Cue the fireworks and parades—it’s July 4th weekend, and we’re celebrating the red, white, and blue with plenty of family-friendly activities all around the state. Honor Independence Day at one of the Fourth of July Parades happening throughout New Jersey, including in Moorestown, Smithville, and Washinton Township, watch performances, taste Jersey sloppy joes, and play games at Star Spangled South Orange in South Orange, or watch the sky light up during Fireworks on Battleship New Jersey in Camden And for all the pop, flash, and boom on July 4th, check out our guide to all the fireworks lighting up the sky. (Featured Photo Credit: istock/GarysFRP)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Saturdays in July at the Museum
July 1 at 9 AM
Enjoy Saturday morning art workshops and museum exploration for kids and families at The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie.
Cost: $5 – $17
Trenton City Museum/ Ellarslie Museum, 299 Parkside Ave., Trenton, NJ 08606
Craft Day by the Bay
July 1 at 10 AM
Celebrate your 4th of July weekend with Craft Day by the Bay in Sunset Park. This event features 70+ vendors with something for everyone.
Cost: Free
Sunset Park, 1 W Salem Ave, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Ice Cream Party
July 1 at 10 AM
Farmer Jim and his crew will use a “hit and miss” engine to churn gallons of delicious ice cream for this party. This event will feature live music by the Jugtown Mountain String Band, kids’ games, and a sailboat craft.
Cost: Ice cream, wagon rides, and lunch fare are available for purchase.
Howell Living History Farm, Farm, 70 Woodens Ln, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Blueberry U-Pick
July 1 at 10 AM
It’s the perfect time of the year to pick blueberries at Happy Day Farm. They will provide you with clamshells to take your bounty home. You can also purchase fresh squeezed lemonade and shaved ice. The goats and chickens on the farm will also be available for feeding.
Cost: $4 admission fee per person; children 1 and under free. Cash only.
Happy Day Farm, 106 Iron Ore Rd, Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
Independence Weekend in Ocean Grove
July 1 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
Maple Shade Independence Day Parade and Fireworks
July 1 at 12 PM
Celebrate Independence Day with a parade and fireworks. The parade will start on Main Street, and fireworks will be at Maple Shade High School at dusk.
Cost: Free
Main Street, Maple Shade, NJ 08052
Cape May City Independence Day Parade 2023
July 1 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.
Cost: Free
Beach Avenue in Cape May City, NJ 08204
Star Spangled South Orange
July 1 at 6 PM
Join in on a new tradition to celebrate the birth of our nation. This event will feature a Sloppy Joe eating contest, a South Orange Symphony performance, food trucks, YMCA Y Zone kids’ games, art projects, and a viewing of the classic film “1776.”
Cost: Free
Meadowland Park, 5 Mead St, South Orange, NJ 07079
Free Music in the Park: Independence Day Band
July 1 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
July 1st Fireworks from the Battleship
July 1 at 7 PM
Take in the fantastic view of the fireworks over the Delaware River. Enjoy live music, face painting for kids, food concessions, bar service, and more. The Battleship’s decks will open at 7 PM. Fireworks begin around 9:30 PM.
Cost: $10
Battleship New Jersey, 100 Clinton St. Camden NJ 08103
New Jersey Symphony at Marine Park in Red Bank
July 1 at 8 PM
Bring the whole family out as the New Jersey Symphony returns to Marine Park in Red Bank. Experience the free concert while enjoying the beautiful sights and sounds of the Navesink River.
Cost: Free
Marine Park, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Independence Day Weekend
July 1 – 2 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 demonstrations of Early American trades and crafts. There will be a Militia Muster for children ages 5 to 12, 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
Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir
July 1 – 2
Enjoy 45-minute tours of the Manasquan Reservoir narrated by Park System Naturalists with opportunities to view local wildlife.
Cost: $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour only.
Manasquan Reservoir, 311 Windeler Road, Howell 07731
Historic Battery Lewis Tours
July 1 – 2
Bring the family to tour the restored Historic Battery Lewis in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Woods Park, Highlands, and learn about the history of this important former coastal defense site.
