Summer days and nights are heating up with a bunch of things to do this weekend with the fam. Munch on fair food and hop on the rides at the Ocean County Fair in Berkeley Township, watch French Can Can dancers and mimes at Bastille Day in Jersey City, or learn about butterflies with kids activities at the Butterfly Day in Lyndhurst. And if you want more summer fun, don’t miss free things to do in July. (feature photo credit: istock/KenWiedemann)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
LEAD Fest Carnival at Gloucester Premium Outlets
July 8-17
Get ready for food, fun, rides, and more for the whole family at the Law Enforcement Agents Drugs and Violence (LEAD) Fair. There will be nightly entertainment, a petting farm, rides, Cowtown USA, and a pie-eating contest.
Cost: $5-$55
100 Premium Outlet Drive, Blackwood, NJ 08012
The 147th Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival
July 11-16
It’s the longest-running Italian festival in the country. Sample Italian specialties, watch live entertainment, and have the kids go on unlimited rides. The Feast Day is on July 16, when there will be a mass procession and fireworks.
Cost: Free admission to the grounds
Mt. Carmel Lane, Hammonton, NJ 08037
Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Cape May Lighthouse
July 13 from 9 AM-2 PM
Bring the kids to the lighthouse to enjoy kid-friendly activities, performers, entertainment, and crafts vendors. You’ll also be able to check out the grounds and climb to the top of the historical beacon.
Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 224-6066
Mount Olive Community Carnival
July 13-17
The whole family will enjoy this festive carnival, with rides, food vendors, a taekwondo demo, and live music. There will be fireworks on Friday night.
Cost: $5 per car per night; carnival wristbands are an extra fee
Turkey Brook Park 30 Flanders Rd, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Ocean County Fair
July 13-17
Bring the whole family to watch musical acts, see 4-H animals and displays, hop on the rides, and feast on fair food. Be sure to catch the live entertainment over the four days, including a magic show and a wild west show with Cowboy Larry.
Cost: $10 and free for ages 9 and under
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Route 530 Berkeley Township, NJ 08721
Bastille Day in Jersey City 2022
July 14 at 2 PM
It’s an afternoon celebrating Francophiles and everything French, filled with wine, food, and drinks. Plus, games for the kids, mimes, Can Can dancers, and French-themed activities for all.
French American Academy, 209 3rd Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
RWJUH Somerset’s “Let’s Be Healthy Together” Wellness Day
July 15 at 1:30 PM
Check out an RWJBarnabas Health Wellness on Wheels bus with a greenhouse and cooking school that offers free demonstrations and nutrition education. Learn the importance of a healthy diet and its link to health, as well as how to make healthier food choices, prepare healthy food and grow produce hydroponically. Visit an EMS vehicle and learn what to do in an emergency.
Cost: Free
137 Mountain View Road, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Safari Overnight
July 15 at 5:30 PM
Join Six Flags for a unique camp under the stars at Wild Safari featuring animal activities, giraffe feeding, and other special animal appearances. Just bring your tent and sleeping bag.
Cost: $199.99+tax per person; guests will receive safari admission, animal presentations and activities, a movie under the stars, s’mores to snack on, a giraffe feeding experience, and all meals while on the property. Kids must be accompanied by an adult, and no children under 5.
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527
Summer Vibes Festival
July 16-August 14
Get ready for all the summer vibes, including mouth-watering treats, beverages, eye-popping spectacles, live entertainment, and colorful curiosities, all in one place. Six Flags Great Adventure will be transformed into six colorfully themed areas.
Cost: Day tickets start at $44.99
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527-5369
Butterfly Festival
July 16 at 12 PM
Bring the kids to learn all about Bees and Pollinators. Learn about the importance of both and how you can attract them to your yards. Enjoy tours of the Butterfly House, free classes, and a bug parade. The rain date is July 17.
Red Bank Battlefield National Park, 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, NJ 08063
FilmOneFest
July 16 at 6 PM
Bring the whole family to this unique film festival, with films under 2 minutes, artist vendors, food trucks, live music, and family-friendly fun.
