It’s the first weekend in August, and summer is still going strong, with plenty of family-friendly events this weekend. Watch balloon launches and antique tractor pulls at the Warren County Farmer’s Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival in Phillipsburg, check out a juggling show and a magic show at the New Jersey State Festival in Augusta, and celebrate the 233rd National Lighthouse Day in North Wildwood. And if you are looking for more summer fun, there’s still time to fill your summer bucket list. (feature photo taken at istock/andykazie)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Keyport Fireman’s Fair
August 2-5
Get ready to ride the Berry Go Round, Dragon Wagon, or the Frog Hopper—Campy’s Amusement will provide plenty of entertainment for the whole family.
Cost: Prices will be announced
American Legion Drive and W. Front Street, Keyport, NJ 07735
(973) 256-4190
Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Hot Air Balloon Festival
Now–August 6
It’s the 84th annual Warren County Farmer’s Fair and the 22nd annual Warren County Balloon Festival with mass balloon launches, Kids Corral, Garden, Vintage Antique Tractor Pulls, and musical entertainment.
Cost: General admission is $5-$9, and prices vary per event
Warren County Farmers’ Fairgrounds, 1350 Strykers Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
(908) 859-6563
Our Lady Queen of Peace Family Carnival
August 4-6
Enjoy rides, food, and fun for the whole family at this lively festival.
Cost: Pay One Price Everyday $30
1911 Union Valley Road, Hewitt, NJ 07421
Land of Luck Paramus
August 5-6
The Land of Luck, a limited-time experiential activation, is coming to the Westfield Garden State Plaza. Choose your own adventure with immersive games, photo opportunities, and hands-on activities for the whole family. Test your luck at the pop-a-shot or Kerplunk competition, customize a penny, or make slime as you venture between the mystical lands of Good Luck and Bad Luck.
Cost: Free
Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
27th Annual Clam Fest
August 5-7
Taste delicious seafood, listen to live entertainment, and enjoy contests, unique vendors, crafters, and children’s activities at this popular event celebrating the sea’s bounty.
Cost: Free admission and parking
Huddy Park, 329 Bay Ave #325, Highlands, NJ 07732
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
August 6 at 9:30 AM
Join us in-person or virtually for this hands-on cooking class for ages 4-7 with
an adult present. Even the pickiest of eaters will learn to love their veggies in this
fun and interactive course. Call Marsha McMillan at (973) 735-9357 to register.
Cost: Free
Virtual or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
22nd Annual Butterfly Festival
August 6 at 10 AM
See an Insect Zoo, Butterfly, and Bug Parade, and go on tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House. There will be food trucks, live entertainment, a DJ, and kids’ activities. There will also be pony and horse rides throughout the day, Rizzo’s Wildlife Show, Bubble Show, and an Eyes of the Wild Show.
Cost: Free for Watershed members or $10 per person or $25 per carload
31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Allaire Music Fest
August 6 at 11 AM
Hear local bands from NJ perform a variety of Bluegrass, Folk, and Americana music. There will also be a special interactive instrument and music session to promote the importance of music for kids. Tour the Historic Village at Allaire and see demonstrations and activities offered throughout the event, which are included in your ticket price. The rain date will be August 7.
Cost: $5-$15
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall Township, NJ 07727
International Food and Music Festival
August 6 at 11 AM
Take your tastebuds around the world in one day at the Monmouth County Racetrack. Try South American, Asian, and European food, and more. You can also enjoy live music too.
Cost: $6; ages 12 and under are free
175 Oceanport Ave. Oceanport, NJ 07757
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
August 6 at 11 AM
Join us in-person or virtually for this healthy cooking class for ages 2-4 with an adult. For class links and more information, contact: Emily Ho, RDN emily.ho@rwjbh.org, or 973-926-7371.
Cost: Free
Virtual or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Olde Freehold Day
August 6 at 12 PM
Come together to listen to music, try food and drinks, and be part of the pajama drive to support hospitalized children.
Cost: Free
Lake Topanemus, Pond Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
Cherry Hill Mall and the Back to School Block Party
August 6 at 11 AM
Join the fun at Grand Court at the Back to School Block Party, featuring Captain Barnacles and Kwazii from the Octonauts. There will also be a stilt walker, magician, juggler, face painter, and balloon artist. Don’t miss the carnival games, sing-a-long, DJ, and craft. Octonauts appearances will be every 30 minutes.
Cost: $15
Cherry Hill Mall, 2000 RT. 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Pins for Paws
August 6 at 7 PM
Support the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Rescue, Inc and enjoy 3 hours of unlimited cosmic bowling, shoe rental, door prize raffle ticket, red pin (win free game prizes), and supporting a great cause.
Cost: $30 per ticket, and bring a shelter wish list item
Holiday Bowl, 29 Spruce Street, Oakland, NJ 07436
Symphony in C’s
August 6 at 7 PM
Enjoy a free outdoor concert at the Haddonfield Library conducted by Haddonfield’s own Paul Bryan. The program will feature a selection of summertime favorites, from blockbuster movie themes to patriotic tunes. The rain date will be August 7.
Cost: Free tickets are available on Eventbrite
60 North Haddon Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ, 08003
Just Peachy Festival
August 6-7 at 10 AM
Get ready for all things peach at this festival with pony rides, games, barnyard tractors, rubber duck races, and even a scavenger hunt. Don’t miss the local peach ice cream.
