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Weekend Fun: Day Out with Thomas, Maplewoodstock, City of Water Day

Catch the second and final weekend of Day Out With Thomas! Photo courtesy of Delaware River Railroad Excursions
Catch the second and final weekend of Day Out With Thomas! Photo courtesy of Delaware River Railroad Excursions
7/9/19 - By Laurie Rein

If you love music, movies, and delicious meals, you'll find plenty to look forward to this weekend in New Jersey!

Kick back to live music at Maplewoodstock, the Anglesea Blues Festival, and the South Jersey Caribbean Festival. Head to the Jersey Shore for some steak and lobsters at the Surf and Turf Festival, and catch free beachfront movies in Belmar and Seaside Heights. Plus, cool off with all kinds of water activities at City of Water Day.

Find even more weekend options in our Summer Fun Guide, including NJ Berry Farms for Families. And look to our July GoList and event calendar for a complete listing of happenings this weekend and beyond.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Maplewoodstock returns to Memorial Park this weekend with music, art, and plenty of fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Maplewoodstock
Maplewoodstock returns to Memorial Park this weekend with music, art, and plenty of fun for kids. Photo courtesy of Maplewoodstock

All Weekend

Maplewoodstock

Maplewood – FREE
Maplewoodstock is a two day festival featuring local and national music and arts in Memorial Park. The whole family is invited to enjoy food and arts vendors, a Kid Zone area, and regional and national music acts. READ MORE

Surf and Turf Festival

Oceanport
Crab cakes and horse races make for a fun weekend at Monmouth Park. Dine on delicious steak and seafood while watching the races. Live music adds to the fun. READ MORE

Anglesea Blues Festival

North Wildwood – FREE
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

Day Out with Thomas

Philipburg
Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to join him for a day of family fun at Day Out with Thomas: The Steam Team Tour 2019, which pulls into the The Delaware River Railroad Excursion in Phillipsburg for two back-to-back weekends. Children and their families are invited to take a 25-minute ride on their favorite engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas & Friends fun. READ MORE

15th Annual Celtic Weekend

Cape May
Celebrate all things Irish, Scottish, and Welsh at Historic Cold Spring Village’s 15th Annual Celtic Weekend. The weekend features musical entertainment throughout the grounds. Main stage performances will include sets by Nae Breeks Pipes & Drums Band, which is comprised of members of the famed Atlantic City Sandpipers, both Saturday and Sunday. READ MORE

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

West Windsor
The annual L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair features the rich heritage of New Jersey, including agricultural exhibits, food from area restaurants, racing pigs, farm exhibits, horse shows, a pie eating contest and continuous live entertainment.  READ MORE

Ocean County Fair

Berkeley Heights
This 5-day event has live music, animal acts, 4-H displays, carnival rides, food, vendors, and more. Highlights include Extreme Illusions & Escape, Cowboy Larry's Wild West Show, and Animal House Band.  READ MORE
Spend the night at Diggerland at the family campout & Dig In. Photo courtesy of Diggerland
Spend the night at Diggerland at the family campout & Dig In. Photo courtesy of Diggerland

Saturday, July 13

Family Campout & Dig In

West Berlin
Spend the night at Diggerland's all inclusive Overnight Campout. Bring your own tent, and dinner, dessert, and breakfast are included in price. Plus, get access to attractions from 6:30-10:30pm and the next day. READ MORE

19th Annual South Jersey Caribbean Festival

Camden – FREE
Get in vacation mode at this 19th annual festival, featuring live music and cultural performances, children activities, Caribbean food and vendors. Music includes live reggae, calypso, Latin, and steel drum. READ MORE

City of Water Day

Hoboken – FREE
Details tba Families are encouraged to get out on the waterfront today as the Waterfront Alliance celebrates the New York and New Jersey waterfronts with this 12th annual family-friendly festival. Enjoy free boat tours on all kinds of vessels - from tall ships to tug boats. READ MORE

Burke Motor Group Car, Truck & Cycle Show

Cape May – FREE
Mark your calendars for Burke Motor Group's annual Car, Truck & Cycle Show. The excitement includes music by Keith Hickman, a barbecue, Italian ice, vendors and more. READ MORE

Belmar Movies on the Beach

Belmar – Incredibles 2 – FREE
Enjoy an evening under the stars with your feet in the sand. Free screenings take place every Wednesday night. While you're there, grab dinner at Belmar's many casual or fine-dining establishments.  READ MORE

Highland Park Outdoor Movie Theater

Highland Park – The Terminator – FREE
Arrive early for kids' cartoons at dusk, 45 minutes before the main feature, with titles that include The Terminator and The Fly.  READ MORE
All activities are free at Monmouth Park's Family Fun Days, held every Sunday during the summer. Photo courtesy of the park
All activities are free at Monmouth Park's Family Fun Days, held every Sunday during the summer. Photo courtesy of the park

Sunday, July 14

Family Fun Days at Monmouth Park

Oceanport
Every Sunday is a fun day at Monmouth Racetrack. The little ones are treated to pony rides, face painters, clowns and bounce houses.  READ MORE

Feed the Animals

Hamilton – FREE
It’s lunchtime for the education animals. See what it takes to keep them healthy, clean, and fed. They might even enlist some willing hands to help. READ MORE

Summer Family Movie Series

New Brunswick – Cinderella – FREE
Top off the weekend with a family-friendly movie every Sunday at The Yard. Titles include hits like Wonder Park and Incredibles 2. READ MORE

Seaside Heights Movies at the Beach

Seaside Heights – Wreck it Ralph – FREE
Bring a beach chair, towel and plenty of munchies for this summer movie series on the beach in Carteret. Movies play Sundays. Showtime starts at sunset. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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