Annual Family Events in Somerset County
January
Maple Sugaring (Basking Ridge) - See how trees are tapped, view sap-collecting methods past and present, and see the boiling process that produces delicious New Jersey maple syrup. This 90-minute program is conducted at the Sugar Shack, a ½-mile hike from the Environmental Education Center. Held several dates in January and Feburary.
February
Maple Sugaring (Basking Ridge) - See how trees are tapped, view sap-collecting methods past and present, and see the boiling process that produces delicious New Jersey maple syrup. This 90-minute program is conducted at the Sugar Shack, a ½-mile hike from the Environmental Education Center. Held several dates in January and Feburary.
March
St. Patrick's Day Parade (Somerville) - among the largest parades in Somerset County; parade held in downtown Somerville in mid-March with a pre-parade show
April
Battle of Bound Brook (Bound Brook) - re-enactors and historians will bring the Middlebrook encampments of 1777–1779 to life. Other weekend activities include historic house tours, lectures, demonstrations
Annual Easter Egg Hunt (Hillsborough) - sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hillsborough and held around Easter
Easter Egg Hunt (Raritan) - usually sometime in late march or mid-April at Frelinghuysen Park
Easter Egg Hunt & Wagon/Bike Parade (Warren) - held in early April
Annual Easter Egg Hunt (Hillsborough) - sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hillsborough and held around Easter
Easter Egg Hunt (Raritan) - usually sometime in late march or mid-April at Frelinghuysen Park
Easter Egg Hunt & Wagon/Bike Parade (Warren) - held in early April
May
Memorial Day Observance (Rocky Hill) - flag ceremony in honor of veterans
Memorial Day Family Fun Ride (Somerville) - Ride 2 laps on the famous Tour of Somerville course. Great family activity
Tour of Somerville (Somerville) - family fun to watch this competitive bike race; takes place Memorial Day weekend
Family Fun Day at Lord Stirling Stable (Basking Ridge) - One of the largest, longest-running, and free community events offered on the grounds of Lord Stirling Stable. Kids (ages 12 and under) may enjoy rides on a pony or small, gentle horse. The whole family can jump into a tractor-pulled haywagon and take a ride. The festival includes child-friendly games, face painting, and other activities. Held on a weekend day in early May.
Memorial Day Family Fun Ride (Somerville) - Ride 2 laps on the famous Tour of Somerville course. Great family activity
Tour of Somerville (Somerville) - family fun to watch this competitive bike race; takes place Memorial Day weekend
Family Fun Day at Lord Stirling Stable (Basking Ridge) - One of the largest, longest-running, and free community events offered on the grounds of Lord Stirling Stable. Kids (ages 12 and under) may enjoy rides on a pony or small, gentle horse. The whole family can jump into a tractor-pulled haywagon and take a ride. The festival includes child-friendly games, face painting, and other activities. Held on a weekend day in early May.
July
4th of July Family Festival (Bridgewater) - Music, children’s activities, climbing wall, costumed characters, historical re-enactments, and fireworks at North Branch Park
July 4 Fireworks (Somerset section of Franklin) - food vendors, music & fireworks at the municipal complex around July 4
Rotary Fair (Hillsborough) - sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hillsborough and held on a weekend in mid or late July
Parade & Fireworks (North Plainfield) - parade & fireworks held around July 4
July 4 parade (Rocky Hill) - parade held around July 4
July 4 Fireworks (Somerset section of Franklin) - food vendors, music & fireworks at the municipal complex around July 4
Rotary Fair (Hillsborough) - sponsored by the Rotary Club of Hillsborough and held on a weekend in mid or late July
Parade & Fireworks (North Plainfield) - parade & fireworks held around July 4
July 4 parade (Rocky Hill) - parade held around July 4
August
Somerset County 4-H Fair (Bridgewater) - held at North Branch Park, the fair includes dog, horse and livestock shows; a variety of animals and petting opportunities & other events
September
Bedminster Fall Fest (Bedminster) - held annually outdoors at River Road Park in Bedminster on the 3rd Saturday of September, it features live music, entertainment, children & adult activities, exhibitor displays & contests
Hageman Farm Festival (Franklin) - annual includes children’s games as well as learning about and tasting heirloom apples; held in mid-September in the Somerset section of Franklin
Hageman Farm Festival (Franklin) - annual includes children’s games as well as learning about and tasting heirloom apples; held in mid-September in the Somerset section of Franklin
October
Somerset County's Weekend Journey Through the Past - usually mid-October; tour historic sites, some not usually open to the public and other special events and performances
Lord Stirling 1770s Festival (Basking Ridge) - every first Sunday of October, step back in time at the Environmental Education Center
The Nature of Halloween (Basking Ridge) - Led by a guide, children (ages 3-6 only) and their parents will walk shadowy paths to meet and learn about misunderstood, but very important animals. Come dressed in costume for added fun. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event which is usually held a few days in late October
Old-Fashioned Country Fair (Bedminster) - hosted by the Upper Raritan Watershed Association (URWA) at Fairview Farm, a 170 acre wildlife preserve, in mid-October; lots of fall family events
Halloween Hootenanny (Bridgewater) - a special Halloween Singalong held at the Somerset County Library's Bridgewater location (just click on "programs for kids" at the Bridgewater location) around Halloween each year for children of all ages
Pumpkin Patch (Franklin) - at the Van Wickle House, for a small fee, children and parents follow a guide along the winding path. There are many surprises as goblins, witches, and other-world beings, who live in the Enchanted Forest, awaken for one day to create mischief and scare the curious "soul-seekers".
