Memorial Day is a time to reflect on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Give your children a history lesson at one of the many Memorial Day parades happening throughout the state. If staying home for a BBQ isn’t your thing, Memorial Day in New Jersey is festivals galore – from food to crafts to the renaissance, there is something for everyone, in every part of the state!
The Jersey Shore is open!
Memorial Day weekend is the official opening of the Jersey Shore. Get your towels, sunscreen and beach chairs together for summertime fun. Many beach towns have some great street fairs and festivals going on to celebrate their opening this weekend.
1) See a Memorial Day parade!
Saturday May 23rd-Monday 25th various times
Here is NJ Mom’s Memorial Day parade round up. Get the kids dressed in their very best red, white and blue, grab an American flag and join your friends and neighbors in town. (full listing here.)
May 23rd
Bradley Beach 10:00am
Hillsborough 10:00am
Point Pleasant 10:00am
Princeton 10:00am
Rivervale 10:00am
May 24th
Delanco 1:30pm
Edison 2:00pm
Keyport 1:00pm
Matawan 2:00pm
May 25th
Avalon 9:00am
Beach Haven 10:00am
Cranbury 9:00am
Bayonne 10:30am
Hackettstown 10:00am
Hanover 9:30am
Hightstown 9:30am
Egg Harbor 9:00am
Fanwood 9:00am
Fort Lee 10:00am
Franklin Lakes 9:00am
Lambertville 9:00am
Mahwah 10:00am
Metuchen 10:00am
Morris Township 10:00am
Mountainside 11:30am
New Providence 9:30am
Nutley 11:30am
Old Bridge 9:00am
Oradell 9:00am
Perth Amboy 10:00am
Rutherford 9:00am
Sayreville 10:00am
Summit 10:00am
Union 10:00am
Wayne 10:00am
Wyckoff 11:30am
photo via Wildwood, NJ
2) Wildwoods International Kite Festival
Friday May 22nd 12:00pm through Monday May 25 9:00pm
The largest kite festival in North America takes place on Rio Grande Avenue on the beach in Wildwood this weekend. The event will start at 12:00pm on Friday with the “Unlocking of the Ocean”. The weekend includes illuminated kite flying, the East Coast Stunt Kite Championships on the beach, kite exhibits, workshops, auctions and more.
Rio Grande Avenue Beach Wildwood, NJ
Cost: FREE
3) Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival
Saturday May 22nd through Monday May 25th 11:30am-5:00pm
Over three dozen of the areas best food trucks will be at Monmouth Park all weekend for amazing food, family fun, and world-class racing for the Memorial Day Weekend Food Truck Festival. Don’t miss the most delicious summer kick-off party on the Jersey Shore!
Monmouth Park Oceanport Avenue Oceanport, NJ
Cost: $3/each admission, $4/parking
4) Fit ‘n Fun Festival
Saturday May 22nd and Sunday May 23rd 1:00pm-4:00pm
The Camden Children’s Garden wants you to be healthy! This festival will highlight easy and fun ideas for a healthy lifestyle, with a focus on simple physical activities and nutritious eating. Join us for crafts, a veggie make-n-take planting activity and educational activities that support healthy living.
Camden Children’s Garden 3 Riverside Drive Camden, NJ
Cost: $6/per person, 2 and under are free
5) New Jersey Renaissance Festival
Saturday May 23rd-Sunday May 24th 10:00am-6:00pm
The first-ever Highland Games will be played this weekend at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire’s Scottish weekend! Enjoy authentic costumes, entertainment, live performances, sword-fighting, kid’s activities, shopping at the village of merchants &artisans and much more.
Liberty Lake Day Camp 1195 Florence Columbus Road Bordentown, NJ
Cost: $20/adults, $12/children 12 and under
photo via the Pork Roll Festival
6) 2nd Annual Pork Roll Festival
Saturday May 23rd 10:00am-7:00pm
The family-friendly food and music festival celebrating Trenton, NJ’s favorite meat – Pork Roll – returns for a 2nd year. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, restaurants and vendors all with pork-roll themed items. There will be a ton of kids events, as well as a “Best of NJ” event.
Mill Hill Park South Broad Street and East Front Street Trenton, NJ
Cost: Suggested donation of $5 admission
photo via Williams & Sonoma
7) 52 New Foods present Ice Cream Shop
Saturday May 23rd 10:00am
You’re kids will scream for ice cream at this free class at Williams & Sonoma. You will discover how easy it is to create unique ice cream flavors with just a few ingredients and easy techniques. This class is perfect for children ages 5 –13.
