New Jersey’s World Cup summer is now in the rear view but there’s still plenty happening across the state this weekend!
Here are a few of our top picks:
- Sourland Mountain Festival at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes
- Christmas in July at the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May
- Montclair Theater Festival
- Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick
- Fireflies and Faeries at the Tenafly Nature Center in Tenafly
- Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival
- REDD’s Birthday Celebration with Sesame Street at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison
Here’s our full weekend lineup:
WEEKEND
New Brunswick Restaurant Week
New Brunswick
Thursday – Saturday
Visit 7 or more restaurants that are part of Restaurant Week – either your faves or new ones you want to try – and submit your receipts for a chance to win gift certificates from other restos in town.
Shrek: The Musical
Algonquin Arts Theatre, Manasquan
Thursday – Sunday
See the hit musical come to life on stage through characters Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and others.
Christmas in July
Petal & Pine Flower Farm, Monroe Twp.
Friday – Sunday
Petal & Pine is owned by the family who owns The Village at Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm, so naturally Christmas in July will include holiday shops, Christmas-inspired drinks and treats, themed photo ops, and thousands of Christmas lights after sunset. On Saturday, watch the movie “Elf” at dusk.
Christmas in July
Red Bank
Friday – Sunday
The weekend of holiday cheer on the Red Bank BroadWalk features performances by Holiday Express.
Santa’s Summer Holiday
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Friday – Sunday
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making special appearances throughout Peddler’s Village during their holiday. Special events include Food Truck Friday; and breakfast with Santa at Buttonwood Grill and lunch at Giggleberry Fair on Saturday.
Mercer County 4-H Fair & Wheat Threshing
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Saturday – Sunday
The fair includes animal shows and exhibits, homemade ice cream, hayrides, pony rides, music, magic shows and farm tours. Check out displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association, and others.
Jus Sneaker and Trading Card Convention
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Saturday – Sunday
Kids get a kick (pun intended) out of buying and selling top sneaker brands, vintage clothing, streetware, accessories and rare trading cards.
Christmas in July
Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp.
Saturday – Sunday
Santa and Mrs. Claus return to Storybook Land for a festive summer celebration featuring holiday activities, Ken the Magician, snow cones and seasonal surprises.
Antiques & Summer Market
WheatonArts, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
Spend the weekend searching for forgotten gems and unique finds at this indoor/outdoor event – like books, ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, memorabilia, toys and vintage accessories. You can explore the Museum of American Glass, the Down Jersey Folklife Center, artist studios, museum stores, and the nature trail. There will be free hands-on family art activities. The Education Studio will be open, offering discounted Make-Your-Own Glass Fusing Experiences for pendants, magnets and suncatchers.
Christmas in July
Fairy Tale Forest, Oak Ridge
Saturday – Sunday
Christmas-themed activities will be woven into the weekend – like elf sing-alongs, holiday-themed games on the enchanted lawn and a special scavenger hunt. Santa will make a surprise visit in his summer clothes. Grab summer versions of gingerbread cookies, ice cream and iced peppermint cocoa at the concessions stand.
FRIDAY
Lilo & Stitch Outdoor Movie
The Mathis House, Toms River
Watch the Disney classic on a big screen under twinkling string lights, next to the fire pits, in the back of the Victorian B&B. Everyone will get popcorn. You’re encouraged to wear Hawaiian shirts.
Hawaiian Party
Play Space Academy, Hillsborough
The tropical afternoon includes an island sing-along, bubble play, a full dance party, interactive games, balloon twisting, a suncatcher craft, a lei to take home, open play, and photo ops.
Jazz in the Gardens: A Night with Jazz House Kids
Montclair History Center, Montclair
The students and faculty from JAZZ HOUSE KiDS will play live jazz in the gardens.
SATURDAY
Sourland Mountain Festival
Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes
Learn all about the Sourland region as you listen to live music, eat local foods, sip craft beers and spirits, and take part in family activities. Since this is held at the winery, you know the samples will be on point. Proceeds benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the history and ecology of the Sourland Mountain region of Central New Jersey.
Cup of Dreams Soccer Tournament
American Dream, East Rutherford
The 5-a-side soccer tournament will be held on the professional hockey rink converted into a high-scoring soccer pitch.
