Free Things To Do In and Around New Jersey in June - NJ Family (2024)

Free Things To Do In and Around New Jersey in June - NJ Family (1)

Wednesdays, June through August

Kids Club
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
The summer series features character performances and meet-and-greets, musical entertainment, storytime, and more fun for the whole family.

June 1

Stephanie Nicole Parze Foundation Vendor Fair
Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold
There will be more than 125 vendors, food trucks, live music, displays and a cornhole tournament set up in the parking lot near Dick’s Sporting Goods. Proceeds benefit victims of domestic violence, the missing and the traumatized, and their families.

Undercover Music Fest
Sloan Parking Lot, South Orange
Cover bands will play everything from Beyoncé to The Grateful Dead. Bring your children to the kid zone, play games, or book a VIP tent for your friends.

West Orange Street Fair
Main Street, West Orange
One of the biggest events of the year in West Orange, the street fair features local crafters, food from local vendors, street performers, a classic car show, beer and wine garden, a rock-climbing wall, and free all-day admission to the Thomas Edison Museum.

Dairying
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Farmer Katelyn will demo how she handles and milks the farm cow, Blizzard. You can help make cheese and butter, before churning and tasting a batch of old-fashioned ice cream. Kids can take part in a flower press craft.

Makerspace Saturday
Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, Madison
Kids will use a 3D printer, build with LEGOs, paint, make jewelry, experiment with engineering and coding robots, and more.

Pride Fest in the Park
Huddy Park, Highlands
The second annual Pride Fest will include live music by Coming Alive Band, food vendors, specialty vendors and a wine and beer garden.

Robbinsville Pride
PJ’s Pancake House, Robbinsville
PFLAG will hold a community event to celebrate Pride.

Rally for the Two Rivers Eco-Fest
Victory Park, Rumson
This environmental celebration of the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers will feature hands-on educational activities, river seining, music, and eco-friendly crafts. Kids can take the Environmental Passport Challenge to unlock special rewards from participating local businesses.

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Hungarian Festival
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
Experience all things Hungarian as Somerset Street is transformed into little Hungary for a day. Enjoy Hungarian cuisine, listen to Hungarian folk songs, and watch and learn Hungarian folk dances. There will be exhibits, activities for children, performances throughout the day, and plenty of vendors.

Pequannock Pride Fest
Greenview Park, Pequannock
There will be food trucks, shopping, music by Shamrock School of Music, a kids entertainment area, and arts at the 3rd annual festival.

Corpus Christi Parish Carnival
Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, Chatham Twp.
There will be rides, carnival games and prizes, a children’s-themed play area, live music, food, a tricky tray basket raffle, and a 50/50 raffle each night.

June 1-2


Well-Spring Herb Farm, Port Murray
There will be free lectures and presentations, tours of the gardens, a craft market, food vendors, and about 2,000 varieties of plants.

Rose Squared: Celebrate Morristown Art Show
Vale Mansion, Morristown
This event showcases more than 65 fine art and fine craft vendors with works in apothecary, artisanal foods, ceramics, jewelry, wood, digital art, decorative and wearable fiber, furniture, glass, painting, 2D/3D mixed media and photography.

Bank of America Museums on Us Weekend
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City
Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
Morris Museum, Morristown
The Newark Museum of Art, Newark
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, Millville
Saturday – Sunday
Bank of America, Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank cardholders can receive free general admission to six cultural attractions the first full weekend of each month.

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PigDog Beach Volleyball Classic
Beach between Oak and Maple avenues, Wildwood
Saturday – Sunday
Teams of 2 and 6 will compete in various divisions, with top-level players competing for prize money and lower divisions playing for merchandise prizes.

Select Dates, June 1-23

Cape May Music Festival
Throughout Cape May
This year’s 35th annual festival organized by Cape May MAC (Museums+Arts+Culture) features 15 classical, chamber, jazz, indie-pop and brass band musical performances, some free to attend.

June 1 – July 13

Bedminster’s Field of Honor Display
River Road Park, Bedminster
The Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House host an annual tribute with a display of over 200 American flags on the north field of the park. On June 1, join the Field of Honor Celebration where you can walk through the field of flags and tour the house, including a model of the Pluckemin Cantonment, America’s first military academy. Take part in the planting of a Salem oak tree and listen to music by the White House Wind Symphony.

Saturdays, June 1 – August 31

Winery Weekend Music Series
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Set in the wine orchard among 100-year-old apple trees, sip on some Terhune wine or a wine slushie, listen to music from local artists, hang out at the farm with the kids, stop into the farm store, order from the Barn Door Cafe. Admission is free, but wine and food are separate purchases.

