June 11
Atlantic City Boardwalk Beer Festival
The second annual festival sets up on the Boardwalk in front of Harry’s Oyster Bar at Bally’s and offers two tasting sessions, live music and beer games. Noon-4 pm & 5:30-9:30 pm; $39.99.
June 18
Hot Rods & Food Trucks Festival
Seaside Heights hosts a massive car show and food truck showdown on Bay Boulevard and Grant Avenue. Can’t get enough meals on wheels? Check out our list of other food truck festivals happening in June. 11 am-6 pm; free.
June 18
Point Pleasant Jazz & Blues Festival
The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Fest spans the summer with three events at major Shore destinations. Point Pleasant Jazz & Blues Festival: Noon-8 pm; free. Riverfront Park
June 20-23
National Marbles Tournament
Established on the wide Wildwood beaches in 1922, the National Marbles Tournament is a highly competitive throwdown of more than 1,200 ringers (the style of marbles played at the tournament) over the course of four days at the aptly named Ringer Stadium, a collection of 10 concrete platforms on the beach. Mibsters (or marble players) ages 8 to 14 compete for top honors, with the winning boy and girl awarded a coveted college scholarship, a spot in the National Marbles Hall of Fame inside Wildwood’s George Boyer Museum, and a free trip back to Wildwood the following year. For the mibsters across the country, it’s the trip of a lifetime. (wildwoodsnj.com; nationalmarblestournament.org)
June 25
Cape May Hops Festival
The inaugural festival showcases blues and barbecue food alongside local craft beer and craft vendors. 11 am-6 pm; craft show opens at 10 am. Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May (capemaymac.org).
June 25-26
Baymen’s Seafood & Music Festival
Tuckerton Seaport hosts its 24th annual Seafood & Music Fest, with fresh catch from Jersey fishermen and live music by local bands. River Horse Brewery, based in Ewing Township, will man the taps in the Baymen’s beer court. Catch a boat ride off the dock, take a clam-shucking class, and watch the master carpenters during live duck-decoy carving and boat building. 11 am-5 pm; $5-$8; kids under 5, free.
June 25-26
Bradley Beach Lobsterfest
Tie on a bib and prepare to dunk endless amounts of succulent, pink lobster in melted butter for the biggest Lobsterfest ever. More than 100 craft vendors, live bands and deejays, massive water slides and rides, sand art, and a beer-and-wine garden will be packed onto 500 Ocean Avenue. Sat, 11 am-8 pm; Sun, 11 am-6 pm; free.
July 4
Oceanfest
Long Branch celebrates 26th annual Oceanfest, the biggest Independence Day celebration in New Jersey. The all-day long music, food and street festival culminates with a spectacular firework display. 10 am-10 pm; free.
July 8-10
State Barbecue Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival
Two times the festivals means twice the fun, as North Wildwood hosts the state BBQ championship alongside the Anglesea Blues Fest. Top BBQ teams from around the country marinade, season and smoke the choiciest meat to compete for the top honor. There’s also a craft beer garden, live cooking demonstrations and classes. Fri, 4-11 pm; Sat, 10 am-11 pm; Sun, 10 am-6 pm; free.
July 16
Ocean City Boat Parade
Recent boat parades saw many traffic cone-inspired floats in a nod to Governor Christie’s George Washington Bridge scandal. The theme for this year’s parade is “Night in Venice,” inviting elaborately-decorated boats of all shapes and sizes to process down the bayfront, starting at Longport Bridge to Tennessee Avenue. (609-399-6111).
July 15
New Jersey Sandcastle Contest
Belmar’s famous 29th annual Sandcastle Contest on the 18th Avenue Beach is open to all ages and experience levels. 8 am-12 pm; free.
July 16
Film One Festival, Atlantic Highlands
Founded in 2008, the One-Minute International Film Festival, or FilmOneFest, celebrates super short films (under two minutes in length) on the third Saturday of July. Remember to bring lawn chairs: the screenings are projected on a large stage outside the Marina overlooking Sandy Hook Bay. 7 pm; premium seating, $20; general, free. Charles Hesse Parish Hall, 55 South Ave, Atlantic Highlands.
July 23
Asbury Park Blues & Brews Festival
The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Fest spans the summer with three events at major Shore destinations. Asbury Park Blues & Brews Festival: Noon-8 pm; free. Bradley Park.
August 4- 7
Clamfest
Huddy Park on Bay and Waterwitch avenues in the Highlands hosts the 22nd annual Clamfest, a four-day event celebrating the beloved bivalve. Along with amusement park rides and live music, there will be plenty of seafood and local food vendors. Free; Thur, 6-10 pm; Fri, 6-11 pm; Sat, noon-11 pm; Sun, noon-8 pm.
August 6
Cape May Craft Beer & Crab Festival
The fifth annual Craft Beer & Crab Festival on the historic grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate features live jams, food trucks, and local brews including Cape May Brewing Company and Tuckahoe, based in Egg Harbor. The whole crabs are served up in a casual cardboard box on a bed of newspaper, and even come with a wooden mallet to help crack open the shell. How handy! 11 am-8 pm; free.
August 6
Cider Social
The Cider Social celebrates another year as visitors can put on their best denim, bob for apples, dance to live folk music acts, take a break at tables, and enjoy mouth-watering caramel apple or slice of pie paired with your cider. Current information will be posted to the website, TBA. Caspian Point, Atlantic City.
August 11
Ocean City Baby Parade
The Baby Parade is one the oldest annual Shore traditions—in fact, one of the oldest baby parades in the country. Celebrating its 107th year, the Baby Parade invites families with children (ranging from newborns to age 10) to march down the Boardwalk from 6th to 12th Street in adorable mini-costumes. Free; 5 pm. (609-525-9248)
August 13-14
“Truck”erton Food Truck & Brew Fest Summer Edition
Tuckerton Seaport will host more than a dozen gourmet food trucks from all over the region. Choose from fresh sandwiches and salads to fried alligator legs and everything in between. Also choose from a wide array of regional craft beers. Live music all day long. Free; Fri, 11 am- 8 pm; Sat, 11 am-5 pm (tuckertonseaport.org).
August 27
Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival
The Jersey Shore Jazz & Blues Fest spans the summer with three events at major Shore destinations. Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival: Noon-9:45 pm; free. Great Lawn at the Boardwalk.
August 27
Asbury Park Mermaid Promenade
Calling all pirates, mermaids and mermen! A fin time awaits for the second annual Asbury Park Mermaid Promenade, inspired by the popular Sacramento Promenade of Mermaids in California. Head over to the North end of the beach wearing your finest bedazzled sea creature costume. Only those who wish to be considered for the Best Costume prizes need to pay the $5 on-site registration fee. Free; noon.
Illustrations by Veronica Grech
*This list has been updated to reflect 2016 dates.