Woo hoo, it’s July, mamas, and we’re in full summer mode of festivals, fireworks, and lots of family fun this weekend. Slide down the inflatables and watch the sky sparkle at the Water Carnival in Browns Mills, pick blueberries and feast on fruity treats at the Blueberry Bash at Terhune Orchards in Princeton, or meet pirates and check out pirate artifacts at Arr…the Pirates are Invading the Battleship in Camden. And don’t miss our FREE Things to do in July Guide.
Featured Photo Credit: Istock/bwancho
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Don’t miss the one and only Dino Safari in Freehold and Paramus.
July 10 in Freehold and July 16 in Paramus
Grab your prehistoric passport and join over 40 giant moving dinosaurs on a globetrotting expedition at Dino Safari, a drive-thru dino adventure for the whole family! Get up-close-and-personal with fascinating prehistoric creatures from the mighty T. Rex of North America to the giant amphibious Spinosaurus from Africa. At the same time, you learn how dinosaurs evolved, where on earth they lived, and the discoveries paleontologists have made about how they ate, moved, and behaved. Beware: Along the journey, earthquakes might erupt, dinosaurs could battle, and your family might just have to help save a baby dinosaur’s life! So, buckle up for the adventure of a lifetime in this completely COVID-safe experience. Cost: $49.95 regular vehicle and $59.95 for large-capacity vehicles
Freehold Raceway Mall, 3710 US 9, Freehold, NJ 07728
Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
(855) 372-3274
July 1-11
The whole family will be in awe of the thrilling shows, including Rosaire’s Royal Racers, the High Flying Pages Thrill Show, Motorcycle Stunt Show, and the Gossamer Magic Show. Don’t miss the fireworks on July 10, with a rain date of July 11. All proceeds go directly to Youth Sports groups of New Brunswick.
Cost: Advance Megapass $20, Advance General Admission $5, Megapass $25, General Admission $7, and $12 Buck Tuesday for rides only
David B. Crabiel Park, US 1 North Brunswick Township, NJ 08850
(800) 290-2090
July 2-11
Get ready for food, fun, rides, and more for the whole family at the Law Enforcement Agents Drugs and Violence (L.E.A.D) Fair. Admission includes free entertainment and attractions, such as an agriculture tractor show, racing pigs, a pie-eating contest, and more.
Cost: $40 for a Mega Pass. There are discounted passes Tuesday-Thursday
1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
(609) 259-2500
July 9 at 10:30 AM
Your kiddos can enjoy a special pop-up storytime from the Recreation Department and Cherry Hill Public Library. Then stick around for Food Truck Friday at Croft Farm.
Cost: Free
Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
(856) 488-7868
BlueClaws Post-Game Fireworks
July 9
A baseball game with the family is a fantastic way to spend your Friday night. It’s easy, it’s entertaining, and a great time for the kids. Chow down on some crab fries or a ballpark dog while you cheer on the BlueClaws. Sit back and relax with a big, bright fireworks show to finish off the evening.
Cost: Included in BlueClaws Tickets
FirstEnergy Park, 2 Stadium Way, Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 901-7000
Somerset Patriots Post-Game Fireworks
July 10
A bit further north, this is another chance to enjoy a ball game with the fam and cap off the night with a colorful show in the sky. Cheer on the Somerset Patriots as the sun goes down and watch the fireworks light up over the stadium.
Cost: Included in Patriot Tickets
TD Bank Ballpark, 1 Patriots Park, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
(908) 252-0700
July 10
The Second Saturday event began when a collection of store owners came together to promote the arts in Collingswood. Once a month, from March to December, visitors can plan a night on the town to experience arts, music, shopping, and dining in Collingswood. Don’t miss the local artists and musicians on each block.
Cost: Free
Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108
(856) 854-0720
July 10 from 2 PM-3 PM
Have you ever tasted ice cream from the 19th century? Crank ice cream in the shade of the ice house. And the best part, enjoy the freshly made ice cream too.
Cost: Free
62 Walnford Road, Upper Freehold, NJ 08501
(609) 259-6275
July 10, 4 PM-11 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 in the specially designated Teen Center, and the whole fam can check out the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
(732) 294-2199
Blacksmithing at Howell History Living Farm
July 10 from 5 PM-8 PM
Fire up the forge and heat wrought iron with blacksmith Daniel Lapidow. Turn the crank of the forge blower until the iron turns orange to make harness hooks, gate hinges, and other farm hardware.
Cost: Free
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
(609) 737-3299
Water Carnival
July 10 from 6 PM-9 PM
Get ready to have a night of fun sliding down inflatables, dancing, playing carnival games, and eating lots of yummy food, all on the edge of Mirror Lake Beach. There will also be a fireworks show at 9 PM. And good to know, there’s free parking and shuttle service from Stackhouse/Harker-Wylie Complex. Rain date July 11.
Cost: Free
Mirror Lake Beach, 141 Clubhouse Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
(609) 893-5034
Bradley Beach Summer Concert
July 10 from 7 PM-9 PM
Get the whole family dancing at one of these weekly free concerts in Riley Park presented by the Bradley Beach Department of Tourism. The Dessert Jellies will play on July 10, and don’t forget your chairs and blankets.