June 2

Feria de Sevilla
Parker Press Park, Woodbridge
Watch Flamenco dance performances on stage by Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre’s professional musicians and dancers, and then learn the moves. Special activities include how-to workshops on twirling a Spanish flag, playing the castanets, playing cajon and dancing the Flamenco. There will be plenty of Spanish food, vendors, arts and crafts, kids’ activities, tarot card readings and more.

Garwood Still Rocks
Center Street, Garwood
Center Street will become a marketplace of crafters, retailers, food trucks and a beer garden. The event will also include all day music and a huge classic car show.

Jersey Pride & Parade
Asbury Park City Hall, Asbury Park
New Jersey’s 32nd annual statewide LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration is the largest and oldest, LGBTQ Pride celebration in the Garden State. It includes a parade, rally and festival.

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Princess Dreams
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
My Fairytale Party puts on a singing stage show that will get your little ones singing along with the princesses.

Farm Day at the Museum
Schenck Farmstead / West Windsor History Museum, West Windsor
Learn about the farming history of West Windsor and Plainsboro. The event will include museum tours, crafts, activities, prizes for kids, painting and a scavenger hunt.

Crafts in the Park
Veterans Park, Westwood
Browse the booths of the 120 exhibitors from three states displaying arts and crafts.

June 2, 9, 16


Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Kids can take photos with their favorite princess characters.

June 6

The Rainbow Screen: Queer Music of the Screen
Union Congregational Church, Montclair
The free concert features the 40+ member Out Montclair/Union Congregational Church LGBTQ+ Pride Choir singing songs about love, acceptance and individuality, written exclusively by queer composers.

Girls Night Out: The Mermaid Experience
Downtown Millburn
Get your hair and makeup done mermaid-style, dress up for the costume contest, and have your picture taken with a “real” mermaid. There will be snacks, restaurant specials, shopping promotions, psychic readings, live mermaids you can take pictures with, multiple DJs and street giveaways.

June 6-8

HT Pride
Haddon Twp.
The Pride Parade takes place Thursday along Haddon Avenue, followed by an afterparty with music, entertainment, dancing and food. Friday’s Pride + Progress Community Night is an open invitation for everyone to talk about and embrace LGBTQ+ culture. A drag queen story hour will be planned for Saturday.

June 7

First Fridays Series
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
On the first Friday of the month indulge in the arts and culture of Middlesex County with free food, live music and performances, games and activities, and arts and crafts.

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June 7-9

Portugal Day Festival by SolMar
Ironbound, Ferry and Niagara streets, Newark
Portuguese heritage will be on display through food, music and art. There will be a lineup of performers directly from Portugal. The Newark Museum of Art will provided art activities for everyone. The NY Red Bull Street Style team will showcase their impressive sports skills. There will also be access to essential community services, such as voter registration, mammogram exam applications, Newark City IDs, and blood pressure checks. Take note: admission is free, but food is for purchase.

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June 7 – July 6

Trenton Makes
Old Barracks Museum, Trenton
As part of the Art at the Old Barracks series, this exhibit will focus on artwork created by Trenton artists.

Fridays, June 7 – September 6


Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Come to the historic apple orchard after work for Terhune wine, music, light bites and friend-filled evenings. Admission is free, but food and drinks are for purchase.

June 8

Praise in the Park ’24
Village Park, Cranbury
National recording artists Dave Pettigrew and Dana Isles and Facedown, along with Ocean Grove Worship Collective, Anchored and The Mary Beth DiAngelo Band, will perform during this festival centered on hope, praise and comfort. Pack a picnic lunch, go fishing in Brainerd Lake, and play games on the lawn of the park. Food trucks will be on site.

Old Time Baseball Game
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Watch the Flemington Neshanocks face off against the Elizabeth Resolutes in a historic baseball club match that follows 19th-century rules, then join Howell Farm’s own Hogs and Bulls for a public game on the farmhouse lawn.

Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration
Edison Job Corps, Edison
NAACP Metuchen-Edison-Piscataway Area Branch puts on a festival along with Edison Twp. that highlights Dr. Opal Lee, known as the Grandmother of the Juneteenth Movement, during her first visit to New Jersey. There will be music by DJ Sequence, a children’s zone, live performances, vendors, voter registration, giveaways, a high school basketball 4-v-4 tournament, health and wellness area and food trucks.

Juneteenth, A Recognition and Celebration
Franklin Elementary School, Succasunna
Open to the public under the outdoor pavilion, you can experience live African drumming, step dancing, singing, vendor shopping, crafts and games.

