By Jennifer Amato Published: June 22, 2022 June 24, 2022
It’s the first official weekend of summer and there’s so much to see and do around the Garden State. If your kids are obsessed with fireflies, don’t miss the Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards. Beer-loving parents, rejoice! The Craft Beer Festival is taking place this weekend on the Battleship New Jersey. There’s also a Canine Carnival happening that’s sure to be doggone fun.
State Fair Meadowlands East Rutherford Friday – Sunday Get together with family and friends through July 10 for a fun and memorable time. Teens and adults will love the rides, like the Ski Lift, roller coasters and 120-foot gondola wheel. For the little kids, there are 35 rides in Kiddie Land just for them. There’s a big petting zoo, as well as tons of games to play. With eight different shows every day, there’s something for everyone. The hypnotist and the racing pigs are two staples, plus this year there will be an illusionist and a magic show. There is also Jurassic Kingdom Lockdown, Cycle Circus, the BIG BEE Transforming Car and others. Enjoy fireworks on July 3 and 4.
Plays-in-the-Park Roosevelt Park, Edison Friday – Sunday Bring all the thespians in the family to Roosevelt Park for outdoor performances of “Something Rotten.” Performances continue through July 2.
“Camelot” The Musical Playhouse 22, East Brunswick Friday – Sunday Children may enjoy – or find mushy – the legendary love triangle of King Arthur, Guenevere and Sir Lancelot from T.H. White’s novel “Camelot,” presented through Lerner and Loewe’s musical.
Monmouth Park Wine and Pizza Festival Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Saturday – Sunday Monmouth Park Racetrack has expanded its annual wine fest to include pizza! Enjoy live music from Pez Head on Saturday, and All That Roxx on Sunday, in addition to live horseracing. Kids can have fun with face painting, clowns, pony rides and a bounce house.
Unicorn Carnival Paradise Farms, Chesterfield Saturday – Sunday Come one, come all to the Unicorn Carnival for two days of fun unicorn rides, games, glitter tattoos, photos, rainbow pizza, crafts and snacks.
Alpaca Family Fun Weekend Hidden Brook Ranch, Blairstown Saturday – Sunday There will be 30-minute tours with young children in mind. You will get to meet, feed and maybe even hug or pet an alpaca or llama. There will also be a fiber demonstration.
School’s Out Food Truck Festival Laurita Winery, New Egypt Saturday – Sunday Teachers can relax after the long school year as Laurita Winery presents its School’s Out Food Truck Fest, where teachers are admitted for free (but the festival is open to the public). Enjoy wine, live music, food trucks, vineyard tours, fire pits, family, friends and fun! Fireworks are planned for Saturday evening.
Outdoor Walking Tours Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton Saturday – Sunday Princeton University is home to one of the country’s most significant collections of 20th- and 21st-century public sculpture. Join a free, hour-long walking tour led by a museum tour guide and discover the campus’s outdoor artworks, including Henry Moore’s bronze Oval with Points, monumental geometric screens by Louise Nevelson, and more.
Make sure you check out upcoming fairs and festivals!
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum New York, New York Enjoy the history and magic of the Intrepid for free on select Fridays through September. On June 24, visitors can explore the museum before watching “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” on the flight deck of the historic aircraft carrier.
Ma Bell Exhibit Morven Museum, Princeton From satellites, switchboards, and radios to picturephones and more, Morven Museum & Garden’s latest exhibition features many important moments in New Jersey’s telecommunications history, mostly about Bell Labs. This informal afternoon event offers an exciting opportunity to learn more about Morven’s latest exhibition, “Ma Bell: The Mother of Invention in New Jersey” and chat with its curators Elizabeth Allan or Jesse Gordon.
Tainted Love ‘80s Prom Elks Lodge, Rutherford Find an extra-large can of hairspray and your leotard and get ready for the Tainted Love ’80s Prom Dance Party. Join members of Rutherford Elks Lodge 547 for a 1980s-themed prom. ’80s attire required. Prom king and queen will be selected.
Key of Awesome Music Hamilton Public Library, Hamilton Twp. Children can enjoy an entertaining morning of music.
Luau Porch Party Freehold Borough Freehold Elks Lodge 1454 will kick off the summer with a Luau Porch Party. Members and their guests can relish special menu items and tropical fun at the Speakeasy Grill.
Welcome Back to Hollywoof First Energy Park, Lakewood Rescue Ridge presents a benefit for Saving Pets by the Jersey Shore, a non-profit no-kill animal rescue. Come out for baskets, “wag bags,” a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, entertainment, and music by Nicole & Denise.
Craft Beer Festival Battleship New Jersey, Camden Let’s toast to New Jersey craft beer aboard the Battleship! The annual New Jersey Beer Festival aboard the Battleship New Jersey will take place June 25, exclusively pouring New Jersey craft beer.
Canine Carnival Green Leaf Pet Resort, Millstone Twp. Join Green Leaf Pet Resort for a celebration of all things K through 9 (as in K-9 canine companions) that will feature a plethora of activities for both dogs and owners, such as competitive dock diving, carnival games, vendors, luring courses, live musical performances, New Jersey State Police demonstrations, frisbee shows, interactive shows, food trucks, raffles and giveaways.
