Get ready for some fun in the sun this July with sand sculptures and live music along the shore at Oceanfest in Long Branch, catch fireflies in action at the Firefly Festival in Hillsborough Township, or savor the Italian zeppoles and festivities at St. Ann’s 109th Annual Italian Festival in Hoboken. July is jam-packed with free family events to help you have your best #NJMOM summer yet!
Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
featured image via @heatherboss719
Here are 10 free events around New Jersey this July:
OceanFest in Long Branch
July 4
Oceanfest invites your family to Long Branch’s oceanfront promenade for a day that is jam-packedwith summer fun. Think tons of food, live music, arts and crafts, a street fair, and fireworks to cap it all off. The kids can enjoy the clowns, musical acts, characters to meet, sand sculptures, and more, all while taking in the sea breeze. What a way to celebrate the 4th of July!
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: free
Family Fun Night at Pier Village
July 7, 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, 18, 25, 4PM-9PM
Every Sunday night through July and August, check out Pier Village in Long Branch for tons of fun by the beach. This weekly event features bounce houses, slides, inflatable obstacle courses and lots more for the family. Visit the Pier Village Family Game Room or Boardwalk Fun N’ Games for a round of skee ball with the kiddos.
Festival Plaza, Pier Village
Long Branch, NJ
Cost: free
Duke Farms Firefly Festival
July 12, 7:30PM-10:30PM
Your littles will love experiencing the summer magic of fireflies on a gorgeous night at Duke Farms. You’ll meander along a walking trail through woodlands and meadows to get a glimpse of fireflies as they light up the evening. Stop at over 20 activity stations along the way to learn about glowworms, how to communicate with fireflies, and how to create a home for them. Please register in advance.
Duke Farms
Hillsborough Township, NJ
Cost: free
The Meadowlands Pace & BBQ Battle
July 13, 6PM
Watch horse racing action and come with an empty stomach, because this annual event will have you filling up on some BBQ favorites as part of the family night of fun. The event features a 2019 Crawford Farms t-shirt giveaway, live music, and backyard games and attractions like the Mechanical Shark and Crazy Cat.
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment
1 Racetrack Dr.
East Rutherford, NJ
Cost: free
The New Jersey Sandcastle Contest
July 17, 8AM
Grab your shovels and get ready to sculpt by the sea for The New Jersey Sandcastle Contest in Belmar. Judging is based on creativity, resourcefulness, originality, and accessories. Awards are given to several age groups, as well as a Best on the Beach award. There’s a family category too, so everyone can participate. Or, just come to check out all the amazing, artistic creations!
Belmar beach
Belmar, NJ
Cost: free
Summer in the Street Festival/Family Fun Day
July 20, 12PM-6PM
Spend a beautiful day outdoors with your fam in downtown Toms River enjoying food trucks, handcrafted goods, and live entertainment all day long. Sing along to your favorites while the littles rock the Kids Zone, where they’ll find free games and prizes, a balloonist, rides, and inflatable houses and courses.
Washington Street
Toms River, NJ
Cost: free
St. Ann’s Italian Festival in Hoboken
July 24-28
Celebrate this huge Hoboken tradition and embrace all things Italian culture! This is the 109th year for the annual St. Ann’s Italian Festival, and it’s easy to see why it’s a family favorite each summer. The food (the zeppoles are famous!), live entertainment, rides, beer garden, and a cafe under the stars make it a fest to remember.
St. Ann Catholic Church
Hoboken, NJ
Cost: free
Hammonton Peach Party
July 27, 9AM-1PM
Head out to Hammonton for a peach party, celebrating some seriously #jerseyfresh summer fun. In addition to celebrating summer’s juiciest fruit, this family festival has live music, food trucks, a peach pie contest, games, and vendors all in the lovely downtown. Psst! Don’t miss the Peach Fuzz Baby Contest.
Downtown Hammonton, NJ
Cost: free
Summer Fest at Rutgers Gardens
July 27, 3PM-7PM
Learn about New Jersey’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity at this awesome Rutgers event. Celebrate New Jersey’s eclectic heritage with face painting, music, art, dance performances, cooking demos, garden tours, and chalk art. Your family will love learning about ‘everything great in the Garden State’ (that’s this year’s theme)!
Rutgers Gardens
New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: free
Kites, Crafts, and Cones Festival
July 27, 12PM-8:30PM
Talk about a great combo for a Saturday at the shore! The kids will love this festival in Ortley Beach, featuring an all-day craft show and some high-flying action above the beach. At 6:15PM, get your kites ready to soar, or sit and watch all the kites take to the sky! Enjoy free face painting and balloon art while you savor your favorite ice cream flavor.
Ortley Beach, NJ
Cost: free
