Summer has entered the chat, and while it’s still a month away, we’re gearing up for it with lots of FREE things to do with the fam this May. Tour the Sayen House and Botanical Gardens while sitting for a free portrait among the blooms at the Annual Azalea Festival in Hamilton, take a stroll and see beautiful artwork on display at the Art Walk in Boonton, or kick off Memorial Day weekend with gorgeous kites while spending time on the beach at the Wildwood International Kite Festival. (Featured Photo Credit: istock/Aneese)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Spring Plant Sale
May 3-5
Ready to prepare your garden for the summer? Stroll the stunning gardens for free, and get inspired for your own plantings this season. This plant sale is rain or shine.
Cost: Free to attend
Van Vleck Gardens, 21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Art Walk
May 3 at 4 PM
Come and see all of the beautiful artwork on display on Main Street. You will have the chance to meet the artists, shop their bins, stroll down the street, visit wine and cheese receptions, and lots of other fun activities.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Boonton, NJ 07005
Star Talk and Observation
May 3 at 7 PM
Enjoy a sky-observing event consisting of a sky talk at the Planetarium before forming a convoy to drive up to the observatory at Washington Crossing to see the stars. Make sure you dress for the weather.
Cost: Free
New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State Street, Trenton, NJ 08628
Maverick’s Legacy 2nd Annual Spring Festival
May 4 at 11 AM
Celebrate the legacy of Maverick, a child who left the world way too soon, at this lively spring festival with crafters and vendors, food trucks, live music, children’s entertainment, a tricky tray, and more. Proceeds go to the Maverick’s Legacy Foundation, a non-profit that strives to reduce preventable choking deaths and injuries.
Cost: Free admission and free parking
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
Galloway Art Festival
May 4 at 12 PM
Join in as the community comes together to enjoy music, dance, and visual arts at the Galloway Art Festival. Follow a master schedule of performances led by the Absegami Performing Arts, and enjoy interactive activities as well.
Cost: Free
Village Greene, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ 08205
Ocean Grove Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show
May 4 at 10 AM
Spring is here with an arts and crafts show perfect for the whole family. This free event features crafts, arts, music, and food. Enjoy Sharon “Pipes” Lasher & The Flashers at 11 AM and Chuck Lambert Blues at 1 PM.
Cost: Free
Auditorium Square Park. Main Avenue to Pilgrim Pathway
Hog Slopping & Weighing
May 4 at 10 AM
Bring the kids and join the fun at the farm. You will have the chance to guess the weights of the Howell Farm hogs as they get onto the scales for their summer weigh-in. Then, learn how to keep pigs, including history, diet, and fun facts, before grinding corn, mixing feed, and more.
Cost: Free
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Car Show and Vendor Fair
May 4 at 9 AM
This annual event is the perfect way to get outside and spend time with the family. Enjoy the food trucks, classic cars, and craft vendors and help celebrate Vo Tech School’s 50th anniversary.
Cost: Free
Vo Tech, 880 Route 45, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Spring Craft & Food Truck Festival
May 4 at 11 AM
Now that the weather is getting warmer, head outside and to this spring festival. There will be delicious food, crafters, hay rides, pony rides, and more.
Cost: Free to enter, fees for the hayrides and additional activities.
Duffields Farm, 280 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Tenafly Street Fair
May 4 at 11 AM
Celebrate spring at one of the first street fairs of the season. There will be artists, crafters, food, rides, and live music.
Cost: Free admission for spectators
Tenafly Historic Railroad Station, 1 Piermont Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair 2024
May 4 at 10 AM
Bring your crew to this festival filled with activities for everyone. Don’t miss out on the multiple live musical acts, kid’s activities, and plenty of vendors throughout the day.
Cost: Free
44 E. Washington Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882
Ocean City Spring Block Party
May 4 at 9 AM
Head to this family-friendly shore town for a fun block party. Over 400 crafters, food vendors, music, and more will be present. Once it is dark, take in a gorgeous fireworks display.
Cost: Free
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Spring Street Fair and Earth Day Celebration
May 5 at 11:30 AM
Spend the morning at the Fun Run and Kids Race, then head to this lively festival where you can celebrate Earth Day and the season of spring together.
Cost: Free
Main Street Highland Avenue, Raritan Ave. from 2nd to 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Creative Arts Festival
May 11 at 10 AM
Spend a day perusing artists at the juried arts festival. Works will be displayed in all mediums, including pottery, jewelry, photography, and painting. There will be live music and food vendors.
