Sand Sculpting Festival
Wildwood Crest Beach Pier, Wildwood Crest
Friday, 9 AM – 2 PM
Head to the beach for the 9th annual Sand Sculpting Festival in Wildwood Crest hosted by Matt Long of the Travel Channel’s Sandmasters. Amateur sand sculptors will duke it out to see who can make the best sand sculpture and win awesome prizes. Guests can also enjoy live music and try their hand at some classic beach games like cornhole and horseshoes. This event is free for all.
State Fair Meadowlands
Meadowlands, East Rutherford
All weekend
The State Fair Meadowlands is ending its historic 24 day run this Sunday with over 100 different rides and games to enjoy, plus live entertainment from acts like The Jay Mattioli Magic Show, Pirates of The Columbian Caribbean and many more. Visit their website for the entertainment schedule and to purchase tickets.
North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival
Route 1 North by DeVry University, Woodbridge
Friday, 6 PM – 12 PM ; Saturday, 3 PM – 12 PM ; Sunday 3 PM – 11 PM
This is the last weekend to go to one of New Jersey’s largest festivals. This festival has attractions for the whole family and live entertainment like the Motorcycle Stunt Show, Gossamer Magic Show and more. There will also be a fireworks show this Saturday. Tickets can be purchased on the website and all proceeds go to supporting North Brunswick’s youth sport groups.
Christmas in July Movie
Heritage Park, Absecon
Friday, 7:30 PM – 10 PM
Grab a blanket and come celebrate Christmas in July with a free showing of the film ELF. There will be food available at concession stands and a special appearance from the big man himself, Santa. Guests are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate.
Make Your Own Pickles
Ort Farms, Long Valley
Friday, 3 PM – 4 PM
Kids can come to Ort Farms and make a jar of refrigerator pickles, starting with picking their own cucumbers. They will also be able to visit some of the animals that live on the farm. Tickets are available for purchase on their website.
Anglesea Blues Festival
Anglesea Entertainment District, North Wildwood
All weekend, various times
The Anglesea Blues Festival is back! Award winning blues musicians like Billy the Kid and The Regulators will be taking the stage this weekend. The festival is also held in conjunction with the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship so guests can enjoy some smokin’ BBQ while jamming out. Admission to the festival is free.
Tom and Jerry Movie Under the Stars
Ann Van Middlesworth Park, Hillsborough
Friday, 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Hillsborough Parks and Recreation is hosting a free showing of the 2021 film Tom and Jerry. Bring a lawn chair and some money for the ice cream truck that will stop by before the movie. Water and popcorn will be given to guests that have pre-registered on their website.
Fireworks and Food Truck Extravaganza
Johnson Park, Jackson
Saturday, 3 PM – 9 PM
This event will feature live music from “Shorty Long & the Jersey Horns”, food trucks, giveaways, fireworks and more. Admission is free.
Blueberry Bash
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturday & Sunday, Various Times
This weekend is Terhune Orchards’ annual Blueberry Bash, a celebration of “everything blueberry”. There will be a variety of blueberry themed activities for guests to enjoy including pick your own blueberries and a blueberry wine tasting for adults. Kids can head over to the play area for games, a pony ride and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance on their website.
Vintage Baseball
Historic New Bridge Landing Park, Rivers Edge
Saturday, 11 AM – 2 PM
Step back in time to the 19th century and come see a baseball game with vintage costumes, equipment and rules. Tickets can be purchased on Bergen County Historical Society’s website.
Rainbow Moon Fest
Glenmoore Farm, Hopewell
Saturday, 11 AM – 10 PM
Grab the family and head over to the Rainbow Moon Fest at Glenmoore Farm for a day of live music, dancing, yoga, shopping and a variety of wellness workshops. Children’s book author Abigail Raynor will also be there for a story time and book signing. Tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Nimbus Arts Festival: Jazz in the City
Harborside Campus, Jersey City
Saturday, 7 PM
Enjoy a night of food, drinks and jazz performed by Freddie Hendrix Organ Group and the Davis Whitfield Trio. Tickets can be bought on Eventbrite and proceeds from the event go towards the Nimbus Scholarship Fund.
Hands On History Days
Ringwood Manor, Ringwood
Saturday, 10 AM – 3 PM
Ringwood Manor is having “Hands on History Days” every Saturday in July and August. Kids can join Sarah the historian and learn about the past through different crafts and activities. This Saturday’s event is all about the games and toys that children enjoyed 150 years ago. Check out their website for the schedule.
Northlandz Car & Music Show
Northlandz, Flemington
Saturday, 2 PM – 10 PM
Head over to Northlandz, the “world’s largest miniature wonderland”, for a day of live music, food trucks and classic cars. Guests will also be able to tour the inside of the museum and check out the hundreds of dolls and model railroads. Visit their website for ticket information.
Empanada Extravaganza & Sangria Fest
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Sunday, 11 AM – 7 PM
Come enjoy an assortment of unique empanadas and vote for your favorite at the Empanada Extravaganza at the Westfield Garden State Plaza. There will be a variety of different food vendors, live music and activities. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance on their website at a discounted price.
Family Ag Day
Van Riper Hopper House, Wayne
Sunday, 9 AM – 1 PM
Family Ag Day is a free event taking place every other Sunday through the 26th of September. This event features live music, yoga and a chance to meet some furry friends from the Lokai Rose exotic animal rescue. There will be something new to do every single visit.
Music in the Woods- Tom Rice & Friends
Schiff Nature Preserve, Mendham
Sunday, 4 PM – 6 PM
Enjoy an evening of classic rock covers performed by Tom Rice and Friends surrounded by the beautiful sweeping woods. Make sure to bring some snacks and wear comfortable shoes for the hike up to the theatre. Tickets for the show can be purchased on their website.
Gilda’s Club South Jersey Dragon Boat Festival
Lake Lenape Park East, Hamilton
Sunday, 8 AM
The Festival will be a day of Dragon Boat races, a flower ceremony for loved ones touched by cancer, live entertainment, fantastic local food, vendors and fun for the whole family! No experience necessary, boats, paddles, life jackets provided. Recommended 21-24 participants per team with minimum of eight female paddlers per boat. The minimum age to paddle is 12 years old. Register online.
New Jersey State Barbecue Championship
North Wildwood
Friday, Saturday, Sunday see schedule for times
The New Jersey State Barbecue Championship is a three-day open-air festival featuring championship barbecue competition; live cooking demonstrations, special displays and food and beverage vendors to satisfy every taste and appetite. There is a fee to compete.
Trails & Tales
Saturday, 11 AM – 2 PM
The South Brunswick Public Library and the South Brunswick Recreation Department are partnering to present Trails & Tails – a summer reading event for all ages. The program offers prizes for those who visit the four different parks listed, plus the mobile branch (book mobile) at the library. Get the booklet stamped at each stop, like a passport during this road-rally style event. For more details about this event and the 2021 Summer Reading theme, just visit this link.