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Lighting up Mountain Lake, Warren County. Photo by Frank Cheh.
July
Friday, 3; Bridgewater
SUIT AND MAI TAI. Yacht Rock Tribute NS Independence Day Fireworks. 8:30pm. Duke Island Park, Old York Road.
Somerset Concert Series in the Park; 908/722-1200
Saturday, 4; Blairstown
BLAIRSTOWN FOURTH. A traditional Fourth of July Celebration including patriotic musical opening ceremonies and reading of the Declaration of Independence, contests and games, food and crafts. Footbridge Park.
FOURTH OF JULY AT MIDDLEBROOK. At Middlebrook, a 20-acre park commemorates the encampments of the Continental Army in 1777 and 1778-1779. It is here that the first American flag was unfurled, and where a 13-Star Betsy Ross flag flies continuously by special act of Congress. 2026 marks the 132nd Annual Ceremony and the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Bring lawn chairs and listen to patriotic music before the introduction of dignitaries, reading of the Declaration, Keynote Speaker, historical address, and Benediction. 10am. 1761 Middlebrook Rd..
4TH OF JULY AT THE FORD MANSION. Celebrate with an interactive reading of the Declaration of Independence, toasts, and volley of musketry from Continental soldiers, followed by an open house of the Ford Mansion. Bring your own chair and/or blanket. Reminder parking is lots are first come first serve. This is an outdoor event and is weather dependent. In the event of severe weather, programs will be cancelled. 12pm. Free Admission. Washington’s Headquarters, 30 Washington Pl..
AMERICA’S 250TH CELEBRATION WITH THE HUNTERDON SYMPHONY. A program of rousing, evocative music includes familiar works by Sousa, Horner, Bernstein, and Copland, among others. 7. Free. Deer Path Park, West Woodschurch Road.
BAROQUE ORCHESTRA OF NEW JERSEY. A special presentation for American’s 250th, this concert will feature Maestro Butts’ composition Lafayette Suite, which was commissioned to celebrate Morristown connections to America’s 250th. 7:30pm. 6 Normandy Heights Rd..
Morris Museum Jazz on the Back Deck; 973/971-3706
Thursday, 9-19; Hackettstown
THE WEDDING SINGER. Summerfest 2026. A wannabe rock star (aka professional wedding singer) is left at the altar and finally changes his tune. Lackland Center, 715 Grand Ave..
JAMES MADDOCK BAND. A rock & roll lifer, the British-born singer/songwriter has been carving his path since the 1980s with a raw, soulful voice; a storyteller’s sense of narrative; and the ability to blur the lines between folk, classic pop, and rock. The concert will take place outdoors in the Riverside Amphitheatre. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Picnic tables are available. 4pm. $10 suggested donation. Ramsaysburg Homestead, 140 Rt 46 at Ramseyburg Rd..
BEAUTY AND THE BEATS. Disney fanatics of all ages get ready to sing and dance with this Ultimate Fairytale Show! 10am. Free. Deer Path Park, West Woodschurch Road.
MORRIS COUNTY 4-H FAIR. Animals shows and presentations, exhibits, family activities, monster truck rides, hay ride, food trucks High View Farms, 416 Sand Shore Rd..
SOURLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL. The festival celebrates the character and beauty of the New Jersey Sourlands and supports planning and conservatory efforts. $30 online, $40 gate. Unionville Vineyards, 9 Rocktown Rd. More...
WARREN COUNTY FARMERS’ FAIR AND BALLOON FESTIVAL. More than an agricultural fair, the Farmer’s Fair boasts a hot air balloon festival, and a variety of shows and competitions you don’t often find in today’s world of digital entertainment. From demolition derbies and a rodeo, to fry pan throwing and hay bale rolling in the Agricultural Olympics, the Fair provides a great variety of entertainment for all! $9/ $5 ages 5-12. Farmer’s Fairgrounds, Rt. 519 near Stryker’s Rd..
WHISKEY & ROSES . 6:30pm. Duke Island Park, Old York Road.
Somerset Concert Series in the Park; 908/722-1200
Sunday, 26; Milford
GITAN MAGIQUE. Steeped in the 1930s French jazz of Django Rienhart and Stephan Grapelli, but with contemporary attitude, Gitan Magique performs unique arrangements of well known jazz and classical repertoire as well as engaging original works. Enjoy the farm’s delicious foods which are available for purchase. Seating will be on the farmhouse lawn, with reservations limited in order to observe social distance guidelines. Family friendly, BYOB. No dogs please. 3 - 6:30pm. $15 per person, resv essential. 369 Stamets Road.
MALTBY & SHIRE'S: CLOSER THAN EVER. Summerfest 2026 filled to the brim with the brilliance for which these musical theatre giants are known. Lackland Center, 715 Grand Ave..
NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR / SUSSEX COUNTY FARM AND HORSE SHOW. New Jersey’s Largest Agricultural Fair, features agricultural events and education, animals, exhibits, horse shows, carnival, petting zoo, vendors, craft tent, flower and vegetable shows, art, 4-H, chainsaw artist and auction, fair food, entertainment. Sussex County Fairgrounds, Rt. 206 & Plains Rd.. More...
Weekends • ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS. New Jersey Astronomical Association Observatory
is open to the public every weekend from Memorial Day to Halloween.
Saturday
evening programs begin at 8:30 PM and include a tour of the facility and public
viewing of planets/deep space objects through the 26" telescope, as well as
other smaller scopes. On Sunday afternoons from 2-5 PM, the public is invited
to look at sun spots through the 10" scope equipped with special solar filters.
For additional information, call or visit NJAA’swebsite.
Above, the Rosette Nebula is approximately 130 light years in diameter and 5,000 light years from Earth. Young stars at the center excite the surrounding hydrogen gas and cause it to glow. The photograph was taken at the UACNJ site in Jenny Jump State Forest by Gregg Waldron, MMAS
Saturdays • ASTRONOMY TALKS. Presentations
followed by observing sessions, weather permitting, at the UACNJ Observatory located 1,100 feet above sea level in Jenny Jump State Forest. The site is one of the few dark sky locations left in the state and features several permanently mounted telescopes from a 7-inch APO refractor to a 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain.
Weekends • THE PEQUEST TROUT HATCHERY AND NATURAL RESOURCE EDUCATION CENTER hosts a series of programs about the natural world around us for young and old alike. Preregistration is usually required. Topics range from a child’s first introduction to nature to seminars for expert fly fishers.
Ongoing • TOURS OF WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AT THE FORD MANSION.
The Washington’s
Headquarters Museum includes includes three exhibit galleries, a 30-minute introductory video, and the Discover History Center. Tours of Fords Mansion are available at 10 and 11am and at 1, 2, 3 and 4pm.
