30 FREE NJ Events in May

This May check out the Amazing Butterfly Tent at the ECO Fair in Millville, marvel at the amazing shapes and colors at the Wildwood International Kite Festival in Wildwood Crest, and kick off the summer season on the water at The Lake Hopatcong Block Party in Lake Hopatcong.

Pssst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.

Here are 30 free events around New Jersey this May:

27th Annual Hackettstown Spring Festival
May 3 – 5
It’s about time we kick off festival season and this one is an area favorite for families! With yummy fair foods, live music performances, and other community groups and artists, the whole family will love getting out and enjoying time together at the 27th Annual Hackettstown Spring Festival. Mars-Wrigley also hosts interactive activities, giving out plenty of sweet treats that the littles will love. And don’t miss Hackettstown Medical Center’s “Teddy Bear Hospital.”
Hatchery Hill Elementary School fields, Hackettstown, NJ

Westfield Earth Day Fair & Free Market
May 4, 9AM – 3PM
Continue celebrating Earth Day with your family and learn how you can help our environment by making simple changes in your daily life. Kids are encouraged to bring an old t-shirt so it can be turned into a reusable bag. Bonus: the market is giving away tree saplings for planting and growing, reusable bags, and metal straws.
South Avenue Train Station Parking Lot, Westfield, NJ

Ocean Grove’s Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Festival
May 4, 10AM – 5PM
Featuring live music and over 200 artists & crafters, and a variety of restaurants – all in the main business district of Ocean Grove. Enjoy a stroll through this beautiful, historic shore town while welcoming spring and finding a few special items for you, your home, and your family.
81 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove, NJ

10th Sustainable South Jersey Earth Festival
May 4, 10AM – 2PM
This year’s theme is “Reduce Plastic, Fantastic!” This event features over 90 educational displays and wants to teach you how to reduce single-use plastic at home and at work. There will be free tree seedlings (while supplies last), family-friendly entertainment, arts and crafts, and healthy food for purchase. You can also register for the Family Bike Ride, starting at 8 AM.
Croft Farm, 100 Bortons Mill Road, Cherry Hill, NJ

ECO Fair: Artful Living, Handmade & Homegrown
May 4, 10AM – 5PM
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center loves hosting family-friendly, educational events. The ECO Fair features handmade works of New Jersey artists, family art activities, and live music. Your littles will love the glass blowing demonstration and opportunities to make tree ring prints, paper beads, leaf prints on fabric, and seed bombs at the ceramic studio. Don’t forget to check out the Amazing Butterfly Tent or go on a nature walk.
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville, NJ

Bogota’s Earth Day 2019
May 4, 11AM
In honor of Earth Day, Bogota Beautiful is partnering with local organizations and community volunteers to clean up Bogota for the fifth year in a row. Your family can make an impact on the town’s quality of life by beautifying the area and teaching your children about caring for their community. The event features short educational sessions by local organizations highlighting environmental topics, free snacks, and drinks.
Oscar E. Olsen Park, 157 West Main Street, Bogota, NJ

Toms River Food Fest
May 4, 11AM – 8PM
It’s prime season for food fests in New Jersey and Toms River’s version is a great one for the family to enjoy together. In addition to all the yum, there’s live music, arts and crafts, children’s rides and activities, as well as a beer and wine garden for mom and dad to check out.
Washington St., Downtown Toms River, NJ

Rising New York Road Runners at the NYRR Newport Fiesta 5K
May 4, 3PM – 5:30PM
The New York Road Runners is expanding into New Jersey with their first youth running event outside NYC. The event is free, open to ages 2-18, and features running events for all ability levels – from fun to competitive. All participants will receive a New Balance t-shirt and a ribbon. Bonus: your child’s Rising New York Road Runners bib will get them free admission to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket.
Newport Green Park, 14th Street, Jersey City, NJ

2019 Ninth Annual Edison Earth Day Celebration
May 5, 9AM – 3PM
Bring the family out to Papaianni Park for a day of fresh air and family-friendly activities. You and the family can help with the litter cleanup, or browse the mini market for yummy foods like Stella’s Empanadas. You’re encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable foods for the Hands of Hope and the Community Food Pantry.
Papaianni Park, Edison, NJ

