The unofficial start to summer is almost here! Be sure to check out these upcoming dates for some free or inexpensive events happening in a town near you this month.

May 10: Mother’s Day Candle Making Class (Waretown) at Breakers Kitchen & Tap will take place from 6pm-8pm. The cost to attend is $45 and includes a free drink, 2 candles, 2 labels, and you’ll get to choose your choice of candle scents. Learn more here or email homemadenjcandleco@gmail.com. Advanced registration is required.

May 11: Nurse and Teacher Appreciation Days (Freehold) will take place at iPlay America on 5/11 and 5/12 from 5pm-9pm. As a thank you to all local teachers and nurses, iPlay America is offering a day of fun for you and your family with 50% off unlimited iRide Bands both days. Learn more here, or call 732-577-8200.

May 12: Downtown Toms River’s Night Out is back! From 5pm-9pm every Friday and Saturday night in May, throughout downtown Toms River – restaurants and businesses are open with outdoor dining on Washington Street, live music, shopping and more. Call 732-341-8738 for more details, or go to https://downtowntomsriver.com/

May 13:

The Allaire Village Flea Market (Wall) will begin at 8am and go until 2pm, and is $5 per person for admission. Don’t miss one of the Jersey Shore’s best outdoor flea markets, with over 100 vendors. Learn more and buy tickets online at https://allairevillage.org/ (you can also pay at the door), or call 732-919-3500 for more information.

Vintage Car Show (Ocean Grove) goes from 10am to 3pm rain or shine, along Main Street. There will be live music and more, and this event is free to attend – however a $5 donation or canned good item for St. Paul’s Food Pantry is appreciated. To learn more, call 732-774-1391 or visit https://www.oceangrovenj.com/events

Asbury Park Spring Bazaar starts at 12pm and goes until 5pm both 5/13 and 5/14, at the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall on Ocean Avenue and an additional location on Sunday. The weekend will feature shopping, arts and crafts, and music in two beautiful locations by the beach – the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall (both days) and Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch (Sunday 5/14 only). Call 732-897-6500 for more details, or click here.

Bradley Beach Spring Market & Music Festival will take place at Riley Park (615 Main Street) from 11am to 4pm. Free admission, and there will be over 90 vendors, live music, food trucks and lots of kids activities! Learn more here, or email connect@bradleybeachalliance.org

May 14: Mother’s Day Brunch at She Shed Eatery on Arnold Avenue (Pt. Pleasant Beach) from 10:30am-1pm. The cost to attend is $28 per adult and $18 per child, reservations are required. Call 732-202-7023 or click here.

May 17: Free Dinner and Skate Night (Jackson) takes place every Wednesday from 6:30pm-9pm at United Skates on West County Line Road. Admission is $14 per person and includes a slice of pizza and a small drink. Get more details here, or call 732-363-2222.

May 19: New Jersey Seafood Festival (Belmar) begins at 4pm and goes until 8pm at Silver Lake Park, 500 Ocean Avenue. The Seafood Festival will also continue on 5/20 (11am-8pm) and 5/21 (11am-6pm). There is free admission for this event. Call 732-681-3700 x211 to learn more, or visit here.

May 20: Made in Ocean County (Cream Ridge) goes from 10am-3pm at 933 Monmouth Road. Come and shop dozens of local vendors selling items such as art, home décor, baked goods, jewelry, gifts, soap, candles, produce, food trucks and more. Free admission and pets on a leash are also welcome to attend. Get more information here, or call 609-758-2082.

May 21: Food Truck Festival and Car Show at Laurita Winery (New Egypt) from 11am to 7pm. You won’t want to miss live bands, a car show, vineyard wagon tours, and clown face painting! Tickets are $13 per person paid in advance online, or $15 per person at the door. Those under 21 are free. Call 609-752-0200 to learn more, or click here.

May 25: Cheese All That Charcuterie Class at Fleur de Mer (Ocean Township) from 6:30pm-8:30pm at 3316 Sunset Avenue. The cost to attend is $55 per person and includes a class demonstration, ingredients to build your own charcuterie board to take home, seasonal floral decorations, and light refreshments. Registration is required, click here to register for this event or call 908-489-8757.

May 27:

Bradley Beach Memorial Day Weekend Festival will take place rain or shine all weekend from 9am to 7pm. On 5/27 there will be a parade and vendors, 5/28 will feature vendors and on 5/29 there will be a Memorial Day service. Find out more at https://www.bradleybeachnj.gov/ or call 732-776-2999.

Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival at Monmouth Park Racetrack (Oceanport) from 12pm-4pm. Come and enjoy this most delicious event all holiday weekend long, with nearly 40 mouth-watering food trucks. Admission is $6 per person – sample everything from lobster rolls to mac & cheese, to fried Oreos! Call 732-222-5100 for more information, or click here.

May 29:

Bay Head Memorial Day Remembrance begins at 10am. In honor of our fallen military, show your respect and spirit by waving to the Bay Head Fire Company as they pass by your home this Memorial Day. More details here.

Farmingdale Borough’s 50^th Anniversary Memorial Day Parade begins at 1pm on Main Street. Find out more at https://www.farmingdaleborough.org/ or call 732-938-4077.

Downtown Freehold Memorial Day Parade begins at 10am on both East & West Main Streets. Cheer on our veterans organizations, youth sports teams, scouts, and community organizations as we pay tribute to the fallen heroes of the United States. This event is rain or shine. Learn more here, or call 732-333-0094.

Manchester Township Memorial Day Parade starts at 10am at World War II Memorial Park. Get more information by calling 732-657-8121 or at https://manchestertwp.com/

Matawan Borough’s Memorial Day Parade begins at 11am on Main Street between Little and North Streets, and is free to attend. Find out more here, or call 732-566-3898.

We hope you have a great May and Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms!