SPECIAL EVENTS
Oceanfest master sand-sculpting exhibition; entertainment includes bands, clowns, face painters, stilt-walkers, balloon artists and more; food; crafters; fireworks July 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Promenade, Long Branch
Independence Day Celebration July 4 fishing derby at 6 a.m. 34th annual Milltown Firecracker fun run at 7:45 a.m., and 5K run at 8:15 a.m.; parade at 10 a.m. family fun at the park, magic on the gazebo, patriotic house and apple pie contest winners, music fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Milltown
Ocean Grove’s annual Independence Day Parade July 4 at 10:30 a.m. begins on Whitefield Avenue and ends along Ocean Avenue, Ocean Grove 800-590-4064; www.oceangrove.org
Fourth of July Celebration DJ; food; crafts; clothing, toy and jewelry vendors; sand art; pony rides; petting zoo fireworks at dusk July 4, begins at 5 p.m. Thompson Park, Monroe/Jamesburg 732-723-5000
Independence Day Concert & Fireworks The Rock ‘n’ roll Chorus, Turnstiles & fireworks July 4, gates open at 5:30 p.m.; rain date July 5 Freehold Raceway, 130 Park Ave., Freehold www.downtownfreehold.com
West Long Branch Fireworks Display live music with the Angeltones prior to fireworks July 4 at 7 p.m. (rain date July 5) Franklin Lake, Locust Ave., West Long Branch
Fireworks July 4 at dusk Keansburg Amusement Park 275 Beachway Ave., Keansburg
Independence Day Celebration July 4 BBQ picnic noon to 6 p.m. Maple catering grove firework and laser light show 10 p.m. on the Lakefront BBQ picnic ticket package: $47.98 (junior ticket), $56.98 (regular ticket) July Fireworks Thursdays in July, 10 p.m. First-come, first-served seating at the Great Lake Grandstand, additional viewing along the waterfront Military and Veterans Appreciation Week through July 7, discounts on admission to theme park and safari for active military, veterans, friends and family Six Flags Great Adventure Route 537, Jackson www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Hazlet Independence Day Celebration live music, food July 5, starting at 6 p.m. fireworks at 9:15 p.m., rain date July 6 Veterans Memorial Park Union Ave., Hazlet
Fireworks July 5 at 7:30 p.m. Fireman’s Field Lloyd Road and Gerald Avenue, Aberdeen
Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks food, activities, music, entertainment July 5, 6-9 p.m., fireworks at dusk rain date July 6 fireworks only Crossroads Middle School Georges Road and Kingston Lane Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick 732-329-4000, ext. 7686, after 2 p.m.
Cruise Night July 5 and 12 at 6 p.m. Jackson Crossing, 21 S. Hope Chapel Road, Jackson 732-747-7846
Rockin’ Fireworks entertainment, crafters, games and fireworks July 6, noon-10 p.m. rain date July 7 New Egypt High School 117 Evergreen Road, New Egypt free
Fair Haven Mayor’s Cup Regatta July 6 from 11 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. race from Oceanic Bridge to Lewis Point Fair Haven Sailing Club 740 River Road, Fair Haven
Howell Day July 6, 5-10 p.m. Oak Glen Park 251 Preventorium Road, Howell
Fireworks July 6, DJ and festivities, 6 p.m., fireworks at dusk Lake Lefferts Ravine Drive, Matawan free www.matawanborough.com
Celebration of Independence July 7 Idol Kings at 7 p.m. fireworks after the concert Marlboro Community Center Amphitheater Marlboro no pets allowed
State Fair Meadowlands kiddieland, food, live animal shows, acrobats and rides,1,800-seat tent circus, racing pigs, big cats through July 7 Mon.-Thurs. 6 p.m. to midnight, Fri. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sat. 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., Sun. 2 p.m. to midnight fireworks on July 3 and 4 New Meadowlands Fairgrounds next to Met Life Stadium, East Rutherford www.njfair.com
Discover “Who Burned Down the Forest” at Allaire Village scavenger hunt across the village July 7 at 1 and 2 p.m. The Historic Village at Allaire 4263 Atlantic Ave., Wall 732-919-3500; www allairevillage.org
Keyport Fireman’s Fair July 8-13, 6-10 p.m., fireworks July 13 Fireman’s Park, West Front Street 732-739-5121
Ocean County Fair July 9-14, Tues.-Thurs., 5-10 p.m., Fri. & Sat., 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Robert J. Miller Air Park Route 530, Berkeley admission: $7; free for kids under age 10
11th annual FreedomFest three shows nightly, country K-9 show, Eudora petting farm, nightly horse shows, pie-eating contests, agricultural exhibits and demos, carnival midway, international food court, games, crafts July 9-14 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 5-11 p.m.; Saturday, noon-11 p.m.; Sunday, noon-10 p.m. fireworks on Friday at 10 p.m. Horse Park of New Jersey Exit 11 on Route 195, Upper Freehold admission: $10; $5 seniors; $5 under 10; free under 4 freedomfeststatefair.com
Fireworks post-game fireworks display July 12 Lakewood BlueClaws FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood for tickets: 732-901-7000, option 3