REDD’s Birthday Celebration
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison
The World Cup may be over, but there’s still plenty of soccer buzz in NJ! This weekend, the New York Red Bulls return home to face the Charlotte FC. Before the game, celebrate mascot REDD’s birthday with a Sesame Street promo. The team will be handing out a select number of free Red Bull New York x Sesame Street bucket hats on the BULLevard. REDD’s Birthday Celebration also includes food trucks, interactive games, mascot appearances, face painting, coloring stations, and an Elmo meet-and-greet. The first 10,000 fans through the gates get a limited-edition REDD bobblehead. Inside the stadium, Elmo will lead Send the Bulls and Sesame Street-themed games.
Family Fun Night
Animal Welfare Association, Voorhees
The highlight is the Vet for a Day Pretend Pet Clinic, where kids can suit up and step into the role of veterinarian in a hands-on clinic experience. There will also be face painting, lawn games and food vendors (including a popsicle vendor). Paint the AWA van and meet the special character mascots.
Christmas in July
NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May
There will be photos with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, live music by Rich Angelucci, face painting, food, ice cream, chalk art and a train display – in addition to all the military exhibits and displays.
Montclair Theater Festival
Brookdale Park, Montclair
Vanguard Theater puts on this one-day event, which includes family-friendly shows like Seussical: The Musical and Shakespeare’s The Tempest, along with performances by local artists, food trucks, and hands-on activities.
Gospel Music Festival
Monument Park, New Brunswick
Celebrate African American culture and history through the music of Erica Campbell, Jonathan McReynolds, The Group Fire, DJ RuntheFade, Tangie Cobb, Myles Cherrette, Valarie Adams, and Bishop Searight and Royal Priesthood. This year’s concert will be emceed by Toya Beasley, host of 94.7 The Block, and arts administrator Deonté Griffin-Quick. NBPAC next door will be used as a cooling center with a livestreaming of the concert, as well as a pop-up exhibit from the Crossroad Theatre Company.
SUNDAY
Hopatcong Monthly Market
Hopatcong DPW Lot, Hopatcong
Discover unique handmade goods, new gift items, treats, and one-of-a-kind finds while supporting 50+ small businesses and talented makers in the community. A different food truck is featured each month.
Fireflies and Faeries
Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly
As you walk through a 1/3-mile illuminated forest path, you’ll see different handcrafted faerie houses, meet forest dwellers, have some snacks, and celebrate nature under twilight.
Fab Four Brunch
The Bistro at iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
Meet The Mouse and Duck Duo at The Bistro during a special brunch event where families can take photos with the characters when they visit. Kids will get their own coloring book.
ONGOING
Happy Hour on the River
South Riverwalk Park, Trenton
Fridays, July 24 – August 28
Before Trenton Thunder games on Fridays, each family-friendly happy hour party will include live music, activities, and food and drink purchases. The band lineup will kick off on July 24 with Amazin’ Grace & the GLB, followed by Random Acts of Soul on July 31, Peter Fontaine on August 7, El Kabong on August 14, and Rumbaile Salsa and Santana on August 28. The first 250 people to arrive will get $1 hot dogs.
Dancing Under the Stars
Hind Plaza, Princeton
July 24; August 7 and 21; September 18
Pros from the Central Jersey Dance Society will demo basic steps and then lead you in a variety of dances to all types of music all night. Note: The September 18 will feature Latin American dances and music in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Car Cruise
Historic Smithville, Galloway
July 24; August 14 and 28, September 11 and 25
Stop by The Village Greene to see vehicles on display, or to show off one of your own.
TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park Night Climbs
The Great Gorge, Vernon Twp.
July 24 and 25; August 7, 8, 21 and 22
September 4, 5, 19; October 3, 17, 31; and November 14
Climbers can test their skills on both the Black Creek Flyer Course and the eight sections of the Aerial Adventure Courses after dark.
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
Princeton Summer Theater, Princeton
July 25-26, 31; August 1
Princeton Summer Theater’s Children’s Show is based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schultz.
Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival
Warren County Fairgrounds, Phillipsburg
July 25 – August 1
After watching the hot air balloons soar overhead, head back to the fairgrounds for Demolition Derbies, the Traditional Arts Expo, a Kids’ Corral, concerts, garden tractor pulls, horse shows and carnival rides throughout the day.
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park
Roosevelt Park, Edison
July 29 – August 8
The 2026 season of the popular outdoor summer musical series wraps up with a Broadway-style version of Guys and Dolls.
