Can you believe it’s June already? Start the month off right with a bunch of family-friendly things to do this weekend. Jump on a carnival ride at the LEAD Carnival in Paramus, see the hot air balloons fly high at the Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts and Crafts Festival in Washington, or celebrate strawberry season at one of the Strawberry Festivals in either Jobstown, Rancocas, or Bridgeton. (feature photo credit: istock/Imudlo)
(Note: Since COVID-19 rules and regulations are continually changing, it’s best to check ahead for in-person events)
LEAD Carnival
June 1-5 Wednesday- Friday starts at 5 PM, and the weekends begin at 12 PM
Head out to this lively festival, including carnival rides and a performance by Granpa Cratchet. Children must be 36″ to ride most rides.
Cost: $5 and up
One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Agora Festival Cherry Hill
June 2-5
It’s the “Largest Food and Wine Festival in the Delaware Valley.” The Agora Greek Festival’s signature event kicks off with all-day festivals of food, wine, music, dance, and lots of activities for the whole family.
Cost: Costs vary for food and wine
615 Mercer Street, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
June 2-5, times vary
Bring your entire crew to try Greek food favorites, homemade pastries, Greek dance performances, and fireworks on Thursday and Sunday nights. There will even be amusement rides and free parking.
Cost: Free
7004 Ridge Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Taste of Greece Festival Tenafly
June 3-5
A dance troupe, cathedral tours, and live music for the whole family.
Cost: prices subject to change
353 East Clinton Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival
June 3-5, times vary
The whole family will be in awe with the hot air balloon launch, but this fun festival has so much more—watch drone demos, shop the arts and crafts vendors, and try one of the food trucks on site.
Cost: Advance tickets are $8, ages 4-12 are $4 and children 3 and under are free, parking is $5
475 NJ-57, Washington, NJ 07882
Kids Fishing Derby
June 4 at 5 AM – 12 PM
The early bird gets the worm at this morning event with fishing, free lunch, and a casting contest for kids. After, there will be awards and goodie bags to take home.
Cost: Free, for ages 5-15
500 Pemberton Brown Mills Road, Pemberton, NJ 08068
Reservoir Challenge: Paddle Day and Fishing Derby
June 4 at 7:30 AM
It’s a day of races, open paddling, live music by Brookwood Brothers, and catch-and-release fishing on the Oradell Reservoir in Haworth. Bait will be provided; limited rods and reels on loan, or bring your own equipment if you have it. There will be a prize ceremony at 1 PM for the first fish, biggest fish, most fish, and more.
Cost: $0-$250
Oradell Reservoir, 440 Lake Shore Drive, Haworth, NJ 07641
The Marion and Norman Tanzman Foundation Lakeview 5K and Family Fun Stroll
June 4 at 9 AM
Make a difference in the lives of children with disabilities throughout New Jersey. Participate in a USATF Grand Prix 5K, a 5K Walk, and a Family Fun Stroll and Roll around the lake. Participants receive a commemorative t-shirt (guaranteed with pre-registration by May 22), finish line reception and refreshments, a DJ, an awards ceremony, and many surprises.
Cost: $15-$30
10 Oak Drive, Roosevelt Park, Edison, NJ US 08837
Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Presents, Summerfest 2022
June 4 at 11 AM
It’s the 32nd Annual Summerfest in the Park—this Festival will feature live music, food trucks, market and craft vendors, and inflatables for the kids. The rain date is June 5.
Cost: Free and all-day $10 wristbands for the kid’s activity area
Point Pleasant Community Park, 2255 Bridge Ave., Point Pleasant, NJ 08742
Randolph Food Truck and Music Fest
June 4 at 11 AM
Come support the Randolph Rescue Squad with live music and food trucks. There will be kids’ activities like face painting and sand art too.
Cost: $5; under 5 is free. Please bring an item for the food pantry
214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
Touch- A- Truck (Middlesex Borough)
June 4 at 12 PM
It’s an interactive, hands-on event hosted by the Middlesex Public Library and Middlesex Dept. of Public Works. Where your littles can hop behind the wheel and learn about dump trucks, garbage trucks, and skid steers. There will also be STEM Activities, crafts, a DJ, face painting, an ice cream truck, and more.
Cost: Free
Mountainview Park, 141 Mountain View Road, Hillsborough, Township, NJ 08844
Summer Fest Colors 2022
June 4 12:30 PM
Come to the biggest outdoor Holi festival around with music, dance, and a Talent Show Performance by local youth artists. There will also be balloons, ice cream, games, bright colors, and loads of fun. Dry colors will be provided for a fee to play Holi. Wear white to see the effect of the colors.
