This weekend in Monmouth County, NJ

Get ready for a full-day ride with THE WILEST RIDE, starting with the group kicking things off at Six Flags and ending with FUNPLEX AFTER DARK. The experience is for ages 21+ and includes snacks, drinks, and an all-day meal ticket, with additional food after Six Flags. There are designated buses for smokers and non-smokers. Doors open at 7:00 AM, and the schedule runs through the day with an overnight finish at Funplex.

This event celebrates the legacy of Dr. George Sheehan, the Running Doctor, who had a significant influence on health and fitness at the Jersey Shore and beyond. The Sheehan Classic 5K concludes on the Asbury Park Boardwalk and honors him and his family. Registration is limited.

Enjoy a full day that brings out your inner child at Grown-Up Camp, with camp-style activities, live music, and plenty of water fun including swimming and boating. You’ll also find multiple food trucks on site, plus craft beers and seltzers from Needle Creek Farm Brewery. Tickets are required for admission, and a rain date is set for August 9, 2026. No refunds are available after purchase.

Get ready for a fun day of cornhole at the Bags, Boards & Bands Cornhole Tournament at Monmouth Park. You can compete in either the Social Players Tournament or the Competitive Players Tournament, with prizes ranging from trophies and restaurant gift cards to cash and other goodies in the competitive category. The day includes check-in from 11 AM to noon, with games starting at noon, plus live entertainment and thrilling horse racing throughout the event. Registration is for ages 18 and up, with online registration ending the day before, and limited cash-only walk-up registration available starting at 11 AM on the event day.

Get ready to jump, groove, and celebrate health and fitness at the Capital City Double Dutch Competition. This is a family-friendly event for all ages and skill levels, with a community walk hosted by Trenton Run Club, followed by yoga and a high-energy workout session. The main event features double dutch competition with jumpers taking part for prizes, plus music, games, bounce houses, food, giveaways, and more. Health and Human Services will also be on site with information about local resources for individuals and families.

The date has been updated due to weather. Enjoy a relaxed day on the sand at Asbury Park 5th Avenue Beach near Convention Hall, followed by happy hour at a nearby beach bar and dinner at Porta. A beach badge is required and costs $10, with credit cards accepted. Asbury Park regulations prohibit alcohol on the beach and boardwalk, and open containers in public spaces are not allowed, with enforcement by the beach patrol and local police. Travel options include taking the train from Newark Penn or arriving by car. For questions, contact nonskicoordinator@hobokenskiclub.com.

Enjoy an entry-level kayak camping overnighter with paddling on the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers. Participants set up camp around noon at a cabin in Hartshorne Woods, decide on afternoon paddling plans, then split into groups to explore the Twin Rivers. After sunset, everyone meets back at the cabin to cook dinner, talk about the day around a fire, and sleep out in the woods. The cabin can accommodate about 6 to 10 people, with plenty of space for tents in the field. In the morning, have breakfast and head out for more paddling. The trip requires JSSKA membership, waivers, and PFDs, and it is capped at 20 people. Bring your own food and beverages. Paddling options vary in length and difficulty. Vehicles can remain at the cabin site, and launching will involve moving boats on top of cars to various put-in sites.

Join the India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton (IFMP) for a family-friendly picnic day at Mercer County Park in Princeton Junction. The event is geared for all ages, with outdoor games and activities, team fun, and a chance to relax and connect with the community. There will also be music, dance performances, food and drink options, and an exhibition, bringing a lively mix of culture to the park.

Sail the Bay Day 2026 is a free afternoon of sailing and beach fun around Sandy Hook Bay. You’ll board Hobie catamarans with experienced skippers for short sailing jaunts, plus there will be hot dogs and burgers for attendees. The event runs for about three hours and is open to all ages, with anyone under 18 needing to be with a parent or legal guardian. The activity is weather-dependent, so it’s a good idea to check for last-minute event alerts before heading over.

Long Branch Historic House & Farm hosts a community dog show alongside terrier races, sponsored by Blue Ridge Hunt and Long Branch Historic House & Farm in Boyce, Virginia. This community gathering showcases dogs in a historic house and farm setting.

Families and friends can learn to craft their own soap at Sensorium Emporium in Red Bank during weekly Saturday sessions. This kid friendly workshop invites everyone to get creative together. Participation is $25 per person, and class size is limited to 20 to keep things cozy. You can secure a spot by RSVPing and paying in advance on Eventbrite, or try for a walk in seat on a first come basis. For questions, the organizers are available by direct message, email, or phone. Be cautious about third party ticket resellers, as scam accounts have appeared in earlier posts.

Enjoy the New Brunswick Heart Festival, a free, outdoor, family-friendly celebration of the arts, culture, and history of New Brunswick and Middlesex County. Expect live music and dance performances, plus free kids dance classes, craft and visual art vendors, face painting, henna, balloon animals, and a health and wellness area. There will also be food vendors and chances to win ticket and swag giveaways.

Celebrate Jouvert Day with a lively party featuring Caribbean vibes, nonstop music, and plenty of energy. You can expect great food, drinks, and an all-afternoon atmosphere where you can dance, celebrate, and represent your culture. The dress code is summer fresh.

Brody Schenk and Jack West perform live at Transparent Clinch Gallery, a welcoming stage for both touring and local artists. A suggested minimum donation of $10 is requested at the door unless stated otherwise. Plans can change, so check the gallery's social media and website for the latest updates.

Enjoy an evening of live music at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. This event is free and runs from early evening into the night, with live music happening throughout the weekend.

Catch The Dear Hunter on their Road to Sunya Tour 2026 with Closure in Moscow. The show takes place at House of Independents in Asbury Park.

