It’s Father’s Day weekend, and we’re hitting our schools-out-for-summer stride with a bunch of family-friendly festivals and things to do this weekend. Lose yourself in the nostalgic fun of classic rides like the Ferris Wheel and experience the thrill of new rides, delicious fair food, and more at the Tri-County Fair in Rockaway, celebrate arts and culture, and history at the Juneteenth Festival of Morris County in Morristown or enjoy a Seaside Vendor Craft Market along the oceanfront Promenade, live music and free family activities at Skimmer Festival in Sea Isle City. Want more ideas to do with Dad? Check out our guide to everything Father’s Day too. (Featured Photo Credit: istock/Kirkikis)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Warren Lions EXPO 2023
June 14 – 17 at 6 PM
This four-day carnival features amusement rides, games, food vendors, tent vendors, and more. There will be a firework display by Interstate Amusements on Saturday, June 17, at 10 PM.
Cost: Admission is $2. Kids under 5 are free.
Warren Township Municipal Grounds, 46 Mountain Blvd., Warren, NJ 07059
Tri-County Fair
June 15 – 18
Enjoy classic rides like the Ferris Wheel, kiddie rides, games of chance, monster truck rides, ‘pony rides, and fun fair foods. The fair will also feature a spectacular fireworks show, an old-time car show complete with 50’s music, monster truck rides, and the Extreme Illusions and Escapes of Josh Knotts.
Cost: Free admission
140 Green Pond Rd, Rockaway, NJ07866
Barefoot Country Music Fest
June 15-18, times vary
Get barefoot on the beach and listen to some country tunes at this popular Wildwood festival, attracting big-name country stars like Blake Shelton and Darius Rucker. There will be free entertainment as well as 40+ artists.
Cost: Some events are free, and others are $199 and up
3601 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Miller Farm’s Monster Truck Show
June 16 at 5 PM
Witness monster trucks perform daring and dangerous stunts, quad racing, and more at Miller Farm’s Monster Truck Show to kick off Father’s Day weekend. Enjoy the ultimate Pit Party 2 hours before the start of the show with a meet and greet with the drivers, photo ops, food trucks, Kid Zone, and more.
Cost: General admission is $30. Admission for children is $15.
Miller Farms, 134 N Grove St Berlin, NJ 08009
Father’s Day Weekend Sports Card and Collectibles Show
June 16 – 18
This Father’s Day weekend, head to the Sports Card & Collectibles Show at Moorestown Mall. You will explore various collectibles, novelties, autographed memorabilia, sports card releases, and apparel.
Cost: Free
Moorestown Mall, 400 NJ-38, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Skimmer Festival
June 17 at 9 AM
The festival will begin with a Seaside Vendor Craft Market along the oceanfront Promenade, and the Skimmer Food Court will be open in front of Excursion Park. Inside Excursion Park, there will be live music and free family activities. There will also be free amusement rides from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Cost: Free
Oceanfront Promenade and Excursion Park at JFK Boulevard and Pleasure Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show
June 17 at 10 AM
What could be more classic for Father’s Day than an antique car show? Spend the morning at this annual show featuring all the sports cars and collectibles of the past. Vendors, music, sidewalk sales, trophies, prizes, and goodie bags will also be there.
Cost: $15
First Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
The Sustainably Green Music and Arts Festival
June 17 at 10 AM
Learn how to be more sustainable at this festival, where there will be live music, arts and crafts vendors, shopping, kids activities, and more for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Washington Borough Business Improvement District – 21 Belvidere Ave. Washington, NJ 07882
Open Cockpit Weekend at the Aviation Hall of Fame
June 17 at 10:30 AM
Climb into the cockpit of a very rare Lockheed Bushmaster plane and a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter. Don’t miss the interior of the M*A*S*H Bell 47 helicopter made famous during the Korean War. There will also be a working display of the International Space Station with uniforms and items Buzz Aldrin and other notable astronauts used.
