Summertime events in New Jersey, always. But free summertime events in New Jersey are especially great! Now that the kids have hit their summer vacation stride, family-friendly events are in full swing. From free firework shows, to free movies, food markets and beach festivals, there’s no shortage of free activities and festivals this July in New Jersey!
Here are 30 FREE July Events for the Whole Family:
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
1. Allaire Village’s Independence Day Celebration
Sunday, July 1st, 2018 from 11:00AM to 4:00PM
The members of the Howell Iron Works celebrate the founding of our nation with the Independence Day Celebration. Experience a day in the life of people during the 1830s. The school master will be holding lessons for visitors and villagers alike. Participate in militia drills and a parade. The Declaration of Independence will be read at 1pm in front of the General Store. Make sure your family celebrates their American pride with this unique event open for all.
The Historical Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall Township, NJ
2. Sunday in the Park With the Symphony
Sunday, July 1, 2018 from 8:00PM to 10:00PM
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra wants to come to your backyard and perform an open-air concert for free. Families are encouraged to join many other attendees at Marine Park with its stunning views of the Navesink River, and soak in the magnificent sounds of the NJSO. The symphony’s performance is so unique because it comes with their very own truck that converts into a mobile stage, with complete with sound, lighting and all the trimmings. Families can lay back in the grass or bring a lawn chair and take in this marvelous concert in a breathtaking setting. Concert-goers are also encouraged to spend the day walking around Red Bank and take advantage of the many happenings around town. Families can shop in unique boutiques, take advantage of special menus at various restaurants & eateries or grab take-out and create a picnic, and then head over to marine park to enjoy the sounds of the symphony.
Marine Park
1 Marine Park, Red Bank, NJ
3. Leonia Sports Boosters Carnival
July 1st – July 8th, 2018
Enjoy midway rides for all ages, carnival games, favorite fair food and Fourth of July fireworks at this family-friendly annual event benefiting local competitive youth sports. Carnival parking and admission are free. Unlimited ride wristbands (for riders 36 inches and taller) are available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for $30, or $20 if purchased online by June 27. Ride tickets are $1.50 each, $25 for 20 tickets, or $50 for 50 tickets plus 1 free ride. Rides take 2 or more tickets each. Visit the website for coupon savings on rides and food. Carnival hours are 5 to 11 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and noon to 11 pm Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday. The July 4th fireworks display will start at 9:30 pm. For more information, call 866-666-3247. The carnival is presented by Leonia Sports Boosters, a nonprofit organization.
Overpeck Park (75 Fort Lee Road), Leonia, NJ
4. Famous Food Market
July 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2018 from 11:00AM to 7:30PM
A family friendly and free Foodie Market set on the water in Jersey City! The Famous Food Market features over 30 food vendors serving dishes from all over the world, local craft vendors, a farm to table tent, a beautiful beer and wine garden and some of the BEST VIEWS OF THE NYC SKYLINE EVER.
Harborside JC, 15 2nd St, Jersey City, NJ
5. Movies on the Beach
July 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, 2018 at Dusk
Free movies on the beach every Tuesday located on Avalon’s 30th Beach Street. Movies begin at dusk. All movies are free to the public with no beach tag needed; in the event of inclement weather, the movies are shown inside Avalon Community Hall.
July 3rd — Wonder
July 10th — Wonder Woman
July 17th — Despicable Me 3
July 24th — E.T.
July 31st — Coco
30th Street Beach, Avalon, NJ
6. Free Kids Summer Films at Cityplex 12
July 3rd – 31st, 2018 at 10:00AM, doors open at 9:00AM
Take a break from the summer heat with free indoor films each Wednesday and Thursday!
July 3rd & 4th – Smurfs: The Lost Village
July 10th & 11th – Despicable Me 3
July 17th & 18th – Ferdinand
July 24th & 25th – Boss Baby
July 31st – Wonder
Cityplex 12; 360 Springfield Ave. Newark, NJ
7. Ocean City Fourth of July Celebration
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM
Relax on the beach, enjoy the rides at Wonderland Pier or Castaway Cove, have some delicious funnel cake and watch a captivating fireworks display. Arrive early to take part in the annual kite competition at 7:00PM. After a fun day on the beach, families look forward to lining up on the boardwalk for this family-friendly fireworks show.
Ocean City Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ
8. Long Branch 27th Annual Oceanfest
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from 10:00AM to 10:00PM, Fireworks at 9:00PM
Each year since 1990, crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands have descended upon the city’s oceanfront promenade from points all over the Mid-Atlantic region for Oceanfest — an all-day, family friendly festival that brings together the most memorable sights, sounds and sensations of the summer season. Not just a music or food festival; much more than a craft sale or street fair, Oceanfest combines the best parts of everyone’s favorite summertime memory — and caps it all off with the most spectacular fireworks display you’ll see anywhere along the Jersey coast.
