NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Events Mother’s Day Weekend
We’re in full on Spring Mode…and Mother’s Day Weekend is here. New Jersey Isn’t Boring’s Guide to New Jersey Events Mother’s Day Weekend 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 Asbury Fresh on Sunday, May 10!
New Jersey Events Mother’s Day Weekend:
Featured!
Jersey City Tequila and Mezcal Fest
May 8, 6:30 pm – 10 pm
The Jersey City Tequila Fest is a perfect opportunity for Tequila and Mezcal enthusiasts to meet up with friends and enjoy a wide variety of tequila and spirits. Tequila Fest is your all-access pass to tequila and spirits from around the world. Guests will enjoy unlimited samples throughout the evening, paired with live entertainment, food, and interactive games. With over 100 styles, it’s a great place to discover new libations and speak to representatives. Tequila Fest will also feature amazing vendors to purchase everything from New York-made products. Guests will enjoy unlimited samples, paired with live music and food from Mozzarepas, Taste of Poland, Chavas Empanadas, Angry Archies, and more.
Harborside Atrium, 210 Hudson St, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: $65. DD tickets available. Save 40% off with code NJIB
Bayonne Food Truck Festival
May 9, 12 pm – 7 pm
Celebrating the City of Bayonne! The event will be taking place on May 9, 2026, from 12 pm-7 pm Take in the community atmosphere, kids rides, live music and Beer garden. Enjoy a day of trying food from the best food trucks in Jersey, as well as fun activities for the whole family. Hosted by the City of Bayonne, there is no cover charge to enter, so bring the whole family and enjoy a day of food, music, and fun.
22nd- 24th St Ave E, Bayonne, NJ
Cost: Free
The Spring NJ Gem Show
May 6 – 10
One of America’s leading gem show promoters is bringing a spectacular showcase of rare gemstones, precious minerals, prehistoric fossils, crystals, meteorites, and more. The event will also feature a host of family-friendly interactive elements like a dino dig pit, metal detecting, geode cracking, gemstone sluicing, and panning for gemstones, as well as a rubber ducky hunt throughout the event grounds, which can be exchanged for special prizes.
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison, NJ
Cost: $15+
Merchantville Art Walk
May 8, 6 pm – 9 pm
Tour the town and take in an incredible collection of works from local artists. Local businesses teamed up with artists to show their work for one night. Live Music will take place at several places, and you can freely walk around and enjoy all the beautiful spaces in Merchantville.
East Maple Ave, Merchantville, NJ
Garden State Wine Growers Mother’s Day Weekend Wine Trail
May 8 – 10
Celebrate with Mom while discovering all that Garden State wine country has to offer. A journey on the Mother’s Day Wine Trail promises to honor the extraordinary ladies in your life. What to expect on the Garden State Wine Growers Association Mother’s Day Wine Trail:
– Gorgeous vineyards with outdoor seating and live entertainment
– Special Mother’s Day drinks and tastings with commentary by expert sommeliers
– Food trucks, fire pits, market umbrellas, flowers, and Mother’s Day wine glasses
– Candle making and succulent planting
– Brunch, lunch, specialty desserts and wine flights
Participating Wineries in NJ
Cost: Varies per event
Certified Gardener Spring Garden Expo and Plant Sale
May 9, 9 am – 2 pm
The Gloucester County Certified Gardeners are proud to present the Certified Gardener Spring Expo and Plant Sale, a community event celebrating the start of the gardening season. This annual event invites gardeners of all experience levels—from beginners planting their first vegetables to experienced growers looking for unique plants—to spend a day learning, exploring, and preparing for a successful growing season. Held in the beautiful setting of Scotland Run Park, the event offers visitors an opportunity to purchase a wide variety of high-quality plants, receive expert gardening advice, and learn more about creating healthy and productive gardens at home.
Scotland Run Park, 980 E. Academy St., Clayton, NJ
Cost: Free
The Hermitage Museum Vintage & Antique Fair
May 9, 10 am – 4 pm
Stop by…shop a little, relax, and enjoy the good food, great music, and 60+ exhibitors. You will be pleasantly surprised by the array of top-notch exhibitors selling quality items, and collectibles. All exhibitors are handpicked for their unique items, hand-made creations, start-ups, and well-groomed businesses, and together they create this posh marketplace. Held on the grounds of the Hermitage Museum, this event is open 10 am-4 pm and will feature gourmet food trucks and live music throughout the day. Come Hungry! See below for all the food trucks that will be there. Stay awhile and enjoy the “Sounds of Richie G”, playing from 11:30 am-3:30 pm.
335 North Franklin Turnpike, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
Cost: $5
Spring Blossom Festival at Riamede Farm
May 9, 10 am – 4 pm
Join Riamede Farm for their annual celebration of spring and their beautiful apple blossoms at the 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.
