| Embroidery Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, May 2, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| View the lost art of applying decorative designs with a needle and thread. Be inspired by the various stitches and embellishments to create a beautiful piece of clothing or decoration for the home. FREE! |
| Spinning, Knitting & Weaving Demonstration at the Holmes-Hendrickson House |
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
| Enjoy a demonstration of spinning, knitting, and weaving at the Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel Park, Holmdel. FREE! |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, May 2, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See what's cooking on the woodstove at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Natural Dyeing Demonstration at the Holmes-Hendrickson House |
Sunday, May 3, 2026
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
| See Kelly Bahash demonstrate how locally grown plants can be used to make natural dyes. Held at the Holmes-Hendrickson House, Holmdel Park, Holmdel. FREE! |
| Casual Birder at Big Brook Park |
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
9 a.m.
| Join a Park System Naturalist for this laid-back morning bird walk at Big Brook Park, Marlboro. We’ll meander for about an hour and a half and see what birds we can find. Participants should expect to be walking a few miles (2-4) on sometimes uneven or muddy terrain. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first come basis. FREE! |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, May 6-10, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Climb Time at Swimming River Park |
Friday, May 8, 2026
3-6 p.m.
| Head over to Swimming River Park, Red Bank (Middletown), and try the Park System's 25’ portable climbing wall. You must be 42” or taller to climb. Open to ages 8 and up; under 18 with adult. FREE! |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, May 9 & 10, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Creative Arts Festival |
Saturday, May 9, 2026
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
| Come to Thompson Park, Lincroft, for this art festival. See the works of artists and fine crafters from all mediums including pottery, jewelry and painting. Admission and parking are free. |
| Traditional Chair Caning Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, May 9, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| See the process of weaving natural plant fibers into the seat of a traditional chair during this demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. FREE! |
| Blacksmith Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Sunday, May 10, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Head to the blacksmith shop at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and see craftsmanship in action and learn about the rich history behind the forge. FREE!
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| Splendid Spring Stroll at the Manasquan Reservoir |
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
10-11:30 a.m.
| Say “farewell” to the frosty weather as you join a Park System Naturalist on a peaceful trail walk through the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. Sturdy footwear is recommended as trails used may have inclines or tree roots to step over. FREE! |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, May 13-17, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Native Plant Exchange at Deep Cut Gardens |
Saturday, May 16, 2026
| Bring established native plants in four-inch, one quart, or 1-2-gallon containers to exchange with like sizes. Label all plants. Only plants native to the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States will be accepted. Please label all plants. Plant intake from 8:30-10:15 a.m. Held at Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown. FREE! |
| Jigsaw Puzzle Swap |
Saturday, May 16, 2026
10-11 a.m.
732-842-4000 | Bring used puzzles and swap them for "new to you" ones. For every puzzle you bring, you will get one token to take a "new" puzzle home. Complete puzzles in good condition, please. All categories welcome. Held in the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. FREE!
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| Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, May 16, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See what's cooking on the woodstove at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! |
| Accordion Melodies of the 1890s |
Saturday, May 16, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Hear melodies of the 1890s played on the accordion during your visit to Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. FREE! |
| 19th Century Woodworking Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, May 16, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Visit Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and see how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools, and crafts beautiful and functional items. FREE! |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, May 16 & 17, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Open Shoot Archery |
Saturday, May 16, 2026
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
| Improve your archery skills during this open shoot at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, Lincroft. This is NOT a beginner instructional program. If you are new to archery, register for one of our instructional classes prior to attending. All equipment is provided. Open to ages 10 and up; under 18 with adult. The cost is $10 per person; cash or check only. |
| Walnford Day |
Sunday, May 17, 2026
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
609-259-6275 | Spend a day celebrating 200 years of Waln history at picturesque Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. FREE! |
| MONMOUTH NJ 250 EVENT - Revolutionary Hunter Pace |
Sunday, May 17, 2026
| The Colts Neck Trail Riders and Monmouth County are hosting a Revolutionary Hunter Pace at Tatum Park, Middletown, as part of Monmouth NJ 250. |
| Casual Birder at Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center |
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
9 a.m.
| Join a Park System Naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Meet in the Environmental Center parking lot. We’ll meander for about an hour and a half and see what birds we can find. No need to be an expert at identifying birds to enjoy this walk. A limited number of binoculars will be available on a first come basis. FREE!
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| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, May 20-24, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Nature Lecture: Horseshoe Crabs in Monmouth County |
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
7-8 p.m.
| Find out more about this extraordinary living fossil and what you can do to help restore the population of horseshoe crabs to the Jersey Shore during this talk by a Park System Naturalist. Held at the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Port Monmouth. FREE! |
| Thompson Park Canoe Rentals |
Saturday & Sunday, May 23 & 24, 2026
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
732-842-4000 | Canoes will be available for rent on Marlu Lake in Thompson Park, Lincroft. All equipment provided; limited number of canoes available. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. All rentals must be returned by 3 p.m. Fee is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for two hours. Cash or check only. |
| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, May 23 & 24, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| The Libby Prison Minstrels at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Saturday, May 23, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Hear historical songs performed by the Libby Prison Minstrels about life on the battlefield and the home front during the Civil War era. Held at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. |
| Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir |
Saturday-Monday, May 23-25, 2026
2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
732-751-9453 | These 45-minute tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Children must be 1-year or older to attend and able to sit independently during the duration of the tour. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only. |
| Decoration Day Celebration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Monday, May 25, 2026
12-3 p.m.
| Enjoy the good company of family and friends at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, as we honor this early American holiday. FREE! |
| Park System Historic Sites |
Wednesday-Sunday, May 27-31, 2026
Varies
732-842-4000, ext. 4312 | The Park System has a number of sites listed on the National Registers of Historic Places that open for free tours. Schedules vary by site. (Please note that not all sites may be open today.) Click on the above link for details.
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| Mill Demonstration at Historic Walnford |
Saturday & Sunday, May 30 & 31, 2026
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.
609-259-6275 | See the 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Each demonstration lasts approximately 15 minutes. FREE! |
| Piano Ballads from the Turn-of-the-Century |
Saturday, May 30, 2026
1-3 p.m.
| Head to the farmhouse at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, to hear popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads. FREE! |
| Boat Tours of the Manasquan Reservoir |
Saturday & Sunday, May 30 & 31, 2026
2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. & 5 p.m.
732-751-9453 | These 45-minute tours of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell, are narrated by Park System Naturalists and include opportunities to view local wildlife. The cost is $6 per adult and $4 per child, age 12 and under. Children must be 1-year or older to attend and able to sit independently during the duration of the tour. Please call to confirm schedule as tours are both weather and water level dependent. All tours leave from the Visitor Center. Life-jackets required. Tickets can be purchased on day of tour only. |
| Cookstove Demonstration at Historic Longstreet Farm |
Sunday, May 31, 2026
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
| See what's cooking on the woodstove at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. FREE! |