It’s spring! No really. The weather is finally cooperating. It’s rumored that we might hit over the big 7-0-threshold mark on Saturday, which means we want you to make the best of your weekend! Our list of things to do this Jersey Shore weekend will leave you basking in the summer… we mean spring air (we’re dreaming about it, we know).

Highlighting this weekend is the Grand Reopening Party at Jenks!

Location: 300 Ocean Avenue Point Pleasant Beach,
Date: Friday, April 17th 8:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: With the temperature going up, there’s no place better to kick off your Friday night than celebrating with Jenks during their Grand Reopening Party.

Dance the night away with Garden State Radio Live and DJ Encore while you sip on $2 Coors Light and Miller Lights. Even stroll out onto the boardwalk for some late night pizza. Come on out this Friday, you’ll even have a chance to win door prizes!

Additionally, there’s a jam packed weekend of low-cost or free activities  for everyone to enjoy.

Head to some of our favorite beach towns like Pt. Pleasant, Seaside Park, and Asbury Park for some great events including a run along the Jersey coast and breakfast with some of your favorite ocean critters.

This weekend is just a day away, so get your Jersey Shore local weekend calendar out and start penning in your musts. It’s time to soak in the sun and smell the flowers!

Things to Do This Jersey Shore Weekend

Family Health and Safety Fair
Location: St. Francis Community Center, 4700 Long Beach Blvd, Brant Beach
Date: Friday, April 17th 9-11:30am
Cost: Free
Description: It’s been a long, cold winter. So now that we’re not hibernating anymore, maybe it’s time to check our vitals with at the St. Francis Community Center’s Family Health and Safety Fair. Medical professionals are offering free health screenings, resources on alternative medicine and safety tips, and giveaways. Get that at 10:30 for a “Get Moving” event with Meridian Health. You’ll even enjoy a free continental breakfast!

RunAPalooza Runners Expo and Jersey Shore Relay
Location: Seaside Park to Asbury Park
Date: Friday, April 17th 4:00 – 8:00pm and Saturday, April 18th 8:00am – 2:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: When it comes to things to do this Jersey Shore weekend, we know a trip to one of our boardwalks is most likely top on your list. But this weekend, you’re bound to run into a few runners. Hundreds of brave (and very in shape) souls will be pounding the boardwalk as they run a half marathon or participate in the Jersey Shore Relay, beginning in Seaside Heights and ending in Asbury Park. Even if you didn’t participate, you can still attend the Runner’s Expo at Convention Hall this weekend where you’ll be able to get in on the latest footwear that’s perfect for a boardwalk run while supporting the Special Olympics of New Jersey and Asbury Park’s Jersey Shore Dream Center. After your 13.1 mile run, join the festivities with the post-runner bash or head to one of our favorite places for a carb fix, Dino’s On Main. Order up one of their famous sandwiches, the perfect meal before your post-race nap.

Pampered Chef Fundraiser at the MAC
Location: Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., Middletown
Date: Friday, April 17th 06:30 PM – 08:30 PM
Cost: Free
Description: Spring produce means we’re back in the kitchen making flavorful dishes that will keep us feeling healthy right through summer. Join “The Broadway Chef” at the Middletown Arts Center this Friday for a musically flavored presentation of Pampered Chef products. (We honestly never knew we needed an avocado peeler, but now that we have it, it’s kind of a staple). Go for the laughs, stay for the refreshments, and maybe leave with a prize.

Whale of a Sale at RCDS
Location: Rumson Country Day School, 35 Bellevue Ave., Rumson
Date: Saturday April 18th and Sunday April 19th 9:00am – 4:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: Rummage through an assortment of items during Rumson County Day Schools 46th annual “Whale of a Sale.” You’ll find everything you need to spring your house into action with housewares, furniture, clothing, sports equipment and plenty of toys for kids. If you’re on the fence about buying that one of a kind salad bowl, know that your funds will benefit the financial aid program at the school. Spring salad it is!