World Cup at New Jersey Hall of Fame
New Jersey Hall of Fame, American Dream, East Rutherford
Through August 1
Celebrate the achievements of the New Jersey Hall of Fame’s four soccer inductees, Carli Lloyd, Tim Howard, Christie Pearce Rampone and Heather O’Reilly. Watch their induction ceremony speeches, read more about their groundbreaking careers, view their jumbo trading cards, and create your own with the latest photo opportunity.
Baskerville: A Sherlock Homes Mystery
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Madison
Select dates, through August 2
This mystery has lots of twists and turns to keep kids engaged in the audience.
Boardwalk Nights
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Twp.
Select nights, through August 2
The all-new Shoreline Pier on the Boardwalk has an all-new nighttime show. After sunset, stick around for powerhouse vocalists, energetic dancers, gravity-defying acrobats, balancing acts, comedy and music from Boardwalk Band, Singin’ SeaGals, Beachside Balancers, Surfs UP and Sway-Watch. The Final Wave show closes out each night. Boardwalk Nights is part of the inaugural summer season of Shoreline Pier at The Boardwalk, a revamped area with five new attractions and boardwalk-inspired dining.
Drone Shows
Ocean Casino Resort, Atlantic City
Fridays, through August 7
Head outside of the resort and onto the beach for a post-sunset drone show.
Montclair Jazz Festival
Lackawanna Plaza Stage, Montclair
Select dates, through August 15
The Smithsonian Institution has selected the 2026 Montclair Jazz Festival, produced by JAZZ HOUSE KiDS, as part of its “Of the People: The Smithsonian Festival of Festivals,” a celebration of jazz cities that helped shape the nation. The Tuesday evening Soundcheck Series concerts lead up to the all-day Downtown Jamboree + Block Party on August 15.
LuminoCity’s Dino Safari
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Twp.
Through August 15 (closed Wednesdays)
More than 70 life-sized animatronic dinos comes to life, roaring, moving and swaying like real prehistoric creatures. There are plenty of interactive experiences, like the Triceratops Bounce Nest, Neon Octo-Beats (an inflatable giant octopus that plays DJ beats), and a playground area, the Caveman Axe Throw, a Dino Speedway, a Safari Dig, fossil hunting, and a carousel. At night, the grounds are illuminated for a glow-in-the-dark experience.
Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival
Franklin Square, Philadelphia, PA
Nightly, through August 16
See over 40 larger-than-life lantern displays featuring the towering Chinese Dragon, glowing flower gardens, ad special lanterns celebrating Philadelphia’s big summer events. The historic Rendell Family Fountain comes alive with choreographed lights, water, and music. Nightly performances feature acrobatics, juggling, balancing acts, and the ancient art of Face Changing.
Shark and Ray Summer
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Through August 16
Centered around Shark Week, you can see the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast, plus six new spotted eagle rays. Activities include talks about eagle rays, a sing-along with the aquarium’s mascot Gill the Shark, hands-on stations with a marine biologist, a game corner, a dance party in the Rotunda and a puppet show designed for littles. Sign up to watch shark feedings, or leave the kids at home for the adults-only Sunset With the Sharks event (on July 24).
Pick-Your-Own Flowers
Petal & Pine Flower Farm, Monroe Twp.
Thursdays – Sundays, through at least August 23
The family behind Anne Ellen Christmas Tree Farm opened a new PYO flower farm, where you can walk among 5 acres of zinnias, celosias, snapdragons, eucalyptus, lavender and sunflowers to pick for your home bouquet. There are lawn games, mini golf, farm animals, a coffee trailer, a pedal tractor area and photo ops in the wildflower field.
Sights in Sand: An American Road Trip
Peddler’s Village
Through August 31
Celebrating America’s 250th birthday, Peddler’s Village will display five magnificent sculptures created by two world-renowned master sand sculpting teams. Each sculpture will be dedicated to a region of the U.S., and collages on each will show sites like the Statue of Liberty, Kennedy Space Center, Mount Rushmore, Route 66, and the Golden Gate Bridge, among others, as well as animals, architecture and American history scenes.
Butterfly Feedings
Tenafly Nature Center, Tenafly
Select weekends, through August 31
While you explore the grounds, visit the butterfly house throughout the day to hand-feed the butterflies. Other activities include storytime, arts & crafts, and animal encounters.
