Free and Affordable Activities for New Jersey Families to Enjoy This Summer

Looking for some budget-friendly ideas to do with your family and friends this summer? We’ve got you covered. As local residents and parents of kids right here in NJ, we’re always looking for something fun to do with them in our down time.  Since having the kids home all summer can be costly, especially if you’re having renovations done at home, we understand money may be tight.  That’s why today’s blog is all about sharing great free and low-cost affordable activities to enjoy with your loved ones! 

We’ve compiled a great list of events we’ve been hearing about as we make our way through job sites in New Jersey, and we can’t wait to share them with you.  We know you’re going to love our list of free and affordable activities for New Jersey Families to enjoy this summer (And we’ve got a special focus on Union and Middlesex Counties, too!)

The Downtown Plainfield Pop-Up Concert Series 2025 will run Thursdays from June through August 2025. Each Thursday in front of Park Plaza, enjoy a free outdoor concert series ranging from smooth jazz to R&B to high-energy funk music for community enjoyment!

The State Theatre of New Jersey in New Brunswick is hosting their annual free summer movie series from July 1st through August 5th.  Movie screenings will be shown on a 46’ screen with a state-of-the-art sound system in the historic theater. Movies will be shown with Spanish subtitles.  Movie screenings begin at 7PM but free crafts and activities will begun at 6PM!  The current schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 1st - Despicable Me 4

• Tuesday, July 15th - Moana 2

• Tuesday, July 22nd  - The Wild Robot

• Tuesday, July 29th - Sonic the Hedgehog 3

• Tuesday, August 5th - Inside Out 2

Middlesex Coutny’s Free Music in the Park Concert Series will take place this summer from June through September! Enjoy music at the following locations and dates:

• Raritan Bay Waterfront Park, South Amboy: Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 from June through September 10th

• Thompson Park, Jamesburg: Wednesdays from 2PM to 3:30PM from July 2nd through August 27th

• Spring Lake Park, South Plainfield: Sundays from 6PM to 7:30PM from July 6th through August 24th

• Medwick Park, Carteret: Thursdays from 6:30 to 8PM from August 7th through the 14th

Bonus Events on Thursday July 24th at Spring Lake Park with “Bilingual Birdies: Fun Language Learning Through Music and Children’s Museum of Central NJ’s Puppet Making Activity; Thursday August 21st at Johnson Park with “Bilingual Birdies: Fun LAnguage Learning Through Music” and Children’s Museum of Central NJ’s Puppet Making Activity - Both events from 5PM to 7PM on each date.

The Family Fun and Flix events at Warinanco Park are hosted by Union County. Each will feature an ice cream truck, family-friendly activities, and an outdoor movie experience with a BYO chairs/blanket recommendation.  Movies begin at dusk, weather permitting. The current schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday, July 15th -  Moana 2

• Tuesday, July 22nd - Inside Out 2

• Tuesday, July 29th - Despicable Me 4

• Tuesday, August 12th - Kung Fu Panda 4

• Tuesday, August 19th - Mufasa: The Lion King

The Union County Summer Arts Festival 2025 will host different creative and interactive events at various parks throughout the county along with a free summer concert series. Current schedule is as follows:

• July 9th at Echo Lake Park @ 6:30PM: Yoga Class followed by the Never Say Goodbye Bon Jovi Tribute Band

• July 19th at Warinanco Park @ 4PM to 8PM: Freestyle Concert featuring TKA, Judy Torres, and Soave

• August 13th at Oak Ridge Park @ 6:30PM: Yoga Class followed by Hey Bulldog (Beatles Experience) Band

• August 23rd at Oak Ridge Park @12PM to 4PM featuring Zabo Circus, Michael & The Rockness Monsters and Joanne Leeds with Family Friendly Games and Activities

Rahway NJ Is hosting the Mayor’s Summer Concert Series outside of UCPAC on Irving Street; in case of rain the concerts will be held inside the theatre.  Music Live at the Paseo will take place on Fridays from May through September.  The Arts District Park will host full bands performing various live music on Saturday Evenings from June through September.

Plays in the Park is part of Middlesex County’s arts initiative in Edison.  This year’s remaining summer series plays include RENT from July 9th through July 19th, Grease from July 30th through August 9th.  Raindates/Rainout events will be posted on the website.

FolkLIVE: New Jersey Folk Festival is celebrating its 50th year at Davidson’s Mill Pond Park in South Brunswick on August 23rd from 10AM to 4PM; Raindate of August 24th.  Enjoy a free public event featuring local musicians, artisinal crafters, folklorists, kids activities, garden tours, food trucks, and more!

Each Tuesday this summer through August 26th, Westfield will be hosting free music and activities around town for the Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival this summer. Wednesdays are reserved as rain dates.  Walk around town and check out the shops and restaurants as you listen to the fine musical stylings of local musicians stationed around town.

Downtown Cranford’s Summer Sounds events will take place on Thursdays through August 28th.  Local restaurants and shops will be open as you stroll around town!  Enjoy the musical stylings across many genres with these special free evening concerts with local artists every week!

The Scotch Plains Farmers’ Market will be back Saturdays through November 1st! Enjoying its 33rd season, this market highlights local produce, plants, flowers, specialty goods, artists and makers, children’s entertainment, and lots of exciting events.

Join in the free weekly Wednesday Wonder Walk through Roebling Park at the Tulpehaking Nature Center from July 6th through March 25th 2026 at 10AM to 11:30AM in Hamilton Township!  No registration is required and the cost is free!  Plus, as long as it’s not pouring buckets, the walks are still on -  making it a very fun rainy day activity instead of being stuck indoors.

Asbury Park is hosting the AP Music Summer Live Series with free summe concerts from 7PM to 10PM every Wednesday at the 1st Avenue Green Space.  Dates include: July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th; August 6th, 12th, 20th, and 28th.

Brick Summerfest Concerts are a free musical outdoor event and fireworks display every Thursday in July at Windward Beach Park from 7PM on. Dates include: July 3rd, July 10th, July 17th, July 24th.

Newark Museum of Art is hosting its Free Community Day event on July 13th!  Register on their website for their free family friendly event and attend themed days with special activities, interactive displays, and special guests!

The following museums and venues are offering select family days with free or low-cost admissions including: Rutgers Geology Museum, Grounds for Sculpture, Princeton University Art Museum, Monmouth Museum, All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey, Heritage Glass Museum, Hiran Blauvelt Art Museum, Montclair Art Museum, Long Pond Iron Works.