Hurricane Erin is causing dangerous rip currents along the Shore so be sure to heed safety warnings. The weekend is packed with fun events, from carnivals to a garlic festival to an outdoor glow party and more.
WEEKEND
St. Joan of Arc Carnival
St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton
Wednesday – Saturday
There will be bands performing nightly, a beer garden, a super 50/50 raffle, food, games and rides. Thursday night is a pig roast.
Hunterdon County 4H & Agricultural Fair
South County Park, Ringoes (Lambertville)
Wednesday – Sunday
Visit the cow barn, horse barn, sheep barn, and the goat and pig barn. There will be a midway with food, vendors and amusements. Check out the 4-H robotics tent, dairy den, agri-puppet show, shooting sports, NJ beekeepers and antique tractors.
Planetarium Shows
Longo Planetarium, Randolph
Friday – Saturday
The shows include “Mars: The Ultimate Voyage;” “Edge of Darkness” about comets, asteroids and Pluto; and “One Sky” to introduce kids to the night sky. All shows include a tour of the night sky and features Digistar 7, the world’s most advanced planetarium system.
Sports Card, Toys, Comics and Collectibles Show
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
The expo will feature more than 200 tables of sports cards, non-sports cards, toys, comic books, Pokémon, Funko Pops, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, Beanie Babies, videos, jerseys, books, posters, coins, T-shirts, LEGOs, antiques, and more.
OPA Greek Fest
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, North Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
The church will host its inaugural Greek festival, packed with authentic culture, food, spirits, music, folk dancing, and a Greek market.
Wine Down Summer
Red Bank Battlefield Park, National Park
Saturday – Sunday
More than a dozen NJ wineries will offer samples. Listen to live music by 99 Reasons on Saturday and Right Turn at Forty on Sunday. There will be food trucks, artisan crafters and vendors.
New Jersey African Restaurant Week Food & Music Festival
Newark
Saturday – Sunday
The fourth annual New Jersey African Restaurant Week takes place through August 24 with special offerings by restaurants. During the weekend festival, there will be extra food tastings, local artists, a marketplace, a chef contest and a kid zone.
FRIDAY
Barracks Baseball Night
Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Trenton
Friends of the Old Barracks Museum will have their own area in the picnic section of the ballpark to watch the game and sit down for an all-you-can-eat buffet. The Trenton Thunder will be playing as the Trenton Pork Roll against the Williamsport Crosscutters as the stadium celebrates Capital City Night. The first 1,000 fans at the stadium will receive a free “Slice” Bobblehead.
Mercer County Summer Concert Series
Mercer County Festival Grounds, West Windsor
The final concert of the summer will feature performances by the Earth, Wind & Fire Tribute Band, plus Men of Soul.
SATURDAY
Kidchella
Bell Works, Holmdel
The Monmouth Moms are making this day all about the kids: music, inflatables, glitter tattoos, vendors, crafts, a glow station, food, yard games, flower crowns, face painting, a DJ and entertainment – but also adult beverages.
Westfield Street Fair & Craft Show
Downtown Westfield
There will be arts and crafts, vendor shopping, live music, kids’ rides and food vendors.
Pupstock
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
Dog activity zones include an art zone, a puppy foam party, a giant ball pit and a splash zone. There will be pet adoptions, food trucks, live music, Yappy Hour in the beer garden, and vendors.
Women’s Equality Day Festival
Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice, Mt. Laurel
This is the fourth year the festival will be held at historic Paulsdale, the childhood home of suffragist Alice Paul. The event highlights 50+ women-owned businesses and organizations from across NJ and PA. There will be free tours of Paulsdale, kids’ activities, a bounce house, craft making, a beer garden, food trucks, live music, and raffles.
Jersey Halal Spots Food Fest 2025
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
There will be 70+ vendors, rides and entertainment in addition to tons of halal food.
Koi Fest
Fitz’s Fish Pond, Milford
Aside from learning about pond care, equipment and expert tips for a koi pond, there will also be a judged competition, meet-and-greets with koi influencers, live music, a koi auction, hot air balloon rides, kids’ activities and food trucks.
New Jersey Folk Festival
Davidsons Mill Pond Park, North Brunswick
Initially postponed from the spring due to weather, the state’s longest-running folk festival will now join Middlesex County’s FolkLIVE event series. Celebrating its 50th year, the festival will include live music, dance, heritage exhibits, crafts, food vendors, and family-friendly programming.
Denville Garlic Fest
Gardner Field, Denville
The “stinking rose” is the star of the show here. Attractions include food trucks, food from local restaurants, a DJ, a bouncy house, putt putt golf, oversized lawn games, craft vendors and garlic-themed fun.
Gloucester Goes Pink Community Festival
Chestnut Branch Park, Mantua
Gloucester County has the highest rate of breast cancer among New Jersey’s 21 counties, so this awareness event will focus on health and wellness through Pilates and Zumba, sound and energy healing, talks by doctors, health screenings, a walk and pet parade, a martial arts demo, a farmers market, and a crafters village.
