Head to a Caribbean fest, marvel at the pros building gigantic sandcastles or watch a base ball game played by 19th century rules: we’ve got more than 80 ways to spend your weekend having summer fun.
WEEKEND
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s Annual Feast
Town Hall Park, Lyndhurst
Wednesday – Saturday
Get ready to mangia and festa Italian-style with lots of food, rides, games, 50/50 raffles and a nightly music series.
Cumberland County Cooperative Fair
Cumberland County Fairgrounds, Millville
Wednesday – Saturday
Activities include dog shows, horse shows, rabbit shows, poultry shows, goat shows and lots of rides. There will be exhibits, livestock, chicken BBQ and other food.
Ocean County Fair
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Bayville
Wednesday – Sunday
Experience a variety of musical acts and animal events. Meet animals raised by local youth, learn new things in the 4-H general tent and participate in fun games and activities. There will be rides, food and vendors.
Randolph Twp.’s Freedom Festival
County College of Morris, Randolph
Thursday – Saturday
This year, expect the return of mechanical rides, and bracelet night on Thursday and Friday.Each night, there will be live music, food trucks and food vendors, an expanded beer garden, carnival games, knockerball, and axe-throwing. Fireworks are planned for Saturday night.
Tango’s Gotcha Day
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Friday – Sunday
Tango, Elmo’s adopted puppy, debuted as a costume character at Sesame Place Philadelphia in 2022. You can celebrate Tango’s two-year anniversary with a dance party, flower maze, puppy-themed games, scavenger hunt, meet-and-greet, photo ops, a parade and a stage show.
New Jersey Jeep Invasion
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
During the largest gathering of Jeeps in the Northeast – with over 2,000 Jeeps and 100+ vendors – you can chill out on the beach, camp out and drive through the beach obstacle course.
New Jersey Documentary Film Festival
Sparta
Friday – Sunday
Thirty-five films will be screened over three days. Themes include grit and grace, bizarre journeys, unbroken spirits and justice in action.
Olde New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
Experience the best in BBQ food and blues music on the beach and at the local pubs. The event features live cooking demonstrations, BBQ food, and top regional and national blues acts on the main stage.
Dream Food Fest
American Dream, East Rutherford
Friday – Monday
This open-air food festival will feature items from more than 100 unique, hidden vendors from the NYC Metro area. There will be showcases from local artists, plus performances each day.
Garden State Cat Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Saturday – Sunday
The Garden State Cat Club of NJ will hold New York and New Jersey’s Biggest Cat Show. Meet all sorts of cats and learn about the different breeds of cats. There will be adoptable rescue cats and kittens. Shop for cat furniture, toys, gifts, candles, jewelry and other items.
Boardwalk Craft Show
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood
Saturday – Sunday
Artisan-made items, handmade craft items, boutique items, gifts and more will be set up for sale along the boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue.
Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival
Downtown Haddonfield
Saturday – Sunday
Visit 200+ artist tents, restaurants, and shops along Kings Highway between Washington Avenue and Haddon Avenue, along Tanner Street to Euclid Avenue, and the Emerging Artists area on Kings Court.
Battle on the Beach Flag Football Tournament
Morey’s Piers, Wildwood
Saturday – Sunday
A new family tradition for flag football players from across the region, the beach event features 5 v. 5 beach flag football for boys and girls 5-17 years old, as well as adults.
Memorial Park, Maplewood
Saturday – Sunday
Every year, there are two days of music and arts that feature more than 20 bands, 50 art vendors, 20 food vendors, a beer garden and a kid zone.
Sticks in the Sand Beach Hockey Tournament
The Wildwoods
Saturday – Sunday
Teams from all over the East Coast will compete in this field hockey tournament on the sand.
Blueberry Festival
Von Thun’s Country Farm Market, Dayton section of South Brunswick
Saturday – Sunday
Outdoor family fun includes pick-your-own blueberries, 20+ activities, hayrides, farm animals, a farm market and food vendors.
FRIDAY
Baby Walk
Teetertown Preserve, Port Murray
Get outside with your baby (age birth to 23 months old) and explore your local trails.
Movie Night
Five Star Swim School, Deptford
Kids can swim for an hour before grabbing their sleeping bag or blanket so they can watch Disney’s “Moana” poolside. Parents can join in the fun, too.
Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival
Heather Road Beach, Wildwood Crest
Grab your buckets and shovels and get ready to create works of art in the sand. This amateur and semi-pro sand sculpting contest is hosted by professional world-renowned sand sculptor Matt Long, a former cast member of the Travel Channel’s SandMasters, and “Can You Dig It!” Sand Tools.
Murder Mystery Dinner
Red Horse by David Burke, Bernardsville
Sit down for a three-course dinner prepared by Chef David Burke while trying to solve a crime through a series of clues and interactions with professional cast members from Murder Mystery USA.
SATURDAY
Summer Music and More: El Noordzo
Nassau Park Pavilion, West Windsor
El Noordzo will perform their instrumental, psychedelic, Afro-Cuban surf-jazz interpretations of classic rock, punk and alternative songs. They will be joined by Dan Kassel, a cellist who performs classical, electronica, jazz and rock. There will be hands-on art activities and two different projects.
Community House of Moorestown, Moorestown
There will be lots of wine tastings, raffles, auctions, and special appearances by some of Cedar Run’s Wildlife Ambassadors in the refuge’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
Taco Palooza
Washington Lake Park, Sewell
There will be all things taco, plus beer, sangria, margaritas, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and vendors.
Caribbean/Latino Block Party and Health Fair
Campus of the CDI and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley
Hackensack Meridian Health is hosting a community block party and health fair focused on the Caribbean and Latino populations as an effort to address cancer disparities and provide needed health services and education. Health services and tests that will be provided include: blood pressure monitoring; diabetes screening (A1C); cholesterol screening; HIV screening; cancer screenings for breast, prostate, and self-sampling kits for cervical HPV screening; hearing, vision and dental screenings; education on genetic screening; legal services, and education and career opportunity representatives; and other vital resources. Family fun will include a DJ, a dance performance, face painting, game stations, balloons, food trucks, salsa and bachata dance class, and Caribbean and Latino vendors.
City of Water Day
Throughout New Jersey and New York
This regional day of celebration will see 60+ free, family-friendly events on or near the water. A wide array of festivities will span the entire region, from all five New York City boroughs to Westchester and Rockland counties, and across New Jersey. There will be kayaking, rowing, sailing, boat tours, educational workshops, coastal cleanups, nature walks, film screenings, and more.
Bastille Day
Frenchtown
Known as the French Fourth of July, the inspiration to celebrate stems from the tale of Frenchtown’s founder who escaped the guillotine and made his way to America. This year’s event will include a vendor market and live music by the Michael Arenella Quartet with a side of Can Can dancers at Sunbeam Park. A walking tour of downtown Frenchtown will be conducted by borough historian Rick Epstein. Doug Miller will perform his magic show at TD Bank throughout the day. The Downtown Scavenger Hunt and the Frenchtown Farmer’s Market are all day.
Company Town Walking Tour
Roebling Museum, Roebling
During the walking tour, you’ll discover the stories of workers who lived in the unique houses, from immigrant laborers to wealthy superintendents. There will be a short intro film before the tour steps off.
Vintage Baseball
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Dressed in authentic uniforms, the Flemington Neshanocks and the Enterprise Club of New Bridge will play against each other with 19th-century rules and equipment in a double-header game. In between games, short walking tours of the grounds will be available, including of the Campbell-Christie house.
Family Fun Day
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
The whole family can take part in interactive activities and crafts, including a bounce house and water games. Food trucks include Bucky’s Pizza, Rose City Wurst and Kona Ice. The day also features music and entertainment from Andy Wang.
Blueberry Bash
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Celebrate everything blueberry! Take a stroll around the farm and pick your own blueberries. Bring the kids to Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre, the NJ Bubble Parties show or the kids play area. Sit in the historic orchard and try Terhune’s own apple-blueberry wine.
South Jersey Caribbean Festival
Wiggins Waterfront Park & Marina, Camden
The 24th annual festival celebrates Caribbean culture on the Camden waterfront through food, music and entertainment.
Rob Lake
Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center, Carteret
Named “The World’s Greatest Illusionist” by NBC, Rob Lake is renowned for his award-winning illusions.
Miracle League Baseball Tournament
Miracle Field of Dreams, Hamilton Twp.
Players for Mercer County Miracle League will host the 2024 Northeast Regional Tournament. The Miracle League of Mercer County celebrates individuals with special needs and encourages them to get active on the field. Players from Maryland, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts will join in the fun.