Cost: $5 per person
Marlboro Recreation Center, 1996 Recreation Way, Marlboro, NJ 07746
Vets in Training Annual Open House and Strawberry Festival
June 4 at 1 PM
Join HousePaws Vets in Training for an Open House at our education center. There will be pony rides, games, prizes, face painting, animals, and building tours. The Strawberry Festival next door will be happening at the same time.
Cost: $5 for the strawberry festival
201 Mainstreet, Rancocas, NJ 08073
Stars in my Backyard
June 4 at 1:30 PM
A live presenter will present “the magic of the dome” to teach about the sun, moon, weather, and the constellations and planets visible in the current sky. There will also be fun stories, songs, and even a passing rainstorm.
Cost: $8-$10
Robert J. Novins Planetarium, 1 College Dr (Ocean County College Bldg 13) Toms River, NJ 08754
Jersey City Night Market
June 4 at 4 PM
Celebrate small businesses and Jersey City. Try delicious food, shop from our artists and artisans, and listen to music. This event is for families and you can bring your pet too.
Cost: Free
179 Montgomery Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Strawberry Festival
June 4-5
It’s the peak of the strawberry season and it’s all about picking berries, eating berries with ice cream, berry products from local vendors, and live music and food trucks.
Cost: Prices vary for activities
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, 2691 Monmouth Rd, Jobstown 08041
Strawberry Festival Shoppes at Dragon Village
June 4-5, times vary
Celebrate all things strawberry, where there will be entertainment, train rides, craft vendors, food trucks, and activities for kids.
Cost: Parking is $2 per car
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Strawberry Festival and Artisan Fair
June 4-5
It’s a strawberry picking and craft fair hosted by Artistry Jubilee. There will be strawberry picking, hayrides & 20+ all-ages activities, a farm market, farm animals, a beer garden featuring Buttzville Brewing, Latin Bites food truck and Why Not Burgerz.
Cost: $3 admission, picking container $5-$25
VonThun Farms, 438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07782
Renaissance Faire NJ
June 4-5
Take a step back into the 16th century, and the kids can explore Nipper’s Nook. Many activities to fire the imagination, including unicorn rides, building your own magic wands, and the new gaming cart of wonder.
Cost: $25 and up
1195 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Skylands Stadium Carnival
June 4-6, times vary
Bring the whole family out to Skylands Stadium, where there will be a bunch of rides, including Kiddie Cars, Dragon Wagon, Carousel, Ferris Wheel, Scrambler, Round-Up, The Thrilling 7 Seas, and the Super Slide.
Cost: Free, rides tickets are additional
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
Irish Festival in Long Branch
June 5, gates open at 9 AM
The New Jersey Irish Festival is back and celebrating its 50th edition. There will be live racing, Irish food, vendors, dancing, and music. Don’t miss the Human Horse Race raising money for a great cause, and kids will be entertained with clowns, face painters, pony rides, and a bounce house.
Cost: general admission is just $6. Kids 12 and under are free
175 Oceanport Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07757
(732) 222-5100
Garwood Rocks 2022
June 5 at 10 AM
The 8th Annual Garwood Rocks! Car Show & Street Fair will take place in downtown Garwood with a live music stage, food trucks, and vendors.
Cost: Free
Center St, Garwood NJ 07027
Ringwood Manor Vintage Marketplace
June 5 at 10 AM
Shop from a large array of vintage and antique dealers while enjoying music and gourmet food trucks. While there, you can take a self-guided tour of Ringwood Manor.
Cost: There is no cost to enter the show, but there are parking fees to enter Ringwood State Park: $5 for NJ vehicles, $7 for non-NJ vehicles. Ringwood Manor Open House $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for children (6-12), children 5 and under free
1304 Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Englewood Caribbean Festival
June 5 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family out to celebrate Caribbean heritage with a live DJ, a free bounce house and a petting zoo. There will be food, merchant and informational vendors.
Cost: Free
8 Depot Square, Englewood, NJ 07631
Jersey Pride – 30th Annual LGBTQ Pride Festival
June 5 at 12 PM
It’s New Jersey’s annual statewide LGBTQ pride celebration, and it’s the 30th Anniversary. There will be a pride parade, headline performers, food, arts and crafts, exhibits, community information, and activities for the entire family in the “Family Zone” located at 5th and Ocean Aves. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: The parade is free and entrance to the festival is $15
Town Hall to Cookman to Grand to Sunset to the festival grounds at Sunset and Ocean, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
A Royal Afternoon
June 5 at 1 PM
Over The Top Party Planning is hosting a Royal Afternoon at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill. There will be games, guest appearances, balloon displays, and your favorite fairytale characters. Local crafters and a bounce house will be there too.
Cost: All guest 12 months and older require a ticket, tickets are $25
Riverside Pavilion at the Crowne Plaza, 70 Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
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