Don’t let the last weekend of June pass you by without taking the kids to a L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival, a firefly festival, a blueberry bash or a fossil hunt.
WEEKEND
Snow White
Surflight Theatre, Beach Haven
Wednesday – Sunday
The classic story will have its own twist, great for kids ages 3-10 who like the theater.
North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival
Near DeVry University, North Brunswick
Wednesday – Sunday
There will be rides, games, lots of food and snack vendors, a petting zoo, live entertainment and fireworks. All proceeds go directly toward the youth sports groups of North Brunswick.
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Friday: Branch Brook Park in Newark
Saturday: Marine Park in Red Bank
Sunday: Liberty State Park in Jersey City
Listen to the sounds of New Jersey Symphony under the stars. This program features classics, Broadway themes and patriotic favorites. The program also celebrates the Garden State with pieces like John Williams’Liberty Fanfare, John Philip Sousa’sAtlantic City Pageant Marchand other Jersey treasures.
North to Shore Festival
Newark
Wednesday – Sunday
This is the final weekend of a month-long festival that showcases the best music, comedy, film and technology New Jersey has to offer.
Beach Ultimate Frisbee Tournament
Wildwood Beach, Wildwood
Thursday – Friday
During the largest co-ed beach Frisbee tournament in the world, over 500 teams from the United States and around the globe come into Wildwood. It mixes soccer, basketball, American football and netball into one simple yet demanding game. Teams play in 4-on-4 competitions.
Bridgefest ’24
The Great Auditorium, Ocean Grove
Friday – Saturday
The Bridge Radio’s annual outreach event is a two-day family festival featuring insightful speakers including Lloyd Pulley, Jack Hibbs, and the Host of Bridge Bible Talk Robert Baltodano. There will be live music concerts, food trucks, a Youth Rally, kids’ activities, and the experience of Ocean Baptism.
Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
Friday – Sunday
How about a main course of southern classic rock music with BBQ food on the side? Headliners Blackberry Smoke, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws and Larkin Poe will take center stage, joined by Sugar Mountain, Matt Coffy Band, Sharp Dressed Band, Hannah Wicklund, Six Gun Sally and Artimus Pyle. Champion BBQ pitmasters bring their prize-winning recipes for ribs, sauces and rubs.
Kaleidoscope Kabaret
Luna2, West Orange
Friday – Sunday
The Theater Project puts on its annual showcase of new work, including a variety of short plays by members of the company’s Playwrights Workshop, two plays by high school/college playwrights, and music performed by musicians.
Cape Express Beach Blast Soccer
Wildwood
Saturday – Sunday
Over 1,000 youth and adult soccer teams from all over the East Coast will compete in a barefoot soccer tournament.
FRIDAY
Savor Borgata’s Summer Social: A Taste of Paradise
Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa, Atlantic City
Chef Michael Symon of Angeline will emcee as you taste food and drinks from Borgata’s 11 restaurants following the tropical theme of the event. There will be dancers and water performers, lawn games by the Beer Garden, and time at Borgata’s newly expanded outdoor pool.
Free Fridays
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
The museum will be open late until 9 pm, with free admission starting at 5 pm, so you can see all the astronomy-themed programs and exhibits the museum has to offer.
Jersey Shore Freestyle
House of Independents, Asbury Park
TKA is the star of this freestyle concert by the Shore.
Cape May Coffee and Chocolate Festival
Convention Hall, Cape May
Sample a variety of coffee roasts and styles, along with chocolate-themed sweets from local businesses. Visit with reps from local coffee shops, gourmet roasters, artisan chocolatiers, bakeries, wineries and more.
Summer Kickoff
North Beach, Atlantic City
The oceanfront fireworks spectacular will be put on by Fireworks by Grucci, viewable from Steel Pier, Resorts Casino Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Showboat, and Ocean Casino Resort. There will be live music, drink specials and other activities across the North Beach boardwalk area prior to the fireworks.
Bally’s Atlantic City
Bally’s Casino, Atlantic City
Mark the 45th anniversary with the official ribbon cutting of Park Place Prime, Legacy Lounge and Bally Rewards Center. Celebrations include cake cutting, food samplings, themed drinks, a performance by Fralinger Mummers Group, giveaways, and the debut of Bally’s original slot machine.
