This weekend in New Jersey is about to come alive with fairs, festivals, and special kid-friendly events throughout all corners of the state. Experience carnival entertainment and attractions at Freedom Fest State Fair, feast on your favorite lobster or shrimp dish at Surf and Turf Seafood Festival, get your thrills on the Tilt-a-Whirl at the Ocean County Fair, plus so many more family-friendly events happening throughout New Jersey this weekend.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are 15 Things To Do This Weekend in NJ:
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The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Festival
Tuesday, July 10 – Monday, July 16, 2018
This unique summer festival celebrates Italian culture with carnival rides, live entertainment, games, with a grand conclusion of a parade and fireworks on Monday at 4:00PM and 10:00PM, respectively. Come hungry, because there will be a wide variety of food available, as well as a beer garden for adults to enjoy. Bring the whole family to this community celebration.
Mount Carmel Lane, Hammonton, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
Freedom Fest State Fair
Wednesday, July 11 – Sunday July 15, 2018
Wednesday and Thursday from 5:00PM to 11:00PM
Friday and Saturday from 12:00PM to 11:00PM
Sunday from 12:00PM to 10:00PM
The 16th Annual Freedom Fest State Fair features the best rides, carnival food, and games that any little one could imagine. Special attractions also include a wrestling match, magic show, petting zoo, racing pigs, and much more.
Horse Park of New Jersey
626 Rte 524, Allentown, NJ 08501
Cost: Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $17.50, $12.50 online
Mount Olive Carnival
July 11 – 15, 2018
Wednesday, July 11, 2018 | 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Thursday, July 12, 2018 | 6:00pm to 11:00pm
Friday, July 13, 2018 | 6:00pm to Midnight
Saturday, July 14, 2018 | 3:00pm to Midnight(fireworks 9:15pm)
Sunday, July 15 , 2018 | 3:00pm to 8:00pm
This beloved event is popular among Mount Olive residents and our surrounding towns drawing an audience of no less than 10,000 over the five days of celebration. Featuring carnival rides, specialty foods and the ever popular fireworks night.
Mount Olive Recreation
204 Flanders Drakestown Rd, Budd Lake, NJ
Cost: Free, There is a $5 fee per car per night, Unlimited Ride Wristbands will be available at the Ticket Booths Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday for $35
Ocean County Fair
July 11th – 15th, 2018
The Ocean County Fair remains a non-profit educational event for the celebration of the entire Ocean County community. The Fair is organized and executed by a committee of volunteers. Experience a variety of musical acts, animal events, 4-H animals & displays, rides, food, vendors, and much more! Wednesday & Thursday 5 – 11 pm. Friday & Saturday 11 am – 11 pm. Sunday 11 am – 5 pm.
J Miller Airpark at the intersection of Route 530 and Mule Road in Berkeley Township, NJ
Cost: $8.00, Kids Under 10 Free!
Summer Movies on the Green
Friday, July 13th, 2018 at 8:45PM
Palmer Square is hosting a family-friendly movie under the stars on the Green. Come early for dinner, then grab some ice cream for the show! Bring your own blanket or lawn chair. On July 13th they will be screening The Goonies!
Palmer Square, Princeton, NJ
Cost: Free
NJ State BBQ Championship & Angelsea Blues Festival
July 13th – 15th, 2018
The New Jersey State Barbecue Championship℠ is a three-day open-air festival featuring championship barbecue competition; live cooking demonstrations, special displays, and food and beverage vendors to satisfy every taste and appetite. Mouth watering ribs, chicken, brisket and pork, masterfully marinated and seasoned, then smoked for hours to the point of perfection. This ain’t just grilling, this is art! Who will be the Champion? Come witness barbecue teams from around the country show off their skills in a quest for the best. The Anglesea Blues Festival™ features both national and regional blues musicians and is held in conjunction with the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship.
201 North Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, NJ
Cost: Free
Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival
July 13th & 14th, 2018
The Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival will feature 200 vendors, inspiring speakers, a 10k & 5k on the boardwalk, live music, cooking demos and much more, all right on the boardwalk in Atlantic City! On Friday, July 13 enjoy a Vegan Food Truck Festival, on Saturday, July 14 morning participate in a 10k, 5k & kids fun run on the boardwalk And on Saturday, July 14 Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival will kick off with speakers such as RZA, food panels, a live podcast taping, and vegan food and craft vendors!
Showboat Atlantic City; 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: $10 to $35, kids under 13 are free
Bound Brook Food Truck Festival
Saturday, July 14th, 2018 from 11:00AM to 7:00PM
The Just Jersey Fest is rolling into Bound Brook. Food! Beer! Music! Fun! New Jersey foodies, eat your hearts out! It’s a fun filled family day! Over 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, DJ, Kids activities, Beer/Sangria & Vendors, make for an enchanting and fulfilling Summer day. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, four legged friends and blankets. Dine on excellent food, while enjoying the beer and sangria garden along with the amazing sounds. Face painting & kids activities. Event is CoSponsored by the Bound Brook Revitalization Partnership.
