40+ New Jersey Free Events April 2024

Looking for free events to enjoy in New Jersey this April? From vibrant festivals to educational workshops, the Garden State has many exciting activities for all ages and interests. Explore local art exhibitions, join community clean-up initiatives, or attend outdoor concerts—all without spending a dime. Whether you’re a New Jersey resident or just visiting, April is the perfect time to experience the diverse and lively events that the state has to offer, without breaking the bank.

Always check the weather and the event links before you attend in case of cancellations and rescheduling.

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 Free Events April 2024:

Boonton’s First Friday: Earth Day/Town Clean Up
April 5, 5 pm – 9 pm
Boonton’s First Friday Earth Day event promises an evening of eco-friendly fun and education for all ages. Taking place on April 5th from 5-9pm, this event celebrates sustainability and environmental awareness. Visitors can enjoy live music, local art, and delicious food from sustainable vendors. There will be interactive activities and workshops focused on recycling, upcycling, and reducing waste. Join the Boonton community in honoring Earth Day and learn how to make a positive impact on the planet.
Downtown Boonton, NJ

Wheaton Springs
April 6, 10 am – 4 pm
Celebrate the start of WheatonArts’ 2024 creative season with this free kick-off event highlighting our many daily offerings and hands-on programming! Explore thought-provoking exhibits in the Museum of American Glass and Down Jersey Folklife Center, showcasing glass collections and the complexities and values of traditional arts through modern-day times. Experience various artist demonstrations throughout the campus, including glassmaking, pottery, large-scale murals, 3D printing, and more. Discover a series of hands-on projects to create across campus including a Community Wings collaborative art project and discounted glass-fused magnets in the Education Studio. Enjoy a bite to eat from food vendors and listen to live music.Wheaton Springs offers every visitor the chance to explore, experience, and create across a campus that inspires and heals the senses. Admission to all WheatonArts exhibits and artist studio demonstrations are FREE and open to the public, part of “Family Days! Presented by PNC Arts Alive!” Learn more at wheatonarts.org.
1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ

Jersey City Night Market
April 6, 3 pm – 9 pm
Celebrate small business and everything chill about Chilltown. Eat delicious and international bites, shop from our artists & artisans, dance as the DJs bring the energy.
179 Montgomery St 179 Montgomery Street Jersey City, NJ

OC Con
April 6 & 7
Join Comic Book and Memorabilia enthusiasts in Ocean City, New Jersey at the OC Con on April 6th-7th, 2024 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ

Montclair Art Walk
April 11, 4 – 9 pm
Montclair’s Art Walk returns on Thursday, April 11th, from 4-9pm! After a hiatus, the event is back to bridge the gap between businesses and the arts community, promising an evening filled with culture, creativity, and inspiration throughout Montclair Center. For those new to Art Walk, it’s a collaboration between Montclair’s creative culture and local businesses. Businesses host pop-up exhibitions by local artists, turning downtown into a vibrant arts destination. The event offers the community a chance to shop, dine, buy original art, and network. The evening will also feature family-friendly events in the park, live-art painting of murals by local artists, and talks by artists and entrepreneurs about process, creation, and community.
Downtown Montclair, NJ

Westfield Community Concert Band Spring Concert
April 12, 7:30 pm – 9 pm
Westfield Community Concert Band annual Spring Concert featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, Gilbert and Sullivan, contemporary composer, Philip Sparke and others. Made possible by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Roosevelt Intermediate School , 301 Clark Street, Westfield, NJ

Beach Sweeps
April 13, 9 am – 12:30 pm
The Beach Sweeps are held at over 80+ locations throughout New Jersey on Saturday, April 13, 2024.
Various Locations in NJ

Daffodil Day
April 13, 10 am – 4 pm
Spring arrives with horse-drawn surrey rides, live music, artisan demonstrations, family activities, and seasonal merchant sales & specials.
Downtown Moorestown, NJ

JC Baby Fair in Downtown Jersey City
April 13, 10 am – 2 pm
Whether you are thinking of having a baby, are expecting, or are a new mom, JC Baby Fair, a Baby Fair in Jersey City, is just the event for you. The event will information for expecting parents, product samples, and giveaway. You must register in advance.
Hamilton Park Montessori School Annex, 175 8th Street, Jersey City, NJ

