Sun’s out, temperatures are rising, and it’s time for a full month of festivals. Take in the fantastic view of the fireworks over the Delaware River featuring live music, face painting for kids, food concessions, and bar service at Fireworks from the Battleship in Camden, enjoy mass balloon launches, a Kids Corral, Vintage Antique Tractor Pulls, and musical entertainment at Warren County Farmer’s Fair with Hot Air Balloon Festival in Phillipsburg, or celebrate the summer season with lots of fun, including a horse show, livestock show, animals, rides, food, music, and so much more at the Cape May County 4-H Fair in Cape May Court House. And for fun without breaking the bank, make sure you check out our guide to free things to do this month, too. (featured photo credit: Battleship New Jersey)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Festivals This Month in New Jersey
250th at Casino Pier
July 1 at 5 PM
Head to Casino Pier for a red, white, and blue celebration featuring patriotic characters, free face painting, patriotic drummers, and a beach ball drop. Then, when the sky gets dark, watch the gorgeous fireworks celebration.
Cost: Free
800 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Cape May Lighthouse
Wednesdays, July 1-August 26
Head to Cape May to browse crafts and collectibles from talented vendors and crafters across the Northeast.
Cost: Free
Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
Medford Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
July 2 at dusk
Freedom Park hosts an evening full of family fun with live music, food vendors, a Kid’s Zone, and fireworks at dusk.
Cost: Free
Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ 08055
Paramus Firework Show and Food Truck Festival
July 3
At night, cuddle up to watch the spectacular fireworks show. Don’t forget to bring your blanket and lawn chair.
W. Jockish Square, Paramus, NJ 07652
Denville Semiquincentennial Days
July 3-5
Denville Days will transform Gardner Field into a vibrant festival grounds featuring three full days of live music and entertainment, including a Friday night kickoff under the big tent, a dedicated kids activity area with games and hands-on crafts, picnic spaces with food vendors and classic festival fare, a beer garden, friendly competitions and contests for all ages, an arts and crafts market, exciting tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), and the town’s traditional fireworks display lighting up the July sky.
Cost: Free
Gardner Field, 1 St Marys Place, Denville, NJ 07834
Star-Spangled Night at Great Adventure
July 4
Head to New Jersey’s favorite amusement park for a party with rides, music, fireworks, and discounted tickets.
Cost: Price of admission ticket
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
9th Annual Family Fun Fest
July 4 at 12 PM
This kickoff summer event is a great way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country. There will be time on the beach, live music, nonstop entertainment, and a fireworks display.
Cost: Free
Baywalk East, 2 Beachway Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734
Star-Spangled Spectacular
July 4 at 2 PM
Bring the family for a fun day of patriotic cheer, featuring live music, kids’ activities, over 20 food trucks, an adults’ beer-and-wine garden, and carnival attractions. Make sure you stay for the beautiful fireworks display.
Cost: Free
Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Rd, Leonia, NJ 07605
Elizabeth Fireworks & Celebration
July 4 at 10 AM
Celebrate Independence Day with a full day of fun, including family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and a gorgeous fireworks show to close out this patriotic day.
Cost: Free
Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park, Elizabeth, NJ 07206
Oceanfest
July 4 at 1 PM
It’s the biggest Fourth of July event in the Garden State. Come to Festival Plaza from 1 PM to 10 PM for rock wall climbing, inflatables, trampoline bungee jumping, rides, and games, followed by fireworks at 9 PM.
Cost: $4 per ticket, sheets of 7 tickets for $25, wristbands for $35 per person.
Festival Plaza, 68 Ocean Ave N, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Fireworks from the Battleship
July 4 at 7:30 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 7:30 PM. Fireworks begin around 9:30 PM.
Cost: $10
Battleship New Jersey, 100 Clinton St., Camden, NJ 08103
Semiquincentennial 4th of July Celebration
July 4-5 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
Cumberland County Fair
July 7-11
New Jersey’s oldest county fair is back! Enjoy amusement rides, games, Demolition Derby, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests, and fireworks.
