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18 Best Things To Do in New Jersey July 2023 with Kids

Catch the eye-popping displays at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning. Photo courtesy of the festival
Catch the eye-popping displays at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning. Photo courtesy of the festival
6/30/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this July? Here are all the family-friendly events and activities you should add to your list from fireworks and the 4th of July to summer fun all month long.

July's sizzling roster is jam-packed with festivals, fireworks, sandcastles, and everything summer has to offer. See brilliant fireworks displayed throughout the state on Independence Day. Hit a beloved Shore beach for the Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival and Christmas in July. And make the festival rounds at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning and Monmouth County Fair. Plus, catch free outdoor movies throughout the month.

Find more July fun in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide and be sure to bookmark our list of 100+ FREE summer must-do's.

We're adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don't forget to check it frequently.

Be sure to click through to our listings for full details, including addresses, times, and recommended ages and keep in mind, advance tickets may be required.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox–sign up for our newsletters.

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There's plenty of old-timey fun to be had at the Monmouth County Fair. Photo courtesy of the fair
There's plenty of old-timey fun to be had at the Monmouth County Fair. Photo courtesy of the fair

Top Things To Do in New Jersey this July with Kids

State Fair Meadowlands

East Rutherford
Daily through Sunday, July 9, 2023
The jam-packed State Fair Meadowlands returns for 18 days with more than 100 rides and attractions, including Jurassic Kingdom, plus plenty of food and entertainment. Fireworks take place July 3-4. READ MORE

Blueberry Summer Fest

Browns Mill–FREE
Saturdays through July 22, 2023
Have a very blueberry summer at Whitesbog Preservation Trust. Every Saturday features live music, crafts, and blueberry picking on a smaller scale in the historic farm and village.  READ MORE

L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair at Mercer County Park

West Windsor
Friday, June 30-Sunday, July 9, 2023
Summer fun awaits at L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair at Mercer County Park with food, rides and entertainment. Plus, don't miss performances by Anastasini Circus. READ MORE

Camden Waterfront Freedom Festival

Camden–FREE
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Celebrate Independence Day at the Freedom Festival, presented by the Camden County Board of Freeholders and the City of Camden. Families can expect patriotic fun, live music, and an amazing fireworks show over the Delaware River. READ MORE

Jersey City Freedom & Fireworks Festival

Jersey City–FREE
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Celebrate Independence Day on the waterfront at the annual Jersey City 4th of July Festival. The fun includes three barges of fireworks, a street fair and live music. READ MORE

Oceanfest

Long Branch–FREE
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
All are invited to Oceanfest, an all-day, family-friendly festival that brings together the most memorable sights, sounds and sensations of the summer season. Oceanfest combines community and cultural events and tops off with spectacular fireworks. READ MORE

Little Falls Annual 4th of July Street Fair

Little Falls–FREE
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Main Street in Little Falls hosts this big block party on Independence Day. Stroll the blocks-long celebration with food, vendors, crafts, children's activities, and live entertainment. READ MORE

Cumberland County Fair

Millville
Tuesday, July 4-Saturday, July 8, 2023
The Cumberland County Fair is back and promises something for everyone. The fair features five days and nights of old-fashioned family fun. Fairgoers enjoy amusement rides, games, entertainment, and more. READ MORE

Kites and Castles

Lavallette–FREE
Thursdays from July 6-August 24, 2023
Bring your kites to the Philadelphia Avenue beach every Thursday night for sandcastle building and kite flying. A first place prize is awarded each week, and prizes are given to all participants.  READ MORE

Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival

Wildwood Crest–FREE
Friday, July 7, 2023
Serious sand lovers can grab a pail, shovel, and other tools and head to the beach at Wildwood Crest for the town's annual sand sculpture festival. This ultimate summer event is worth checking out even if you don't want to compete.  READ MORE

Bubble Show

Long Branch–FREE
Saturday, July 8, 2023
Pop over to Pier Village for an interactive bubble show. Experience a wide variety of bubbles, including foam bubbles, smoke bubbles, bubble nets, giant bubbles, and more. READ MORE

29th Haddonfield Crafts & Fine Art Festival

Haddonfield–FREE
Saturday, July 8-Sunday, July 9, 2023
Stroll through Downtown Haddonfield and check out crafts, outdoor cafes, music, and more at the 29th edition of this annual festival. READ MORE

Fanwood Summer FanJam (Canceled)

Fanwood–FREE
Sunday, July 9, 2023
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER. Rock out to live music from local bands, along with a classic car show, food trucks, and more at this Fanwood music festival. READ MORE

Anglesea Blues Festival

North Wildwood
Friday, July 14-Sunday, July 16, 2023
All are invited to enjoy blues music and delicious barbecue at the Anglesea Blues Festival in beautiful North Wildwood. The festival features both national and regional blues musicians and is held in conjunction with the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship. READ MORE

Butterfly Festival

National Park–FREE
Saturday, July 15, 2023
Beautiful butterflies are the spotlight of this festival at Red Bank Battlefield National Park. The fun includes tours of the butterfly house, free classes, a bug parade and other activities. READ MORE

Christmas in July at Jenkinson's

Point Pleasant–FREE
Tuesday, July 25-Thursday, July 27, 2023
Santa Claus is coming to the shore in July! Take photos with Santa and enjoy a stroll, storytime and a holiday show. READ MORE

Monmouth County Fair

Freehold
Wednesday, July 26-Sunday, July 30, 2023
Five days of fun await at the 48th Annual Monmouth County Fair. Enjoy outdoor entertainment, strolling performers, main stage entertainment, carnival rides, and competitions. READ MORE

40th Annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning

Whitehouse Station
Friday, July 28-Sunday, July 30, 2023
See a sky full of beautiful balloons, plus enjoy concerts, vendors, and fireworks at The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning. The excitement includes rides, live music, fireworks, a drone show and up to 100 hot air balloons.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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