Spend this weekend with your kids experiencing fun and interactive events throughout New Jersey. Celebrate Spring at Surati’s 9th Holi – Festival of Colors or Mercer County Park’s Uncork Spring. Enjoy free ice cream at Alstede Farms’ Free Ice Cream Day, food from a food truck at Princeton’s TruckFest 2017, or Rowan College’s Roadrunner Food Truck Festival.
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
Here are our top picks for family events in NJ this weekend:
May Day 2017 (FEATURED)
Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM
Bring your family out to Island Beach State Park and enjoying zip lining , beach yoga all day, health and fitness vendors, craft vendors, environmental displays, nature walks, plant sale, free kids games and crafts, music, food and more. Most activities are free. Yoga is free, however, registration is required. An $8 donation per vehicle is suggested at park entrance.
Island Beach State Park, Ocean Bathing Area 1
Cost: Free ($8 donation per vehicle suggested)
Rutgers Day, Photo via Facebook @RutgersDay
1. Rutgers Day 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM
Rutgers Day 2017 ensures all families that at attend a day filled with exploration, learning, and plenty of time for play. This spring NJ Residents and beyond will be shown the famous Scarlet Carpet, as they experience hands-on learning activities in the sciences, arts, and humanities. Along with all the activities, there will also be performances by musicians and dancers, as well as exhibitions and demonstrations for the whole family to enjoy. This event is hosted by accomplished professors and students, so make sure to stop by.
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick
160 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Cost: Free
2. Laurita BaconFest 2017
April 29-30, 2017
Saturday from 11:00AM to 9:00PM
Sunday from 11:00AM to 7:00PM
Join Laurita Winery for their annual BaconFest. There will be over 25 food trucks, live music, and activities and a huge playground for kids. Also, there spectacular firework display will be available to all on Saturday night only, so make sure you do not miss out. This is a great event for the whole family, and what else could be better than a festival dedicated to bacon?
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Cost: Free for individuals 20 years old and under, $8 for individuals 21 years old and older
3. Uncork Spring at Mercer County Park
April 29-30, 2017 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
UNCORK Spring at Mercer County Park is a new event that has come right in time for festival season. UNCORK features 15 wineries, live music, 4 food trucks, a Kids Zone with a bounce house, “make & take” crafts, sand arts, and face painting. This jam packed day is shaping up to be one of the best festivals around, so make sure you start festival season off with an extravagant UNCORK’d experience. All kids activities are pay as you go.
Mercer County Park
47 Valley Road, East Windsor, NJ 08690
Cost: Free for Kids, $15 Adults (Advance), $20 Adults (At the Gate)
Touch A Truck 2016, Photo via Facebook @StaffordChamberNJ
4. 3rd Annual Touch-A-Truck
Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 11:00AM to 4:00PM (Rain or Shine)
The 3rd Annual Touch-A-Truck event will introduce your family to a world of Climbing, Exploration, and Discovery. Event goers will have their choice to feast their eyes onthe wide array of vehicles on display such as: Police Vehicles, Fire Trucks, Earth Movers, and Dump Trucks. There will also be kid activities such as face painting, a bounce house, music, a clown, and more.
Manahawkin Lake Park
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Cost: Free
5. TruckFest 2017
Saturday, April 29, 2016 from 1:00PM to 5:00PM
Princeton’s annual TruckFest seeks to bring the community together to help fight hunger. This event will showcase over 15 mouth watering food trucks, and also bring to you some delightful live performances. What better way to spend your Saturday than filling your family’s bellies and helping a cause?
Princeton University
Prospect Avenue from Washington Road to Olden Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Cost: $2 – All proceeds will go to the organizations Send Hunger Packing and Meals and Wheels!
6. Arts, Sweets, and Crafts Fest
Saturday, April 29 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM
The Washington Business Improvement District’s annual Arts, Sweets and Crafts Festival extends its hands to visitors and art lovers alike for a glance at fine and original art works that are local. Art, sweets, craft vendors present, live music, demonstrations, and great food are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this jam packed event. A fan favorite, Critter and Litter Kid’s Craft Workshop, will also be available to event goers from 11:30am to 1:30pm and a second session from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Downtown Washington
Washington Avenue (Route 57) throughout Downtown Washington, Washington, NJ 07882
Cost: Free
Free Ice Cream Day, Photo via AlstedeFarms.com
7. Free Ice Cream Day
Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Farmer Kurt’s birthday is April 30th, and he is inviting everyone to come join in celebration; Not to mention FREE kiddie cup or cones will be provided courtesy of the farm. Fantastic cones or your choice of favorite homemade ice cream flavors will also be available at the farm’s newest service windows. You may come for the ice cream, but you will surely stick around for the atmosphere and activities your kids will love.
Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
Cost: Free
8. Roadrunner Food Truck Festival
Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 2:00PM to 8:00PM
Enjoy the day at Rowan College’s beautiful Gloucester County campus for their Roadrunner Food Truck Festival. The event will include 24 food trucks and fun family activities such as Cornhole, balloon art, and more. While your family is on campus take tours of the buildings, walk the grounds, or watch an athletic event.
