NJIB’s Top Ten New Jersey Events for July 29 – 31, 2022

How is the last weekend in July?! Summer continues to pump out hot, hot hot, events like The Warren County Farmers Fair featuring the Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Monmouth County Fair, Jurassic Quest and so much more. Let’s leave the house to explore what NJ has to offer (or not, you do you). These are my top 10 New Jersey Events for July 29 -31, 2022.

Due to the ongoing restrictions and safety regulations with Covid-19, please verify these events before attending in case of any last-minute cancellations. And always check the weather!

For more events throughout the year, be sure to check out our Event Guide.

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NJIB’s Top Ten New Jersey Events for July 29 – 31, 2022:

Monmouth County Fair
July 27 – 31
The 2022 Monmouth County Fair begins Wednesday in Freehold Twp., showcasing the county’s agricultural heritage plus classic fair events. Daily attractions include:
Rides by Campy’s Blue Star Amusements (wristbands available daily)
Hell On Wheels BMX Stunt Show
Robinson’s Racing Pigs
Ready GO Dog Show
Amazing Feats of Comedy Show with Michael Rosman
The Raptor Project – Birds of Prey
Bwana Jim Wildlife Show
Hilby, The Skinny German Juggle Boy
Jeff Wilson Horsemanship (Thursday to Sunday)
Tara Jones Pieceful Solutions Riding & Training (Friday to Sunday)
Touch-a-Truck
4-H Shows & Exhibits
Living History Displays
Home & Garden Demonstrations & Displays
Commercial Vendors
Food Vendors
Monmouth County Fairgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Rd, Freehold, NJ
Cost: $8 per person (ages 17 & under FREE)

Jurassic Quest
July 29 – 31
Jurassic Quest, the largest & most realistic traveling dinosaur show in North America, is ROARING through Edison, NJ! Theevent features more rides, activities, & dinosaurs than ever before. Jurassic Quest features:
* The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit including an incredible 50 foot long Megalodon, 60 ft. long, sky-scraping Spinosaurus, the 80 ft. long Apatosaurus and our gigantic LIFESIZE T-Rex.
* Walking dinosaur rides & stationary dinosaur rides, which include some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America!
* See our incredibly realistic and interactive Baby Dinosaur & Raptor Training Experience
* Not to be missed – giant fossil dig, Triceratots” soft play area, science fossil exhibit, & MORE!
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Ave, Edison, NJ
Cost: $22

39th Annual New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning
July 29 – 31
The largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. The premier family entertainment event in the state features the majesty and awe-inspiring sight of up to 100 sport and special shaped hot air balloons taking to the skies twice each day; a highly popular live concert series featuring Grammy Award-winning performers; children’s entertainment and attractions; spectacular fireworks; a stunning nighttime hot air balloon glow; the Running with the Balloons 5K race; great food, vendors and more. And yes you can go up, up and away in your beautiful balloon — hot air balloon rides are available to create memories that will last a lifetime!
39 Thor Solberg Rd. Readington, NJ
Tickets: $12+

The Warren County Farmers’ Fair and Balloon Festival
July 30 – August 6
The Warren County Farmers’ Fair is more than an agricultural Fair. It boasts a hot air balloon festival, and a variety of shows and competitions you don’t often find in today’s world of digital entertainment. From demolition derbies to hay bale rolling in the Agricultural Olympics, the Fair is True Americana! Located in Harmony Township, NJ – just a few minutes north of Phillipsburg and minutes off Rt. 78 – the Fair will run from Saturday, July 30 to Saturday, August 6. Enjoy evening mass hot air balloon launches, tethered rides, carnival rides, Kids Corral children’s activity area, farm exhibits, great Fair food daily.
Warren County’s breathtaking rural countryside makes for a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of life. So hop in your car and make a trip out to beautiful Warren County, NJ, and experience True Americana for yourself. For a full schedule of events weeklong, directions, contests rules and more, visit www.warrencountyfarmersfair.org and plan your getaway today.
1350 Strykers Road, Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: Tickets at the gate are $10 for an adult and $5 for children ages 6-12. Free for 5 years and under. Save $1 per ticket on advance admission tickets, through July 29.