The Peach at the Beach
Summer Concert Stage at Island Waterpark, Showboat Resort, Atlantic City
Performances are by Joe Russo’s Almost Dead (two sets), Dogs In A Pile, Trouble No More (performing “Eat a Peach”), Karina Rykman, and Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru. There will be waterpark DJ sets, pre- and afterparties at the Bourbon Ballroom and more.
SUNDAY
Freestyle By The Sea
Seaport Pier, Wildwood
DJ Slice will host performers TKA/K7, Rob Base, Cynthia, Coro, Lime, Original Cover Girl Angel, Nyasia, Peter Fontaine, Denine and Joe Zangie. Guest DJs are DJ Rockstar and DJ Eric B.
Fanwood Summer Fan Jam
LaGrande Park, Fanwood
The party will include crafters, retailers, food trucks, entertainment, a beer garden, a kids’ zone and a huge classic car show.
Mozzarella Stretch For Families
Cherry Grove Farm, Lawrenceville
Everyone will stretch their own mozzarella from curd and then you’ll taste the mozzarella and some of Cherry Grove’s aged cheeses. You will take home the mozzarella you made. It’s an easy and fun class, especially for young kids.
Audubon Butterfly Walk
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Join members of the Bergen County Audubon Society to walk the gardens and fields looking for the butterflies that visit the garden, along with their host plants.
Farm-to-Table Blueberry Breakfast
Alstede Farms, Chester
After eating farm-fresh homemade blueberry topping over pancakes, eggs and breakfast meats, you’ll have access to the pick-your-own areas, tractor-drawn wagon rides around the farm, and access to the Evergreen Adventure Maze and giant hay pyramid.
PuchiCon Summer Pop-Up
The Seven Crest, Teaneck
The event will feature anime-inspired vendors, artists, trivia, games, karaoke and more. Come in cosplay.
Liberty Hose – Red Bank Firefighters’ Classic Car Show
White Street Parking Lot, Red Bank
Now in its 22nd year and held in memory of Bob (Doc) Holiday, the car show is a fundraiser for college scholarship funds named for the late Red Bank firefighter and the Liberty Hose Company. The car show has tons of classic cars, food, door prizes and raffles.
ONGOING
Friday Night Live
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream
Every Friday
Harlem band The Nate Lucas All-Stars will perform every Friday night at Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant.
Girls Day Out
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Last Saturday of the month
Live music by John King includes your boy band favorites. There will be drink specials at TASTE 1864. You can also purchase a Wine Tower with chocolate-covered strawberries or Renault Barrel Stave Shotski.
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Vegan in NJ Monthly Market
American Legion Post 346, Neptune
First Sunday of every month
More than 20 vegan vendors will be set up indoors and outdoors, selling food, sweets and retail items.
Peter Pan
Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
July 10-14
Kids ages 3-10 will get to see this classic story come to life on stage.
Dino Fest
Arrowhead Farmstead, Manalapan
Thursdays – Sundays, July 11 – August 4
Look out for more than two dozen lifelike dinosaurs throughout the fields, a 4-acre dino-themed corn maze, a dinosaur dig site, stage shows, meet-and-greets with the dinosaurs, encounters with a baby T-rex and baby triceratops, and build your own Dino Bear.
Butterfly Tent Safari
Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland
July 13-27
Live butterflies and butterfly-themed programming will take place daily. Special Saturday programs include doing monarch butterfly crafts, listening to stories, watching presentations about bugs and butterflies, and learning about gardening.
$5 Friday Summer Concert Series
Festival Grounds, Mercer County Park, West Windsor
Fridays, July 12 – August 23
Two bands will play each Friday at sunset. Tribute bands include Earth Wind & Fire, the Eagles, Queen and the Beatles. Yacht Rock Gold, Swing Sabroso and American Soul Band are also in the lineup.
Evening Chores
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Saturdays, July 13 and 20
Bring your boots and work gloves, because you’ll learn what it takes to care for farm animals by picking up a pitchfork and doing evening chores. Help farmers feed and water the animals, bring in the sheep from the pasture, collect eggs in the henhouse, grind corn in the barn, scrub and fill water tubs, and clean the horses’ stalls for tomorrow’s breakfast.
Raritan River in Hunterdon County
Saturdays, July 13, and August 3 and 10
Led by an experienced guide, you will paddle down the river for two hours, stop for lunch, and then paddle your way back to Echo Hill. Depending on the date, you’ll paddle along the south branch of the Raritan River, or from Kingwood to Bull’s Island.