Pride & Puppies Drag Show
Portobello’s Banquet, Oakland
Serving as a fundraiser for Southern Paws Inc., the evening – for adults 18+ – includes a drag show, photos with the queens, a free drink, a dance party, swag bags and giveaways.
Princeton Symphonic Brass Summer Concert
Community Middle School, Plainsboro
The symphonic band will play Americana, pop, jazz, and light classical music.
Neon Nights: DJ in the Dome
Big SNOW, American Dream
It’s retro month at Big SNOW, so wear your brightest ski gear and slide down the slopes while DJ Siege spins records at night.
SATURDAY
Dreyer Pavilion, Manalapan Rec Center, Manalapan
Join members of S.O.A.R. (Social Opportunities and Activities in Recreation) for a dance party for kids in grades K-7 with special needs. After, all the kids will get ice cream from Four Boys.
Ice Cream Party
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Farmer Jim and his crew will use a “hit and miss” engine to churn gallons of ice cream. Jugtown Mountain String Band will perform while kids play games and make a sailboat craft.
New York Red Bulls Kids Night
Red Bull Arena, Harrison
The pro soccer team wants to stay undefeated, and is asking fans for all of their energy this weekend. Special events include the BULLevard activities, kids on the mic, magic by The Amazing Max, and a game of Simon Sez at halftime.
Drag Me to Oz
SOPAC, South Orange
Cabaret in the Loft presents a “Wizard of Oz”-themed drag show.
FolkLIVE: Gospel Fest
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
The afternoon of uplifting performances and features Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Jekalyn Carr.
Share the Love Fundraiser
Greate Bay Country Club, Somers Point
The Share The Love Fundraiser Outdoor Food & Fun Benefit for the KB Foundation and Atlantic City Ballet includes soul food cooking samples, drinks, and music with appearances by local chefs.
Practice Reading to a Pooch
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
Therapy dogs from Staten Island Pride Center’s Luv on a Leash program are easy listeners and good companions for kids who may be scared to read, who want to improve their reading ability, or who need to build confidence. You can bring your own storybook.
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Hosted by Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC, the Pop 2000 Tour will include performances by members of *NSYNC, O-Town, Ryan Cabrera, 98 Degrees, BBMAK and LFO. There will be a free pre-party including music by DJ Xcel and DJ Skribble, a Food Village and multiple retailer pop-ups. After the show, you can meet some of the stars.
Hygiene Dropoff Drive
Elizabeth Town Hall, Elizabeth
Drop off toiletries and hygiene products for donation to Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. While there, enjoy food, ice cream and music to support Girls on a Mission With Ambition, a local non-profit educating young girls on the importance of giving back to their community.
SUNDAY
Hammonton High School, Hammonton
You’ll have a “berry” good time in the afternoon with live music by, kiddie rides, the Cruisin’ Classics Car Show, DJ sets, a blueberry pie eating contest, arts and crafts, food vendors and “millions” of blueberries.
Outlaw Music Festival Tour
PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are this year’s headliners.
Hopatcong Monthly Market
Hopatcong DPW Lot, Hopatcong
Shop from 50+ vendors offering a variety of items, from food to crafts and everything in between.
Blueberry Bash
Mannoli’s Cannoli Express, Hammonton
There will be all things blueberry, including cannoli, pies, lemonade, crumb cake, cupcakes, pints of blueberries and more.
Paramus 4th of July Fireworks Show
Cliff Gennarelli Sports Plex, Paramus
There will be live music and food vendors all day, and then a fireworks show at night.
Firefly Festival
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Celebrate fireflies by making your own wings and antenna, then listen to live music while you wait for the fireflies to come out. Pony rides will be available and a special barnyard fun play area will be open for play all night. Lolly Hopwood will be performing. Kids can get treats from the cafe while adults sip on wine. Admission is free but some of the activities, plus the food and wine, have additional fees.
TrainYard Sale
Whippany Railway Museum, Whippany
Check out all the rail cars and historic trains while shopping the sale, which includes railroad books and magazines, railway artwork, antique lanterns, railroad coin changers, old railroad signal parts, vintage metal milk cans, train toys, some model trains (HO and O scale) and other railroad artifacts.
Supernova
Bobolink Dairy & Farmhouse, Milford
Supernova plays classic and modern jazz with a jam vibe. The farm-to-fork picnic items include cheese plates, bread, sandwiches, burgers, produce and ice cream that come from the farm.
Ultimo Domingo (Last Sunday)
Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick
A new series at the museum celebrates Latinx culture by bringing together bilingual communities. You can walk around the museum, create art and watch interactive performances.
