Father’s Day is coming up, and before you trot out the same old ideas (backyard BBQ. anyone?), we’ve got a few unique things to do to celebrate Dad. Spend the day admiring all the sports cars and collectibles of the past at the Annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show in Atlantic Highlands, wear a Hawaiian shirt and practice your hula at a Father’s Day Luau in Landisville, or get ready for rides and the Batmobile at the Tri-County Fair in Rockaway. And beyond Father’s Day, you can plan plenty of other events together for June or find festivals during the summer. (feature photo:istock/Julie Clopper)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Tri-County Fair
June 12-15
Bring dad out to the fair, for a fun Father’s Day. Listen to live music, sample food, and jump on lots of rides like The Zipper, The Fun Slide, and the Ferris Wheel. The Batmobile will make a special appearance on Father’s Day.
Cost: Free to enter, $5 per vehicle
140 Green Pond Road, Rockaway, NJ 07866
Annual Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce Classic Car Show
June 14
What could be more classic for Father’s Day than a car show? Spend the morning at this annual show featuring all the classic, antique, and unique cars of the past. There will also be vendors, food trucks, trophies, entertainment, and goodie bags. The rain date is June 21.
Cost: $15 before 5/31 and then $20 at the door
First Ave, Atlantic Highlands, NJ 07716
Donuts with Dad
June 14
Indulge in some donuts and make some memories at Donuts with Dad in South Jersey. Make sure to register for this event so that you don’t miss it.
Cost: Prices not released yet
55 Pemberton Browns Mill Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Open Cockpit Weekend at the Aviation Hall of Fame
June 14
Climb into the cockpit of a very rare Lockheed Bushmaster plane and a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter. Don’t miss the interior of the M*A*S*H Bell 47 helicopter made famous during the Korean War. There will also be a working display of the International Space Station with uniforms and items Buzz Aldrin and other notable astronauts used.
Cost: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, $12 for children under 12, children 2 and under are free
400 Fred Wehran Drive, Teterboro, NJ 07608
Point Pleasant Boro Rotary Father’s Day 5K Run & 1 Mile Fun Run
June 14
Come to Community Park to run and raise money for Rotary charities. Awards will be given to top 1st, 2nd and 3rd male and female overall finishers and the top 1st, 2nd 3rd male and female finishers in each age group.
Cost: $20 and up
Corner of Bridge Avenue & Beaver Dam Road, Point Pleasant Boro, NJ US 08742
Berries and Brews Festival with Jersey Shore Brewing
June 14-15
Celebrate Father’s Day and the season finale of strawberry season all at the same time. Bring the family to Ort Farms to pick strawberries, hear live music, stop at the food trucks and Jersey Girl Brewery will be on tap too.
25 Bartley Road, Long Valley, NJ 07853
Freshwater Fishing Derby
June 14-15
Celebrate Father’s Day at the annual freshwater fishing derbies for beginners and experienced anglers. Experienced staff will provide free hands-on clinics to show you how to cast and rig and answer any questions. Prizes will be awarded for the longest fish in three different categories. A container of worms is included with each registration.
Cost: $28 per family of 4; $9 per person
Manasquan Reservoir and Turkey Swamp Park
Miller Farms Monster Truck Show
June 14-15
Witness monster trucks perform daring and dangerous stunts, quad racing, and more at Miller Farm’s Monster Truck Show to kick off Father’s Day weekend. Enjoy the ultimate Pit Party two hours before the start of the show, which includes a meet-and-greet with the drivers, photo ops, food trucks, a Kid Zone, and more.
Cost: General admission is $30. Admission for children is $15
Miller Farms, 134 N Grove St Berlin, NJ 08009
Father’s Day Weekend Sports Card and Collectibles Show
June 14-16
This Father’s Day weekend, head to the Sports Card & Collectibles Show to explore a wide variety of collectibles, novelties, autographed memorabilia, sports card releases, and apparel.
Cost: Free
Moorestown Mall, 400 NJ-38, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Seastreak Ferry To Citi Field
June 14-15
This Father’s Day set sail with Seastreak with a trip to Citi Field for a Mets game. Skip the traffic and take a ride on the ferry and enjoy cocktails, city views, and snacks. You can also purchase a ferry ride with tickets to the game.
Cost: Prices vary per package
Highlands Ferry Terminal: 326 Shore Drive, Highlands, NJ, 07732
30th Annual Father’s Day Cruise To The Jersey Shore Car Show On The Oceanfront
June 15
Cruise over with dad to see rods, customs, classic, and race cars. There will be food, a DJ, and shopping at the adjacent Pier Village. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Central and Northern NJ.
Cost: $15 spectators fee
100 Ocean Avenue North, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Brook Hollow Winery Annual Father’s Day Dinner
June 15
Visit Brook Hollow Winery for their Annual Father’s Day Dinner at the Event Facility. There will also be live music.
Cost: $50 per adult, $20 per child (7 to 12 years) and children under 7 are free
594 State Highway 94, Columbia, NJ 07832
Cranford Jaycees Father’s Day Fishing Derby
June 15
Bring your rods to the pond stocked with fish for the Leonard Snyder Memorial Father’s Day Fishing Derby.
Cost: Free
Nomahegan Park, 1024 Springfield Ave., Cranford, NJ 07016
Earthquake Father’s Day Show
June 15
Comedy sensation Earthquake returns with his Father’s Day Comedy Show. This year’s event features guest stars DeRay Davis, Chico Bean, and B. Simone.
Cost: Tickets are $55+
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Father’s Day at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk
June 15
Dads receive FREE admission to the following attractions on the boardwalk with a paid child admission – Amusement park, Aquarium, Mini Golf, Fun House, and Adventure Lookout Ropes Course, Castaway Cove Mini Golf Course, Lighthouse Point Mini Golf during open hours on Sunday, June 15. This event is weather permitting and please note opening hours vary by attraction.
Cost: Prices vary per attraction
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Father’s Day at Monmouth Racetrack
June 15
Spend this Father’s Day at the track and surprise Dad with a Father’s Day brunch in the Dining Club, or pack a cooler and enjoy the day in the picnic area. Dad can also be entered to win a pair of VIP Thomas Rhett concert tickets at PNC Bank Arts Center on Thursday, July 10, but must be onsite to enter.
Cost: All gentlemen receive free admission
Monmouth Park Racetrack 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Father’s Day Luau at Bellview Winery
June 15
Treat the dad in your life to an afternoon of live music, food trucks, and wine. American Bounce will be there for the kids, along with lots of food options.
Cost: Prices vary at food trucks
150 Atlantic Street, Landisville, NJ 08326
Father’s Day Special at Casino Pier
June 15
Bring Dad to Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach Waterpark on his special day. Dads enjoy loads of perks, including free rides with their full-price paying child (under 16 years old). Also, dads can enter the waterpark free with their full price paid child.
Cost: Free for dads with full paying child (under 16) on the same ride.
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Tenafly Nature Center Father’s Day Hike
June 15
Get back to nature by taking a guided walk with Dad outdoors. All ages are welcome, and children must be accompanied by an adult. In case of inclement weather, the program will be canceled.
Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members, and dads and children under 2 are free; strollers are not allowed.
313 Hudson Ave, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Whippany Railway Museum – Special Father’s Day Train Rides
June 15
Ride the rails on one of Morris County’s historic railroads while enjoy time with the family. Ride the caboose and spend a relaxing afternoon celebrating dad.
Cost: $13 and up
Whippany Railway Museum, 1 Railroad Plaza, Whippany, NJ 07981
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