Cost: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and children under 12, children 2 and under are free
400 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro, NJ 07608
Manville Food Truck & Music Bash
June 17 at 11 AM
Head to Manville Food Truck & Music Festival and enjoy 15 delicious gourmet food trucks, drinks, live music, and 50/50. Kids’ activities include pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, a bungee trampoline, knockerball, a bounce house, and sand art.
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free, and please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the food pantry.
Gerber Field, 1324 Dukes Parkway, Manville, NJ 08835
3rd Annual Juneteenth Festival
June 17 at 11 AM
Celebrate Juneteenth with live music, performances, vendors, family fun, and more. This event will feature The Sugar Hill Gang and more hip-hop artists to come.
Cost: Free
1 Swanstrom Place East, Union, NJ 07083
Laurita Winery’s Father’s Day Weekend
June 17 at 12 PM
Bring the whole crew out to celebrate Dad, where you can either step inside for brunch or stay outside in the Grove and enjoy live music and food outdoors.
Cost: Free outside, brunch $30 for ages 6-12, under 5 is free, and $59 for adults
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Juneteenth Festival of Morris County
June 17 at 12 PM
Celebrate arts, culture, and history at the Juneteenth Festival of Morris County. Don’t miss performances by The Kofi and Sankofa Drum & Dance Ensemble, The Bradford Hays Quartet, Lynette Sheard Live, The Unity Steppers, local artists, a tribute to famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass and much more. Your kids will enjoy face painting, balloons, crafts, and free book giveaways.
Cost: Free
Morristown Green, 10 North Park Place Morristown, NJ 07960
Burlington Freedom Day 2023: A Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 at 2 PM
CHAI Community Development Corporation presents Burlington Freedom Day 2023: A Juneteenth Celebration. This event will feature music, food, vendors, and a Kid’s Zone that includes free lunch, free crafts, games, and activities for children. “Praise on the Promenade: A Gospel Music Celebration” will be held on Sunday, June 18, to close out the event.
Cost: Free
Burlington Riverfront Promenade, Riverfront and High Street Burlington, NJ 08016
Moorestown’s Fourth Annual Juneteenth Celebration
June 17 at 2 PM
Hosted by Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown’s Juneteenth Celebration will take place on the Perkins West Evergreen Lawn again this year. This family friendly event will feature inspirational music, African dance and drumming, food, educational presentations, and offerings from local Black-owned businesses.
Cost: Free
Perkins Center, 395 King’s Highway, Moorestown NJ 08057
Asbury Park Bazaar – North 2 Shore Festival Pop Up
June 17 – 18 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family out to an event celebrating the best of the Jersey Shore. Enjoy a unique variety of vendors and local shops; eventgoers will find everything from handmade jewelry, ceramics, and wood art to local honey, art, and photography – just in time for Father’s Day. This event features delicious food, libations, and kids activities, including face painting.
Cost: Free
Grand Arcade of Asbury Park Convention Hall, 1300 Ocean Ave N unit c-4, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Freshwater Fishing Derby
June 17 – 18
Celebrate Father’s Day at the annual freshwater fishing derbies for beginners and experienced anglers. Experienced staff will provide free hands-on clinics daily from 12:30 -1:30 PM to show you how to cast and rig and answer any questions. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three different categories. A container of worms is included with each registration.
Cost: $25 per family of 4; $8 per person
Manasquan Reservoir and Turkey Swamp Park
Whippany Railway Museum – Special Father’s Day Train Rides
July 18
Ride the rails on one of Morris County’s historic railroads on a 10-mile round trip ride through Morris and Essex Counties. You’ll travel the route of “The Whippanong Trail,” where Washington’s armies trod in the bitter Winter of 1779 – an area rich in our country’s history. Or buy a first-class ticket on the Lackawanna Railroad Subscription Club Car No. 2454, which radiated elegance on a train once known as ‘The Millionaire’s Express’ that operated between Hoboken Terminal and Gladstone.
