30 Free NJ Events in May

Spend the day at the beach with artists and fireworks at the Jersey Shore Festival, be a pirate for a day and hunt for treasure at Belmar’s Pirate Day, witness spring in bloom with over 250,000 flowers at the Azalea Festival, learn more about the environment and how to protect it at the Eco Fair, or meet a player from the New York Giants at the Health and Fitness Expo in MetLife Stadium.

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1. Hoboken Spring Arts & Music Festival
May 1st, 2016 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Postponed to a later date in May, to be announced.)
Michael and the Rockness Monsters, Stevens Jazz Quartet, the Garden Street School of Performing Arts, and many more bands, artists, and musicians will be performing at the Spring Arts and Music Festival in Hoboken this weekend. Not only will there be three stages filled with live performances, there will be children’s activities such as rides, games, face painting, sand art, and more.
Hoboken City Hall
94 Washington Street, Hoboken, NJ

2. Music and Movement with Ms. Fran
May 3rd, 2016 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Ms. Fran returns for a mini-concert series of music and movement.
Englewood Library
31 Engle St., Englewood, NJ

3. Spring Boardwalk Classic Car Show
May 6th, 2016 | 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Don’t miss out on seeing some of the most vintage unique cars in New Jersey.
Wildwood Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ

4. Spring Festival Crafts and Collectibles Show
May 7th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
As part of the Cape May Spring Festival which features many events, shows, and activities through out the beginning of May to introduce the beautiful season of Spring, Emlen Physick Estate presents its popular Crafts & Anitques collectible show. Parents and children of all ages are welcome to check out all of the booths at the Emlen Physick Estate this Saturday with old items and antiques never seen anywhere else.
Emlen Physick Estate
1048 Washington St., Cape May, NJ

5. Eco Fair
May 7th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Learn all you need to know about the environment and how to take care of it with keynote speaker, Dr. Douglas Tallamy. At this special event, families will learn about landscapes, the envinronment, and what happens if we fail to take care of it. This is a great educational and engaging event for families.
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
1501 Glasstown Rd., Millville, NJ

6. Children’s Festival
May 7th, 2016 | All Day Event
Hosted by the Historic Smithville, the Children’s Festival will have a Cape May Zoo show, popcorn, balloon animals, and other activities that are all meant to celebrate the beauty of childhood.
Historic Smithville and the Village Greene
1 N New York Rd., Absecon, NJ

7. Frog Songs Event
May 7th, 2016 | 1:00 PM
Come to the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell, and discover which frogs are calling in May during this free nature program.
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center
331 Georgia Tavern Rd., Howell, NJ

8. Piscataway’s 25th Annual Street Fair
May 7th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
100 crafts & food vendors, pony rides, face painting, a DJ, kiddie rides, and more!
Piscataway Town Hall
455 Hoes Ln., Piscataway Township, NJ

9. Green Festival
May 7th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 pm
At Secaucus’s Green Festival there will be activities such as a petting zoo, rock climbing, magicians, raptors, butterfly exhibit, food trucks and more.
4000 Riverside Station Blvd., Secaucus, NJ

10. Cape May Count Coast Guard Festival
May 7th, 2016 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Celebrate the bravery of the Cape May coast guard at their annual festival. Throughout the weekend there will be various events taking place, but the free events will mainly be on Saturday. Take a guided tour through the Coast Guard Ships, meet and greet with a static helicopter crew, jump around inside a bouncy house, or see a K-9 demonstration. There are many activities going on throughout the day that you don’t want to miss out on.
Training Center Cape May
1 Munroe Ave., Cape May, NJ

11. Azalea Festival
May 8th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The flower are in bloom at the Sayen Botanical Gardens and Hamilton Township invites everyone to their Azalea Festival with over 250,000 flowers and plants.
Sayen Botanical Gardens
155 Hughes Dr., Hamilton Township, NJ

12. Jersey Fresh International Three Day Festival
May 11th, 2016 | All Day Events
If you and your family love horses, this event is perfect for your weekend. The first day of the event is free to the public and will feature top competitors in equestrian sport.
Horse Park of New Jersey
626 Route 524, Allentown, NJ
(Free for first day)

13. Popup Park
May 12th, 2016 | 6:00 PM
Bring a picnic basket with your favorite dinner meal for Uptown Pitman’s popup park event. Enjoy old time, warm weather fun by spending a night under the nightsky with family and friends.
Uptown Pitman
S Broadway, Pitman, NJ

14. Wash and Sing Family Karaoke
May 12th, 2016 | 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Show off your skills with friends and family at the Wash and Sing Family Karaoke. The singer with the most skill will recieve a prize and there will be light refreshments served during the event.
1070 Whitehorse Mercerville Rd., Hamilton Township, NJ

