Free Things to Do in August – NJ Family

LIVINGSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT COMMUNITY POLICING UNIT

Summer is by no means over yet! There are plenty of free activities, programs and events you and your family can enjoy. Take your crew to your local police department’s National Night Out event, head down to Ocean City for a hermit crab race and beauty pageant, celebrate National Lighthouse Day and attend one of the many festivals sure to inspire everyone’s summer spirit!

August 2

National Night Out
Check with your local police department for how they are celebrating “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” We rounded up dozens of block parties, street fairs and park events being held around the state – and they are all free!

August 3

Twins Contest
Music Pier, Ocean City
Bring your sibling and compete for prizes for those who look the most and least alike. Open to all ages.

Hermit Crab Races
6th Street Beach, Ocean City
Watch as some of the fastest crabs in the universe compete in this world-famous race immediately following Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant.

Miss Crustacean Hermit Crab Beauty Pageant
6th Street Beach, Ocean City
Experience the original beauty contest for crustaceans! Families, kids, businesses and organizations are invited to enter their crustacean in this annual contest. The winner receives the Coveted Cucumber Rind Cup and gets to walk down a flowery runway.

August 5 – 6

Meet-and-Greet Artist Josef Kote
Ocean Galleries, Stone Harbor
Josef Kote: The Collected Works is a magnificent collection of artworks by new master Josef Kote. Two special in-person Meet-the-Artist appearances are scheduled. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Kote and experience his art, which is described as “symphonies of light and color.”

“The Land of Luck”
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
“The Land of Luck” is a free, choose-your-own-adventure experience that offers immersive games, photo opportunities and hands-on activities for the whole family to enjoy. Test your luck at the pop-a-shot or kerplunk competition, customize a lucky penny or make your own slime as you venture between the mystical lands of Good Luck and Bad Luck.

August 6

Olde Freehold Day
Topanemus Park, Freehold
There will be a kids zone, food, vendors, a beer garden, car smash, bouncy rides and a petting zoo. The Freehold Borough PBA and We Are the Future will sponsor a cornhole tournament.

National Lighthouse Day
Tinicum Rear Range Lighthouse, Paulsboro
Tinicum will mark National Lighthouse Day with a celebration on Saturday, Aug. 6. From 10 am – 3 pm, your whole family will enjoy seeing Coast Guard boats, Coast Guard helicopters, food, antique cars, fire trucks, lighthouse merchandise – and climbing the lighthouse!

Made in Monmouth
Cream Ridge Winery, Cream Ridge
Sip some wine while perusing crafts made by two dozen local Monmouth County vendors.

Summer Stage @GSPlaza
Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Join Z100 radio hosts Maxwell and Crystal as they hang out at Westfield Garden State Plaza’s Summer Stage with popular TikTok stars! Stop by to experience a live podcast as they interview the popular stars. You’ll get to know more about their lives, and you may even get a chance to meet them! Meet Natalie Jane on Aug. 6.

Bridging the Gap Block Party
Trenton
Come out for a day of fun and games. Take part in live music, a vibe set by DJ Valona Denise, relay races, an obstacle course, fun and games, prizes, vendor shopping and free refreshments.

August 7

National Lighthouse Day
Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City
Bring your kids 12 and under for a free climb of the Absecon Lighthouse from 10 am – 5 pm, as long as they are accompanied by an adult, in celebration of National Lighthouse Day. As a family, stroll the 21-bed community garden and 2 acres of grounds. Join author Mary Dixon Lebeau for a book signing of “Secret Jersey Shore, A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful & Obscure.” For the adults, there will be a Porch Party Wine Tasting.

Find out where other National Lighthouse Day events are taking place!

August 12

Campfire on the Beach
Sandy Hook
Sing silly Sandy Hook songs with park rangers and hear true stories from days of yore surrounding the history and mysteries of the Hook.

Magnolia Night Market
Magnolia
Bring everyone out for a family-friendly night of produce vendors, handmade goods, children’s activities, food trucks, music, beer and wine.

August 13

New Brunswick Heart Festival
Monument Square, New Brunswick
This free outdoor family-friendly festival, which celebrates all of the vibrant arts and history that New Brunswick and the County of Middlesex have to offer, will feature live music and dance performances; a visual Arts Market; craft and food vendors; interactive activities and games; fun giveaways; a Health & Wellness tent with Garden of Healing; readings of famous love letters by actors from Thinkery & Verse; and much more!

Caribbean Festival
Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange
Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze, and dance to the sounds of summer for the Essex County Summer Music: Caribbean Festival.

Old Fashioned Fun & Games
Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold
Visit Walnford and play a variety of historically themed games to delight and challenge the whole family!

International Food & Music Festival
Ivy Hill Park, Newark
Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze and dance to the sounds of summer during the Essex County International Food & Music Festival.

August 14

India Independence Day
North Brunswick Township Middle School, North Brunswick
Families of all backgrounds are invited to celebrate Bharat Mata Ke Veer: India’s Bravest in honor of India’s independence from Britain. There will be many entertaining and educational activities planned.

August 18

Car Show
George Street, New Brunswick
Come to Downtown New Brunswick for an exciting night of music, classic and luxury rides, plus extended store hours and delicious dinners and drinks from your favorite restaurants.

August 20

Saturday, Aug. 20 – Sunday, Aug. 21

Cape May Promenade Arts and Craft Show
Cape May Boardwalk
Saturday – Sunday
Enjoy the Cape May City Promenade Arts and Craft Show along the Cape May Boardwalk.

Saturday, Aug. 27 – Sunday, Aug. 28

Latino Festival
Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange
Pack a blanket, enjoy the cool evening breeze, and dance to the sounds of summer for the Essex County Summer Music: Latino Festival.

August 28

Sacred Music Across the Ages
Ocean Grove
The Great Auditorium Choir, Solo Quartet and MidAtlantic Philharmonic Orchestra will join together to present a concert of movements from the great sacred works of Mozart, Beethoven, Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass and Tim Sharp’s Appalachian Mass.