Whether you’ve finally finished the school year or you’re still winding down, you’re in summer’s sweet spot. Start your weekend festivities with a trip to State Fair Meadowlands and the Health & Fitness Expo in East Rutherford, or strap on DIY fairy wings at Fairy Day at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. For more fun this weekend, be sure to check out our complete list of fairs and festivals.
Got a bunch of five-and-unders to entertain? We’ve got perfect activities that cater just to them, plus free events for those on a budget. If you’re looking for great events in your neighborhood, check out our calendar for tons more.
ALL WEEKEND
East Rutherford
Hit MetLife Stadium for health screenings, take a tour of the New York Giants locker room, and don’t miss your chance to meet with anchors and reporters from NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47.
Free
East Rutherford
Can you smell the sugary funnel cake goodness? From June 21 through July 7, fill up on fair food, watch the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show (hello, chainsaws!), get hypnotized and marvel at extreme illusions at the biggest fair in the Garden State. Visit the petting zoo and hop on classic rides like the chair swings and a drop tower.
Costs vary
Millville
Step into the Kingdom of Wheaton in Millville for sword demos, scavenger hunts and pirate and archery games galore.
$10/adults, free/ages 5 and under
NYC
Worth heading into the city to Pier 94 for this fest that’s chock-full of wellness activities, art installations and a beauty carnival, plus keynotes from celebs like Chrissy Teigen, Issa Rae and Mandy Moore.
$55-200
27th Annual Baymen’s Seafood and Music Festival
Tuckerton
Feast on fresh clams, crabs, scallops, shrimp and other seafood with your kiddos, plus hit the brew court and sample different local craft beers. There’ll also be maritime activities, historic buildings, live animals, mini golf, a boardwalk and other exhibits.
$10/adults, $5/ages 5-12, free/ages 5 and under
Oceanport
This fest combines two of our favorite things. Sample Garden State vinos and smooth sweets while listening to live music, plus watch the kids go bananas at the bounce house, hop on pony rides, get their faces painted and visit clowns on Sunday’s free family fun day.
$5/grandstand admission, $7-16 sampling
North Wildwood Italian-American Festival
North Wildwood
Come prepared to feast! There’ll be more than 40 authentic Italian-American food and merch vendors, plus activities like meatball relay races, grape stomping, olive tree signings, a Little Miss Italy contest, raffles and live entertainment. There’ll also be a procession in honor of Saint Anthony on Friday.
Free admission
SATURDAY (JUNE 22)
The Out of This World Magic Show
Saddle Brook
If they’ve never seen magic live, this show will wow them. At Steve Woyce’s magic show, he’ll ask for volunteers to help him make moon rocks appear and perform other magical surprises at this comedic, space-themed show.
Free
Ocean Grove
Stop by the food trucks, play boardwalk games and spend time at the Q&A panels, surf clinic, youth rally and vendors’ booths (hosted by Bridge Christian Radio). Later on, head to a concert featuring Big Daddy Weave and Matt Schuler.
Free admission; $20/concert
Hillsborough
Grab your lawn chairs and blankets for seven hours of live music, vendors, food, craft beer, family activities, wildlife education and more at the Plainsboro Preserve.
$20/online adults, $30/door, $10/ages 12-18, free/ages 12 and under
Chester
Think more than 10 taco vendors, a mechanical bull, kids’ activities and, of course, beer, sangria and margaritas.
$5/adults, free/ages 10 and under
Waterloo Village Food Truck and Music Festival
Hackettstown
Grab your SO, kids and furry friends for a day of live music and food trucks. While you sip on spirits like beer, sangria, margaritas and mojitos, the kids can visit a magician and get their faces painted. Remember to bring a donation of dog or cat food!
$5, free/ages 10 and under
Little Falls
For one night, Yogi Berra Stadium will be home to a Star Wars rebel base, inviting all baseball fans to dress up as their favorite characters. The first 100 fans to arrive get their own lightsabers, plus Jack the Jedi will be around for an impromptu photo op. There’ll also be a pregame costume parade on the field, and Han Solo-inspired jerseys will be auctioned off for charity. Before you leave, there’ll be a fireworks show for a galactic celebration.
$12-17
Princeton
Watch the Flemington Neshanock and Diamond State Baseball Club compete in bare-handed baseball wearing vintage uniforms from the 19th century.
Free
SUNDAY (JUNE 23)
Morris Twp.
Make your way to Frelinghuysen Arboretum to build fairy homes using fairy materials like bark, branches, lichens, moss, feathers, stones and leaves (all provided), which you’ll leave at the Arboretum for fairies to find (they’ll be on display through July). Then, listen to music and munch on fairy snacks while learning which plants and trees attract fairies. Registration required.
$30/house
Teaneck
Get your BBQ fix at this street fair on West Englewood and Palisades Aves., which’ll be packed with food trucks, live music, kids activities and a beer garden.
Free
Princeton
Spread your wings at Terhune Orchards, where there’ll be a circus troupe (aerials, acrobatics and juggling), wagon rides and DIY firefly wings. Your lil’ fairies can try to juggle, spin a plate, balance feathers and walk a tight wire. There’ll also be plenty of food at Pam’s Firefly Tent, pony rides, face painting and a tasting room for adults.
Free, $5/craft activities
Paramus
Hit more than 20 gourmet food trucks while you listen to live music and the kids go crazy at different activities. Bring a blanket and chairs (and sunscreen!) so you can sit back while you sip on craft beer, sangria, margaritas and more.
$5, free/ages 10 and under
Hoboken
Gather the kids for an afternoon at the Hoboken Museum for hands-on activities like DIY crafts and games, plus family-friendly songs from local guitar player Corey Feldman.
Free
FIND MORE EVENTS IN YOUR AREA
If you have any upcoming events you’d like to add to our calendar, click here!