Looking for fun this July? Check out these events and activities happening all over New Jersey.
Please note that all schedules are subject to change; visit the venue’s website or call for more information.
Art
Borough of Glass Art Walk and Night Market
July 16
Artists of all stripes showcase their wares at this evening’s street festival. Painters, sculptors, metalsmiths, glassblowers, woodworkers, and other handcrafters give demonstrations and offer insight into their work. Food vendors, a beer garden and circus performers are going to be on site as well. 5-10 pm. Glassboro Town Square, Glassboro (glassboro.org/art-festival; 856-881-9230).
Screen Time: Photography and Video Art in the Internet Age
Thru Aug 7
This exhibition features global and intergenerational contemporary artists exploring the digital era. Art on Hulfish, Princeton (artmuseum.princeton.edu; 609-258-3788).
Ceramics by Monroeville-based potter Skeffington Thomas are being exhibited at Noyes Arts Garage. Courtesy of Noyes Museum of Art
Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection
Thru Aug 21
This exhibit includes 33 photographs by 15 different photographers, dating from the 1920s to 1980s, of iconic musicians and dancers, particularly prominent jazz performers. $8-$10. Newark Museum of Art, Newark. (newarkmuseumart.org; 973-596-6550).
Maxwell Mustardo: Dish-Oriented
Thru Sept 4
Rural New Jersey-native Maxwell Mustardo created colorful bubbled and glazed ceramics that can be seen throughout the summer. Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton. (hunterdonartmuseum.org; 908-735-8415).
Skeffington Thomas
Thru Oct 2
Monroeville-based potter Skeffington Thomas, a department of arts professor at Rowan University, is having his functional and sculptural ceramic art displayed starting this month. Noyes Art Garage, Atlantic City (artsgarageac.com; 609-626-3840).
Comedy
Bill Maher
July 8
Bill Maher, who grew up in Bergen County, is bringing his provocative comedy back home. 8 pm; $55-$135. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark (njpac.org; 888-696-5722).
Kevin Hart & Chris Rock
July 22 & 24
Legends Kevin Hart and Chris Rock won’t throw any punches, but maybe some shade, at Newark’s Prudential Center on July 22 (7 pm; $109-$279; prucenter.com; 973-757-6000) and Holmdel’s PNC Bank Arts Center on July 24 (7 pm; $51-$410.50; banksartscentre.com; 732-203-2500).
Bruce Bruce
July 22-24
Atlanta-based actor and stand-up comedian Bruce Bruce is bringing his unique wit, spontaneity, and personality to his New Jersey comedy set. Showtimes vary; $35-$210. Stress Factor Comedy Club, New Brunswick (newbrunswick.stressfactory.com; 732-545-4242).
John Mulaney
July 29
Comic John Mulaney, best known for his Saturday Night Live writing and stand-up specials, is stopping in Newark on his From Scratch 2022 Tour. 7 pm; $49.50-$119.50. New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark (njpac.org; 888-696-5722).
Tony Roberts
July 29-30
Known as the “Comedian’s comedian,” Tony Roberts promises to bring a ton of energy to his comedy set, where he’s sharing personal stories and comments on popular culture. Showtimes vary; $22-$33. Bananas Comedy Club, Rutherford (bananascomedyclub.com; 201-727-1090).
Festivals
Fun Fridays
July 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29
Kick-off the weekend right with Wildwood’s new event series featuring live music, food vendors, lawn games, and more. The events are geared toward all ages. 6-8 pm. Byrne Plaza, Wildwood (dooww.com; 609-523-1602).
Flemington Car Shows
July 2, 16 & 30
On select Saturdays throughout the summer, Flemington is hosting a lineup of car models up for a Best Car Award. Live local musical talent and kid’s activities, such as face painting, games, and balloon sculptures, are also part of the show. 5:30-8:30 pm. Main Street, Flemington (flemingtoncarshows.com).
Maplewoodstock
July 9-10
Since 2004, a Woodstock-inspired festival has taken place at Maplewood’s Memorial Park. This year, bands in the lineup include Funk Yeah, Blood Sweat and Tears, Toto, Aaron Neville, Friends of the Brothers, and Galactic. Noon-10 pm. Memorial Park, Maplewood (maplewoodstock.com).
Atlantic City Vegan Food Festival
July 16-17
The two-day event is put on by the Vegan Local and has delicious vegan and plant-based eats from local chefs. Dish options include fried chicken, donuts, macaroni and cheese, and more. 11 am-5 pm;$10-$15. Showboat Hotel, Atlantic City (eventhub.net).
Craft Beer, Music & Crab Festival
July 23
Enjoy crab and craft beers, in addition to food trucks and live outdoor music. Attendees can purchase a seemingly endless supply of hard-shell crabs, which are covered in seasoning and come with a mallet, plus craft beer. 10 am-5 pm. 1048 Washington Street, Cape May (capemaymac.org; 609-884-5404).
Wildwood hosts its 113th annual Baby Parade this summer. Courtesy of Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority
Sourland Music Festival
July 23
This festival in the mountains is fun and philanthropic, thanks to host Sourland Conservancy, a nonprofit that aims to protect the local environment. Jam out to Jersey acts the Outcrops, Rainbow Fresh, and James Popik & Supernova, who are headlining the event. 3-8:30 pm; $10-$125. Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes (sourlandmountainfest.com).
