World Cup festivities are underway in New Jersey and that means watch parties, fan fests and more. Here’s what else is happening in New Jersey this weekend:
- Pride Weekend in Toms River and Seaside Heights
- Lebanese Festival in Somerset
- Final weekend of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire in Columbus
- Flag Day weekend Salute to Service at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton
- Jeeps n’ Jams in Westampton
- Hammonton Food Truck Festival
- Kickoff of the two-week North to Shore Festival throughout the state
WEEKEND
Black-Owned Business Crawl
Newark
Thursday
Visit Newark’s Black-owned businesses during a business crawl – from an independent bookstore and Caribbean cuisine to handcrafted goods, a boutique wellness brand, and a standout oyster bar.
International Trail Eats
Newark
Thursday
Stop at Bamako Maliba Adams Kitchen, La Cocina, Bulgogi Zip and YAYA Tea for some menu items as part of Newark’s international World Cup celebrations.
Crafty: A Pride Craft Night
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Thursday
Crafty drag queen Mora Monáe will be hosting, performing and crafting alongside you – offering stations for bedazzling, sketching and sewing. You can add sparkle to your wardrobe, create a headpiece, fix a hole in a shirt, or create some drag pieces.
Face(t)s of America Exhibition
Gallery Space, Rahway
Thursday – Saturday
Six artists whose work explores what it means to live, belong and define oneself in America will present their artistic thoughts through portraiture, photography and painting.
Pride Weekend
Toms River and Seaside Heights
Friday – Sunday
For the first time, Toms River Pride and Seaside Pride will join forces for Pride Weekend, featuring a mega festival, parties, karaoke, a Pork Roll Egg & Queens drag brunch, and a screening of Freeheld, which is about Lt. Laurel Hester’s fight for civil rights in Ocean County.
Lebanese Festival
Saint Sharbel Church, Somerset
Friday – Sunday
There will be Lebanese food and pastries, live music, dancers and performances.
Blueberry Festival
Von Thun Farms, South Brunswick
Saturday – Sunday
Aside from PYO blueberries, there will be food trucks, hayrides, farm animals, and fresh blueberry donuts.
New Jersey Renaissance Faire
Burlington County Fairgrounds, Columbus
Saturday – Sunday
Come to the Shire of New Crossford (aka the fairgrounds) for the final weekend of jousting events, stage shows, live music, fire breathing stunts, knights, bubble magicians and acrobatics.
Elmo’s Springtacular
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Saturday – Sunday
This is the final weekend of spring-themed activities before summer hits the Sesame Street-themed park.
FRIDAY
World Cup Fan Festival
Christopher Columbus Drive, Jersey City
The celebration kicks off along Christopher Columbus Drive with a fan fest ahead of the Brazil vs. Morocco match at MetLife Stadium on June 13.
Pride Under the Stars
Spiotta Park, South Orange
Join North Jersey Pride, South Orange Downtown, and South Orange Village for a night of high-energy music from DJ Redline and dancing in the heart of downtown South Orange.
Be YourSELF
Bell Works, Holmdel
The Mental Health Association of Monmouth County will create a welcoming space for kids and teens to express themselves. Kids can perform on stage and make crafts throughout the night.
Scout Sleepover Night
Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Trenton
The Thunder invite all scouts, families and friends to come for a pregame parade, the game itself and then a sleepover on the field.
Watch Party
Memorial Park at Van Neste Square, Ridgewood
The watch party for teens and adults is part of the World Cup kickoff, and USA’s debut against Paraguay.
Citywide Soccer Celebration
Outside Showboat Resort, Atlantic City
As part of the World Cup and North 2 Shore the free soccer party on the green turf outside Showboat will feature a large outdoor viewing screen, sound system, face painting, arts and crafts, peewee soccer, inflatables, giveaways, music and more.