Oaks Integrated Care Touch-a-Truck
Triad1828 Centre, Camden
Trucks will roll into the Camden waterfront, including emergency response vehicles, a bomb truck, an armored SWAT vehicle, the community action van, a firetruck, a police car, and the Mobile Food Pantry. There will be a free stuffed backpack giveaway, while supplies last. Sensory-friendly hour is from 1-2 pm.
Muddy Dash
New Jersey Motor Sports Park, Millville
Prepare to get super dirty as you go through the obstacle course. After the race, stay for food and beer, live music, giveaways and photo-ops. A portion of the proceeds go toward research, funding and treatment for families who are battling childhood cancer and terminal illness.
Play Hook-E: Veterans, Children with Disabilities and Active-Duty Military Fishing Day
Lake Julianna at Ponderosa Estates Farm, Millstone
After fishing there will be a free BBQ, the American Warrior Outdoors pizza truck, and door prizes. Soda, pizza, hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.
Summer of Love Music Fest
Haddon Avenue (between Strawbridge and Cooper streets), Haddon Twp.
Journey back to the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s with live music from AM Radio, Dancin’ Machine and The Priceless Band. There will be a beer garden, food trucks, artisan vendors, a kid zone, hula hoop and trivia contests, and a Glow Party.
Glorious Gardens of Hopewell Valley Garden Tour
Hopewell Train Station, Hopewell
Start by picking up your brochure at the train station, and then follow the map to nine gardens around town. Proceeds benefit programming at Hopewell Public Library.
Hub City Sounds: Caribbean Festival
Recreation Park, New Brunswick
Join the New Brunswick Cultural Center for an afternoon of Caribbean culture, music (reggae, soca, calypso), dance, and food (including a jerk chicken cookoff).
Fiddling’ Contest
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
The Hunterdon Folk Exchange holds the 36th annual fiddling contest, the largest and longest-running traditional fiddle contest in New Jersey. There will be fiddlers, guitarists, mandolinists and other musicians playing on porches, under trees, and on the lawn, playing traditional folk and bluegrass music. The day will include homemade food, ice cream, horse-drawn wagon rides, a children’s craft, and a closing performance featuring 30 fiddlers.
Richland Vintage & Toy Fest
Shoreline Vintage & Antiques, Richland
Check out vintage, retro, toy, antique, pop culture, art and anything cool items – such as records, comics, toys, artist originals and baked goods.
Denise Whalen Carey Crab Race
Breakwater Beach Waterpark at Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Plastic crabs will be sent overboard at Patriot’s Plunge into the Revolutionary River in a fundraising race to benefit Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Seaside Summer Freestyle Fest
The Beach Stage, Seaside Heights
Performers bringing freestyle music to the Jersey Shore include TKA, Lisette Melendez, Cover Girls, C-Bank and Betty Dee of Sweet Sensation.
Eats N’ Beats Festival
Veterans Plaza, Franklin Lakes
For the food part, there will be a variety of food trucks (plus a beer garden). For the beats part, Ryan Townsend, Jakes Rockin Country Band, Country Line Dancing, and Phantom DJ will provide the music. And then for the kids, there will be a large rock wall/euro bungee combo, a trackless fire truck, a surf simulator, a 5-in-1 combo bounce, a face painter, and a graffiti artist who will make you a T-shirt designed by you.
Back to School Glow Party
Nanuet Town Centre, Nanuet, NY
The GAP will hold a pre-party with in-store discounts, a mini runway-style showcase of the latest back-to-school trends, and free snacks. Then move outdoors for the DJ Dance Party, which will feature glowing games, free glow giveaways, and a kid-friendly Mocktail Glow Bar.
SUNDAY
Margate Duck Derby
Scott’s Dock, Margate
Thousands of rubber ducks will be released into a closed course in the bay, and you can root for your numbered toy as it floats toward the finish line.
Kezus Food Fest
Garret Mountain Reservation, Woodland Park
North Jersey is giving a nod to its food, culture and community. More than 20 of the region’s top restaurants and vendors will serve signature dishes outdoors, where there will also be live music, giveaways, and interactive experiences.
Newark Riverfront 6K Run/Walk
Essex County Riverfront Park, Newark
Sign up early for a personalized bib and a T-shirt. You’ll get fruit, coffee and snacks along the way.
Montclair MedievalFest
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
This festival of Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music includes live music, simulated combats, instrumental ensembles, vendor shopping and a beer garden.
Craft Show & Antique Corner in the Park
Veterans Park, Westwood
Visit 125 exhibitors featuring arts and crafts, as well as an area dedicated to antiques and collectibles.
Lafayette’s Return Visit
Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge
Learn about General Marquis de Lafayette through song as he “returns” to the area. You will see artifacts from the American and French revolutions, eat French snacks, decorate paddle fans and learn about history.
Rods & Rails Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show
Northlandz, Flemington
The world’s largest model railroad museum will hold a car show outside, in partnership with Cars and Coffee of Central NJ. There will also be live music, food vendors, door prizes, a 50/50 raffle, and trophy awards for standout vehicles.