Sunset Sips & Sounds
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays, through September 4
The winery will be open all day, but around sunset live music starts to play. Grab a bite to enjoy, have a glass of wine, and let the kids play on the tractors and in the play areas.
Downtown After Sundown
Spiotta Park, South Orange
Saturdays, through September 5
The live summer music series kicks off on June 6 with a Caribbean Heritage Month celebration with steel pan music.
Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays, through September 6
Plus Labor Day, Monday, September 7
Set in the wine orchard among 100-year-old apple trees, you can have a glass of wine or a wine slush, listen to live music from local artists, stroll the farm, visit the animals, and let the kids play on the tractors and playhouses.
Camp Boardwalk: Atlantic City During World War II
NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May
Through September 7
The traveling exhibit finds a new home inside historic Hangar #1, showing the role AC played in World War II: hotels were converted into military barracks, ballrooms into drill halls, and Boardwalk Hall into a training facility. You’ll experience oral histories, archival materials, and personal stories that highlight the wartime experiences of servicemen, nurses, volunteers and civilians.
Tipsy Tiki Pop-Up Bar
The Bistro at iPlay America, Freehold Twp.
Through September 7
The restaurant will be all about island vibes, with tropical cocktails (and mocktails) and menu specials. Beach-inspired drinks are served in island-themed glassware. The bar area is decorated with lots of floral décor.
Universal Theme Parks: The Exhibition
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Through September 7
There are animatronics, robots, ride designs, costumes and props that mimic The World Famous Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood, giving you an insider’s look at the storytelling and building behind the rides and worlds at the Florida and California theme parks.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
The Bronx Zoo, The Bronx, NY
Through September 7
Young fans of the PBS KIDS series will feel like they’re part of the show. Kids will be involved in character meet-and-greets, original live shows, a climbable life-sized trolley, a seek-and-find nature walk, a tactile station where you can learn about animals, the Tunnel of Make Believe, and a sensory-rich replica of the iconic Neighborhood Music Wall.
American Freedom Train Exhibit
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
Sundays, through October 11
The museum’s newest exhibit shares the stories related to the American Freedom Train (AFT) of 1975-76. This steam-powered, 26-car train was a traveling Bicentennial exhibition that carried more than 500 pieces of Americana, including George Washington’s copy of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin’s handwritten draft of the Articles of Confederation, the original Louisiana Purchase, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s robes and Bible, Judy Garland’s dress and ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz” and a lunar rover.
How to Train Your Dragon: Flight Academy
Comcast Technology Center, Philadelphia, PA
Through November 20 (closed Sundays)
Fans of the live-action and animated movies can visit The Isle of Berk to get their dragon rider’s license. After a brief talk and a tour of the dragon’s eggs, you’ll go inside a planetarium-like setting to watch a short film with Hiccup, Toothless and the other characters. After, you literally make your riding license to take home.
Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through January 3, 2027
Kids can climb into the iconic blue train cab, dress in a conductor’s uniform, load and sort freight and baggage onto a train car, take a picture next to a mural of Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt, build bridges, and fix Percy’s engine.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
Got questions about this weekend’s events?
We pulled together a quick FAQ to help.
Q: Do I need tickets or reservations?
A: Some of the bigger attractions (musicals, theme parks) do require tickets, and popular times can sell out. It’s important to check the event link in our guide for details, times, date, pricing, availability and weather before you head out.
Q: Does the list include both indoor and outdoor events?
A: You’ll find a mix of indoor shows, markets, and museums, along with outdoor flower shows, events and festivals.
Q: What are some of the best things to do in New Jersey this weekend (July 24-26)?
A: This weekend (July 24-26, 2026) features family-friendly things to do across New Jersey and in NY and PA. Highlights include the Sourland Mountain Festival at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes; Christmas in July at the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May; the Montclair Theater Festival; the Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick; Fireflies and Faeries at Tenafly Nature Center in Tenafly; or the Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival in Phillipsburg.
Q: What parts of New Jersey do these events cover?
A: We include family events happening throughout North, Central, and South Jersey, plus more events in New York and Pennsylvania.
Q: Where can I find more events near me?
A: This weekend’s roundup is a comprehensive list, but you can also browse more upcoming events on our calendar.
Q: How can I stay updated on more things to do in New Jersey?
A: Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
Read More:
Our Mega Guide of Fairs & Festivals in New Jersey
The Best Free Things to Do in NJ During July
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