Rowan College at Gloucester County
1400 Tanyard Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Cost: Free
9. Maywood Annual Street Fair
Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 10:00AM to 5:00PM
The Maywood Annual Street Fair will transform Maywood into a giant town block party. Local merchants, food establishments, over 100 exhibitors, and live music will be at the center of this grand time. Make sure you stop by to this surely rockin’ time for all.
Maywood
Along West Pleasant Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607
Cost: Free
East Coast Comic Con, Photo by Jason Laboy via EastCoastComiCon.com
10. East Coast Comic Con
April 29-30, 2017 from 10:00AM to 6:00PM
The East Coast Comic Con is perfect for your little comic book enthusiasts. There will be over 300 exhibitors making easy to share your favorite comic book and characters with your kids. This a great bonding event.
Meadowlands Exposition Center
355 Plaza Drive, Secaucus, NJ 07094
Cost: $9.50 Kids-Saturday only, $7.50 Kids-Sunday only, $30.50 Adults-Saturday only, $26.50 Adult-Sunday only
11. Astro Day
Saturday, April 29, 11:00AM – 4:00PM
Night Sky Observing from 8:30PM to 10:00PM (Weather Permitting)
Join the Morris Museum Astronomical Society in celebrating National Astronomy Day. Kids will shown a great time through evening programs and activities that are of course out of this world! Some stellar activities include: solar observations, hands-on space crafts in the galleries, and exploration of brass instruments of the orchestra.
Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Cost: $10 Members, $12 Non-Members, $15 Combo Ticket (includes general Museum admission, plus admission to a children’s theatre performance)
12. GTSM New Jersey Autograph Show
April 28-30, 2017
Friday from 5:00PM to 9:00PM
Saturday from 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Sunday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM
The GTSM New Jersey Autograph Show is great for your little sports enthusiasts. The star studded list of superstars include: Terry Bradshaw, Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, DeMarco Murray, LaDainian Tomlinson, Marcus Allen, Jim Plunkett, Doug Flutie, Kirk Cousins, Carli Lloyd, Bo Jackson, Jim Otto, Jerry Rice, Len Dawson, Doug Flutie, Curtis Martin, Franco Harris, Jim Brown, Didi Gregorius, Alfonso Soriano, Charles Woodson, and if you can believe it, there will be plenty more. This event speaks for itself, and your family will not want to miss out…especially if your favorite teams’ stars will be making an appearance.
Garden State Exhibit Center
50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873
Cost: Free on Friday only, $25 for a Weekend Pass for Saturday and Sunday
Holi Hai, Photo via Facebook @SuratiInc
13. Surati’s 9th Holi – Festival of Colors
Saturday, April 29, 2017 from 12:00PM to 8:00PM
Come celebrate the greatest celebration for the festival of lights or “Holi”, with your friends & family in Hudson County. This jubilant spring festival, also known as the best event to share love, signifies many things. Amongst the top reasons for Holi, it is the celebration of the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, embrace playing and laughter, a time to forget and forgive, a time to repair broken relationships, and is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest. This extremely fun event is open to all, and all are encouraged to come and bring in the Springtime the right way.
Exchange Place River View
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Cost: Free but colors will be available for purchase (no outside colors will be allowed)
14. Red Bank International Beer, Wine & Food Fest
Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 12:00PM to 7:00PM (Rain Date May 7, 2017)
The 6th Annual Red Bank International Beer, Wine & Food Festival is just the perfect time for everyone! Your family and friends can join in the celebration of International food, music, wine and beer…What better combination than all of those things right? Twenty of Red Bank’s finest eateries will also be selling specialty food items throughout the festival. On top of all the fine food and drink, make sure you check out the great live music.
White Street Parking Lot
25 White St, Red Bank, New Jersey 07701
Cost: Free for Kids 10 years and younger, $5 for Kids 11 and older and Adults
15. 2017 Asbury Park Restaurant Tour
Sunday, April 30, 2017 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM
The Asbury Park Restaurant Tour will a food enthusiast’s dream come true! This eating dedicated tour will showcase small bites, sampling, and plenty of demos. The Restaurant Tour Check In Tent will be stationed in Press Plaza for guests to collect wristbands. Tour guests will pick up their wristbands along with a tasting guide and map of participating sites as well as offers from local merchants. FREE tour transportation will make continuous loops around town throughout the day.
Press Plaza
Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Cost: $35
MORE FUN THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:
- 30 FREE NJ Events in April
- 10 Outdoor Activities To Do in April
- Best Ski Resorts for NJ Families
- Must Know Winter Classes in NJ
- Museums in North, Central, & South NJ
- Aquariums in NJ
- 20 Family Friendly Hiking Trails in NJ
- 52 #NJMOM Must-Do Adventures
- Plan ahead by checking NJ Mom’s 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
- Free Museum Days in NJ (the first weekend of each month)
- 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
- 50 Best Spas in NJ
- 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
- Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad
- Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- Kids Bowl Free in NJ
Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmomhq and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.
