Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Summer is the season for no-cost fun all across New Jersey. From fireworks and festivals to free outdoor movies, we’ve rounded up more than 100 family-friendly events to enjoy all summer long that won’t break the bank.
You can find even more cool seasonal activities and destinations in our Summer Fun Guide and Event Calendar. Have a fabulous (and free) summer, New Jersey!
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Who says summer fun has to come with a big price tag? We've gathered oodles of (more than 50!) free events taking place throughout June in New Jersey. As the days get longer, under-the-stars concerts, movies, and other activities fill the evenings without emptying the wallets. Kick back at evening events like South Orange Summer Nights: Art in the Park, Hoboken Movies Under the Stars, Jenkinson's Movies on the Beach, and Union County Summer Arts Festival.
Spend time outdoors at local community events with no admission fees, such as Garwood Rocks, Somerville Street Fair & Craft Show, Glassboro Community Day, and Nutley Father's Day Street Fair.
And it's that time of year to head to the shore. Stop by beachy events like Sea Isle City's Skimmer Festival, Bradley Beach Lobster Festival, and Atlantic Highlands' Shark Fest.
Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar, as well as roundups of water playgrounds and free beaches.
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Memorial Day weekend has arrived, and there's no better place to spend it than New Jersey! Whether you're looking for a taste of summer at a strawberry festival or a display of patriotic pride at a Memorial Day parade, our calendar is loaded with three days worth of holiday weekend fun.
As the unofficial summer kickoff, Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to head to the Jersey Shore. Check out the massive display of beautiful kites at Wildwoods International Kite Festival; enjoy rides and games at the Bradley Beach Memorial Day Festival; or catch local artists and musicians at the 2018 Waterfront Arts Festival in Perth Amboy.
Not headed to the beach? Cool off at a lake, pool, or water park, many of which open this weekend, too.
And don't forget the amusement parks! Field Station: Dinosaurs and The Land of Make Believe open for the season this weekend, while Great Adventure hosts the Garden State Comic Fest.
Check out our Spring Guide for New Jersey Kids for more options for Memorial Day weekend fun, including 10 Themed Playgrounds and 10 Great Picnic Spots And look to our event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
In the midst of New Jersey's Union County's busy highways lies a grassy, spacious retreat known as Echo Lake Park. The sprawling park offers an escape from the bustling surrounding towns and truly provides something for everyone, even the family pet.
At the heart of the park is the scenic Echo Lake, home to activities such as boating, fishing, and ice skating, as well as several peaceful walking paths. Surrounding the lake are green hills, ball fields, playgrounds, a dog park, and a snack bar. Echo Lake hosts a variety of seasonal activities, from sledding to Halloween fun to summer concerts. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or a day of activity, you can get the best of both worlds here.
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Mother Nature and Mom are the big stars of this jam-packed, mid-May weekend. National Public Gardens Day is a great excuse to spend quality time outdoors, surrounded by nature. Events taking place throughout our Garden State include Macculloch Hall's National Public Gardens Day, The Lawrence Nature Center's Mother Nature Festival, Reeves-Reed Arboretum's My Edible Garden, and Deep Cut Gardens Open House & National Public Gardens Day.
Sunday is all about Mom. Enjoy amusements at Morey's Piers' Mother's Day celebration or Mother's Day at Jenkinson's, or chill out at family-friendly winery celebrations at Valenzano Winery, Terhune Orchards, Working Dog Winery, and Alba Vineyard. And don't forget the flowers: celebrate the day among beautiful blooms at events like the Azalea Festival and Mother's Day at Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.
Find more mom-worthy ideas in our list of 25 Things To Do in New Jersey for Mother's Day, and check out our Spring Guide for New Jersey Kids for more options for family fun, including a day trip to Camden Children's Garden. And look to our event calendar and May GoList for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.
Happy Mother's Day, NJ!
Submitted by Laurie Rein on
Hooray for May! Bring on the outdoor fairs, festivals and Memorial Day celebrations. And if you're budgeting for summer vacations and camp, no need to skimp on the May fun. These activities and events are all FREE to attend.
Street fair season is in full swing this month. Check out food vendors, crafts, and demonstrations at neighborhood fairs around the state, including Westfield, Highland Park, Maplewood, and Lake Hopatcong. Head down to the shore for admission-free, beachy extravaganzas like the Ocean City Spring Block Party, the New Jersey Seafood Festival, Ocean Fun Days, and the Wildwoods International Kite Festival.
Top off the month with free Memorial Day parades in Freehold, Westfield, and New Providence, plus the Bradley Beach Memorial Day Festival.
Read on for this month's picks! For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar and Guide to New Jersey Parks and Playgrounds.
