July Events at the Jersey Shore
July is peak season with Fourth of July fireworks, parades, and daily beach events.
66
Events
2
Major Festivals
32
Free Events
10
Categories
The busiest day in July: Saturday, July 25
25 events land on this one day. If you are choosing a weekend, this is the one with the most going on — and the one where parking, traffic and rooms are tightest. Book and arrive early.
- Night in Venice · Ocean City
- Italian Festival & Wine Tasting · Oceanport
- Cape May Marlin Tournament · Cape May
- Matt Rife: Stay Golden World Tour at Ovation Hall · Atlantic City
- Wildwood Crest Christmas in July Festival & Boat Parade · Wildwood Crest
- Wildwood Beach Ultimate Tournament · Wildwood
- Monmouth County Fair · Freehold
- Drone Shows at Ocean Casino Resort · Atlantic City
- Historic Smithville Car Cruise · Smithville
- Night in Venice 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk · Ocean City
- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Screening with Randy Quaid Live Q&A · Ocean City
- Bill Liddell Men's Basketball Tournament · Sea Isle City
- Shore Softball Classic · Sea Isle City
- Wildwood's Christmas in July Golf Cart Parade · Wildwood
- North Wildwood Christmas in July with Santa Claus · North Wildwood
- Surfing Santas · North Wildwood
- Kelly's Kidz 5K & Family Fun Walk · North Wildwood
- Christmas in July at the Cape May Lighthouse · Cape May Point
- Michael Blaustein: The Taste Me Tour at Borgata · Atlantic City
- Dick Fox's Golden Boys: Frankie Avalon & Fabian at Hard Rock · Atlantic City
- The Machine Performs Pink Floyd at Golden Nugget · Atlantic City
- Lucy Dacus at Stone Pony Summer Stage · Asbury Park
- Barnegat Light Ocean Mile Swim · Barnegat Light
- Jus Nice Sneaker Convention · Wildwood
- Hands On History Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village · Cape May
Destination Events in July
Major festivals and events worth planning your trip around.
July 25, 2026
Boat parade 6:30pm, fireworks 9pm
Ocean City's 71-year-old boat parade lights up the bay with decorated vessels and a fireworks finale.
Highlights
July 4, 2026
All day; fireworks at dark
NJ's largest July 4th celebration with 250,000 visitors and massive fireworks display.
Highlights
Major Events
KCBS-sanctioned BBQ competition with live blues music in North Wildwood.
Italian Festival & Wine Tasting
Oceanport
Italian food, wine tasting, and live racing at Monmouth Park.
60+ years of marlin fishing tradition—one of the oldest release tournaments in the region.
Harry Connick Jr. plays the 2,400-seat Borgata Event Center in Atlantic City on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00 PM.
Matt Rife brings the Stay Golden World Tour to Ocean Casino Resort's Ovation Hall for four shows across July 24-25, 2026.
Christmas in July festival on Sunset Lake with live music, free Santa photos and a decorated boat parade of about 40 boats at 8:45 PM.
The 34th annual Wildwood Beach Ultimate, billed as the largest beach ultimate frisbee tournament in the world, with 4-on-4 play on the sand.
Joan Osborne headlines the City of Cape May's 2026 Summer Concert Series at Cape May Convention Hall on the beachfront.
Q102's Summer Beach Tour concert featuring Nelly on the boardwalk at Seaport Pier, billed as the biggest summer event in South Jersey.
Free three-day surf art exhibition at the Ocean City Music Pier with original work from top surf artists, live music, and artist meet-and-greets.
Cape May's 93rd Baby Parade for children 12 and under, with day-of registration at Congress Street and Beach Avenue and trophies at Convention Hall.
The Chicks headline the 7,000-seat Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena in Atlantic City on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM.
Blues legend Buddy Guy plays Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 9:00 PM as part of the Buddy Guy 90 run.
Men At Work co-headline with Toad The Wet Sprocket at the Borgata Event Center on Friday, July 31, 2026 at 8:00 PM.
NAGA's Battle at the Beach Grappling Championship returns to the Wildwoods Convention Center for three days of mixed grappling competition.
Three-day tattoo convention at Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch with artists, contests and live music.
Highlands Clam Fest
Highlands
Three-day Highlands seafood festival in Huddy Park with clams, food trucks, a beer garden and live music.
Local Events & Celebrations
Monmouth County Fair
Freehold • July 22-26, 2026
Downbeach Summer Fest
Ventnor City • July 12-14, 2026
Ocean County Fair
Berkeley Township • July 8-12, 2026
Historic Smithville Car Cruise
Smithville • July 24 - August 28, 2026
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Screening with Randy Quaid Live Q&A
Ocean City • July 25, 2026
Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore
Toms River • July 30 - August 2, 2026
Manasquan River Marlin & Tuna Club Fluke Tournament
Point Pleasant Beach • July 31 - August 10, 2026
🎆 Weekly Fireworks in July
Catch free fireworks shows at these shore towns every week during summer.
Seaside Heights Fireworks
Seaside Heights
Wednesdays at 9:30 PM
Wildwood Friday Night Fireworks
Wildwood
Fridays at 10:00 PM
Jenkinson's Fireworks
Point Pleasant Beach
Thursdays at 9:30 PM
Ocean City Boardwalk Fireworks
Ocean City
Saturdays at 9:00 PM
Brick Summerfest Fireworks
Brick
Thursdays at Dusk
Atlantic City Tropicana Fireworks Series
Atlantic City
Saturdays at 10:00 PM
Book Your Stay
Jersey Shore summer accommodations in high demand
Book now for best selection
Free cancellation on most stays • Verified guest reviews
Some links may earn us a commission. Learn more
Events by Category
Events by County
Monmouth County
10
events
Ocean County
9
events
Atlantic County
15
events
Cape May County
32
events
💡 July Tips
Expect crowds for holiday events. Night in Venice is a boat parade worth seeing on its own.
July Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
What events happen at the Jersey Shore in July?
July features 66 events at the Jersey Shore including Oceanfest, Night in Venice, NJ State BBQ Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival. July is peak season with Fourth of July fireworks, parades, and daily beach events.
Are there free events at the Jersey Shore in July?
Yes, 32 of the 66 events in July are free to attend. Many towns host free concerts, parades, and community celebrations.
What should I know about visiting the Jersey Shore in July?
Expect crowds for holiday events. Night in Venice is a boat parade worth seeing on its own.
Explore More
Town calendars with July events
Year-round event calendars for the towns running something this month.
- Asbury Park3 events
- Atlantic City12 events
- Barnegat Light1 event
- Beach Haven2 events
- Cape May7 events
- Long Branch3 events
- North Wildwood6 events
- Ocean City4 events
- Point Pleasant Beach1 event
- Sea Isle City3 events
- Historic Smithville1 event
- Toms River1 event
- Ventnor2 events
- Wildwood9 events
- Wildwood Crest4 events