Hello May—it’s a month of warmer weather, blooming flowers, and tons of family-sized FREE fun. Spend time by by the beach with 0ver 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and more followed by a gorgeous fireworks display at the Ocean City Spring Block Party, enjoy a different view of the night sky and all of the stars above us at Sky Observing Nights in Trenton, or dress in your pirate best and walk in a parade, receive a treasure chest, and enter a raffle and costume contest at the Captain Kidd Pirate Day in Wildwood. And for more spring fun, check out everything on our seasonal bucket list. (featured photo credit: iStock/CooperGriggs)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Spring Plant Sale
May 1-3
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 2 at 10 AM
Spring is here, with an arts-and-crafts show perfect for the whole family. This free event features 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 on The Farm
May 2 at 10 AM
Get ready for up-close interactions with animals in a sensory-friendly atmosphere. Little ones will get to meet an alpaca, mini horse, and more. There will also be fun crafts and delicious treat stations.
Cost: Free
Bierman Autism Centers – Piscataway, 200 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Bierman Autism Centers – Ramsey, 500 N. Franklin Tpke., Ramsey, NJ 07446
Ocean City Spring Block Party
May 2 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
ECO Fair
May 2 at 10
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, in partnership with the Authority of Cumberland County, presents the 19th annual ECO Fair: Artful Living, Handmade & Homegrown, rain or shine. ECO Fair is a free event inspired by natural and artful living, featuring local gardening clubs, including Rutgers Master Gardeners with various native and wildlife-friendly plants, locally grown herbs and vegetables for sale, handmade works of New Jersey artists, environmental organizations, Nature Trail tours, eco-friendly activities for families, live music, and more.
Cost: Free
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ 08332
Union Muster at East Jersey Old Town Village
May 2-3 at 10 AM
Meet the Union soldiers and civilians who fought for freedom and helped preserve a nation. Witness historical weapons demonstrations, listen to 19th-century music, enjoy children’s crafts, and more.
Cost: Free
East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Spring Street Fair and Earth Day Celebration
May 3 at 9 AM
Spend the morning at the Fun Run and Kids Race, then head to this lively festival where you can celebrate Earth Day and the season of spring together.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Highland Avenue, Raritan Avenue from 2nd to 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Sky Observing Nights
May 8 and 15 at 7:15 PM
Enjoy a sky-observing event at the Planetarium that will give you a different view of the night sky and all of the stars above us.
Cost: Free
New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08628
Creative Arts Festival
May 9 at 10 AM
Spend a day perusing artists at the juried arts festival. Works will be displayed in all media, 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
Maverick’s Legacy 4th Annual Spring Festival
May 9 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 9 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
Stella Farms Strawberry Festival
May 9 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 9-10 at 12 PM
Spend Mother’s Day weekend with the family and head to the iconic Grand Arcade of Convention Hall for a weekend full of shopping, live music, delicious food, and Mother’s Day experiences.
Cost: Free
Asbury Park Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
New Jersey Seafood Fest Belmar
May 15-17
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
Downtown Belmar, NJ 07719
3rd Annual Touch-a-Truck
May 16 at 10 AM
Have a little one who loves trucks? Head to this event for trucks galore, food, music, and giveaways.
Cost: Free
Central Avenue Parking Lot, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
Mansfield Touch-a Truck
May 16 at 4 PM
Travel down the parkway and stop by this event featuring vehicles from the fire department, police department, EMS, and more. There will also be food trucks, games, face painting, and fun.
Cost: Free
Mansfield Township Elementary School, 200 Mansfield Road East, Columbus, NJ 08022
Glen Ridge Art and Eco Fair
May 16 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
Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show
May 16 at 11 AM
Bring your crew to enjoy artists, crafters, vendors, food, rides, and live music. Kids will love the rides, games, and more just for them.
Cost: Free
Downtown Woodbridge, NJ Main Street and Amboy Avenue Woodbridge, NJ 07095
History Day
May 16 at 10 AM
Learn about the history in your backyard from local, state, and national historical organizations. Visit Revolutionary War and Civil War camps, see historical weapons demonstrations, and meet Generals George Washington, Rochambeau, Anthony Wayne, and Colonel Stephen Moylan. Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy live music with a special performance by the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band.
Cost: Free
East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Captain Kidd Pirate Day
May 16 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 8th Annual Food Truck Festival
May 16 at 2 PM
Bring the whole family to Keansburg’s 8th 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 Margarita Thrills from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Cost: Free
1 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Mayfest
May 16-17 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, and free shuttles will leave from the parking lot.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, NJ 08060
Maplewood Street Fair & Craft Show
May 17 at 11 AM
Get out and about and head to this street fair, featuring crafters, delicious food, activities for the kids, and a great time with the community.
Cost: Free
Springfield Avenue & Rutgers Street, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Wildwood International Kite Festival
May 22-25, 12 PM on Friday
Kick off this weekend-long event, which turns 40 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 flies, 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 23-25 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 rolls 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 Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757
25th Annual Seaport Craft Show
May 26 at 10 AM
The Highlands Business Partnership will host the 25th 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
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