It’s Independence Day weekend and there are myriad ways to show your patriotism, be it at a parade or a fireworks spectacular. There are plenty of other weekend activities across our great Garden State as well, such as the continuation of the State Fair, a sports card show and Yappy Hour for your dogs.
ALL WEEKEND
Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles Show
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
Friday – Sunday
Browse through 150 tables of the hottest collectibles on the planet! Sports cards, old and new toys, comic books, Starting Line-ups, McFarlane figures, non-sports cards, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, Beanie Babies, videos, wax boxes, supplies, autographed memorabilia, sets, posters, coins, T-shirts, LEGOS, dolls and more will be available for sale.
State Fair Meadowlands
East Rutherford
Friday – Monday
Get together with family and friends through July 10 for a fun and memorable time. Teens and adults will love the rides, like the Ski Lift, roller coasters and 120-foot gondola wheel. For the little kids, there are 35 rides in Kiddie Land just for them. There’s a big petting zoo, as well as tons of games to play. With eight different shows every day, there’s something for everyone. The hypnotist and the racing pigs are two staples, plus this year there will be an illusionist and a magic show. There is also Jurassic Kingdom Lockdown, Cycle Circus, the BIG BEE Transforming Car and others. Enjoy fireworks on July 3 and 4.
L.E.A.D. Fest State Carnival
West Windsor
Friday – Monday
Enjoy Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Grandpa Cratchet, Cowtown USA, weekend craft and business fair, rides, petting farm, pie eating contest, and nightly entertainment. Southern Rock Fest featuring the Marshall Tucker Bank, the Kentucky HeadHunters and Southern Steel will be July 2.
Six Flags Great Adventure Coca Cola July 4 Fest
Jackson
Saturday – Monday
Coca-Cola’s July 4th Fest takes place all Independence weekend, from July 2-4, at Six Flags Great Adventure. Fireworks shows runs nightly at 9 p.m.
Meet Jane Seymour
Ocean Galleries, Stone Harbor
“Jane Seymour: Up Close and Personal: The Exhibition” houses an impressive collection of original artwork by the Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress. These works will be on exhibition and available for acquisition July 1-10 at Ocean Galleries. Three special in-person Meet-the-Artist appearances are scheduled for July 1-3.
FRIDAY
Fun Friday
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood
Enjoy Downtown Wildwood’s new Fun Fridays this summer, featuring live bands, food and drink vendors, lawn games and much more! Bring your chair and enjoy the free entertainment outdoors. To keep the party going visit one of the great Downtown Wildwood restaurants and bars afterwards. And stay for the fireworks display!
SATURDAY
New Jersey Symphony Concert
Metuchen
Enjoy the sounds of New Jersey Symphony under the stars. This free outdoor program features a tribute to Sondheim, Sousa’s ode to his time in New Jersey in “The Atlantic City Pageant” and more. An inspiring performance by the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Henry Lewis Concerto Competition winner rounds out this concert of favorites the whole family will love.
Deck-to-Deck Tour
Battleship New Jersey, Camden
Join Battleship New Jersey and Independent Seaport Museum for Deck-to-Deck Tours, where visitors explore over 100 years of naval history and ingenuity up close through guided tours of three of America’s most remarkable ships, The Battleship New Jersey, Submarine Becuna and Cruiser Olympia.
Summer Family Fun Fair
Kadampa World Peace Temple, Glen Spey, New York
A full day of fun and games for people of all ages: live music, kids’ activities, temple tours, nature trails, rummage sale/antiques, vendor and exhibitor booths and tasty vegetarian cuisine. Pets on a leash welcome.
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 live music by the Jugtown Mountain String Band, kids’ games and farmhouse tours add to the fun on the front lawn.
SUNDAY
Yappy Hour
W’s Grill, Oakland
W’s Grill invites its customers to dine with their pets during Yappy Hour every Sunday from 12-4 pm on its outdoor patio. Featuring weekly cocktail specials and tasty treats for your furry friends, Yappy Hour is the perfect way to get outside and grab a bite or drink without having to leave your pup at home.