Billian Park; Bound Brook, New Jersey
Cost: $5
Food Truck Festival for Justice
Saturday, July 14, 2018 from 12:00PM to 6:00PM
The family event features food trucks, vendors, kid’s activities, and live music by the Solid Rock Band. Kids activities include: Dance lessons, face painting, sand art, corn hole tournaments, and mkore. Table vendors include: crafts, jewelry, artwork, clothing, accessories, books and more. Food trucks include Clyde’s Ices and Luis Empanatas and more. In addition to live music by the fabulous The Solid Rock Band, there will be some special guest artists! All donations go to Beauty for Ashes Scholarship Fund – for victims of human trafficking to support their journey, from victim to survivor to thriver.
High Mountain Church
681 High Mountain Rd North Haledon, NJ
Cost: Free
Suffolk Stables 2nd Annual Barn Dance
Saturday, July 14 from 6:00PM to 1:00AM
Join the fun…country style! Suffolk Stables is holding their 2nd annual barn dance fundraiser. The event includes a professional line dance instructor, crafts and games for the kids including making a pool noodle horse and competing over fences, apple bobbing, limbo and more fun. They will also have baskets and items for a silent auction and also for a tricky tray. Price includes food and s drink from a very awesome menu.
Suffolk Stables
1418 Old Indian Mills Road, Shamong, NJ
Cost: $35 at the door per person or $100 for a family of four, $25 for 15 and under and free to five and under
Maplewoodstock
July 14th & 15th, 2018
Founded in 2004, Maplewoodstock is a two-day festival filled with music, art and food. Every year, music lovers from across the state flock to Memorial Park to hear live performances from local musicians and nationally acclaimed artists, like Third World and Josh Ritter and The Royal City Band. Bring little ones to the Kid Zone for bouncy rides, face painting and arts and crafts, while you browse vendors with the fam. If you’re hungry for more, stop by the food vendors for lobster rolls, pad thai, tandoori chicken and classic festival favorites like hamburgers and hotdogs. Music starts at noon on July 14 and continues until around 9 pm on July 15.
124 Dunnell Rd (Memorial Park) Maplewood, NJ
Cost: Free
Surf & Turf Seafood Festival
July 14th & 15th, 2018 | Gates Open 11:30AM Saturday & Sunday. First Race 12:50PM
Nothing can beat a lobster roll in one hand and a winning ticket in the other, while soaking in a beautiful sunny day at the Surf & Turf Seafood Festival! Bring your friends and family and enjoy a summer day at Monmouth Park – your best bet for family fun! This two-day festival will let you enjoy the best of the Jersey Shore. Stop by the famous Monmouth Park sandcastle, then grab a crab cake and a refreshing beer and watch as your favorite horse breaks from the starting gate!
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: $5 admission, $5 parking. Kids under 12 are free
14th Annual Celtic Festival at Historic Cold Spring Village
July 14th & 15th, 2018 from 10:00AM to 4:30PM
Celebrate all things Irish and Scottish at Historic Cold Spring Village’s 14th Annual Celtic Festival the weekend of July 14-15 from 10am-4:30pm. Joe McGonigle will entertain all weekend long at the pub tent, with world-renowned musician Tom Brett performing as well. The New Jersey Irish Setter Rescue will join the event, accompanied by the lovable breed to meet with visitors. Various vendors will be here to fulfill your Irish/Scottish shopping needs. Back by popular demand, the Village will host the Kiddie Highland Games with child-sized versions of the infamous tests of strength including the caber toss, shot put and hammer throw.
Historic Cold Spring Village
720 Route 9, Cape May, NJ
Cost: Adults: $14, Children 3-12: $12, Children under 3: Free
Ballin’ For Adam
Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM
Ballin’ for Adam is a basketball fundraiser in memory of Adam Goldberg, a Marlboro High School Student. The Event will be held at Marlboro High School in Marlboro, NJ on July 15, 2018. The Goldberg Family has partnered with The Herren Project (THP) to raise awareness for opiod addiction. THP provides intervention, rehabilitation, support networks and many other services helping kids to make a difference in their lives. Chris Herren, a former NBA Basketball player, has dedicated his life to educating both students and parents regarding the opioid crisis plaguing our nation. In addition to a great basketball tournament in Adam’s honor, they will also be hosting an incredible raffle with prizes valued up to $500 as well as other give-aways including a basketball signed by Chris Herren, the founder of this organization. There will be a live DJ, guest speaker, food and fun for all those attending. 100% of proceeds will be donated to The Herren Project.
Marlboro High School
95 North Main Street, Marlboro Township, NJ
Cost: $15 – $40
Country Day at Kirby’s Mill
Sunday, July 15, 2018 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM
Spend the day in the country! Watch rifle demonstrations, check out classic wagons, and see the craftmakers at work. You can also see the blacksmith as well as the printing press in use. Learn a little bit of history while having a lot of fun.
275 Church Road Medford, NJ 08055
Cost: Free
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 Free Kid Friendly Events in July
- 8 Unique Things to Do in NJ with Kids
- 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