SATURDAY
World Cup Concert
American Dream, East Rutherford
After the World Cup match between Brazil and Morocco, Moroccan-American rapper French Montana will perform a concert.
Bernardsville Street Fair & Craft Show
Mine Brook Road and Mt. Airy Road, Bernardsville
There will be arts and crafts, shopping, live music, kids’ games, food vendors and family-friendly fun.
The Battle of Basking Ridge Soccer Village & Viewing Party
Downtown Basking Ridge (Bernards Twp.)
A soccer village and cultural street festival will be set up in the downtown during the day. There will be international food vendors, a DJ, cultural performances, soccer skill challenges and demos, FC Berna’s regional youth soccer tournament, and family activities. During the Brazil vs. Morocco game at night, a community watch party will be open to everyone.
Haying & Wagon Rides
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Learn how to make hay the old-fashioned way. Farmers will be cutting, tedding and raking loose hay to store in the barn for the horses.
Trenton Barracks Founders Day
Old Barracks Museum, Trenton
There will be a bubble show, face painting, balloon animals, food trucks, and a musical performance by the Blawenburg Band to celebrate the first-ever Founders Day. Reps from the New Jersey State Museum and the 1719 William Trent House Museum will also be on-site, hosting activities throughout the day.
Community Festival
Robbinsville Community Park, Robbinsville
Celebrate all things Robbinsville along with the nation’s 250th anniversary. There will be live music, food trucks, business exhibits, a non-profit area, a DJ, amusements, laser tag, pony rides, a trackless train, and fireworks. Best of the Eagles and The Fryboys will perform. The new cornhole tournament and beer booth will support Robbinsville Meals on Wheels.
Salute to Service
Red Mill Museum Village, Clinton
The Flag Day Weekend celebration honors veterans, active service members, and the families who support them, in addition to first responders who serve their communities. The Quilt of Valor Ceremony will be held following the 21-Gun Salute and Echo Taps, where handcrafted quilts will be awarded to local vets. Historic quilts, peace flags and Civil War artifacts will be on display. The Swingtime Dolls will sing an afternoon concert. Head to the historic log cabin for more activities.
Paddle for Pink Dragon Boat Festival
Mercer County Lake Park, West Windsor
The Machestic Dragons is New Jersey’s first organized dragon boat team for breast cancer survivors. The day includes the boat race; Flowers on the Water Ceremony to signify courage, remembrance and hope; a silent auction and raffles; entertainment, food trucks and a marketplace.
Grads & Dads Shopping Extravaganza
St. Jude Parish Center, Hopatcong
Shop for handcrafted items, gifts, home décor, accessories, specialty foods, and other unique finds for anyone graduating or celebrating Father’s Day this season. There will be food trucks on site.
North River Sing Spring Concert Preview
Hamilton Park, Jersey City
Ahead of their June 14 concert, North River Sing’s 60 choir members from all of Hudson County will perform a free concert of some of their a capella, small jazz and Broadway classics.
Jeeps n’ Jams
Burlington County Amphitheater, Westampton
Aside from hundreds of Jeeps gathered at one spot, music will be performed by Rob Messina’s Dave Matthews Experience followed by the John McNutt Band.
Where Bugs Go to Bed
EARTH Center, South Brunswick
Kids will become little bug explorers while learning about the importance of garden insects and their hiding spots. Then they’ll build their own bug hotel to take home.
Hammonton Food Truck Festival
Downtown Hammonton
The streets will be packed with food trucks selling American classic, ethnic cuisines, snacks, vegan and vegetarian options, drinks and desserts. Musical entertainment and activities will be announced.
Red, White & Brew (Blue) 5K Run & 1-Mile Run/Walk
Moore’s Tavern, Freehold Twp.
Run or walk in the historic Revolutionary area in support of the Veterans Community Alliance. Anyone can join, but adults will get two free domestic beers after the race The first 150 finishers will get a patriotic medal.
