Bring on the long Fourth of July holiday weekend! Beyond the July 4th festivals and fireworks that are happening, hit the Shore for a visit to one of NJ’s best boardwalks or make a plan to check out the epic new beachfront waterpark in Atlantic City!
WEEKEND
Saint Mary’s Great Fair
Saint Mary Parish, Middletown
Through Saturday
There will be 22 rides, boardwalk games, food trucks, food stands, a beer tent, and 50/50s.
St. Rose of Lima Church Carnival
St. Rose of Lima, Freehold Borough
Through Saturday
The parking lot will be turned into festival grounds, offering kids’ rides, activities and carnival food.
Wall Fair
Wall Community Park, Municipal Complex, Wall Twp.
Thursday – Sunday
Bring the family for rides, games, live music and food, plus fireworks on Sunday night.
Independence Parade and Concert
Ocean Grove
Friday – Saturday
On Friday night, the festivities kick off with a Community Night of games for the family. Head to the boardwalk on Saturday morning for a parade, and take in a patriotic concert featuring the Ocean Grove Summer Band inside the Great Auditorium.
Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles Show
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
Check out more than 150 tables of collectibles and memorabilia, including sports cards, toys, comic books and more. There will be celebrity and guest star appearances all weekend.
Celebrate America
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Tuesday
Come for wine, food, music and vineyard tours. It’s also Sangria & Sliders Weekend. There will be live music every day.
FRIDAY
Island Waterpark Grand Opening
Showboat Atlantic City
After months of waiting, the day is finally here! The brand new indoor waterpark in A.C. is finally open, boasting 100,000 square feet of year-round summer fun. There is a beachfront splash pad, 11 water slides and a surf simulator – plus, there’s a kid-free area for just the adults. If you book a stay at the hotel you get early admission to the water park.
New Jersey Symphony Concert
Branch Brook Park, Newark
This outdoor family concert features favorite selections from movies like Jurassic Park and West Side Story, as well as patriotic themes.
Independence Day Concert & Fireworks
Veterans Park, South Side, Hamilton Twp.
There will be musical entertainment, food vendors, and beginning at 9:30 pm fireworks.
Princeton Symphonic Brass Summer Concert
Community Middle School, Plainsboro
The Princeton Symphonic Brass will put on a show featuring Americana, jazz and light classical music. There are eleven brass players, two percussionists and a conductor. Their selections span from the Renaissance to today.
SATURDAY
Red, White & Blue Food Truck & Music Fest
Teaneck National Guard, Teaneck on the front lawn of the Teaneck Armory.
Celebrate with 20 gourmet food trucks, live music, beer/sangria/margaritas, pony rides, a petting zoo, axe throwing, knockerball, inflatables, mini golf, a bungee trampoline, face painting, sand art and vendor shopping.
East Windsor Independence Day Celebration
Etra Lake Park, East Windsor
Jerry Rife’s Rhythm Kings Dixieland Jazz Band, a six-piece band from the Delaware Valley area, will play traditional jazz; followed by the Trenton Brass Quintet Plus One, a six-piece ensemble from Central Jersey performing Americana and a variety of popular melodies. Fireworks will be at approximately 9:30 pm.
New Jersey Symphony Concert
Marine Park, Red Bank
This outdoor family concert features favorite selections from movies like Jurassic Park and West Side Story, as well as patriotic themes.
Deck-to-Deck Tours
Battleship New Jersey, Camden
Climb aboard and learn about nearly 100 years of naval history along the Delaware River. You’ll get a history lesson through guided experiences aboard three ships, The Battleship New Jersey, Submarine Becuna and Cruiser Olympia. Other dates this summer are Aug. 5 and Sept. 2.
Fireworks Bean Bag Toss
Select Home Depot locations
Bring the kids for a hands-on workshop that is July 4-related. They’ll make a bean bag toss game they can take home to play all weekend.
4th of July Fireworks Cruise
Cape May Terminal, Cape May
Spend the holiday surrounded by fireworks, food, family and the crew of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.
Revolutionary Pub Crawl
Bordentown
Party like it’s 1776! Bordentown Walking Tours holds a special tour every year around Independence Day where you can learn about the history of drinking in the area. Dress in your Colonial best.
Fireworks Display
Joseph Lawrence Park, Bordentown
Activities for kids start at 4 pm, followed by fireworks at dusk.
Ice Cream Party
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Farmer Jim and his crew will use a “hit and miss” engine to churn gallons of ice cream in the shade of a maple tree, while the Jugtown Mountain String Band performs the background music. There will also be kids’ games, a sailboat craft on the front lawn, wagon rides – and obviously, ice cream!
