It’s officially summer—celebrate the longer days with lots of family activities that will entertain your whole crew from day to night. See illusionists perform amazing stunts at the Garden State at the State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford, celebrate everything blueberry at the Blueberry Festival at Argos Farm in Forked River or the Blueberry Summer Fest in Browns Mills, or watch award-winning sculptors create sand masterpieces at the International Sand Sculpting Contest in Seaside Heights. And for activities all month, check out everything free to do in June in NJ. (feature photo credit: @sfmeadowlands)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
East Hanover Italian American Club Carnival
June 21-25
Gather your crew and come to the Italian American Club, where you can ride all the rides and have a family-friendly night.
Cost: 25 tickets for $22
Luther Park, East Hanover, NJ 07936
Chester Firemans Carnival
June 21-25 at 6:30 PM
The whole family can take a spin on the rides, play games, eat food, listen to live music and ride on a real fire truck ride. There will be fireworks at night too.
Cost: wristbands and $35 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
290 West Main Street, Chester, NJ 07930
State Fair Meadowlands
June 23-July 10, hours vary
Can you smell that oh-so-delicious fried Oreo waiting for you at the State Fair (and did we mention free parking?) Don’t miss rides and attractions and the largest Kiddie Land in the Garden State with rides like Fire Chief, Monkey Maze, and the Pop-A-Wheelie. There will also be extreme illusionists, acrobats, and live music shows.
Cost: Tickets must be purchased online; the Fun Pass starts at $38.99
State Fair Meadowlands, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 355-5911
Summer Solstice Music Festival
June 24 at 4 PM
It’s the official start of summer in Haddon Township. Bring your crew out to enjoy live music, food trucks, strolling entertainment, a petting zoo, a beer garden, and a giant fun slide.
Cost: Free
Haddon Avenue between Strawbridge Avenue & Cooper Street, Haddon Township, NJ 08108
Atlantic City Seafood and Music Festival
June 24-26
Three days of food, entertainment, and of course, lots of seafood. There will also be games, crafts, rides, and hot air balloons. Kids can enjoy characters, face painting, and a kid zone.
Cost: $0-$80
Bader Field, 545 North Albany Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
LEAD. Fest State Fair
June 24-July 4
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 during the week and $8 on weekends; several activities are an additional cost
1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
(609) 259-2500
Blueberry Festival at Argos Farm
June 24-July 10, Friday-Sunday at 10 AM
It’s the annual Argos Farm Blueberry Festival with live music, blueberry treats, photo ops, and hand-picked farm-fresh blueberries. The kids will love the double hay slide, bee zip line, and jumbo jumper air pillow.
Cost: $13.95 online and $18.95 at the gate
1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Margate Beachstock
June 25 at 8 AM
Head to the beach for a full day of children’s activities, live music, an air circus single line, and stunt kite demos and lessons. There will also be food trucks, volleyball, South Pacific Island Dancers performing on the sand, a beach nature walk, special characters, an evening movie, a bonfire, and a live band performance. The rain date is June 26.
Cost; no beach tags are required; some events have a cost
Between Granville and Huntington Avenues, Margate, NJ 08402
Morris County Pride 2022
June 25 at 10:30 AM
Celebrate PRIDE with onstage performances and food, craft, merchandise vendors, and community groups. The event is family-friendly, with special offerings for children, teens, and adults.
Cost: Details to come
214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
Maywood Food Truck & Vendor Festival
June 25 at 11 AM
Everyone can have a good time at this festival, including live music, a Beer Garden, outdoor seating, and a Kids Zone for the little ones to let loose.
Cost: Free
205 Maywood Ave, Maywood, NJ 07607-1027
Food Truck Festival in Lavallette
June 25 at 3 PM
Island Vibe music and food trucks are all at the Jersey Shore for this family-friendly event. Don’t miss the Kickoff to Summer 5K in the morning too.
Cost: Adults $5, children are free
Lavallette Bayfront and Philadelphia Ave, Lavallette NJ 08735
Local Nights on the Farm
June 25 at 6 PM
Celebrate magic hour on the farm with hayrides, food, and music on Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm.