Sesame Street Live!: Elmo’s Got the Moves
bergenPAC, Englewood
Little ones will move along with Elmo, Big Bird, Grover and others and try some stretching, yoga poses, jump rope and cartwheels.
SUNDAY
World Cup Fan Festival
Overpeck Park, Bergen County
The 811-acre county park, which is situated in parts of Leonia, Palisades Park, Ridgefield Park and Teaneck, will host a day of soccer fun before the France vs. Senegal match on June 16.
Main Street Pops Artisan Markets
770 Jackson Street Plaza, Hoboken
The popular monthly market showcases a curated selection of unique, handmade treasures from local artisans.
North Brunswick Juneteenth Celebration
North Brunswick Municipal Complex, North Brunswick
There will be vendors displaying health and wellness, education and entrepreneurship information; food, fitness, music, DJ entertainment, art, and more.
Gotta Hop – Live! Kids Concert
Music Mountain Theatre, Lambertville
David Jack and his Panda Banda put on a high-energy, high-participation show for kids, ages 2 to 10.
North River Sing Spring Concert
NJCU Margaret William Theatre, Jersey City
The 60-person choir of voices from all over Hudson County will perform a capella ballads, small group jazz ensembles, and Broadway classics. The evening will celebrate beloved composers from Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein to Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder.
Montvale Mile-Long Street Fair & Food Truck Festival
Paragon Drive, Montvale
There will be 150 tables so you can shop and check for freebies, a special arts & crafts section, a kid’s area, a community section, two food courts and a beer garden, and live entertainment like music and demos all day.
Sports Illustrated Stadium’s Family Day
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison
The World Cup day includes watch parties for the Germany vs. Curacao and Netherlands vs. Japan games. There will be Red Bull NY player meet-and-greets, interactive soccer activities, a Bull Run skills challenge to beat the clock, 1-vs-1 game play, a soccer Skee-Ball challenge, photo moments, and a chance to win autographed memorabilia. KIDZ BOP is celebrating its milestone 25th birthday with a KIDZ BOP LIVE concert – including an opening act by DJ KB, KIDZ BOP’s official DJ; and the fan-favorite Daddy Dance Off.
MonmouthNJ 250 Stars & Strides Flag Day 5K & 1-Mile Freedom Walk
Bell Works, Holmdel
Wear red, white and blue as you join this race (or non-timed walk) in honor of America’s semiquincentennial.
ONGOING
North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival
DeVry University Campus, North Brunswick
Select dates, June 11-28
At this much-anticipated two-week fest in Middlesex County, there are all the fun carnival staples, plus acrobatic acts, racing pigs, a giant Ferris wheel, a petting zoo, and of course, fireworks.
Resilience Through Art: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Expression
Keep Creating Art Wellness Center, Montclair
June 11 – July 7
The Eclectic Chic Boutique and Keep Creating Art Wellness Center are collaborating on a collection of personal stories, joy, struggle, transformation and resilience by LGBTQ+ artists through painting, illustration, mixed media and fiber arts.
Summer of Soccer
Wave Resort, Pier Village, Long Branch
June 11 – July 19
There will be daily outdoor watch parties at the Carousel Bar and Pool Bar, with an oversized, inflatable soccer ball pool installation, giveaways, and Brazilian-themed decor, music, and food and drinks.
World Cup Fan Fest
American Dream, East Rutherford
June 11 – July 19
The mega shopping and entertainment complex next to MetLife Stadium, where eight matches will be played, will host daily watch parties, live performances, celebrity appearances, giveaways, concerts, brand activations and special events. Head back here for more details as they are released.
Explore Millburn-Short Hills World Cup Celebration
Millburn-Short Hills
June 11 – July 19
Series highlights include a digital resource that names the best spots in town to watch the games, World Cup-themed retail sales and dining offers, the World Cup Skills Day on June 20, and a World Cup Final Viewing Party on July 19.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Watch Parties
Lucky Strike North Brunswick, Lucky Strike Green Brook, Lucky Strike Times Square (NYC), Lucky Strike Chelsea Piers (NYC)
June 11 – July 19
Come for bowling, but stay for the soccer matches. Order themed cocktails in commemorative cups, ask about the branded socks and other giveaways, and watch all the matches tied to the World Cup schedule.
