The unofficial start of summer is upon us. Whether you’re heading to a BBQ or the beach, there are plenty of fun events set for the weekend. Then on Monday, honor military members who lost their lives in service to our country at a Memorial Day parade or ceremony.
Here’s what’s happening this holiday weekend:
WEEKEND
360 ALLSTARS
State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick
Thursday
The streets meet the circus in this show of all things rotation: World Champion and World Record-holding artists and athletes show off their amazing BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics and drumming skills alongside music and video projections.
Wildwoods International Kite Festival
Rio Grande Beach, Wildwood
Friday – Monday
After the Unlocking of the Beach ceremony on the beach, the World, Indoor Kite Competition and Performance takes place inside the convention center and out on the sand.
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Veterans Park, North Brunswick
Friday – Monday
There is an assembly Friday morning, after which the wall will be displayed in Veterans Park. On Monday, a culmination ceremony takes place before the wall comes down.
Fleet Week at The Intrepid
The Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Friday – Monday
The weekend kicks off with a free showing of “Top Gun” on Friday. From Saturday to Monday, meet military personnel, learn about aviation, try on emergency response gear, make a Morse Code bracelet and listen to author talks. Monday includes a Memorial Day ceremony with a flyover of U.S. Navy fighter jets.
Boardwalk Craft Show
Wildwoods Boardwalk, Wildwood
Saturday – Sunday
Rain or shine, “the boards” of the boardwalk will be lined with tents and booths of vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, home decor, unique artwork and other beach-themed treasures.
Memorial Day Festival
Ocean Avenue, Bradley Beach
Saturday – Sunday
Vendors will be set up on Saturday and Sunday, but the parade kicks off at 10 am Saturday.
Memorial Day Open Swim
Five Star Swim School
Saturday: Cherry Hill, East Hanover
Sunday: Deptford, East Brunswick, Eatontown, Edison, Galloway, Princeton
Veterans or active service members, and four members of their families, can swim in the heated pool for free in honor of Memorial Day.
Sesame Place 45th Birthday Beach Bash
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Saturday – Sunday
The park’s water attractions will open, which kicks off Bert & Ernie’s Seashell Scavenger Hunt and the Furry Friends Beach Bash Dance Party.
Sesame Place Memorial Day Weekend Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Book your resy for a Patriotic Dine with Elmo & Friends. On Sunday, you can add a Sweet Treats package and rock out to the “C is for Celebrate” fireworks display.
Adventurefest / Magic of Merlin
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Saturday – Monday
Riddlesbrood’s The Magic of Merlin is a free outdoor show that brings Merlin’s legendary tale to life. Using your cell phone, help guide the heroes’ journey in a unique, choose-your-own-adventure style that makes every performance a fresh experience.
Land of Make Believe Season Opening
Land of Make Believe, Hope
Saturday – Monday
Opening weekend brings back your favorite rides and attractions, including the off-road safari and epic water slides.
Commemorate Memorial Day Weekend
Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Saturday – Monday
Honor the men and women who lost their lives during the Revolutionary War (and “meet” some of them), see a collection of Revolutionary War flags, make a memorial ribbon, take an indoor or outdoor walking tour, and play around in the Discovery Cart. Veterans, military and Blue Star Families get free admission this weekend.
FRIDAY
Game Night: Dungeons & Dragons
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
No skill is necessary for you to play the game. You can bring your own models, or a Dungeon Master will help you navigate the game.
Beach Ball Drop
Resorts Atlantic City
There will be live entertainment on the boardwalk, including the Opening of the Sea, live music by Sidestory Cover Band, and a beach ball drop (at 5 pm).
Flags of Liberty
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Loved ones will honor veterans by holding up a chain of unfurled American flags in remembrance ahead of the Wildwoods’ Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony and the official opening of the 2025 summer season, kicking off Memorial Day Weekend.
Memorial Day Summer Kickoff Concert in the Park
Dowling Gardens, Woodland Park
Bring a blanket or lawn chair so you can relax while listening to The Kootz play live. Sip & Swirl and Taco is Life will bring their food trucks.
SATURDAY
She’s All That: Featuring Rachael Leigh Cook and Freddie Prinze Jr.
NJPAC, Newark
Relive your teen years by watching the movie on the big screen, then listening to a panel discussion with the actors after. VIPs can meet them, too, and snap a photo.
Hog Slopping & Weighing
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Guess the weights of the Howell Farm hogs as they step onto the scales for their summer weigh-in. You’ll learn about the pigs, grind corn, mix feed, fill the wallow, and slop the hogs.
Artisan Market
Bergen Town Center, Paramus
Take a stroll through this market in the mall, featuring 25+ artisans and vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, home decor, pet products, sweet treats, handmade gifts and more.
Spring Lake 5-Mile Run
Spring Lake
Join about 12,000 runners who race through town before Memorial Day.
Spring Wildflower Walk
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
It’s spring, and that means the flowers are blooming along the paths. You’ll be led on a guided tour of the paths.