Halloween Parade & Costume Contest (Raritan) - held in late October
Brite Nites (Warren) - kid-friendly event with trails lit by jack-o-lantersn; held the last two weekends in October at the Wagner Farms Arboretum
Lord Stirling 1770s Festival (Basking Ridge) - every first Sunday of October, step back in time at the Environmental Education Center
The Nature of Halloween (Basking Ridge) - Led by a guide, children (ages 3-6 only) and their parents will walk shadowy paths to meet and learn about misunderstood, but very important animals. Come dressed in costume for added fun. Tickets must be purchased in advance for this event which is usually held a few days in late October
Old-Fashioned Country Fair (Bedminster) - hosted by the Upper Raritan Watershed Association (URWA) at Fairview Farm, a 170 acre wildlife preserve, in mid-October; lots of fall family events
Halloween Hootenanny (Bridgewater) - a special Halloween Singalong held at the Somerset County Library's Bridgewater location (just click on "programs for kids" at the Bridgewater location) around Halloween each year for children of all ages
Pumpkin Patch (Franklin) - at the Van Wickle House, for a small fee, children and parents follow a guide along the winding path. There are many surprises as goblins, witches, and other-world beings, who live in the Enchanted Forest, awaken for one day to create mischief and scare the curious "soul-seekers".
Halloween Parade & Costume Contest (Raritan) - held in late October
Brite Nites (Warren) - kid-friendly event with trails lit by jack-o-lantersn; held the last two weekends in October at the Wagner Farms Arboretum
November
Turkey Trot (Franklin) - several age groups can compete the Turkey Trot 5K Race, to be held in Colonial Park. There will also be a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk. Usually held the second Saturday of the month.
December
Colonial Christmas (Bedminster) - held at the historic Jacobus Vanderveer House for several days in early December
Winter Holiday Festival (Basking Ridge) - Friends of Lord Stirling Stable host this event, usually in mid-December. Festivities typically include free hay rides through the woods to visit Santa at Santa’s House; free pony rides at designated times throughout the day; and photos with Santa or a pony.
Jingle Bell Ride (Basking Ridge) - held in mid-December at Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge
Sinterklaas Festival (Franklin) - Sinterklaas, the Dutch Saint Nicholas, visits the Van Wickle House every year on the first Sunday in December after Thanksgiving weekend. Visitors are presented with a little slice of the Netherlands as dancers in traditional costumes perform Dutch Klompen Dances, and the beautiful Dutch street organ, the Violanta, plays Sinterklaas songs. The highlight for every child is a chat with Sinterklaas, who keeps a record of good deeds and bad.
Old-Fashioned Christmas (Franklin) - in mid-December at the Hageman farmhouse, kids can make holiday crafts and help decorate the tree; people can enjoy the Franklin High School Madrigal Singers & enjoy holiday recipes
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Raritan) - held in December
Winter Holiday Festival (Basking Ridge) - Friends of Lord Stirling Stable host this event, usually in mid-December. Festivities typically include free hay rides through the woods to visit Santa at Santa’s House; free pony rides at designated times throughout the day; and photos with Santa or a pony.
Jingle Bell Ride (Basking Ridge) - held in mid-December at Lord Stirling Stable in Basking Ridge
Sinterklaas Festival (Franklin) - Sinterklaas, the Dutch Saint Nicholas, visits the Van Wickle House every year on the first Sunday in December after Thanksgiving weekend. Visitors are presented with a little slice of the Netherlands as dancers in traditional costumes perform Dutch Klompen Dances, and the beautiful Dutch street organ, the Violanta, plays Sinterklaas songs. The highlight for every child is a chat with Sinterklaas, who keeps a record of good deeds and bad.
Old-Fashioned Christmas (Franklin) - in mid-December at the Hageman farmhouse, kids can make holiday crafts and help decorate the tree; people can enjoy the Franklin High School Madrigal Singers & enjoy holiday recipes
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Raritan) - held in December
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