May 5-7 events — The best things to do this weekend in NJ
Looking for something to do this weekend? Big Joe's got you covered. Check out our complete list of great events and fun things do right here in the great Garden State!
Join Big Joe Henry Sunday as he hosts the 9th Annual New Jersey Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Asbury Park. Kelly Ripa, Ray Liotta, Tommy James, and Wyclef Jean are just a few of the celebrities that will be there to accept their awards. Tickets are still available and can be purchase by clicking the link above. See you there!
Date: May 7th, 2017
Location: Paramount Theatre
1200 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Great food, dancing, and carafes of sangria… It must be the Cinco de Mayo festival at Bellview Winery! Savor the taste of delicious Mexican cuisine with either of our festive sangria wines. Then get on the dance floor and party with live dance music! Carafes of sangria will be available for $15 plus a returnable deposit of $10 or a driver's license. Wine tasting will be available in our tasting tent for $5 as well.
Date: May 5th, 2017
Location: Bellview Winery
150 Atlantic St., Landisville, NJ 08326
The Smithville Renaissance faire is an awesome event for the whole family located at Historic Smithville shopping village. Entertainment provided by the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. Shop the amazing village of Smithville and experience an extra 10 or more artisans of hand crafted goods and other delights for the whole family.
Date: May 6th, 2017 - May 7th, 2017
Location: Historic Smithville
615 E. Moss Mill Rd., Smithville, NJ 08205
CAMDEN COUNTY
Join us to celebrate the Most Exciting 2 Minutes in Sports here in Downtown Camden! We'll have delicious mint juleps made with our very own Cooper River Bourbon Whiskey, live music leading up to the big race, and the chance to watch the horses run right here in South Jersey's first craft distillery! Cocktail Bar Open from 1 - 8 pm. Derby Runs at 6:34 pm. Distillery Tours at 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm, and 7 pm. Wear your derby finest!
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Cooper River Distillers
34 N. 4th St., Camden, NJ 08102
CAPE MAY COUNTY
It's a game. It's a marathon. It's a challenge, it's a heck of a lot of fun! Many great birders have raised glasses in this event. The first official World Series of Birding began at midnight on May 19, 1984, when just thirteen teams set out on a 24-hour treasure hunt. Their mission was to tally as many species of birds by sight or sound. Their objective was to raise funding for their favorite environmental cause, and to focus worldwide attention on the habitat needs of migrating birds. Since then well over $1 million have been raised and 86 teams and over 400 players sought the coveted prizes. After birding from mid-night to mid-night, teams report their results at the Finish Line in Cape May on Saturday night and a festive awards banquet is held on Sunday morning. Start a team and join the fun!
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Various Locations Statewide
New Jersey Audubon
Cape May Bird Observatory, 600 Rt. 47 N.
Cape May Court House, NJ
The Spring Block party takes place in downtown Ocean City from 5th-14th St. on Asbury Ave. from 9 am - 5 pm. Over 350 crafters, food, vendors, music and more! To participate or for more information contact the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Downtown Ocean City
861 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226
Celebrating life on the water! Boats!, Pirates, local breweries, artisans, and live music. Come join us for a day filled with sea-faring family activities. 11 am- 5 pm.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Spring Tide Festival
212 96th Street, between 2nd & 3rd Ave., Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Enjoy free admission to Wheaton Arts & Cultural Center! Wheaton Wide Open Weekends, presented by PNC Arts Alive!, includes free access to the museum and studios.
Date: May 5th, 2017 - May 7th, 2017
Location: Wheaton Arts
1501 Glasstown Rd., Millville, NJ 08332
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Get a jump start on spring decorating and home improvements from over 165 vendors at this 7th annual event. You'll find wreaths, baskets, quilts, ceramics, jewelry, candles, lotions, glassware, wood working, bird houses, country flags, stepping stones, flowers, baked goods, paintings, and more. Home Show companies representing hundreds of products and services will be on hand to help you make your spring home renovation ideas come to life! This one day event will offer visitors garden supplies, live music, festival food, product demonstrations, All Breed Spring Dog Parade & Contest, Little Miss & Mister Springtime Pageant, Terra Cotta Pot Creations, exhibits, Farm Produce, Home Based Businesses, Baked Goods, pony rides, face painter, bounce inflatables, give-a-ways & picnic style dining. Gloucester Craft & Home Show is a pet friendly event and consumers are ask to donate a can of pet food for shelters. Enter to win a $500 Card give away. Drawing at 3 pm and you must be present to win.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Gloucester County 4-H Fairgrounds
275 Bridgeton Pk., Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
HUNTERDON COUNTY
Some like it hot. Let's have a roast to start the warm season! Doors at 630, appetizers shortly thereafter, roast pig served at 7 pm. We're bringing in a new caterer to update this annual event. Q Crew Catering, based in Ringoes will be cooking up a Hawaiian-themed pig roast, including pineapple chicken skewers, Polynesian noodles, and other goodies besides the whole roasted pig. Jersey blues legend Mike Dugan will team up with songstress Jennifer McCracken as "Cheek2Cheek," playing blues/jazz music throughout the night. We will be pouring some of our best wines by the glass (included with admission), and offering deep volume discounts. Plan on stocking up for your own summer BBQs. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased in advance through our website.