MONDAY
Reading of The Declaration of Independence
Allentown
Enjoy history during the annual July 4 reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Fourth of July Jubilee
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
The Jubilee will feature a Jasper Johns American Flag activity, a 1960s Princeton adventure, dancing in the gardens with the Luminarium Dance Company, live music from the Green Planet Band and food trucks.
Independence Day Celebration
Milltown
Stop by for a fishing derby, fun run/5K, parade, duck races, a decorated house contest, a parade, a pizza eating contest, musical performances and fireworks.
Pooch Parade
North Wildwood
The July 4 parade is joined by the Pooch Parade, where four-legged friends dressed in patriotic costumes can join their human counterparts, who will be showing off their best decorated bikes, strollers, scooters, golf carts etc. in red, white and blue theme.
ONGOING
Outdoor Walking Tours
Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton
Saturdays and Sundays (July and August)
Princeton University is home to one of the country’s most significant collections of 20th- and 21st-century public sculpture. Join a free, hour-long walking tour led by a museum tour guide and discover the campus’s outdoor artworks, including Henry Moore’s bronze Oval with Points, monumental geometric screens by Louise Nevelson, and more.
Flemington Car Shows
Main Street, Flemington
Select Saturdays (now through August 20)
Historic Flemington’s Main Street will be bustling with hot cars, live music, kids’ activities, delicious food and summer fun on select Saturday nights when Flemington Car Shows come to town all summer long.
Sunrise Wellness Sails
Wilbert’s Marina, Lacey Twp.
Saturdays (through August)
Anyone who is interested in yoga, meditation and mindfulness is welcome to take part in a 3-hour Sunrise Sail along the Barnegat Bay. Sail into rejuvenation with Jaime Zazzara and Captain Dave from Jersey Coastal Adventures for the wellness retreat. Wind Therapy promises to lull you into deep relaxation as you experience meditation, mindfulness, gentle yoga and a nurturing pampered session. There are also options to enjoy a swim or float in a tube when the boat anchors out at sea.
Sunset Wellness Sails
Wilbert’s Marina, Lacey Twp.
Thursdays (through August)
Anyone who is interested in yoga, meditation and mindfulness is welcome to take part in a 3-hour Sunset Sail along the Barnegat Bay. Sail into rejuvenation with Jaime Zazzara and Captain Dave from Jersey Coastal Adventures for the wellness retreat. Wind Therapy promises to lull you into deep relaxation as you experience meditation, mindfulness, gentle yoga and a nurturing pampered session. There are also options to enjoy a swim or float in a tube when the boat anchors out at sea.
Beach Baby Goat Yoga
Beach Haven
Fridays (through September 2)
Join fellow yogis and animal lovers on the beach for a beginner-friendly goat centric yoga experience and snuggles with baby and miniature breed goats. Reap the benefits of animal and laughter therapies as the baby goats jump on your back, snuggle in your lap or take a nap on your mat as you move through the instructor’s guidance.
Cruise Nights
Downtown Somerville
Fridays (now through September 4)
Friday Night Cruise Nights return to Downtown Somerville. Through Labor Day weekend, the coolest classic cars around line up along Main Street every Friday.
Sunset Sips & Sounds
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays (now through September 9)
Meet in this historic apple orchard for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings every Friday night at Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery. It’s a great way to unwind after the week, meet friends, bring your family and enjoy the sunset on the farm.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
New York, New York
Fridays (now through September)
Enjoy the history and magic of the Intrepid for free on select Fridays through September.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Leonia
Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (through Nov. 13)
At Field Station: Dinosaurs, more than 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are sure to impress all the paleontologists in your group. Enjoy dozens of shows, Jurassic Jump, and even Dinosaurs: After Dark come October.
Sunday Farmers Market
Garden State Plaza, Westfield; in the parking lot between Macy’s and Route 17
Sundays (now through Nov. 20)
Garden State Plaza is the site of weekly Sunday farmers markets. Expect food vendors, food trucks, music, activities for kids and a car show from 9 am-2pm.
Don’t forget to check out an outdoor summer concert or movies under the stars!
Plus, there are fairs and festivals planned all around the state during July!