Central Jersey May Events:
2024 Edition

Discover the Best Central Jersey May Events and Things to do

Ready to explore New Jersey like never before?

May is an exciting time in the Garden State, as it marks the beginning of summer activities. Discover top seasonal attractions, well-frequented events, and hidden treasures..

What to Expect

Stay tuned as we dive deeply into the poplular may events, providing essential details such as dates, locations, and highlights. Be sure to keep reading for a comprehensive guide to making the most out of May in New Jersey.

Note: 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.

2024 Central Jersey May Events
and Themed Festivals

Highlands Fiesta de Mayo Cantina Crawl
May 4, 2024: 12pm - 5pm (rain or shine)
Huddy Park
301 Shore Dr
Highlands, NJ 07732
Visit their site to learn more
Event Cost: $40.00 and includes a Margarita Contest with eight restaurants competing for the Best Margarita in Highlands!
This event features live Mariachi music playing at the participating restaurants with attendees sampling Margaritas and casting their vote for their favorite.

BBQ Jamfest!
Sunday, May 5, 2024; 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (rain date May 21st)
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach
710 Arnold Ave
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate
This family friendly outdoor cookout features live Music, cornhole, prizes, and more.

Brew By the Bay Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, May 11th, 2024; 12pm - 5pm (May 12th Rain date)
Seafarer
1 Atlantic St.
Highlands, NJ 07732
Visit their site to learn more
Event Cost: $40.00
This event features a craft beer tasting set on the picturesque waterfront with live music, fire pits and food is available for purchase.

Annual Azalea Festival
Saturday, May 11th, 2024: 10am-4pm (Rain Date: Sunday, May 12th)
Sayen Park Botanical Garden
155 Hughes Drive
Hamilton Square
Hamilton Township, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
This event on held Mother's Day weekend, occurs in the historic Hamilton Square, Sayen House and Gardens, a sanctuary for nature lovers, garden enthusiasts and history buffs. The gardens feature over 250,000 flowering bulbs, dogwoods, azaleas and rhododendrons, In addition to touring the grounds attendees will get to enjoy crafters, food, music, entertainment, and more.

Thompson Park's Annual Creative Arts & Music Festival
Saturday, May 11, 2024;@ 10:00am - 4:00 pm
Thompson Park
805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
This event is a juried art festival, open to artists of all mediums. In addition to the art vendors, the day will be filled with art demonstrations, live music, and food vendors.

New Jersey Seafood Festival
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, May 17, 18, 19, 2024
Silver Lake Park 5th and Ocean Ave
Belmar, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Admission: Free
This popular family-friendly Jersey Shore event features seafood feast with gumbo, lobster rolls, and jambalaya, coconut shrimp, crab legs, conch fritters, and more.
Live music will also entertain the attendees by a lineup of popular area musicians.

Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival
Saturday & Sunday, May 18, 19, 2024; 11AM - 5PM (This event is rain or shine)
Bradley Park
101-199 5th Ave (Across the street from Convention Hall)
Asbury Park, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: $15 - $35. Kids 13 and under are free.
This two-day celebration features tasty vegan and plant-based meals from local chefs, as well as vegan products, plant-based fashion, live music and good times.

Freehold Porch Festival
Sunday, May 19, 2024: 11:30am - 5pm
Downtown Freehold, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Free Event: Maps of Entertainment Locations and Times will be distributed at the Downtown Freehold Gazebo 10E Main Street.
This event features a day of music & fun throughout Freehold Borough. Many of of the poular local entertainers will be participating in the Event!

Ocean Fun Days
May 19, 2024; 11am - 3pm
NJ Sea Grant Consortium
Sandy Hook, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Free Event
This free family friendly event features eco tours, children's activities, games and more. In addition, there will be interactive workshops with marine scientists and researchers to learn about our amazing coastline and ways you can help protect the environment.

Walnford Day
Sunday, May 19, 2024: from 11:00am to 5:00pm
Historic Walnford
Walnford Road
Upper Freehold, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Free Event
This family-friendly event offers visitors the chance to explore this historic site and see its 19th century gristmill in action, tour the elegant Waln family home, and go on a horse-drawn wagon ride. Demonstrations for the day include blacksmithing, loom weaving, basket weaving, 18th century music, and more.

Bradley Beach Memorial Day Weekend Festival
Saturday & Sunday, May 25, 26, 2024; from 9am-7pm
on the Bradley Beach Boardwalk
Visit their site to learn more
The festival includes crafters, food, live music, and Family Fun, long the promenade with entertanment both Days. Parade on Saturday, at 10am and runs along Ocean Ave.

Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival
May 25 - 27, 2024; 11am-5pm
Monmouth Park Racetrack
175 Oceanport Ave.
Oceanport, NJ 07757
Visit their site to learn more
Parking: Free
Cost: Free Parking, General Admission just $6. Children 12 and under are Free.
This Memorial Day weekend festival features over 30 mouth-watering food trucks. Live music on all three days will be performed on two stages. The activities also include clowns, face painters, pony rides and a bounce house.

Annual Seaport Craft Show
Sunday, May 26, 2024: 10am - 5pm
Huddy Park
301 Shore Dr.
Highlands, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Admission is free
This event features a juries show with more than 60 crafters and artisans displaying their works, along with live entertainment.

Long Branch - Art in the Park
May 26, 2024; 10am - 5pm, rain or shine
West End Park (Brighton Avenue)
Long Branch, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Admission is free
This event features up to 50 Juried Artists!

New Jersey Jerk Fest
Sunday, May 26, 2024; 1pm - 8pm
Boyd Park
New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Tickets: $10-$20
Visit their site to learn more
This event features Caribbean cuisine, live music, and good vibes
It's a celebration of all things "jerk." from spicy jerk chicken to flavorful jerk pork, Jerk Fish, Jerk Goat, Jerk Oxtail & Jerk Ice Cream there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
There will be food trucks, food and beverage vendors, crafts, merchandise for sale, live music, kids' activities, and more.