Let’s go, July! We’re making core memory moments with lots of festivals, fireworks, and tons of family fun this month. The best part? It’s all FREE. Grab your patriotic gear and head to one of the 4th of July parades, celebrations, or fireworks shows across the state, celebrate the summer season with lots of fun, including a horse show, livestock show, animals, rides, food, and music at the Cape May County 4-H Fair in Cape May Court House, or bring the kids to learn all about Bees and Pollinators plus tours of the Butterfly House, free classes, and a bug parade at the Butterfly Festival in National Park. And for more spring fun, check out everything on our seasonal bucket list. (Featured photo credit: Ocean Grove Independence Weekend)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
250th at Casino Pier
July 1 at 5 PM
Head to Casino Pier for a red, white, and blue celebration including patriotic characters, free face painting, patriotic drummers, and a beach ball drop. Then, when the sky gets dark, watch the gorgeous fireworks celebration.
Cost: Free
800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Cape May Lighthouse
Wednesdays, July 1-August 26
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 Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
Fourth of July Events in Avalon
July 2-4
Kick off the Fourth celebrations with a reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 2 at Surfside Park, followed by live music from American Soul. On July 3, watch a golf cart parade at Surfside Park, and then on July 3, head to the Avalon Yacht Club for a boat parade, hang at the beach, and then catch the fireworks lighting up the night.
Cost: Free
Surfside Park, Avalon Yacht Club, and Beachfront, Avalon, NJ 08202
Medford Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
July 2 at dusk
Freedom Park hosts an evening full of family fun with live music, food vendors, a Kid’s Zone, and fireworks at dusk. Rain date is July 6.
Cost: Free
Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ 08055
Fireworks in the Park
July 2 at 6 PM
Bring your chairs and blankets to celebrate the Fourth of July a few days early. The festival begins at 6 PM, and fireworks start at 9:15 PM. The rain date is July 5.
Cost: Free
Donaldson Park, 526 S 2nd Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Manasquan Fourth of July Celebration
July 2 at 5 PM
Come down to the shore, see a fun parade, listen to a concert on the beach, and then enjoy the fireworks at night.
Cost: Free
Main Beach, Manasquan, NJ 08736
Paramus Firework Show and Food Truck Festival
July 3
At night, cuddle up to watch the spectacular fireworks show. Make sure you don’t forget your blanket or chair.
W. Jockish Square, Paramus, NJ 07652
Stone Harbor Fireworks
July 3 at 9:15 PM
Bring the whole family to the Recreation Fields or the beach and enjoy the Independence Day fireworks show that will light up the night.
Cost: Free
Recreation Fields, 81st Street and Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
Denville Semiquincentennial Days
July 3-5
Denville Days will transform Gardner Field into a vibrant festival grounds featuring three full days of live music and entertainment, including a Friday night kickoff under the big tent, a dedicated kids activity area with games and hands-on crafts, picnic spaces with food vendors and classic festival fare, a beer garden, friendly competitions and contests for all ages, an arts and crafts market, exciting tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), and the town’s traditional fireworks display lighting up the July sky.
Cost: Free
Gardner Field, 1 St Mary’s Place, Denville, NJ 07834
Fireworks, Drones & America’s 250th on the Delaware
July 3-5
New Hope and Lambertville come together for a three day America 250th festival featuring Revolutionary-era theater, a synchronized fireworks and 200-drone sky show, music, a lively parade, dragon boat racing, and church bells ringing across both towns. There will also be local specials at restaurants and shops.
Cost: Free events
Locations throughout Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA
Independence Weekend in Ocean Grove
July 4 at 10:30 AM
The parade is on rain or shine at 10:30 AM, and at 7:30 PM, there will be a Patriotic Concert in the Great Auditorium.
Cost: Free
Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
9th Annual Family Fun Fest
July 4 at 12 PM
This kickoff summer event is a great way to celebrate our country’s 250th anniversary. There will be time on the beach, live music, nonstop entertainment, and a fireworks display.
