Festival season is in full swing! With food fests, relaxing winery parties and even a renaissance faire, you’ve got a bunch of options to choose from.
Renaissance Faire
Historic Smithville
All weekend, 11 am – 5 pm
The Village Green at Historic Smithville is taken over by the players from the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. Meet knights and watch sword fights and enjoy the period garb as you shop local vendors.
Winery Music Weekend Series
Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery, Princeton
Saturday, 12-5 pm
Head to the apple orchard for wine and relax with live music played by local artists.
Paramus Food Truck Festival
Paramus Park Mall, Paramus
Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm
Food, beer and fun can all be had here. Bring your own chairs and blankets and sample faves from places like the Brownie Bar, Chick Wins & Things, Johnny Zeppoli and more. Admission is $5/person.
Grayrock N Roll Spring Festival
Grayrock Farm, Sanctuary, Clinton
Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm
Shop local vendors, enjoy activities for kids and help raise money for the care of their rescued farm animals.
Allaire Music Jamboree
The Historic Village at Allaire, Wall Township
Saturday, 11 am – 4 pm
Hear local folk and bluegrass bands throughout the day. And don’t miss touring the Historic Village at Allaire (make sure to stop at the bakery). Pre-purchased tickets are required for this events.
Tenafly Street Fair & Craft Show
Tenafly Historic Railroad Station, Tenafly
All weekend, 11 am – 5 pm
There’s games, rides for the kids, live music, food and more at this fun weekend festival.
Earth Day at Ort Farms
Ort Farms, Long Valley
Saturday, 9:30-10:30 am
Snag a ticket to learn more about environmentally responsible farming practices and take a walking tour of the farm.
Bacon Weekend at Laurita Winery
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
All weekend, times vary
Reserve a lunch or dinner spot at Laurita Winery and indulge in all things bacon at this outdoor dining event. $20/table and food is a la carte.
Spring Fling Festival
Autumn Lake Winery, Monroe
All weekend, 12-5 pm
Admission is $15 per person, and you can buy food faves from Mary’s Mobile Diner or Walking Taco Truck and sample some of the local wines.
Looking for more outdoor fun?
Wool Days/Sheep Shearing
Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel
All weekend, 12 – 3 pm
During wool days you can see the collies herd the sheep and watch as the farmers safely shear them.
Potato Planting
Howell Living History Farm, Howell
Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm
Get ready to get your hands dirty by planting a field of potatoes that provides food for local soup kitchens.
Drive Up Petting Zoo and Unicorn Rides
Imagine That!!! Museum, Florham Park
Saturday, times vary
Book a 30-minute time slot to visit this petting zoo with alpaca, goats, sheep and rabbits. Bonus: your kid can also ride a unicorn. $15/per child.
McDowell’s Pop-Up
Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill
All weekend
If you are a fan of Coming to America, and the recent sequel, you can dine at this McDowell’s restaurant pop-up through this weekend. Advanced timed tickets are available here.
Looking to enjoy some spring flowers? It’s tulip time.
U-Pick Tulip Festival
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
All weekend, times vary
The stunning Monmouth County farm is now open for the season, and while tickets for some days are sold out already, weekdays have some availability. Take a spring vacation day and sneak down to tiptoe through the tulips and see the flowers in full bloom.
U-Pick Tulips
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
This South Jersey farm has recently opened their u-pick tulip fields for visitors and they still have some times available for this weekend. Advance tickets are required.
Spring in Living Color
Garden State Plaza, Paramus
All weekend, times vary
If you are worried about rain, head to an indoor bloom fest with this vivid pop-up by The Floral Escape that just opened in the Garden State Plaza mall. This rainbow-colored display features pop-ups for you and the family to pose in front of.
Still want more flower fun? We’ve got a list of the best gardens in New Jersey that you should visit this season.