Ocean Grove Historic District Walking Tours featuring: the Great Auditorium, interior of the famous Ocean Grove tents, Centennial Cottage through mid September Wed. and Fri. at 1 p.m., Saturdays at 11 a.m. begins at the Historical Society of Ocean Grove Museum 50 Pitman Ave. donation: $10; $8 seniors 732-774-1869
ON STAGE
Les Miserables through July 6 at 8:30 p.m. no performance July 4 Plays-in-the-Park, Capestro Amphitheater, Roosevelt Park, 12 Pine Drive, Edison tickets: $7, $5 seniors, free 12 and under www.playsinthepark.com
Spelling Bee Shadow Lawn Stage through July 21, Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 7 p.m. no performance July 4 Lauren K. Woods Theatre, Monmouth University West Long Branch tickets: $35, $25 seniors, $15 students 732-263-6889; www.monmouth.edu/arts
Leading Ladies through July 28, Fri. & Sat. at 8:30 p.m. July 11 & 25 at 8:30 p.m., July 14 at 2:30 p.m. First Avenue Playhouse 123 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands tickets: $22 732-291-7552; www.firstavenueplayhouse.com
As You Like It July 5, 6 at 8 p.m. Godspell July 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 8 p.m., July 14 & 21 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre Mercer County Community College Old Trenton Road, West Windsor tickets: $16, $14 seniors, $12 student/children 609-570-3333; www.kelseyatmccc.org
The Music Man Phoenix Production July 12, 13, 19, 29 at 8 p.m., July 14 and 21 at 3 p.m. Count Basie Theatre 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank tickets: $22-$32 743-842-9000; www.countbasietheatre.org
The Diary of Anne Frank July 12 through Aug. 4, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 2 p.m., no performance July 13 Center Playhouse 35 South St., Freehold tickets: $25; $23 seniors/students 732-462-9093; www.centerplayers.org
An Evening with Groucho one-night-only performance by Frank Ferrante July 12 at 8 p.m. Algonquin Arts Theater 173 Main St., Manasquan tickets: $38, $28 children 732-528-9211; www.algonquinarts.com
Back to the 80s July 12-27, Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. Main Street Theatre 3018 Bordentown Ave., Parlin tickets: $20; $18 seniors; $12 age 12 and under 732-553-1153, www.smstc.org
MUSIC
Jason Derulo in Concert July 6 at 8 p.m. Six Flags Great Adventure Route 537, Jackson www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Rock & Rallo starring Chef Victor Rallo with special musical guest Burlap to Cashmere July 6 at 6:15 p.m. Count Basie Theatre 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank tickets: $15 732-842-9000; www.countbasietheatre.org
Ocean Grove Summer Band July 6 at 8 p.m. Andrew Tyson July 11 at 7:30 p.m., tickets: $15 Great Auditorium Pilgrim and Ocean Pathways, Ocean Grove 800-590-4064; www.oceangrove.org
Charlotte Sometimes 2013 Vans Warped Tour-Acoustic Basement July 7 PNC Bank Arts Center Garden State Parkway, Exit 116, Holmdel www.charlottesometimesmusic.com
Cyndi Lauper She’s So Unusual Tour with special guest Hunter Valentine July 7 at 7:30 p.m. NJPAC One Center St., Newark tickets: reserved $39-$79 888-GO-NJPAC; www.njpac.org
Blues By the Beach: Matt O’Ree July 7 at 7 pm. West End Park, Brighton & Ocean avenues, Long Branch free
Woodbridge Wednesday Concerts Caravan of Thieves, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Parker Press stage, Parker Press Park, Main Street and Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge free
Brian Kirk & The Jirks July 10 at 6 p.m. Beach E Sandy Hook free 732-291-7733; www.sandyhookfoundation.org
Gordon Turk, organ recital July 10 at 7 p.m. Great Auditorium, Pilgrim Pathway, Ocean Grove free
Rutgers Jazz Faculty July 10 at 7:30 p.m. Nicholas Music Center Douglass campus of Rutgers University 85 George St., New Brunswick 732-932-7511; www.masongross.rutgers.edu
Songwriters on the Beach Richard Barone/The Sunday Blues July 11 at 7 p.m. Ocean Ave. between 5th and 6th avenues, Belmar free
Ray Rodriquez y Swing Sabroso July 11, 6-8 p.m. Thompson Park, Monroe 732-521-4400, ext. 134
Thursday Concert Series The Nerds, July 11, 7:30-9:30 p.m. Hall of Records, Freehold www.downtownfreehold.com
Thursdays By the Sea: Motor City Revue July 11, 7-9 p.m. Festival Plaza Pier Village, Long Branch 732-923-2044
Freehold Idol through Aug. 7, finals Aug. 14 and 21 every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Hall of Records 1 E. Main St., Freehold Borough
DANCE
Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre July 11, 6-8 p.m. Summer Courtyard Concerts Princeton Shopping Center Courtyard 301 N. Harrison St., Princeton free 848-203-3420; www.alboradadance.org
FOR KIDS
The Jungle Book through Sept. 7, Saturdays at noon Paper Moon Puppet Theater 171 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands tickets: $9, free for children under age 2 call for reservations: 732-775-0290 www.papermoonpuppettheatre.com
FILM
1776 (the 1972 musical film) July 7 at 5 p.m.; free admission Rise of the Guardians July 10 at 10:30 a.m. admission: $5 State Theatre 15 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick 732-246-7469; www.statetheatrenj.org