Trenton Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Trenton, New Jersey - NJ, USA)

A fairly comprehensive selection of events graces the calendar in the Trenton area, including some of the biggest festivals in New Jersey. The Sovereign Bank Arena on Hamilton Avenue is a major entertainment venue in the city with its frequent hockey games, concerts, conventions, circus shows and more.

May is a particularly busy time of the year in the state capital, with the nearby Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair being followed by the Annual Bike Tour, which both begins and finishes at Cadwalader Park. In June, the Art All Night-Trenton is a hugely popular event, as is the Heritage Days Festival at Mill Hill Park.

At the very end of June, the Summer Fest follows Art All Night and now draws in over 75,000 visitors, while in July, those prepared to travel a little outside of Trenton should consider checking out the Lobster Festival at Bradley Beach, or perhaps Belmar's famous New Jersey Sandcastle Contest, which takes place on the 18th Avenue Beach and was first held in the mid-1980s.

Trenton Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Annual New Jersey One-Minute Play Festival (OMPF) - mid-January, the play fest has two performances of 50 new one-minute plays, staged by the Passage Theater Company.

February

• Lincoln's Birthday - February 12th, a statewide public holiday in New Jersey, to honor the life of Abraham Lincoln, America's 16th president.

March

• Trenton Computer Festival - mid-March, held in Ewing, talks and demonstrations of new technology and a flea market.

April

• Shad Festival - held in late April / early May in Lambertville, approximately 30 minutes away from Trenton. This is an arts based gathering to celebrate the return of the popular fish, the shad, to the area.

May

• Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair - held in mid-May at the Washington Crossing State Park in nearby Titusville, approximately 11 miles / 18 km northwest of Trenton. Fun for the family at this free event includes a Medicine Show, scavenger hunt, actors dressed as historical figures, and much period dancing and music.
• Annual Bike Tour - this cycle tour is organized by the Trenton Cycling Revolution with the aim of emphasizing the city's attractions.
• Skimbash - two days in late June in Belmar, this is a skimboarding contest for professionals and beginners alike.

June

• Island Garden Tour - mid-June, a self-guided walking tour of private neighborhood gardens.
• Art All Night - third weekend of the month, a 24-hour event where artists display original workpieces. The show also includes a film festival and staged live music.
• Heritage Days Festival - late June, a two-day event held at Mill Hill Park, with a family fun village that includes pony rides, a wide range of music, and food from a diverse background of cultures.
• Summer Festival - last weekend in June, established in 1975, this gathering now draws thousands, who come for the plentiful family entertainment, vendors, artists and sports.

July

• Bradley Beach Lobster Festival - mid-July, held at Bradley Beach, within 45 miles / 72 km of Trenton. Lobster is available in a variety of tasty and imaginative dishes. There is also live music, children's activities, and a popular beer and wine garden.
• New Jersey Sandcastle Contest - held in Belmar in mid-July, the competition is free to enter and available to all ages. This is a wonderful family day out in the open.

August

• Annual House Music Festival - early August, held at Cadwalader Park, this free outdoor event was established in 2012.

September

• Mercer County Italian American Festival - late September, held in West Windsor. There are talks and cooking demonstrations, a Bocce tournament, a market tent with craft produce, a food 'piazza', an Italian 'Heritage Pavilion', themed dancing and much more.
• Trenton International Film Fest - late September, screenings of various current films, held at the Mill Hill Playhouse.

October

• Trenton Irish Music Festival - early October, held in the nearby Hamilton Township over a weekend at the beginning of the month.
• Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament - first Sunday of the month, held at the Island Beach State Park, Ocean County. The 'Governor's Trophy' is awarded to the person who catches the biggest fish.
• Touch-A-Truck Day - held in Parking Lot 2 of the Sun National Bank Center, this event allows children to experience vehicles used in everyday occupations, close up. There are ambulances, bulldozers, dumper and fire trucks, and more.

November

• Thanksgiving - late November, a nationwide annual holiday since 1863, Thanksgiving is typically a time for friends and families to get together, enjoy some roast turkey and each other's company, often over a long weekend.

December

• Patriots' Week - the week between Christmas and New Year, celebrating the city's involvement in the American Revolution, with living history events and battlefield reenactments.
• Christmas Carol Festival (CCF) - early December, first celebrated in 2007, this Yuletide festivity has become an award-winner and incorporates a procession that takes a statue of the infant Jesus to the manger.