It’s August, but that doesn’t mean the summer fun has to slow down, especially when there are lots of things to do this weekend with the fam. Snap insta-worthy photos on the sunflower trail while kids choose from over 20 activities at the VonThun Farms Sunflower Festival, enjoy all things peaches along with pony rides, games, and rubber duck races at the Just Peachy Festival at Terhune Orchards, and watch hot air balloons fly into the sky at the 85th Annual Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Balloon Festival in Phillipsburg. And for more ways to fill your bucket list this season, check out our guide to summer must-dos. (Featured Photo Credit: 85th Annual Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Balloon Festival)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
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Thomas and Friends – A Day Out with Thomas
August 11-13
Let’s Get Colorful—join Thomas the Tank Engine for a day full of colorful adventures. All aboard an interactive train ride with Thomas to earn your Color Badge, say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt, and get creative exploring the Color Corner. For even more fun, mix it up in the Play Pod with lawn games, snap eye-catching photo ops, enjoy live entertainment, check out the exclusive pop-up gift shop, and more. Day Out With Thomas is headed to The Delaware River Railroad Excursions, bringing a celebration of color this season. Buy tickets today to reserve your ride.
Cost: $22
38 Market Street Phillipsburg NJ 08865
85th Annual Warren County Farmers’ Fair And Balloon Festival
August 1 through August 5
From the hot air balloons and the art expo to 4-H shows and free concerts, there is SO much to do at the Fair. Watch barrel races, demolition derby, magic shows, and of course, the magical mass hot air balloon launch takes flight at 6:30 every evening.
Cost: $9 for adults and $4 for children
1350 Strykers Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Winfield Park Carnival
August 2-5
Who’s ready for some games, rides, ribs, clams, and more? The Winfield Carnival is the perfect place to make memories with the fam while supporting the volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Squad.
Cost: Free
Winfield Park, Corner of Seafoam and North Stiles Street, Winfield, NJ 07036
28th Annual Clam Festival
August 4-5
Summer is the best time to enjoy fresh seafood while you spend quality time with the fam. At the 28th Annual Clam Fest, you will find food trucks, funnel cakes, a BBQ tent, live entertainment, activities for kids, and more. On Saturday, stay into the night to enjoy a fireworks display at 10 PM.
Cost: Free
Huddy Park, 329 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
Just Peachy Festival
August 5 – 6
Get ready for all things peach at this festival with pony rides, games, barnyard tractors, rubber duck races, and even a scavenger hunt. Don’t miss the local peach ice cream.
Cost: $12 online and $15 at the gate; children under 3 are free
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Olde Freehold Day
August 5 at noon
Celebrate the community by the water and enjoy food, games, paddle boats, contests, Kidz Zone, music, and a dunk tank.
Lake Topanemus, Pond Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Arts & Crafts by the Sea
August 5 at 11 AM
Spend the day on the boards. This event will feature unique vendors and crafters for all ages to stroll the boardwalk and shop.
Cost: Free
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Watershed Butterfly Festival
August 5 at 10 AM
Have a little one who is obsessed with butterflies? The Butterfly Festival has everything you can think of, from an insect zoo, children’s play zone, nature-themed crafts, a butterfly and bug parade, and more. There will also be animal shows to enjoy.
Cost: $10 per person or $25 per carload (up to 6 people)
The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Manahopkin Craft Beer & Music Festival
August 5
A festival where there are things to do for the adults in the family AND children? Yes, please. There will be food, beer from local breweries, live music, craft vendors, and fun activities for kids.
Cost: Free or $30 if you are sampling beer (must be 21 or older)
Manahawkin Lake Park, Route 9 and North Lakeshore Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Revolutionary Way Reenactment
August 5 at 10 AM
Calling all history buffs – the Outwater’s Militia (a reenactment group) will be stationed at Washing Crossing State Park. They will be getting together to drill in preparation for action during the Revolutionary War as well as setting up camp where you can walk through and talk to them about the life and times of the War.
Cost: Free
Washington Crossing State Park, 355 Washington Crossing Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ 08560
32nd Annual Sea Girt 5K
August 5 at 8:30 AM, kids races at 10 AM
Get moving with the entire family and join the Sea Girt 5K. You can run or walk at the 5K, and there are kids’ races too. The race course will also have fun kids’ activities and live music. Register ahead of time or in person.
Cost: $35 per adult and $15 per child
810 The Plaza, Sea Girt, NJ 08750
Sparta Food Truck & Music Festival
August 5 at 11 AM
Get ready to enjoy food trucks, activities, music, and vendors with the fam. There will be pony rides, a petting zoo, mini golf, and more for littles. Bring a non-perishable boxed item with you to support the food pantry.
Cost: $5 per person; kids 5 and under are free
80 Station Road, Sparta, NJ 07871
Sunflower Festival at Von Thun Farms
August 5 – 6 at 10 AM
Come for the beautiful sunflowers, and stay for the food trucks, live music, and family fun. This event features a fantastic line-up of food trucks, beverage vendors, and artisanal crafters. Enjoy the Sunflower Trail Weekend offerings, including the Sunflower Trail, u-pick summer flowers, peaches, berries, hayrides, activity areas, and farm animals.
Cost: $19.99 online and $21.99 in person.
438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882
Unicorn World
August 5-6
Immerse yourself in the magical world of unicorns. From meeting the unicorns to exploring an enchanted forest and taking part in unicorn-themed arts and crafts, your little ones will go crazy here. Come dressed as your favorite unicorn for even more fun.
Cost: $39 per person, kids under 2 are free
Meadowlands Exposition Center, 355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Ocean City Annual Boardwalk Art Show
August 5-6
Get ready to stroll the boards in Ocean City while taking in gorgeous artwork from artists throughout the East Coast. There will be pieces to buy and exhibits for you to peruse.
Cost: Free
Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Luau at Laurita Food Truck Festival
August 5 and August 6 at 11 AM
Aloha—enjoy outstanding wines with friends and family. You can pair delicious wines with food from the onsite food trucks. Wine and dine while listening to top live musical artists all weekend.
Cost: Tickets online in advance are $13. Tickets at the gate are $15. Everyone under 21 is free.
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Latin Festival: Tacos & Tequila
August 6 at 11 AM
What could be better than a Cinco de Mayo celebration in the middle of summer? This event features delicious food, margaritas, live music, family fun day activities, and more. Enjoy live music by Xol Azul from 12 PM – 4 PM.
General Admission is $6. Children 12 and younger are free.
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ, United States, New Jersey
Free Family Sunday
August 6 at 11 AM
Bring the entire family out for this free event featuring sidewalk chalk drawing and tours for families led by artists, Spark!Lab updates, and more. The highlight of the event will be the Each One Teach One exhibition.
Cost: Free
Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights, Morristown, NJ 07960
Kids Day At Red Mill
August 6 at 12 PM
Bring the whole family and enjoy a day of fun at the Red Mill. This is a great way to spend the day together and make new memories, featuring games, crafts, music, pony rides, Kona Ice, and more.
Cost: $10 for the whole family
Red Mill Museum Village, 56 Main Street, Clinton, NJ 08809
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