Cost: Free, but please bring a non-perishable food item for the Atlantic Highlands Food Pantry
Atlantic Highlands Marina, 2 Simon Lake Drive, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
City of Water Day Concert Live at the Ferry Slip
July 16 at 7 PM
Enjoy listening to live music performances at the Historic Perth Amboy Ferry Slip on Raritan Bay. There will also be nautical art and artifacts on display at the museum.
Cost: Free
Ferry Slip Museum, 300 Front Street, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival
July 16-17 at 11 AM
Spend two days sampling yummy vegan and plant-based meals by local chefs. Also, enjoy vegan products, plant-based fashion, and live music. This event is outside.
Cost: $15-$20, children under 13 are free.
Showboat Hotel, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 07712
Christmas in July Food Truck Festival at Laurita Winery
July 16-17 at 11 AM
It’s an outdoor, fun-filled day of food, wine, and live musical artists. Other perks include free parking, a face painter for the kids, fire pits, and fireworks (Saturday evening).
Cost: $12 online in advance, $14 at the door, 20 and under free
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Rd, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Butterfly Day
July 17 at 10 AM
Butterfly Day features walks and talks from Bergen County Audubon Society experts about butterflies and their importance to the environment. There will also be a scavenger hunt, costume contest, and other kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Dekorte Park, 2 DeKorte Park Plaza, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071
Harvey Cedars Arts Festival
July 17 at 10 AM
Gather your crew for the annual Harvey Cedars Arts Festival. Peruse the artists and makers displaying their works of mixed media, photography, and fine crafts.
Harvey Cedars Sunset Park, 1 West Salem Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
(609) 361-7990
Summer Family Movie Series – Raya and the Last Dragon
July 17 at 4 PM
It’s free movie night in New Brunswick, grab a blanket and enjoy a movie at The Yard.
Cost: Free
The Yard at College Ave, 40 College Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Burlington County Farm Fair
July 19-23
Got kids who love animals? Bring them to this county farm fair, where horses, cows, rabbits, sheep, goats and other animals on display each day. There will also be dairy cow shows, horse shows, a “Draft Horse Pull,” old steam engines, a tractor pull, and antique farm equipment. Kids will love to be a “Farmer for a Day” in a special exhibit.
Cost: $10 parking per day, which includes admission, $25 multi-day parking pass
1960 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road, Columbus, NJ 08022
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish 59th Annual Carnival
July 19-24
Join the fun with lots of rides, games, and plenty of food the whole family will love at this popular fair back for 2022.
Cost: 15 tickets are $13, wristband nights are $35 per night
868 Ringwood Avenue, Haskell, NJ 07420
Ongoing Events
Family Ag Days
July 24
The County of Passaic and the township of Wayne present Family Ag days to connect families with agriculture through activities, music, and programs. Don’t miss the therapy bunnies and petting zoo.
Cost: Free
Van Ripper Hopper Museum, 533 Berdan Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470
(973) 706-6640
Brick Summerfest 2022
July 14, 21
Check out the bands and fireworks of this popular festival with SuperTransAM, The Benjamins, and Jessie’s Girl. All events are free to attend and take place at Windward Beach Park.
Cost: Free; an adult must accompany all children 17 years old or under.
265 Princeton Ave, Brick, NJ 08724
(732) 262-1000
Blueberry Summer Fest
Now-July 23 at 10 AM
The whole family can pick blueberries, take a wagon ride, enjoy locally made blueberry treats, tour the home of The Blueberry Queen, Elizabeth Coleman White, and shop handmade vendors while enjoying the sounds of 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
Jenkinson’s Movies on the Beach
Tuesdays, Now-August 30
Grab your beach towel and chairs and get ready for free movies on the beach at Jenkinson’s. Films include Paw Patrol: The Movie, Encanto, and Cars 3.
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Super American Circus Atlantic City
Now-September 5, Thursday-Sunday
Catch this fantastic show with acts, thrills, and laughs that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Some of the highlights include America’s Got Talent superstars, Cirque Du Soleil performers, and talent from Ringling Bros.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Showboat Atlantic City, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 487-4600
Delaware and Raritan Canal Park Run
Every Saturday at 9 AM
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5K community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer, or cheer on participants at this fun event. This run is free, but make sure to register before attending.
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, 156 Mettlers Rd, Somerset, NJ 08873
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