Apparently the newsletter I scheduled for last week did not go out - and I am so sorry! I was on vacation and thought I had everything covered, but, clearly I did not! Promise I won’t let that happen again. 🙄
Anyhoo - on to the fun stuff going on this weekend! Hope you find something you cannot wait to do!
Remember, this is just a summary of events! View the full event calendar here! Be sure to add your events for free and partner with me for more visibility.
Atlantic County
View all Atlantic County events ➜
Mayfest - 5/16-5/17 | Historic Smithville, Smithville
150+ juried crafters and vendors, food court, children’s activities, live entertainment and more. Cost: Free Visit Event Website >
Bergen County
View all Bergen County events ➜
St. Athanasios Greek Festival - 5/14-5/17 | Paramus
Greek culture with food, games & performances. Visit Event Website >
Annunciation Church Car Show - 5/16 | Paramus
Up to 75 cars, food, music and blessing of the cars.
Tenafly Night Market | Ultimate Block Party - 5/16
30+ food vendors, live bands, DJ, outdoor bar, games, prizes, local businesses, nonprofits & full kids zone. Visit Event Website >
Mental Health Awareness Walk - 5/16 | Christian Health, Wyckoff
Meadowlands Beerfest - 5/16 | Meadowlands, East Rutherford
Over 60 participating producers including dozens of local breweries! Visit Event Website >
Burlington County
View all Burlington County events ➜
Bootin' Scootin' BBQ - 5/17 | Burlington County Fairgrounds, Columbus
Fundraising event to support agricultural education across NJ. Cornhole, food, dancing, kids area and more. Visit Event Website >
May Faire in OZ - 5/17 | Smithville Park, Eastampton
Balloon rides, Victorian vibes, carriage rides, tea parties and more. Visit Event Website >
Camden County
View all Camden County events ➜
Rhythm & Brews Festival - 5/16 | Haddon Township
Music and beer festival. Visit Event Website >
Cape May County
View all Cape May County events ➜
Cape May Music Festival - 5/9-6/21 | Cape May
Enjoy music like jazz, classical and chamber being performed across Cape May. Runs through June 21, 2026. Visit Event Website >
Stampede Rodeo - 5/15-5/17 | Wildwood
Professional bull riders face off against fierce bulls right on the sand! Visit Event Website >
Cumberland County
View all Cumberland County events ➜
The Philly Vintage Flea - 5/16-5/17 | Vineland Convention Center
Vintage clothing, rare finds, and unique treasures from more than 100 vendors. Visit Event Website >
1er Jeep Show - 5/16 | Campanella Park, Vineland
DJ, food trucks, and Jeep competitions. Visit Event Website >
Essex County
View all Essex County events ➜
Bloomfield Food Truck & Music Fest - 5/15 | St Thomas the Apostle School
Food trucks, music, beer garden, kids activities, vendors. Visit Event Website >
Glen Ridge Arts & Eco Fair - 5/16 | Glen Ridge
Artistry of students and crafters, local businesses, live performances, native plant sales, EV car show, clothing swap, food. Visit Event Website >
Montclair Porchfest - 5/16 | Montclair
Enjoy live music from the porches of homeowners. Visit Event Website >
39th Annual Rose Squared Art Show - 5/16-5/17 | Verona Park
Apothecary, artisanal foods, ceramics, jewelry, wood, digital art, decorative and wearable fiber, furniture, and more. Visit Event Website >
Maplewood Street Fair - 5/17 | Maplewood
Crafters, food vendors, entertainment and more. Visit Event Website >
Hunterdon County
View all Hunterdon County events ➜
9th Annual Wheels for The Wheel - 5/17 | The Red Mill, Clinton
Over 100 classic cars and trucks from the 1920's or earlier to current. Food trucks and family fun. Visit Event Website >
Clinton Township Food Truck & Music Festival - 5/17 | Bundt Park, Lebanon
Food trucks, music, beer garden, kids activities. Visit Event Website >
Mercer County
View all Mercer County events ➜
Seafood & BBQ Festival - 5/17 | Mercer County Park, West Windsor
BBQ and seafood festival with beer garden, vendors, adventure zone and more. Visit Event Website >
Middlesex County
View all Middlesex County events ➜
Woodbridge Street Fair - 5/16 | Woodbridge
Crafters, food vendors and entertainment. Visit Event Website >
NJ Art & Music Express - 5/16 | Avenel
A day long celebration of art and music across 3 towns. Visit Event Website >
History Day at East Jersey Old Town Village - 5/16 | Piscataway
Revolutionary War and Civil War camps, historical weapons demonstrations and more. Visit Event Website >
Monmouth County
View all Monmouth County events ➜
NJ Seafood Festival - 5/15 | Belmar
Music and seafood from top NJ restaurants and more. Visit Event Website >
NJ Vegan Food Festival - 5/16-5/17 | Bradley Park, Asbury Park
Good food and good people with all things vegan. Visit Event Website >
Classic Car Show - 5/16 | Bayshore Middle School, Leonardo
Car show from 8th graders at Bayshore Middle School. Visit Event Website >
Allaire Village Craft Show - 5/16-12/5 | Farmingdale
Handcrafted items while enjoying the village Visit Event Website >
Asbury Park Vintage Market - 5/16 | Stone Pony, Asbury Park
Shop for all things vintage with 30+ vendors. Visit Event Website >
Keansburg Food Truck Festival - 5/16 | Keansburg
Food, DJ, live music, kids activities and more. Visit Event Website >
Lunar Faire - 5/16 | East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold
Shopping, potions, attractions, food and fairies. Visit Event Website >
3rd Annual Rummage Sale & Fundraiser - 5/16 | Burrowes Mansion Museum, Matawan
Thousands of items - old and new! Visit Event Website >