Freedom Fest
Needle Creek Brewery, Pennington
There will be 9 beers on tap, live music from Sheila & Mike, food trucks, vendor tables, demos, DIY projects, face painting, board games, a farm-themed play zone, animal feedings, fire pits and farm fun.
Richland Vintage & Toy Fest
Shoreline Vintage & Antiques, Richland (Buena Vista Twp.)
Th coop-style store has more than 30 vendors, but once a year, more than 100 vendors and shop owners set up outside the store, in the parking lot and in the back field to sell everything from vintage toys and games to apparel to antiques to records.
SUNDAY
New Jersey Jerk Fest
Boyd Park, New Brunswick
NJ Jerk Fest is an annual celebration of Caribbean culture with live Caribbean music, Caribbean food trucks, an education area with career tips and community programs, and a Kid’s Zone. Mr. Easy will perform.
Highlands Seaport Craft Show
Huddy Park, Highlands
Check out the various handmade crafts on display from more than 60 crafters and artisans. There will be a huge variety of unique gifts, art, jewelry, and personal items at this Juried Show. There will also be live music in the afternoon.
Rolling Thunder Ride For Freedom
Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Trenton
Pack your kids into the car, or hop on your motorcycle, and take this ride from the ballpark through PA and back again in a pre-Memorial Day ride that honors POWs/MIAs. After, stay for food, music and vendors.
Audubon Nature Walk
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Don Torino of the Bergen County Audubon Society will lead you on a walk through the gardens to look for birds who have come back home.
Ladies of Liberty Hall Tour
Liberty Hall at Kean University, Union
Learn about the women of Liberty Hall, like Susan Livingston from the Revolutionary War, Mary Alice (Barney) Kean, and an enslaved woman named Abbe.
MONDAY 26
The Ridgewood Run
Ridgewood
Sign up for a 10K, 5K or 1-miler produced by the North Jersey Masters Running Club – or take part in them all. There’s also a Ridgewood YMCA Kids Fun Run.
North Brunswick Memorial Day 5K Run/Walk 2025
North Brunswick Community Park, North Brunswick
Dress in your most patriotic outfit for the costume contest, and then hit the track around the park for the annual 5K. The Children’s Dash is open to kids ages 1 to 5, who will all get a ribbon.
Jackson Memorial Day Parade
Holman Elementary School to Johnson Park, Jackson Twp.
After the parade there will be a solemn ceremony, food, vendors, giveaways, live music and children’s activities.
Tour of Somerville
Downtown Somerville
Pro cyclists will ride through town in America’s longest-running bike race (80 years and counting!). Then, the town celebrates the day with outdoor dining, a BBQ, a kids’ zone, food trucks, a vendor area, and a reunion of alumni from the past 80 years.
Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
Veterans Park, North Brunswick
Remember and honor our veterans during a solemn ceremony, which follows the township’s annual 5K.
Memorial Day Parade Patriotic Bike Brigade
Firehouse, Absecon
After a contest for the best decorated bike, the parade kicks off for kids in grades pre-K to 8.
North Wildwood Memorial Day Ceremony
Veterans Memorial Park, North Wildwood
This solemn ceremony is hosted by members of VFW Post 5941.
Wildwood Memorial Day Ceremony
American Legion Post 184, Wildwood
Legion members will honor our nation’s fallen heroes.
Memorial Day Parade
The streets come alive with music, dancing, classic cars, horse-drawn carriages and surprises. The Main Street Market opens at 11 am with vendors and boutique tables. A memorial ceremony takes place at 11:30 am at the War Memorial in Lutz Park, hosted by VFW Post 9691 and American Legion Post 178. The parade kicks off at 1 pm; make sure your kids bring a bag to collect candy that will be thrown from the parade route.
Colts Neck Township Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony, Picnic
Colts Neck
Sign up for the Decorated Bicycle Contest, or line Veterans Way as marchers come by. The parade will pause for a ceremony in Memorial Park. Then, all are invited to a picnic at Fire House #2.
Memorial Day Parade
Kings Highway and Chestnut Street, Haddonfield
Haddonfield American Legion Post 38 coordinates the marchers; after, there will be a remembrance ceremony at Haddonfield Memorial High School.
Sunday Funday
Double Trouble State Park, Bayville
Bring the family for a sunset hike from Veterans Rock.
ONGOING
Self-Guided Tours of Sawmill & Packing House
Double Trouble State Park, Bayville
Wednesdays – Saturdays in May
The Sawmill & Packing House will be open for self-guided tours.
Storytime on the Green
Palmer Square, Princeton
Saturdays in May
Bring the family to sing, dance and explore the world of books with JaZams’ Jeff Trainor and special guest readers. Geared toward infants to 8-year-olds.
L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
May 22 to June 8
Law enforcement officers who help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence are at center stage of this festival, which also includes fun like food, rides, games and entertainment.
FUNBOX
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
May 23-26, May 31
Kids and adults can run, jump and bounce across 25,000 square feet of inflatable objects including an obstacle course, basketball hoops and slides.