1 Ocean Blvd, Long Branch, NJ
9. July 4th Fireworks at Tuckerton Seaport
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from 4:00PM to 9:00PM, Fireworks at 9:00PM
Join the Tuckerton Seaport for a 4th of July fireworks presented by the Pinelands July 4th Fireworks Committee! This free event will also feature a food truck festival.
Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen’s Museum; 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ
10. Freedom Festival
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 from 5:00PM to 11:00PM, Fireworks at 9:30PM
Presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders and the City of Camden at Wiggins Park, this festival brings thousands of people together to enjoy a series of artists and a spectacular rework show from Serpico Pyrotechnics. This year, Freedom Festival will also have an exclusive beer garden featuring Tonewood Brewing’s nest! Be sure to come to the Camden Waterfront for food, beer music, and reworks in celebration of the annual Freedom Festival! Special concert at 8pm by Eddie Money. 9:30 PM: Fireworks Spectacular over the Delaware River.
Wiggins Waterfront Park & Marina, Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
11. Angelsea Night Market
Thursday, July 5th & 19th, 2018 from 4:00PM to 10:00PM
Now in it’s Third Year, Anglesea Night Market fills the streets with delicious food trucks, amazing crafters, live music, family games and more. There are great drink and food options also in the bars and restaurants down Olde New Jersey Ave. There are so many great options you can’t go wrong!
Olde New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, NJ
12. Movie Nights at the Waterfront
July 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, 2018 at Dusk
The Borough of Keyport, the Keyport Recreation Committee, and the Keyport Bayfront Business Cooperative (KBBC) present Free Summer Outdoor Movie Nights at Waterfront Park! All movies start at dusk. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. Rain dates TBA.
July 5th – Teen Beach Movie
July 12th – The Dog Who Saved Christmas
July 19th – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
July 26th – Coco
Waterfront Park, American Legion Drive, Keyport, NJ
13. Rutgers Gardens Blueberry/Apricot Festival
Friday, July 6th, 2018 from 12:00PM to 2:00PM
Want to learn more about Rutgers varieties of edible plants? Now’s your chance! This summer, Rutgers Gardens will be highlighting Rutgers varieties through a festival series. Our blueberry and apricot festival will highlight Rutgers blueberries and apricots, through taste testing, cooking demonstrations, and so much more! Come taste the recipe chef Rachel Weston creates, paired with flavors from all of Rutgers Gardens’ vendors.
124 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ
14. Friday Night Fireworks
Friday, July 6th, 2018 from 12:00PM to 10:00PM (Fireworks at 9:30pm)
Come be a part of the excitement and explore all NJ/PA’s river towns have to offer: Shopping, Sidewalk Sales, Live Music and Entertainment, Dining, Theatre, Arts and Crafts, Antiques, Historic Homes and Parks, River Boat Rides and First Friday Fireworks @ 9:30PM.
Delaware River Towns Chamber of Commerce, 77 Bridge St., Lambertville, NJ
15. Movies on the Beach
Free Movies on the Beach every Friday night at dark this summer for you and the family! Movies start at dark, bring a blanket, kick back, and enjoy the show! *Weather permitting.
July 6th – The Little Mermaid
July 13th – The Incredibles
July 20th – Cars 3
July 27th – Frozen
Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Ave, Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ
16. Marketplace JC
Saturday, July 7th, 2018 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
July 7th is Multicultural Day; A Celebration of Diversity at Marketplace JC! Find vendors selling food and items from a wide variety of cultures that make New Jersey a perfect mix of people from around the world.
Magnolia Landing, 136 Magnolia Ave, Jersey City, NJ
17. Annual Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival
Saturday, July 7th, 2018 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM
The Sixth Annual Wildwood Crest Amateur Sand Sculpting Festival will be held on Saturday, July 7th! Event is from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Registration Starts at 9:00 am.
Wildwood Crest Pier at Heather Road, Wildwood, NJ
18. Bordentown Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks
Saturday, July 7th, 2018; 4:00PM to 10:00PM
Join in on the fun at the Bordentown Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks at Joseph Lawrence Park in Bordentown Township. Free Kids Corner, face painting, local Bordentown restaurants, and give aways!
Joseph Lawrence Park; 317 Ward Avenue, Bordentown, NJ
19. Family Fun Night
Every Sunday in July starting July 8th, 2018 at 5pm
Enjoy a day of fun for the whole family at the Pier Village Arcade, Boardwalk Fun N’ Games for amazing crane games and skee ball. Visit Festival Plaza for bounce houses, slides and inflatable obstacle courses and much more
Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ
20. Movies at Applegate Farms
Ice Cream? A DJ? Games AND a magic show? Enjoy a movie under the stars at Applegate Farms! Movie screenings begin at 8:30 pm.
