August 1
Head to Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit to see dancers perform in the garden. Bring chairs or a blanket to picnic amongst the flowers.
August 1-4
Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival
Head to Phillipsburg for a country-style summer fair that boasts crafts, shows, entertainments and up to 30 hot air beauties that hit the skies in a mass launch every night. Does it get more romantic?
August 2-5
Photo courtesy of Cirque Italia
This water circus is coming to Elizabeth with acrobats, lasers and aerial feats in tow. Marvel at a contortionist, roller skaters and a super-mod water curtain.
August 3
Annual Peach and Ice Cream Social
All’s peachy in Bordentown thanks to this tasty yearly event. Chow down on $5 peach cobbler, peach pie a la mode or a peach sundae at the Friends Meeting House. Donations go towards the town’s Historical Society.
Summer Concert at the Gazebo: Forró for All
This Maplewood tradition is getting a South American spin. Rob Curto and his band will give you a proper introduction to this accordion-driven sound of northeastern Brazil.
August 4
Cape May Craft Beer and Crab Festival
Nothing screams summer quite like having seafood down the shore. Head to the famous Emlen Physick Estate for outdoor live music, a Victorian circus, a craft and collectible show and all the steamed crabs and shrimp you can imagine, plus food truck fare, beer from local breweries and spirits.
Suit up and make the trip to Jim Thorpe, PA for a raft trip and bike ride along the Lehigh River with Pocono Whitewater. Refuel with a riverside taco dinner and a cold one. Can’t make this one? Try for August 18 instead.
Photo courtesy of Ice House Wildwood Facebook page
Wildwood is getting taken over by everyone’s fave crustaceans. Get your fill of blue claw crabs and “crabby” Bloody Marys, rock out to live performers, snag a glass at the beer garden and shop vendor wares.
Jane Stuart Jazz Band: A Mixed Bag of Jazz
Snap your fingers and tap your toes to the stylings of this award-winning musician at Bound Brook Library. She’ll play the tunes of jazz giants like Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington.
August 14
Bound Brook Food Truck Festival
Just Jersey is bringing brews, grub and music for you to indulge in. Sip something new at the beer and sangria garden, shop vendors and try top-tier local food truck fare from sellers like El Lechon de Negron, Maddalena’s Cheesecake and Cheezen.
August 8-12
Visit Long Beach Township for water, waves and a celebration that’s shore to be a blast. Take a chance in the 50/50, chow down on festival fare and feel like a kid again on amusement rides.
Mangia the night away in Oakhurst at this festa full of rides, entertainment and culture. Don’t miss the pizza and pasta eating contest!
August 11
Crafts and Drafts at Lone Eagle Brewing
Who loves craft beer? This free marketplace is full of summer brews and goods from 16 craft vendors. Snack on food truck treats, explore the tasting room and shop products from The Inedibles, House of Cork NY, Sucre Body Shop and more.
Photo courtesy of Montclair Jazz Festival facebook page
This fest was named Favorite Musical Festival by Discover Jersey Arts’ People’s Choice Awards for 2018. Take in an Afro-Caribbean sextet, a jazz collective, and more, plus a beer garden and performances by 150 Jazz House Kids students.
August 13
Free Summer Movie: Ghostbusters
Who you gonna call? A date to hit this throwback film with! Head to Morristown’s MPAC to see this flick about parapsychologists who try to save NYC from the supernatural.
August 16
The Beatles: From Liverpool to Abbey Road
Every fan will appreciate this talk by Vincent Bruno, a Beatles scholar and specialist in ’60s rock history.
Get the creative juices flowing at this Warren County Library workshop where you’ll create a painting all your own. Ticket cost includes all materials.
August 17 and 24
This laser show is super far out, dude. Make the trip to the RVCC Planetarium in Branchburg to be entranced by lasers, colors and lights while listening to old faves like “Comfortably Numb” and “Money.”
August 18
One Love: Caribbean Music Fest
Catch some serious island vibes at this all-day celebration. Sample Caribbean cuisine, dance to reggaeton, soca, konpa and other regional genres of music and explore the collection of vendor booths.
Photo courtesy of Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival Facebook page
Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
Hang in the Morristown Green to get a primo seat for a range of jazz and blues performances. Don’t miss out on nearby shops, restaurants and historical sites, too.
Papaianni Park in Edison is getting a tasty makeover for this foodie fest. Sample libations from curated vineyards and craft brewers, boogie down to live music and shop featured retailers.
August 23
Deal’s Axelrod Performing Arts Center is hosting this five-piece group of vocalists that does everything from hip-hop to Motown to pop. Snag tix for a night of smooth moves and even smoother harmonies.
Ongoing
Live at the Pier Summer Concert Series
Through August 13, Monday nights in Pier Village will be bumping with live music. Trent Armand Kendall + Brass Illusion are taking you back to the days of The Temptations, Chaka Khan and Luther Vandross. It all goes down at Pier Village in Long Branch.
This Shady Brook Farm staple in Yardley, PA runs through August 31. Bop to live music by Route 80s, sip Rose Bank Winery vino, local beer and spirits and go wild with lawn games and go-carts.
PHOTO COURTESY OF TERHUNE ORCHARDS FACEBOOK PAGE
Terhune Orchards in Princeton is hosting Friday night concerts all summer long ranging from jazz to rock to folk to blues. Hang in the wine barn or the al fresco seating while sampling farm-fresh wine made with Terhune grapes.
Get tix to this Lackland PAC performance all about the rock era through August 5. Best park? The audience gets to raid the stage for the finale.
Saturday Adult Special at Casino Pier
Every Saturday through August 24, grown-ups can ride and slide for the kids’ price at this Seaside Heights highlight. Make a splash at Breakwater Beach or hit the amusement rides on the Pier.
Paint Nite
Eat, sip and hone your painting skills at these painting events hosted by Paint Nite. Paint an ode to the Jersey Shore at New Brunswick’s George Street Ale House on August 12. On August 15, you can craft a vibrant butterfly masterpiece at On the Border in Woodland Park. Make an end-of-summer, beach-themed keepsake at Plank Pizza Co. Beer Parlor in Saddle Brook on August 22.
Parental Time Out in Weehawken
Can’t find a sitter for your night out? Drop ‘em at Play City any Friday night this year. They’ll have dinner and open play while you get some alone time. Have a Greek dinner at Molos, Mexican at Charrito’s or Thai at HI-SO Thai.
Super Swing Tuesdays at Brix Restaurant and Bar
Learn West Coast Swing with WCS National Champion Arjay Centeno. Bring a partner to socialize and dance with at this Belleville hotspot.