Cost: Free
615 Main Street, Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
(732) 776-2999
July 10, Fireworks after every Saturday home game
You’ll be striking out if you take the family to a Miners game and miss out on the fireworks. This is the biggest fireworks show in Sussex County—catch the show on select Saturdays.
Cost: Included in game admission
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822
(973) 383-7644
July 10 from 10 AM-4 PM and July 11 from 1 PM-3 PM
Come and tour the newly restored Historic Battery Lewis in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Wood Park. Learn all about the history of this former coastal defense site.
Cost: Free
1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
(732) 872-0336
July 10 and 11 from 10 AM-5 PM
Spend the day blueberry picking, relaxing, and enjoying country music. Then watch a puppet show presented by Tucker’s Tales Puppet Theatre at noon and 1:30 PM for ages and three and up. Say hello to the barnyard animals, play at the playhouses, and make sure you check out the adorable duckie race. Hungry? Have a bite or more from Pam Mount’s Blueberry Bash Buffet.
Cost: Admission is $10 (children under 3 are free). It is recommended to buy tickets in advance.
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 924-2310
July 10 and 11 from 12 PM-2 PM
Do you know how to harvest and thresh? Learn how the wheat crop was cultivated and processed in the days before combines. The wheat will be cut, gathered, and bundled into sheathes using a horse-drawn grain binder on Saturday. The staff will use a 19th century belt-driven Champion thresher on Sunday to separate the wheat grain from the straw and the chaff.
Cost: Free
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
(732) 946-3758
July 11 from 9 AM-1 PM
Bring the fam to this Ag event, with farm-based activities, music, and museum tours. While you stock up on farm-fresh produce, littles can hang out with cute barnyard critters at the petting zoo.
Cost: Free
Van Ripper Hopper Museum, 533 Berdan Avenue, Wayne, NJ
(973) 706-6640
July 11 from 11 AM-3 PM
Are you ready to meet some pirates? Explore the Battleship NJ and find some pirates along the way, along with checking out pirate artifacts, experience a cannon firing, live music, demos, and more. Bonus: If you dress like a pirate, you will get 20% off the July 11 tour.
Cost: All pirate activities are free with the purchase of a Battleship NJ ticket
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ 08103
(856) 966-1652
State Fair Meadowlands
Now-July 11, hours vary
It’s back—35 acres of fun, and those oh-so-delicious fried Oreos are among the fantastic things awaiting at the State Fair (and did we mention free parking?) Don’t miss rides and attractions and the largest Kiddie Land in the Garden State with rides like Fire Chief, Monkey Maze, and the Wacky Worm. If you are looking for thrill rides, try the Crazy Mouse, Mardi Gras Glasshouse, or the Cliffhanger, and for those who like tamer things, there’s a Petting Zoo, Survivor Game Show, and even a magician and a circus.
Cost: Tickets must be purchased online; the Fun Pass starts at $34.99
State Fair Meadowlands, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
(201) 355-5911
Makers + Shakers Pop Up Market
Every Thursday-Sunday from 11 AM – 6 PM through September 5
Kick off the summer at this lively market where you can check out various local makers, artists, and designers selling handcrafted goods, clothing, jewelry & accessories, beauty products, art, photography, home goods, and so much more. The kids can also enjoy rides on the Carousel and don’t forget to visit the beach, restaurants, shops, and the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
52 Centennial Drive, Long Branch, NJ 07740
(732) 923-0100
RWJBarnabas Health: Cooking Classes for Kids
Dates and times vary depending on the program
Kids of all ages will love cooking up healthy treats in these virtual hands-on cooking classes (adult supervision required during class): Try Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen for kids 8-12, where they’ll learn to use a recipe, cook with nutritious ingredients, and utilize kitchen basics or try Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen, and My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas, Virtual
(973) 926-7371
Somerville Summer Stage
Every Saturday until October 2 from 6 PM-9 PM
Bring chairs to this concert series, with a new performance every Saturday. Bob Lanza will play on July 3, Nick Ryan and The Mess on July 10, John Busse on July 17 on July 24, The Bryan Hansen Band will perform, and The Broadcasters will perform on July 31.
Cost: Free
Division Street, Somerville, NJ 08876
(908) 524-0104
New Jersey Jackals Post-Game Fireworks
Every Saturday in the summer
Head to a New Jersey Jackals game on these select dates and watch the sizzle in the sky after the players finish lighting up the field.
Cost: Included in Jackals Tickets
Yogi Berra Stadium, 1 Hall Drive, Little Falls, NJ 07424
(973) 746-7434
Super American Circus Atlantic City
July 1 – August 29
Performers from all over the world will perform in a 2-hour show. Acts, thrills, and laughs will keep the whole family entertained. Watch The All American Motorcycle thrill team in the Globe of Death or the circus performers from America’s Got Talent.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Showboat Atlantic City, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 487-4600
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