122 Oakdale Road, Chester, NJ
Cost: $5 in advance, $7 at the gate
Creative Arts & Music Festival
May 9, 10 am – 4 pm
The annual Creative Arts & Music Festival features a variety of fine artists and artisans with offerings such as mixed media, painting, photography, jewelry, pottery, and more. Plus, enjoy live music by some of the best local musicians. Food vendors, artist demonstrations, and free activities will be happening throughout the day.
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ
Cost: Free
Annual Azalea Festival
May 9, 10 am – 4 pm
Held only on Mother’s Day weekend each year. This event takes place in the historic Hamilton Square, Sayen House and Gardens, a sanctuary for nature lovers, garden enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Enjoy seeing over 250,000 flowering bulbs, dogwoods, azaleas and rhododendron, In addition to touring the grounds’ collection of beautifully landscaped walking paths, fountains, bridges, lakes, gazebos, and breathtaking scenery, attendees can enjoy crafters, food, music, entertainment, and more
Sayen Park Botanical Garden, 155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton Township, NJ
Cost: Free
Rescue Pawlooza
May 9, 11 am – 4 pm
Shore Saves is hosting their annual Rescue Pawlooza, the fundraising event that helps their non-profit rescue dogs from NJ’s overcrowded shelters all year long.This 21+, humans-only event is one you don’t want to miss! Plus, no matter how you participate, you’ll help save dogs. This event is Shore Save’s biggest fundraiser of the year. 100% of event proceeds go directly to providing their dogs with shelter, medical care, food, training, and love while they find their forever families.
Bar Anticipation (Bar A) in Lake Como, NJ
Cost: $25
Hot Rods & Harleys
May 9, 11 am – 7 pm
The annual Hot Rods & Harleys event is revving up for another spectacular day of family fun! Join for a celebration of classic cars, motorcycles, live music, and local food vendors.
Downtown Rahway, NJ
Cost: Free
Branchburg Food Truck and Music Festival
May 9, 11 am – 7 pm
The Food Trucks are rolling into Branchburg. Food! Beer! Music! Fun! It’s a fun filled family day – 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, beer, margaritas & sangria, Live Music with some incredible bands, kid activities, bungee trampoline, rock wall, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, knockerball, miniature golf, inflatable hatchet throwing, sand art, spin art, & so much more. In conjunction with Branchburg Township & A Benefit for North Branch Volunteer Fire Company, Readington Vol Fire Co, Country Hills, Neshanic Fire Co. Bring your family, friends, appetite, lawn chairs, pop ups and blankets. Dogs permitted.
White Oak Park, 235 Baird Road, Branchburg, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free
Northern New Jersey BBQ Festival
May 9, 12 pm – 7 pm
Get ready, New Jersey — it’s time to turn up the heat! The Northern NJ BBQ Festival is rolling into Garfield for one epic day of smoke, sauce, and sizzling flavor. BBQ from Around the World — featuring American, Polish, Asian, Greek, Southern-style ribs, Texas brisket, Korean BBQ, Caribbean jerk, Argentinean asado, and more. Southern seafood favorites plus a mouthwatering mix of non-BBQ eats — burgers, empanadas, seafood, desserts, and vegetarian options. Beer garden & craft cocktails, including local breweries and BBQ-inspired drinks. Live music all day and more.
20th Century Field, Garfield, NJ
Cost: $5, kids under 5 are free
Meadowlands Racetrack Burger Battle
May 9, 5 pm – 11 pm
Come out to purchase and taste some of the best burgers in the area as local joints compete for cash prizes and title of Best Burger! Plus plenty of other food trucks serving everything from empanadas to ice cream to bbq. Think you have the best burger in town? Impress the judges on Saturday, May 9 for a chance at $3,000 in cash prizes. Open to area food trucks & restaurants!
1 Racetrack Drive – East Rutherford, NJ
Jersey Cape Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
May 9 & 10, 10 am – 4 pm
This event brings together 75+ local and regional artists and fine crafts persons. Both days will feature lectures from authors and collectors, sea glass ID, music, food trucks, kids events and contests and so much more!
Historic Cold Spring Village, 735 Seashore Rd, Cape May, NJ
Cost: $12 per day, $20 for the weekend
Mother’s Day in the Grove
May 9 & 10, 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
Spring Bazaar
May 9 & 10, 12 pm – 5 pm
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at the Spring Bazaar in Asbury Park. The weekend will feature shopping, arts & crafts, and music experience in two beautiful locations by the beach: Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch and Grand Arcade at Asbury Park Convention Hall. Enjoy a weekend adventure at the Jersey Shore! The Mother’s Day Weekend Spring Bazaar will feature shopping from local makers, artists, designers, crafters, and collectors; fresh flower bouquets, Mother’s day photos and photo stations; music & entertainment; craft workshops; kids workshops & face painting; brunch; and delicious food & libations.
Grand Arcade of Asbury Park Convention Hall and The Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park, NJ
Cost: Free
Cape May Music Festival
May 9 – 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