Cost: Free
Baywalk East, 2 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734
City of Jersey City 4th of July
July 4 at 9:30 PM
A street festival, vendors curated by Jersey City Night Market, live concerts, and a free bike check with Bike JC will all be in Jersey City on the 4th of July. Then, at night, you won’t want to miss the world-famous Grucci fireworks on the Hudson.
Cost: Free
Montgomery Street, Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Bergen County Star-Spangled Spectacular
July 4 at 9:30 PM
Head to Overpeck County Park for an afternoon and evening packed with patriotic fun, including live music, food trucks, carnival attractions, inflatables, a beer and wine garden, and one of Bergen County’s biggest fireworks shows.
Cost: Free
Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ 07605
Florham Park Fourth of July Celebration
July 4 at 9:30 PM
Florham Park Fourth of July Celebration
July 4
Come out for Florham Park’s largest July 4th celebration ever, beginning with a flag-raising ceremony at 9 AM at the firehouse, followed by a patriotic parade, the longest running in New Jersey history. After the parade, head over to the Boro lawn for a family picnic and activities, including kiddie rides. There will be live music, an ’80s tribute band, and the biggest fireworks display ever put on in Florham Park.
Cost: Free
Multiple locations in Florham Park, NJ 07932
Bay Village July 4th Fireworks
July 4
Come to Taylor Avenue to see fireworks light up the sky on Long Beach Island. The rain date is July 5.
Cost: Free
Taylor Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
Long Branch Oceanfest
July 4 at 9 PM
Since 1990, hundreds of thousands have flocked to Long Branch’s oceanfront promenade for Oceanfest. This all-day, family-friendly festival brings together the most memorable sights, sounds, and sensations of the summer. The fireworks display at dusk caps off the day.
Cost: Free
1 Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Seaside Heights Fireworks
July 4 at 9:30 PM
Spend the day on the boardwalk and the night at the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular. The show is visible from anywhere on the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Freedom Festival and Fireworks
July 4, the event starts at 6 PM
Celebrate the 4th at the Camden Waterfront with a star-studded festival featuring The Commodores and a salute to America and our veterans. Then, top it all off with a fireworks show over the Delaware.
Cost: Free
Wiggins Waterfront Park & Marina, Riverside Drive, and Martin Luther King Boulevard, Camden, NJ 08102
Fun on the Fourth in Collingswood
July 4 at dusk
Water games, raft races, and more during the day, and watch the sky light up with fireworks at night. Gates open at 6:30 PM for the fireworks, with a live music performance at 7:45 PM. And FYI—Knight Park will have no parking on the 4th.
Cost: Free
401 Knight Park House, Oaklyn, NJ 08107
Margate July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza
July 4 at 9 PM
Join in on this annual July 4th celebration on the beach, sponsored by the Margate Mothers’ Association. Don’t forget your beach chairs and blankets.
Cost: Free
101 S. Huntington Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402
Ocean City Fourth of July Celebration
July 4 at 9 PM
After a fun day on the beach, families look forward to lining up on the boardwalk for this annual event. Before settling in to watch the fireworks show, you can enjoy the rides or watch the kite flying competition at 7 PM, followed by entertainment on the beach next to the Music Pier.
Cost: Free
Ocean City Boardwalk, 9th Street Beach, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Washington Township Fireworks
July 4 at 9 PM
Visitors can see the parade at 6:30 PM at Washington Township High School, and fireworks begin at 9 PM. The rain date is July 5.
Cost: Free
Washington Township High School – 529 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road #2831, Sewell, NJ 08080
Sea Isle City Fireworks
July 4 at 9:15 PM
Launching from an ocean barge near 50th Street Beach, the Sea Isle Independence Day Fireworks Show will not disappoint–catch the show while making yourself comfy with chairs and blankets on the beach.
