The Garden State is full of fun, festive events for you to enjoy this month. Of course, warmer weather means the start of outdoor food festivals, family events, and BBQs. So whether you love music, seafood, pork roll, or craft beer, there’s an event to suit any taste. Find your favorite in this roundup of the best May festivals happening across New Jersey.
Quick Click Guide: Select an NJ Region below to find a May Festival in your area.
| North Jersey | Central Jersey | Jersey Shore | South Jersey |
North Jersey May Festivals
Beer Fest – Meadowlands Racetrack
Where: 1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, 07073
When:May 18, 4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Price: $35 general admission; $15 for non-drinkers
Details: Over 60 breweries will be on hand for the fourth annual event held at the racetrack. Think popular favorites like Sierra Nevada, Ballast Point, and Coney Island, plus Garden State’s own Angry Erik and Mud Hen.
More info: Visit the Meadowlands Racing website.
Family Garden Party – Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
Where: 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair, 07043
When: May 18, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Price: Free admission, donations welcome
Details: This annual event features music, refreshments, student art exhibits, and children’s entertainment. Plus witness the gorgeous irises in full bloom throughout the gardens. The rain date for this event is May 19.
More info: Visit the Presby Iris Gardens website or click here to call.
Lake Hopatcong Block Party – Hopatcong State Park
Where: Lakeside Boulevard, Landing, 07850
When: May 11, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: New Jersey’s largest lake is throwing its sixth annual block party! Check out local businesses, water demonstrations, live music, craft vendors, boat rides, a kiddie area, and lots of delicious food. Guests are eligible to win great prizes, plus all kids who complete the scavenger hunt card receive a coupon for a free Cliff’s Ice Cream Skyscraper.
More info: Visit the website or click here to call.
Central Jersey May Festivals
Kenilworth Street Fair & Car Show
Where: 525 Boulevard, Kenilworth, 07033
When: May 19, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: It’s a giant block party for the whole family at this sixth annual event; including fun activities like a rock wall, pony rides, petting zoo, slot car races and paintball guns! Check out the cars on display in the classic car and modern muscle car shows. (Otherwise, you can enter the competition yourself for a $10 fee.)
More info: Visit the website or click here to call.
Mother’s Day Festival – Alba Vineyard
Where: 269 Route 627, Milford, 08848
When: May 12, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: $15 or $25 per wine flight; $10 music cover for non-drinkers
Details: Mother’s Day at Alba Vineyard includes live jazz music by the Eric Mintel Quarter. In addition, you’ll find wine pairings with delicious wood-fired pizza, caprese salad, and lobster rolls. There will also be craft vendors and activities for the little ones, so bring the whole family along.
More info: Visit the Alba Vineyard Website or click here to call.
Trenton Pork Roll Festival- Trenton Social
Where: 449 South Broad Street, Trenton, 08611
When: May 25, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Price: $5 general admission
Details: Like pork roll? Then you’ll love this festival that celebrates Jersey’s best breakfast meat. Taste traditional pork roll recipes, plus sample exciting and inventive ones such as pork roll sushi! Not to mention, there will be a bunch of vendors and live music from local bands.
More info: Visit the Trenton Pork Roll Festival website or call click here to call.
Jersey Shore May Festivals
Bellview Winery Memorial Day Barbecue
Where: 150 Atlantic Street, Landisville, 08326
When: May 25, Noon to 5:00 pm
Price: $5 general admission; additional $6 optional wine tasting
Details: Celebrate the beginning of summer with a fun barbecue at Bellview Winery. Sip local wines while enjoying live music from Secret Sauce, plus delicious food from Bareknuckle Cafe and Wipe Out Eats.
More info: Visit Bellview Winery website or click here to call.
Creative Arts & Music Festival – Thompson Park Creative Arts Center
Where: 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, 07738
When: May 4, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Check out special artisan vendors offering pottery, photography, jewelry, paintings and more at Thompson Park. Live music from local musicians, food vendors and art demonstrations are also on tap at this rain-or-shine event.
More info: Visit the website or click here to call.
New Jersey Seafood Festival – Silver Lake Park
Where: 5th and Ocean Avenue, Belmar, 07719
When: May 17, 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm; May 18, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm; May 19, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Come taste the best seafood the Jersey shore has to offer; plus enjoy drinks in the wine and craft beer tent. Specialty vendors, children’s activities, live music and contests round out this delicious day at the beach. Free shuttle service is available.
More info: Click here or click here to call.
Sip Into Spring Festival- Emlen Physick Estate
Where: 1048 Washington Street, Cape May, 08204
When: May 11, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Enjoy an outdoor marketplace on the lovely grounds of the Physick Estate. The Spring Festival features gardening demos as well as special workshops and fun activities. Michael Flanigan and C. Lynne Smith will provide live music; moreover, tasty food vendors include Empanada Mama, Matt’s BBQ, Cape May Brewing Co., Nauti Spirits Distillery, and more.
More info: Visit the website or click here to call.
Spring Block Party – Asbury Park
Where: Asbury Avenue from 5th to 14th Streets, Ocean City
When: May 4, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Price: Free admission
Details: Ocean City is a beautiful spot for a Saturday excursion. Stroll along the downtown streets and peruse available wares from over 300 vendors and crafters at the Spring Block Party. Likewise, you can enjoy delicious food and live music at this event.
More info: Click here or click here to call.
Wildwoods International Kite Festival
Where: Various locations along the Wildwoods Boardwalk
When: May 24 through 27, various times
Price: Free admission
Details: You can either fly a kite or spectate at the 34th Annual International Kite Festival. In fact, this event is North America’s largest kite festival. Highlights of the weekend include a light-up Nite Kite Show, the Candy Drop and the Running of the Bols. Details and a full schedule is available online.
More info: Click here or click here to call.
South Jersey May Festivals
Gloucester County Craftsmen & Home Show
Where: 4H Fairgrounds, 275 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill, 08062
When: May 4, 10:00 – 4:00 pm (rain date: May 5)
Price: Free admission
Details: Shop from over 100 vendor booths or check out the spring home and garden expo. Afterward, take the family to one of the many fun activities; for example, there are pony rides, inflatable bounce toys, craft-making, and a dog parade. After all that is done, there’s even a Little Miss & Mister Springtime Pageant. Food and music, plus a $500 Home Depot gift card giveaway, make this a can’t-miss event.
More info: Visit the Gloucester Craft Fair website or click here to call.
Spring Craft Show – Pitman
Where: Uptown Pitman, 08071
When: May 18
Price: Free admission
Details: The twice yearly Pitman Craft Shows have been a town tradition for over 30 years; without a doubt, each show boasts upwards of 200 crafters and draws a crowd of 10,000. Jewelry, florals, wood crafts, clothing, and mouth-watering foods from local vendors will all be on hand. The rain date for this event is May 19.
More info: Visit the Uptown Pitman website.
Looking for year-round listings of more great activities? Check out our roundup of New Jersey’s Best Fairs & Festivals.
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © andreaobserova / Adobe Stock
Additional Images (in Order) Courtesy:
Lake Hopatcong Foundation / Facebook
Alba Vineyard / Facebook
Bellview Winery / Facebook
Gloucester County Craftsmen & Home Show / Facebook
