NJIB’s Guide to 30+ New Jersey Events May 15th – 17th, 2026
It’s May…can you believe it?! New Jersey Isn’t Boring’s Guide to New Jersey Events May 15 – 17, 2026 is your go-to source for the best events happening across this great state! From fun festivals and food-filled weekends to family-friendly expos, live entertainment, and unique seasonal celebrations – there’s plenty to do this weekend!
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.
Bonus! Come see NJIB at Bell Works Fresh on Wednesday, May 13, Lunar Faire: Fairy/Tales on Saturday, May 16 and the Cranford Spring Street Fest on Sunday, May 17.
Featured!
Bloomfield Food Truck and Music Festival
May 15, 4 pm – 10 pm
FOOD TRUCK FRI-YAY is rolling into Bloomfield! Bloomfield Food Truck & Music Fest will feature 17 quality Food Trucks, Live Music, Beer, Sangria & Margarita Garden, Face Painting, pony rides, inflatables, Sand Art, Kids Activities, Vendors, a 50/50 and so much more! Live Music all Night long from MR LOVEJOY. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs, 4 legged friends & family! Benefit for St. Thomas the Apostle School
St Thomas the Apostle Parking Lot, 50 Byrd Ave,Bloomfield, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free
Country Jamboree Festival
May 16, 11 am – 8 pm
Get ready for a day filled with live music, delicious food, and good ol’ country fun. Bring your friends and family for a day of line dancing, BBQ, and great music from local country bands. Don’t forget to wear your best cowboy boots and hats!
Fireman’s Field, 144 Beach Street, Rockaway, NJ
Cost: $5
Clinton Twp Food Truck and Music Festival
May 17, 11 am – 7 pm
The Clinton Twp Food Truck & Music Fest features 17 gourmet food trucks, Live Music, vendors, beer, margarita & sangria garden, kid activities including pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, sand art, knockerball, bounce house, mini golf, slide & so much more. Event is being held at Bundt Park. Bring your appetite, friends, family, lawn chairs, pups and blankets!
8 Red School House Rd, Lebanon, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free
Cranford Spring Street Fest
May 17, 11 am – 5 pm
Step into a world of vibrant crafts, tantalizing tastes, and endless entertainment! Get ready to stroll through a kaleidoscope of crafts, flavors, and rhythms, where every corner holds a new adventure. This is a street-fair style event featuring 100+ artisans and Cranford Businesses along North Union Ave and Alden St. Admission is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Food Trucks and Live Music will be in the Fire Department parking lot next to the gazebo.
308 Union Ave N, Cranford, NJ
Cost: Free
Cape May Music Festival
Now – June 21
The Cape May Music Festival offers a diverse lineup of classical, chamber, and jazz performances in Cape May, NJ. Hosted by Cape May MAC, the festival features renowned ensembles like the Atlantic Brass Band, New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players, and New York Chamber Ensemble, along with unique events such as Bach’s Lunches, blending live music with fine dining. With performances held at scenic venues like Rotary Park and the Episcopal Church of the Advent, the festival showcases world-class musicians while enriching Cape May’s cultural scene. More details and tickets are available at capemaymac.org.
Cape May, NJ
Cost: Varies per event
Annual Greek Festival
May 14 – 17
World-famous cuisine, culture, music, and hospitality. There will be fun for the entire family including carnival games, cooked and grilled food, desserts and pastries, ouzo, beer, and live Greek music and dancing.
St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, 51 Paramus Rd. Paramus, NJ
Cost: Free
New Jersey Audubon’s Cape May Spring Festival
May 14 – 17
Why Cape May, New Jersey? National Geographic listed Cape May, NJ as one of ten World’s Best Destinations for Bird Watching. The unique combination of diverse habitats within a condensed area attracts an amazing variety of songbirds and shorebirds to the area every spring and fall. Witnessing Spring Migration in Cape May is something every birder should experience. Included with Registration: Thursday Evening Kick-Off Party, Consonance Collective’s Bird Inspired Musical Keynote Performance, Many Expert Guided Birding Walks and Field Trips to choose from, Informative Indoor Programs, and Viewing Stations with Naturalists on site.
Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Ave, Cape May, NJ
Cost: $60+. Kids 10 and under are free
New Jersey Seafood Festival
May 15 – 17
This popular family-friendly event offers an ultimate feast of crowd-pleasing fare — from gumbo, lobster rolls, and jambalaya, to coconut shrimp, crab legs, conch fritters, and more. In addition to some great seafood, live music is also a big part of the Belmar Seafood Festival. The lineup of bands includes popular area musicians performing live during all three days of the festival.
Pyanoe Plaza and Pyanoe Plaza Parking lot, Belmar, NJ
Cost: Free
Allaire Village Spring Craft & Vendor Show
May 16, 10 am – 4 pm
Join for Allaire Village’s Spring Craft Show and Historic Demonstrations throughout the village. Over 130 crafters, Allaire artisans, crafters, exhibits, historic demonstrations, and more to kick off Allaire Village’s Craft Show season in style! Local artists will be demonstrating and selling their works. Paintings, pottery, textiles and more! There will be craft demonstrations at the Carpenter, Blacksmith, and Tinsmith shops. General Store, Allaire Bakery, a Food Truck will be on site.
Allaire State Park, 4263 Atlantic Avenue Farmingdale, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 10 are free
Farm to Fleece
May 16, 10 am – 3 pm
Experience the tradition of sheep shearing the old-fashioned way at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. Discover how wool is transformed into beautiful fiber arts, meet the new baby animals, and enjoy a day of family-friendly farm activities for $10 per person, with children ages 2 and under attending for free.
73 Kahdena Road, Morristown, NJ
Cost: $10 per person
Lake Hopatcong Block Party
May 16, 10 am – 4 pm
The Lake Hopatcong Block Party offers a unique Main Street-style experience in a beautiful lakeside setting. Hosted by the Lake Hopatcong Foundation, this event brings visitors together with businesses, non-profit organizations, community groups, crafters, and food vendors for a community day like no other featuring activities, entertainment, raffles, a children’s scavenger hunt, and more.
Hopatcong State Park, 260 Lakeside Blvd, Landing, NJ
Cost: Free; donations welcome
History Day
May 16, 10 am – 4 pm
Learn about the history in your backyard from local, state, and national historical organizations. Visit Revolutionary War and Civil War camps, see historical weapons demonstrations, and meet Generals George Washington, Rochambeau, Anthony Wayne, and Colonel Stephen Moylan. Bring a blanket or a chair and enjoy live music with a special performance by the Raritan Valley Symphonic Band. This event features wheelchair-accessible wagon rides, crafts, skilled artisans, and more. From the 18th century to the 20th century, there is something for everyone at History Day.
1050 River Rd, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: Free
Bell Works Fresh Saturday Farmer + Makers Market
May 16, 11 am – 4 pm
Discover a curated selection of handmade goods, vintage finds, delicious food, produce, and more from talented local makers and food purveyors.
Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Rd, Holmdel, NJ
Cost: Free
Montclair Porchfest
May 16, 11 am – 5 pm
The streets, porches, and neighborhoods of Montclair come alive with music, energy, and community spirit. Montclair Porchfest showcases incredible talent that will be performing all across town on May 16th from 11AM–5PM. There will be a total of 211 live band performances across 85 porch locations.
Montclair, NJ
Cost: Free
Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show
May 16, 11 am – 5 pm
Come on down to Woodbridge for the Annual Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show and enjoy a day of family fun with original and interesting Arts & Crafts, Artists, Crafters, Vendors, Food, Games, Family Fun, live music, DJ, performances and more!