Cost: $5; kids under 5 and seniors 65 and older are free
3001 Carmel Road, Millville, New Jersey 08332
Randolph Township Freedom Festival
July 9-11, Fireworks July 11
Head to this three-day festival, which features food, carnival games, and fireworks on the last day. The fireworks are synchronized to tunes from a DJ.
Cost: Prices vary for parts of the festival; a $5 donation per car is suggested
County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
Freehold Township Day
July 11 at 4 PM
Bring the whole fam to this concert and festival in the park with merchandise and food vendors. Kids can enjoy the rides, teens can hang out and dance to a DJ at the Teen Center, and the whole family can check out the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Ocean County Fair
July 15-19
The Ocean County Fair will have musical acts, live entertainment, animal events, games, activities, rides, food, and vendors. Don’t miss Cowboy Larry on Sunday, too.
Cost: $10, and parking is free.
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Route 530, Berkeley Township, NJ 08721
Cape May County 4-H Fair
July 16-18
Celebrate the summer season with lots of fun, including a horse show, livestock show, animals, rides, food, music, and so much more.
Cost: Free
4-H Fairgrounds, 335 Court House- South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Feast
July 16 at 6 PM
Enjoy a beloved tradition that brings the community together in faith, remembrance, and joyful celebration with a parade, delicious food, drinks, and a fireworks show.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
56 River Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
History on the Green
July 18 at 10 AM
Step back in time and visit Revolutionary-era New Jersey at this living history event. Celebrate the 250th anniversary with activities, performances, and even sightings of General Washington.
Cost: Free
The Courthouse Green, between N. Bridge and Grove St, Somerville, NJ 08876
Flower Festival at Terhune Orchards
July 18-19 at 10 AM
This brand-new festival is a great way to celebrate the beauty of summertime and pretty blooms—additional festival details will be announced.
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Harvey Cedars Arts Festival
July 19 at 11 AM
It’s the annual Harvey Cedars Arts Festival. Peruse the artists and makers displaying their mixed-media works, photography, and fine crafts.
Cost: Free
Harvey Cedars Sunset Park, 1 West Salem Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Monmouth County Fair
July 22-26
Get ready for entertainment, 4-H shows and exhibits, rides, live music on the main stage, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Bwana Jim Wildlife Show, Ready GO Dog Show, and horse shows. There will also be the Hell on Wheels BMX Stunt Show, living history displays, and food vendors.
Cost: $8; children 12 and under are free.
East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Gloucester County 4-H Fair
July 23-26
See what the youngest 4‑H members have accomplished throughout the year, along with 4‑H projects, daily rides, games, magic shows, musical acts, tractor parades, craft exhibits, demonstrations, and sales. Food vendors will be available with a nightly barbecue with locally grown produce and locally made desserts.
Cost: $10 per carload
4-H Fairgrounds, 275 Bridgeton Pike (Route 77) Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Mercer County 4-H Fair
July 25-26 at 10 AM
Bring out the fam for animal shows and exhibits, magic shows, and farm tours. There will also be homemade ice cream, hayrides, pony rides, music, and displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association, and many more.
Cost: Free admission and parking for all; please bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger.
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
Warren County Farmer’s Fair with Hot Air Balloon Festival
July 25–August 1
It’s the 88th annual Warren County Farmer’s Fair and the 25th annual Warren County Balloon Festival, with mass balloon launches, a Kids Corral, Vintage Antique Tractor Pulls, and musical entertainment.
Cost: General admission is $5-$10; children 5 and under are free.
Warren County Farmers’ Fairgrounds, 1350 Strykers Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Festival of the Sea
July 28–August 1
This beloved community event is full of food, fun, rides, and carnival games.
Cost: Ticket info TBA
St. Francis Parish & Center, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Sussex County Fair
July 31-August 8
This county fair features a lumberjack competition, demolition derby, and monster truck show. Bring the kids to the Family Area with Hot Dog Pig Races, a magic show, and a juggling show. There will also be food, an agricultural area, a horse show, carnival rides, and exhibits.
Cost: Parking is free, adults $12, veterans/active military $7, children (6-12) $4, seniors 60+ $8; online advance ticket sales are available
New Jersey State Fair, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
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