20+ New Jersey Events May 3 – 5, 2024
During the first weekend of May, New Jersey comes alive with a vibrant array of events catering to every taste. Food enthusiasts will delight in the Bayonne Food Truck Fest, a gathering of the region’s finest mobile eateries offering a diverse selection of culinary delights. Meanwhile, robotics and sci-fi fans alike can immerse themselves in the otherworldly experience of Area 57. This weekend’s lineup promises something special for everyone.
For more New Jersey events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.
For more New Jersey adventures and New Jersey Events, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.
New Jersey Events May 3rd – 5th, 2024:
Featured Events!
Area 57 – Flying Objects & Other Fun
May 4, 9:30 am – 6 pm (rain date May 5)
Area 57 will feature Warren Community College’s nationally highly rated Uncrewed Systems Program consisting of piloting, design and development, and the maintenance and repair of drones, in addition AI and Robotics. The event will also hot air balloons, combat and FRC robots.
Warren Community College, 475 Route 57, Washington, NJ
Cost: Free for Students/Veterans, $4 seniors, $7 adults.
Bayonne Food Truck Fest
May 4, 12 pm – 7 pm
The City of Bayonne is proud to present the Bayonne Food Truck Fest, a community celebration of food, music, and fun for the whole family. The festival will feature 30 food vendors, sand art, kids’ rides, a beer garden, and live music. Admission is free for everyone, so bring the whole family and enjoy a day of trying food from the best food trucks in Jersey as well as fun activities.
Ave E 22-24th St, Bayonne, NJ
Cost: Free
Paranormal Cirque
May 2 – 5
Welcome to the darkest corner of your mind as Paranormal Cirque III comes to town! This one-of-a-kind production features incredibly talented artists with the sole purpose of taking you on a sensual journey of acrobatics, contortion, aerial acts, and more. Witness death-defying stunts, creepy creatures, and haunting performances under the mysterious white and black Big Top Tent. From zombies to sexy vampires, this show promises a thrilling night out. Catch Paranormal Cirque III at Livingston Mall from May 2nd – 5th.
112 Eisenhower Pkwy, Livingston, NJ
Cost: $20 – $60
NJ Wine & Food Festival
May 3 – 5
Crystal Springs Resort is proud to host New Jersey Food & Wine Fest — the king of all New Jersey wine events. The festival’s events are designed to allow food and wine connoisseurs to meet and mingle with the world’s finest chefs and winemakers and sample the best food and wine around.
Crystal Springs Resort, Hamburg, NJ
Ocean City Spring Block Party
May 4, 9 am – 5 pm
Ocean City’s annual street fair features over 350 crafters, food vendors, music, and more.
From 5th Street to 14th Street on Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ
Cost: Free
AWA Paws & Feet 5K and Doggie Fun Day
May 4, 9 am – 2 pm
Animal Welfare Association’s signature event, the Paws & Feet 5k Run/Walk and Doggie Fun Day is an annual fundraising event celebrating the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets It’s a day full of fun activities for the whole family, including your furry best friends! We’ll have live entertainment, local small business vendors, children’s activities, food and drink from local favorites, and more. Proceeds from the event go directly to funding AWA’s lifesaving programs, which touch tens of thousands in our community each year.
2140 Voorhees Town Center, Voorhees, NJ
Cost: Free; Registration fee for 5K & Rescue Ramble only
Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair 2024
May 4, 10 am – 5 pm
The 4th Annual Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair is returning on May 4th, 2024, from 10am-5pm! This is a FREE event in Downtown Washington Borough, NJ and features a full day of live music, streets lined with vendors, fabulous costumes, street performers, local specials, activities and so much more! Music lineup includes Crash Gordon & Debra Dynamite, Frenchy and the Punk and all the way from the UK is Victor and the Bully! The day features sideshow acts, dozens of artisan vendors, street performers, free activities throughout the town, and lots of local specials. But wait, there’s more! A Halo Called Fred will be performing at Buttzville Brewing Company from 6pm-9pm for the official steampunk afterparty! Come dressed for the occasion or come as you are! Free parking, rain or shine.