Fortune Feimster brings her Takin’ Care of Biscuits national tour to the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre on the Basie Center campus. An actress, comedian, writer, and host, she has a trio of Netflix specials, with Crushing It following Good Fortune and Sweet & Salty, the latter two earning Critics Choice nominations. Recent screen work includes season two of the Netflix comedy Fubar alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, plus roles in Chelsea Lately, The Mindy Project, Kenan, Office Christmas Party, and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. She is in production on Will Ferrell’s untitled Netflix golf comedy series and will voice Nibbles in Disney’s Zootopia 2. Her audio projects include the podcast Handsome with Tig Notaro and Mae Martin, as well as What A Joke with Papa and Fortune on SiriusXM.

Join ComedySportz for an energetic, interactive improv comedy show where performers create everything on the spot using audience suggestions. Expect a fast-paced, competitive format, and a family-friendly experience rated E for Everyone. It’s a fun night out that works for date night, groups, or a get-together with friends.

At The Vogel on the Basie Center Campus in Red Bank, Early Elton Trio celebrates the stripped down power of Elton John’s 1970 to 1972 trio tours with bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson. The lineup features Jeff Kazee of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Rich Pagano of The Fab Faux, and John Conte of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. In those early years Elton toured without a full band, reworking songs and vocals to suit a lean trio, which created a sound that felt both gritty and heartfelt. Drawing on rare videos, bootleg recordings and even home demos, the group blends close attention to detail with fresh spark while staying true to the spirit and drive of those shows. The set draws from highlights like Take Me To The Pilot, Levon, Amoreena, Indian Sunset, Burn Down The Mission, Country Comfort and Madman Across The Water, and they sometimes present complete albums such as Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across The Water and the live concert 11-17-70. The project is dedicated to carrying forward a chapter widely regarded as a peak for material, production and performance.

Admission is limited to ages 21 and over. Steely Dead, a Denver-based national touring quartet, blends the meticulous arrangements of Steely Dan with the Grateful Dead’s melodic improvisation and flowing song transitions, creating original jam moments that link familiar tunes. The lineup features Dave Abear on guitar, Matt Abear on bass, Chris Sheldon on drums, and Dylan Teifer on keys. Known for high-energy shows and heartfelt takes on classic material, they have built a devoted community of fans who come to dance, celebrate the music they love, and leave with lasting memories.

Too Many Zooz takes the stage at Asbury Lanes for a live concert open to all ages. Doors will open before the performance so guests can get settled and ready for the music.

Get ready for a high-energy tribute show that brings Selena’s biggest hits to life. “512: The Selena Experience” features an all-star group of musicians performing fan favorites like “Como La Flor,” “Amor Prohibido,” “Si Una Vez,” and “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” plus more. The show runs about 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission, and you can expect plenty of chances to sing along and dance. Concessions are available, free parking is offered, and the venue is wheelchair accessible with assisted listening devices.

Explore the Howell Farmers Market at Echo Lake Park, featuring fresh-from-the-farm produce, fresh-baked treats, handcrafted items, and other beloved local picks. New finds appear each week, making it a welcoming spot for a family outing while supporting local businesses. Enjoy a relaxed market day and see what is new this week.

Kick off your Sunday with live music at Stratosphere Brewing Company, part of the Sundays Live Music Series. Expect laid-back vibes, talented solo artists, and cold beer in a relaxed setting. The event runs from midday through late afternoon, making it an easy way to close out the weekend.

A lively pool party with a Rock Bottom twist puts dancing front and center. Attendees are encouraged to bring flip flops made for moving so they can dance poolside.

Pokemon Open Play welcomes participants at every skill level. New and curious players can receive guidance, and weekly Discord posts share details about entry, format, prizes, and promos.

As part of the Westside Jazz Concert Series, the Eddie Allen Quintet performs at Johnny Jazz Park. Organized by The Jazz Arts Project alongside the Red Bank Division of Parks and Recreation, this free concert welcomes the community. Support is provided in part by Monmouth Arts, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners.

Catch the premiere of "The Girl We Let In" at Basie Center Cinemas. After adopting her family's longtime babysitter Sophie, Hope starts to suspect the teenager is hiding a deadly secret. This is an in-person screening experience running from mid-afternoon into early evening.

Get dressed for an all-green-and-black formal night at EUROGALLERY, an in-person showcase featuring artwork from featured artist EuroArtVision along with live music, food, and drinks. Doors open at 5:00 PM, and the event runs for three hours.

New York stand-up Dovi Neuburger brings his sharp, personal comedy to The Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank. An up-and-coming voice in Jewish comedy, he frequently opens on Elon Gold’s theater tours, playing to sold-out crowds nationwide, and has built a social following of more than 57,000 on Instagram. His set draws on a Jewish upbringing to explore family expectations, the pull between tradition and modern life, plenty of guilt, faith, dating, and the knack for turning anxiety into a personality trait. With a mix of keen observation and candid storytelling, he balances warmth with bite for a set that feels familiar yet freshly honest. Laughter is a mitzvah... and he treats it like serious business.

Matisyahu brings an all ages show with special access available through two VIP options. The Ultimate VIP Experience includes one general admission ticket, a private backstage hang and Q&A with Matisyahu, opportunities for exclusive photos and autographs, a Matisyahu VIP merch package, an exclusive poster signed by the artist, first access to merchandise shopping where available, and early venue entry where available. The Meet & Greet Experience includes one general admission ticket, a meet and greet with Matisyahu, an individual photo opportunity, an exclusive signed poster, first access to merchandise shopping where available, and early venue entry where available. Ticket availability includes a public onsale along with venue, Live Nation, artist, and VIP package presales.