Cost: Free
Hartshorne Woods Park, 1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ (Rocky Point Entrance) 07732
Paramus 4th of July Pre Fireworks & Food Truck & Music Fest
July 2 at 12 PM
This event features 18+ food vendors and activities for all ages, including a bounce house, air soft shooting gallery, range, bungee trampoline, inflatable, village sand, art, Henna Tattoo, and more. Enjoy live music from Noon from Naughty Humphrey and Guy Smiley’ at noon.
Cost: $6.25
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza Pkwy, Paramus, NJ 07652
Paramus Firework Show and Food Truck Festival
July 2 at 4:30 PM
At night, cuddle up to watch the spectacular fireworks show, and on July 4, they will have a parade at 9:30 AM.
Cost: Free
W. Jockish Square, Paramus, NJ 07652
Family Fun Night
July 2 at 5 PM
Come to Festival Plaza for Rockwall Climbing, Inflatables, Trampoline Bungee Jumping, Rides, and Games from 5 PM – 9 PM.
Cost: $4 per ticket, sheets of 7 tickets for $25, wristbands for $35pp.
Festival Plaza, 68 Ocean Ave N, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Fireworks in the Park
July 2 at 5 PM
Bring your chairs and blankets to celebrate the fourth a few days early. The festival begins at 5 PM. Fireworks start at 9:20 PM. The rain date is July 3.
Cost: Free
Donaldson Park, 526 S 2nd Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904
New Jersey Symphony at Liberty State Park in Jersey City
July 2 at 7:30 PM
Enjoy the sounds of the New Jersey Symphony while overlooking the Hudson River with a clear view of the Manhattan Skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Make sure to bring your own lawn chair/blanket. Located at Liberty State Park’s Green Ring.
Cost: Free
Liberty State Park, 1 Audrey Zapp Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Seaside Heights Movies at the Beach
July 2
Enjoy free movies on the beach every Sunday at dusk. Eventgoers will be seated on the Fremont Avenue beach; please bring your own beach chairs and blankets.
Cost: Free
Fremont Avenue Beach, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Smithville Fourth of July Parade
July 4 at 9 AM
This parade kicks off at the Smithville Town Center. The parade will follow its usual route east on Smithville Boulevard to Moss Mill Road and west on Moss Mill to Historic Smithville. Up to 10,000 people are expected to line the parade route, ending with an Independence Day ceremony in Smithville’s Village Greene.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ 08205
2023 Moorestown 4th of July Parade: National Parks of America
July 4 at 12 PM
The theme for this year’s parade is National Parks of America. Watch floats, marchers, and bands along the parade route starting on Chester Avenue at the E. Central Avenue intersection. The route will continue up Chester Avenue, turn right onto Main Street, and continue to Church Street.
Cost: Free
Corner of Chester and E. Central Avenue
Washington Township Fireworks
July 4 at 9 PM
Visitors can see the parade at 6:30 PM at Washington Township High School, and fireworks begin at 9 PM.
Cost: Free
Washington Township High School – 529 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road #2831, Sewell, NJ 08080
Summit’s 76th Annual Fourth of July Celebration
July 4 at 9:15 PM
Celebrate an annual celebration with a children’s decorated bike parade and fireworks display. Food trucks, live music, and carnival rides will also be available.
Cost: The firework show is free; other activities may have a fee
Soldier’s Memorial Field – 5 Myrtle Ave., Summit, NJ 07901
Ongoing
State Fair Meadowlands
Now – July 9
Bring the family out for a day full of fun at State Fair Meadowlands. 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 more.
Cost: $38.99 for a Fun Pass
1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Ventnor City Summer Beach Jam
Now – Sep 2
Enjoy this free, family-friendly event happening every Saturday all Summer long. Food and crafts start at 5 PM. Live music begins at 6 PM.
Cost: Free
Newport Avenue Beach
LEAD Fest State Fair – Mercy County Park
Now -July 9
Get ready for food, fun, rides, and more for the whole family 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: $5 during the week and $8 on weekends; several activities are an additional cost
1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
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