This weekend, your family can celebrate culture at the 18th Annual Spanish American Festival in Keyport, learn while having fun at Watershed Butterfly Festival in Pennington, ride the attractions at Middlesex County Fair in East Brunswick, plus many more kid-friendly fairs and festivals in New Jersey this weekend.
Here are 15+ Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
1. Middlesex County Fair
Monday, August 7 – Sunday, August 13, 2017 | Monday – Friday 5:00PM – 11:00PM, Saturday 11:00AM – 11:00PM, Sunday 11:00AM – 10:00PM
The Middlesex County Fair will be host to county fair favorites your families loves, such as carnival rides, exciting games, live music, and of course – food. There will also be family entertainment such as: The Marvelous Mutts, Barnyard Express, Pork Chop Review, David Darwin One Man Side Show, The Tallest Man in Middlesex, UWA Elite Pro Wrestling, and more.
655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Cost: Free
2. Festival of the Sea Carnival
Wednesday, August 9 – Sunday, August 13, 2017 | Daily 6:00PM to 10:00PM
Bring the whole family for five nights of fun. There will be rides, food, 50/50 Raffles for everyone to enjoy.
St. Francis Parish & Center Grounds
4700 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach Township, NJ 08008
Cost: Free, $25.00 Nightly Ride Bracelet
3. 41st Annual Township of Ocean Italian Festival
Wednesday, August 9 – Sunday, August 13, 2017 | Daily 5:00PM – 11:00PM
Back for its 41st year, the ultimate Italian Heritage and Cultural celebration is back and better than ever. Great live music will be accompanied by fireworks and delicious eats at the festival’s food tent.
Joe Palaia Park
200 Whalepond Rd., Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Cost: Free
4. Feministival Series – FUNtastic Summer in JC
Friday, August 11, 2017 | 3:00PM to 8:00PM
Feministival is finally here, and it is the premiere event for women, by women in Jersey City. This unique Festival invites your family to partake in an evening of free fun and entertainment for both kids and adults. The lineup of events includes: music, a “Bubble Fest,” and plenty more activities for kids. The full entertainment schedule is as follows: 4:45PM CrossFit, 5:00PM Music for Kids by Tanya True From True to Kids, 5:30PM Zumba by April Canete Pavlish from Maximum Motion, 5:45PM Giant Bubbles, 6:00PM Dance Performance by Priti Gupta Udeshi.
Hamilton Park, Jersey City
9th Street and W Hamilton, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Cost: Free
5. Stamp & Scrapbook Expo Edison, NJ
Friday, August 11 – Saturday, August 12, 2017 | Friday 10:00AM to 6:00PM (Early Bird: 9:00AM to 6:00PM), Saturday 9:00AM to 5:00PM
The Stamp & Scrapbook Expo is for crafters of all ages. Whether you are just starting out or an experienced pro, the expo has workshops to help you and your family create projects you’ll be proud of. There will be exciting prizes, newest products, and cool tools to see. Your family can also learn a new technique, play with a brand tool, or get their hands on the very latest products.
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center – Halls B & D
97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, NJ 08837
Cost: Free for Children 12 & Under, $15 Adult Friday Early Bird, $10 Adult
6. Watershed Butterfly Festival
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Stony Brooke-Milstone’s biggest event of the year is finally here, and it is looking to put on a great educational event. Dedicated to family bonding and love for Mother Earth, this event has grown to be a major regional event, attracting more than 3,000 families. This year offers games, plenty of reading challenges, obstacle courses, a dunk tank, hay rides, nature walks, and the popular Butterfly and Bug Parade. There will also be tour exhibits, the famed insect zoo, and the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House. Riverhorse Brewing Co. will be providing refreshments for a nice kick back in the garden, alongside other popular vendors like Jersey Cider Works and Kona Ice. More so, The Watershed Reserve will be jam-packed with plenty of animals like: alpacas, kittens, a skunk, hissing cockroaches, and the world’s most photogenic turtles. This event will also display local art, crafts, photography, sculpture, and many environmentally friendly items. Families can also dance to live music all day with the Ballycastle Band, The DADZ, Giana Lynn, and Frances Catherine. The scrumptious food is coming straight you from Antimo’s Italian Kitchen: Trattoria & Pizzeria, Four Daughters Franks, Mama Dude’s, Blossom’s Sassa Bienne, Maddalena’s Cheesecake and Catering, Nina’s Waffles & Sweets, and many more.
Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association
31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, New Jersey 08534
Cost: $8 General Admission, $20 Carload
7. Vets Summer Fest
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 11:00AM to 8:00PM
There is no better Summer Festival around that celebrates family fun, and shows support to all our beloved Veterans without a home. Vets Summer Fest will have the livest music, food, a KIDZONE, other family friendly activities, a craft show, a car show, a motorcycle run, and a Direct Sales and Non-Profit EXPO.
Vasa Park
1 Vasa Drive, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07828
Cost: Free
8. 8th Annual Red Bank Community Block Party
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 12:00PM to 7:00PM
Red Bank’s famous Community Block Party is here for its 8th year in a row, and your family will not want to miss out on live entertainment, vendors, rides, food, and more celebrations with the whole community.