SUNDAY
Fourth of July Pre-Fireworks Food Truck & Music Fest
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
There will be 18+ food vendors, a bounce house, an air-soft shooting gallery, a range, a bungee trampoline, inflatables, village sand, art, Henna tattoos and live music. For anyone who is 21 or older, there will be a selection of adult beverages including craft beer, wine, hard seltzers and sangria. Starting at 6 pm you can take a short walk to the Gennarelli Sports Plex, where the town’s party starts and ends with the famous Paramus fireworks display.
Independence Day Concert & Fireworks
Freehold Raceway, Freehold
Gather at the track for an evening of music, food vendors and ice cream before watching the fireworks light up the sky. A New Band of Gypsies, DJ Kortez, and Alexander Simone & the Whodat? Live Crew will perform on stage. Fireworks start at dusk.
New Jersey Symphony Concert
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
This outdoor family concert features favorite selections from movies like Jurassic Park and West Side Story, as well as patriotic themes.
ONGOING
L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival
Gloucester Premium Outlets, Blackwood
June 29 – July 9
Bring the kids for fairway rides, the Anastasini Circus and the midway. They’ll interact with police officers who share information about substance abuse and violence prevention.
L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
June 30 – July 9
This carnival will have rides, games and lots of entertainment for the whole family, including a circus performance.
Downtown After Sundown
Spiotta Park, South Orange
Saturdays in July
Each week there will be a different musical style represented, such as Flamenco, New Orleans brass, jump blues, vintage rock, pop rock, country, R&B, pop, funk, blues, jazz and cover bands.
Dig It! Plant It! Eat It!
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, Morristown
Saturdays in July
Through hands-on gardening, a tour of the museum’s historic rooms, and an art-making experience with a New Jersey artist, kids and their caregivers can enjoy nature while learning about life in the past.
Blueberry Summer Fest
Whitesbog Preserve, Browns Mills
Saturdays, July 1-22
Kick off the blueberry season at Whitesbog Preservation Trust. A country fair takes place in this historic village of the Pine Barrens with museum and historic home tours, tractor-pulled wagon rides, craft vendors and more.
July 4 Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
July 1-4
You’ll see patriotic themes throughout the park this weekend, plus extra special fireworks shows.
The Little Mermaid
Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
July 1 and 2; August 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
The theater puts its own spin on the classic story. Geared toward kids ages 3-10.
Six Flags Flavors of the World Food Festival
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
July 1 – August 13
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you can taste foods from seven different countries in the world – no passport required! There will be fireworks on select nights.
Gaming Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
July 1 – September 4
Once you get to the theme park, use the app to reserve your spot and get ready to play in one of the Custom Gaming Houses. You’ll feel like you’re playing like the pros.
Youth Sports Festival
DeVry University, North Brunswick
Select dates, through July 4
There will be tons of carnival rides, games, music, shows, a petting zoo and farm animals, plus fireworks on certain nights. Funds raised support youth sports organizations in town.
Atlantic Highland’s Fireman’s Fair
Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor, Atlantic Highlands
July 4-8
There will be games, rides, a food court, live music every night, and fireworks at 9:45 pm Friday.
Red, White and You!
Washington’s Headquarters, Morristown National Historic Park, Morristown
July 4-9
Starting on Independence Day, listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence, plus a park ranger in period clothing will entertain the crowd. Eighteenth-century stories, jokes and riddles are all part of the fun. During the week, Washington’s Headquarters Museum will be open and you can take tours of the Ford Mansion. Over the weekend, you will have a rare opportunity to tour and compare Washington’s headquarters at the Ford Mansion to his “mobile headquarters” tent. You can also watch the gradual breakdown of the tents.
Plays-in-the-Park: Ain’t Misbehavin’
Roosevelt Park, Edison
July 5-15 (except Sundays)
This musical celebrates legendary jazz great Fats Waller. It’s a 1978 Tony Award-winning best musical that goes through his career, ranging from uptown clubs to downtown Tin Pan Alley, over to Hollywood and concert stages across the U.S., Canada and Europe.
The Wizard of Oz
Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
July 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9; and August 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13
Kids ages 3-10 can watch the tale of Dorothy, Toto and their friends in a performance geared toward them.
State Fair Meadowlands
The Meadowlands Fairgrounds, East Rutherford
Through July 9
For 18 days, the Meadowlands will be jam-packed with rides, games, entertainment, carnival food and tons of family fun. Look for the Batcopter and the Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean, keep your eyes peeled for the strolling magician, pet some animals, watch pigs race, watch the lumberjack competition and see a motorcycle stunt show. There will be every type of carnival food available. And on July 3 and 4, stay at night for the fireworks.
Sand and Sea
The Morris Museum, Morristown
Wednesday – Sunday, through July 9
From bathing suit fashions to souvenirs to art, check out objects in this exhibit that will make you feel like you’re on a beach vacation.