Food Truck Festival & Fireworks Show
Cliff Gennarelli Sports Plex, Paramus
Kick off Independence Day weekend with lots of food and fireworks.
ONGOING
Friday Night Live
Marcus Live! Bar & Grille, American Dream
Every Friday
Harlem band The Nate Lucas All-Stars will perform every Friday night at Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s new restaurant.
Girls Day Out
Renault Winery & Resort, Egg Harbor City
Last Saturday of the month
Live music by John King includes your boy band favorites. There will be drink specials at TASTE 1864. You can also purchase a Wine Tower with chocolate-covered strawberries or Renault Barrel Stave Shotski.
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
Every Sunday
Take a self-guided tour to learn about the women of the Historic YWCA and the Crane family at your own pace. Take some time to walk through the gardens and meadow on site.
Vegan in NJ Monthly Market
American Legion Post 346, Neptune
First Sunday of every month
More than 20 vegan vendors will be set up indoors and outdoors, selling food, sweets and retail items.
My Fairytale Party’s Summer Series
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Wednesdays and Sundays, June 26 to August 21
There will be sing-alongs and interactive experiences with princesses and princes, fairies and pirates, Barbie and Weird Barbie, Mary Poppins, pop stars, kids karaoke, Minions, Inside Out and unicorn princesses. After the show, meet the characters and grab a quick photo.
L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival
Route 9, Howell Twp.
June 28 to July 7
Hosted by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence, the carnival will include food, rides and entertainment.
L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
June 28 to July 7
The L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival is hosted by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence. There will be food, rides and entertainment at the state fair.
Summer Movie Series
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Fridays, June 28, July 26, August 23
Watch a movie from the flight deck of the historic aircraft carrier. In connection with the museum’s newest exhibition, Apollo: When We Went to the Moon, all of the movies will feature stories about humankind’s exploration and fascination with the Moon.
Friday Night Fireworks
The Wildwoods
Fridays, June 28 – August 30
Look high above the beach and boardwalk for a spectacular nighttime display of fireworks synched to music that will be played via a sound system and simulcast on 98.7 The Coast. You can tap into the livestream to view from anywhere outside of Wildwood, too.
Sesame Place Summer Nights
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
Fridays – Sundays, June 28 – September 1
During extended hours on special nights, extra activities include the DJ Dance Party at Oscar’s Wacky Taxi Stage and an encore of the Sesame Street Party Parade.
Fossil Collecting
Big Brook Fossil Preserve, Colts Neck
Saturdays, June 29, July 20 and August 17
Join Dr. Dana Ehret, curator of Natural History and vertebrate paleontologist from the New Jersey State Museum, as he leads you on fossil collecting trips at Big Brook Fossil Preserve in Colts Neck. You’ll learn the techniques of fossil collecting from the dino age, and you’ll get to search for fossils and prehistoric marine life, like fossil sharks.
Saturday Series: Evenings at the Farm
Riamede Farm, Chester
Saturdays, June 29, July 20, August 17
Different nights include line dancing lessons for the whole family, live music and a make-your-own hat bar.
Raritan River in Hunterdon County
Saturdays, June 29, July 13, and August 3 and 10
Led by an experienced guide, you will paddle down the river for two hours, stop for lunch, and then paddle your way back to Echo Hill. Depending on the date, you’ll paddle along the south branch of the Raritan River, or from Kingwood to Bull’s Island.
Nubian Heritage Quilters Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch At A Time
Crane House & Historic YWCA, Montclair
June 30; July 7 and 24
To celebrate its 29th anniversary, guild members are showing off a quilt exhibit, “Honoring Our Heritage: One Stitch at a Time.” There will bequilts and wall hangings that showcase patchwork, applique, collage and abstract textiles.
Luxury Glamping
Six Flags Great Adventure – Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, Jackson
Weekends through September 2, with select dates through December 1
Instead of braving the wild outdoors, you’ll experience luxury camping, where you and up to five other people can sleep in one of 20 glamping suites that overlook the safari grounds. You can also book a treatment at the spa.
Barbie You Can Be Anything: The Experience
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Through September 2
You’ll be able to see role models from every era of Barbie’s history. You’ll learn about the dolls as if they were real, including their backgrounds, struggles and accomplishments. Each area will highlight a particular role type – leader, problem solver, creator, nurturer or adventurer – and you can try each career option for yourself.
