It’s hot, hot, hot, with lots of family fun heating up this weekend. Don’t miss the last weekend of the Blueberry Summer Fest in Browns Mills, snap selfies and pick sunnies in the sunflower field at the New Jersey Sunflower Festival in Chester, or see Santa at the beach at Christmas In July in the Wildwoods, And if you want more summer fun, don’t miss free things to do in July. (feature photo credit: Stony Hill Farms)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
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 are displayed daily. 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
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
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
Brick Summerfest 2022
July 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
Christmas in July Cape May County 4-H Fair
July 21, 22, 23
It’s never too early to see Santa. There will also be rides, food, and live music.
4-H Fairgrounds, 335 Court House- South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Morris County 4-H Fair
July 21-24
This fair has it all—amusement rides, non-profit tables, a livestock barn, fireworks, demonstrations, hands-on activities, live entertainment, food, hay rides, a watermelon eating contest, and animal shows.
Cost: Admission is free, but a $5 parking donation supports the Morris County 4-H program and the West Morris Mendham High School Marching Band, and a $10 donation for parking Friday night (after 6:00 PM) due to fireworks
Chubb Park, 250 W Main St, Chester, NJ 07930
LEAD Fest Carnival at Brunswick Square Mall
July 21- 31
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
Brunswick Square 755 NJ-18, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
New Jersey Sunflower Festival
July 22-August 14
It’s sunflower season—explore 2.5 acres of sunflowers, walk through the fields, snap photographs, and cut your own sunflowers. Each festival ticket includes a wagon ride to the sunflower fields, time to take photos and enjoy the blooms, live music, and access to vendors.
Cost: $20.99 and up
Stony Hill Farms, 15 North Road, Chester, NJ 07930
Art in the Park Mount Olive
July 22 at 5 PM
Bring the whole family out for live music, a free concert, an art showcase, handcrafters, local artists, and food vendors. Don’t forget your blankets and beach chairs.
Cost: Free
Turkey Brook Park Event Field, 30 Flanders Road, Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Carnival by the Sea
July 22 at 5 PM
See a live magical act by Chazz Barber, listen to Girls That Rock and Read music, and try some carnival games too. There will also be a Monster Inflatable Obstacle Course, pictures with characters, face painting, and balloon art.
Cost: Free
Excursion Park, JFK Blvd., and Pleasure Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
BlueClaws Post-Game Fireworks
July 22
Chow down on crab fries or a ballpark dog while you cheer on the BlueClaws. Then, at the end, sit back and relax with a big, bright fireworks show to finish the evening.
Cost: Included in BlueClaws Tickets
FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Somerset Patriots Post-Game Fireworks
July 22 and 23
Another chance to enjoy a ball game with the fam and cap off the night with a colorful show in the sky. Cheer on the Somerset Patriots as the sun goes down, and watch the fireworks light up over the stadium.
Cost: Included in Patriot Tickets
TD Bank Ballpark, 1 Patriots Park, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Sandy Sprint Sea isle City 5K and Family Walk
July 23 at 7 AM
The Sandy Sprint Sea Isle City includes a 5K Run, 2-mile Family Fun Walk, Survivor Ceremony, and More. Race Day Registration Begins at 7 AM at Excursion Park, and the Race Starts at 8:30 AM.
Cost: Registration Fees: $40 adults, $30 children under 12, $40 Virtual participant
Excursion Park (JFK blvd & The Promenade), Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Christmas in July in Wildwood
July 23 at 10 AM
The event starts with a golf cart parade from Boardwalk to Ocean Avenue, then head to Fox Park for some holiday shopping. Craft and food vendors will be available too.
Cost: Free
Boardwalk and Ocean Avenue and Fox Park, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Craft Beer, Music, and Crab Festival Cape May
July 23 at 10 AM
Come hungry for this Cape May Festival. Named one of the 5 Best NJ Summer Festivals by CBS NY, this event features hard shell crabs, craft beers, food trucks and vendors, crafters, family entertainment, and back-to-back music on the outdoor stage at the Emlen Physick Estate. Bring a blanket or chair to relax outdoors at this event.
Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-5404
4th Annual Arc of Warren County Food Truck Fest
July 23 at 11 AM
Support The Arc of Warren County and have a family-friendly day. There will be food trucks, live music, games, and activities for all ages. Don’t forget to bring blankets and chairs.
Cost: Tickets are $4 for children ages 4-13 and $8 for adults
Donaldson Farms Farm Market, 358 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
North Wildwood Christmas in July
July 23 at 12 PM
The lifeguards of the North Wildwood Beach Patrol will host a visit from Santa Claus along North Wildwood Beach. He will make stops along the way for family photos with live holiday music and candy canes. Everyone is encouraged to decorate their beach space and wear festive holiday attire to welcome Santa.
Cost: Free
North Wildwood Beach, NJ 08260
Sourland Music Festival
July 23 at 3 PM
Musical talent, food and drink, and family fun all in one place. Kids can participate in a scavenger hunt and bird identification walks, and naturalists will be on hand to answer questions.
Cost: $30 online, $40 at the door for adults, $10 online, and $15 at the door for ages 12-18, children under 12 are free.
Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Road, East Amwell Township, NJ 08551
Wildwood Crest Christmas in July
July 23 at 6 PM
Come celebrate the Christmas season in the summertime with this family-oriented festival along Sunset Lake. Live music with Jamison Celtic Rock (holiday-themed songs, along with pop, rock, and Irish), food, children’s and family activities, free photos with Santa Claus, and more. The event concludes with a boat parade in Sunset Lake.
Cost: Free
Sunset Lake near Atlanta and New Jersey Aves., NJ 08260
Meet the Moths of NJ
July 23 at 8 PM
Join moth expert Blaine Rothauser for a hands-on, interactive session to observe the process of identifying moths while learning so much more about them, like why they are important to our environment. Dress for the weather and bring a headlamp, flashlight, camera, and lawn chair.
Cost: $15; this program is appropriate for anyone ages 10+. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered.
Duke Farms, 1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
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
Toddler Time: Taste Testing
July 25 at 10:30 AM
Join Ms. Jenn at the LiveWell Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, to try some new and exciting foods. Little ones ages 1-3 are welcome to join with their adult. Registration is required.
Cost: Free
LiveWell Center, 200 Wyckoff Road Suite 1200, Eatontown, NJ 07724
Jennifer Klein, MS, RD
Sponsoring Facility: Monmouth Medical Center Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
Ongoing Events
Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Cape May Lighthouse
July 20, 27, August 3, 10, 17, 24 from 9 AM-2 PM
Head to Cape May for a crafts and collectibles show featuring vendors and crafters from the northeast in July and August.
Cost: Free
Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 224-6066
Summer Vibes Festival
Now-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
Pier Village Family Fun Night
Every Sunday in the summer at 5 PM
Try everything from Miniature Golf, Rockwall Climbing, Trampoline Bungee Jumping, Rides, and Games. Come early and join us at the Pier Village Carousel Stage for the “Oceans of Possibilities” themed complimentary story time by the sea at 1 PM.
Cost: $4 per ticket, sheets of 7 tickets for $25, wristbands are $35pp
Festival Plaza, Pier Village, 68 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch, NJ 07740
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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