Love at First Bite: New Brunswick Restaurant Week
Downtown New Brunswick
July 13-27
Go back to your favorite restaurant or try some place new, and you could win a series of prizes for dining out. You get rewards by eating out and tweeting a photo from your seat.
Dig It! Plant It! Eat It! Family Saturdays
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
Saturdays, July 13 to 27
Through hands-on gardening, activities in the garden, and an art-making experience with a New Jersey artist, children and their caregivers can enjoy nature while learning about life in the past. Programs differ from week to week.
Shark Summer
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
July 15 to August 18
There are lots of jaw-some activities and shows, behind-the-scenes tours, and daily dives featuring the Scuba Tooth Fairy, who helps to collect the fallen teeth of the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast.
Burlington County Farm Fair
Burlington County Fairgrounds, Columbus
July 16-20
Come by for opening night and stay for the fireworks. There will be lots of barnyard animals on display. On Saturday, watch the cows compete in a dairy show. Horse shows are daily, but a Draft Horse Pull where majestic draft horses from different states will perform. There will also be a tractor pull. Extra special for kids is the Farmer for a Day exhibit.
Rockland Free Fair
Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
Through July 21
There’s something for everyone, from midway rides and games to classic carnival foods to Cirque Cyber thrill shows featuring aerial acrobatics, to the spinning Wheel of Destiny and Globe of Death motorcycle act. Admission is free, but food and rides/games will be for purchase.
Summer Concert Series
Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
Fridays-Saturdays, through July 27
Musicians include The Loft, Rae Simone and The Fellas, Lisa’s Entertainment for You, Mercvrii, Zino Park, New Horizons, L.O.E. Juu, and School of Rock.
Party Like A Sponge
Nickelodeon Universe, American Dream, East Rutherford
Through August 2
The 25-day party celebrates SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th anniversary. Stop at the giant Pineapple Under the Sea display for the perfect photo op, get a temporary tattoo, go jelly-fishing, look for special guest appearances and surprise dance parties, trivia contests, prizes, a silent disco and more. Key highlights include two live performances by the voice of SpongeBob, Tom Kenny, and his band, The Hi-Seas on August 2; jellyfish dance lessons with TikTok star Edgar Vicenzio on July 19 and 20; and a special TiLT 3D experience where guests pose in a scene with SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy. You can get special 25% off discounts on Name Day (July 17) by answering the question, “How SpongeBob Are You?” and showing us if your name is Bob, Patrick, Sandy, Gary or Eugene; on Character Day (July 24), by dressing up as a Bikini Bottom character; and on Yellow Day (July 31) by wearing the color yellow.
My Fairytale Party’s Summer Series
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Wednesdays and Sundays, through August 21
There will be sing-alongs and interactive experiences with princesses and princes, fairies and pirates, Barbie and Weird Barbie, Mary Poppins, pop stars, kids karaoke, Minions, Inside Out and unicorn princesses. After the show, meet the characters and grab a quick photo.
Friday Night Fireworks
The Wildwoods
Fridays, through August 30
Look high above the beach and boardwalk for a spectacular nighttime display of fireworks synched to music that will be played via a sound system and simulcast on 98.7 The Coast. You can tap into the livestream to view from anywhere outside of Wildwood, too.
Summer in Sand
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through August 31
Five incredible sand sculptures designed by John Gowdy and Team Sandtastic depict favorite summer activities like watching baseball, camping, embarking on an overseas adventure, playing games and solving puzzles, and lounging at the beach. You can enjoy sandboxes designed for play, as well as a family-friendly scavenger hunt beginning on July 12 that will feature the colorful, quirky beach-themed character “Shelly Shovel.”
Sesame Place Summer Nights
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Fridays – Sundays, through September 1
During extended hours on special nights, extra activities include the DJ Dance Party at Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Stage and an encore of the Sesame Street Party Parade.
Luxury Glamping
Six Flags Great Adventure – Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, Jackson
Weekends through September 2, with select dates through December 1
Instead of braving the wild outdoors, you’ll experience luxury camping, where you and up to five other people can sleep in one of 20 glamping suites that overlook the safari grounds. You can also book a treatment at the spa.
Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 2
You’ll be able to see role models from every era of Barbie’s history. You’ll learn about the dolls as if they were real, including their backgrounds, struggles and accomplishments. Each area will highlight a particular role type – leader, problem solver, creator, nurturer or adventurer – and you can try each career option for yourself.