Kickoff to Summer Food Truck Festival Lavallette The Kickoff to Summer Food Truck Festival starts off with a morning 5K run, enough to work up your appetite for live bands, kids’ activities and of course food from 3-9 p.m.
Antique & Village Market Allaire State Park, Wall New for 2022, shop for unique vintage items at Historic Allaire Village’s first Antique & Village Market.
Cornhole Tournament North Brunswick North Brunswick Fire Co. No. 3 will hold a Cornhole Tournament, which includes cash prizes, beer mugs and a 50/50 raffle. Sign up using the Scoreholio app.
Summer Craft Fair Riley Park, Bradley Beach Drive down to the Shore to enjoy crafters, vendors, artists, live music, baked goods and face painting.
Teddy Bear Picnic Von Thun Farms, South Brunswick and Washington Twp. Pack lunch and a blanket and head to the farm – and don’t forget your teddy bear! After lunch, read a book, head to the barnyard to meet the animals and pick some berries.
Antique Auto Display Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold Pre-1948 automobiles will be on display. Pack a picnic, stroll the leafy landscape and admire these early 20th century beauties. Add a tour of the 18th century Waln house and 19th century gristmill to complete your trip across three centuries.
Family Fun Day Auten Road Intermediate School, Hillsborough The entire family can enjoy music, food, fireworks, inflatable games, attractions, and a Southern Rock tribute by the Southern Steel Band.
Music for Peace Marlboro An afternoon of music and art awaits to benefit the people of Ukraine. Monmouth Worship Center will host a concert featuring various instruments and an art exhibit through Music for Peace.
Broadway at Westfield Garden State Plaza Paramus Westfield Garden State Plaza is wrapping up its free 15-week series that features performances from hit Broadway shows for children, in partnership with Bergen Performing Arts Center. This final weekend is “Annie.”
Craft & Vendor Fair Seagrave Acres, Howell Support more than 30 small and local businesses while listening to live music by Buntopia.
Earth Fair Historic Smithville Historic Smithville Park will be transformed into a sanctuary of recycling, gardening, health and wellness. Enjoy yoga and guided walks through Historic Smithville Park and the mansion. Presenters will share the latest healthy and green practices. Visit Artisan Row, featuring upcycled and recycled goods, and listen to live music. Children’s activities will include a rock-climbing wall, “Bash the Trash,” live animal presentations by Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge and Burlington County 4-H groups, a pop-up Nature Center, a recycled art-making activity, and a parade with Spiral Q Puppet Theater.
Terhune Orchards Firefly Festival Terhune Orchards, Princeton Enjoy an electrifying evening of nature, music, food and outdoor fun. Make your own wings and antenna. Enjoy live music by Lolly Hopwood. Pony rides will be available all evening. The special barnyard fun play area will be open for evening play.
Northlandz Car Show Flemington The whole family is invited to the Northlandz Car Show. Batmobile and Catwoman will be there for pictures. Enjoy music from Catwoman & the Retro Ravin’ Band! Treat yourself to ice cream and hot dogs. Show off your antique ambulance, firetruck, Army vehicle or racing car.
The New Weis Center for Education, Arts, and Recreation Ringwood Explore the property and get firsthand experience meeting and interacting with local plants. Your family will be studying, drawing, photographing and eating plants, as well as learning about medicinal qualities and utilitarian purposes, and also identify some poisonous plants, and talk about their hazards.
Don’t forget – blueberry picking season is upon us! There are many great Blueberry Festivals planned to celebrate this beloved summer fruit.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum New York, New York Fridays (now through September) Enjoy the history and magic of the Intrepid for free on select Fridays through September.
Cruise Nights Downtown Somerville Fridays (now through September 4) Friday Night Cruise Nights return to Downtown Somerville. Through Labor Day weekend, the coolest classic cars around line up along Main Street every Friday.
Sunset Sips & Sounds Terhune Orchards, Princeton Fridays (now through September 9) Meet in this historic apple orchard for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings every Friday night at Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery. It’s a great way to unwind after the week, meet friends, bring your family and enjoy the sunset on the farm.
Flemington Car Shows Main Street, Flemington Select Saturdays (now through August 20) Historic Flemington’s Main Street will be bustling with hot cars, live music, kids’ activities, delicious food and summer fun on select Saturday nights when Flemington Car Shows come to town all summer long.
Field Station: Dinosaurs Leonia Select Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (through Nov. 13) At Field Station: Dinosaurs, more than 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs are sure to impress all the paleontologists in your group. Enjoy dozens of shows, Jurassic Jump, and even Dinosaurs: After Dark come October.
Sunday Farmers Market Garden State Plaza, Westfield; in the parking lot between Macy’s and Route 17 Sundays (now through Nov. 20) Garden State Plaza is the site of weekly Sunday farmers markets. Expect food vendors, food trucks, music, activities for kids and a car show from 9 am-2pm.
Don’t forget to check out an outdoor summer concert or movies under the stars.
Have you made plans for the Fourth of July? There are parades and fireworks spectaculars planned all around our great Garden State!
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