Summer is in full swing, and there are plenty of activities to keep kids of all ages occupied! Meet the Watermelon Queen (pictured above) as you celebrate Genny the Hippo’s birthday at Adventure Aquarium, head to New Brunswick to try dinner specials from your favorite restaurants, get All Shook Up with an Elvis Presley impersonator at Laurita Winery or do some yoga with baby goats!
ALL WEEKEND
Cape May Promenade Arts and Craft Show
Cape May Boardwalk
Saturday – Sunday
Enjoy the Cape May City Promenade Arts and Craft Show along the Cape May Boardwalk.
Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Arts Festival
Downtown Haddonfield
Saturday – Sunday
More than 200 artists will showcase the best of best of fine arts and crafts from the region and beyond.
State Fair Meadowlands
East Rutherford
Friday – Sunday
Get together with family and friends through July 10 for a fun and memorable time. Teens and adults will love the rides, like the Ski Lift, roller coasters and 120-foot gondola wheel. For the little kids, there are 35 rides in Kiddie Land just for them. There’s a big petting zoo, as well as tons of games to play. With eight different shows every day, there’s something for everyone. The hypnotist and the racing pigs are two staples, plus this year there will be an illusionist and a magic show. There is also Jurassic Kingdom Lockdown, Cycle Circus, the BIG BEE Transforming Car and others.
New Brunswick Restaurant Week
New Brunswick
Friday – Sunday
Restaurants around the city will offer the perfect night out, cooking up offers to get the foodie in everyone out the door to dive into new experiences and flavors. Restaurant Week will be held from July 9-24. Hours are set by each participating restaurant.
‘Jackie Robinson Steals Home’
Center Players, Freehold Borough
Friday – Sunday
Entertain yourself during a Center Players Signature Series Presentation of “Jackie Robinson Steals Home.” The play is set in 1947 at Yankee Stadium where the New York Yankees are playing the Brooklyn Dodgers and the newest member of the Dodgers is the first African American to play major league baseball: Jackie Robinson. During the course of the play, Jackie bats, gets on base and steals bases with the goal of stealing home. While playing, he fields questions from the press and recalls flashbacks from his life.
Terhune Orchards Blueberry Bash
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday – Sunday
Celebrate summer and everything blueberries! Pick your own blueberries in the 2-acre patch. Enjoy live music while the kids laugh at a puppet show and enjoy many fun farm activities. Savor a Blueberry Bash buffet filled with lunch items and blueberry treats. The winery will be open, so make sure you try the specialty Harvest Blues wine and blueberry wine slush. Sweet blueberry pies and muffins will be sold in the market.
Flower Festival
Happy Day Farm, Manalapan
All three flower fields will be open to pick lavender, zinnias and sunflowers.
Battle of the Beach Flag Football Tournament
Wildwoods Beach
Quickly becoming a family tradition for flag football players from across the region, this awesome summer Jersey Shore beach event features 5 v. 5 beach flag football for both boys and girls 5 – 17 years old as well as adults.
Oliver!
Kelsey Theatre, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor
Friday – Sunday
“Consider yourself at home” for The Yardley Players presentation of Lionel Bart’s classic musical based on Charles Dickens’ novel “Oliver Twist.” Performances are 8 pm July 8 and 15; 2 pm and 8 pm July 9 and 16; and 2 pm July 10 and 17.
FRIDAY
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Trenton
Trenton’s Fourth of July Celebration will include the re-enactment of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence outside of Philadelphia, hosted by Trenton Kiwanis.
Sand Sculpting Festival
Wildwood Crest
Grab your buckets and shovels and head to the beach at Heather Road 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. Fun activities featured at this year’s festival include live music, beach games and family entertainment.
SATURDAY
Freehold Township Day
Michael J. Tighe Park, Freehold Twp.
Freehold Township Day will be “A Celebration of our Veterans.” Enjoy plenty of activities for children, food, vendors, a car show and live entertainment.
Old Fashioned Fun & Games
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Visit Walnford and play a variety of historically-themed games to delight and challenge the whole family!
Craft Market
Avon-By-The-Sea
The Gardens of Avon-By-The-Sea present a craft market from 9 am – 4 pm July 9 on the boardwalk.
Elvis Tribute
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Enjoy Elvis house music and Elvis tributes from artists Don Anthony and Jim Barone. The RED Pizza Express and Snack Shack will be open outside, plus the outside bar will be open.
Evening Blacksmithing
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Learn about the finer points of shaping metal when blacksmith Daniel Lapidow fires up the forge and heats wrought iron for bending, hammering and sharpening. Help out by turning the crank of the forge blower until the iron glows orange, while he makes harness hooks, gate hinges, and other hardware needed on the farm. Initialed horseshoes and other handmade items will be available for purchase.
Liberty Base Ball Club vs. Hoboken Nine
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway
Bring a blanket or a chair and cheer on the Liberty! See vintage baseball played using 1850’s rules and uniforms.
Good Karma Day
Cream Ridge Winery, Cream Ridge
Celebrate Good Karma Day for Peace Love and Wine. Wear your flower power, bell bottoms, tie-dye or anything that gives off good vibes! Enjoy local vendors such as Rustic Relics, Crea Designs, Smiling Earth Mushrooms and tarot cards. The live music lineup includes Carly and Me and Gypsy Funk Band.
Food Truck & Jazz Fest
Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange
Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of summer during the Essex County Food Truck & Jazz Festival.