Apollo: When We Went to The Moon
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Through September 2
Climb aboard a lunar rover model, leave your footprints on the Moon and learn about the Space Race through this exhibit at the sea, air and space museum. Starting April 4, you can check out the Concorde Superjet that recently underwent renovations and returned to the museum.
Delsea Drive-In 2024 Season
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theatre, Vineland
Fridays – Sundays, through September 3
Watch two movies back-to-back while sitting in your car, just like they did in the ’50s.
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays, through September 6
Come to the historic apple orchard after work for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings.
Roller Skating
The Rink, American Dream
Through September 7
This summer, trade your ice skates for roller blades. Every Friday and Saturday will be Retro Nights, where you can skate to your favorite tunes from the past. Ice skating returns on September 8.
Wellmont Arts Plaza Outdoor Concert Series
Wellmont Arts Plaza, Montclair
Select dates, through September 8
A series of free, all-ages, outdoor shows will take place, courtesy of Montclair Jazz Festival and Jazz House Kids. Some of the newly announced shows include Spafford, Prince/Bowie, Wallace Roney Jr. and Vanessa Perea, as well as the annual return of Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree.
Black River Limited Train Ride
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington or Ringoes station
Select dates, through September 14
This 90-minute trip takes you through Hunterdon County aboard a train, with stops at both historic train stations.
Hunterdon Wine Express
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington
Select dates, through September 14
The round-trip excursion goes from the Flemington station to Old York Cellars Winery, where you’ll be treated to a wine tasting, chocolate and cheese pairing, and lunch. You’ll have time to walk through the vineyards before heading back.
Like Clockwork! Guinness Collection Conservation
Morris Museum, Morristown
Wednesdays – Sundays, through September 22
Learn how the Morris Museum keeps hundreds of mechanical objects running like clockwork for twenty years.
The BEAST NYC Speedboat Ride
Pier 83, New York, NY
Tuesdays – Sundays, through September 29
Roar down the Hudson River from Pier 83 to The Statue of Liberty on this high-speed boat.
Yoga on the Beach
Burk Avenue, behind the Wildwoods Convention Center
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through September 29
A traditional Hatha yoga-style class will be infused with Qi Gong, a variety of healing therapies and lots of modifications.
Free Guided Garden Tours
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Sundays, through the end of October
NJBG docents take you on a tour of what’s blooming around the Botanical Garden.
Friday Night Bites
The Hungry Puppy Dog Park, Farmingdale
Fridays, through October 25
Bring your pup and your friends to the double-gated, specially-designed dog park, where you can relax and listen to some music while mingling with other pet parents. There will be free snacks and treats from a sponsoring pet food manufacturer each week.
Festival of Fountains
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through October 27
There are new garden spaces, the return of the Fireworks & Fountains Shows, performances in front of the Illuminated Fountain, a beer garden, Festive Fridays with live music, and a Wine & Jazz Festival (September 14), plus all the gorgeous landscapes we can’t get enough of.
We All Scream For Ice Cream
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Through November 3
Learn about the history of ice cream dating back to the Victorian era. It started as an elite and expensive dish but by the end of the 1800s came in simpler flavors and was used in cones, sundaes and banana splits. You’ll see an authentic ice cream maker and other equipment, plus a Victorian ice cream wagon.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Select dates through November 10
New for the season is the Feathered and Fearless exhibition, three new dinosaurs and tons of new games, activities, and shows featuring T-Rex, Toddlersaurus, dinosaur hatchlings and the park’s Dinosaur Troubadour.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Blue Whale: The World’s Biggest Animal
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through January 5, 2025
The exhibition tells the story of the 60-ton whale that washed ashore in Trout River, Newfoundland, in 2014. You’ll see the enormous skeleton of a recovered blue whale and discover how whales evolved, the size of their heart, how they communicate, their decline, what’s being done to protect them, and how scientists are using DNA to unlock some of the secrets of these elusive creatures.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through March 2, 2025
This special exhibit is part of Morven’s 20th-anniversary celebration and will shed light on lesser-known stories of this historic home and its residents. You’ll see rarely-seen objects and newly discovered photos about American life: childhood, hosting guests, pets, fashion, and more.
Slow Motion
Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton
Through September 1, 2025
Five artists from Monument Lab in Philadelphia created gigantic, creative, introspective monuments that will be on display for their beauty, but also to address political, cultural and social issues.
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