Cost: Free
50th Street Beach, Sea Isle City, 08243
Wildwoods Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
July 4 at 10 PM
Set up your blankets and chairs on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue or anywhere along the Wildwoods Boardwalk and enjoy this special holiday fireworks extravaganza. The fireworks will launch on Pine Avenue and be visible from the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
Pine Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Smithville Fourth of July Parade
July 4 at 9 AM
This parade kicks off at the Smithville Town Center with patriotic costumes, fire trucks, antique cars, and more. The parade will follow its usual route: east on Smithville Boulevard to Moss Mill Road, then west on Moss Mill to Historic Smithville. Up to 10,000 people are expected to line the parade route, ending with an Independence Day ceremony in Smithville’s Village Greene.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, 615 E Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
2026 Moorestown 4th of July Parade: 1776
July 4 at 12 PM
This year’s parade theme is Let Freedom Ring. Watch floats, marchers, and bands along the parade route, which starts on Chester Avenue at the E. Central Avenue intersection. The route continues up Chester Avenue, turns right onto Main Street, and continues to Church Street.
Cost: Free
Corner of Chester and E. Central Avenue
Jenkinson’s Independence Day Fireworks
July 5 at 9:30 PM
Weather and wind permitting, fireworks will burst into the air at the Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. Don’t miss the amusement park, games, and food on the boardwalk while you are there.
Cost: Free
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Belmar 4th of July Fireworks & Light Show
July 5 at 8 PM
Head down the shore to Belmar for a free concert, a computerized light show, and fireworks to finish off the night. The best viewing position is Silver Lake Park on the grass in front of Taylor Pavilion.
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Silver Lake Park, 410 7th Avenue, Belmar, NJ 07719
Bradley Beach Fireworks
July 5 at 8 PM
Hit up the beachfront at dusk to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks.
Cost: Free
Beachfront, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
Free Family Magic Show
Tuesdays, July 7 – Aug 25
Enjoy a free magic show with Rich Lessig every Tuesday night during July and August. Lessig has returned to town to show you his best magic tricks.
Cost: Free
Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Avenue, Cape May, NJ 08204
State Theater Free Movie Series
Tuesdays, July 7 – August 4
Experience your favorite films on a 46′ screen with a state-of-the-art sound system in a newly renovated theater. Groups and camps are welcome, too. All movies will include Spanish subtitles.
Cost: Free
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Family Fun Day
July 11 at 12 PM
Join this family-friendly event at Lake Musconetcong Park. There will be games, prizes, music, food, and more. The rain date is July 12.
Cost: Free
46 Musconetcong Avenue, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Freehold Township Day
July 11 at 4 PM
Bring the whole fam to this concert and festival in the park with merchandise and food vendors. Kids can enjoy the rides, teens can hang out and dance to a DJ at the Teen Center, and the whole family can check out the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Butterfly Festival
July 11 at 11 AM
Bring the kids to learn all about Bees and Pollinators. Learn about their importance and how to attract them to your yard. Enjoy tours of the Butterfly House, free classes, and a bug parade. The rain date is July 12.
Cost: Free
Red Bank Battlefield National Park, 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, NJ 08063
Cape May County 4-H Fair
July 16-18
Celebrate the summer season with lots of fun, including a horse show, livestock show, animals, rides, food, music, and so much more.
Cost: Free
4-H Fairgrounds, 335 Court House- South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Harvey Cedars Arts Festival
July 19 at 11 AM
It’s the annual Harvey Cedars Arts Festival. Peruse the artists and makers displaying their mixed-media works, photography, and fine crafts.
Cost: Free
Harvey Cedars Sunset Park, 1 West Salem Avenue, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Mercer County 4-H Fair
July 25-26 at 10 AM
Bring out the fam for animal shows and exhibits, magic shows, and farm tours. There will also be homemade ice cream, hayrides, pony rides, music, and displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association, and many more.
Cost: Free admission and parking for all; please bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger.
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
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