Dino Safari
Rockaway Townsquare, Rockaway Twp.
Through July 9
LuminoCity Festival brings 50 lifelike dinosaurs to Morris County. They blink, they breathe, they move their heads, they flap their wings. Kids can also go on dino-themed rides or play detective. After dark the prehistoric creatures become illuminated.
Philip Smallwood Juneteenth Art Exhibit
Paramus Park Mall, Paramus
Thursday – Sunday, through July 15
Smallwood is an acclaimed watercolor artist who will honor Juneteenth, which is the end of slavery in America, through a select collection of works showcasing strength, resilience and community. Smallwood’s “Lifescapes” portray subjects in their natural environments and expose the souls of his subjects, as well as his own, to the viewer.
Salsa at Grundy Park
Owen J. Grundy Park, Jersey City
Sundays, July 23 and August 27
This season’s dance party will have a wellness theme, offering free health awareness information. Take a dance lesson and move to the beat of the rhythms of salsa music, and then watch performances led by master teachers and live salsa bands.
Golden Girls Murder Mystery
Resorts AC Casino and Hotel, Atlantic City
Select dates through August 19
Miami’s Fab Four are investigating a potential murder hit – when they become suspects in a completely different murder! Use your detective skills to figure out which character is responsible and what their motive is – could it possibly be one of our favorite friends who is guilty?
Movie House
Paramus Park Mall, Paramus
Thursday – Saturday, through August 26
Movie fans will love the 10 different rooms packed with games, virtual reality-inspired experiences, photo ops, “easter eggs” from movies and more. Snap photos in the Alice in Wonderland Illusion Room or the Under The Sea room; navigate through the Willy Wonka Infinity Tunnel, take a walk through munchkin land in the Wizard of Oz room, experience the magical Harry Potter-inspired room, or head over to the beach-themed room. There’s also a Movie in the Park Experience (with a real movie playing every night), and movie-themed games including interactive Movie House Trivia in a Blockbuster Room. You can take part in the Movie House Scavenger Hunt, too.
Morning Walk
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Saturdays, through August 26
New Jersey Audubon is hosting a weekly morning walk so you can enjoy a quiet morning at the sanctuary, walking the trails with an NJ Audubon staff or Associate Naturalist. The walk is informal and informative: you’ll discover birds, trees, tracks, wildflowers, reptiles and amphibians along the way.
Nature Infused Yoga
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary, Bernardsville
Virtual option as well
Saturdays, through August 26
Yoga teacher Kristin Mylecraine will show how yoga is a great way to relax, find inner connection, and increase flexibility and strength. Explore the connections between yoga and nature in this 75-minute class hosted by New Jersey Audubon.
Disney 100: The Exhibition
The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Through August 27
Disney fans will love this behind-the-scenes look at their favorite characters, movies and theme parks. Walk through 10 different galleries that will immerse you in sight, sound and touch.
Sand Sculptures in The Village
Peddler’s Village, New Hope, PA
Through August 31
Celebrate summer vibes with six larger-than-life sand sculptures that celebrate your and your kid’s favorite stories from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Winnie-the-Pooh, Mother Goose stories and Alice in Wonderland.
Yoga By the Bay
Old Bridge Waterfront Park, Cliffwood Beach
Sundays and Tuesdays, through September
Bring a mat or towel because these one-hour yoga classes will be held on the grass overlooking the water.
Downtown After Sundown
Spiotta Park, South Orange
Saturdays, through September 2
Each week there will be a different musical style represented, such as Flamenco, New Orleans brass, jump blues, vintage rock, pop rock, country, R&B, pop, funk, blues, jazz and cover bands.
Beach Yoga
Ocean Place Resort and Spa, Long Branch
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through September 3
Put on sunscreen, wear a hat and bring lots of water, because these one-hour hatha vinyasa classes are on the beach along the Atlantic.
Boardwalk Craft Show
Rio Grande Avenue Boardwalk, Wildwood
Select weekends, through September 3
As you stroll down the boardwalk, check out the artisans, handmade craft items, boutique items, gifts and more. The dates are May 27 and 28, June 17 and 18, July 1, 2 and 3, July 15 and 16, August 12 and 13, August 19 and 20, and September 2 and 3.
Statue at Sunset Cruise
Pier 16, New York, NY
Every day, through September 3
Bring your kids or date on board a small, intimate Circle Line vessel, where you’ll sail along the East River for an hour during sunset, passing by NYC landmarks such as the Statute of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. There will be a photo stop at Lady Liberty.
Identity & Restraint: Art of the Dog Collar
AKC Museum of the Dog, New York
Through September 4
This unique exhibit presents an array of dog collars from the National Sporting Library & Museum. Fine art from the AKC Museum of the Dog and American Kennel Club Collections will help develop an understanding of the collar as both art and object and how its design changed in relation to different dog breeds and their uses.