Veterans Park, Washington, NJ
Cost: Free
Spring Blossom Festival at Riamede Farm
May 4, 10 am – 4 pm
Join Riamede Farm for their second annual celebration of spring and their beautiful apple blossoms on Saturday, May 4th from 10 am to 4 pm for their Spring Blossom Festival! Fun for the whole family, this year’s festival is bigger and better – they can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the farm! Activities include hayrides through the blooming orchard, beekeeper demonstrations and an observation hive, farm-grown vegetable and flower starts for your garden, hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), live music, 4H animals, a backyard chicken display, a beer garden, food trucks, ice cream, and local artisan vendors. Advance admission ($5) includes a hayride and access to all picking and shopping areas. Gate admission ($5) does not include the hayride, which will be separately ticketed. No pets, please. Rain date is May 5th.
122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ
Cost: $5
The Monmouth Moms’ 2024 Spring Festival
May 4, 11 am – 3 pm
The Monmouth Moms Events are Back and Better Than Ever! Come with the family and ENJOY a day full of fun! You’ll find local vendors (perfect for Mother’s Day gifts!), food for sale , Mommy + Me activities, Character Picture Station, Entertainment (lots of NEW activities added!), and more!
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road Holmdel, NJ
Cost: Free
Chester Food Truck and Music Fest
May 4, 11 am – 7 pm
Food! Beer! Music! Fun! It’s a fun filled family day. Over 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, music, pony rides, petting zoo, knockerball, hatchet tossing, inflatables, face painting, sand art, vendors & a beer, sangria & margarita garden. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, pups, pop ups and blankets.
Municipal Field, 134 Main St, Chester, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free
3rd Annual Fiesta de Mayo Cantina Crawl
May 4, 12 pm – 5 pm
The 3rd Annual Highlands Fiesta de Mayo Cantina Crawl will take place on Saturday, May 4th, from 12:00-5:00 PM. The $40.00 fee includes a Margarita Contest where local restaurants compete for the title of Best Margarita in Highlands. Participants will sample 6oz. Margaritas and vote for their favorite, along with enjoying discounted food and drink specials at local eateries and pubs, and surprises at retail establishments. Live Mariachi music will enhance the Mexican atmosphere. Check-in is at Huddy Park, 301 Shore Dr. Highlands, between 11AM and 12:30PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance at highlandsnj.com or at the event check-in at Huddy Park, 11am-1pm. This event is rain or shine.
Huddy Park check-in, 329 Bay Ave., Highlands, NJ
Cost: $40
Skylands Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
May 4, 12 pm – 7 pm (Rain or shine)
This event has entertainment for all ages. Spend a special day enjoying the outdoors, with delicious options including 20+ food truck vendors, desserts, specialty drinks & more. 100+ craft beers, live music, and games.
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ
Cost: $5, Children 38 Tall and Shorter are Free
AAPI Food & Music Festival
May 4, 12 pm – 4 pm
Union Twp will host its 1st Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Food & Music Festival to celebrate their local AAPI community on Saturday, May 6th from 12pm to 4pm on Stuyvesant Avenue.
Stuyvesant Avenue, Union Twp, NJ
Cost: Free
Down & Derby Wine Festival
May 4, 2 pm – 7:30 pm
Join the fun on Saturday, May 6th on Veterans Island at Cooper River Park to sample delicious wines from South Jersey’s leading wine producers while immersing yourself in Derby themed fashion and festivities at The Annual Down & Derby Wine Festival presented By Visit South Jersey And Camden County.
Veterans Island, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Dr, Pennsauken, NJ
Cost: $15 – $75
Meadowlands Beer Fest
May 4, 5 pm – 9 pm
The annual Meadowlands Racetrack Beerfest, coinciding with Kentucky Derby Simulcast Day on Saturday, May 4th, offers VIP admission at 4:00 pm and General Admission at 5:00 pm, pouring beer until 9:00 pm. Attendees enjoy craft beer and horse racing, featuring live harness racing and the Kentucky Derby simulcast. The festival showcases over sixty breweries and cideries, with fifteen New Jersey breweries as a highlight.
Meadowlands Racetrack, East Rutherford, NJ
Cost: Tickets are available in advance for $45 or at the door for $50 for General Admission, and $65 for VIP
9th Annual – A Day of Wine, Romance, and More!
May 4 & 5, 12 pm – 5 pm
The largest book signing event of its kind in New Jersey! Over 45 local authors representing a wide range of genres will be on hand for this unique event. Grab a glass of Brook Hollow’s excellent wine and take a stroll. Meet the actual authors and peruse their books. Whether you’re looking for your next book boyfriend, a heart-racing thriller, or something for your child or grandchild, you’ll find it here! Bring a picnic lunch and spend the day with the authors.
