Summertime and the living is easy, especially with all the fun things to do with the family this weekend. Spend the day enjoying the aromatic scent of the lavender garden, posing for photos and feeding animals at the Happy Day Farm Lavender Festival in Manalapan, join the fun with many rides, games, and food the whole family will love at the Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Annual Carnival in Haskell, or step back into the past with re-enactments of Revolutionary-era New Jersey at Somerset County’s History On The Green. 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.)
Cape May County 4-H Fair
July 18-19
Celebrate the summer season with a variety of fun activities, including a horse show, livestock show, animals, rides, food, music, and much more.
Cost: Free
4-H Fairgrounds, 335 Court House- South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Soar and Shore Festival
July 18-20
Head down the shore for a week of high-flying aerial shows and fun events throughout Atlantic City. There will be championship fishing, an annual car show, a silent movie experience, beachfront fireworks, and aerial shows.
Cost: Free
Various locations throughout Atlantic City
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Annual Carnival
July 18-20
Join the fun with many rides, games, and food the whole family will love at this popular fair.
Cost: 15 tickets are $13, wristband nights are $35 per night
868 Ringwood Avenue, Haskell, NJ 07420
Lavender Festival
July 18-20
Spend the day wandering through the lavender garden and enjoy the aromatic scent. Kids will love feeding the goats and chickens, while you snap photos on the props among the fields for the ‘gram. On weekends, there is gemstone mining.
Cost: $15 per person, children 1 and under are free
Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Summer Movies On The Green
July 18
Palmer Square has a Ratatouille movie experience on July 18, Shrek on August 1, and D2: The Mighty Ducks on August 15. Come early for dinner, then grab some ice cream for the show, which begins at dusk. Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Cost: Free
Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542
Blueberry Summer Fest
July 18
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
Brick Summerfest 2025
July 18
Check out the bands and fireworks of this popular festival with SuperTransAM, Brit Pack, Suit & Mai Tai, and After Shock. All events are free to attend and take place at Windward Beach Park. An adult must accompany all children 17 years old or under.
Cost: Free
265 Princeton Avenue, Brick, NJ 08724
Food Truck Friday
July 18 at 4 PM
Bring your appetites and get ready for a delicious food truck festival. You will find a diverse selection of food to enjoy before stopping into the local stores for some shopping.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Summer in the Street Festival
July 19 at 2 PM
This annual street festival includes fun for the whole family. There will be food trucks, vendors, kids’ activities, live performances, and a beer and wine garden for the adults.
Cost: Free
Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Sandy Spring Sea Isle City 5K Run/Walk 2025
July 19 at 7 AM
Bring your crew to walk for a day focused on celebrating strength, raising funds for ovarian cancer research, and spreading awareness. The event will feature a 5K Run, a Family Fun Walk, a Survivor Ceremony, and much more.
Cost: $40 per person
Excursion Park, 2 41st Street, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Outdoor Sensory Pathway
July 19 at 12 PM
Explore this new garden pathway that lets you use your senses, including sight, sound, touch, and smell. This event is weather permitting, so check the website for any updates.
Cost: Free, register ahead
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
History On The Green
July 19 at 10 AM
Step back into the past and visit Revolutionary-era New Jersey at Somerset County’s living history event for the whole family. The event will include a pop-up encampment to explore, visits with Revolutionary War soldiers, meeting General George Washington and his valet, William “Billy” Lee, on horseback, early American artisan demos, and colonial toys and games.
Cost: Free
The Courthouse Green on Main Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
Boardwalk Craft Show
July 19-20
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
Safe Sitter (in-person)
July 20 at 10 AM
Safe Sitter® is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The class has fun games, guided discussions, and role-playing exercises. Students will learn essential skills in safety, childcare, life, and business. Lunch will be provided to attendees.
Cost: Free
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Road, Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Sponsoring Facility: Monmouth Medical Center and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
Harvey Cedars Arts Festival
July 20
It’s the annual Harvey Cedars Arts Festival. Peruse the artists and makers displaying their works, which include mixed media, photography, and fine crafts.
Cost: Free
Harvey Cedars Sunset Park, 1 West Salem Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Movies On The Beach
July 20 at 8:30 PM
Enjoy free movies every Sunday near Beach Patrol North Headquarters, Seaside Heights. Movies start at dusk and include Jaws, Transformers One, and Sonic 3.
Cost: Free
Beach Patrol North Headquarters, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Hackettstown Street Fair
July 20 at 12 PM
Get ready for family-friendly fun, including live entertainment, food, vendors, and more. The rain date is July 28.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07848
Diversity Day Celebration
July 20 at 1 PM
Bring your crew to celebrate and learn about different cultures and how we can understand each other through music, food, universal fun, and more.
Cost: Free
Morristown Green, Morristown, NJ 07960
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