Freehold Porchfest - 5/17 | Freehold
Enjoy live music from awesome local bands performing on porches all over town! Visit Event Website >
Morris County
View all Morris County events ➜
80's Wrestling Con - 5/16 | Parsippany Pal, Parsippany
The Biggest 80s Wrestling Celebration in the world! Visit Event Website >
Farm to Fleece - 5/16 | Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown
Sheep shearing the old-fashioned way at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. Visit Event Website >
Country Jamboree Festival - 5/16 | Fireman's Field, Rockaway
Country music, BBQ, line dancing and more. Visit Event Website >
Lake Hopatcong Block Party - 5/16 | Hopatcong State Park, Landing
Bringing together businesses, non-profits, community groups, crafters, and food vendors for a community day like no other. Visit Event Website >
9th Annual Arts in the Park - 5/16 | Veterans Community Park, Randolph
Live performances, interactive art stations, vendors. Visit Event Website >
Ocean County
View all Ocean County events
PicklePALOOZA - 5/16-5/17 | Laurita Winery and Marketplace, Plumstead
Indulge in a great lineup of pickle-inspired grub, grab a wagon ride, or just sit and enjoy the music. Cost: $16 Visit Event Website >
Craft Fair & Food Truck Festival - 5/16 | Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin
Local craft vendors, food trucks and more to support the Stafford Township EMS Auxiliary. Cost: Visit Event Website >
NJ Jeep Invasion Seaside Heights - 5/16 | Seaside Heights
This fun, laid-back gathering brings together over 400 Jeeps for a day of community, beach vibes, and scenic ocean views. Cost: Spectators are free Visit Event Website >
Music-Fest - 5/17 | American Legion Post 493, Egg Harbor Township
Free music fest benefitting the American Legion. Visit Event Website >
Passaic County
View all Passaic County events ➜
Ringwood Car Show 2026 - 5/16 | Ringwood
Features car competition, food, music and more. Visit Event Website >
Wallisch Homestead Flea & Vintage Marketplace - 5/17 | The Wallisch Homestead, West Milford Visit Event Website >
Salem County
View all Salem County events ➜
Riverview Beach Park Wine Festival - 5/16-5/17 | Riverview Beach Park, Pennsville
Wineries, food trucks, music and crafters. Cost: Visit Event Website >
Sussex County
View all Sussex County events ➜
Pet Lovers Fest 2026 - 5/16 | Lafayette Village, Lafayette
Vendors, food, pet items, and all things animal lover. Visit Event Website >
Union County
View all Union County events ➜
Cranford Spring Street Fest - 5/17 | Cranford
Crafts, food and entertainment. Visit Event Website >
Westfield Street Fair - 5/17 | Westfield
Crafters, food vendors and entertainment. Visit Event Website >
Kenilworth Street Fair & Car Show - 5/17 | Kenilworth
Exhibitors, classic cars, food, kids area, performances, live music and more. Visit Event Website >
Warren County
View all Warren County events ➜
Maifest in Hackettstown - 5/16 | Hackettstown
A celebration of the towns diverse culture. Visit Event Website >
Blairstown Fishing Derby - 5/16 | Footbridge Park, Blairstown
Fishing, vendors and prizes for catches! Visit Event Website >
Support Wander Jersey
Wander Jersey is a labor of love — independent, ad-free, and run by one person (hi, I'm Jill). If you've found value in the guides, stories, or recommendations here, a small contribution helps keep the site and newsletter alive and growing.
No pressure, but it genuinely makes a difference.
Thank you for being here. ❤️
FEATURED PLACE
Historic Village at Allaire
I have been going to the Historic Village at Allaire in Farmingdale for years. I consider it a special place to share with my daughter, since we have been going there since she was a toddler.
Enjoy a walk around the village where you can see a working blacksmith shop, wood worker in action, or enjoy a black and white cookie from the bakery! (Highly recommend). There is also a great shop with lots of olde time goods.
If you really want to explore - there is a path to a small brook where kids can splash in the water - or you can seemingly get lost on the trail in the woods. Throughout the year they hold many great events from craft shows to holiday experiences, so be sure to check out their calendar of events.
See some of the upcoming events on our website here.
Allaire Creek / Jill Caren
Plan Ahead
Ocean City Flower Show in Ocean City from 6/5-6/7
NJ Bookstore Crawl across New Jersey from 6/6-6/7
54th NJ Irish Festival at Monmouth Park Racetrack on 6/7
Hot Air Balloon Festival at Warren County Community College from 6/6-6/7
NJ Airshow at Greenwood Lake Airport in West Milford from 6/19-6/21
FEATURED HOME
Live Like Royalty: New Jersey’s Stunning 1917 Castle
This stunning 1917 Tudor-style mansion feels like a piece of English history transported to New Jersey’s countryside. Built as a faithful replica of a 16th-century manor, it sits on 7.5 beautifully landscaped acres and spans over 30,000 square feet of grand rooms, carved details, stained glass, and soaring beamed ceilings.
With its pool, terraces, wine cellar, and speakeasy vibe, it’s a truly one-of-a-kind home that blends timeless elegance with modern luxury. If you dream of living like royalty, this is it - for the low price of $9,950,000!
credit: Zillow
In The News
Tax break for pets in NJ? It is on the table!
Six Flags is upping its game for 2026, see what’s new!
Wildwood adding EV Volvo’s to their tramcars.
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