Hello May—a new month means we’re looking forward to spending more time with the family doing all the spring things. And the best part? They’re FREE. Stake a place out at the shore with music and fireworks at Ocean City Block Party in Ocean City, walk among historic gardens and check out the reptile presentation and Seeing Eye Puppies at Macculloch Hall National Public Garden Day in Morristown, or see bright and bold kites fly on the beach during Memorial Day Weekend at the Wildwood International Kite Festival. And for more family fun, there are plenty of festivals this month to fill every weekend.(featured photo credit: istock/Aneese)
Spring Plant Sale
May 2-4
Ready to prepare your garden for the summer? Stroll the stunning gardens for free, and get inspired for your own plantings this season. This plant sale is rain or shine.
Cost: Free to attend
Van Vleck Gardens, 21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Ocean Grove Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show
May 3 at 10 AM
Spring is here with an arts and crafts show perfect for the whole family. This free event features a variety of crafts, arts, music, and food. Enjoy Sharon “Pipes” Lasher & The Flashers at 11 AM and Chuck Lambert Blues at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
Auditorium Square Park. Main Avenue to Pilgrim Pathway
Spring Craft & Food Truck Festival
May 3 at 11 AM
Now that the weather is getting warmer, head outside to this spring festival. Enjoy delicious food, craft vendors, hayrides, pony rides, and more.
Cost: Free to enter; fees apply for hayrides and additional activities.
Duffields Farm, 280 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Barnyard Bash
May 3 at 10 AM
Get ready for a Barnyard Bash filled with a sensory-friendly petting zoo, crafts, snacks, and up-close animal encounters. This is a free community event taking place in two locations simultaneously, but spots are limited, so make sure to RSVP.
Cost: Free
Bierman Autism Centers – Eatontown, 40 Christopher Way, Suite 103, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Bierman Autism Centers – Ramsey, 500 N. Franklin Tpke., Ramsey, NJ 07446
Elmwood Park’s Spring Festival
May 3 at 11 AM
Grab the family and head to this spring festival with shopping, live music, arts and crafts, a kiddie zone, and delicious food.
Cost: Free
300 Market Street, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Ocean City Spring Block Party
May 3 at 9 AM
Head to this family-friendly shore town for a fun block party. Over 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and more will be present. Once it is dark, take in a gorgeous fireworks display.
Cost: Free
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Tenafly Spring Fling
May 4 at 12 PM
Celebrate spring at one of the first street fairs of the season. There will be over 60 local vendors, live performances, interactive fitness demos, face painting, hands-on arts & crafts, planting projects, animal encounters, and more.
Cost: Free
Tenafly Historic Railroad Station, 1 Piermont Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Spring Street Fair and Earth Day Celebration
May 4 at 11:30 AM
Spend the morning cheering on participants at the Fun Run and Kids Race (starts at 9 AM), then head to this lively festival where you can celebrate Earth Day and the season of spring together.
Cost: Free for race spectators and the festival
Main Street, Highland Avenue, Raritan Ave. from 2nd to 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Star Talk and Observation
May 9 and 23 at 7 PM
Enjoy a sky-observing event at the Planetarium before forming a convoy to drive up to the observatory at Washington Crossing to see the stars. Make sure you dress for the weather.
Cost: Free
New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08628
Annual Azalea Festival
May 10
The Annual Azalea Festival is back again. Stroll and admire the bright blooms while enjoying local craft vendors, music, and food. Moms can receive free family portraits from 10 AM to 4 PM. The rain date will be May 12.
Cost: Free
Sayen Gardens, 155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08690
Creative Arts Festival
May 10 at 10 AM
Spend a day perusing the artwork of artists at the juried arts festival. Works will be displayed in all mediums, including pottery, jewelry, photography, and painting. There will be live music and food vendors.
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Maywood’s Chow Down Food Truck Festival
May 10 at 12 PM
Enjoy the beautiful spring weather at this festival, which features food trucks, an adult beer garden, crafts, vendors, a kids’ zone, and live music.
Cost: Free
205 Maywood Ave, Maywood, NJ 07607
Maverick’s Legacy 3rd Annual Spring Festival
May 10 at 11 AM
Celebrate the legacy of Maverick, a child who left the world way too soon, at this lively spring festival with crafters and vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s entertainment, a tricky tray, and more. Proceeds go to the Maverick’s Legacy Foundation, a non-profit that strives to reduce preventable choking deaths and injuries.