Montclair Pride
Montclair Art Museum, Montclair
In addition to nonstop live entertainment, you can explore a sponsor village filled with artisans, LGBTQ+ owned businesses, community organizations, a family zone and food trucks and vendors.

Hudson River Showcase
Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
Check out the collectionof vintage and exotic automobiles – over 100 models from pre-1959 through the 1990s. Highlighting the show will be a display of autos inspired by Hoboken-born Frank Sinatra’s impressive car collection, including a rare Lamborghini Miura. Saxophonist Lonnie Youngblood will play a tribute to Sinatra.

Pride Street Dance Party
Bloomfield and Fullerton avenues, Montclair
DJ Vito Fun leads the party in Downtown Montclair.

Community Post Office: Celebration of Mail Art by Ulises Carrion
Costen’s Children’s Library, Princeton
During the final weekend of the Ulisis Carrión exhibit, learn about the artist who was a force in the mail art movement of the 1970s. You’ll make your own colorful mail art, then send it through the interactive “Community Post Office,” where it will receive customization and a very special stamp. There will be two 20-minute tours of the main exhibit that will cater to kids ages 6-12.

Saturdays, June 8 – August 31

Downtown After Sundown
Spiotta Park, South Orange
South Orange Downtown’s live music series features 13 live performances from local musicians covering R&B, soul, flamenco, rock, jazz and more.

June 9

North Jersey Pride Festival
Memorial Park, Maplewood
There will be live music, a vendor court with 100+ merchants, nonprofit tables, a large food court, the Rainbow Kids Zone with inflatables and obstacles courses, and the Kids Stage.

Medford Arts Center Art, Wine and Music Festival
Downtown Medford
The event is one of Medford’s biggest events and features a variety of artists, crafters, vendors and wineries.

Juneteenth Celebration
Downtown Freehold
Main Street, from Court Street to Throckmorton, will be filled with vendors, entertainers, food booths and musical acts to celebrate Juneteenth.

Montclair Race Amity Day
Montclair High School, Montclair
Through music, spoken word, improv storytelling, and arts & crafts, you’ll showcase the power of uniting in friendship across race and culture.

In the Footsteps of Abbott: A Marshlands Birthday Party
Tulpehaking Nature Center, Hamilton
Leave a message for Charles Conrad Abbott as you celebrate the birthday of the person who has a marsh and a National Historic Landmark named in his honor. This afternoon of free educational and fun activities for the whole family includes crafts, table activities, an interactive show of Abbott’s readings by Righteous Jolly, a walk to Abbott’s homestead site, and of course ice cream and cake.

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June 13-16

Morris County Tri-County Fair
Christ Church, Rockaway
Carnival attractions, rides, games, live music, fireworks and more will be spread across 107 acres. There will be heart-pounding rides such as the Polar Express and the Sky Hawk, classic rides like the Ferris Wheel, kiddie rides, games of chance and monster truck rides. Additionally, there will be pony rides, fair foods, family-friendly music, a fireworks show, an old time car show complete with ’50s music, the Extreme Illusions and Escapes of Josh Knotts. If you bring your superhero dad on Father’s Day he can take a picture with the Batmobile!

June 14

Baby Walk
Landsdown Trail, Clinton
Get outside with your baby (age birth to 23 months old) and explore your local trails.

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June 15

Create in the Crest Arts Festival
Centennial Park, Wildwood Crest
Local artists, musicians and creators will not only display and sell their art, but teach you how to design your own during free workshops.

Gospel Doo-Wop and Car Showcase
Lacey Christian Assembly, Forked River
Doo Wop legend Santos will perform Gospel music while you look at rows of classic cars. Pastor Santos and his wife Andrea will share powerful testimonies.

Juneteenth Festival
Glassboro Sports Complex, Glassboro
Join The Queen’s Initiative for community unity day, including live entertainment, cultural dances, family activities, keynote guests, food, games and prizes.Plus, support black-owned businesses at the marketplace.

Toms River Pride Festival
Washington Street, Toms River
The parade goes along Washington Street from Main Street to Hooper Avenue. An opening ceremony will include speeches from local leaders and Pride Advocate Award Honorees. There will be food, vendors, performances, shopping, community resources, and festivities for the whole family. Starting at 5 pm is a parade afterparty for those 21+.

Homage to Our Legacy Juneteenth Festival
Community Arts Center, East Brunswick
The Lost Souls Public Memorial Project will hold an art, dance and music festival at the future home of the Lost Souls Memorial Project Healing Garden, which honors the forgotten slaves of Middlesex County.

Playokee’s 2nd Annual Juneteenth Festival
East Grant Avenue, Roselle Park
Get ready for a day filled with music, live performances, food, and fun as you celebrate the end of slavery.

