Monmouth County tucked right along it. But that’s exactly what Il Leone is quietly building.

Il Leone doesn’t lean on hype. It doesn’t need to. What it offers is something more reliable; and increasingly rare, an Italian restaurant that understands both tradition and restraint.

The space itself sets the tone. It’s clean, warm, and thoughtfully put together without feeling overdesigned. You walk in and immediately get the sense that this is a place meant for an actual evening out, not a quick in-and-out dinner. The lighting is soft, the room has a steady rhythm, and nothing feels rushed.

The menu follows that same approach. It’s not trying to reinvent Italian food. It’s trying to do it well.

Start with something simple like the whipped ricotta or baked clams and you’ll understand the kitchen’s direction right away. There’s a focus on flavor and balance instead of overcomplication. The wagyu meatballs land rich but controlled, and the fried calamari avoids the heaviness that often ruins the dish elsewhere.

Where Il Leone really separates itself is in the pasta. The spicy rigatoni has a clean heat that builds without overwhelming. The pappardelle wagyu bolognese is structured and satisfying without feeling heavy halfway through. Even something like gnocchi with pesto and burrata comes out composed, not thrown together.

Seafood holds its own here as well. The bronzino is handled simply, which is exactly the point. It’s cooked clean, plated well, and allowed to stand on its own. That kind of confidence says more than any complicated preparation ever could.

The pizzas deserve a mention too. A classic Margherita is always a test, and here it passes easily. The vodka pie and hot honey pepperoni bring a slightly more modern edge without losing the foundation.

What stands out just as much as the food is the pace. You’re not being turned over for the next table. Courses come out with space between them. You can actually sit, talk, and enjoy the night without feeling like you’re on a timer. That alone makes a difference.

Il Leone also works well for different occasions. It’s strong enough for a date night, comfortable enough for a family dinner, and polished enough to host something more formal without feeling stiff. That flexibility gives it an edge in a crowded local dining scene.

At its core, the restaurant is built around a simple idea; good food, done properly, in a setting that makes people want to stay a little longer. There’s a clear European influence in how the experience unfolds, but it never feels forced. It just feels natural.

In a part of New Jersey filled with Italian restaurants, Il Leone stands out by not trying too hard. It keeps things focused, consistent, and well-executed.

And most nights, that’s exactly what people are looking for.

Business

Welcome to The Jersey Review!

Published

4 weeks ago

April 12, 2026

Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to The Jersey Review

Editorial

Economic Pressure and Cost of Living Remain Central Issue Nationwide

Published

4 weeks ago

April 11, 2026

Editor-in-Chief

Across the country, one issue continues to rise above the rest as Americans look ahead to the next election cycle: the cost of simply living day to day. While headlines often focus on broad economic indicators, the reality for many families is shaped less by national reports and more by what they see at the grocery store, the gas pump, and their monthly bills.

There is a growing sense that something is out of balance. Prices on everyday necessities remain elevated, and even when certain costs stabilize, they rarely return to where they once were. For working families, that difference adds up quickly. What used to feel manageable now requires more planning, more sacrifice, and in many cases, more stress.

This gap between reported economic strength and lived experience has become a central point of discussion. On paper, certain sectors of the economy show resilience. Employment numbers remain relatively stable in many areas, and markets continue to adjust. But for many Americans, those figures feel distant. What matters more is whether their paycheck stretches far enough to cover what their family needs.

That reality is shaping how people are thinking about leadership. There is a noticeable shift toward candidates who speak directly to practical concerns rather than abstract policy. Voters are listening more closely to how economic plans will affect their household, not just the broader system. The focus is becoming less about long-term projections and more about immediate impact.

In suburban and middle-class communities, this conversation is especially pronounced. These are areas where families are often balancing mortgages, education costs, and rising everyday expenses all at once. Even small increases in cost can have a ripple effect, forcing adjustments that change how people live.

There is also a deeper cultural layer to the issue. Many Americans are beginning to reflect on what economic stability really means. It is not just about income or employment. It is about predictability, about being able to plan for the future without constant uncertainty. It is about knowing that hard work leads to a sense of security, not just survival.

For some, this moment is prompting a return to more traditional values around spending, saving, and responsibility. Families are reevaluating priorities, cutting back where they can, and focusing more on essentials. There is a renewed emphasis on self-discipline and careful planning, qualities that have long been associated with long-term stability.

At the same time, small businesses are feeling the pressure as well. Owners across the country are adjusting to higher operating costs while trying to keep prices reasonable for their customers. It is a difficult balance, and one that reflects the broader tension in the economy.

As the 2026 election cycle continues to develop, these concerns are likely to remain front and center. Economic policy will be judged not only by its intention, but by its results in everyday life. Voters are paying attention, and they are increasingly focused on what they can see and feel in their own communities.

In the end, the conversation comes back to something simple. People want stability. They want fairness. And they want a system that reflects the effort they put into building their lives. Until that balance is restored, the issue of cost of living will continue to shape both the national conversation and the decisions made at the ballot box.