SUNDAY
Genny the Hippo’s Birthday Celebration
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Genny’s one-in-a-melon birthday celebration will include an appearance from the 2022 National Watermelon Queen Bethany Barfield, carving demonstrations by melon master Chef Joseph Poon, and watermelon-themed sweet treats to celebrate the birthday girl.
Ocean Grove Choir Festival
Boardwalk Pavilion, Ocean Grove
The heart of the 68th annual Choir Festival, Lift High the Cross, is the hymn singing, as the congregation and thousands add their voices in this treasured annual Ocean Grove worship event. Feel inspired by the Mass chorus, renowned conductors, brass ensemble and the historic Great Auditorium organ.
ParkFest
Riley Park, Bradley Beach
Yoga, music, art and games will be available for the whole family to enjoy.
Diversity Fest
The Morristown Green, Morristown
Diversity Day celebrates the diverse culture, religious and ethnic gifts of neighbors who live and work in the Morristown community. This event experience begins with an Interfaith Service of Worship taking place on the Green in Morristown, followed with an afternoon of fun including music performances, entertainment, games, prizes and a sampling of local and international food prepared by DCMC partners and local restaurants.
Butterfly Walk
New Jersey Botanical Gardens, Ringwood
Join the Bergen County Audubon Society for a walk through the gardens and fields looking for the many butterflies that visit the New Jersey Botanical Garden. Identify the butterflies and discuss the host plants and nectar sources crucial for their survival.
ONGOING
Fun Fridays
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood
Fridays (through July 29)
Treat yourself to an end-of-workweek celebration with live bands, food and drink vendors, lawn games and more! Bring your chair and enjoy the free entertainment outdoors. To keep the party going visit one of the great Downtown Wildwood restaurants and bars afterwards.
Outdoor Walking Tours
Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays (July and August)
Princeton University is home to one of the country’s most significant collections of 20th- and 21st-century public sculpture. Join a free, hour-long walking tour led by a museum tour guide and discover the campus’s outdoor artworks, including Henry Moore’s bronze Oval with Points, monumental geometric screens by Louise Nevelson, and more.
Flemington Car Shows
Main Street, Flemington
Select Saturdays (now through August 20)
Historic Flemington’s Main Street will be bustling with hot cars, live music, kids’ activities, delicious food and summer fun on select Saturday nights when Flemington Car Shows come to town all summer long.
Sunrise Wellness Sails
Wilbert’s Marina, Lacey Twp.
Saturdays (through August)
Anyone who is interested in yoga, meditation and mindfulness is welcome to take part in a 3-hour Sunrise Sail along the Barnegat Bay. Sail into rejuvenation with Jaime Zazzara and Captain Dave from Jersey Coastal Adventures for the wellness retreat. Wind Therapy promises to lull you into deep relaxation as you experience meditation, mindfulness, gentle yoga and a nurturing pampered session. There are also options to enjoy a swim or float in a tube when the boat anchors out at sea.
Sunset Wellness Sails
Wilbert’s Marina, Lacey Twp.
Thursdays (through August)
Anyone who is interested in yoga, meditation and mindfulness is welcome to take part in a 3-hour Sunset Sail along the Barnegat Bay. Sail into rejuvenation with Jaime Zazzara and Captain Dave from Jersey Coastal Adventures for the wellness retreat. Wind Therapy promises to lull you into deep relaxation as you experience meditation, mindfulness, gentle yoga and a nurturing pampered session. There are also options to enjoy a swim or float in a tube when the boat anchors out at sea.
Beach Baby Goat Yoga
Beach Haven
Fridays (through September 2)
Join fellow yogis and animal lovers on the beach for a beginner-friendly goat centric yoga experience and snuggles with baby and miniature breed goats. Reap the benefits of animal and laughter therapies as the baby goats jump on your back, snuggle in your lap or take a nap on your mat as you move through the instructor’s guidance.
Cruise Nights
Downtown Somerville
Fridays (now through September 4)
Friday Night Cruise Nights return to Downtown Somerville. Through Labor Day weekend, the coolest classic cars around line up along Main Street every Friday.
Sunset Sips & Sounds
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays (now through September 9)
Meet in this historic apple orchard for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings every Friday night at Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery. It’s a great way to unwind after the week, meet friends, bring your family and enjoy the sunset on the farm.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
New York, New York
Fridays (through September)
Enjoy the history and magic of the Intrepid for free on select Fridays through September.
Stargazing Boat Cruises
Belmar
Fridays and Saturdays (through September)
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Leonia
Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (through Nov. 13)
At Field Station: Dinosaurs, more than 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are sure to impress all the paleontologists in your group. Enjoy dozens of shows, Jurassic Jump, and even Dinosaurs: After Dark come October.
Sunday Farmers Market
Garden State Plaza, Westfield; in the parking lot between Macy’s and Route 17
Sundays (now through Nov. 20)
Garden State Plaza is the site of weekly Sunday farmers markets. Expect food vendors, food trucks, music, activities for kids and a car show from 9 am-2pm.
Don’t forget to check out an outdoor summer concert or movies under the stars!
Plus, there are fairs and festivals planned all around the state during July!
Travis Burnett
A pioneer in the flag football community, Travis helped co-found the Flag Football World Championship Tour, FlagSpin and USA Flag. Featuring 15+ years of content creation for the sport of flag football, creating and managing the largest flag football tournaments on the planet, coaching experience at the youth and adult level as well as an active player with National and World Championship level experience.