Main St and Amboy Ave, Woodbridge, NJ
Cost: Free
Hackettstown International Day and Maifest
May 16, 12 pm – 5 pm
Come support your local artists, crafters, shops, eateries & beer brewers during the Hackettstown Maifest & International Day celebration! This is a family-friendly event with live entertainment, activities, business specials, and vendors by the Marketspace. Join this festive celebration highlighting Hackettstown’s diverse culture with an assortment of cuisine and craft beers. Enjoy browsing an array of local artists work. The festival will take place on Valentine and Grand Avenues. Free to enter.
200 4th Ave, Hackettstown, NJ
Cost: Free
Keansburg Food Truck Festival
May 16, 2 pm – 7 pm
Join the fun for annual Food Truck Festival in Keansburg!. 2pm-5pm DJ’ing will be No limit Entertainment. 5pm-7pm will be live music featuring Michael Patrick, and the Margarita thrills (Jimmy Buffett cover band). FREE face painting, balloon artist, bounce house and more.
1 Beachway Ave, Keansburg, NJ
Cost: Free
Rhythm & Brews
May 16, 3 pm – 9 pm
The Rhythm returns, and the Brews too.. LOCAL Music -LOCAL Artisans -LOCAL Food and -LOCAL Brews. This kick-ass Music Festival takes place on Station Ave. in super HIP, historic downtown Haddon Heights! The 500 and 600 block of Station Ave. will be open to “FOOT TRAFFIC ONLY” for this event! A stage will be set for Music and additional music will be added in random places on the ave. The avenue will be lined with libations-Food Trucks- Live performances-and festival lovers. Cups/tickets can be purchased at the door day of. One dollar from each cup sold will go to Pediatric Cancer awareness.
Station Ave, Haddon Twp, NJ
Cost: Free
Lunar Faire: Fairy/Tales
May 16, 5 pm – 10 pm
The Lunar Faire Night Market brings a whimsical “Fairytales in Freehold” theme to the East Freehold Showgrounds on May 16, inviting guests to explore an immersive world of magic and mystery. This enchanting evening features a Fairy Float Parade, a vibrant marketplace of “witchy” vendors, fire dancing, and a community drum circle. Whether participating in trinket trading or enjoying non-alcoholic brews from the Potions Lab, attendees are encouraged to arrive in their finest storybook or fae attire for a night of curated chaos and moonlight celebration.
East Freehold Showgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Rd, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $15 in advance, $25 at the door
Meadowlands Beerfest
May 16, 5 – 9 pm (VIP starts at 4 pm)
Over 60 participating producers, vendors, and local NJ breweries highlight Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment’s Annual Beer Festival. All ticket holders have access to samplings, pairings, educational seminars and more. Must be 21 & older to attend.
Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment – The BackyardEast Rutherford, NJ
Cost: $45 GA, $70 VIP, $15 DD
MayFest
May 16 & 17, 10 am – 5 pm
Historic Smithville host’s over 100 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids’ activities, non-profit organizations and much more! All of this is in addition to their 50 Shoppes, carousel ride, train ride, paddle boats, 7 eateries, and antique arcades that are located at the Village year-round!
Time 10 -5
Smithville Village, 615 E Moss Mill Rd, Smithville, NJ
Cost: Free
Rose Squared Art Show Verona Park
May 16 & 17, 10 am – 5 pm
Rose Squared Art Shows presents more than 90 artisans at Verona Park. This event showcases both fine art and fine craft with works in apothecary, artisanal foods, ceramics, jewelry, wood, digital art, decorative and wearable fiber, furniture, glass, painting, 2D/3D mixed media and photography. The event is rain or shine.
475 Bloomfield Ave, Verona, NJ
Cost: Free
Ocean Fun Days
May 16 & 17, 11 am – 3 pm
This free family-friendly event features eco tours, children’s activities, games and more. In addition, there will be interactive workshops with marine scientists and researchers to learn about our amazing coastline and ways you can help protect the environment.
