The Best Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events

These popular Central Jersey family festivals and events occur at venues in all corners of Central NJ and have wide appeal with families with kids.

They feature festivals and events with special themes and are known for having good music, food, entertainment, skilled artisans and performers, fun activities, crafts, and more!

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.

Multi-Date, Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events

Brick's Summerfest Concert Series w/ Fireworks
Summerfest will be held on four Thursdays in July, 2019, each event featuring fireworks, food trucks, a beer and wine garden and – of course – the backdrop of Windward Beach and the Metedeconk River.
265 Princeton Ave.
Brick, NJ
Concert schedule:
July 4: Jesse's Girl (80s cover band.)
July 11th: Brian Kirk and the Jirks (mixed covers.)
July 18th: Boathouse Row (Yacht Rock.)
July 25th: Garden State Radio (mixed cover, video and light show.)

Asbury Park Bonfires
Various Locations
Asbury Park, NJ
Updates on bonfire schedule changes: Weather permitting.
Bring a blanket or chair and geat seated up close.
Schedule
May, 2019 Fridays at 7pm
May 3 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue, May 10 – Langosta Lounge, 3rd Avenue, May 17 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue, May 24 – The Anchor’s Bend, Sunset, May 31 – The Anchor’s Bend, Sunset
June, Fridays at 7pm
June 7 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue, June 14 – The Anchor’s Bend, Sunset, June 21 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue, June 28 – The Anchor’s Bend, Sunset
July, Wednesdays at 8pm
July 3 – The Anchor’s Bend, Sunset, July 10 – MOGO, 1st Avenue, July 17 – Langosta Lounge, 3rd Avenue, July 24 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue, July 31 – The Anchor’s Bend, Sunset.
August, Wednesdays at 8pm
August 7 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue, August 14 – Langosta Lounge, 3rd Avenue, August 21 – MOGO, 1st Avenue, August 28 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue.
September, Fridays at 7pm
September 6 – Beach Bar, 5th Avenue, September 13 – The Anchor’s Bend, Sunset

Seaside Heights Bonfires on the Beach
Website
Sunday nights from dusk to 10pm, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, 25, 2019
Bring your beach chairs and blankets to North Beach on Monday nights for our family-friendly Bonfire on the Beach. While the fire burns, sit back and enjoy the acoustic sounds of local singers and songwriters

June 2019 Central New Jersey Family Festivals And Events

"Hidden Gardens of Hopewell" Tour
June 1, 2019; 10am - 3pm (Rain or shine)
Tickets available at the Hopewell Public Library
13 East Broad. St.
Hopwell, NJ
Website
contact: redlibraryfriends@gmail.com, 609-466-1625.
Tickets for $25 on the day of the event,
When you pick up your ticket there is a map on the back of it that shows you exactly where the homes are with the gardens.
The self-guided tour highlights some of Hopewell Borough's most unique gardens, showcasing a variety of garden types and plants from eclectic to formal

Mercer County Cultural Festival
Saturday June 15, 2019: 11am -7pm
Mercer County Park Festival Grounds
1050 Hughes Dr
Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
Website
(609) 278-2712
This family event features musical performances, art demonstrations, international food trucks, a bier garten, traditional dances and demonstrations and more. The festival will showcase a variety of rich and diverse cultures.

Montgomery Fireworks
Thursday, June 27, 2019 @6:00 pm (Rain date is Friday, June 28th)
Montgomery High School
1014 Rt. 601
Skillman, NJ
Website
This pre-Independence Day celebration will feature games and activities for children, food vendors, live music, and a spectacular display of patriotic fireworks!
Note: Priority Parking passes may be purchased for $15 at the Recreation Dept. offices at Otto Kaufman Community Center, 356 Skillman Rd., Skillman during business hours or they may be purchased online.

Hopewell Valley Concert & Fireworks
Sunday, June 30, 2019: 7:30 pm
Woolsey Park
221 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd,
Titusville, NJ
Website
Beginning at 7:30 pm, the 63 rd US Army Band will perform a variety of music prior to the Fireworks Display at dusk. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets. The Classic car show opens at 5:30 pm with food vendor(s) on site

July 2019 Central New Jersey Family Festivals And Events

OceanFest at Long Branch
July 4, 2019; 10am - 10pm
The Oceanfront Promenade
228 Broadway
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
Web Site
Contact: Donna Vella, 201-653-2699, dvella@thisisitproductions.com
On it 29th year OceanFest will turn New Jersey's Promenade into an explosive July 4th celebration. The event will feature live entertainment, music, delicious festival foods, craft vendors and a master sand-sculpting exhibition not to be missed. The night culminates with New Jersey's longest and largest fireworks display.
At Oceanfest, visitors can stroll the famous beachfront, take in the wonderful views, enjoy performances by dancers, musicians, clowns and musical acts, sample from a smorgasbord of food vendors, and check out the wares of crafters from all over the northeast. You can even see a fabulous sand sculpture, meet a familiar costumed character, and catch some cool ocean breezes.