Berry Bash Festivals
May 24-25, 31; June 1, 7-8
Strawberry season will be in full swing. While you pick your own to take home, stay for live music, food from the farmhouse grill, and drinks from Tomasello Winery and local breweries.
New Jersey Renaissance Faire
Burlington County Fairgrounds, Columbus
May 24-25, 31; June 1, 7-8
Come to the Shire of New Crossford (aka Columbus, NJ) for jousting events, stage shows, live music, firebreathing stunts, knights, bubble magicians and acrobatics.
Acoustic Open Mic
The New Weis Center, Ringwood
May 25, June 29, July 27, August 31, September 28
Play your instrument or listen to others perform. A stage will be set up by the 1800s-era farmhouse for an afternoon of acoustic music (originals and covers) in a variety of genres.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Select dates, May 24 to November 9
This will be the final season of the dino-themed park, which has 30 life-sized dinosaurs, a bounce house, live musical shows, meetings with paleontologists and science shows.
Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and Gardens
Wildfair, Chester Twp.
Through May 31
Wildfair is a nearly 9,500-square-foot fieldstone and tile-roofed neo-Colonial country estate house that’s over 220 years old. As a fundraiser for Morristown Medical Center, 36 interior designers have decorated the house and landscaping for you to see. Each ticket comes with a tour of the estate and meet-and-greets with the designers.
World War II Exhibit
The Museum of American History at Deptford, NJ, Deptford
Thursdays – Sundays, through June 1
Celebrate the lives and memories of our veterans and fallen heroes through weapons, equipment, uniforms, flags, and coinage of both the Allied and Axis powers in the Pacific as well as the European theatres.
The Hobbit
Arden Children’s Theatre, Philadelphia, PA
Select dates, through June 1
J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved book comes to life on stage for families with kids ages 7 and up.
Best of the Nest Birdhouse Competition & Display
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through June 8
Area residents created dozens of beautiful birdhouses that will be on display in the Visitors Center.
Philadelphia Marketplace
Dilworth Park, Philadelphia, PA
Fridays – Saturdays, through June 28
Makers and crafters from the tri-state area will bring their handmade artwork, home goods, plants and more to the outdoor market every weekend. The pop-up shops will be set up alongside activations and events set up by the Center City District. You can also skate on the Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink.
Spring Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Weekends, through June 29
Bring the entire family for some fresh air on the farm. Stop into the farm store, take a stroll around the property, listen to live music, and try some of Terhune’s own wine.
Hoboken Tern Parade
Throughout Hoboken
Through June 30
Thirty businesses in Hoboken will display a decoy statue of the Common Tern, which is Hoboken’s official honorary bird. Activities throughout the next few months include library storytime, an Earth Day celebration, bird walks, scavenger hunts and a special RigaTERNi pizza.
Banners of Liberty: An Exhibition of Original Revolutionary War Flags
The Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
Through August 10
As America gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday, take the kids to see a collection of 16 flags that flew during the Revolutionary War.
Picnic in the Park
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton Twp.
Through the summer season
You can order a curated picnic lunch that you can eat with the family in the Acer Courtyard (where the peacocks hang out) or anywhere within the 42-acre sculpture garden.
The Longest Yarn
NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May
Through September 1
The Longest Yarn is a 3D wool exhibit, knitted and crocheted by hundreds of volunteers worldwide. It measures 80 meters (265 feet) and honors the 80 years since D-Day and the 80 days of battle it took for the Allies to liberate Paris. It’s coming from the UK to New Jersey for a few months.
Slow Motion
Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton
Through September 1
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.
Sesame Place Philadelphia 45th Birthday Celebration
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Through September 7
The season-long birthday party features the daily Sesame Street Birthday Parade and meet-and-greets with characters dressed in their birthday outfits. The park will be decorated with bright balloons, colorful garland and birthday presents. From July 25 to August 2, a slate of birthday celebrations will be announced. July 30 is the “C…is For Celebrate!” fireworks show.
Festival of Fountains
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through September 28
Come for the newly reopened Waterlily Court but stay for the Rose Garden, Flower Garden Walk, Peirce’s Woods, Idea Garden, Ornamental Kitchen Garden, Meadow Garden and indoor West Conservatory. You can visit on any day, but special events are planned for the Fireworks & Fountains Shows, as well as Fountain Fest Weekends.
Topiaries at Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
Through October
As part of a garden redesign inside the zoo, you can see five beautiful, giant, 3D shrubbery sculptures, in addition to planters that will change throughout the season. The topiaries include giraffes, fish, a butterfly, a peacock and a snail.
Free Guided Garden Tours
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Sundays, through October 16
A docent will lead you on a tour of what’s blooming around the gardens.
Hometown Pride: The Power of Sports in Middlesex County
Cornelius Low House Museum, Piscataway
Select dates, through December 31
Middlesex County’s sports connections include the first-ever college football game played between Rutgers University and Princeton University and professional athletes and Olympians, Paralympians, and Special Olympians. You will see high school trophies from the 1930s to the present, NFL golden footballs for pro athletes, balls from the highest-scoring high school athletes, uniforms from the 1930s to the present, and more.
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