People of Pleasant Valley Tours
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell
On Juneteenth, join historical interpreters on a free wagon ride and tour of the circa-1790 farmhouse where Revolutionary War-era New Jerseyans lived and farmed the land that now makes up Mercer County’s Pleasant Valley National Rural Historic District. You’ll board a wagon to travel down the driveway, across Moore’s Creek, and through the woods before disembarking at the Captain Henry Phillips House. There you will meet historical interpreters who will be wearing period attire for a unique discussion of the history of the house and the people who lived in it before and after the 1804 passage of New Jersey’s Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery.

Juneteenth Festival
Rabkin Park, Union Twp.
The community celebration includes music, food, art, activities, Ms. T’s Face Painting, a 360 photobooth, OMG Bubbles, Paint Noir Art Lounge and vendors.

Juneteenth Freedom Day
Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown
This special family day features inspirational music, African dance and drumming, food, educational presentations, and offerings from some local Black-owned businesses.

Pride Day
Mill Race Village, Mount Holly
The day of support and celebration includes vendor shopping, Double Dutch and drag queen performances, DJ music, community speakers and workshops. The highlight will be a show by Carl Max as Whitney Houston.

June 15-16

Father’s Day Winery Weekend
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Families can celebrate the special man in their life with wine, light bites, barnyard animals, tractor play, music and a walk on the farm trail. Dads get a $2 discount this weekend.

June 16

Juneteenth Parade and Heritage Festival
Recreation Park, New Brunswick
The Vulcan Pioneers of New Brunswick will lead a parade in the morning and a festival in the afternoon to celebrate Black history.

Father’s Day at Casino Pier
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Dads ride free at Casino Pier or they can enter the Breakwater Beach Waterpark for free as long as they bring one of their kids.

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June 17-20

National Marbles Tournament
Ringer Stadium, Wildwood
More than 1,200 games of marbles will be played by “Mibsters” – marble players ages 8-14 who have qualified by winning local tournaments throughout the United States – to compete for the title of king or queen of marbles.

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June 19

Broadway Celebrates Juneteenth
Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, NY
The concert features Black Broadway performers from 18 shows who will take the stage and perform varying Broadway musical numbers. This year’s host is Michael James Scott, currently starring as the Genie in Disney’s “Aladdin.” The recipient of this year’s Juneteenth Legacy Award will be Tony Award winnerPhylicia Rashad.

New Brunswick Community Juneteenth Commemoration
New Brunswick
The celebration begins with a flag-raising ceremony at the Middlesex County Administration Building earlier in the afternoon, then moves to the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center for fellowship, speeches, live music, entertainment and traditional dance performances.

June 21

Baby Playdates at The Park
Hunterdon County Arboretum, Lebanon
Bring your kids from birth to 23 months old and join park staff as you explore sensory activities, read nature books and play games while sitting on the grass and experiencing nature.

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June 22

Princeton Pride ‘24
Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, Princeton
This “Celebration of Queer Joy” will include marching and dancing in celebration at the Pride Parade and after-party.

Bayonne Freedom Day Celebration: Juneteenth Festival
G. Thomas DiDomenico 16th Park, Bayonne
Celebrate freedom and unity with live performances, food vendors and activities for all ages.

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Plowing, Harrowing & Wash Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Learn about life in an 1890s farmhouse as you roll up your sleeves and help do laundry the old fashioned way: by hand. Kids can make felt butterflies to take home.

Mercer County Area Juneteenth Black-Owned Business Marketplace
The Conference Center at RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, Hamilton
Support Black-owned businesses in the Mercer County area through a free event that includes shopping, food, a live DJ, prizes and giveaways.

June 22-23

Boardwalk Craft Show
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood
Artisan-made items, handmade craft items, boutique items, gifts and more will be set up for sale along the boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue.

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June 25-30

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
June 25: Ocean County College in Toms River
June 26: Raritan Bay Waterfront Park in South Amboy
June 28: Branch Brook Park in Newark
June 29: Marine Park in Red Bank
June 30: 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.

June 27

Animal Show
Deer Path Park, Flemington
Meet a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and insects from around the world with Eyes of the Wild. After the animal show, bring a picnic dinner, enjoy the playground, and stay for the concert.

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June 27-28

Beach Ultimate Frisbee Tournament
Wildwood Beach, Wildwood
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.

June 28

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.

June 29


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.

FolkLIVE: Gospel Fest
Monument Square Park, New Brunswick
The afternoon of uplifting performances and features Bishop Hezekiah Walker and Jekalyn Carr.

June 30


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.

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.

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.

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