Ocean City Doo Dah Parade
April 13, 12 pm – 2 pm
The Doo Dah Parade Welcome in the Spring season with this comedy parade complete with over 300 basset hounds. It begins Noon on Asbury Ave. from 6th Street to 12th Street and then up to the Boardwalk ending at 6th & Boardwalk.
Ocean City, NJ

NJ Queer and Trans Makers Market
April 13, 12 pm – 6 pm
This in-person event is a fantastic opportunity to support and connect with local queer and trans artists, crafters, and makers. Discover unique handmade products, from art and jewelry to clothing and home goods. Come on down to North 4th Avenue and immerse yourself in a vibrant and inclusive atmosphere.
CoLAB Arts Center, 9 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ

Bloomfest
April 14, 11 am – 5 pm
Enjoy a family day in New Jersey’s pinkest park! A packed schedule of events includes Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, food and more!
Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Mill Street Entrance, Belleville + Prudential Concert Grove, Clifton Avenue Entrance, Newark, NJ

Art In Bloom: A Fine Arts Festival
April 14, 11 am – 4 pm
A brand new festival in historic downtown Clinton: Art in Bloom! A town-wide Fine Arts & Crafts festival where artists and local artisans will showcase and sell their works among the charming local shops and eateries that line the beautiful downtown.
43 Leigh Street, Clinton, NJ

Red Bank Street Fair
April 14, 11 am – 5 pm
Visit downtown Red Bank for the annual spring Street Fair and enjoy a day filled with crafters, food vendors and tons of shopping! Plus this a great day to explore the downtown and check out some new shops – and some of your favorites! Vendors will be setup along Monmouth Street and part of Broad Street (roads will be closed to vehicle traffic).
Downtown Red Bank, NJ

Jersey City Oddities Market: Spring Mourning
April 14, 12 pm – 6 pm
Established in 2016, as the JC Oddities Market, The Jersey City Alternative Art Market is a pop up marketplace that focuses on the niche oddities and alternative art community. They host over one hundred local taxidermists, artists, jewelers, and crafters.
Makers Square, 2845 John F Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ

Kites at the Pier Festival
April 20,  9 am – 4 pm
A day of great family fun featuring kite flyers from all areas of the eastern seaboard flying their most incredible creations! Every kind of kite imaginable will be at the annual Kites at the Pier Festival. Kites of all shapes and sizes – from inflatable flying creatures to traditional kites – will be flying high over the beach between Avenue and McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch. A dazzling display of giant kites will be visible for miles and miles.
Pier Village, Ocean Ave and Centennial Dr, Long Branch, NJ

Collingswood Green Festival
April 20, 9 am – 2 pm
Celebrate spring and all things green by joining your friends and neighbors at Collingswood’s Annual Green Festival, located just off Haddon Ave on Irvin Ave near the PATCO High-Speed line. Enjoy Local sustainable food, organic gardening, water conservation, renewable energy, environmentally-friendly construction, and more. You will also get an opportunity to learn about smart green living from local activists and experts. Activities for kids include a Fun Zone featuring face painting, sidewalk chalk drawing, games, arts and crafts, and more
Irvin Ave, Collingswood, NJ

Earth Day Celebration featuring The NJ Folk & Bluegrass Festival
April 20, 11 am – 4 pm
This FREE, family friendly, open air event will showcase hyperlocal local businesses, fitness, green artisans and engaging green and nature-themed activities for all ages. As an exciting new addition, this year will feature the first annual NJ Folk & Bluegrass Music Festival showcasing the area’s most talented musicians.
770 Jackson Street Hoboken, NJ
Cost: Free

Trout Fest 2024
April 20, 12 pm – 4 pm
Enjoy an afternoon celebrating spring and fly fishing in historic Califon. There will be a kids’ fishing derby, rubber ducky races, casting competition, instructional events and a presentation by the Colonial Angler, along with a beer garden, food trucks, live music and quality local artisans.
103 Mill Road, Califon, NJ