Belmar Kite Festival
May 5, 11AM – 4PM
Come to watch or fly! Either way, your kids will love the magnificent swirl of colorful kites flying high over Belmar beach at 3rd Avenue. Stroll along the boardwalk, let the littles run along the sand, watch the kites soar high, and then make your way to one of Belmar’s fantastic restaurants to cap off a great day at the shore
3rd Avenue, Bradley Beach, NJ

Spring Boardwalk Classic Car Show
May 10 – 12
If you’re in Wildwood this Mother’s Day weekend, make sure you stop by the boardwalk to see the amazing lineup of classic cars – all at least 10 years of age and older. The show features 40 cars for you and your family to check out before or after a day of fun at one of the Jersey Shore’s most popular boardwalks.
Wildwood Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

Sip into Spring Festival
May 11, 10AM – 4PM
Celebrate (and sip on!) spring at a gorgeous winery in Cape May. The event features something for everyone, including gardening and nature demonstrations, a beehive demo, fashion stroll, live music, local food trucks, and wine and craft beer.
Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St, Cape May, NJ

Lake Hopatcong Block Party 2019
May 11, 10AM – 5PM
This annual event kicks off summer season and celebrates all things lake life! You can explore local vendors and businesses, try tons of food, and go on a Passport Adventure. As you enjoy the block party, visit participating sponsors, get the required stamps, then submit your passport to be entered in a drawing for a prize. The party features a 50/50 raffle and children’s scavenger hunt too – your littles will love looking for all the clues!
125 Landing Road, Lake Hopatcong, NJ

3rd Annual Spring into Bordentown City
May 11, 10AM – 5PM
Stroll along Farnsworth Avenue collecting stunning stems during The Flower Walk. This fun day features a Maker’s Fair of artisans from Bordentown City and the surrounding area, live music, and arts and crafts that the whole family can do together.
Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown City, NJ

Hooray for May!
May 11, 1PM – 4PM
“Hooray for May!” brings the local community together for a fun and interactive day of making art. Inside The Center for Contemporary Art’s three studios, there will be a variety of hands-on art activities for kids of all ages and parents, including some creative projects for Mother’s Day. End the afternoon with a family-friendly guided gallery tour of The Center’s current exhibitions and a community art project. A limited edition t-shirt will be given out to the first 50 children in the door.
The Center for Contemporary Art; 2020 Burnt Mills Road, Bedminster, NJ

Smithville Children’s Festival
May 11, 10AM-3:30PM
Spend the day at Smithville’s Children’s Festival, which features face painting, farm and zoo animals, train rides, storytellers, live performances, yoga, sack races, and so much more. Play games, make pottery, and ride the iconic carousel. Smithville’s 60 shoppes and 7 restaurants will be open as well – so you’ll have lots to explore and enjoy.
15 E. Moss Mill Rd., Galloway, NJ

Food Truck Fundraiser for Human Trafficking Survivors
May 11, 1PM – 6PM
Your littles will love the bounce house, games, face painting, sand art, and cotton candy at this event that supports an incredible cause. This fundraising event features food trucks, craft vendors, kids activities, a plant sale, and live music. All donations go to scholarships for victims of human trafficking, to support their journey – from victim to survivor to thriver.
High Mountain Church, 681 High Mountain Rd, North Haledon, NJ

Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
May 11 – 12, 12PM-5PM
NJMOM loves bazaars in good old Asbury Park because not only are the vendors always current and awesome, but the location couldn’t be better. Convention Hall is right on the boardwalk, just steps away from the beach and other cool AP spots. This event features beauty and wellness pop-ups, craft and vintage vendors, a Mother’s Day brunch, live music, and a photo booth, as well as kids’ art classes and workshops.
Convention Hall; 1300 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ

Morey’s Piers Mother’s Day Tea Party
May 12, 12PM – 2PM
This Mother’s Day, enjoy tea for two, three, or the whole fam at Morey’s Piers. This is sure to be a tea party to remember, because it’s happening at the legendary Tea Cups Ride on Mariner’s Pier in Wildwood. Mamas can ride free, but also sip complimentary tea, biscuits, and scones. And, your littles can decorate a sugar cookie for you at the cookie decorating station located next to the Tea Cups!
Mariner’s Pier, 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

