FRIDAY, JULY 9
Lunar Faire
Pompton Lakes Elks Lodge, 1 Perrin Avenue, Pompton Lakes, lunarfaire.com
A pop-up night market that celebrates ambiance, the strange and unusual, the moon and all the weird things people make and do! Evening includes a potions lab, fire dancing, fortune-telling, crystal-charging station, a theremin player, wizardry workshops, spell-making and so much more odd, fun stuff.
Cannabis Night Live
Trenton City Hall rear parking lot, 319 East State Street, Trenton, more info here
The evening’s theme is “Changing the Narrative and your Perspective” and includes networking with cannabis and hemp experts, organizations and businesses, plus “fireside chats” with local cannabis industry experts and state/local officials. There will also be a showing of Grass is Greener.
Friday Nights at Donaldson Farms w/ James Off Main & the Atlanta Cafe Band
Donaldson Farms Farm Market, 358 Allen Road, Hackettstown, more info here
For more than nine consecutive years, Donaldson Farms has been hosting Summer Nights on the Farm. James on Main collaborates with Donaldson Farms to create delicious farm-fresh and locally sourced cuisine for guests at this event, with live music from Atlanta Cafe Band. During every Friday Night on the Farm, the Czig Can Shack (Hackettstown) will be open with five different varieties of beers, and three flavors of hard seltzers.
We Outside
The Yard, 55 Park Place, Newark, more info here
Enjoy food, music and good company in the heart of Newark, with DJs NKNX, DÉLÉ and JOGA. The Yard touches on traditions from the American South, West Africa and the Caribbean through their carefully selected menu items. All RSVPs include a free order of fries when you order and two burgers or chicken sandwiches.
Grace Potter
Suneagles Golf Club, 2000 Lowther Drive, Eatontown, bandsintown.com/e/102549828
Tickets for the excellent Grace Potter are still available for this show in Eatontown.
SATURDAY, JULY 10
Jackson Township Fireworks and Food Truck Extravaganza
Johnson Park, 192 Kierych Memorial Drive, Jackson Township
Fireworks don’t stop on the Fourth. Head down to Jackson for a light show, live music from Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns, a DJ, give-aways, food trucks and more. Runs 3-9 p.m. and it’s free.
Dunesday with Brian Kirk and the Jirks
The Sandbox at Seastreak Beach, 325 Shore Drive, Highlands, more info here
Food trucks and live music; can’t beat it. Dave McCarthy, the Kootz Band and Brian Kirk and the Jirks take the stage from 4-10 p.m., with food trucks Pie oh My Pizza, Pat’s Sausage, Rolling Pita and Mexi-Boys. Tickets are $30, parking is free.
Nimbus Arts Festival: Jazz in the City
Harborside Campus, 107 Morgan St., Jersey City, more info here
Freddie Hendrix Organ Group Headlines this outdoor in-person performance, in partnership with the Riverview Jazz Festival. Hendrix is one of the “most in-demand trumpeters in jazz,” boasting performance credits with jazz legends Count Basie Orchestra and The Christian McBride Big Band, and with superstars Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys.
Alementary Brewing Co 5K Beer Run
Alementary Brewing Co, 58 Voorhis Lane, Hackensack, more info here
The 2021 New Jersey Brewery Running Series continues at Alementary with a 5K course that starts and ends at the taproom. You’ll get a free pour of Hackensack Lager and either a collector’s pint glass or another swag item from the Brewery Running Series. A portion of the proceeds from the run registrations will support Tackle Kids Cancer, a local non-profit out of Hackensack Meridian Health.
SUNDAY, JULY 11
Garden State Sneaker Convention
Sportsplex Metuchen, 215 Durham avenue, Metuchen, more info here
Sneakers. A lot of ’em.
Stand for Truth Music & Arts Festival
Above Art Studios, 55B Morris Street, New Brunswick, more info here
Stand for Truth is a free community music and arts event that brings together people of all backgrounds through music, arts and literacy, taking place in New Brunswick, where the founders first met. The event engages the community in a conversation about addressing prejudice on an individual level.
Dragon Boat Festival Jersey Seafood Boil
Lake Lenape Park East, 753 Park Road, Hamilton Township, more info here
Join in for the annual Dragon Boat Festival Jersey Seafood Boil, featuring a feast made by Chef Bob Hettmannsperger, Golden Nugget executive chef and owner of Essl’s Dugout. Enjoy a day out by Lake Lenape with family and friends, eat some delicious seafood, and support a wonderful organization, Gilda’s Club, which helps those battling cancer.
ALL WEEKEND
NJ State BBQ Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival (July 9-11)
North Wildwood Entertainment District, Olde New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, more info here
Immerse yourself in barbecue and blues at this three-day festival held at Second and Olde New Jersey Avenues and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood. Event features live cooking demonstrations, incredible food and top regional and national blues acts on the free main stage.
Blueberry Bash (July 10-11)
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com/blueberry-bash
Enjoy a visit to Terhune’s two-acre pick-your-own blueberry patch. These sweet summer berries are on bushes that are easy for everyone to reach. After you’ve picked your blueberries, relax and enjoy some country music (noon-4 p.m. both days). Country summer fare such as pulled pork sandwiches, BBQ chicken, homemade salads, fresh pie, apple cider donuts, cider slush and much more will be available. Stop in the farm store or outdoor market and take home our blueberry-apple crisp, blueberry pie, blueberry cobbler, blueberry jam and blueberry salsa.
Smodcastle Grand Opening Weekend (July 9-11)
The Smodcastle Leonardo, 64 Leonard Avenue, Leonardo, smodcastle.com/
Kevin Smith’s podcast playhouse—NJ’s only podcast theater—opens with Vegan Abattoir, Jay & Silent Bob Get Old, Holy Shit!, Fatman on Batman, Clerks Too, and much more. Tickets come with a photo on stage of whichever performance you attend.