The fourth may be on a Thursday, but we’ll still be celebrating the birth of our nation with a ton of fun things to do with the fam all weekend. Watch the sky light up with fireworks up and down the state, take in live music, handmade vendors, blueberry picking, and so much more at the Blueberry Summer Fest in Browns Mills, or listen to a reading of the Declaration of Independence and take part in family activities, crafts, and music during Independence Day Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May. Heading to the Shore? Get your beach badges and find the places to sink your toes in the sand with our Jersey Shore guide. (featured photo credit: istock/ Gregory_DUBUS)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Wildwoods Boardwalk Friday Night Fireworks
July 5 at 10 PM
It’s summertime, which means fireworks and beach days. Head to Wildwood with the fam and enjoy a fun-filled day before ending it with a beautiful fireworks display on the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
Pine Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Princess Party on the Pier
July 5 at 3 PM
If you have a little one who loves all things princesses, then you need to bring them to this fun event. There will be glitter makeup, hair braids, and princesses singing your favorite songs. Come dressed up as a princess.
Cost: Free
Casino Pier, 800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Bradley Beach Fireworks
July 5 at dusk
Head to the beachfront at dusk to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks.
Cost: Free
Beachfront, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
Movies on the Beach
July 5 at 6:30 PM
Check out the free movies on the beach every Friday at Avalon’s 30th Beach Street. Movies begin at dusk, and the films include Jaws and Mamma Mia!
Cost: Free
30th Street and the beach, Avalon, NJ 08202
St. Francis of Assisi Festival of the Sea
July 5-6
With rides, games, food, and tons of fun, these are a few days filled with fun for the whole family.
Cost: $35 per person per day
St. Francis of Assisi, 4700 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach Island, NJ 08008
Free Music in the Park: Independence Day Band
July 5-7 at 7 PM
Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy an evening of music performed by a wide array of musical talent. Concerts begin at 7 PM.
Cost: Free
400 Lafayette St, Cape May, NJ 08204
State Fair Meadowlands
July 5-7
Bring the family for a day full of fun. Enjoy 150+ rides and attractions, 100+ food vendors, 50+ game vendors, and 12 shows, including Cycle Circus, Pirates of the Columbian Carribean, Extreme Illusions and Escapes, and so much more.
Cost: $39.99 for a Fun Pass
1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
LEAD Fest State Fair – Mercy County Park
July 5-7
Get ready for food, fun, rides, and more at the Law Enforcement Agents Drugs and Violence (LEAD) Fair. Nightly entertainment will include a petting farm, rides, Cowtown USA, and a pie-eating contest.
Cost: $7 during the week and $8 on weekends; several activities are an additional cost
1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Blueberry Festival at Argos Farm
July 5-7 at 10 AM
It’s the annual Argos Farm Blueberry Festival, featuring live music, blueberry treats, photo ops, and, of course, hand-picked farm-fresh blueberries. The kids will love the double hay slide, bee zip line, and jumbo jumper air pillow.
Cost: $14.95 online and $19.95 at the gate
1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
East Windsor Independence Day Celebration
July 6 at 6 PM
Enjoy an evening with the fam celebrating the 4th of July with gorgeous live music followed by fireworks at 9:30 PM. The rain date is July 13.
Cost: Free
Etra Lake Park, East Windsor, NJ 08512
Patriotic Celebration Day
July 6 at 5 PM
Bring the whole family for a patriotic celebration. The evening will include a free concert in the park, food trucks, and fireworks. Make sure you bring your own chair.
Cost: Free
Florence Municipal Complex & Court, 711 Broad Street, Florence, NJ 08518
Bordentown Township Fishing Derby
July 6 at 10 AM
Grab your fishing poles and enter this fun fishing derby. This is a free event, and trophies will be awarded to kids 12 years of age and younger who catch the largest fish.
Cost: Free
Northern Community Park, 48 Groveville Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Red, Wine, and Blueberry 5K Run
July 6 at 9 AM
It’s the perfect time to get out and move at this 5K event, geared for the whole family. There will be a 5K run course for adults and a 1-mile kids’ fun run followed by a live band.
Cost: Race prices vary
Renault Winery & Resort, 72 N Breman Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
Belmar Independence Day Show
July 6 at 8:30 PM
Come 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 Ave., Belmar, NJ 07719
Blueberry Summer Fest
July 6 at 10 AM
At this blueberry event, you can tour the historic home where blueberries were first cultivated, enjoy live music, visit handmade vendors, pick blueberries, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Whitesbog Farm & Village, 120 West Whites Bog Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Independence Weekend in Ocean Grove
July 6 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
Independence Day Weekend Family Fun Day
July 6 at 12 PM
Celebrate this fun weekend with the fam at this event. There will be a kids’ bounce house, DJ, delicious food, drinks, and wine for the adults.
Cost: Free; please bring a non-perishable food item or clothing donation
DiBella Winery, 229 Davidson Road, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Cape May City Independence Day Parade 2024
July 6 at 1 PM
Watch the parade down Beach Avenue with string bands and other performing groups. You can also join in with decorated golf carts, bicycles, and baby carriages. The rain date is July 7.
Cost: Free
Beach Avenue in Cape May City, NJ 08204
Whale of a Day Family Street Festival
July 6 at 8:30 AM
Raffles, vendors, entertainment, crafts, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
201 Clubhouse Road, Townbank, NJ 08204
Independence Day Weekend
July 6 – 7 at 11 AM
Make this Independence Day weekend a family event at Cold Spring Village’s annual Independence Day Celebration. This event features a variety of family activities, programs, and music. The Village’s restored historic buildings will feature Early American trades and crafts demonstrations. There will be a Patriot Spy Game, followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence and much more.
Cost: Starting at $12
Historic Cold Spring Village, 735 Seashore Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204
Movies on the Beach
July 7 at 8:30 PM
Enjoy free movies every Sunday near Beach Patrol North Headquarters, Seaside Heights. Movies start at dusk and include Jaws, Mummies, and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
Cost: Free
Beach Patrol North Headquarters, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
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