Wine tastings are optional.
Brook Hollow Winery, 594 Highway 94, Columbia, NJ
Cost: Free admission
Jeeps and Cinco de Mayo Food Truck Festival
May 4 & 5, Saturday from 11 am – 9 pm and Sunday from 11 am – 7 pm
This family event features a pair of wines with the many food offerings available from onsite food trucks! Wine and dine while listening to top live musical artists all weekend. There will be live bands, face painting, vineyard wagon tours, and fireworks at dusk.
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ
Tickets: $13 in advance and $15 at the door
Springfest Craft Show & Antique Corner
May 5, 10 am – 5 pm
A Don’t Miss Exciting Shopping Event held in picturesque Veterans Park. One hundred & twenty exhibitors will be set up on the grass along the paths with an array of hand crafted items, art & gifts. The Antique & Collectible corner is where you will find treasures from the past. Festival foods will be available as well as home made pretzels, pickles, kettle korn, sweets, & Italian ice. Free Admission and is held rain or shine. Sponsored by Westwood Recreation and organized by P.J.’s Promotions. use 318 3rd Ave for your GPS
Veterans Park , Park Ave, Westwood, NJ
Cost: Free
Maplewood Small Wonder Marketplace
May 5, 10 am – 4 pm. Rain Date May 12
Eat, drink, shop, browse, and support local small businesses and makers! Walk the streets of Maplewood Village to browse and shop local makers as well as our fabulous local merchants. Take a break from the shopping to have a nosh at one of the many delicious eateries in the Village.
Handmade artisans will exhibit their work on the busy streets of Maplewood Ave., Highland Pl., and Baker St. Admission is free, family-friendly, and open to the public.
122 Maplewood Ave, Maplewood, NJ
Cost: Free
Westfield Spring Fling
May 5, 10 am – 5 pm
This fun-filled family event will feature diverse live entertainment, food vendors, merchandise vendors, a Kids Zone with rides and a multitude of activities to entertain kids throughout the day. Valencia Music and the New Jersey Workshop of the Arts will perform music and entertainment.
Downtown Central Avenue from East Broad Street to North Avenue, Westfield, NJ
Cost: Free
BBQ Jamfest
May 5, 12 pm – 4pm
An outdoor cookout with family and friends! The event features Live Music, Cornhole, and Prizes.
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, 710 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door
Spring on Tap Beer Festival
May 5, 12 pm – 6 pm
Get ready to fiesta like there’s no mañana at the Spring on Tap Beer Festival on Cinco de Mayo! Attendees can join in on Sunday, May 5th from 12pm-6pm at Veteran’s Island in Cooper River Park, Pennsauken for an unforgettable experience. The festival offers a variety of local craft beers, mouth-watering food trucks, live music to get everyone moving, and vendors to shop till they drop. To top it all off, there’s a musical performance by the amazing Lecompt! Don’t miss out on the party of the year—come join in and let’s make some memories!
Veterans Island, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken, NJ
VetFest Music and Food Truck Festival
May 5, 12 pm – 7 pm
The festival will feature New Jersey’s top bands and over a dozen local food trucks, all in support of Community Hope. There will also be Two Bounce houses for the kids (free with entry) and a Beer Garden. Proceeds from this event will benefit Community Hope’s Veterans Programs to end veteran homelessness.
Dave Waks Memorial Park, 39 Barbour Pond Rd, Wayne, NJ
Cost: $10 +
Hooray for May – Free Family Arts Day
May 5, 1 pm – 4 pm
“Hooray for May” free family arts day returns to The Center for Contemporary Art on Sunday, May 5 from 1-4pm. “Hooray for May” brings local families from the community together for a fun and interactive day of making art and enjoying music and dance performances. Hands-on art activities for kids and parents alike will take place in The Center’s three art studios, outside in Pluckemin Park and its outdoor pavilion. Members of the community are invited to visit the three art exhibitions in The Center’s galleries. Families will be treated to live performances from Wharton Arts New Jersey Youth Chorus, and dance performances from the Tiruchitrambalam School of Dance and the Natya Mayuri Dance Ensemble. Refreshment stations will be provided and Neapolitan wood fired pizza will be available from the Va Fa Napoli Pizza Truck.
The Center for Contemporary Art, 2020 Burnt Mills Road, Bedminster, NJ
Cost: Free