Wild Science at Turtle Back Zoo
July 30, 5PM – 8PM
An evening of family fun, for kids of all ages! During the event, guests will have the opportunity to stroll the Zoo, participate in conservation activities, experience keeper talks, explore animal bio facts and enjoy up-close animal encounters. Special presentations by Mad Science. Your ticket includes light bites and nonalcoholic beverages. Beer and wine will be available for persons 21+. Additional food will also be available for purchase and may be cash only.
Essex County Turtle Back Zoo, 560 Northfield Ave. West Orange, NJ
Cost: $40 adults, $25 kids

Meadowlands Racetrack Seafood Fest
July 30, 5PM -11PM
Join the fun at the Annual Meadowlands Racetrack Seafood Fest & the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks Eliminations – Saturday, July 31st from 5-11 pm. Admission is free. Live racing begins at 6:20 pm featuring eliminations for the Hambletonian & Hambletonian Oaks. Enjoy fresh and delicious seafood from area food trucks and restaurants. Plus our Backyard Grill and Bar will be featuring a shrimp cocktail and more! Some food options include lobster rolls, fried clams, fried fish, grilled shrimp, shrimp tacos, crab fries and more.
Meadowlands Racetrack, 1 Racetrack Dr East Rutherford, NJ
Cost: Free

Italian Festival & Wine Tasting
July 30 & 31
Enjoy mouth-watering Italian food from over a dozen of the area’s top restaurants and food trucks. In addition, sample from a great variety of Italian wines at our wine tasting, presented by Opici Wines. Participating food vendors: Chank’s Grab-N-Go, Culto Italiano, Enzo’s Pizza and Subs, Food for All Food Truck, Kiersten’s Creations, L’Acquario Seafood Italiano, Shore Good Eats N Treats, The Little Sicilian Riceballs, The Zeppole Guys, Twisted Steaks, LLC, House of Cupcakes, Your Sister’s Balls, Lexilicious Ice Cream. Enjoy live music both days from 12-4pm. Live music Saturday by Garden State Groove, Sunday by West End Dogs.
Monmouth Racetrack, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: Wine tasting tickets ($13) and general admission ($5) are discounted online. Wine tickets ($15) and general admission ($6) are also available day of.

Antique & Summer Market
July 30 & 31, 10AM – 4PM
The annual Antique & Summer Market at WheatonArts is an indoor/outdoor event featuring 40+ Antique Dealers from the Mid-Atlantic area, along with a variety of local artists, food vendors, and farm market proprietors! Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 30& 31, browse from a wide selection of ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, memorabilia, toys, vintage accessories, & more. This event is included with WheatonArts general admission. Alongside the market event, explore the Museum of American Glass, the Down Jersey Folklife Center, Artist Studios (Hot Glass, Pottery, & Flameworking), Museum Stores, and the Nature Trail.
1501 Glasstown Rd Millville, NJ
Cost: $12, kids 5 and under are free

Pride on the Pier
July 31, 3PM – 9PM
Hudson County & Jersey City Pride Month at the JC Pride Official opening party, Pride on the Pier. For those that don’t know, while August is known as Jersey City’s Pride Month it is also recognized as Hudson County Pride Month. Expect a day of fun, entertainment, food & drinks. DJ Mike Cruz will be hitting the decks with a spectacular view of NYC behind him. Hostess Pissi Myles will keep the party going with her vocal and comedic talent, singer Jamie LeRose will wow you with her performance, and Jersey’s showgirl Slaylani will be serving you looks, talent and pizzazz. Don your favorite Pride gear, grab your family & friends and come be a part of the festivities. You can get some food at one of the many food trucks on the Pier, grab a drink or two or three (if you are 21+) and get ready to dance the afternoon and night away in this Official Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival Event.
Pier 13, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: Free

2022 Middlesex County Fair
August 1 – 7
A tradition that continues to bring together thousands of residents from the tristate area together for a week of summer fun! This year they are celebrating 84 years of the Middlesex County Fair. Over the years, countless volunteers and local businesses have worked together to bring you closer to our agricultural heritage, all while offering rides, food, craft vendors, entertainers, bands, and home arts competitions.
655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $10, Kids and Seniors $4