Freedom Festival State Fair
July 10 - 14, 2019
Mercer County Park
1050 Hughes Dr
Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
Website
This family festival features carnival rides, vendors, entertainment and more. Guests can enjoy attractions and games as well as great fair food and picnic grounds. We will have a variety of exciting activities including a magic show, live animals, racing pigs and much more! Bring the whole family for a fun experience. Tickets can be purchased at the gate for $17.50 and can be purchased on line for $15.00.

Freehold Township Day
Saturday, July 13, 2019; 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Michael J. Tighe Park
65 Georgia Road
Freehold, NJ
Website
Live music featuring performers Screaming Broccoli, and the Phil Engel Band, , kids rides, teen center with DJ, and Fireworks at dusk

Asbury Park Summer Bazaar
July 20, 21, 2019; noon - 5pm
Asbury Park Convention Hall
1300 Ocean Ave
Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Web Site
Event Contact Email: team@asburyparkbazaar.com
Event Cost: Free
Enjoy the sun, sea, sand & shopping at the Asbury Park Summer Bazaar in beautiful Asbury Park, NJ. Our pop up event is located at historic Convention Hall located on the beach near Boardwalk shops and restaurants. Perfect for a weekend summer getaway!
The Summer Bazaar will feature the best local and regional handcraft & vintage vendors, DJs, photo booth in a vintage trailer, DIY workshops, kids art classes, food & libations, selfie stations & more.

Rugged Maniac 5k Obstacle Race
July 20, 21, 2019; 9am - 5pm
Raceway Park
230 Pension Road
Englishtown, NJ 07726
Website
The 5,000-person party starts at 8:30 a.m. with a DJ on the main stage, booths giving away free stuff, all kinds of interactive games (mechanical bulls, dance-offs, stein-hoisting, pie-eating…), and tasty food and beer to keep you fueled all day. The best part? The festival and games are completely FREE, no ticket required, so even your least adventurous friends can join the party!
But the real fun happens out on the playground - our 3-mile course packed with 20+ epic obstacles designed to both challenge and thrill Maniacs of all fitness levels, from couch potatoes to marathoners. The course opens at 9 a.m. but you'll select a specific time to run when you buy your tickets. If you're a late sleeper, that means you can wake up at noon, run at 1:45 p.m., and then party the rest of the day! Or if you're the competitive type, join the 9 a.m. “Elite Heat” to race other speedsters for a chance to be crowned the winner!
Each time slot is limited to just 200 Maniacs each, so grab your friends and reserve your spot before it sells out!
Save $5 with code: EVVNT!

Soulsational Music Festival
July 22, 2019; 11 am - dusk (rain or shine)
Veterans Park
Bayville, NJ
Website
This family event features live music on two stages, crafters, vendors, free yoga, vegetarian and organic food, food trucks, a beer garden, and a kids' village

The Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
Friday - Sunday, July 26 - 28, 2019
Solberg Airport
39 Thor Solberg Road
Whitehouse Station, NJ
Website (Events Schedule & Tickets)
One of the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. Features twice daily mass ascensions of up to 125 special shape and sport hot air balloons, headlining music concerts, continuous family entertainment, crafters and vendors, food, and a balloon glow. The concerts feature top performersfor each of the three nights.
This years headline concerts include. Dan Zanes & Claudia Eliaza Kids' Concert, ABBA The Concert, The Band Perry, The Beach Boys,
Fireworks are at dusk on Friday evening,

August 2019 Central New Jersey Family Festivals And Events

Big Sea Day
August 10, 2019
Main Beach
Manasquan, NJ
Website
This family event features a day of games, activities, fishing contest, sand castle contest, a concert from 7:30-9 p.m, followed by a fireworks display

Bradley Beach Lobster fest
August 31 & September 1, 2019: ( Saturday 11 am - 8 pm, Sunday 11 am - 6 pm)
500 Ocean Avenue
Bradley Beach, NJ
Website
Free event!
Bradley Beach comes alive this weekend with it's popular oceanfront family event featuring live music, great lobster, beer & wine, crafts, and plenty of kids activities.
Highlighted by 6 bands and a DJ emcee, over 180 craft and specialty vendors, a beer & wine garden and children's activities including water slide, rides, face painters and sand art.

The INDO American Fair
August 31 & September 1, 2019; 11am -7pm
Mercer County Park
1050 Hughes Dr
Hamilton Township, NJ 08619
Website
Admission Parking: $5 Entry Ticket: $3
This family event will feature cultural programs, heritage, traditional dances, live entertainment and more.

September 2019 Central New Jersey Family Festivals And Events

15th Annual Latino Festival of Monmouth County
September 21, 2019; 12:30pm - 6pm (Rain date is 09/28/2019)
Freehold Hall of Records Parking Lot 1
E Main St
Freehold, NJ
Website
This family event celebrates the diversity and contributions of Latin American. The Latino Festival is that opportunity for people of Central Jersey and surrounding counties to come and learn about those varieties and celebrate them as one. The event features food, live music, contests, prizes, games for the children, and much more.