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Annual Azalea Festival
May 11
The Annual Azalea Festival is back again. Spend the day among the bright blooms with local craft vendors, music, and food. Moms can receive free family portraits from 10 AM to 4 PM. The rain date will be May 12.
Cost: Free
Sayen Gardens, 155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08690
National Public Gardens Day at Macculloch Hall
May 11 at 10 AM
Celebrate National Public Gardens Day in MHHM’s historic garden. The garden will have special presentations, nature scavenger hunts, and art activities. Then, at 10:30 AM, see the Eyes of the Wild Nature Presentation, followed by The Seeing Eye Puppy Presentation at 11:45 AM. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, 45 Macculloch Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
May 11-12
Head to Asbury Mother’s Day weekend featuring makers, local vendors, arts and crafts, and music experiences in two locations. There will be Mother’s Day photos and photo stations, fresh flower bouquets, and kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Grand Arcade at Asbury Park Convention Hall, Grand Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (Sat. & Sun.)
Asbury Hotel, 210 5th Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712 (Sun.)
Career Carnival for Kids
May 14 at 6 PM
Elementary and middle school kids can explore exciting careers with hands-on activities, demos, games, and giveaways. Meet professionals from the health and wellness fields and check out these careers that empower individuals to lead healthier lives.
Cost: Free
Parsippany Library, 449 Halsey Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054
New Jersey Seafood Fest Belmar
May 17-19
It’s the 37th year of seafood and family fun in Belmar. Spend the afternoon listening to live music and perusing grab-and-go fare from restaurant vendors, where you can try everything from conch fritters to crab legs.
Cost: Free admission
Downtown Belmar, NJ 07719
Glen Ridge Art and Eco Fair
May 18 at 10 AM
Celebrate the arts and the environment at this eco-friendly fair. This event will include arts and crafts, wellness vendors, live performances, eco demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Cost: Free
200 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Captain Kidd Pirate Day
May 18 at 11 AM
Ahoy, mates—kids can dress in their pirate best for the Annual Captain Kidd Pirate Day parade and a treasure hunt at 20th Avenue. Kids can walk in the parade, receive a treasure chest, and enter a raffle and costume contest.
Cost: Free
Parade, 26th, and the Boardwalk., Wildwood, NJ 08260
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day 2024
May 18 at 5 PM
Learn about local health agencies that help youth around Monmouth County while interacting with various animals at the Allaire Community Farm petting zoo. There will also be giveaways, food, and beverages. The rain date is May 19.
Cost: Free
Allaire Community Farm, 1923 Baileys Corner Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719
Keansburg 6th Annual Food Truck Festival
May 18 at 2 PM
Bring the whole family to Keansburg’s 6th Annual Food Truck Festival. Your kids will enjoy face painting, a bounce house, and more. This event will also feature No Limit Entertainment from 2 PM to 5 PM and the Aftermath from 5 PM to 7 PM.
Cost: Free
1 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show
May 18 at 11 AM
Bring your family to enjoy artists, crafters, vendors, food, rides, and live music. Kids will love the rides, games, and more just for them.
Cost: Free admission for Spectators
Downtown Woodbridge, NJ Main St and Amboy Ave Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Stella Farms Strawberry Festival
May 18 at 9 AM
Celebrate the start of the growing season and enjoy all things strawberries at the Stella Farms Strawberry Festival. This event will also feature live music, food and drinks, pony rides, a petting zoo, and other fun activities for your children.
Cost: Free admission
Stella Farms, 459 Berlin New Freedom Rd, Berlin, NJ 08009
Mayfest
May 18-19 at 10 AM
Head to Historic Smithville for Mayfest, which features an international food court, crafters, and live music. There will also be plenty of activities for the kids, such as face painting and carousel rides, and free shuttles will leave from the parking lot.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, NJ 08060
Wildwood International Kite Festival
May 24-27, 12 PM on Friday
Kick-off this weekend-long event with a Friday night social and the 9:00 PM Illuminated Night Kite Fly. On Saturday and Sunday, come out to watch giant inflatable kites take flight, team fly, and participate in family games. Monday features the World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Cost: Free to spectators
Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
23rd Annual Seaport Craft Show
May 26 at 10 AM
The Highlands Business Partnership will host the 23rd Annual Seaport Craft Show featuring handmade crafts from over 60 crafters and artisans. Art, jewelry, and unique gifts will be available. Don’t miss the live entertainment at 12 PM.
Cost: Free
325-329 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
Become an NJMOM Insider! For all the best things to do with your family around New Jersey, sign up for our weekly newsletter, delivered right to your inbox. Don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured on our social media.