Jersey City Night Market- JSQ
April 20, 2 pm – 8 pm
The Jersey City Night Market returns! Join in celebrating small businesses and the relaxed vibe of Chilltown. Indulge in delicious international bites, shop from local artists and artisans, and groove to the beats of our DJs. The event is free to enter, open to the public, and family and pet-friendly. It runs from 2pm to 8pm. While tickets aren’t required, reservations are appreciated to help vendors prepare. The event is rain or shine.
Magnolia Landing, 136 Magnolia Ave Jersey City, NJ

Shad Festival
April 20 & 21, 11 am – 5 pm
Now in its 41st year, The Shad Festival has evolved from a local art show into a nationally recognized award-winning event. Shad Fest features the area’s finest artists and crafters, great food, and family entertainment, but the two-day extravaganza also serves as a venue for local non-profit organizations to raise necessary operating funds.
Lambertville, NJ

Smithville Renaissance Faire
April 20 & 21
Join the players of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire and travel back to the days of yore and merry Olde England as the Historic Village of Smithville is transformed into the Shire of Smithville in the heart of the English Renaissance. The good Duke of Northumberland has decreed merriment for all! This event is fun for the whole family and includes comedy, tragedy, sword fighting, dance, song, knights, jesters and so much more. Also stroll amongst the wares of the local vendors and traveling merchants sporting historical gifts and finely crafted items.
615 East Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ

Earth Fair
April 21, 11 am – 4 pm
Attendees can immerse themselves in nature, learn about plant care, land stewardship, and personal well-being while being entertained by musicians, storytellers, presenters, and artists at Earth Fair 2024 in Historic Smithville Park. The event focuses on recycling and reusing items at home and in the garden, offering activities like dropping off plastic flowerpots and participating in a Plant Swap tent. Visitors can also explore the Recycling & Clean Communities Tent, featuring a new “Recycling Center Virtual Tour” video. Other highlights include Wheelie Good Smoothies, live music from bands like April, Mae, and the June Bugs, presentations and demos on topics such as wildlife gardening and mushroom growing, an Artisan Marketplace with upcycled goods, a Pop-Up Nature Center, kid’s activities like storytelling and the Recycle Olympics, and a variety of food trucks and a beer garden.
803 Smithville Road, Eastampton, NJ

Bradley Beach Earth Day Festival and Green Fair
April 21, 11 am – 4 pm
The Bradley Beach Green Fair is a free family-friendly event that promotes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The Green Fair will introduce sustainability to all members of the community, help educate them about the difference that conscious efforts in conservation and recycling can make and provide them with tools that they can take home and use.
Riley Park, Bradley Beach, NJ

Stirling’s Annual Street Fair
April 21, 10 am – 5 pm
Sponsored by the Long Hill Chamber of Commerce, this event takes place along Main Avenue between Mercer & Somerset Streets from 10am to 5pm, come rain or shine. The street transforms into a bustling block party, closed to vehicle traffic. Featuring quality exhibitors, an arts & crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides & games, and an array of festival foods & food trucks, there’s something for everyone. Local merchants & civic organizations offer goodies along Union & Essex Streets. Attendees can enjoy live music, dancing, karate demonstrations, and more, while indulging in carnival favorites like sausage & pepper sandwiches, cheese steaks, and fresh squeezed lemonade. The “Kidz Traveling Shindig” boasts kiddie bounce rides, face painters, and interactive games. Accessible via NJ Transit Train to Stirling Station, with parking available at the Train Station lot and side streets.
393 Main Ave. Stirling, NJ

Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration
April 21, 12 pm – 4 pm
The Gloucester County Certified Gardeners are hosting The Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration on April 21, 2024 from 12:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Red Bank Battlefield 100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, N.J. Admission is free and we will have many free family-friendly activities. Come celebrate Earth Day with us at the Spring Festival with free Earth Day and Colonial activities. See attached for more details. For more information contact Elaine Schreiter at 865-224-8045 or email us at gardener@co.gloucester.nj.us. Thanks for your consideration.
Red Bank Battlefield, 100 Hession Avenue, National Park, NJ

