Hello, May – spring has hit its stride, and we’re kicking off the new month with lots of fun things to do with the family this weekend. Enjoy a day of cars, shopping, horse and carriage rides, a flag raising by local veterans and a flag salute at the 4th Annual Buena Spring Festival and Car Show in Landisville, spend the day tasting delicious food and jumping on inflatables at the Food Truck and Music Fest in Chester, or participate in a Fun Run and Kids Race, then head to a lively festival at Spring Street Fair and Earth Day Celebration in Highland Park. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: iStock/JulieAlexK)
SPONSORED
The New Jersey Reptile & Exotic Animal Show is a one-of-a-kind experience for animal lovers of all ages, featuring reptiles, amphibians, aquatics, invertebrates, and more. Bring the whole family to walk through and discover incredible species up close, and get a chance to see animals you’ve only seen on TV or in books. Explore at your own pace, ask questions, and maybe even find the perfect new pet to bring home. Check out a special appearance by Parties by Parrots, with a chance for kids to interact with and take photos alongside beautiful macaw parrots. After two sold-out shows, the event has expanded to a 2-day format to welcome even more families.
460 NJ-36, Port Monmouth, NJ, 07758
Cost: Ticket prices vary; children under 5 are free.
VFW Post 2179-Port Monmouth, 460 NJ-36, Port Monmouth, NJ 07758
Spring Plant Sale
May 1-3
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
Mother’s Day Victorian Tea
May 1-3
Celebrate Mom all month with Mom’s Teatime, served on the hour, midweek at 11 AM or on the weekend at 3 PM. Then, take in special events starting with a Mom’s Night Out on May 1. On May 8, enjoy the ‘Mom to Die For ‘Murder Mystery Dinner Show, or have fun at Mother’s Day Dinner on May 9 and 10. Reservations are recommended.
Cost: Prices vary
Mathis House, 600 Main St, Toms River, NJ 08753
4th Annual Buena Spring Festival and Car Show
May 2 at 11 AM
This event is one the whole family will love, with shopping, antique dealers, food trucks, a craft bar, horse-and-carriage rides, and a car show. To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, there will be a flag raising by local veterans and a flag salute. Rain date is May 3.
Cost: $1 per adult, kids are free
210 Kennedy Drive, Landisville, NJ 08326
Family Game Night
May 2 at 3 PM
Looking for a boredom buster? Wanna ditch the screens and gather IRL? Bring your friends, family, and neighbors and enjoy the best new & classic board and card games for all ages.
Cost: $15 per person, $40 per family, or $100 per table; kids 2 and under are free
Verona High School, 151 Fairview Avenue, Verona, NJ 07044
Mother’s Day Extravaganza
May 2 at 10 AM
Find the perfect gift for mom with 60+ vendors selling candles, flowers, jewelry, chocolate, and more. There will also be food and free face painting for the kids.
Cost: $3, 12 and younger are free
1 Pal Drive, Wayne, NJ 07470
Ocean Grove Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show
May 2 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
Chester Food Truck and Music Fest
May 2 at 11 AM
Round up your crew for a fun day—there will be food trucks, kids’ activities, ax-throwing, and inflatables.
Cost: $5. Kids under 5 are free; please bring an item for the food pantry
134 Main Street, Chester, NJ 07930
Bird Quest 2026
May 2 at 7 AM
Spend the day on this annual bird quest, perfect for novices and experienced birders. The day will consist of a morning of birding, where you will identify as many bird species as you can within Gloucester County. Then, at noon, everyone will gather for lunch, t-shirts, story swapping, and door prizes.
Cost: $15 or $20 per person
Wheelabrator Wildlife, 600 Crown Point Road, Westville, NJ 08093
Skylands Stadium Fest
May 2 at 12 PM
This festival will be a day of food, fun, and family that you won’t want to miss. Make memories enjoying the outdoors and activities, including 20+ food truck vendors, desserts, and specialty drinks. Live music, carnival games, axe-throwing, and more will be there.
Cost: $5. Kids under 38″ free.
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
NJ Empanada Fest & Car Show
May 2 at 12 PM
The Manville PBA Food & Music Festival is a great way to celebrate the weekend. Enjoy empanada trucks, live music, and craft vendors. This event features Bounce House Village, a bungee trampoline, an air shot shooting range, henna tattoos, and much more.
Cost: Admission to the food and music festival is $6 for anyone 6 years old or older.
Rustic Mall, Manville, NJ 08835
Spring on The Farm
May 2 at 10 AM
Get ready for up-close interactions with animals in a sensory-friendly atmosphere. Little ones will get to meet an alpaca, mini horse, and more. There will also be fun crafts and delicious treat stations.
Cost: Free
Bierman Autism Centers – Piscataway, 200 Centennial Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Bierman Autism Centers – Ramsey, 500 N. Franklin Tpke., Ramsey, NJ 07446
Ocean City Spring Block Party
May 2 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
ECO Fair
May 2 at 10 AM
Bring your crew to this free event inspired by natural and artful living, featuring local gardening clubs, including Rutgers Master Gardeners, with native and wildlife-friendly plants, locally grown herbs, and vegetables for sale. There are handmade works of New Jersey artists, environmental organizations, Nature Trail tours, eco-friendly activities for families, live music, and more.
Cost: Free
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ 08332
Wild West City Opening Weekend
May 2-3
Head to Spring Bonanza, where you can meet new characters, hop on a train ride, enjoy mini golf with the family, and take part in the brand-new gold mine adventure. Yee-haw!
Cost: Admission starts at $45 per person
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874
Union Muster at East Jersey Old Town Village
May 2-3 at 10 AM
Bring the family to this day of living history to witness historical weapons demonstrations, see re-enactments, listen to 19th-century music, enjoy children’s crafts, and more.
Cost: Free
East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Spring Street Fair and Earth Day Celebration
May 3 at 9 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 Avenue from 2nd to 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Passaic County Celebration of the Earth
May 3 at 11 AM
Bring the whole fam to this environmentally themed event with parking, music, games, activities, environmental face painting, inflatables, refreshments, and the Earth Day Rocks Bubble, Comedy & Music show at 1:00 PM. Environmental organizations will be on hand as well, including PSE&G, with valuable energy and money-saving tips.
Cost: Free
Gymnasium at Passaic County Technical High School (PCTI), 45 Reinhardt Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
Cherry Grove Farm Milk Fest
May 3 at 12 PM
Love cheese? Come to this first annual Milk Fest, which celebrates all things dairy. They will have artisan cheeses and dairy products, flowers and plants for sale, artists and crafters with their spring wares, face painting and fun for kids, along with a maypole, hayrides, morris dancers, music, and a kirtan and blessing for the calves and cows.
Cost: $5-$20 per car
3200 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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