Cost: $12 and up
Whippany Railway Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk Father’s Day
June 18
Come celebrate Father’s Day at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk! FREE ADMISSION for Dads on Sunday, June 18, with paying child at the following attractions: Amusement Park, Aquarium, Adventure Lookout Ropes Course, Castaway Cove Mini Golf, Lighthouse Point Mini Golf, and the Fun House!
*weather permitting.
Cost: Dads receive free admission with paying child
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave N, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Father’s Day Fishing Derby
June 18 at 8 AM
Bring a chair, fishing pole, and bait to this fun Father’s Day event. All families should pre-register. Registration begins at 8 AM. Fishing starts at 8:30 AM. Bring a box of pasta or a jar of sauce to donate to the North Brunswick Food Bank for a chance to win a gift card.
Cost: Free
Boyd Pond, North Boyd Parkway, North Brunswick Township, NJ, 08902
Father’s Day Special at Casino Pier
June 18 at 12 PM
Bring Dad to Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Waterpark on his special day. Dads enjoy loads of perks, including free rides with their full-price paying child (under 16 years old). Also, dads can enter the waterpark free with under 48″ full price paid admission. This offer is valid only through12 PM – 3 PM.
Cost: Free for dads with full paying child (under 16) on the same ride.
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
iPlay America Father’s Day – Dad’s Ride Free
June 18 at 12 PM
Dads ride free at New Jersey’s largest indoor amusement park. Make special memories and enjoy a thrill as you join in on all the fun at iPlay America. This offer is valid with downloading a free Unlimited Ride Band (value of $37.99). All guests must be registered and redeemed at the Welcome Center.
Cost: Dads ride free with the download of a free Unlimited Ride Band (value of $37.99).
iPlay America, 110 Schanck Rd, Freehold Township, NJ 07728
Father’s Day Winery Weekend
June 18 at 12 PM
Treat the dad in your life to an afternoon of wine tasting with $2 off for dads on Father’s Day weekend. Your kids can have fun visiting the barnyard of animals and playing on the tractors. Enjoy live music and a walk on the farm trail.
Cost: $2 off for dads.
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road 08540
Cranford Jaycees Father’s Day Fishing
June 18 at 9 AM
Bring your rods to the pond, stocked with bass and catfish. There will be free bait and bobbers for all participants. Prizes will be awarded in 6 categories.
Cost: Free
Nomahegan Park, 1024 Springfield Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016
Ort Farms Berries and Brews Strawberry Festival
June 18 at 11 AM
Enjoy this “season finale” event with strawberry picking, weekend activities, local craft vendors, live music, Jersey Girl Brewery on tap, and food trucks. Your tickets include access to the PYO patch, vendor fair, and festival.
Cost: Berries and Breweries Admission: $8.99. Children 2 and under are free.
Ort Farms, 25 Bartley Rd, Long Valley, NJ 07853
Father’s Day Luau 2023
June 18 at 12 PM
Celebrate Dad with a festive luau with specialty sangria and cigars at this family-friendly outdoor event. There will be live music, food trucks, and even ax throwing. Don’t forget your Hawaiian shirts!
Bellview Winery, 150 Atlantic Street, Landisville, NJ 08326
Father’s Day at Monmouth Racetrack
June 18 at 1 PM
Spend this Father’s Day at the track and surprise Dad with a Father’s Day brunch buffet or pack a cooler and enjoy the day in the picnic area. There will be live racing and family activities from 12 PM-4 PM.
Cost: General admission is just $6, Children 12 and under are free, gentlemen are free, brunch is extra
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Tenafly Nature Center Father’s Day Walk
June 18 at 1 PM
Get back to nature by taking a guided walk with Dad outdoors. All ages are welcome, and an adult must accompany children. In case of inclement weather, the program will be canceled.
Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members, and dads and children under 2 are free, no strollers.
313 Hudson Ave, Tenafly, NJ 07670
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