Williams & Sonoma locations in Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Hackensack, Sea Girt, Princeton, Short Hills, Upper Montclair, Shrewsbury, Westfield & Woodcliff Lake
Cost: FREE
8) Collingswood May Fair
Saturday May 23rd 10:00am-5:00pm
Collingswood, New Jersey will be bursting with art, music and activities for all ages on Saturday for 36th Annual May Fair. This year’s fair will be even bigger with over 200 artists and crafters. Children will enjoy the “KidZone” featuring pony rides, carnival games, rides and children-friendly crafters. Enjoy multiple stages of live music, an antique & classic auto show and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle display. Visitors will also find several Food Courts featuring local restaurants and cafes. May Fair also welcomes the return of the renowned Collingswood Farmers Market offering “Jersey Fresh” options.
Haddon Avenue Collingswood, NJ
Cost: FREE
9) World Turtle Day
Saturday May 23rd 11:00am-4:00pm
The Turtle Back Zoo is celebrating turtles! Turtle talks, tortoise trots, terrapin tessellations and guided hikes to Turtle Back Rock are just some of the fun!
Turtle Back Zoo 240 Northfield Avenue West Orange, NJ
Cost: $13/adults, $10/children 2+
photo via Garden State Discovery Center
10) Meet and Greet with Super Why
Saturday May 23rd 5:00pm-7:00pm
Meet your favorite literary superheroes from Super Why with a special after hours meet and greet. Pre-registration is required.
Garden State Discovery Center 2040 Springdale Road Cherry Hill, NJ
Cost: Included in museum admission or $5 after 5pm
photo via Papermill Playhouse
11) Ever After
Saturday May 23rd 7:00pm and Sunday May 24th 1:30pm
The world premiere of a brilliant new musical based on the 1998 film starring Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston debuts at the Paper Mill Playhouse. Ever After sets the record straight on the fable of Cinderella. This witty musical has everything you’d want in a show – humor, romance and music.
Paper Mill Playhouse 22 Brookside Drive Millburn, NJ
Cost: $36-117/ticket
photo via Mommy University
12) Go on a Scavenger Hunt
Saturday May 23rd & Sunday May 24th 9:00am-3:30pm
Enjoy a spring photo scavenger hunt at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Start at the Haggerty Education Center to pick up the list, then head outside and go on your photo scavenger hunt as you explore the arboretum. When you complete the hunt and pick up your prize back at the education center!
Frelinghuysen Arboretum 333 East Hanover Ave Morris Township, NJ
Cost: $10/family
photo via Sesame Place
13) Sesame Street themed fireworks
Saturday May 23rd & Sunday May 24th 9:00pm-9:10pm
Rock out with all of your favorite Sesame Street pals at Sesame Place this weekend with their annual fireworks show set to Sesame Street music. Fireworks begin at 9:00pm and entry will be limited into the park five minutes before the show.
Sesame Place 100 Sesame Road Langhorne, PA
Cost: $40/after 3pm ticket
photo via Momma Lew
14) Field Station: Dinosaurs Opens
May 23rd & May 24th 10:00am-6:00pm
Be sure to get a visit to Field Station: Dinosaurs in before they go extinct. This is their final year in Secaucus.
Field Station Dinosaurs One Dinosaur Way Secaucus, NJ
Cost: $15/ticket for ages 2+
15) World Science Day
Sunday May 24th 1-2pm, 2:30-3:30pm or 4-5pm
Your little scientists will love to celebrate World Science Day at Poricy Park. Meet at the nature center, which will be transformed into a laboratory. Children will wear lab coats and goggles and then participate in hands-on experiments! This event is geared towards children ages 5-10.
Poricy Park 345 Oak Hill Road Middletown, NJ
Cost: $10/per participant, $8/per sibling
For Moms & Dads only:
16) Before you know it, school is going to be out and you are going to need a break! Take a day off at one of our 50+ NJ Mom Approved Spas!
17) Is it time for you to find your dream home? Let one of our NJ Approved Family-Friendly Realtor’s help you!
18) Splash Parks offer a free or very cheap option for all day summer time fun! We’ve chosen 20 of our favorite for you here!
19) Still not sure what to do with the kids this summer? Making a decision for camp can be stressful! Let our NJ Mom approved camps give you some new ideas!
20) After all of this Memorial Day fun, who wants to cook? Not me! Kids Eat Free at many of your local restaurants all weekend long!
In search of more things to do this weekend in New Jersey? Visit NJ Mom’s event calender for more events happening around the state. Remember to use hashtag #NJMom this weekend for your chance to be featured. 
