Whether you want to ride the rails, ride a roller coaster or take a ride down the Shore, we found more than 60 fun things to do with your people this weekend!
WEEKEND
Passaic County Fair
BNY, 385 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park
Thursday – Sunday
Expected activities include rides, games, bounce houses, animal ambassadors, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, the 4-H experience, a chess tournament, touch-a-truck, butterfly exhibits, music, performances and a beer garden.
Little Mermaid
Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
Thursday – Sunday
The stage show is geared for children 3-10.
Wizard of Oz
The Levoy Theatre, Millville
Thursday – Sunday
L. Frank Baum’s classic novel comes to life in The Wizard of Oz through an adaptation of the 1939 classic film.
Shark Summer
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Thursday – Sunday
There are lots of jaw-some activities and shows, behind-the-scenes tours, and daily dives featuring the Scuba Tooth Fairy, which helps to collect the fallen teeth of the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast. This is the last weekend of the exhibits.
Day Out With Thomas: Bubble Tour
Delaware River Railroad, Phillipsburg
Friday – Sunday
“Pop” on board a train ride adventure with Thomas the Tank Engine. Aside from your choice of two train rides, there will be bubble-themed games and activities, live entertainment, photo ops, a gift shop, photo ops, lawn games and opportunities to go mining for gemstones.
MudHen Beach Baseball Tournament
Wildwoods’ Beaches, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
The beach at Rio Grande Avenue, behind the infamous Wildwoods sign, will be sectioned into four fields so kids can “play ball.” The tournament is for youth baseball teams 9U-15U. You can watch from the beach or boardwalk for free.
River Dance Festival
Mill Ballet, New Hope, PA
Friday – Sunday
Roxey Ballet will host dancers, choreographers and creators from around the country for three days of performances.
Sunflower Festival
Tranquilty Farms, Andover
Saturday – Sunday
From the cow train to the bounce pillow, live music, and the chance to cut your own sunflowers, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy homemade ice cream, seasonal craft beer, and a variety of food trucks.
Surf & Turf Seafood Festival
Monmouth Park, Oceanport
Saturday – Sunday
Over a dozen Jersey Shore restaurants will be selling lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp and more fresh seafood dishes. There will be seltzer sampling from Surfside and Fishers Island. There will be live music both days, and Sunday is Family Fun Day with a bounce house, pony rides, face painters and clowns for kids. The racetrack will be open.
A Taste of New Jersey
The Terminal at the Showboat Resort and Hotel, Atlantic City
Saturday – Sunday
There will be more than 100 food vendors, a sports lounge, face painting, balloon twisting, and music.
Viva La Fiesta
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Saturday – Sunday
Move to the beat during this all-new event as this Mexican-style party heats up the park with food, fun and entertainment.
Philadelphia Hot Sauce Festival
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co., Croydon, PA
Saturday – Sunday
Sample some of the hottest sauces around, from mild to wild. There will be live music, food trucks, and spicy eating challenges.
FRIDAY
Baby Playdates at The Park
Hoffman Park, Hampton
Bring your kids from birth to 23 months old and join park staff as you explore sensory activities, read nature books and play games while sitting on the grass and experiencing nature.
National Roller Coaster Day
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Season Pass members will have early entry to the park so they can ride Vapor Trail and Oscar’s Wacky Taxi before everyone else.
Friday is National Roller Coaster Day. Here are 10 roller coasters we love in NJ.
SATURDAY
Saturday Series: Evenings at the Farm
Riamede Farm, Chester
Different nights include line dancing lessons for the whole family, live music and a make-your-own hat bar.
The Righteous Brothers: Lovin’ Feeling Farewell Tour
Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center, Carteret
With classic songs like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” and “Unchained Melody,” you’ll be singing these songs way after the concert ends.
Fossil Collecting
Big Brook Fossil Preserve, Colts Neck
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, curator of Natural History and vertebrate paleontologist from the New Jersey State Museum, as he leads you on fossil-collecting trips at Big Brook Fossil Preserve in Colts Neck. You’ll learn the techniques of fossil collecting from the dino age, and you’ll get to search for fossils and prehistoric marine life, like fossil sharks.
Tea in The Parlor Cars
Rod’s Steak & Seafood Grille, Morristown
Afternoon Tea includes a variety of handmade tea sandwiches, desserts, scones, and multiple tea selections while you hang out inside the parlor cars.
Small Town Summer Artwork
Sgt. George Ashby Memorial Park, Allentown
Parade down the path in the park and meet the local artists who will have their work on display. Try your hand at down-home yard games. There will be specials, sales, and artistic offerings at the businesses throughout Historic Allentown.
Canning Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Learn the ins and outs of canning and help farmers prepare summer produce for use in the fall and winter months. You’ll see antiques like Mason jars or some antiques from Grandma’s cellar. Kids will work on a canning wreath project.
Goat Yoga
Linwood Fields at Pop’s Market & Garden Center, Monroe Twp.
Instructors from Kula Yoga and Fitness in Hightstown will lead three different classes where you can play with dwarf goats.
