Summer is officially here! Head to a pizza festival, the Barefoot Country Music Fest, State Fair Meadowlands
and more!
WEEKEND
Cirque du Soleil: OVO
Prudential Center, Newark
Thursday – Saturday
OVO gives you a look into a day in the life of bugs. They’ll be working, eating, crawling, fluttering, fighting, playing, and even looking for love. Watch for crickets bouncing on a trampoline and a spider inside her web. There are 100 performers from 25 countries performing acrobatics.
Princeton Festival
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Thursday – Saturday
There will be performances of music, opera and other genres performed throughout the duration of the festival, all on the beautiful grounds of the Morven Museum.
Barefoot Country Music Festival
Wildwood
Thursday – Sunday
Luke Bryan will join more than 40 of country music’s most popular and up-and-coming artists on the Wildwood beach for the Northeast’s largest outdoor country music fest, setting up five stages on 27 acres of shoreline. Other huge headliners include Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Old Dominion, Bailey Zimmerman and Jake Owen.
L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival
Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees
Thursday – Sunday
While enjoying typical carnival staples like food, rides and entertainment, don’t forget to support the mission of L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence.
Seaside Pride
Seaside Heights
Friday – Saturday
Enjoy live music, special discounts, and a joyful atmosphere as you celebrate love, diversity and inclusion.
Princeton Yoga Festival
Princeton Public Library, Princeton
On Saturday, Annie Issacson and Lululemon Princeton partner with Empower Yoga NJ and Gratitude Yoga for a Silent Yoga Flow led by Michael Perl, accompanied by DJ eric eric. Sunday’s class includes 108 Sun Salutations led by several instructors.
Blues, Wine & BBQ
Gloucester County Fairgrounds, Mullica Hill
Saturday – Sunday
Get ready to try the area’s best BBQ paired with local Garden State wines. There will be soulful live blues music playing all day.
Wine and Goat Yoga
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
Saturday – Sunday
After a 45-minute yoga class led by a certified instructor from Pure Toms River Yoga, you’ll have 15 minutes of playtime and a photo with the goats, and a glass of wine from Laurita.
NJ Pizza Festival
Monmouth Park, Oceanport
Saturday – Sunday
Try slices from 30+ New Jersey pizzerias while enjoying live music, horse racing, competitions and more. Presented by Jersey Eats.
Fantasy Faire
WheatonArts, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
Performers bring to life the “Troubles in the Kingdom,” a series of interconnected shows. You’ll interact with strolling, costumed characters portraying historical and mythical figures, watch a variety of live performances and sword demonstrations, make your own art activities, play pirate games, shop the merchants’ alley, and more. Feel free to dress up in your own fantasy cosplay.
Garden State Comic Fest
Mennen Sports Arena, Morristown
Saturday – Sunday
The 10th-anniversary event will include appearances by creators, vendors and lots of special guests.
FRIDAY
Taylor Swift Paint Night
Around the Corner Art Center, Freehold Twp.
Paint your favorite singer while listening to some of your favorite songs during the last program of the school year. Open to kids 7 and older.
Baby Playdates at The Park
Hunterdon County Arboretum, Lebanon
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.
International Day of Yoga
Pier A Lawn, Hoboken
During the Summer Solstice, the day will begin with a 15-minute rolling OM, followed by several yoga classes, ending with a sound bath and a Kirtan. The Yoga Village will have tables set up with information, free samples, activations and coupons.
Sock Puppet Making Workshop
Eclectic Chic Boutique, Montclair
Teens and adults can bring back childhood memories by making sock puppets.
Haddon Twp. Summer Solstice Music Festival
Haddon Avenue, Haddon Twp.
The festival will kick off the start of summer with live music from a variety of popular performers including Ndichu, John Torres Band, HaZy Cosmic Jive, Brown Sugar, and Random Acts of Soul. Along with live music, the festival will feature a variety of local and regional vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, a beer garden, a kid zone and more.
Lunar Faire Pride Faire
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
Lunar Faire is a pop-up night market that celebrates the strange and unusual, the moon, and all the weird things people make and do. Attractions typically include curiosities, fire dancing, a potions lab, fortunes, crystal charging, group spellmaking, medium readings, a witch coven, music, matchmaking, wizardry, stilts and aerials, fairy hair and face painting, ukeleles, magical book exchange, drum circle and more. The theme tonight will be celebrating Pride.
