Festival nights, beach days, and family-friendly fun all weekend long? Yes, please! Get on rides, go down the slides, play games and listen to live music at the Hillsborough Rotary Fair in Hillsborough, pick flowers, take a cow train, go down the hayslide and enjoy the sunnies at Argos Farm Sunflower Festival in Forked River, or enjoy an afternoon of family fun with inflatable entertainment, a gaming truck, live music, and vendors at the 3rd Annual Summer Community Bash in Piscataway. And for more family-friendly fun, find one of the free things to do near you. (featured photo: @rotaryclubhillsborough & Mike Williams)
Friday Night Fireworks in Wildwood
August 14 at 10 PM
Is there a better way to end a fun-filled week of summer in Wildwood than with free fireworks? Every Friday night, watch a spectacular display explode to a musical score played along the Boardwalk. Grab a beach chair to relax on the sand, or you can see them from anywhere on the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, On the Beach at Pine Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Screen On The Green
August 14
Gather on the Village Green for a movie night. The event features an outdoor LED screen, pre-movie dance parties, and food trucks. This summer’s lineup includes lots of Disney favorites like Moana 2, Snow White, and Mufasa.
Cost: Free
356 Broad Street, Summit, NJ 07901
Hillsborough Rotary Fair
August 14-15, fireworks on August 14
The Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair is back with fun for the whole family. Visit vendors, play games, grab some grub, and wristband night every night.
Cost: $35; all-night ride access is available every night, or patrons may choose a different dollar amount appropriate for only select rides.
In the lot adjacent to Lowe’s, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
Music in the Park at Rotary Park Bandstand
August 14-16 at 7 PM
Bring a beach chair or blanket to comfortably enjoy music in the park at Cape May Rotary Park. This year’s lineup has something for every musical taste, including Dion Paci, The Honeyhawks, Brook Dicaro Duo, and more.
Cost: Free
Cape May Rotary Park, 400-498 Lafayette St, Cape May, NJ 08204
Argos Farm Sunflower Festival
August 14-16 at 3 PM
Ready to take in some gorgeous sunflowers? Head to this festival where you can stroll through the flowers, snap photos, or gather flowers for your next centerpiece. While you are there, let the kids run and play at the farm on the Jumbo Jumper Air Pillow, Double Hay Slide, obstacle course, and cow train.
Cost: Ticket price
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Passaic County Fair
August 14-16
Step right up to this annual fair, where the whole family can get on rides, eat yummy food, visit a petting zoo, try face painting, and play games. Listen to live music on the stage, and at night, catch the fireworks.
Cost: Free, parking $5 per car.
Garret Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ 07427
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
August 14-16
Bring your crew to this high-energy pop-rock musical that brings Rick Riordan’s beloved book to life with humor, heart, and heroic quests full of Greek mythology, friendship, and courage.
Cost: $30 per ticket
The Strand Theater, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08723
Beachfest II Arts & Crafts Festival
August 15 at 9 AM
Artists, makers, and food will be at the seaside town of Beach Haven. Get ready to shop by the shore.
Cost: Free
Veteran’s Bicentennial Park, 100 Engelside Avenue, Beach Haven, NJ 08008
2026 Bay Head Fire Company Clam Bake
August 15 at 12 PM
Bring the whole family and your appetites to the annual Bay Head Fire Department fundraiser. There will be clams, clam chowder, burgers, hot dogs, craft beers, face painting, and live bands.
Cost: $65.87 per adult or $23.18 per child ages 6-12
Bay Head Fire Company No. 1, 81 Bridge Avenue, Bay Head, NJ 08742
Blue Claw Craft Show & Crab Race
August 15 at 10 AM
This festival is a great chance to spend time outside, enjoy 60+ vendors, and see a crab race. There will also be food for purchase.
Cost: Free
Sunset Park,1 W Salem Ave, Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Sunflower Festival
August 15 at 12 PM
Sunflowers are a gorgeous way to celebrate the summer, and this is a great place to do just that. From taking a hayride to the flower field to picking a homemade bouquet of flowers, this fun-filled weekend is the place to be. Stop by the Rebel Sheep Wine Tasting room for a crisp glass of wine after you pick.
Cost: $9.99 per person
Stony Hill Farms, 15 North Road, Chester, NJ 07930
Touch-A-Truck
August 15 at 10 AM
If you have a little one that loves all things trucks, then you need to be at this event. There will be up-close truck exploration, activities and games, and snacks for everyone. The trucks that will be there include fire trucks, police cars, construction vehicles, and more.
Cost: Free
Bierman Autism Centers – Parsippany, 2001 US-46 Ste 100, Parsippany, NJ 07054
Trudy Fest
August 15 at 3 PM
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle’s historic English Channel swim at Trudy Fest, a one-of-a-kind waterfront celebration honoring one of America’s greatest athletes and Highlands’ hometown heroine. There will be live music by DJ Johnny Jonze, delicious food trucks, a wine and beer garden, specialty vendors, guest speakers, and family-friendly activities celebrating Trudy’s incredible legacy.
Cost: Free
Veterans Park, 51 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ 07732
Barnyard Movie Night
August 15 at 7:30 PM
Celebrate summer on the farm! Take a wagon ride, meet the animals, and then settle in on the lawn and see Barnyard (2006) under the stars. Free popcorn included—just bring your blankets and chairs!
Cost: Free
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, 73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Bridgeton Peach Festival
August 15-16 at 10 AM
This event will host a peach-fuzz contest for babies under 1 year old. There will be train rides, a crafts table, and games for kids. Also, look out for many peach treats and decor from merchants and vendors.
Cost: Parking is $2 per car
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Surf & Turf Seafood Festival
August 15-16 at 11 AM
Bring your appetite to the Shore’s biggest seafood festival in NJ, where you will find lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp, and more. On Sunday, there will also be a bounce house, pony rides, face painters, and clowns.
Cost: $6 for general admission; children 12 and under are free, and parking is free
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Lambertville Sunflower Festival
August 15-16 at 10 AM
Celebrate the vibrant beauty of late summer at the Lambertville Sunflower Festival, hosted at Bellemont Farm in Lambertville, NJ. This family-friendly event offers a picturesque escape with acres of sunflowers in full bloom. Whether you’re capturing the perfect photo, enjoying live music, or indulging in local food, there’s something for everyone.
Cost: Admission costs vary
Bellemont Farm, 22 Valley Road, Lambertville, NJ 08530
3rd Annual Summer Community Bash
August 16 at 2 PM
Grab the crew and enjoy an afternoon of family fun featuring local vendors, delicious food, kids’ activities, inflatable entertainment, a gaming truck, live music, giveaways, community organizations, and more. The mission of this event is to bring the community together while supporting local small businesses.
Cost: Free
New Market Fire Company, 801 S Washington Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854
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