Summer is flying by, so why not soak up the fun with a bunch of family-friendly things to do this weekend? Go on a train ride adventure with Thomas The Train at A Day Out With Thomas in Phillipsburg, enjoy all things farm-to-table goodies at the 2023 Corn, Tomato, and Beer Festival in Flemington, and show off your bike riding skills at the Grasshopper Kid’s Race in Cedar Grove. And for more ways to fill your bucket list this season, check out our guide to summer must-dos. (Featured Photo Credit: Delaware River Railroad Excursions)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
SPONSORED
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
SPONSORED
Play & Swim Mom Group – Five Star Swim School Cherry Hill
Mondays from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Moms, dads, caregivers, babies, and kids are welcome to Play & Swim Mom Group at Five Star Swim School Cherry Hill. This event is a great place to meet moms and make friends while the children play and have fun. The soft play area is open for the event, and the pool is available for open swimming, with a lifeguard, from 10 AM – 11 AM.
Cost: $15 per child, parents/caregivers are free
Five Star Swim School Cherry Hill, 5 Esterbrook Lane, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Keyport Fireman’s Fair 2023
August 8-12 at 7 PM
Get ready to ride the Berry Go Round, Dragon Wagon, or Frog Hopper—Campy’s Amusement will provide plenty of entertainment for the whole family, including games, rides, and entertainment.
Cost: Bundle tickets start at $20.
American Legion Drive and W. Front Street, Keyport, NJ 07735
Ocean Township Italian-American Festival
August 9-13 at 5 PM
The annual Ocean Township Italian-American Festival celebrates all things Italian heritage and culture. Enjoy yummy authentic Italian food and check out the carnival rides (for an additional fee), raffles, food-eating contests, and more. This is the 46th anniversary of this beloved festival.
Cost: Free to enter
Joe Palaia Park, 200 Whalepond Rd., Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Passaic County Fair
August 10-13
Head to this annual fair for pony rides, bounce houses, art activities, and more. Take the time to listen to music with the family and visit the beer garden for adult refreshments. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, enjoy beautiful fireworks displays.
Cost: Free admission
Garrett Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ 07470
Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 11-12
It’s not a fair without a car show, baby parade, pet parade, and pie-eating contest. There will also be rides and entertainment.
Cost: Free admission, $4 for parking
3210 Route 50, South Egg Harbor City, NJ
Multicultural Summer Celebration
August 12 at 10 AM
Join NAMI New Jersey’s Multicultural Summer Celebration this summer. This event takes place at Thompson Park and has food and fun throughout the day.
Cost: Free
Thompson Park, Lakeview Avenue, Monroe Township, NJ 08831
2023 Corn, Tomato, and Beer Festival
August 12 at 12 PM
Bring the family to a farm-to-festival celebration of local Jersey tomatoes, sweet corn, and craft beer. This sweet summer event brings local farmers, boutique restaurants, craft breweries, live bands, artisans, and kids activities together to celebrate everything sweet and NJ.
Cost: Free admission
Stangl Road Flemington, NJ 08822
Second Saturday in Collingswood
August 12 at 5 PM
The Second Saturday event began when a collection of store owners came together to promote the arts in Collingswood. Once a month, visitors can plan a night on the town to experience arts, music, shopping, and dining in Collingswood. Don’t miss the local artists and musicians on each block.
Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108
Island Heights Fire Company’s Annual Car & Truck Show
August 12 at 9 AM
Music, food trucks, an ice cream truck—what could be better on a summer day? This annual event features fun for people of all ages and cars or trucks of all makes and models. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the August weather and have fun while you’re doing it.
Cost: Free, donations being accepted
Wanamaker Field, 1 Wanamaker Complex, Island Heights, NJ 08732
2023 Montclair Jazz Fest Block Party
August 12 at 12 PM
Get ready for some jazz music, an inter-generational boogie fest in the street, and the Family Jazz Discovery Zone at the 2023 Block Party. There will also be a Festival Marketplace featuring 30 local food and artisan vendors.
Cost: Free, Donations welcomed
Lackawanna Plaza Stage, 26 Lackawana Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07042
An All-American Summer Afternoon Festival
August 12 at 1 PM
Bring the whole family to an afternoon of summer fun with a live band, food, raffles, and much more.
Cost: $20
Freehold Elks Lodge, 73 E Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728
Grasshopper Kid’s Race
August 12 at 9 AM
Have a little one who loves riding their bike and wants to race other kids the same age? This event is an excellent way for kids to get outside, move, and have fun. There will be race categories for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade.
Cost: $10 registration fee
Fairview Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009
Classic Car Show
August 12 at 9 AM
Fun for the adults and the kids at the same time? Sign us up. Bring the entire family and walk around, looking at all the classic roadsters and autos on display. Then take in the games for the kids, food, and more.
Cost: Free
Ann A. Mullen Middle School, 1400 Sicklerville Road, Sicklerville, NJ 08081
New Brunswick Heart Festival
August 12 at 3 PM
It’s the fourth annual New Brunswick Heart Festival, which celebrates the vibrant arts and history that New Brunswick and the County of Middlesex offer. There will be live music and dance performances, a visual Arts Market, craft and food vendors, interactive activities and games, fun giveaways, a Health & Wellness tent with Garden of Healing, and readings of famous love letters by actors from Thinkery & Verse.
Cost: Free
Monument Square at 2 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Saltwater Day
August 12 at 2 PM
There’s so much to do at Saltwater Day, including children’s rides, craft vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, and a fireworks display. This is one event you won’t want to miss with the fam.
Cost: Free
Old Bridge Waterfront Park, 1729 NJ-35, Laurence Harbor, NJ 08879
Historic Battery Lewis Tours
August 12 – 13 at 10:30 AM
Come and tour the newly restored Historic Battery Lewis in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Wood Park. Learn all about the history of this former coastal defense site.
Cost: Free
1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
Seafood’ N Seltzer Fest
August 12 – 13 at 11 AM
Bring your friends, family, and appetite to the Seafood’ N Seltzer Fest. Join nearly 20 of the Shore’s best seafood establishments as they serve up delicious seafood and a new seltzer sampling. Sample from a variety of fizzy beverages from 11 AM- 5 PM. Free family fun day activities from 12 – 4 PM on August 13.
Cost: General Admission is $6. Children 12 and younger are free.
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ, United States, New Jersey
Bellview Winery Annual Seafood Festival
August 12 – 13 at 12 PM
Come ready to eat and dance the night away. There will be food trucks, live music, vendors, wine for the adults, seafood (of course), and more. There will even be a mobile axe-throwing truck.
Cost: $15 per guest, free for those under 21
Bellview Winery, 150 Atlantic Street, Landisville, NJ 08326
3rd Annual Touch-A-Truck
August 13 at 11 AM
Bring the entire fam to this interactive and lively event featuring trucks, a mini construction site, a driving course, and more.
Cost: Free
Gottesman RTW Academy, 146 Dover Chester Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
Annual Peach Festival
August 13 at 1 PM
Head to the annual peach festival and enjoy all things peaches. There will be freshly picked peaches as well as peach ice cream. You can also tour the museum or just spend time with the family outside.
Cost: Free
Randolph Museum, 630 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph, NJ 07869
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