July 11th – Despicable Me 3
July 18th – Coco
July 25th – Jumanji 2: Welcome to the Jungle
616 Grove St, Montclair, NJ
21. Free Movies at the State Theatre
July 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st, 2018 at 10:30AM and 7:00PM
The historic State Theatre is hosting 2 free screenings of family, friendly movies on Tuesday this Summer!
July 10th – Coco
July 17th – Despicable Me 3
July 24th – The Lion King
July 31st – The Great Muppet Caper
State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ
22. Starlit Cinema
July 12th, 19th, and 26th, 2018 at 8:30PM
Downtown Somerville will be hosting free movies on Thursday nights this Summer! All shows start at 8:30 PM on Division Street. Enjoy a night out with a guaranteed-awesome movie on a giant screen with a state-of-the-art sound system, surrounded by friends, family, fresh air, and the best food in New Jersey.
July 12th – Wonder Woman
July 19th – Beauty and the Beast
July 26th – Inside Out
Division St, Somerville, NJ
23. 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
24. New Jersey State Barbeque Championship
July 13th – 15th, 2018
July 13th from 4:00PM to 11:00PM
July 14th from 10:00AM to 11:00PM
July 15th from 10:00AM to 6:00PM
This is going make some people hungry, but here it goes: This free, three-day, open-air festival is not only going to be filled with ribs, chicken, and brisket cook-offs, but it’ll also feature professional cooking demonstrations and food served by competing vendors. To keep this event as lively as the smoked and spicy flavors themselves, there will be free entertainment and live blues music. As the event’s hosts put it, “it’s not cooking, it’s art.”
201 New Jersey Ave, Anglesea, NJ
25. Food Truck Festival for Justice
Saturday, July 14th, 2018 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM
A fun food truck festival featuring lots of kids activities that include dance lessons, face painting, sand art, corn hole tournaments, and MORE!! Table vendors include: crafts, jewelry, artwork, clothing, accessories, books and MORE!!Food trucks include Clyde’s Ices and Luis Empanatas and MORE! Live music by the fabulous The Solid Rock Band! Classic rock at its best! With some special guest artists!
High Mountain Church, 681 High Mountain Rd, North Haledon, NJ
26. Movies in the Park
Wednesday, July 18th, 2018 from 6:00PM to 10:00PM
Maplewood Police Department, in conjunction with the Recreation Department, Cultural Affairs, SOMA Film Festival and GCADA, will be hosting Movies in the Park. Bring your favorite blankets and chairs. Festivities include a bouncy house, a magician, a face painter, popcorn, drinks, and games for the children. July 18th – The Incredibles
Dehart Park, Maplewood, NJ
27. Summer in the Street in Toms River
Saturday, July 21st, 2018 from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Open your eyes to a great afternoon of activities, music, and more. Your young ones can enjoy jumping up and down on the inflatables, getting their faces painted, making sand art, and watching cool street performances – all on the same day at this event. Enjoy all the vendors who will be serving great food and selling handcrafted goods.
Downtown Toms River
Washington Street, Toms River, NJ
28. St. Ann’s Italian Festival
July 21th – 26th, 2018
Do you love celebrating Italian culture and food? This festival is offering more than 60 vendors from around the New York area who will be serving up the best Italian dishes in the region. This festival offers more than just phenomenal eats – look out for traditional and modern Italian arts and craft goods. Nightly entertainment, music, dance, Cafe Under the Stars, beer garden, raffles and 50/50’s, and children’s rides and games can keep the whole family entertained.
704 Jefferson Street Hoboken, NJ
29. Franklin Lakes Movies Under the Stars
Wednesday, July 25th, 2018 at 7:30PM
The field opens at 7:30 PM and the movies will begin at 8:30 PM. Don’t forget your blankets, lawn chairs, coolers, snacks and enjoy these exciting films with your loved ones! Refreshments and giveaways sponsored by Kindercare Learning Center at Franklin Lakes. July 25th – Coco (Rain Date July 26th)
Parsons Pond Park, 500 Parsons Pond Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ
30. Swedesboro’s Food Truck Thursdays
Thursday, July 26th, 2018 from 5:00PM to 9:00PM
Food Truck Thursdays is your chance to head to the Swedesboro Auction Park (located near the corner of Locke Ave and Fow Ave) and enjoy some tasty food and drink from a variety of area food trucks and vendors! Free parking is available. This is a family friendly foodie event! There will be some games and background music to enjoy as you dig in!
101 Leahy Ave, Swedesboro, NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