Haddonfield Music Festival
April 26, 1 pm – 6 pm
Haddonfield’s First-Ever FREE Music Festival is coming to Downtown Haddonfield featuring live, original music by popular headliners on the main stage and Haddonfield-based talent on a local stage. The event will be on Kings Highway on Saturday, April 27, from 1 to 6 p.m. in Downtown Haddonfield. The Camden County Government and Visit South Jersey will provide multiple stages and other support to help the Borough make its first festival a smashing success.
Kings Highway, Haddonfield, NJ

Smithville’s Earth Day
April 26, 4 pm – 7 pm
In a harmonious blend of eco-conscious shopping and festive celebration, Go Green Galloway is thrilled to announce the 4th annual Earth Day Green Market, taking place on Friday, April 26, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Village Green in Historic Smithville.
615 East Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ

Smithville Art Walk
April 27, 10 am – 5 pm
Stop by the Village to see over 75 local artists display their work. Historic Smithville also has 60 Shoppes, 7 eateries, a carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats, arcade, on site lodging at the Colonial Inn, and over 26 free weekend events.
615 East Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ

Made in Monmouth
April 27, 10 am – 4 pm
Made In Monmouth is a program for both vendors to create useful new products that the public will want to buy and for visitors to find the best Monmouth made products to enrich their lives! Shop local by supporting local goods like kid friendly items, baked goods, art work, jewelry, pet items and more!
Brookdale Community College, in the Collins Arena & Recreation Events Center, Lincroft, NJ

Rutgers Day
April 27, 10 am – 4 pm
Rutgers Day, is a free day-long event where you can explore your state university. Experience hands-on learning activities, enjoy entertaining stage performances, and see exhibitions and demonstrations hosted by accomplished professors, staff, and students from Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, and Rutgers University–Newark.
Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers University–New Brunswick, and Rutgers University–Newark.

Sparta Special Olympics 2024 Spring Vendor & Craft Fair
April 27, 10 am to 3 pm
With over 60 vendors of all types, including food trucks, attendees can expect a vibrant atmosphere. The event will feature the return of their beloved bulldog friends, and visitors are encouraged to visit the kissing booth. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. Local crafters and small business owners will convene at Sparta High School to showcase their products and talents. The event aims to support the Sparta Special Olympics and Special Olympics NJ Area 3, fostering inclusivity and spreading awareness. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the inspiring Athletes of Determination and offer them well wishes for the 2024 season. The fair will take place outdoors in the front parking lot of Sparta High School, come rain or shine.
70 W. Mountain Road, Sparta Township, NJ

April Craft & Antique Show in Rancocas Woods
April 27, 10 am – 4 pm
A monthly outdoor market featuring an eclectic mix of locally handmade, vintage, and antique goods.
Rancocas Woods, 118 Creek Road, Mount Laurel, NJ

New Jersey Folk Festival
April 27, 10 am – 5 pm
A family-friendly one day folk festival featuring three stages of music, dancing, craft vendors, children’s activities, and food. The New Jersey Folk Festival’s 2023 festival theme is “Garden State: Cultures of Cultivation” will explore the many creative and culturally unique approaches to the arts of gardening, agriculture, and food. Harvest songs and dances, community gardening organizations, seed saving, and more. It showcases the folk tradition and aspires to share it with the younger generations.
Douglass Campus at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Autism Walk/Classic Car/Bike Fundraiser
April 27, 11 am – 4 pm
This is a fundraiser to promote Autism Awareness. This fundraiser includes a Classic Car and Motorcycle Show to raise funds for WallynZavy’s Autistic Kids Can Do with GWiz Auto Entertainment. The walk will start at 1010 Park Ave and end at Cedarbrook Park on Park Ave. and Randolph Rd, in Plainfield, NJ. This is an event that is free to enter and all are welcomed to come. There is a fee for vendors, and it includes a 10×10 space. The fee for, for profits it is $35.00 and for non-profits it is $20. Food vendors need to contact the Health Dept. for their permit. Registration for all cars and bikes contact George Withers (GWIz) at 908-482-8132 or gwiz2carwash@aol.com
1010 Park Ave, Plainfield, NJ

