Looking for a fun and unique event to attend this Fourth of July week? Check out these top 16 happenings, starting July 2 to the 7 in Atlantic City, Cape May and up and down the New Jersey coast line.
The Festival of the Sea is held in the St. Francis Parish & Center parking lot, situated at 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach. There will be food, rides, games and community spirit. The festival takes place July 2-6 from 6 to 10 p.m. stfrancisparishlbi.org.
The annual boat parade will be held in Avalon at 6:30 p.m. avalonrecreation.org.
Independence Day Festival
Lower Township’s Independence Day Festival begins at 5 p.m. on the bayfront in North Cape May. There will be live music, food, vendors, rides for kids and fireworks at 9 p.m. townshipoflower.org.
State Fair Meadowlands
The largest fair in New Jersey, State Fair Meadowlands, will have fireworks, over 100 rides and attractions, free entertainment, food and more on July 3 and 4. njfair.com.
A Revolutionary Celebration
Join Gen. George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and Baron von Steuben for this annual celebration featuring a reenactment of the fue de joie (fire of joy) that took place on July 4, 1778. The Libby Prison Minstrels and Mark Heter Band will perform live music. This will take place from 11 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. middlesexcountynj.gov.
Frank “Dutch” Cleenput Annual 4th of July Softball Game
Come and enjoy the Annual Frank “Dutch” Cleenput 4th of July Softball Game at the Cliff Gennarelli Sports Complex. Whether you’re a fan of Paramus Finest or Paramus Bravest, make sure to join them as they compete for the trophy and bragging rights. This fun-filled event is free for all to attend. paramuschamber.org.
Antique Car Show
The Lakehurst Elementary School is holding a antique car show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. lakehurst-nj.gov.
Jersey City’s 4th of July Festival and Fireworks will be held at the Exchange place. It will feature live entertainment, food trucks, music and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. freedomandfireworks.com.
Stone Harbor’s Independence Day
Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with contests, races and a home-run derby. Around 7:30 p.m., evening events will kick off with a concert by the BLT Band, followed by fireworks. stoneharbornj.org.
Patriotic Pooch Parade
The pooch parade kicks off Wildwood’s festivities, starting at the intersection of 9th and Atlantic Avenues at 9 a.m. After the parade, events will continue in the city, with a concert featuring Flip Like Wilson and fireworks. wildwoodsnj.com.
Oceanfest
Oceanfest is the biggest seasonal event on the Jersey Shore — in fact, it’s the biggest Independence Day celebration anywhere in New Jersey, and it happens every July 4th from 1 to 10 p.m. in Long Branch. Each year since 1990, crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands have descended upon the city’s oceanfront promenade for an all-day, family-friendly festival that brings together music, food, a craft sale, street fair, and of course, fireworks! oceanfestnj.com.
Fourth of July Parade and Celebration
The Village of Ridgefield Park’s annual parade was founded in 1894 and is one of the oldest in the U.S. The main civic parade starts at 11:30 a.m. on Preston Street. Beforehand, a baby and youth parade begins at 9 a.m. near the intersection of Poplar St. and Euclid Ave. ridgefieldpark.org.
Cape May Celebration
Congress Hall’s grand Fourth of July celebration returns for its 208th summer of fun. This year, the hall will host its All-American Cookout on the Lawn. caperesorts.com.
Start your holiday weekend with a Red Wine & Blueberry 5k Run. Dress in your most patriotic outfit. Adults will run a 5K course on a flat multi-surface road to the Egg Harbor City Lake and back to Renault Winery. The event takes place 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. renaultwinery.com.
Ocean Grove Independence Weekend
The Ocean Grove parade starts rain or shine at 10:30 a.m. Later that evening, there is a concert at the Great Auditorium. oceangrove.org.
Lavallette will host its fireworks display at 9 p.m. in the Centennial Gardens and Gazebo. lavallette.org.
