We’ve officially entered the dog days of summer, and to celebrate, we’re loading up on lots of summery things to do with the fam this weekend. Hop on rides, eat funnel cake, and have a blast at the Mt. Olive Carnival in Mt. Olive Township, enjoy a concert and festival in the park along with rides, a DJ, and a car show at the Freehold Township Day, or watch a bug parade, learn about butterflies and take a tour of the butterfly house at the Gloucester County Butterfly Festival in National Park. Heading to the Shore? Get your beach badges and find the places to sink your toes in the sand with our Jersey Shore guide. (featured photo credit: istock/nbkimages)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Movie Night at Five Star Swim School
July 12 at 3 PM
Bring your kids with their cozy sleeping bags or blankets for a fun night and enjoy the comic adventures of Moana and Hei Hei at Five Star Swim School. From 3 PM to 4 PM, there will be pizza, popcorn, drinks, and a swim.
Cost: $25 per child; parents can swim for $10
1500 Almonesson Road, Deptford, NJ 08096
Impact Youth League Skills Camp
July 12
Stop by American Dream as they repurpose their Ice Rink into a basketball court with Impact Youth League at a week-long skills camp. There will be top-tier workouts, personalized training stations, competitive league games, and more.
American Dream, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Cumberland County Fair
July 12-13
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
Ocean County Fair
July 12-14
The Ocean County Fair will have musical acts, live entertainment, animal events, games, activities, rides, food, and 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
Mt Olive Carnival
July 12-14
Did someone say carnival? Gather the family and bring them to this fun event, where you will enjoy rides, music, delicious food, a beer garden, and more.
Cost: Free admission, $40 per wristband for unlimited rides
Turkey Brook Park, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Dream Food Fest 2024
July 12-14
Bring your appetite and join the feast with 100+ street food vendors from NY and NJ. This festival also features DJs, live performances, and musicians.
Cost: $15 – $50
American Dream, 1 American Dream Way East Rutherford, NJ 07073
New Jersey State Barbeque Championship and The Angela Blues Festival
July 12-14
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
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
July 13 at 11 AM
Join in-person or virtually for this mommy & me style healthy cooking class for ages 2-4 with a parent/grandparent/loved one. For class links and more information, contact Emily Ho, RDN. emily.ho@rwjbh.org. 973-926-7371
Cost: Free
Sponsoring Facility: Children’s Hospital of New Jersey, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
July 13 at 9:30 AM
Join us in-person or virtually for this hands-on cooking class for ages 4-7 with a parent/guardian/loved one present. In this fun and interactive course, even the pickiest eaters will learn to love their veggies.
Cost: Free
Online OR Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave. Newark, NJ 07112
Freehold Township Day
July 13 from 4 PM-11 PM
Bring the whole family to this concert and festival in the park with 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
Family Fun Day
July 13 at 12 PM
Join this family fun day at Lake Musconetcong Park. There will be games, prizes, music, food, and more. The rain date is July 14.
Cost: Free
46 Musconetcong Ave, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Butterfly Festival
July 13 at 12 PM
Bring the kids to learn all about Bees and Pollinators. Learn about their importance 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 14.
Red Bank Battlefield National Park, 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, NJ 08063
Water Carnival
July 13 at 5 PM
Get ready for a fun night with vendors, a Kids’ Zone, Hula Dancers by Paradise Island, a Water Stunt Show, and fireworks. The rain date is July 4.
Cost: Free
Mirror Lake Beach, 141 Clubhouse Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Family Fun Day 2024
July 13 at 11 AM
This event includes interactive activities and crafts for the whole family. The days include music and entertainment, a bounce house, Pizza Vita’s food truck, and more.
Cost: Free
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, 9 Main Street Madison, NJ 07940
Croquet & Ice Cream Social at Liberty Hall
July 13 at 1 PM
Head to Liberty Hall for a fun event featuring croquet and ice cream. Enjoy a family-friendly game in the gardens before cooling off with ice cream.
Cost: $6 – $12
Liberty Hall Museum, 1003 Morris Avenue Union, NJ 07083
Sourland Mountain Festival
July 13 at 3 PM
Bring the family out for outdoor fun at this 19th-annual festival. You’ll experience the natural beauty of the Sourland Mountain region while enjoying live music all day, local food and drinks, and activities of interest for all ages.
Cost: $10 – $140
Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road East Amwell Township, NJ 08551
Pirates and Mermaids
July 13 and 14
Have someone in the fam who loves pirates or mermaids? Head to this 2nd annual event where you will have a splashing good time playing pirate games, watching live pirate shows, seeing mermaids, and more.
Cost: $5 per car
Shoppes at Dragon Village, 97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Blueberry Bash at Terhune Orchards
July 13-14 at 10 AM
Spend the day blueberry picking, relaxing, and enjoying music. Kids can say hello to the barnyard animals, play at the playhouses, watch a puppet show, and see Mr. Bubbleman, a fun interactive show full of bubbles. Hungry? Have a bite or more from Pam Mount’s Blueberry Bash Buffet.
Cost: Prices vary
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Bastille Day in Jersey City 2024
July 14
It’s an afternoon filled with wine, food, and drinks. Plus, games for the kids, mimes, cancan dancers, and activities for all.
Cost: Free
French American Academy, 209 3rd Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
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