Island Beach State Park, Seaside Heights, NJ & NJ Sea Grant Consortium, Sandy Hook, NJ
Cost: Free
Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival
May 16 & 17, 12 pm – 7 pm
The Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival returns to the Jersey Shore on May16 & 17 – bigger and more delicious than ever! The New Jersey VegFest is proud to bring you the Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival! All vegans, vegetarians, veg-curious folks and friends of all kinds are welcome. They’ll have live music all day, and outdoor bar, and the absolutely BEST vegan food the East Coast has to offer!
Bradley Park, 101-199 5th Ave Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: $20+
PicklePalooza!
May 16 & 17, 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 on Saturday.
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ
Tickets: $16 in advance and $20 at the door. Under 21 are free
Wallisch Homestead Flea & Vintage Marketplace
May 17, 9 am – 4 pm
This beautiful 99-acre site will host a vintage and antique section, along with a diverse marketplace featuring new items, crafts, and garage-sale finds. Also enjoy a variety of selections from local food trucks and live music throughout the day. Hosted by the Friends of the Wallisch Homestead.
65 Lincoln Ave., West Milford, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
JC’s Annual Kenilworth Street Fair & Classic Car Show
May 17, 10 am – 4 pm
Hosted by the Borough of Kenilworth, the Boulevard will be closed to vehicle traffic from 14th St. to 23rd St. and transformed into a giant block party from 10 am-4:00 pm. This event will feature quality exhibitors, a special crafter’s section, lots of great food, kiddie rides, a kids’ area, live music and performances, local merchants & civic organizations, and a large classic car show. The car show starts on the west end of the event at 14th Street. Shop along the Boulevard with over 100 quality exhibitors selling jewelry, handbags, sports collectibles, clothing, home decor, and more. There is a special section featuring handmade crafts from local and nearby crafters and artisans, with unique, one-of-a-kind items.
567 Boulevard, Kenilworth, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
Books and Blooms
May 17, 11 am – 4 pm
Books & Blooms is a nostalgic Scholastic-style book fair for adults — reimagined for the modern reader and plant enthusiast. Guests will browse curated book selections, meet local authors, enjoy live music, and shop from a thoughtfully chosen collection of local makers, artists, and small businesses — all while surrounded by the gardens in full bloom. There will be hands-on crafts and workshops throughout the event. Cream Ridge Winery will be joining, and AHS Tinton Falls will be present with adoptable pets.
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ
Cost. $5
Maplewood Street Fair & Craft Show
May 17, 11 am – 5 pm
Come on down to Maplewood for the Annual Maplewood Street Fair & Craft Show and enjoy a day of family fun with original and interesting Arts & Crafts, Artists, Crafters, Vendors, Food, Games, Family Fun, live music, DJ, performances and more!
Springfield Ave and Rutgers St, Maplewood, NJ
Cost: Free
Freehold Porch Festival
May 17, 12 pm – 5 pm
Stroll the streets of Freehold Borough and enjoy live music from awesome local bands performing on porches all over town. Don’t miss out on this fantastic day in Downtown Freehold! Bring your friends and family for a celebration of music and community spirit. Also including a Band Competition giving you a chance to vote for your favorite band to perform at one of next year’s concert series shows… Vote by circling your favorite contest participants in the voting section on your map and return it to the DowntownFreehold.com Tent.
Downtown Freehold, NJ, Maps of Entertainment Locations and Times will be distributed at the Downtown Freehold Gazebo 10E Main Street.
Cost: Free
New Jersey Seafood & BBQ Festival
May 17, 12 pm – 7 pm
The Seafood & BBQ Festival is rolling into Mercer County Park for one unforgettable day packed with smoke, spice, and seaside flavor. Expect Southern-style ribs, Texas brisket, Cajun shrimp, lobster rolls, Caribbean jerk, Korean BBQ, fish tacos, and more!
Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under are free