Wildwood’s Annual Baby Parade
July 27
There’s no need to wait until Halloween to dress up. Bring your tots and their strollers to Wildwood’s annual Baby Parade, a tradition since 1909. Categories include cutest baby boy and girl, best dressed, best themed group and best float. 4:30-6 pm. Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood (wildwoodsnj.com; 800-992-9732).
New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning
July 29-31
The annual balloon festival of New Jersey releases approximately 100 hot air balloons into the sky. Attendees can purchase rides in the balloons, and a concert lineup features several recognizable names, including Todd Rundgren, Kansas, Collective Soul and children’s favorite Laurie Berkner. Times vary; $12-$32. Solberg Airport, Readington (balloonfestival.com; 973-882-5464).
***For even more festivals, check out New Jersey Monthly’s extensive summer guide.***
Music
Backstreet Boys
July 14 & 19
The Backstreet Boys are back. The ’90s heartthrobs perform at Camden’s Waterfront Music Pavilion on July 14 (7:30 pm; $39-$299.50; waterfrontamphitheater.com; 856-365-1300) and Holmdel’s PNC Bank Arts Center on July 19 (7:30 pm; $46-$350; banksartscentre.com; 732-203-2500).
Bouncing Souls
July 16
These New Brunswick punk icons play at one of NJM’s favorite outdoor venues: Stony Pony Summer Stage. 4 pm; $45. Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park (stoneponyonline.com; 732-502-0600).
The Weeknd
July 16
Save your tears for another day, because the Weeknd is stopping in New Jersey this month on his After Hours Til Dawn Tour. The megastar’s first-ever global stadium tour promises to showcase his last two albums, After Hours and DAWN FM, in a live setting for the very first time. 6:30 pm; $39-$2,044. MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (metlifestadium.com; 201-559-1500).
Alanis Morissette
July 21
You oughta know that alternative rock artist Alanis Morissette is jamming out to her hits this summer in New Jersey. 7 pm; $34.50-$211.25. PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel (banksartscentre.com; 732-203-2500).
Elton John is playing his final two shows in New Jersey this July. Photo courtesy of Rocket Entertainment/Ben Gibson
Elton John
July 23-24
Rock legend Elton John is making his last stops in New Jersey this month on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour. 8 pm; $55-$$4,494. MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford (metlifestadium.com; 201-559-1500).
Special Events
Sunset Beach Evening Flag Ceremony
Thru Labor Day
Sunset Beach in Cape May Point hosts a moving flag-lowering ceremony every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening from July 2 through Labor Day. During the ceremony, a tradition at Sunset Beach since 1973, one veteran is honored. The flag used at each ceremony is the veteran’s casket flag provided by the person’s family. 7 pm. Sunset Beach, Cape May Point (sunsetbeachnj.com; 609-884-7079).
Stage
Little Women
July 15
This book-to-musical adaption is based on Louisa May Alcott’s renowned novel of the same namesake, which is a coming-of-age story that follows the March sisters navigating life for women in the years following the American Civil War. 7 pm; $18-$22. Levoy Theatre, Millville (levoy.net; 856-327-6400).
Sex n’ the City
July 15
Can’t help but wonder when you can get your next Sex and the City fix? Look no further because the Count Basie Center has you covered with its “super unauthorized” musical parody. 7 pm; $25-$49. Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Red Bank (thebasie.org; 732-842-9000).
In the Heights
July 15-24
Light Opera of New Jersey is bringing Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical In the Heights to New Jersey. Centered on a predominantly Dominican-American neighborhood in Washington Heights, the show celebrates the sounds of salsa, soul and rap combined. Showtimes vary; $28-$58. South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange (sopacnow.org; 973-313-2787).
Once Upon A Mattress
July 21-24
Mighty Oak Players promise to put on a sharp and funny play about an evil queen, her hapless son, and his curse-afflicted father. Showtimes vary; $20-$25. Monroe Performing Arts Center, Monroe Township (monroetownshipculturalarts.com; 732-521-4400).
Benefits & Fundraisers
Feeding America Fundraiser
July 4
Discover Genius Within, a Voorhees-based personal trainer, partnered with non-profit Feeding America to help raise funds to feed Americans facing food insecurity. Every $1 donated will provide at least 10 meals. 1-2 pm. 53 Penn Road, Voorhees Township (teamfeed.feedingamerica.org).
Somerset Patriots Annual Family Fun Night and Fundraiser
July 9
See the Somerset Patriots play for a good cause. Ticket sales benefit children and families impacted by adoption and foster care. 7:05 pm-10:05 pm. 860 East Main Street, Bridgewater (miriamsheart.org; 732-469-0194).
Music & Art Fundraiser
July 16
Support Ocean County-based musicians while raising awareness and funds for David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, a Manahawkin-based nonprofit that provides financial assistance, wellness resources, and patient support to families affected by cancer. Local business vendors, a raffle, and baked goods can be found on site. 4-7 pm; $5. 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton (davidsdreamandbelieve.org; 609-489-0011).
Summer Fundraiser & Scholarship
July 16
This event honors receipents of the Leaders & Achievers Scholarship and Hermano Leadership Award from the Boys to Leaders Foundation, a Newark-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering young men. Noon-3:30 pm; $85-$3,000. Bella Italia, Orange (boystoleadersfoundation.org; 862-210-2968).
Source: njmonthly.com
