Things to Do in NJ This Weekend

Are you looking for something to do this weekend in New Jersey? New Jersey Monthly has you covered! Below we highlight recommendations for events across the state, from festivals to concerts to family-friendly events and more.

Looking to make the most of the Jersey Shore this summer? Check out what’s new for the 2026 season, our editors’ favorite water activities, the best bay beaches, and our deep dive on the brand-new Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music.

Want to cool off without heading to the coast? Lake Hopatcong is a top-notch summer escape, as are these other great lakes around the state.

Hungry? Check out this month’s best food events.

And don’t forget to peruse our list of the 52 things you must do in New Jersey all year, no matter the season!

Our editors’ picks for this week & weekend:

Looking for a plan? We’ve got you covered with our curated guide to the best events happening across New Jersey right now.

North Jersey Events

New Jersey African Restaurant Week
🗓️: Now through Sunday, August 23
📍: Various locations
ℹ️: A variety of African restaurants offer special menus and events. A food and music festival ends the week.

Montclair Film’s Movie Night Under the Stars
🗓️: Friday, August 21
📍: Church Street, Montclair
ℹ️: Films screen at various outdoor locales on a monthly basis. This week, enjoy Tick, Tick… BOOM!.

Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival
🗓️: Saturday, August 22 (1-9 pm)
📍: Grove Street PATH Plaza and Newark Avenue, Jersey City
ℹ️: One of the largest Pride festivals in New Jersey celebrates 26 years.

Pupstock 
🗓️: Saturday, August 22 (noon-5 pm)
📍: Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
ℹ️: Pooches can enjoy a day of activities from a splash zone to a giant ball pit, while pet parents can have fun with food trucks, a beer garden and more.

The Wiggles: Tree of Wisdom Spectacular
🗓️: Sunday, August 23
📍: Wellmont Theater, Montclair
ℹ️: The famed Australian kids’ music group performs hits like “Rock-A-Bye Your Bear” and “Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy.”

Central Jersey Events

All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented the Villain
📅: Select dates now through Sunday, August 30
📍: McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton
ℹ️: Show creator and performer Patrick Page (Hadestown), embodies Shakespeare’s greatest villains.

Lambertville Sunflower Festival
📅: Saturdays & Sundays through Sunday, September 13
📍: Bellemont Farm, Lambertville
ℹ️: Enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, cut-your-own sunflowers, vendors, live music, a petting zoo and more.

Hunterdon Wine Express
📅: Saturday, August 22; Sunday, August 23; Saturday, September 12; Sunday, September 13
📍: Old York Cellars, Ringoes
ℹ️: Historic rail ride with guided wine tastings, vineyard time and a chef‑curated lunch.

Shore Events

Movies on the Beach
📅: Tuesdays through September 1 (8:30 pm)
📍: Jenkinson’s Boardwalk (in front of the aquarium), Point Pleasant Beach
ℹ️: Family-friendly movies play outdoors every Tuesday, including Jaws on September 1. Bring a blanket or chair.

Kesha
🗓️: Wednesday, August 19 (7 pm)
📍: PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel
ℹ️: The pop star stops in New Jersey.

Diana Ross
🗓️: Friday, August 21 (9 pm)
📍: Ovation Hall, Atlantic City
ℹ️: The music legend performs from her massive catalog of hits.

Keith Urban
🗓️: Friday, August 21 & Saturday, August 22 (8 pm)
📍: Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, Atlantic City
ℹ️: The country singer is out on his High and Alive tour.  

Bub Club
📅: Saturday, August 22 (8 pm)
📍: The Pool at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
ℹ️:Explore 20 curated Champagnes and sparkling wines, enjoy bites, experience live entertainment.

Andy Grammer
🗓️: Saturday, August 22 (7 pm)
📍: ParkStage, Freehold
ℹ️: The folk-pop artist behind “Honey, I’m Good” and “Without You” takes the stage.

Kalamazoo
📅: Select dates now through Sunday, August 23
📍: Cape May Stage, Cape May
ℹ️: Two strangers forge an unexpected connection in this romantic comedy.

Chance the Rapper
🗓️: Sunday, August 23 (6 pm)
📍: Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park
ℹ️: The R&B artist known for his genre-bending stylings heads to Jersey.

Free Movies on Belmar Beach
📅: Every Wednesday through August 26
📍: 7th Avenue Beach, Belmar
ℹ️: Movies start at dusk and this month include Footloose (August 5) and The Incredibles (August 12).

South Jersey Events

Lynyrd Skynyrd
🗓️: Thursday, August 20 (6:30 pm)
📍: Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, Camden
ℹ️: The rockers behind tunes like “Free Bird” perform.