July is almost over, but there’s still plenty of summer to hold on to, especially with lots of things to do this weekend with the fam. Climb aboard antique fire engines and watch racing pigs at Monmouth County Fair in Freehold, watch 100 hot air balloons launch into the sky at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning in Whitehouse Station, and learn a new yoga pose and hunt for treasure at the Soulsational Festival in Bayville. And for more ways to fill your bucket list this season, check out our guide to summer must-dos. (Featured Photo Credit: Monmouth County Fair)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
SPONSORED
Thomas and Friends – A Day Out with Thomas
August 11-13
Let’s Get Colorful—join Thomas the Tank Engine for a day full of colorful adventures. All aboard an interactive train ride with Thomas to earn your Color Badge, say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt, and get creative exploring the Color Corner. For even more fun, mix it up in the Play Pod with lawn games, snap eye-catching photo ops, enjoy live entertainment, check out the exclusive pop-up gift shop, and more. Day Out With Thomas is headed to The Delaware River Railroad Excursions, bringing a celebration of color this season. Buy tickets today to reserve your ride.
Cost: $22
38 Market Street Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Monmouth County Fair
July 26-30
Get ready for entertainment, 4-H shows & 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
Brick Summerfest 2023
July 27 at 6 PM
Check out the bands and fireworks of this popular festival, with SuperTransAM, The Amish Outlaws, Jessie’s Girl Back To The 80s Show, and Garden State Radio. All events are free to attend and take place at Windward Beach Park. An adult must accompany all children 17 years old or under.
Cost: Free
265 Princeton Ave., Brick, NJ 08724
Gloucester County 4-H Fair
July 27-30
See what 4‑H children 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 barbeque with locally grown produce and locally made desserts.
Cost: $10 per carload
4-H Fairgrounds, 275 Bridgeton Pike (Route 77) Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning
July 28-30
This is one of those premier summer festivals in NJ that you won’t want to miss. With concerts from kids’ favorite Laurie Berkner and bands like Everclear, KC and The Sunshine Band, and Fitz and The Tantrums, this promises to be the summer event. See the beautiful balloons take flight in the mass accession of the balloons. Plus, there will be amusement rides and fireworks.
Cost: Adult tickets are $32, children (4-12) are $12, and children 0 -3 are free
Solberg Airport, 39 Thor-Solberg Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889
Jersey Shore BlueClaws Post-Game Fireworks
July 28, after the game
Chow down on crab fries or a ballpark dog while you cheer on the BlueClaws. Then, at the end of these select games, sit back and relax with a big, bright fireworks show to finish the evening.
Cost: Included in BlueClaws Tickets
Shoretown Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Outdoor Jazz Concert
July 28 at 6 PM
Head to the Perkins Center of the Arts to listen to jazz great Jair-Rohm Parker Wells play “Pendulum” in its entirety. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and your pets to enjoy the music on a summer night.
395 Kings Highway, Moorestown, NJ 08057
Morris County 4-H Fair
July 28-30
With the theme ‘Change The World,’ this year’s 4-H Fair will feature animals, fine art, horticulture, literacy works, hayrides, monster truck rides, and live entertainment. There will also be a Children’s Fun Station with STEM activities, arts and crafts, and lawn games.
Cost: Free, $5 donation suggested per car
High View Farms, 416 Sand Shore Road, Mount Olive, NJ 07828
Mercer County 4-H Fair
July 29-30 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
Soulsational Festival
July 29 at 11 AM
Bring your friends and family to this open-air market family festival experience. This event features free yoga, demonstrations, crafts and games, treasure hunts, a paint party, and much more. Spread a picnic blanket out and stay all day.
Cost: Free
489 Bill Zimmerman Jr Way, Bayville, NJ 08721
Passaic County 3rd Annual Food Festival
July 29 at 12 PM
It’s the 3rd annual Food Festival in Passaic County. Enjoy vendors, live music, and of course, lots of food at Weasel Brook Park.
Cost: $5; under 3 are free
Weasel Brook Park, Clifton, NJ 07011
Warren County Farmer’s Fair with Hot Air Balloon Festival
July 29-August 5
It’s the 85th annual Warren County Farmer’s Fair and the 23rd 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
Maplewood Village Summer Streets: Saturday Night in the City: A Totally 80’s Theater Celebration
July 29 at 6:30 PM
Grab your lawn chairs, some takeout, and your friends for entertainment on Maplewood Avenue with a Totally 80’s Theater Celebration.
Cost: Free
Maplewood Village, Maplewood Avenue, Maplewood, NJ 07040
Italian Festival & Wine Tasting
July 29-30
From delicious Italian food to kid-friendly activities, there’s so much to do at the Italian Festival. There will be tons of food trucks and wine samplings for the adults during the event.
Cost: $6, children 12 and younger are free
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Christmas in July
July 29 at 2 PM
Bring the little ones and celebrate Christmas early at the Tuckerton Seaport. Your family will have the chance to visit the Big Guy and get your photo taken too.
Cost: $25 per family
The Tuckerton Seaport, 120 Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
Family Day At The Lake
July 29 at 8 AM
Looking for a fun-filled day with the fam? Bring all your favorite things and activities to the lake for a family day. Supply your own snacks, tents, sunscreen, and towels, and enjoy the day together.
Cost: Free
885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, NJ 07421
Farm Fun Day
July 29 at 12 PM
Ever wonder what spending the day on the bee farm looks like? Visit Swazey Farms and get a behind-the-scenes look at what they are up to. You will get the chance to be up close and personal with the beehives and chickens and a guided nature walk. Each child will also receive a Sugar Cookie Bee-House Kit.
Cost: $25 per person; children under 3 are free
Bears Head Preserve, 6188 Maryland Avenue, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Owls For Kids
July 29 at 10 AM
Little ones in the fam will love learning about New Jersey Owls at this fun event. There will be taxidermy and owl calls and a guided owl pellet dissection with each participant.
Cost: Free
Forest Resource Education Center, 495 Don Connor Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527
AUCC Summer AquaFEST
July 29 at 1 PM
Water games, fun, and unforgettable memories will be the day’s theme at the AquaFEST. From vendors, activities, and water rides, there is something for everyone here and a great way to cool off in the summer heat. Wristbands for rides will be sold separately at the door.
Cost: Free to enter
50 Oakdene Avenue, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Taco Palooza
July 30 at 11 AM
Ready for all things tacos? Then you need to head to Taco Palooza in Hopatcong. There will be tacos and a cornhole tournament, and your furry friends are welcome to attend with you. This event is also a Hopatcong PBA 149 and Little League fundraiser.
Cost: $7 for admission, kids under 5 are free
Hilltop Fields, 32 Lakeside Boulevard, Hopatcong, NJ 07843
Cape May Point Science Center Tour
July 30 at 9 AM
Calling all history buffs, you can tour the Cape May Point Science Center this weekend. The history of the Center dates back to 1889, and during the tour, you will have the chance to learn more about the Center and the marine wildlife, followed by a trip to the gift shop.
Cost: Adults $12 and Kids Under 12 $8
Cape May Point Science Center, 101 Lehigh Avenue, Cape May Point, NJ 08212
Nature Walk
July 30 at 1 PM
Take a walk through nature with a park naturalist and enjoy the summertime in the woods. The walk will last between 1 and 2 miles and will be held sun or drizzle. You don’t need to make a reservation.
Cost: Free
Double Trouble Village State Park, 581 Pinewald Keswick Road, Bayville, NJ 08721
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