Thomas and Friends Explore the Rails
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 4
Kids can learn, play and solve problems while finding themselves in locations from the beloved TV series. Younger kids can practice counting objects, comparing sizes and learning colors. Older kids can practice their math skills, learn basic engineering concepts, discover science ideas through play, and see how technology works to keep engines running.
Wind Therapy Wellness Sails
Wilbur’s Marina, Forked River (Lacey Twp.)
Select dates, through September
There are many options aboard the Wind Therapy sailboat: sunrise sails, sunset sails, full-day sails, teen camps, teen wellness and a full moon retreat. You take a gentle sail along the Barnegat Bay and then dock for meditation, crystal bowl singing and a quick chair massage.
Ocean Xperience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 15 (LSC is closed Mondays)
You’ll become an “Xplorer” as you pilot the OceanXplorer, the most advanced research ship in the world. Deploy its research vehicle, conduct a guided mission, study orca groups and then watch OceanX footage of the ocean.
Members’ Juried Exhibition
Center for Contemporary Art, Bedminster
Through September 15
Take your time viewing 75 works of art in painting, printmaking, charcoal, ink, graphite, pastel, fiber, photography, mixed media, ceramics and more.
Juror is Jessica Melillo.
Bonfires on the Beach
Asbury Park
Through September 29
On Fridays in May and June, Wednesdays in July and August, and Fridays again in September, you can visit one of several beaches in Asbury for a family bonfire. Bring your chairs, blankets and s’more-making items.
Cowtown Pro-Rodeo
Cowtown Rodeo, Pilesgrove
Saturdays, through September 30
There will be tons of bull riding fun, including steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping and team roping.
Harry Potter: The Exhibition
50 West 34th Street, New York, NY
Through October 15
This immersive exhibit is dedicated to all things Harry Potter. The exhibition features the iconic moments, characters, settings and beasts seen in the films and stories of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts and also includes the costumes, props and imagery from the Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. You can choose a Patronus, cast a spell, test their Quidditch skills, and brew potions while you’re there.
Little Falls Farmers Market
Little Falls
Sundays, through October 29
Soupeteer, Doughboy On The Rise, Jersey Pickles, High Mountain Foods, Pastabalities, Rosie’s Empanadas, Jersey Spirits, Seven Tribesmen and Cousins Main Lobster are just some of the returning vendors for the season. Live music will be from Your Mom’s Hot and new this year will be live jazz music from Hunter Hays – plus DJ Allstar Spotlight.
Mountain Creek Resort Bike Park
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon Twp.
Through October 29
The bike park at Mountain Creek has 52 downhill trails that challenge everyone from first-time bikers to downhill professional racers. Zip tours feature a series of ziplines ranging from 200 feet to 1,500 feet in length. On Wednesday, May 17, the bike park opens for the season at Mountain Creek, followed by the opening of the zipline tours on May 27.
Duke Farms Market
Duke Farms, Hillsborough
Sundays, through November 12
The best farms and artisan vendors from the Raritan Watershed region will offer items for all your grocery needs.
T-Rex Takeover
Field Station: Dinosaurs, Leonia
Select days, through November 12
The park will be home to more than 30 larger-than-life-sized dinosaurs and includes the Jurassic Jump attraction, activities like dino trivia or feeding a T-Rex, time to speak with actual paleontologists and a scavenger hunt.
Aerial Adventure Park Night Climb
Great Gorge Golf Club, Vernon
Select dates, through November 18
Night climbs give you three hours of access to the 10 original aerial obstacle courses, plus the new zipline course, The Black Creek Flyer. You can spend the night climbing, zipping, scrambling and scampering through the trees. Stop for something to eat or sit by the fire to relax before heading up again.
Food Truck Festival Season
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Select Saturdays and Sundays, through November 19
Each weekend will have a different theme with food trucks to match, plus have a glass or wine or two. There will be family activities, too.
Hopatcong Sunday Market & Craft Fair
Park & Ride, Hopatcong
Sundays, through November 26
Each week, bring the kids and shop from a variety of food, produce and craft vendors.
Read More:
Have You Ever Seen a Bobcat in New Jersey?
9 Spots to See in Cape May
The Best Concerts in NJ This Summer
Wine and Beer Fests in NJ
Tap Into Your Creative Side at These Craft Festivals in NJ
Food Truck Festivals in NJ
The Best Outdoor Street Fairs in NJ
60 Things to Do Outdoors in NJ
50 Things to Do Indoors in NJ
Protect and Celebrate Nature in New Jersey
Atlantic City Air Show Will Make You Look Up
Come See Giant Sand Sculptures in Wildwood Crest
New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning Celebrates 40th Anniversary
