Things To Do in New Jersey This Weekend: September 26-September 28

From the serene beauty of the Water Lantern Festival — Mays Landing to the soulful sounds of the Middlesex County Jazz Festival and the family fun of the Monarch Festival, the New Jersey weekend events offer excellent variety. Add local traditions, craft beer, and top-tier comedy, and there’s something to delight every interest and age group.

Water Lantern Festival — Mays Landing

• What: Celebration of hope and remembrance through lanterns
• When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at 4 p.m.
• Where: Mays Landing, 753 Park Road, Mays Landing
• Cost: General Admission $30.99, VIP $56.99, Date Night Special (two GA tickets) $77.16, and Group Deal $24.99 per person, sold in increments of four tickets

The Water Lantern Festival — Mays Landing creates a night to remember with an evening of reflection, connection, and community participation. Upon arrival, guests will create and personalize their own floating lanterns with messages of hope and remembrance. The lanterns will be released onto the water, creating a stunning sight of light. There will also be food trucks, live music, local vendors, and fun activities such as scavenger hunts.

Middlesex County Jazz Festival

• What: An evening of soulful jazz
• When: Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, at 7 p.m.
• Where: Carteret Performing Arts and Events Center, 46 Washington Ave., Carteret
• Cost: Free

Feel the powerful voice of Lezlie Harrison, a prominent modern jazz musician. She blends jazz, blues, gospel, soul, and the great American songbook, employing rich, bold vocals to simultaneously challenge and engage the listener’s heart and spirit during every performance. The founder of New York’s famed Jazz Gallery, Lezlie has performed for captivated audiences all over the world. Her artistry and emotional connection will deliver a memorable evening of music and passion at the Middlesex County Jazz Festival.

Monarch Festival

• What: Family-friendly celebration of monarch butterflies
• When: Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: Nature Center of Cape May, 1600 Delaware Ave., Cape May
• Cost: Suggested $5 donation per person

The Monarch Festival at the Nature Center of Cape May is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of the monarch butterfly and its migration. Enjoy vegetarian yoga, a festive monarch parade, tagging demonstrations, crafts, and encounters with local artists and authors. The event also features educational exhibits and interactive games that explore what each of us can do to protect these beautiful butterflies.

Other Events

The events in New Jersey this weekend offer considerable variety, from outdoor traditions and craft beer tastings to big laughs with a comedy favorite. Whether you’re into wildlife heritage, local brews, or stand-up comedy, there’s something for everyone to enjoy:

• 2025 Old Time Barnegat Bay Decoy & Gunning Show: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stanley “Tip” Seaman County Park, 120 Lakeside Drive, Tuckerton
• Glassboro Craft Beer Festival: Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m. at Glassboro Town Square, 1 W. High St., Glassboro
• Michael Rapaport: Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at Stress Factory New Brunswick, 90 Church St., New Brunswick

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