Hands on Clay at Toddlerpalooza
Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
The Clay Studio invites you to use your imagination through clay. The event features music, dance, reading, and, of course, clay.
Back to School Bash
Jersey Shore Premium Outlets, Tinton Falls
This will be a special day for kids before the school year starts – they’ll be treated to face painting, glitter hair, food and demos. There will be Moms of Business pop-up shops throughout the outlets, in all the walkways and the center area near the fireplace and food court. There will be lots of free swag for kids.
Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Krewe Cookoff
Skylands Stadium, Augusta
In the afternoon, Michael Arnone, founder of the Crawfish Fest in NJ, will cook his award-winning chicken and smoked pork sausage Jambalaya for a Frankford Township Fire Department fundraiser. At night, Michael and some of his Crawfish Fest Krewe will have Jambalaya for sale before and during the Skylands Miners Baseball Game.
SUNDAY
Summer Mercado: Family Fun Fest
Joyce Kilmer Park, New Brunswick
The community festival celebrates the food, arts and culture of New Brunswick and its diverse Latino community.
PuchiCon Summer Pop-Up
The Seven Crest, Teaneck
The event will feature anime-inspired vendors, artists, trivia, games, karaoke and more. Come in cosplay.
Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour
Cherry Hill Mall, Cherry Hill
You can stock up on all things Barbie when the bus rolls into town.
Pete Davidson
Patriots Theatre at the War Memorial, Trenton
Davidson is known for his stints on “Saturday Night Live” as well as his autobiographical comedy series “Bupkis.”
Sock Puppet Making Workshop for Kids
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
In a small group setting, kids 7 and up will receive personalized instruction to make their own sock puppets. They’ll also learn simple puppeteering techniques and storytelling.
ONGOING
Friday Night Live
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream
Every Friday
Harlem band The Nate Lucas All-Stars will perform every Friday night at Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant.
Girls Day Out
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Last Saturday of the month
Live music by John King includes your boy band favorites. There will be drink specials at TASTE 1864. You can also purchase a Wine Tower with chocolate-covered strawberries or Renault Barrel Stave Shotski.
Tours of Crane House & Historic YWCA
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Vegan in NJ Monthly Market
American Legion Post 346, Neptune
First Sunday of every month
More than 20 vegan vendors will be set up indoors and outdoors, selling food, sweets and retail items.
Indie Street Film Festival
Red Bank
August 19-25
The festival will screen dramas, comedies, documentaries and short films, but also add community events so that everyone can get involved.
My Fairytale Party’s Summer Series
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Wednesdays and Sundays, through August 21
There will be sing-alongs and interactive experiences with princesses and princes, fairies and pirates, Barbie and Weird Barbie, Mary Poppins, pop stars, kids karaoke, Minions, Inside Out and unicorn princesses. After the show, meet the characters and grab a quick photo.
$5 Friday Summer Concert Series
Festival Grounds, Mercer County Park, West Windsor
Fridays, through August 23
Two bands will play each Friday at sunset. Tribute bands include Earth Wind & Fire, the Eagles, Queen and the Beatles. Yacht Rock Gold, Swing Sabroso and American Soul Band are also in the lineup.
Cretaceous Campout
Field Station: Dinosaurs, Leonia
Fridays – Saturdays, through August 24
You and your family can sleep under the stars with the dinosaurs. Take a lantern-lit tour of the trails, have some snacks and play games.
Friday Night Fireworks
The Wildwoods
Fridays, through August 30
Look high above the beach and boardwalk for a spectacular nighttime display of fireworks synched to music that will be played via a sound system and simulcast on 98.7 The Coast. You can tap into the livestream to view from anywhere outside of Wildwood, too.
Rootstock Vineyard Summer Concert Series
Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, Rio Grande
Fridays, through August 30
Listen to musicians while watching the sunset. Food and wine will be available for purchase.
Sangria Weekends
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Saturdays – Sundays, through August 31
The focus of the festival is Terhune’s sangria, but the whole family can listen to live music.
Summer in Sand
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Through August 31
Five incredible sand sculptures designed by John Gowdy and Team Sandtastic depict favorite summer activities like watching baseball, camping, embarking on an overseas adventure, playing games and solving puzzles, and lounging at the beach. You can enjoy sandboxes designed for play, as well as a family-friendly scavenger hunt beginning on July 12 that will feature the colorful, quirky beach-themed character “Shelly Shovel.”
Master Gardener Butterfly House Grand Opening
EARTH Center, Davidson’s Mill Pond Park, North Brunswick
Saturdays and Sundays, through August 31
Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County is hosting a series of community events at their “hoop house,” where Master Gardeners have nurtured butterflies throughout the growing season. You can learn about butterfly host plants and participate in capturing butterflies for the house.
Sesame Place Summer Nights
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Fridays – Sundays, through September 1
During extended hours on special nights, extra activities include the DJ Dance Party at Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Stage and an encore of the Sesame Street Party Parade.
Luxury Glamping
Six Flags Great Adventure – Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, Jackson
Weekends through September 2, with select dates through December 1
Instead of braving the wild outdoors, you’ll experience luxury camping, where you and up to five other people can sleep in one of 20 glamping suites that overlook the safari grounds. You can also book a treatment at the spa.
Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 2
You’ll be able to see role models from every era of Barbie’s history. You’ll learn about the dolls as if they were real, including their backgrounds, struggles and accomplishments. Each area will highlight a particular role type – leader, problem solver, creator, nurturer or adventurer – and you can try each career option for yourself.
Apollo: When We Went to The Moon
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Through September 2
Climb aboard a lunar rover model, leave your footprints on the Moon and learn about the Space Race through this exhibit at the sea, air and space museum. Starting April 4, you can check out the Concorde Superjet that recently underwent renovations and returned to the museum.
Delsea Drive-In 2024 Season
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theatre, Vineland
Fridays – Sundays, through September 3
Watch two movies back-to-back while sitting in your car, just like they did in the ’50s.
Sunset Sips & Sounds
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays, through September 6
Come to the historic apple orchard after work for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings.
Roller Skating
The Rink, American Dream
Through September 7
This summer, trade your ice skates for rollerblades. Every Friday and Saturday will be Retro Nights, where you can skate to your favorite tunes from the past. Ice skating returns on September 8.
Wellmont Arts Plaza Outdoor Concert Series
Wellmont Arts Plaza, Montclair
Select dates, through September 8
A series of free, all-ages, outdoor shows will take place, courtesy of Montclair Jazz Festival and Jazz House Kids. Some of the newly announced shows include Spafford, Prince/Bowie, Wallace Roney Jr. and Vanessa Perea, as well as the annual return of the Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree.
Black River Limited Train Ride
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington or Ringoes station
Select dates, through September 14
This 90-minute trip takes you through Hunterdon County aboard a train, with stops at both historic train stations.
Hunterdon Wine Express
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington
Select dates, through September 14
The round-trip excursion goes from the Flemington station to Old York Cellars Winery, where you’ll be treated to a wine tasting, chocolate and cheese pairing, and lunch. You’ll have time to walk through the vineyards before heading back.
SpongeBob Experiences
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Through September 15
Adventure Aquarium has partnered with Nickelodeon for photo ops, Spongebob-themed kids’ activities, activity sheets, episode screenings, and more in celebration of the show’s 25th anniversary.
Like Clockwork! Guinness Collection Conservation
Morris Museum, Morristown
Wednesdays – Sundays, through September 22
Learn how the Morris Museum keeps hundreds of mechanical objects running like clockwork for twenty years.
The BEAST NYC Speedboat Ride
Pier 83, New York, NY
Tuesdays – Sundays, through September 29
Roar down the Hudson River from Pier 83 to The Statue of Liberty on this high-speed boat.
Yoga on the Beach
Burk Avenue, behind the Wildwoods Convention Center
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through September 29
A traditional Hatha yoga-style class will be infused with Qi Gong, a variety of healing therapies and lots of modifications.
Free Guided Garden Tours
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Sundays, through the end of October
NJBG docents take you on a tour of what’s blooming around the Botanical Garden.
Friday Night Bites
The Hungry Puppy Dog Park, Farmingdale
Fridays, through October 25
Bring your pup and your friends to the double-gated, specially-designed dog park, where you can relax and listen to some music while mingling with other pet parents. There will be free snacks and treats from a sponsoring pet food manufacturer each week.
Festival of Fountains
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through October 27
There are new garden spaces, the return of the Fireworks & Fountains Shows, performances in front of the Illuminated Fountain, a beer garden, Festive Fridays with live music, and a Wine & Jazz Festival (September 14), plus all the gorgeous landscapes we can’t get enough of.
We All Scream For Ice Cream
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Through November 3
Learn about the history of ice cream dating back to the Victorian era. It started as an elite and expensive dish but by the end of the 1800s came in simpler flavors and was used in cones, sundaes and banana splits. You’ll see an authentic ice cream maker and other equipment, plus a Victorian ice cream wagon.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Select dates through November 10
New for the season is the Feathered and Fearless exhibition, three new dinosaurs and tons of new games, activities, and shows featuring T-Rex, Toddlersaurus, dinosaur hatchlings and the park’s Dinosaur Troubadour.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Blue Whale: The World’s Biggest Animal
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through January 5, 2025
The exhibition tells the story of the 60-ton whale that washed ashore in Trout River, Newfoundland, in 2014. You’ll see the enormous skeleton of a recovered blue whale and discover how whales evolved, the size of their heart, how they communicate, their decline, what’s being done to protect them, and how scientists are using DNA to unlock some of the secrets of these elusive creatures.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through March 2, 2025
This special exhibit is part of Morven’s 20th-anniversary celebration and will shed light on lesser-known stories of this historic home and its residents. You’ll see rarely-seen objects and newly discovered photos about American life: childhood, hosting guests, pets, fashion, and more.
Slow Motion
Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton
Through September 1, 2025
Five artists from Monument Lab in Philadelphia created gigantic, creative, introspective monuments that will be on display for their beauty, but also to address political, cultural and social issues.
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