If you’ve lived in South Jersey for more than a week, you’ve probably heard someone mention a "Big Event" happening over by the mall. But here’s the thing. People get confused. They think it's one specific festival or a singular parade, when in reality, Big Event Cherry Hill New Jersey usually refers to the massive complex on Route 70—specifically the Big Event Entertainment Experience—or the high-profile conventions hosted at the Crowne Plaza.
It’s a bit of a local legend.
The name itself carries a lot of weight because, for decades, this specific slice of Camden County has been the de facto hub for everything from professional bowling tournaments to massive memorabilia conventions. You aren't just going there to "do something." You're going there because something is happening.
The Identity Crisis of the Big Event
Most people searching for this are actually looking for one of two things. First, there’s the Big Event Entertainment Experience. It’s located at 1536 Kings Hwy N. It’s not just a bowling alley, though that’s the soul of the place. It’s 36 lanes of high-tech bowling, a massive arcade, and memory-making space that serves as the anchor for suburban Friday nights.
Then there’s the other side of the coin.
When people talk about a "big event" in Cherry Hill, they are often referring to the Monster-Mania Con or the Philly Non-Sports Card Show. These take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton (formerly the Crowne Plaza) on Route 70. This hotel has seen more celebrities and niche collectors than probably any other building in the tri-state area outside of Philly or New York City.
It’s weird. It’s loud. It’s quintessential New Jersey.
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Why the Bowling Alley is More Than Just Pins
Let’s be real. Bowling alleys are often dingy. They smell like stale beer and floor wax. But the Big Event in Cherry Hill took a different path. They dumped a ton of money into making it a "boutique" experience.
You’ve got the Memory Lane section, which is basically the VIP area. It feels less like a league night and more like a lounge. If you’re planning a corporate outing or a birthday party that doesn't suck, this is where you end up. They have "HyperBowling," which basically turns the lane into a video game where you hit colorful targets on the bumpers.
It’s smart. It keeps kids from getting bored after three frames.
Honestly, the arcade is where the real chaos happens. It’s a redemption-style setup. You win tickets, you buy a plastic spider or a toaster, and you go home happy. But the tech is modern—we’re talking Game Changers and VR setups that actually work, which is a rarity in local entertainment centers.
What about the food?
Most "event" food is tragic. You expect a soggy pretzel. At the Big Event, the Erlton Social Craft Bar & Kitchen actually tries. They do pierogies. They do "Disco Fries" (which, if you aren't from Jersey, is just fries with gravy and mozzarella, and it’s life-changing). They have a craft beer list that isn't just three types of Miller Lite.
It makes the "Big Event" feel like a legitimate night out rather than a chore for parents.
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The Massive Conventions That Define the Area
If you aren't looking for bowling, you’re looking for the crowds. The "Big Event" in Cherry Hill often means the sea of people dressed as Michael Myers or holding rare Pokémon cards.
Monster-Mania is the king here.
It’s been running since 2003. Think about that. Most events flame out after three years. Monster-Mania has stayed in Cherry Hill because the community embraces the horror genre with a strange, beautiful intensity. You’ll see icons like Robert Englund or Kane Hodder roaming the halls. It’s crowded. The lines are long. But the energy is unlike anything else in the suburbs.
- Pro Tip: If you're attending a major convention at the hotel, park at the Cherry Hill Mall and Uber over. The hotel lot becomes a nightmare roughly twenty minutes after doors open.
- The Non-Sports Card Show: This is the longest-running show of its kind. It’s for the folks who don't care about baseball but will pay thousands for a 1960s Twilight Zone card.
The Logistics: Getting to Route 70 Without Losing Your Mind
Cherry Hill traffic is a special kind of hell. You have the intersection of Route 70 and Route 38, which feels like it was designed by someone who hated cars.
If you are coming from Philadelphia, take the Ben Franklin Bridge. It’s a straight shot. But don't trust your GPS blindly if it tells you to take a "shortcut" through the back residential streets of Erlton. You’ll just hit a stop sign every fifty feet.
Stay on the main arteries.
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Parking at the Big Event Entertainment Experience is generally okay, but Saturday nights are a different story. If the lot is full, you’re basically wandering the Kings Highway corridor looking for a miracle.
Why This Matters for the Local Economy
Cherry Hill isn't just a bedroom community for Philly. It’s a destination. When a "Big Event" rolls into town, the surrounding businesses feel it immediately. The P.J. Whelihan’s down the road gets packed. The local gas stations see a surge.
It’s a micro-economy built on the idea that people want to gather.
Even with the rise of digital entertainment, the physical "Big Event" remains a staple. There’s something about the clattering of pins or the smell of a new comic book that can't be replicated on a screen. Cherry Hill has leaned into this. The township knows that these events are their calling card.
Common Misconceptions
People think "The Big Event" is a city-sponsored fair. It’s not. There isn't a "Cherry Hill Big Event" holiday. It’s a brand and a location.
Also, don't confuse it with the events at the Garden State Discovery Museum. That’s for the toddlers. The Big Event (the venue) is for the teenagers and the adults who still want to play arcade games while drinking a double IPA.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
Don't just show up and hope for the best. That’s how you end up sitting in your car for two hours.
- Book Your Lane Online: If you’re going bowling, do not "walk in." You will wait. The Big Event has a digital reservation system. Use it.
- Check the Convention Calendar: Before you head to the Crowne Plaza area, check if Monster-Mania or a card show is happening. If there is, and you aren't going to it, avoid that three-mile radius at all costs.
- Eat Locally: Skip the chain restaurants in the mall parking lot. Hit up the Erlton Social inside the venue or go to a local spot like The Kibitz Room for a sandwich that’s the size of your head.
- Validate Your Parking: If you’re at a specific event, always ask if there’s a parking voucher. It saves ten bucks, which is basically a free beer or three more arcade rounds.
The Big Event Cherry Hill New Jersey is a weird, wonderful, and chaotic staple of suburban life. Whether you're hunting for a rare autograph or just trying to break 150 in the bowling lane, it represents the best of South Jersey’s "hub" mentality. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s exactly where you want to be on a Saturday night.