NEW JERSEY, NJ – This spring, New Jersey is set to host an array of festivals catering to diverse interests, from filmmaking and jazz to cherry blossoms and Renaissance fairs. The Garden State Film Festival, running from March 21 to 24, 2024, celebrates independent filmmaking across various venues, honoring New Jersey’s historical contribution to the film industry.
The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for April 6 to 14, 2024, in Branch Brook Park, boasting over 5,200 cherry trees. This festival outshines Washington D.C. in its cherry blossom count and offers a range of activities including bike races and live music.
Jazz enthusiasts are invited to Cape May from April 19 to 21, 2024, for the Exit Zero Spring Jazz Festival. The event features hundreds of musicians and spans several venues, including bars and restaurants, for evening performances.
Shadfest in Lambertville, on April 20 and 21, 2024, celebrates the seasonal shad migration with food, music, and vendors, offering a unique blend of natural history and local culture. Haddonfield introduces its first-ever free music festival on April 27, 2024, promising a day of live, original music spanning multiple stages.
Anime fans will gather at the Meadowlands Expo Center for the Castle Point Anime Convention on April 27 and 28, 2024, the largest student-run anime event in the USA. The New Jersey Wine & Food Festival at Crystal Springs Resort, from May 3 to 5, 2024, offers an opportunity to sample exquisite food and wine, while the 4th Annual Down & Derby Wine Festival in Cooper River Park, Pennsauken, on May 4, 2024, combines South Jersey wines with Derby-themed festivities.
Seafood lovers will flock to Belmar from May 17 to 19, 2024, for the New Jersey Seafood Festival, featuring a plethora of seafood delicacies, artisans, and vendors. The Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival, on May 18 and 19, 2024, caters to plant-based diets with a variety of vegan foods, products, and fashion.
The New Jersey Renaissance Faire, spanning four weekends from May 18 to June 9, 2024, at the Burlington County Fairgrounds, invites visitors to step back into the 16th century with jousting, music, and merchants. The Wildwoods International Kite Festival, from May 24 to 27, 2024, promises four days of kite-flying fun on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue, complemented by the attractions of Wildwood’s famous boardwalk.
These festivals offer something for everyone, from film buffs and music lovers to foodies and families, making New Jersey a vibrant destination this spring.