Apollo: When We Went to The Moon
Intrepid Museum, New York, NY
Through September 2
Climb aboard a lunar rover model, leave your footprints on the Moon and learn about the Space Race through this exhibit at the sea, air and space museum. Starting April 4, you can check out the Concorde Superjet that recently underwent renovations and returned to the museum.
Delsea Drive-In 2024 Season
Delsea Drive-In Movie Theatre, Vineland
Fridays – Sundays, through September 3
Watch two movies back-to-back while sitting in your car, just like they did in the ’50s.
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Fridays, through September 6
Come to the historic apple orchard after work for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings.
Wellmont Arts Plaza Outdoor Concert Series
Wellmont Arts Plaza, Montclair
Select dates, through September 8
A series of free, all-ages, outdoor shows will take place, courtesy of Montclair Jazz Festival and Jazz House Kids. Some of the newly announced shows include Spafford, Prince/Bowie, Wallace Roney Jr. and Vanessa Perea, as well as the annual return of Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree.
Black River Limited Train Ride
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington or Ringoes station
Select dates, through September 14
This 90-minute trip takes you through Hunterdon County aboard a train, with stops at both historic train stations.
Hunterdon Wine Express
Black River & Western Railroad, Flemington
Select dates, through September 14
The round-trip excursion goes from the Flemington station to Old York Cellars Winery, where you’ll be treated to a wine tasting, chocolate and cheese pairing, and lunch. You’ll have time to walk through the vineyards before heading back.
Like Clockwork! Guinness Collection Conservation
Morris Museum, Morristown
Wednesdays – Sundays, through September 22
Learn how the Morris Museum keeps hundreds of mechanical objects running like clockwork for twenty years.
The BEAST NYC Speedboat Ride
Pier 83, New York, NY
Tuesdays – Sundays, through September 29
Roar down the Hudson River from Pier 83 to The Statue of Liberty on this high-speed boat.
Yoga on the Beach
Burk Avenue, behind the Wildwoods Convention Center
Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through September 29
A traditional Hatha yoga-style class will be infused with Qi Gong, a variety of healing therapies and lots of modifications.
Free Guided Garden Tours
New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood
Sundays, through the end of October
NJBG docents take you on a tour of what’s blooming around the Botanical Garden.
Friday Night Bites
The Hungry Puppy Dog Park, Farmingdale
Fridays, through October 25
Bring your pup and your friends to the double-gated, specially-designed dog park, where you can relax and listen to some music while mingling with other pet parents. There will be free snacks and treats from a sponsoring pet food manufacturer each week.
Festival of Fountains
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Through October 27
There are new garden spaces, the return of the Fireworks & Fountains Shows, performances in front of the Illuminated Fountain, a beer garden, Festive Fridays with live music, and a Wine & Jazz Festival (September 14), plus all the gorgeous landscapes we can’t get enough of.
We All Scream For Ice Cream
Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May
Through November 3
Learn about the history of ice cream dating back to the Victorian era. It started as an elite and expensive dish but by the end of the 1800s came in simpler flavors and was used in cones, sundaes and banana splits. You’ll see an authentic ice cream maker and other equipment, plus a Victorian ice cream wagon.
Field Station: Dinosaurs
Overpeck County Park, Leonia
Select dates through November 10
New for the season is the Feathered and Fearless exhibition, three new dinosaurs and tons of new games, activities, and shows featuring T-Rex, Toddlersaurus, dinosaur hatchlings and the park’s Dinosaur Troubadour.
Frank V. Marina Flea Market
Frank A. Vincent Marina, Kearny
Second Sunday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Main Memorial Park Flea Market
Memorial Park, Clifton
Second Saturday of every month, through December
There will be more than 100 vendors selling everything at bargain prices.
Morven Revealed: Untold Stories From New Jersey’s Most Historic Home
Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton
Wednesdays – Sundays, through March 2, 2025
This special exhibit is part of Morven’s 20th-anniversary celebration and will shed light on lesser-known stories of this historic home and its residents. You’ll see rarely-seen objects and newly discovered photos about American life: childhood, hosting guests, pets, fashion, and more.
Slow Motion
Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton
Through September 1, 2025
Five artists from Monument Lab in Philadelphia created gigantic, creative, introspective monuments that will be on display for their beauty, but also to address political, cultural and social issues.
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