This weekend, go great heights on the ferris wheel at Asbury Park Summerfest, explore what nature has to offer at the Duke Farms Firefly Festival, or get your taste buds singing at Oasis Family Farm’s Blueberry Festival. Visit NJMOM’s summer calendar for more ideas: family-friendly festivals, carnivals, and special events that kids and parents can enjoy together.
Don’t forget to hashtag #njmom and tag @njmomhq, and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up!
1. Annual Califon Firemen’s Carnival
July 4 – 9, 2016 | Daily 6:00PM – 10:00PM
If you missed out on fireworks last weekend, come out to the 96th Annual Califon Firemen’s Carnival this Friday, July 8th and enjoy the light show. Through Saturday, enjoy carnival rides, yummy kid friendly food (hello, funnel cakes!), face painting, and enter the 50/50 for a chance to win big. Bring the whole family to thank our fire safety heroes while having fun together at the carnival.
Califon Municipal Building
39 Academy Street, Califon, NJ
Cost: Thursday Night $30 for Rides
2. Asbury Park Summerfest
July 7 – 10, 2016 | Thursday 3:00PM – 7:00PM, Friday 12:00PM – 10:00PM, Saturday 12:00PM – 10:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM – 6:00PM
Your family will have a blast at this carnival that sits aside Asbury Park’s historic Convention Hall and boardwalk. Experience a view of the coast like no other from atop the ferris wheel and enjoy the dozens of additional games and rides. The city is proud to host this event for 21 years and counting, making it a carnival event that your family can enjoy together year after year.
Bradley Park
Ocean Avenue between 5th & Sunset Avenues, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Admission is free. Unlimited ride wristbands are available for Thursday and Friday.
3. Hopewell Township Community Concert & Fireworks
July 8, 2016 | 5:30PM – 9:30PM
The weekend is kicking off early this week with this family oriented event in Hopewell Township. Pack up your lawn chairs and blankets and head to Alliger Park to enjoy live music from the 63rd US Army Band prior to the community’s infamous fireworks show. Your kids will also love the classic cars show that kicks off the evening at 5:30PM.
Alliger Park, Hopewell Township Municipal Building
221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Hopewell Township
Cost: Free
4. Duke Farms Firefly Festival
July 8 – 9, 2016 | 8:00PM – 11:00PM
During this family friendly event, meander the two miles of beautiful walking trails that Duke Farms has to offer, and experience the twinkling fireflies that light up the woodlands, lake shores, and lush gardens. Your kids will get excited when they see various activity stations along the trails that will help them learn about and interact with our firefly friends. Vendors and the Duke Farms cafe will be available for refreshments throughout your family’s stay.
Duke Farms
1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough, NJ
Cost: Free
5. Day Out with Thomas
July 8 – 10, 2016 | 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Your little ones won’t forget this day aboard their favorite character, Thomas the Tank Engine. Move full steam ahead along the scenic Delaware River after your adorable train-lovers get to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railways from the Thomas & Friends series. Kids won’t stop smiling after this weekend of Thomas activities.
Delaware River Railroad Excursion
99 Elizabeth Street, Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $21 ages 3+
6. Cumberland County Fair
July 8 – 10 | Friday 4:00PM – 11:00PM, Saturday 1:00PM – 11:00PM
New Jersey’s oldest fair is back this weekend with family favorite activities and entertainment including: Baby Stroller & Kids Wagon Parade, Little Miss & Mister Pageant, Farm & Garden Exhibits, Comedy Hypnosis Show, and Amusement Rides. Keep your energy high with the best fair food around so the whole family can enjoy a fun, classic fair weekend together in New Jersey.
County Fair Grounds
Fairstand Road, Millville, NJ
Cost: Children 0 – 3 Free, Ages 4 – 9 $3, Ages 10 and Older $5
7. Summer Flea Market
July 9, 2015 | 8:00AM – 3:00PM
Waking up super early and finding the best flea market treasures is a perfect summertime activity for families. Visit Historic Allaire Village and peruse the many vendors with secondhand gems just for you, including furniture, books, bottles, knick-knacks, and much more. The rain day for this event is July 10th, so your family will get to enjoy this thrifty activity regardless of the weather forecast.