Brew at the Zoo
The Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
The after-hours adults-only party includes games like Animal Trivia, Bingo and Name That Tune; a Glow Party and 360-degree photo booth; live music; food trucks, the zoo cafe, snack bars, a Food Truck Circle and Food Truck Alley; tastings of more than 100 varieties of beer, wine and cider; and access to exhibits around the zoo, including the Animal Chronicles walking trail and 125th birthday-themed games.
SATURDAY
Paint and Swim
Five Star Swim School, Eatontown
Kids will swim for an hour, then paint a small canvas to take home.
Dog Day
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Spend time in the Wine & Beer Garden with your dog and treat yourself to food and wine. There will be an unleashed zone for your dogs to run around and play.
Taco Palooza
Hilltop Field, Hopatcong
There will be all things taco, plus beer, sangria, margaritas, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and vendors.
Anthony Rodia: Totally Relatable Tour
Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown
The Westchester, NY, standup comedian is known for his Italian American humor, his social media rants, his take on parenting, and his cartoon characters Uncle Vinny and Zia Lucia.
Wildflower Walk
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Check out the many delightful flowers and ferns in the shady, wooded Wildflower Garden.
World Dance & Diversity Festival
Buchmuller Park, Secaucus
Experience beautiful performances from all around the world. There will also be country tables, food trucks and vendors.
NorwesFest Family Fun Day
Ort Farms, Long Valley
The day is packed with games and activities, including hayrides, carnival games, family-friendly sports, face painting, treasure hunts, and more. Snacks and soft drinks are included with free admission. Adults can sample wine and beer, and lunch will be available for purchase from local food trucks.
Taste of Highlands
Huddy Park, Highlands
Treat yourself to five hours of samplings and cocktails at over 20 restaurants and establishments in a half-square mile.
An Evening with Santino Fontana
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
You know him from Broadway and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel;” your kids will recognize his voice as Prince Hans from “Frozen.” Fontana will perform cabaret-style Broadway songs as part of the Princeton Festival.
Giralda Music & Arts Festival
Giralda Farms, Madison
The New Jersey Symphony will perform under the stars. This program features a medley of classics, Broadway themes and patriotic favorites. There will also be children’s activities and an art show and sale. Try to win a prize at Morris Arts’ traditional creative picnic contest.
Flamy Grant Pride Concert
First Baptist Church, Moorestown
Singer-songwriting drag queen Flamy Grant will entertain with comedy and music.
Plowing, Harrowing & Wash Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Learn about life in an 1890s farmhouse as you roll up your sleeves and help do laundry the old fashioned way: by hand. Kids can make felt butterflies to take home.
Alfalfa Grand Opening
Downtown Hoboken
Play yard games such as cornhole and ping pong, be entered for giveaways from the local Hoboken community, experience on-site activations, and experience Alfalfa food firsthand during this grand opening party.
Princeton Pride ‘24
Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, Princeton
This “Celebration of Queer Joy” will include marching and dancing in celebration at the Pride Parade and after-party.
Mercer County Area Juneteenth Black-Owned Business Marketplace
The Conference Center at RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Hamilton
Support Black-owned businesses in the Mercer County area through a free event that includes shopping, food, a live DJ, prizes and giveaways.
Betty & Blue
AMC Dine-In Essex Green 9, West Orange
Pineloft Entertainment presents an exclusive screening of the short film, “Betty & Blue,” as part of the West Orange Juneteenth Film Festival.
SUNDAY
Wild Fest 2024
Clinton Elks Lodge, Pittstown
The food truck and music festival raises money for Woodlands Wildlife Refuge.
Juneteenth Jubilee
Montclair Chill, Montclair
Mix and mingle, make some new friends, shop the local vendors, and learn something new.
Chalk-a-Con
Commons Park, Bridgewater Commons Mall, Bridgewater
Chalk artists will help complete a giant mural in the park with the help of professional chalk artist Anthony Cappetto. There will be an ’80s kids dance party, colorful face paint, balloon art, and a bubble art show every 30 minutes.
Low Sensory Day
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
The volume and lights will be lower and less stimulating during Sensory Dine with Elmo & Friends and “Welcome to the Party!” at Abby’s Paradise Theater.
Southwest Fest
Jackson Street, Hoboken
This free event will feature carnival games, live music, face painting, a mechanical bull and a charity dunk tank. There will be free pizza from Hot House Pizza. There will be live music by DJ Bripee, Danny Matos Y La Zaborinqueñ, Coopuh! The Savage, Hoboken hip hop artist Phat Rob, Hoboken artist Dallas Connors, and Hoboken High School’s the Rockin’ Redwings band.
