It’s peak mid-summer, and you know what that means—fairs, festivals, and plenty of fun for the whole family this weekend. Grab your shovels and buckets and watch sand creations come to life at the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival, enjoy amusement rides, games, Demolition Derby, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests, and fireworks at the Cumberland County Fair in Millville, or take in two days of musical acts, food, drinks, crafts, and community fun at Maplewoodstock in Maplewood. And for more summer fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: istock/imagesbybarbara)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
FIFA Club World Cup
July 8-9 & 13
Have a soccer fan in the family? Head to the FIFA Club World Cup and watch some of the best compete for the World Cup. The matches include Fluminense FC vs Chelsea FC, Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid F.C., and then the final game. This is an event you won’t want to miss.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Blueberry Summer Fest
July 11 at 4 PM
Pick blueberries, take a wagon ride, enjoy locally made blueberry pies, donuts, and cakes, tour the home of The Blueberry Queen, Elizabeth Coleman White, and shop handmade vendors while listening to music on the Whitesbog stage.
Cost: no fee, but donations are appreciated.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 West Whites Bog Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival
July 11
See sand creations come to life, or kids can grab a shovel and make their own castles at the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival. This contest features amateur and semi-pro sand sculptors, and professional world-renowned sand sculptor Matt Long, a former cast member of the Travel Channel’s SandMasters, will host the event. There will also be live music and family-friendly activities.
Cost: Free
Heather Road, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Drive For A Dream – Christmas in July Toy Drive
July 11 at 6 PM
Load your family in your car and take some parade laps around one of the renowned racetracks in NJ, all for a great cause. Bring a new, unopened toy for the families supported by the Holly City Family Success Center this year’s holiday season. All vehicles, except electric cars and motorcycles, are welcome.
Cost: Free with a toy
NJ Motorsports Park, 8000 Dividing Creek Road, Millville, NJ 08332
Cumberland County Fair
July 11-12
It’s New Jersey’s oldest county fair. Enjoy amusement rides, games, Demolition Derby, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests, and fireworks.
Cost: $5, and 5 and under and 65 and older are free
3001 Carmel Road, Millville, New Jersey 08332
Randolph Freedom Festival
July 11-12
Celebrate America’s freedom with this three-day festival, featuring live music, amusements, carnival games, delicious food, fireworks, and a beer garden. The fireworks display is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, with a rain date of July 13.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Rd, Randolph, NJ 07869
Ocean County Fair
July 11-13
The Ocean County Fair will feature musical acts, live entertainment, animal exhibits, games, activities, rides, food, and a variety of vendors. On Sunday, don’t miss Cowboy Larry, too.
Cost: $10, and parking is free.
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Route 530, Berkeley Township, NJ 08721
New Jersey State Barbeque Championship and The Angela Blues Festival
July 11-13
Bring the family to experience mouth-watering food vendors and crafters, unique displays, a BBQ competition, and a Blues Festival with something for everyone.
Cost: Free to enter most areas
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Freehold Township Day
July 12
Bring the whole family to this concert and festival in the park, featuring a variety of merchandise and food vendors. Kids can enjoy the rides, teens can hang out and dance to a DJ at the Teen Center, and the whole family can check out the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Butterfly Festival
July 12 at 11 AM
It’s your chance to learn all about the Bees and Pollinators, their importance to the environment, and how you can attract them to your yards. Enjoy tours of the Butterfly House, free classes, and a bug parade. The rain date is July 13.
Red Bank Battlefield National Park, 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, NJ 08063
Blueberry Festival
July 12
Celebrate everything blueberry at Mood’s Farm Market in South Jersey. While you are at the festival, make sure to enter the Blueberry Dessert Contest, where the desserts are judged on overall taste, originality, appearance, and ease of presentation.
Cost: Free to enter
901 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Family Fun Day
July 12 at 12 PM
Join this family fun day at Lake Musconetcong Park. There will be games, prizes, music, food, and more.
Cost: Free
46 Musconetcong Ave, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Blueberry Bash Festival
July 12-13
Terhune Orchards will be celebrating everything blueberry this July. Pick your own blueberries in their pick-your-own blueberry patch, listen to some live country music, and stroll the farm trail. Tuckers’ Tale Puppet Theatre, NJ Bubble Parties, and blueberry treats will be there for the kids.
Cost: Prices vary per activity
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Maplewoodstock
July 12-13
Celebrating 20 years, the Maplewoodstock Music and Arts Festival features two days of musical acts, food, drinks, crafts, and community fun. There is even a Kid Zone.
Cost: Free
Memorial Park, 580 Valley Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Boardwalk Craft Show
July 12-13
Head to the southern end of the boardwalk to find a one-of-a-kind gift, homemade treats, or a unique artwork. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
31st Annual Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival
July 12-13
Bring the entire family to this lively concert and festival in the park. There will be lots of merchandise and plenty of food vendors. Kids can have a blast on the rides, and teens can chill and dance to a DJ at the Teen Center, and don’t miss the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Main Street Pops Artisan Market Summer Pop UP
July 13
Visit the Pier A Walkway for a pop-up artisan experience. Discover handcrafted treasures, enjoy live music performances, and participate in themed activities and family-friendly events.
Cost: Free
Pier A Walkway, 100 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Project Purple Pretzel Run 5K
July 13 at 8:30 AM
Lace up your running shoes and bring the family to this 5K for a good cause. Whether you’re looking to run or take a leisurely walk through peaceful paths alongside a gorgeous pond, you can move your body to support the fight against pancreatic cancer. The best part? A fresh pretzel at the finish line.
Cost: Registration fee
Nomahegan Park, 995 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016
Classical Kids Fair
July 13 at 12 PM
Have a little one who loves music? Head to this fun event that includes live performances by NJ Symphony Chamber Players, an instrument discovery zone, arts and crafts, musical story time, and lots more fun.
Cost: Free
NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Christmas In July Market
July 13 at 10 AM
Ready to get a head start on Christmas? At this market, you’ll find up to 75 tables filled with goodies for everyone in the family. There will also be a tricky tray, a 50/50 raffle, and an appearance from the Big Guy himself. All proceeds from the market will benefit Elks Camp Moore, the New Jersey Elks State Project.
Cost: Free
600 Washington St, Toms River, NJ 08753
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