It’s Memorial Day weekend (cue the applause) and we’re kicking off the unofficial start of summer and more openings with lots of family activities all weekend. Ride the carousel, Ferris wheel, and super slides at Skylands Stadium in Augusta, watch giant inflatables float by with kite demos, and family games at The Wildwoods International Kite Festival in Wildwood, or honor our fallen heroes at the 147th Memorial Day Parade in Freehold. Looking for more events? Take a peek at our 45 Free Things To Do In May.
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FEATURED EVENT: Smiles, Springtime, and Story Pirates
May 26 at 5 PM or 7 PM, May 27 at 6 PM or 8 PM
Tune in as the Story Pirates create impromptu stories using suggestions provided by your child live during the show. Will, the Story Pirates, transport your child to another planet, or will they sail them into unchartered waters filled with curious sea creatures? Join in to find out! The Story Pirates are a nationally renowned group of top comedians, musicians, best-selling authors, and incredible teachers with fifteen years of experience creating content that celebrates the imaginations of kids.
Cost: Free with this code when registering: Nicola Iannitelli (name of NYL agent) 006439 (registration code)
New York Life
Virtual–RSVP required. A Parent/Legal Guardian is required to participate in the event along with any minor participants. By RSVP’ing to this event and entering the virtual site on the day and time of the selected Story Pirates Spring event, you represent that you are the Parent/Legal Guardian of the minor participants attending with you. By providing the information in this registration you may be contacted by a New York Life Agent.
RWJBarnabas Health: Cooking Classes for Kids
May 25 and 26 times vary depending on the program
Kids of all ages will love cooking up healthy treats in these virtual hands-on cooking classes (adult supervision required during class): Try Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen for kids 8-12, where they’ll learn to use a recipe, cook with nutritious ingredients, and utilize kitchen basics or try Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen, a Mommy and Me style class for 2-4-year-olds.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas
Virtual
(973) 926-7371
Asbury Park Memorial Day Carnival
May 20-31, Monday- Friday 6 PM – 10 PM, Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Day 1 PM-10 PM
Kick-off the summer season at this festive carnival with rides from Campy’s Amusements. There will also be food, treats, carnival games, and more for the whole family to enjoy.
Cost:Pre-ticket sales $10 for 20 ride tickets
Bradley Park
101-199 5th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Design Your Own Battleship with Battleship New Jersey
May 26 from 9 AM – 11 AM
Learn about this unique part of NJ history with a tour of the Battleship New Jersey followed up by a classroom-style lesson. Kids will create and design a battleship using knowledge about the Battleship New Jersey and mathematics. For kids in grades, 3-8 and parents are required to stay during the program.
Cost: Tickets are a $5 donation
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ 08103
(866) 877-6262 ext. 144
Memorial Day Weekend Carnival at Skylands Stadium
May 27-31, Thursday-Saturday 5:30 PM-10 PM, Sunday-Monday 2 PM-10 PM
Kick-off summer and Memorial Day weekend with rides, food vendors, and five days of fun. Kids can enjoy the Dragon Wagon, Kiddie Cars, the Super Slide, the Carousel, the Ferris Wheel, and more.
Cost: Admission is Free, but there is a fee for the rides
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383- 7644
Wildwoods International Kite Festival
May 28-May 31
Go fly a kite or watch the pros do it: Festivities begin with a Friday night social with the local kite club and an illuminated night kite flight. Saturday includes auctions, and both Saturday and Sunday will have giant inflatable kites, sport kite demos, team flying, and family games.
Cost: Free
On the beach at Rio Grande Avenue
(732) 822-4884
Memorial Beach Challenge For 31 Heros
May 29 begins at 7:35 AM
Honor America’s heroes this Memorial Day with a beach Navy-SEAL-inspired obstacle course and a kids’ fun run. There will also be a Memorial Paddle Out and the winner of the SUP Ocean Challenge will hold the honor of “laying the wreath.” The event benefits 31 Heros, an organization dedicated to servicing veterans, service members, and their families.
Cost: Prices vary per event
Ocean City Music Pier 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
info@31heros.com
Musket Firing Demonstration
May 29 at 2 PM
Learn all about the Christmas Night Crossing and the Battle of Trenton with an Interpretive Talk. Afterward, there will be a musket firing demonstration. All ages are welcome.
Cost: Free
Washington Crossing State Park Sullivan’s Grove next to the Visitor’s Center
355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ 08560-1517
(609) 737-0623
New Jersey Renaissance Faire
May 29-30 and June 5-6 from 10 AM-6 PM
Good morrow Lords and Ladies—the 11th season of the Renaissance Faire is on for 2021 and you can even register for the family dog to come along this year. Come in costume and plan to immerse yourself into all things 16th century. There will be food, all-day entertainment, and 30 vendors, crafters, and merchants.
Cost: $25 for adults, $10 for kids, $80 for a four-day pass, and $10 dog ticket
1195 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
huzzah@njrenfaire.com
Haying at the Howell Living History Farm
May 29 from 10 AM-4 PM
Learn how to make hay the old-fashioned way. Watch the farmers cutting, tedding, and raking loose hay to store in the barn for the horses. A children’s craft program will be available for a small material fee.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Boat Tours Of The Manasquan River
May 29-31 times vary
Get out on the water with a 45-minute tour of the Manasquan Reservoir with a Park System Naturalist. View local wildlife and take in the views of this Monmouth County Parks System reservoir.
Cost: $6 adults, $4 for children 12 and under
Manasquan Reservoir 311 Windeler Road, Howell, NJ 07731
(732) 751-9453
Memorial Day Weekend Celebration at Pier Village
May 30 from 12 PM-8 PM
Enjoy virtual reality games, skee ball, crane games, and more at Boardwalk Fun N’ Games in Pier Village. Don’t miss the carousel, mini-golf, and rock wall climbing while you are there.
Cost: Free
68 Ocean Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-0100
Princeton Battlefield Society Memorial Day Program
May 30 from 1 PM – 3 PM
The Princeton Battlefield Society’s Memorial Day Program will give you a peek into Revolutionary history, with a wreath-laying ceremony, used American History Book Sale, a musket firing demonstration, and a battlefield tour. There will also be a pop-up store filled with maps, caps, musket flints, hand-painted miniature soldiers, and more.
Cost: Free
Princeton Battlefield State Park
500 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 232-8540
Memorial Day with the Atlantic Brass Band
May 30 at 7 PM
Celebrate Memorial Day with classic brass that will get everyone marching along to the tunes. The Atlantic Brass Band will perform their annual outdoor concert with rousing music in a class bandstand setting.
Cost: Free
400-498 Lafayette Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-5404
Freehold’s 147th Memorial Day Parade
May 31 at 10 AM
Join the oldest and largest Memorial Day parade in Western Monmouth County. Military units, veterans groups, bands, fire departments, youth groups, EMS squads, civilian units, and custom-designed floats will all be a part of the event.
Cost: Free
Steps off at Brinkerhoff Ave and Main Street in Freehold
Decoration Day Celebration at Historic Longstreet Farm
May 31 from 12 PM-3 PM
Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day? Celebrate this special day at Historic Longstreet Farm with visits to the barn and interpretive programs about life in the 19th century.
Cost: Free
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
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