Cape May Music Festival
Cape May Convention Hall, Cape May
Erich Cawalla brings his full orchestra for big band music, cabaret-style, featuring dinner and dancing. This is the final performance in this year’s 35th annual festival organized by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture).
Lenape Lifeways Presentation & Nature Walk
Ridgefield Park Nature Preserve, Ridgefield Park
Carla Messinger, founder of the Native American Heritage Programs, will lead a discussion that includes an introduction covering the Lenape family life, clothing, hunting, gardening, past and present contributions, and more. As a descendant of the Lenape (Delaware) Indians (from Pennsylvania), who were the first inhabitants of eastern Pennsylvania, western New Jersey, and part of New York, Carla presents a true picture of early American Indian life. Following the presentation there will be a nature walk that will focus on the the plants and animals found in the Nature Preserve that would have been utilized by the Lenape in everyday life.
Clark’s Rock the Block Street Fair & Classic Car Show
Westfield Avenue, Clark
There will be over 100 exhibitors, a Kids Zone, food vendors, a beer garden, shopping, a classic car show and live music.
Artisan Market
Main Street Pops, Hoboken
There will be 70+ vendors, live music by Dana Harrison, and a Boys & Girls Club fundraiser with Urban Arts.
ONGOING
Neon Nights: DJ in the Dome
Big SNOW, American Dream
Fridays in June
It’s retro month at Big SNOW, so wear your brightest ski gear and slide down the slopes while DJ Siege spins records at night.
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.
North to Shore Festival
June 17-23 in Atlantic City
June 23-30 in Newark
Three cities play host to a month-long festival that will showcase the best music, comedy, film and technology New Jersey has to offer.
L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
June 28 to July 7
The L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival is hosted by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence. There will be food, rides and entertainment at the state fair.
State Fair Meadowlands
Meadowlands, East Rutherford
June 20 – July 7 (closed June 25)
This year’s entertainment includes the vintage Circus Lena, the Cycle Circus’s FMX freestyle show, Jurassic Kingdom, illusionist Jay Mattioli, the magic of Lance Gifford, Rosaire’s Racing Pigs, Commerford Petting Zoo, a Michael Jackson Tribute Show, 100 rides and a Kiddie Land – plus all of the carnival treats you can eat (including dishes made with alligator meat!).
Mermaid Visits
Diggerland, West Berlin
June 21, July 4, August 30
Mermaids will visit the Water Main, the construction-themed water park that sits aside the main theme park, so you can take pictures with them. Aside from wading in Bulldozer Bay, splashing in Jackhammer Bay, and racing down dual slides, check out the all-new wave pool, Claw Hammer Cove, and the aqua obstacle course, Carpool Lane.
Wellmont Arts Plaza Outdoor Concert Series
Wellmont Arts Plaza, Montclair
Select dates, June 21 to 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 Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree.
Canoe & Kayaking River Day Trips
Raritan River in Hunterdon County
Saturdays, June 22 and 29, July 13, and August 3 and 10
Led by an experienced guide, you will paddle down the river for two hours, stop for lunch, and then paddle your way back to Echo Hill. Depending on the date, you’ll paddle along the south branch of the Raritan River, or from Kingwood to Bull’s Island.
Nubian Heritage Quilters Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch At A Time
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
June 23 and 30; July 7 and 24
To celebrate its 29th anniversary, guild members are showing off a quilt exhibit, “Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch at a Time.” There will be quilts and wall hangings that showcase patchwork, applique, collage and abstract textiles.
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
June 25: Ocean County College in Toms River
June 26: Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy
June 28: Branch Brook Park in Newark
June 29: Marine Park in Red Bank
June 30: Liberty State Park in Jersey City
Listen to the sounds of New Jersey Symphony under the stars. This program features classics, Broadway themes and patriotic favorites. The program also celebrates the Garden State with pieces like John Williams’ Liberty Fanfare, John Philip Sousa’s Atlantic City Pageant March and other Jersey treasures.
North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival
Near DeVry University, North Brunswick
Select dates, through June 30
There will be rides, games, lots of food and snack vendors, a petting zoo, live entertainment and fireworks. All proceeds go directly toward the youth sports groups of North Brunswick. Note: The festival is closed June 24-25.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Where to Celebrate Pride in NJ This June
The Best Fairs & Festivals in NJ in June
Free Things to Do in June in New Jersey