Newark Fan Village
Ferry Street, Newark
June 11 – July 19
Fans will gather to watch every match in large-scale viewing areas. There will be cultural programming, family-friendly activities, and a curated international food hall.
Jurassic Park Movie Nights
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, Mantua Twp.
June 12 and 26
Bring the kids to watch the classic dinosaur movies while being surrounded by dinosaur skeletons and replicas. Choose to see the movie from inside the theater or outside on the veranda. You can also explore the galleries after hours, dig for real fossils in the quarry, compete in trivia and move about during the Dino Dance Party.
Car Cruise
Historic Smithville, Galloway
June 12 and 26
July 10 and 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.
Big Block Match Parties
Hoboken
Weekends, June 13 – July 19
Six different neighborhoods will hold block-party watch events, rotating each weekend. Each event will have large-screen live match viewing, interactive soccer games and fan activities, family-friendly programming, outdoor dining, community gathering spaces, and local restaurants getting in on the action.
WorldCup AC Beach Soccer Tournament
Stockton University’s Esports Innovation Center, Atlantic City
Weekends, June 13 – July 19 (not on July 4)
The Atlantic City Boardwalk will become a soccer-focused destination , including live beach soccer, open pick-up games, youth clinics, organized matches, skill stations, esports activations, community partner tables, family programming and free watch parties.
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park
Roosevelt Park, Edison
June 17-27: All Shook Up
July 8-18: 1776
July 29 – August 8: Guys and Dolls
The 2026 season of the popular outdoor summer musical series includes three popular Broadway musicals.
North to Shore Festival
Multiple Locations
June 13-28
Known as “The Festival Only Jersey Could Handle,” the North to Shore Festival is gearing up for statewide lineup of concerts, art exhibits, comedy shows, film screenings and more.
NYNJ World Cup 26 Fan Hub
Sports Illustrated Stadium, Harrison
Select dates, June 13 – July 15
Every matchday gives fans the rare chance to step onto the field, catch live DJs and player appearances, and enjoy a rotating mix of local talent, food trucks, and fan activations, with select games shown on the main stage screen. The SI Stadium Concert Series will rock the main stage on select dates, including the already announced “Family Day featuring Kidz Bop Live” on June 14 and Kygo & Kaleo on June 22.
Artisan Market Pop-Up
Pier A Waterfront Walkway or 770 Jackson Street Plaza, Hoboken (depending on the date)
June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8
There will be 60+ vendors selling jewelry, baked goods, eyewear, handmade items, prints, knitted items, accessories and chocolates.
Princeton Festival
Morven Museum & Garden and Trinity Church, both Princeton
Through June 21
Performances include the singing of opera, arias, jazz, cabaret, cantatas, a Queen tribute band, the Bacon Bros., and an American fanfare salute; in addition to ballet dance with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Art of the Game Soccer Ball Art Exhibit
West Orange Arts Center, West Orange
Through July
Seventy artists turned ordinary soccer balls into works of art ahead of the World Cup. After the opening reception on June 6, the soccer balls will be on display around town through July.
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.
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.
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.
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 (June 12-14)?
A: This weekend (June 12-14, 2026) features family-friendly things to do across New Jersey and in NY and PA. Highlights this weekend include World Cup watch parties and fan fests, Pride Weekend in Toms River and Seaside Heights, the final weekend of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire in Columbus, a Flag Day weekend Salute to Service at the Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton, Jeeps n’ Jams in Westampton, Hammonton Food Truck Festival, and the kickoff of the two-week North to Shore Festival throughout the state.
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!
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