Polar bear plunges, stand-up comedy, close-up magic, and band reunions headline New Year's weekend in New Jersey.
MONSTER JAM: The smell of gasoline and the roar of massive engines will fill the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton this holiday weekend. Some of the biggest names on the monster truck circuit -- Grave Digger, MonsterMutt, Stone Crusher, Max-D, and others -- will be crushing cars and performing insane stunts Thursday and Friday. "The Party in the Pits" takes place Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. where fans can score score autographs and get up-close views of the massive trucks. $18-$53. Thursday 7 p.m., Friday 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. 81 Hamilton Ave., Trenton. 609-656-3200.
ASBURY PARK POLAR PLUNGE: Start off 2017 with charity and insanity in Asbury Park. On New Year's Day, the Sons of Ireland will be holding the annual Asbury Park Polar Bear Plunge. The plunge will benefit the Shore House and Stephy's Place. Plungers can register and sign in from 10 a.m. to noon at Convention Hall. At 12:45 p.m. they will be led from the Hall to the beach by a bagpiper. After the national anthem is performed at 1 p.m., it's into the Atlantic for the plunge. There will be post-plunge party with music by Brian Kirk & the Jirks. Register here. Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park.
FIRST NIGHT IN MORRISTOWN: Morristown won't be rocking on New Year's Eve just because of the nightlife scene. First Night is an all-ages, family-friendly, alcohol-free celebration of the arts that will present the city of Morristown as a "stage" for art of all types. There will be nearly 200 artists and more than 85 events ranging from dance to music to theater to performance art at 26 venues across the city. If you have little ones, get there early for the two hours of kid-oriented programming starting at 4:45 p.m. There will be live entertainment and games at the Morristown Green, which will serve as one of the central hubs of First Night. $17.50-$25. Saturday, 4:45 p.m.-midnight. Morristown. 973-539-8008.
THURSDAY AT STARLAND BALLROOM: Thursday will perform its first New Jersey shows since reuniting earlier this year. The band, which dominated the early-to-mid 2000s with its aggressive and emotional post-hardcore sound (including the amazing "War all the Time" record), called it a day a few years back with one of the final shows held at Starland Ballroom. Now Thursday returns with a screaming vengeance. Opening up for the band will be Hotelier and Primitive Weapons. The Thursday night will also be 89.5 WSOU's 30th anniversary celebration. $35. Thursday, Friday 7 p.m. 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville. 732-238-5500.
ATLANTIC CITY POLAR BEAR PLUNGE: There will be plenty of people down in Atlantic City for New Year's Eve, but what kind of hangover cure do they have? Hair of the dog? A hearty breakfast? A run on the boardwalk? Well, a dip in the Atlantic for a good cause actually might be the best hangover cure. The Atlantic City Polar Bear Club will hold its annual New Year's Day plunge in front of Resorts Casino starting at 11 a.m. The official plunging begins at noon, but you should arrive early to register and get your place in line. The admission fee is a donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. Now be warned, the A.C. Polar Bear Club takes plunging seriously, and if you want to receive an official Polar Bear certificate, you must go completely underwater. There's no wading in to the waist -- it's all or nothing. Donation. Sunday. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 1133 Boardwalk (in front of Resorts), Atlantic City.
UNCLE FLOYD'S NEW YEAR'S EVE EVE PARTY AT UNCLE VINNIE'S: Uncle Floyd, one of New Jersey's most beloved entertainers, performs a special "New Year's Eve Eve" show at Uncle Vinnie's Comedy Club in Point Pleasant Beach on Friday. Uncle Floyd brings his blend of music and comedy to Uncle Vinnie's, a club he's performed at numerous times over the past few years. $25-$53.95. Friday, 8 p.m. 518 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach. 732-899-3900.
MICHAEL CARBONARO AT NJPAC: Prepare to be amazed by the visual wizardry of Michael Carbonaro this weekend. The star of TruTV's "The Carbonaro Effect" brings his blend of audience interactions, video clips and magic to NJPAC on Friday. The Long Island-born actor and magician got his start with bit roles on "Chappelle's Show" and "Law & Order: SVU" before breaking out with his "Magic Clerk" segments on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." $44-$90. Friday, 7 p.m. 1 Center Street, Newark. 1-888-GO-NJPAC.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.