Cost: Free admission and free parking
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
National Public Gardens Day at Macculloch Hall
May 10 at 10 AM
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day in MHHM’s historic garden. The garden will have special presentations, nature scavenger hunts, and art activities. Then, at 10:30 AM, see the Eyes of the Wild Nature Presentation, followed by The Seeing Eye Puppy Presentation at 11:45 AM. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Career Carnival for Kids
May 10 at 11 AM
Elementary and middle school students can explore exciting careers through hands-on activities, demonstrations, games, and giveaways. Meet professionals from the health and wellness fields and check out these careers that empower individuals to lead healthier lives.
Cost: Free
Montclair Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07042
Stella Farms Strawberry Festival
May 10 at 9 AM
Celebrate the start of the growing season and enjoy all things strawberries at the Stella Farms Strawberry Festival. This event will also feature live music, food and drinks, pony rides, a petting zoo, and other fun activities for your children.
Cost: Free admission
Stella Farms, 459 Berlin New Freedom Rd, Berlin, NJ 08009
Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
May 10-11
There is no better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with a bit of shopping. Mother’s Day weekend will feature makers, local vendors, arts and crafts, and music experiences in both locations. There will also be Mother’s Day photo opportunities and stations, fresh flower bouquets, and kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Grand Arcade at Asbury Park Convention Hall, Grand Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (Sat. & Sun.)
Asbury Hotel, 210 5th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (Sun.)
New Jersey Seafood Fest, Belmar
May 16-18
It’s the 37th year of seafood and family fun in Belmar. At this free festival, which includes live music and vendors, you can try everything from conch fritters to crab legs.
Cost: Free admission
Downtown Belmar, NJ 07719
Glen Ridge Art and Eco Fair
May 17 at 10 AM
Celebrate the arts and the environment at this eco-friendly fair. This event will include arts and crafts, wellness vendors, live performances, eco demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Cost: Free
200 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Piscataway’s Armed Services Day Celebration
May 17 at 4 PM
A free movie outdoors at sundown? Yes, please. Along with this movie, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy a car show and sample food from local vendors. There will also be helpful information for current service members, veterans, and their families.
Cost: Free
Kenny Armwood Stadium at Piscataway High School, 100 Behmer Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Captain Kidd Pirate Day
May 17 at 11 AM
Ahoy, mates—kids can dress in their pirate best for the Annual Captain Kidd Pirate Day parade and a treasure hunt at 20th Avenue. Kids can walk in the parade, receive a treasure chest, and enter a raffle and costume contest.
Cost: Free
Parade, 26th, and the Boardwalk., Wildwood, NJ 08260
Keansburg 7th Annual Food Truck Festival
May 17 at 2 PM
Bring the whole family to Keansburg’s 6th Annual Food Truck Festival. Your kids will enjoy face painting, a bounce house, and more. This event will also feature No Limit Entertainment from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM and The Aftermath from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Cost: Free
1 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show
May 17 at 11 AM
Bring your family to enjoy a variety of artists, crafters, vendors, food, rides, and live music. Kids will love the rides, games, and more, all in the Kids Zone.
Cost: Free
Downtown Woodbridge, NJ Main St and Amboy Ave Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Mayfest
May 17-18 at 10 AM
Head to Historic Smithville for Mayfest, which features an international food court, crafters, and live music. There will also be plenty of activities for the kids, such as face painting and carousel rides. Additionally, free shuttles will depart from the parking lot.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, NJ 08060
Kenilworth Street Fair
May 18 at 10 AM
Spring is here in New Jersey, and what better way to enjoy the season than at a street fair that includes 100+ exhibitors, delicious food, a classic car show, live music, and a kids zone for the little ones to have a blast.
Cost: Free
525 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ 07033
Wildwood International Kite Festival
May 23-26, 12 PM on Friday
Kick off this weekend-long event, which turns 39 this year, with a Friday night social and the 9:00 PM Illuminated Night Kite Fly. On Saturday and Sunday, come out to watch giant inflatable kites take flight, team fly, and participate in family games. Monday features the World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Cost: Free to spectators
Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival
May 24-26 at 11 AM
Kick off your Memorial Day weekend with the Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival. Enjoy 40 mouth-watering food trucks and sample everything from lobster lolls to mac and cheese to fried Oreos. This event will feature live music on each day. Free activities for the kids include clowns, face painters, pony rides, and a bounce house.
Cost: Free
Monmouth Park Race Track, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
24th Annual Seaport Craft Show
May 26 at 10 AM
The Highlands Business Partnership will host the 24th Annual Seaport Craft Show featuring handmade crafts from over 60 crafters and artisans. Don’t miss the live entertainment at noon.
Cost: Free
325-329 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
