New Jersey Events Memorial Day Weekend 2024

It’s the unofficial start to Summer in New Jersey! Memorial Day weekend in New Jersey is packed with exciting events catering to a wide range of interests.  Whether you’re looking to enjoy the beach, savor great food, or pay tribute to our heroes, New Jersey offers something for everyone this Memorial Day weekend.

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 Foodie, Wine, and Beer Events for May 2024:

Wildwoods International Kite Festival
May 24 – May 27
On the beach at Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood and inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Event begins on Friday at noon with the Unlocking of the Ocean media event outside of the Wildwoods Convention Center. Festivities following the Unlocking of the Ocean include opening of the Kite Sales Tent, Friday Night Social via the local kite club and the 9:00 p.m. Illuminated Night Kite Fly. Saturday includes the Silent and Loud Auctions (open to all); and Saturday and Sunday include the flying of large inflatable kites, team flying, as well as family games from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday features the World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. FREE to spectators! Visit SkyFestivals.com
4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
Cost: Free

The New Jersey Renaissance Faire
May 25 – 26, 10 am – 6 pm
This magical family-friendly renaissance festival features a jousting contest, human chess match, sword fighting, fire breathing, aerialists, comedy, artisans, live music and a full day of interactive entertainment.
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Rdm Columbus, NJ
Cost: $10-$30

Collingswood May Fair
May 25, 10 am – 5 pm
Collingswood, New Jersey will be bursting with art, music and activities for all ages on Saturday, May 27. What began in 1979 as a small “clothesline art exhibit” now encompasses more than a mile of the business district along Haddon Avenu. Multiple stages of live music will feature blues, rock, folk and more. A schedule will be posted closer to the actual date of the event. An antique & classic auto show add to the festival’s appeal. Visitors will also find several Food Courts complimenting the downtown restaurants and cafés. There will be everything from pulled pork to fancy desserts! May Fair also welcomes the return of the renowned Collingswood Farmers Market offering “Jersey Fresh” produce, flowers and more sold in a delightful open air atmosphere.
601 Haddon Avenue Collingswood, NJ
Cost: Free

Bradley Beach Memorial Day Weekend Festival
May 25 & 26, 9 am – 7 pm
The festival includes crafters, food, live music, and Family Fun, long the promenade with entertanment both Days. Parade on Saturday, at 10am and runs along Ocean Ave.
Bradley Beach Boardwalk, Bradley Beach, NJ
Cost: Free

Memorial Day Weekend Boardwalk Craft Show
Mat 25 & 26
Boardwalk Craft Show on the Boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue, rain or shine! Artisans, handmade craft items, boutique items, gifts & more… Saturday from 9 am. – 5 pm. & Sunday from 9 am – 3 pm
4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
Cost: Free

Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival
May 25 – 27
This Memorial Day weekend, Monmouth Park’s biggest event – the Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival – is back on its normal date and back to its normal size. Come enjoy 35 of the Jersey Shore’s most mouth-watering food trucks. Sample everything from lobster rolls to Mac & Cheese to fried oreos. Amazing food, great music, live horse racing, and much more
Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport NJ
Cost: $6

Patrick Corcoran 5K Memorial Day Run
May 26, 8:30 am – 10:30 am
On Sunday, May 26, 2024, the Annual Run to Remember will be held in North Wildwood to benefit our veterans and those that have lost loved ones in service to their county. This run is going towards a great cause for our veterans who have guarded our borders and protected our country. All proceeds from this event will be donated to our veterans. Registration fee is $35. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m. This is a chip timed event with the following award categories: 1st overall male and female and top male and female in the following age groups: 1-14, 15-19, 20-2, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+. Race Start/Finish and registration will be at the North Wildwood Lifeguard Station, 16th Street and the Beach. All levels of runners are welcomed! Along with the 5k run, there will be a 1 mile walk. For more information call 267.566.8359 or 215.990.8689, or visit nwwvetrun.com
15th Street Beach North Wildwood, NJ
Cost: $35

23rd Annual Seaport Craft Show
May 26, 10 am – 5 pm
The Highlands Business Partnership will host the 23rd Annual Seaport Craft Show, Sunday, May 26th, from 10 am – 5 pm. Admission is free. Come experience a delightful collection of various handmade crafts from more than 60 crafters and artisans. Live music from 12PM- 4PM. There will be huge variety of unique gifts, art, jewelry and personal items at this Juried Show. This is a rain or shine event.
Huddy Park, 329 Bay Ave., Highlands, NJ
Cost: Free

Long Branch – Art in the Park
May 26, 10 am – 5 pm rain or shine
This annual show features local artists of the local art scene here in Monmouth County, NJ. Participants in this event include: Photography, Jewelry, Paintings, Sculpture, Mixed Media, Ceramic and Paintings.
West End Park (Brighton Avenue), Long Branch, NJ
Cost: Free

New Jersey Jerk Fest
May 26, 1 pm – 8 pm
This event features Caribbean cuisine, live music, and good vibes It’s a celebration of all things “jerk.” from spicy jerk chicken to flavorful jerk pork, Jerk Fish, Jerk Goat, Jerk Oxtail & Jerk Ice Cream there will be something for everyone to enjoy. There will be food trucks, food and beverage vendors, crafts, merchandise for sale, live music, kids’ activities, and more.
Boyd Park, New Brunswick, NJ
Cost: Tickets: $10 – $20

Cape May Music Festival
May 26 – June 23
Celebrating 35 years of bringing beautiful music to Cape May, NJ. Classical music lovers will welcome the return of the New York Chamber Ensemble performing two chamber concerts, the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players performing one chamber concert and the Bay Atlantic Symphony performing one chamber concert, and a second concert featuring the full symphony at Cape May Convention Hall. New York-based BAILEN returns, bringing their stellar musicianship and power trio vocals and guitar to Cape May Convention Hall. The award-winning Atlantic Brass Band returns this year in a free outdoor concert during Memorial Day Weekend. Jazz lovers will enjoy a Jazz Brunch at the Inn of Cape May featuring Mary Lou Newnam and Ray Mallach; the return this year of the exciting Atlanta-based cellist-songwriter, looper, improviser and storyteller, Okorie “OkCello” Johnson; and the heartfelt George Mesterhazy Tribute Concert in the intimate setting of the Episcopal Church of the Advent. Capping off this year’s festival is the exciting new Cape May Cabaret with Erich Cawalla & the Uptown Band Orchestra, at Cape May Convention Hall.
Cape May, NJ
Cost: Varies per event