Cost: $12 online and $15 at the gate, children under 3 are free
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Puchicon
August 6-7
Join in this anime festival featuring Cosplay events, autograph tables, gaming stations, vendor booths, game shows, and kids’ crafts and activities.
Cost: $39.99 and up
Marriott Glenpointe,100 Frank W. Burr Blvd., Teaneck, NJ 07666
LUAU at Laurita
August 6-7 at 11 AM
It’s an outdoor, fun-filled day at Laurita Winery with food trucks, a face painter for kids, fire pits, fireworks, and a Luau Show with South Pacific Island Dancers. There will be Hawaiian DJ segments between each live show and Hawaiian fire dances each day. Don’t miss the 30-minute hula lesson in the barn.
Cost: Tickets online in advance are $12. Tickets at the gate are $14. Everyone under 21 is free
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
NJ Friends of Clearwater Music Festival
August 6-7 at 11 AM
Enjoy the 47th annual open-air music festival celebrating the spirit of people working and singing together for the environment. There will be rock, folk, Latin, soul, and other genres.
Cost: Free
Riverside Gardens Park, West Front Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701
African Restaurant Week Food and Music Festival
August 6-7
This lively festival features food, culture, and community with tastings, a marketplace, live performances, and music.
Cost: $0-$30
Bisrate Gebriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, 1046 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07106
Middlesex County Fair
August 2-8
The Middlesex County Fair is a popular stop for summer family fun, where you can explore the county’s rich agricultural heritage, learn a new craft, watch pro-wrestlers or ax-throwers, sample some fair food, and have fun on the rides. Head there the first night for fireworks and then go back for more family fun.
Cost: $10 for adults, $4 for kids 3-12; 2 and under are free.
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
New Jersey State Fair
August 5-13
This county fair features a lumberjack competition, demolition derby, and monster truck show. Bring the kids to the Family Area with Hot Dog Pig Races, entertainment, and a juggling show. There will also be food, an agricultural area, a horse show, carnival rides, and exhibits.
Cost: Parking is free, adults $15, veterans/active military $7, children (6-12) $4, seniors 60+ $10, online advance ticket sales are available
New Jersey State Fair, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
2022 Guided Historic Education Walking Tour
August 7 at 1 PM
Take a free tour by the Historic Preservation and Education Committee of the Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA) and sign in by 12:45 PM. Visit the Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum, Sullivan Drive, Continental Lane Marker, Stone Barn, and The Overlook. Check the website for weather updates before the tour.
Cost: Free, but donations are accepted.
Washington Crossing State Park Visitors Center, 355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd., Titusville, NJ 08560
233rd National Lighthouse Day
August 7 at 2 PM
It’s National Lighthouse Day on August 7 which marks the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the 1789 Lighthouse Act. There will be games and surprises for all children.
Cost: Admission is free, and donations are accepted
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, 111 North Central Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Crest Food Truck Nights
August 7 at 4 PM
Come out for food trucks, crafters, and entertainment for the whole family at this Sunday evening event.
Cost: Free
Centennial Park, Fern Road, and Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Farm to Table Peach and Summer Harvest Pancake Breakfast
August 7 and 14
Yum—enjoy a farm-to-table peach pancake breakfast with homemade offerings. Take a scenic wagon ride around the farm, stopping at the new Christmas Barn, where breakfast will be served. Following breakfast, you can pick fresh farm produce in the PYO fields. There are add-on activities for children, which include pony rides, a wagon train ride, and a bounce house.
Cost: $34.99 plus an additional cost for add-on activities
Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Ln, Chester, NJ 07930
New Jersey Sunflower Festival
Now-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
Ongoing Events
Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Cape May Lighthouse
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
Somerset Patriots Post-Game Fireworks
August 4, 6, 13, 24, 27, September 17
A bit further north, this is 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
BlueClaws Post-Game Fireworks
August 5, 19, 26, September 9
Chow down on crab fries or a ballpark dog while you cheer on the BlueClaws. Then, at the end of these select games, 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
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.
Cost: Free
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Friday Night Fireworks in Wildwood
Every Friday at 10 PM
Is there a better way to end a fun-filled week of summer in Wildwood than with free fireworks? Every Friday night, watch a spectacular display exploding to a musical score played along the Boardwalk and simulcast on 98.7 The Coast. Grab a beach chair to relax on the sand, or you can see them from anywhere on the boardwalk. Rain dates are every Sunday at 10 PM.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, On the Beach at Pine Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Tropicana’s Free Fireworks Series
Every Saturday at 10 PM until September
This dazzling 10-minute show is part of Tropicana’s Summer Celebration Fireworks Series. The performances are displayed from the beachfront and include intricately designed scenes and vivid effects.
Cost: Free
Tropicana Atlantic City, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Wednesday Night Fireworks at Seaside Heights
Every Wednesday at 9:30 PM July 6-August 24
Head to the boards to hop on the rides, pop into the arcades, indulge in some ice cream, and win prizes with your kiddos. When the sun sets, find your favorite spot on the boardwalk to enjoy fireworks at 9:30 PM.
Cost: Free
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Thursday Night Fireworks at Jenkinson’s
Every Thursday at dark until August 25
This dazzling display at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk in Point Pleasant is a local tradition—catch the fireworks show on the beach every Thursday night. Before the show, stop by the aquarium or hit up everything else this fave boardwalk has to offer, then take a seat on the sand for the colorful display starting at dark.
Cost: Free
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 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
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