15. Health and Fitness Expo with the New York Giants
May 14th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Get your health on with the New York Giants for their annual health and fitness expo happening at Metlife Stadium. Ride a zipline, tour the lockerrooms, or even get to meet one of the Giants players.
Metlife Stadium
1 MetLife Stadium Dr., Easter Rutherford, NJ

16. Mayfest
May 14th – May 15th, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
An international food court with an array of cuisine, a carousel ride, paddle boats, and over 100 crafters will be at Mayfest.
Historic Smithville, The Village Green
615 E Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ

17. New Jersey Seafood Festival
May 14th – May 15th, 2016 | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Live music, local vendors and artists, and of course, a lot of seafood to taste.
601 Main St., Belmar, NJ

18. Flamenco Dance & Live Music Festival
May 15th, 2016 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Alborada Spanish Dance Theater is hosting a Flamenco Dance and Live Music Festival with beautiful music that will get everyone in the family on their feet and dancing along with the professional dancers.
Parker Press Park
428, Rahway Ave., Woodbridge, NJ

19. Meet Chase from Paw Patrol
May 15th, 2016 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Meet this furry little pup at Learning Express Toys of Holmdel where he will be meeting, greeting, and taking photod with his fans.
Learning Express Toys of Holmdel
2017 State Route 35, Holmdel, NJ

20. Afternoon of Tea & Heirlooms
May 18th, 2016 | 3:00 PM
Have a warm cup of tea with the Two River Theater at their heirloom “show and tell” event. Families are encouraged to bring a family heirloom that they can show to others over a cup of tea.
Two River Theater
21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank, NJ

21. Jersey Shore Festival
May 20th – May 22nd, 2016 | 1:00 PM
Beach season is almost here and Seaside Heights is holding a Jersey Shore Festival featuring emerging artists, BMX Stunt Shows, free monster truck rides, and fireworks.
Seaside Heights Beach & Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ

22. Pirate Day
May 21st, 2016 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Embrace your inner pirate and hunt for treasure. Belmar is hosting it’s 8th annual treasure hunt and the best dressed pirate will win a prize.
601 Main St., Belmar, NJ

23. Watchung Community Picnic
May 21st, 2016 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Join the Watchung community for their community picnic with refreshments, popcorn, cotton candy, italian ice, and fun activities for the entire family.
Mobus Field
Brookedale Rd., Watchung, NJ

24. Bergen County Family Funfest
May 21st, 2016 | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
At this fun-filled festival, there will be train rides, a free ride on a carousel, and a chance to learn more about Bergen County’s history and interesting locations.
Van Saun Park
216 Forest Ave., Paramus, NJ

25. Dog Parade
May 21st, 2016 | 10:00 AM
Starting on Dawes Avenue and proceeding to Ocean Avenue, the Summer Dog Parade at Somers Point is sure to delight children of all ages as they witness dogs in all kinds of get-ups. Dogs will be awarded for best costume, best tail wagger, smallest dog, and more.
Dawes Avenue
W Dawes Ave., Somers Point, NJ

26. Safety Day
May 21st, 2016 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Educate everyone in the family about safety at Safety Day in Belmar. The Belmar Police Department, First Aid, and the Fire Department will be there for hands on demonstrations.
601 Main St., Belmar, NJ

27. Strawberry and Honey Festival
May 21st, 2016 | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Celebrate the beauty of fresh strawberries and sticky honey with Oasis Family Farm.
Oasis Family Farm
3 Circle Dr., Robbinsville, NJ

28. Shopkins Party in Hasbrouck
May 24th, 2016 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Shopkins crafts, shopkins bingo, and the chance to hang out with beloved characters of Shopkins.
Hasbrouck Heights Library
320 Blvd., Hasbrouck Heights, NJ

29. Multimedia Light and Sound Show
May 27th, 2016 | 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM
Witness an extraordinary light show at the boardwalk featuring collaborations with Walt Disney, Madonna, and others.
Tropicana Hotel and Casino
2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ

30. Saturday Night Concert Series
May 28th, 2016 | 6:30 PM
Kick off the warm weather right and have a dance or sit back and relax at Belmar’s FREE Saturday Night Concert Series.
601 Main St., Belmar, NJ

MORE IDEAS FOR THINGS TO DO IN NJ THIS WEEKEND:

• FREE Events in New Jersey through May 31st
• 60+ Things to Do in New Jersey
• Free Museum Days in NJ
• Kids Eat Free Restaurants
• 275 Parks & Playgrounds in NJ
• 50 Best Spas in NJ
• 10 Mommy & Me Classes in NJ
• Date Night Ideas for Mom + Dad