It’s mid-August, and while summer may be wrapping up soon (please don’t go), we’re here to enjoy all the family fun things to do this weekend. Enjoy games, face painting, food, a pretend pet clinic, and caricatures at Family Fun Night in Voorhees, celebrate 50 years with live music, games, special anniversary activities, interactive entertainment, and more at Terhune Orchard’s 50th Anniversary Community Celebration, or enjoying an evening of jazz music at the 20th Annual Sourland Mountain Fest in Ringoes. And for more summer fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: iStock/Jon Mattrisch)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Friday Night Fireworks in Wildwood
August 15 at 10 PM
Is there a better way to end a fun-filled week of summer in Wildwood than with free fireworks? Watch a spectacular display exploding to a musical score played along the Boardwalk every Friday night. Grab a beach chair to relax on the sand, or you can see them from anywhere on the Boardwalk.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, On the Beach at Pine Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Hillsborough Rotary Fair
August 15-16, fireworks on August 15
The Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair is back with fun for the whole family. Visit vendors, play games, grab some grub, and wristband night every night.
Cost: $35; all-night ride access is available every night, or patrons may choose a different dollar amount appropriate for only select rides.
In the lot adjacent to Lowe’s, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
Argos Farm Sunflower Festival
August 15-17 at 3 PM
Ready to take in some gorgeous sunflowers? Head to this festival where you can stroll through the flowers and snap photos or gather flowers for your next centerpiece. While you are there, let the kids run and play at the farm on the Jumbo Jumper Air Pillow, Double Hay Slide, obstacle course, and cow train.
Cost: Ticket price
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Passaic County Fair
August 15-17
Step right up to this annual fair, where the whole family can partake on rides, eat yummy food, visit a petting zoo, try face painting, and play games. Listen to live music on the stage, and at night, catch the fireworks.
Cost: Free, parking $5 per car.
Garret Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Ave., Woodland Park, NJ 07427
Terhune Orchard’s 50th Anniversary Community Celebration
August 16
Bring your crew to enjoy live music, games, special anniversary activities, interactive entertainment, and more. Celebrate 50 years and don’t miss The Farm Store, Wine Orchard, Barn Door Cafe, and Pam’s Food Pavilion while you are there.
Cost: Prices vary
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Beachfest II Arts & Crafts Festival
August 16 at 9 AM
Bring your crew to peruse artists, makers, and food at the seaside town of Beach Haven. Get ready to shop by the Shore.
Cost: Free
Veteran’s Bicentennial Park, 100 Engelside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Family Fun Night
August 16 at 4 PM
A night filled with free outdoor fun the whole family can enjoy? Yes, please. There will be games, face painting, food, a pretend pet clinic, and caricatures.
Cost: Free
509 Centennial Blvd, Voorhees, NJ 08043
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
August 16 at 9:30 AM
Join us in person for this hands-on cooking class designed for children aged 5-7, accompanied by a parent, guardian, or loved one. Even the pickiest of eaters will learn to love their veggies in this fun class. This interactive cooking class introduces basic kitchen skills and new foods to young children. Hannah’s Kitchen welcomes all children with diverse learning abilities in our inclusive, adaptive kitchen. Classes are free and graciously funded by the Hannah Peretsman Breene Foundation.
Cost: Free
Hannah’s Kitchen at the Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave. Newark, NJ 07112 RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
August 16 at 11 AM
Join us in person for this Mommy & Me-style healthy cooking class for children aged 2-4, accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or loved one. This exciting cooking class utilizes simple recipes to encourage toddlers to try new foods by exploring texture and flavor. Hannah’s Kitchen welcomes all children with diverse learning abilities in our inclusive, adaptive kitchen. Classes are free and graciously funded by the Hannah Peretsman Breene Foundation.
Cost: Free
Hannah’s Kitchen at the Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health & Wellness Center, 208 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ
Sponsoring Facility: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and RWJBarnabas Health
2025 Food, Wine, and Beer Festival
August 16 at 4 PM
Find fun for the whole family at this annual festival. There will be delicious food, live entertainment, face painting, rides for the kids, and refreshing drinks for the adults to indulge in.
Cost: $5 admission, free for children under 10
926 Amboy Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837
20th Annual Sourland Mountain Fest
August 16 at 3 PM
Have a family member who loves jazz? This event will allow you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful sounds of jazz while you eat some delicious food and drinks. Kids can join in a fun scavenger hunt too.
Cost: $50 for adults 18+, $20 for ages 12-17, and children under 12 are free
Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, Ringoes, NJ 08551
Tropicana’s Free Fireworks Series
August 16
This dazzling 10-minute show is part of Tropicana’s Summer Celebration Fireworks Series. The performances are displayed from the beachfront and include intricately designed scenes and vivid effects.
Cost: Free
Tropicana Atlantic City, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Blue Claw Craft Show & Crab Race
August 16 at 10 AM
This festival is a great chance to spend time outside, enjoy 60+ vendors, and see a crab race. There will also be food for purchase.
Cost: Free
Sunset Park,1 W Salem Ave, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
2025 Bay Head Fire Company Clam Bake
August 16 at 12 PM
Bring the whole family and your appetites to the annual Bay Head Fire Department fundraiser. There will be clams, clam chowder, burgers, hot dogs, craft beers, face painting, and live bands.
Cost: $65.87 per adult or $23.18 per child ages 6-12
Bay Head Fire Company No. 1, 81 Bridge Avenue, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Sunflower Festival
August 16-17
Sunflowers are a gorgeous way to celebrate the summer, and this is a great place to do just that. From the cow train and the bounce pillow to live music and cutting your own flowers, this fun-filled weekend is the place to be.
Cost: Admission fee
Tranquility Farm, 47 Decker Pond Rd, Andover, NJ 07821
Surf & Turf Seafood Festival
August 16-17 at 11 AM
Bring your appetite to the Shore’s biggest seafood festival, where you will find lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp, and more. On Sunday, there will also be a bounce house, pony rides, face painters, and clowns.
Cost: $6 for general admission, children 12 and under are free, and parking is free
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Metuchen Street Fair & Craft Show
August 17 at 11 AM
Grab the whole family and spend the day strolling along the streets of Metuchen. At this event, you will find artists, crafters, live music, food, games for the kids to enjoy, and family fun.
Cost: Free
425 Main St, Metuchen, NJ 08840
Bluegrass and Old-Time Music
August 17 at 1 PM
Take in a warm summer afternoon and listen to jam sessions under the trees. The sessions feature instruments such as bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, or guitar. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets.
Cost: Free
805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
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