Asbury Fresh Farmers & Makers Market
May 12, 10AM-3PM
Everyone’s favorite (and New Jersey’s largest) farmers & makers market is finally back this May, continuing on Sundays throughout the summer and fall. Shop from over 50 local farmers and artisans and enjoy family activities, food and craft demos, and live music.
Kennedy Park
Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: free

The Jersey Shore Festival
May 17 & 18
The Jersey Shore Festival is a music and arts festival that kicks off summer, proving summer really does start sooner at the Jersey Shore. Listen to over 350 artists, stop by local vendors’ tents, or walk along the boardwalk and play some games with the kiddos! It’s a perfect way to get the family pumped for the summer season.
Seaside Heights, NJ

Bayonne Food Truck Fest
May 18, 12PM – 7PM
Stroll through Bayonne for a delicious day your taste buds won’t forget. This fest features live music – including super popular Jersey band The Nerds, face painting, kids rides, and over 30 food trucks. You can also enjoy a cold one at the beer and wine garden. Furry friends welcome too!
22 – 24th Streets & Avenue, Bayonne, NJ

ParkFest
May 18, 12PM – 7PM
Head to Highlands for a day of music, food, and family events happening throughout the town. At 12PM in Huddy Park, enjoy free yoga and fitness to get your heart pumping. At 2PM, head to Cornwall Park for games and family fun, and finally head to Veterans Park at 4PM for live music and lots of delicious food.
70 Waterwitch Avenue, Highlands, NJ

A Taste of Spring: 3rd Annual Food Truck & Craft Beer Fest!
May 18, 2PM – 8PM
Food trucks and craft brews – a perfect combo! You’re sure to leave this fest with a full belly and smiling face. The event features dozens of food trucks, a beer garden, kids activities like bounce houses, face painting, crafts, and more. Rock out to music and vote for your favs – it’s Battle of the Bands!
Baywalk East, Keansburg, NJ

Smithville Mayfest
May 18 & 19, 10AM – 5PM
Mayfest at Historic Smithville offers an abundance of family fun. There will be more than 100 crafters and vendors, an international food court, children’s activities, nonprofit organizations and live entertainment for you to explore together. It might be hard to choose what to chow down on, but make sure you grab a legendary funnel cake from one of Smithville’s eateries. Ride the carousel or hop on a paddle boat to top off the day together.
Historic Smithville Village, Smithville, NJ

Wildwoods International Kite Festival
May 24 – 27
Make your way to Wildwood Crest for an unforgettable weekend with some unforgettable kites! Friday night your family can marvel at the 9PM illuminated kite fly and on Saturday enjoy sport kite demos, team flying, and family games. This all takes place along our beautiful coastline, so it’s perfect for you and your littles to run around, have some ice cream, and grab a bite to eat.
407 E Monterey Rd, Wildwood Crest, NJ

Collingswood Mayfair
May 25, 10AM – 1PM
Collingswood will be bursting with art, music and activities for all ages at the 40th Annual May Fair. Enjoy all kinds of food, shop from over 200 artists and vendors, and let the kids run free in the KidZone, which features pony rides, carnival games, rides, and crafts. Listen to live music and stop by the Collingswood Farmers Market for Jersey Fresh produce and flowers before you head home.
Haddon Ave, Collingswood, NJ

Bradley Beach Memorial Day Fest
May 25 – 27
Families love kicking off summer at this annual event, featuring children’s activities like a water slide, rides, face painters and sand art. You can shop over 180 craft and specialty vendors and 25 food vendors, right along the beachfront. And don’t forget the Memorial Day parade, Saturday at 10AM!
Ocean Ave, Bradley Beach, NJ

Downtown Wildwood Inaugural Bacon Lovers Festival
May 25 – 27
A fest dedicated to bacon – you know it’s going to be delicious! Chow down on food trucks and shop local vendors, artisan and bacon-related vendors. Listen to live music and relax with wine and craft beer tastings. Your littles will love the activities for them too – corn hole, kan jam, lawn jenga, Connect Four, and face painting. Stick around for the bacon eating contest on Sunday.
Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Ave, Wildwood, NJ

Marist High School Carnival
May 30 & 31, 4PM
The Marist Carnival is a total blast, with rides, games, food, prizes, raffles, and more! Experience the fun of the Jersey Shore in Hudson County. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
1241 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ

Psst! Don’t forget to hashtag #NJMOM and tag @njmom and your little cuties could be featured in our next photo round-up.