ONGOING
Middlesex County’s Music-in-the-Park Free Summer Concert Series
Thursday, August 21 at Johnson Park – Children’s Summer Series
Wednesdays, through August 27, Thompson Park, Jamesburg/Monroe Twp.
Sundays, through August 24, Spring Lake Park, South Plainfield
Wednesdays, through September 10, Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, South Amboy
Bring a lawn chair and snacks and listen to live music played at these free family outdoor summer concerts.
Cirque de Paris
August 21-31 at MarketFair in Princeton
September 4-14 at Rockaway Townsquare in Rockaway
September 18-28 at the Menlo Park Mall in Edison
Anouchka Bouglione will bring a cast of circus artists from across Europe – including BMX trick riders, illusionists, aerialists, acrobats and clowns – to perform in French circus traditions.
Big Bounce America Tour
The Mills at Jersey Gardens, Elizabeth
August 23-24, 30-31
The seven massive inflatable attractions include a new 24,000-square-foot bouncer, a 900-foot-long obstacle course, a customized sports arena, a three-piece space-themed area, and an intergalactic adventure. There are giant slides, ball pits, climbing towers, basketball hoops and oversized shapes of all colors. A custom-built stage is in the center of it all, with a DJ playing party music while also hosting games and competitions.
And In This Corner … Cassius Clay
The Oakes Center, Summit
Through August 24
Before he was Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay was a boy from Kentucky. This is a story about how a young boxer fought adversity inside the ring, and out.
Restaurant Week
The Wildwoods
August 24-28
A select group of restaurants will offer special prix fixe breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.
Back to School Bash
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
August 25-29
Before the summer ends, the park will host a week of back-to-school fun, featuring Honker’s Super Fun Science Show and the Back to School Bash Dine with Elmo & Friends.
Free Weekly Summer Programs
New Jersey State Museum, Trenton
Tuesdays to Saturdays, through August 29
Each day has a different themed program. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are storytime with crafts, Wednesdays and Fridays are drop-in activities at the Imagination Studio, and Thursdays are crafts from the activity cart.
Safari in Sand
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through August 31
There is a spectacular display of safari-themed sand sculptures, both large and small, that you can view as you walk through the village for shopping and eating.
Butterfly House
Middlesex County EARTH Center, South Brunswick
Saturdays – Sundays, through August 31
See hundreds of beautiful butterflies as they fly around the exhibit.
Jaw-some Adventure
Adventure Aquarium
Through August 31
Shark-themed activities include walking across the shark bridge and through the shark tunnel, snorkeling with sharks, seeing species up close at the touch tank, and booking a behind-the-scenes tour in the Shark Realm.
DC Heroes & Villains Festival
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Twp.
Fridays – Sundays, through August 31; plus Labor Day (Monday, September 1)
Choose to side with the good guys – like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman – or the bad guys – like the Joker – during 15 scripted performances over 5 hours in a Broadway-style production. The events include parades, villain dance parties, street theater, live concerts, interactive games, and a massive stunt-driven finale.
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.
Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 1
This real-life interpretation of the book Grossology teaches your kids all about farting, burping, sneezing and other bodily functions in a fun, educational – and awesomely gross – way. You can climb a wall of skin that uses pimples and warts as footholds, dodge a snot ball, compete in an arcade game about urine, and play a game of Operation.
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.
Tipsy Tiki Bar Pop-Up
The Bistro at iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
Through September 2
There’s a menu of 10 tropical drinks (including mocktails) you can sip on while catching all the summer vibes. Book a resy for a table with the family, or make it a Moms Night Out and hang at the bar.
Sunset Sips & Sounds
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays, through September 5
Come to the historic apple orchard for wine, music and food. Music styles range from jazz and blues to folk and rock and will change artists each week.
Sunflower Festival
Norz Hill Farms, Hillsborough
Daily, through beginning of September
Follow the sunflower path and be surrounding by thousands of stunning sunflowers. There are also haywagon rides.
August Sangria Weekends
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays, through September 14
The whole family can come to the winery for live music, time outdoors, and samplings of Terhune’s sangria and fresh fruits.
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.
Company Town Walking Tour
Roebling Museum, Roebling
Saturdays, through September 27
Take a guided walking tour of the company town to discover the stories of workers who lived in the unique houses – from immigrant laborers to wealthy superintendents.
Festival of Fountains
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through September 28
Come for the 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.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Select dates, through 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.
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.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays, through November 2
In the wine orchard among 100-year-old apple trees, have a glass of wine, listen to live music from local artists, snack on food, shop in the farm store, or take a stroll with the kids on the farm.
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; 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.
Springsteen in Long Branch: An exhibition telling the story of Born to Run
Long Branch Arts & Cultural Center, Long Branch
Ongoing through 2026
Fifty years ago, Bruce Springsteen wrote the “Born to Run” album in West End, Long Branch. A new exhibit showcases his life at the Jersey Shore through photos, posters, album promo materials and mementos – like his green drum set from his first band, and a replica of the guitar used on the album cover.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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