Elmwood Park’s Spring Festival
April 27, 11 am – 5 pm
This event is hosted by the Elmwood Park Recreation Department and will be held on Market Street and the Recreation Field from 11 am-5 pm, rain or shine. The street will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event and will be transformed into a giant block party. If you like shopping outdoors then this is the place to be. We have quality exhibitors selling a selection of assorted items, a special arts & crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides & games, great festival foods & food trucks, and so much more. Local organizations are welcome to join this community event. As you stroll along stop to have a bite to eat and sit at tables in our live music area. See the show we have planned with live music, dancing, karate demonstrations, and more. So come hungry and enjoy eating carnival food favorites like a sausage & pepper sandwich, cheese steaks, kettle corn, chicken fingers, ice cream, zeppole, shish kabobs, gyros, fresh cut fries, fresh squeezed lemonade, Italian ice, and the many great gourmet foods from the food trucks.
300 Market St Elmwood Park, NJ

Princeton Porchfest
April 27, 12 pm – 6 pm
The third annual Princeton Porchfest will be held Saturday, April 27 from 12-6pm. Porchfest is a walkable music festival where neighbors offer up their front porches as DIY concert venues. Talented local performers play rotating sets throughout the neighborhood during this day-long celebration of music, art, and our wonderful community. Stroll from porch to porch to enjoy live, local talent! Porchfest is free, open to the public, and designed to be easily accessible by foot and bike. Plus, town is full of amazing options for lunch, dinner, and drinks.
Princeton, NJ

Ales on the Rails- Mount Ephraim
April 27, 2 pm – 7 pm
Beer, food, vendors, family activities, music, & more at the annual Mount Ephraim Ales on the Rails event! Local breweries such as: Tonewood Brewing, Bout the Hops Brewing, Red, White, and Brew, Crossroads, Kings Road Brewing, and more! Food trucks such as Dominic’s Tavern, Il Fuoco Dentro, and more! Plus craft vendors, live DJ and bands, free activities for kids… it’s all happening in Mount Ephraim! Hosted by the Mount Ephraim Celebrations Committee, with support from Bobby Ray’s Blackhorse Tavern, Advantage Roofing, Kingsgate Realty, and the Democrat Club of Mount Ephraim.
225 W. Kings Hwy, Mount Ephraim NJ

Clover Market
April 28, 10 am – 4 pm
Join Clover Market for their only NJ Market of the spring season in downtown Collingswood. Featuring a curated group of 100 handmade and vintage vendors plus food trucks, music and more. Free admission, open to all. Leashed-friendly dogs are welcome.
601 Haddon Avenue Collingswood, NJ

Montclair’s Earth Fest
April 28, 12 pm – 4 pm
Earth Fest’s mission is to raise awareness and drive action in safeguarding the planet’s natural resources, ecosystems, and biodiversity. The event urges individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to embrace eco-friendly practices, minimize their carbon footprint, and support policies that prioritize environmental conservation. Through diverse educational programs, Earth Fest seeks to educate people of all ages about critical environmental challenges and inspire them to enact positive changes in their everyday routines to protect the Earth for future generations.
South Park Street, Montclair, NJ

Spring Market & Dog Adoption Event
April 28, 12 pm – 5 pm
Peach Tree Design Shop is thrilled to announce its inaugural Spring Market & Dog Adoption Event. Meet adoptable dogs from the non-profit See Spot Rescued, discover the joys of fostering, and shop from local vendors to help raise funds for dogs in need. Join the pawty Sunday, April 28th from 12-5pm, hosted by The Green Room at 20 Church Street in Montclair, NJ. Meet the dogs and support local vendors including Peach Tree Design Shop with cute flair, Macs by Marla with macarons, Sweetz & Savory with empanadas, The Feisty Pup with dog treats and apparel, and PhoebeNYC with permanent jewelry. There will be a raffle on site benefiting the See Spot Rescued pups
The Green Room, 20 Church Street, Montclair, NJ