Drs James Parker Blvd, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Cost: Free
9. Montclair Jazz Festival
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 12:00PM to 9:00PM
The annual Montclair Jazz Festival is the best single one-day event in the whole Montclair area. Friends, families, and your neighbors are invited to celebrate the incredible and historic American Jazz Tradition that has been cultivating for so many years. Internationally-celebrated jazz icons and over 150 emerging musicians will bless the stage with music that you can not turn away. This big lineup includes: A Christian McBride Situation, DeeDee Bridgewater Memphis Blues Band, The Cyrus Chestnut Trio, The Ted Chubb Band, and the Jazz House Collective. Folding chairs and a blanket are a must to enjoy this full day of live music and fun.
Nishuane Park
48 High Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Cost: Free
10. Indian Independence Day Celebration
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 4:00PM to 8:00PM
This celebrated cultural event is the biggest Indian Independence Day event in Jersey City, featuriong: performances from kids and adults alike via the Dhol instrument and various dance performances, activities for kids and parents, delectable Indian cuisine, and an open dance floor by the Hudson with stunning views of the Jersey City and Manhattan skylines. To make things even more interesting, your family can also participate in the biggest Rangoli ever created in New Jersey.
Exchange Place Boardwalk
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
Cost: Free
11. Sommerfest
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 5:00PM to 10:00PM (Gates Open: 4:00PM)
Sommerfest features some of the most mouth-watering cuisine the summer has to offer. From a 1/2 Roasted Chicken, Leberkäse, Pork, Sandwiches, Potato Pancakes, Bratwurst, Bauernwurst, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, German Frankfuters, Potato Salads, and Cucumber Salad, there is just no reason to miss out on such a feast.
Deutscher Club of Clark Inc
787 Featherbed Ln, Clark, New Jersey 07066
Cost: $5 General Admission
12. Assumption Society Netcong Day and Night Time Celebration
Saturday, August 12, 2017 (Rain Date: August 19) | All Day
Netcong Feast of Assumption Society will have our Annual Day Parade, Night Time Consession and Fireworks Celebration at Dominick Arbolino Park. There will be food, beverages, rides, activities, and 50/50 Raffle Tickets. You’re family will throughly enjoy this event.
Dominick Arbolino Memorial Park
Netcong, NJ 07857
Cost: Free
13. 18th Annual Keyport Spanish American Festival
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 12:00PM to 8:00PM
¡Wepa! Eat, dance and play with your family at Keyport’s Spanish-American Festival. Celebrate the Bayshore’s incredibly diverse Latino heritage with great food, games for all ages, live music, community awards and more.
Beachfront Park
Corner of First and Broad Streets, Keyport, NJ 07735
Cost: Free
14. Annual Seafood Festival
Saturday, August 12 – Saturday, August 13, 2017 | Saturday & Sunday 12:00PM to 5:00PM
On August 12th and 13th, mom and dad will get a chance to sip some wine, and the whole fam can enjoy fresh seafood at the annual Seafood Festival at Bellview Winery. There will be a wide selection of seafood delights from some of the best gourmet seafood producers in the area. The “To the Maxx Dance Band” will bless the stage to get your sea legs moving with some great sea tunes. Wine tasting, sangria, and chilled bottles of your favorite wine will be available all weekend. Families are encouraged to grab lawn chairs, sunglasses, and see what all the excitement is about.
Bellview Winery
150 Atlantic St, Landisville, New Jersey 08326
Cost: Free for Everyone 20 and Under, $15 Adults, Tickets can be purchased here.
15. Family Fun Day & Food Trucks
Saturday, August 12 – Sunday, August 13, 2017 | 12:00PM to 6:00PM
The festivities at JCC Camps at Medford do not seem to stop, from all the featured water activities, paddle boats, petting zoos, mini golf, volley-ball, swimming, water slide, basketball, music, and food trucks – the list is endless. This Saturday is meant for fun, and a time to enjoy live bands out of the sun in the amphitheater. Families attending must wear a life jacket in the lake and on paddle boats (you are welcome to bring your own). No outside food or drinks allowed.
JCC Camps at Medford
400 Tuckerton Road, Medford, New Jersey 08055
Cost: Free for Kids 12 and under, $15 General Admission, Free parking
BONUS EVENTS!
16. Salt Water Day & Fireworks Display
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 3:00PM to 10:00PM
The 15th Annual Salt Water Day is coming to the Laurence Harbor Waterfront once again. This event includes: food trucks, rides, live music, a corn hole tournament, and over 70 vendors to shop til’ you drop. For a day of refreshing waterfront fun, bring the whole family along for plenty of activities that will keep everyone entertained the whole day.
Laurence Harbor Waterfront Park
NJ-35, Laurence Harbor, NJ 08879
Cost: Free
17. West End Cruise Night & Classic Car Show
Saturday, August 12, 2017 | 6:00PM to 10:00PM
We all truly need good vibrations for the summer, so why not bask in some during the West End Cruise Night & Classic Car Show. Taking place on Saturday, August 12th from 6PM to 10PM on Brighton Avenue, there will be plenty of musical acts to keep you moving all night. On the Main Stage (Municipal Lot at Kossick Way & Brighton Ave.), Ragdoll will be performing with plenty other music to look forward to. There will be two tributes to The Beach Boys & Frankie Valli as well, so make sure your family does not miss all the good vibes.
Main State – Municipal Lot
Kossick Way & Brighton Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740
Cost: Free
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 Free {Kid-Friendly} Events in August
- 2017 Summer Beach Badges For New Jersey Beaches
- 25 {Must Know} Kid-Friendly Landmarks in NJ
- Top Summer Day Camps in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