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ
Cost: $5 per car
8. Front Porch Bluegrass Festival
July 9, 2016 | 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Your children will have a ball at this family friendly event for a good cause. Thirteen musical acts will set the mood for this pig roast event that supports Big Youth Group’s Central Appalachian home-building mission trip. Kids events and games include Terry the Turtle (dig for treasures in the sand), Fishing For Friends, Ball in the Cup, and Knock Out. Parents and kids alike will love the extensive barbeque style menu.
Gazebo Park
Corner of Main Street and Collis Lane, Chester, NJ
Cost: Free Admission, Games are “donate to play”
9. Victorian Summer Family Festival
July 9, 2016 | 11:00AM – 4:00PM
Take a step back in time with your little ones at Morris Museum’s Victorian Summer Family Festival. Have fun with a number of themed activities: make your own flower basket, pose for the camera with Victorian-styled photo-ops, create a toy kaleidoscope, participate in a scavenger hunt, and even see arcade attractions from the museum’s Guinness Collection. This fun, educational experience is a great, active option for your family this weekend.
Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ
Cost: Free for members. Non-members: $7 child, $10 adult
10. Blueberry Festival
July 9 – 10, 2016 | 10:30AM – 4:00PM
This family event is all things blueberry. Relax on a wagon ride around the farm before heading back to the store to pick out all sorts of blueberry treats including muffins, jam, and ice cream. Kids can get silly in the pie eating contest, have fun with a pony ride, and enjoy an array of other farm activities. The Blueberry Festival is sure to become your new family summer tradition.
Oasis Family Farm
3 Circle Drive, Robbinsville, NJ
Cost: Free
11. NJ Bacon Fest
July 9 – 10, 2016 | 11:00AM – 8:00PM
If bacon is a food your whole family adores, then this is the event for you. Enjoy dozens of vendors cookin’ up bacon classics and new treats your taste buds will thank you for. Festival highlights include a mechanical pig (like a mechanical bull but so much cooler), mini pig races, craft beer demos for mom and dad, live music, and bacon eating contests. Your family will go home full and happy after a day at NJ Bacon Fest.
The Tuckerton Seaport
120 West Main Street, Suite 1, Tuckerton, NJ
Cost: General Admission $8, Children under 5 are free.
12. Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Arts Festival
July 9 – 10, 2016 | Saturday 11:00AM – 7:00PM, Sunday 12:00PM – 5:00PM
Festival-going families can’t miss the Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Arts Festival that draws over 100,000 attendees. The work of over 250 esteemed and celebrated artists will inspire art collectors and appreciators alike. Kids, keep an eye out for face painting, games, and an opportunity to meet Princess Ariel. This rain or shine event is held throughout the quaint, historic town of Haddonfield, featuring the most esteemed establishments for shopping, dining, and visiting that your family will love.
Downtown Haddonfield
Along Kings Highway between Washington and Haddon Avenues
Cost: Free
13. Family Fun Day Fundraiser
July 10, 2016 | 11:00AM – 4:00PM
Your family will have a blast this Sunday with all of the family friendly farm activities at Family Fun Day at Allaire Community Farm. Play carnival games and jump on the inflatables, pick out a fun design at the face painting station, meet friendly animals at the petting zoo, and top it off with a hayride around the farm. When you work up an appetite, sit back and enjoy the scenery at the BBQ picnic.
Allaire Community Farm
2840 Allaire Road, Wall, NJ
Cost: Seashore Amusements ($1 – $3), BBQ Picnic $5 for kids & $10 for adults, Pony Rides $5
14. Classic Car Show & Oldies Day
July 10, 2016 | 11:30AM – 3:30PM
This mega NJ festival features over 150 classic vehicles for you and your little car lovers to enjoy. After choosing your favorite vehicles, stop by the radio booth to meet Big Joe Henry as he broadcasts his radio show live on NJ 101.5FM. Oldies are celebrated with live music by The Cameos, and swing dancing performances and lessons. Don’t forget to stop and enjoy the car races, pony rides, face painting, and the bouncy house.
Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Cost: General Parking $5, General Admission $5, Children under 12 are free.
15. Seafood Festival by the Bay
July 10, 2016 | 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Guests are encouraged to bring the whole family to the second annual Seafood Festival by the Bay to eat delicious seafood while enjoying live music along waterfront views. Your kids will have a blast with activities especially for them, including a bounce house, face painting, and entertainment from Freckles the Clown. Proceeds are donated to The Maximillion Foundation, a local non-profit organization working to “Strengthen Our Children.”
The Dutchman Brauhaus
2500 E Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ
Cost: $25 advance, $30 at the door. Children under 12 are free.
