With the official start of summer coming in hot, we’ve got lots of seasonal fun, kid-friendly things to do this weekend. Take a step back into the 16th century at the last days of the Renaissance Faire NJ in Columbus, get ready for summer in New Jersey with a bonfire welcoming back those long summer nights at the Bonfire on the Beach in Brigantine, or take in the food trucks, kids’ activities, live entertainment, and more at one of the festivals across the state. 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: @njrenfaire)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church 40th Annual Greek Festival
June 6-9
Bring the whole family to watch Greek dance performances and fireworks on Thursday and Sunday nights. There will even be amusement rides (for a fee), Greek food, and free parking.
Cost: Free
7004 Ridge Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
LEAD Fest Carnival at Garden State Plaza
June 7-9
Garden State Plaza hosts this carnival, which benefits the LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) Program. Enjoy a day full of food, rides, and entertainment.
Cost: $5 and up
One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Keansburg Amusement Park Car Show
June 8 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family for a day of fun. Walk around and take in all the cool cars, including special guests. The Pop Culture Museum of New Jersey will have fantasy movie and TV vehicles.
Cost: Free
Keansburg Amusement Park and Runaway Rapids Waterpark, 275 Beachway, Keansburg, NJ 07734
HTLC Festival and Car Show
June 8 at 12 PM
This annual car show and festival offers fun for the whole family. There will be a corn hole tournament, live music, mini golf, carnival games, craft vendors, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 508 Green Pond Road, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Touch A Truck
June 8 at 1 PM
Head out with the entire family to this community event featuring tons of trucks for your little ones to check out. You will also find other fun activities, including face painting, music, crafts, and more. There is no rain date for this event.
Cost: Free
Brunswick Square, 755 State Route 18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Hello, Summer Bonfire On The Beach
June 8 at 7:30 PM
Get ready for summer in New Jersey with a bonfire welcoming back those long summer nights. The whole family can gather around the fire and enjoy a relaxing evening.
Cost: Free
26th Street Beach, Brigantine, NJ 08203
Old Time Baseball Game
June 8 at 10 AM
Watch Howell Farm’s two teams play by 19th-century Town Ball rules and invite visitors of all ages to step up to the plate as “Striker” and face off against the “Thrower.” There will also be a baseball scavenger hunt for the kids at 11 AM.
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Sparta Day 2024
June 8 at 11 AM
This community event features over 100 vendors, live entertainment, a food plaza, a special Kid’s Country with activities and amusements, and much more. The events are free to the public thanks to Sparta Community sponsors, and attendees receive a free Sparta tote bag.
Cost: Free
Station Park, 100 Station Rd, Sparta Township, NJ 07871
Stafford Township Founders Day 2024
June 8 at 10 AM
Watch the parade, then head to the festivities, where the whole family will have a ball. There will be food trucks, inflatables, mechanical rides, entertainment by Ridgemont High, and more. The day ends with a fireworks display at dusk. The rain date is June 9.
Cost: Free
Starts at Stafford Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Westfield Street Fair
June 8 at 11 AM
Head to downtown Westfield for a day of live music, a DJ, dancing, children’s rides, games, and something for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Downtown Westfield, NJ 07090
Robbinsville Community Festival
June 8 at 2 PM
Spend the day listening to live music and checking out the kids’ play zone, games, contests, a trackless train, pony rides, and a chocolate-eating contest. Don’t miss the fireworks at 9 PM. The rain date is June 9.
Cost: Free admission
Community Park.- West Manor Way and Gordon Road, Robbinsville, NJ 08691
Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Touch a Truck
June 8 at 12 PM
Have a little one who loves all things trucks? Head to this event, where they can check out firetrucks, law enforcement vehicles, construction machinery, cranes, and more. There will also be a bounce house, live music, and tons more fun.
Cost: Free
Passaic County Technical Institute, 45 Reinhardt Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
June 8 at 9:30 AM
Join 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
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
June 8 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
Strawberry Festival
June 8-9
Love strawberries? Head to this festival, which boasts two locations, a hayride, strawberry picking, farm animals, face painting, and more. There will also be strawberry-themed goodies for sale.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Von Thun’s Country Farm Market – 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852 or 438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882
3rd Annual Strawberry Festival
June 8-9
This annual event features all things strawberry. You will find merchants, vendors, sweet treats, food trucks, and train rides.
Cost: Free
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Renaissance Faire NJ
June 8-9
Take a step back into the 16th century, and the kids can explore Nipper’s Nook. There will be plenty of things to do to fire the imagination, including pinatas, water balloon games, building your own magic wands, and the new gaming cart of wonder.
Cost: $25 and up. $10 for Child Flex Day Pass (Ages 5 to 12).
1990 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Columbus, NJ 08022
Annual Bayonne Hometown Fair
June 8-9
Is there anything better than a hometown fair? There will be food trucks, two stages with live music, inflatable bounce houses, mechanical rides, games, and so much more. The adults can also hang out at the beer garden.
Cost: Free
21st-26th Street on Broadway, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Magical Meet & Greets
June 9 at 1 PM
Bring your little ones who love all things princesses and enchantment to meet some of their favorite princesses. This will be a day filled with smiles, photo ops, and so many memories at the Pop Princess Party.
Cost: Free
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Snakes of the Pinelands
June 9 at 9 AM
Do you have a little one in your family who loves reptiles? The Pine Barrens are home to over 20 species of snakes, and you will get the chance to learn all about them on a 5-mile hike.
Cost: Free
Pakim Pond, Brendan T. Byrne State Forest, Highway Route 72 East, Woodland Township, NJ 08088
Vintage Keepers Market
June 9 at 10 AM
This is the place to be for all things vintage and activities for the whole family to enjoy. There will be live music, delicious food, and a designated kids’ area.
Cost: Free to attend
2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ 08041
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