Date: May 5th, 2017
Location: Unionville Vineyards
9 Rocktown Rd., Ringoes, NJ 08551
MERCER COUNTY
Kite Day is a perfect time to explore the farm during our annual spring festival, 10 am – 5 pm. Bring your own kite or choose a kite from the store. Or, make a "guaranteed to fly" kite. Then, test fly your kite in our pasture with the farm animals looking on. The farm will ring with country music and entertainment all weekend. Tour the orchards and fields in a tractor-drawn farm wagon. he sheep will be shorn on Sunday and children can take home a piece of real fleece. There will be special activities for children in the barnyard including make your own pinwheels. The whole family will enjoy Terhune Orchards' apples, cider, donuts, pies, chili, hot dogs, fresh, grilled asparagus, salads, soup and more. Taste our own Terhune Orchards Vineyard and Winery wines in the tasting room. Admission to the festival area is $5, age 3 and up. No admission to farm store or winery. Park at the farm.
Date: May 6th, 2017 - May 7th, 2017
Location: Terhune Orchards
330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
The Steampunk World's Fair is the world's largest Steampunk event! Join us to meet internationally-acclaimed Steampunk author Gail Carriger; see one of the world's most beloved Steampunk Bands, Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band; and for literally hundreds of hours of vendors, programming, shows, entertainment, and things to see, hear, do, and experience!
Date: May 5th, 2017 - May 7th, 2017
Location: 21 Kingsbridge Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854
A scrumptious brunch, champagne toasts and silent auction make for a fun-filled afternoon with local and state leaders at this annual fundraiser benefiting CASA of Middlesex County. Proceeds provide children in foster care with an adult advocate solely devoted to speaking up for their best interests. This year's event honors Amy Mansue, president, Southern Region for RWJBarnabas Health. Join the fun – and help children in foster care!
Date: May 7th, 2017
Location: Steakhouse 85
85 Church St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901
MONMOUTH COUNTY
This juried arts festival runs from 10 am - 5 pm. The event is open to artists from all mediums. Enjoy art, music and more.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Thompson Park Creative Arts Center
805 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft, NJ 07738
MORRIS COUNTY
Food! Beer! Music! Fun! New Jersey foodies, eat your hearts out! It's a fun filled family day! Over 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, partnered with some incredible bands, make for an enchanting and fulfilling spring day. Bring your appetite, lawn chairs and blankets. Dine on excellent food, while enjoying the beer and sangria garden along with the amazing sounds. 11 am – 7 pm. Benefit for the Food Bank *Please bring a non-perishable canned or boxed item to help support The Food Pantry.*
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Municiple Field
134 Main St., Chester, NJ 07930
Sustainable Morristown will be hosting festival Earth. There will be local vendors, games and prizes.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Morristown Town Hall
200 South St., Morristown, NJ 07960
OCEAN COUNTY
Get a taste of what is coming this year with food trucks, craft brews and live music. Help us settle the great debate in the Garden State as food trucks from North and South Jersey battle it out. 11am1pm: The Pickles, 2pm-6pm: Billy Walton Band. $10 admission. Seaport members and kids under five are free. Food prices are set by individual food tuck vendors.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Tuckerton Seaport
120 W. Main St., Tuckerton, NJ 08087
The 7th Annual Toms River Food Fest is an annual festival taking place from 11 am - 8 pm in downtown Toms River featuring Food Trucks, arts & crafts vendors, free children's rides and live music. Free admission! Rain date: May 7.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: Washington St., Toms River, NJ 08753
SOMERSET COUNTY
Bee Inspired is a free event open to the public. ARTsee, a local artists' collective, in collaboration with the historic Ross Farm, invite all to join in an afternoon of art, art making, music and presentations related to bees and their importance to our environment. The day will feature: fine art and jewelry sale and scavenger hunt, create interactive community artwork and collaborative recycled art, live music, historical docents on site, art demonstrations, improv poetry, hikes, presentations, live raku firing, Plein air painters are welcome, picnics are encouraged! Bee Inspired! is an opportunity for all to have hands-on experiences with art, nature and music in the scenic, historical setting of the Ross Farm. Artwork in all mediums created by members of ARTsee available for viewing and purchase.
Date: May 6th, 2017
Location: ARTsee and The Ross Farm
135 North Maple Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
The Potters Guild of New Jersey will host its Annual Spring Pottery Festival and Sale of functional and sculptural ceramics at a new location: The Farmstead Art Center in Basking Ridge. Join us and see the work of over 30 potters exhibiting at one of NJ's largest ceramic shows. It's the perfect opportunity to meet and speak to the artists creating ceramic art - from fabulous functional to sculptural. Don't miss this exciting chance to find unique items for your home, or a special gift for any occasion. We'll be having wheel throwing and hand-building demonstrations, as well as, activities for children.
Date: May 6th, 2017 - May 7th, 2017
Location: Farmstead Art Center
450 King George Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
WARREN COUNTY
Raise a glass of Sangria to toast this celebration of "unlikely victories" as you enjoy the sounds of traditional Mexican music. Wear your sombrero. Have your photo taken "south of the border." Wine tasting, free glass of sangria, bocadillos (Mexican appetizers) and monogrammed gift glass. Admission: $10. 2 - 5 pm.
Date: May 6th, 2017 - May 7th, 2017
Location: Villa Milagro Vineyards
33 Rt. 627, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865