Cost: $12 per person; under 2 are free.
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm, 2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ 08041
School’s Out Food Truck Festival
June 25-26 at 11 AM
Celebrate no more school with free admission for teachers, free parking, a face painter, firepits, and fireworks. Don’t miss the food trucks and live music.
Cost: Free for teachers, $12 online, and $14 at the door, everyone under 21 is free.
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Wine and Pizza Festival with a Family Fun Day
June 25-26
Sample wine, eat pizza, and listen to live music at the racetrack, where Family Fun Day will have clowns, pony rides, and a bounce house.
Cost: $17 in advance, $20 at the door
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Blueberry Summer Fest
June 25-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
New Jersey Collector Fest
June 26 at 9 AM for VIP and 10:30 AM for general admission
See toys, art, and comic collectibles at this vintage collectors festival. There will be comic artists and special guests too.
Cost: VIP Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for kids; at the door, VIP is $15, general admission $12, and children under 12 are $5
1 Pal Dr, Wayne, NJ 07470- 4706
Wild Fest 2022
June 26 at 12 PM
This food truck and music festival will benefit Woodlands Wildlife Refuge. There will be food trucks, live music, face painting, balloon animals, and giant bubbles. You can also bring your rods for fishing at the pond.
Cost: $10
Clinton Elks Lodge 2434, 211 Sidney Road, Franklin Township, NJ 08867
Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards
June 26 at 4 PM
This free festival is fun for the whole family with a kids’ play area, pedal, play tractors, and playhouses. There is also a farm trail and farm animals. Lolly Hopwood will be performing, and kids can make firefly wings (for a fee).
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
International Sandsculpting Contest
June 26-29 at 9 AM – 9 PM
Six International award-winning sculptors will compete, and they will provide each sculptor with ten tons of sand to make their creations. The public can vote for their favorite sculpture and watch the sculpting each day leading up to the award ceremony on June 29.
Cost: daily tickets are required, $5 per day for 12 years of age and over and $2.50 for children ages 6-11, under 5 are free An Event Pass is $10 for ages 12 and up, $5 for ages 6-11 which allows unlimited access for all days of the competition
1415 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Saint Mary’s Great Fair
June 27-July 2
Head to this fair for the Kiddie Zone and lots of fun. There will be rides, games, 50/50’s, and boardwalk games.
Cost: $30 after mass, $35 at the fair
18 Cherry Tree Farm Rd, Middletown Township, NJ 07748
Ongoing Events
Broadway at the Garden State Plaza
Now-June 25 at 11 AM and 1 PM
See the best of Broadway for kids every Saturday, featuring songs and scenes from hit Broadway shows. This event is free for everyone and will highlight memorable scenes from your favorite Broadway shows like Aladdin, Wicked and Lion King, performed in a partnership with Bergen Performing Arts Center.
Level 2, Macy’s Court Area, nearest Shake Shack, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
(201) 843-2121
Family Ag Days
June 26, July 10, 24, August 7, 21, and September 11 at 9 AM
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
U-pick Raspberries and Lavender Viewing at Happy Day Farm
Now-July 3
Get ready to pick four types of raspberries at Happy Day Farm, where you can snap photos for the ‘gram at any photo op spots and pick berries that span over 4 acres. Kids will love feeding the goats and chickens after snacking on shaved ice and lemonade. Lavender viewing will be available too.
Cost: $4 per person, and 1 and under are free, $4 (1/2 pound) and $6 for 1 pound
106 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival
Now-July 4, select days
Over the next three weekends, this festival will feature carnival rides, fireworks, Rosaire’s Royal Racers, High Flying Pages Thrill Show, Wild Wheels Thrill Motorcycle Show, a magic show, and a petting zoo.
Cost: $13-$35; prices vary on select dates
US-1, Milltown, NJ 08850
Jenkinson’s Movies on the Beach
Tuesdays, June 28-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 amazing 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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