Rise, Shine and Dine at Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Location: Jenkinson’s Aquarium
Date: Saturday April 18th 8:30am – 10:00am
Cost: Adults $20, children $15
Description: This Saturday, rise with the sun and dine with the fish at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Learn more about some of your favorite sea creatures as you get a behind the scenes look of what the early morning routine is –pancakes for you, fish for them we’re assuming. It’s a unique opportunity to see what happens at one of your favorite places on Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, before they’ve even had their first sip of coffee. We’re definitely adding this event to our planner for things to do this Jersey Shore weekend.

Girlfriend’s Getaway Weekend
Location: Laurita Winery, 35 Archertown Road, New Egypt
Date: Saturday, April 18th 12:00 – 9:00pm and Sunday, April 19th 12:00 – 7:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: Grab your best girlfriends, jump in the car, and head to the beautiful Laurita Winery for a weekend full of fun and relaxation. Laurita Winery’s Girlfriend’s Getaway Weekend is full of live entertainment, tasty wines, and specialty food offerings. With on site vendors selling handmade jewelry, offering chair massages, and even a mobile boutique, it’s hard to figure out why you wouldn’t want to make one of these nights a girls’ night.

NJ Outboards Boat Show
Location: Ocean County Mall, Hooper Ave., Toms River Twp.
Date: Saturday, April 18th
Cost: Free
Description: This weekend the Ocean County Mall isn’t just for clothes or shoes, it’s also a great place to peruse for some boats. The NJ Outboards Boat Show will be displaying 30-50 boats including popular brands such as Sea Hunt, Century, and Godfrey Pontoons. We’re really not familiar with boats, but we do know that we love being on them in the summer!

Bradley Beach Fishing Flea Market
Location: Bradley Beach Fire House, 815 Main St., rear entrance
Date: Saturday, April 18th 9-2pm
Cost: Adults $3, Kids Under 12 Free
Description: Boats. The Atlantic Ocean. Fishing just naturally comes next. Purchase some great fishing gear this Saturday at the Bradley Beach Fishing Flea Market where you’ll stock up on everything you need this year to catch that huge tuna. Ok maybe not a tuna, but at least a fluke, right? After, make your way to Pagano’s UVA Restaurant on Main Street for some fresh fish entrees. It’ll get you inspired for this season!

Bullypalooza at Wonder Bar
Location: 1213 Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park
Date: Saturday, April 18th 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Cost: $10
Description: If you’re like us, you have a soft spot for animals, especially dogs. Spend some time with your own furry friend at Bullypalooza at Wonder Bar in Asbury Park where you’ll be helping out the MidAtlantic Bulldog Rescue. And if you don’t have your own furry friend, maybe you’ll find one. Oh and we know we’ve mentioned this before, but treat your best friend (the one that doesn’t talk back and agrees with everything you say) to a dog cookie at Confections of a Rock$tar on Cookman Avenue. Because everyone deserves a treat!

Jersey Shore: America’s Playground at the Monmouth Museum
Location: Monmouth Museum at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft
Date: Sunday, April 19th, 2:00pm
Cost: Free with Museum Admission ($8 per person)
Description: Get your smarts on with a talk about “The Asbury Park Baby Parade” at the Monmouth Museum this weekend. Asbury Park is just coming into another heyday, but it’s original heyday happened back in the 1920s – 40s when some of its historic buildings including The Paramount Theatre and Convention Hall were built. Learn more about how this hip shore town became one of the Jersey Shore’s top summer resort destinations.

Project FX Statewide Student Film Festival
Location: Count Basie Theater, 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank
Date: Sunday, April 19th, 2:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: What do you get when you put together the Batman franchise producer, Sony Pictures Classics Executive, and a Mad Men and SNL writer? A ridiculously awesome panel of judges who will be on hand to present awards to New Jersey high school and college students budding directors. As an attendee, you’ll also get to listen to lectures and workshops by film professionals and even stay for a 7pm screening of the documentary feature Lambert and Stamp. How creative can you get?

Open Sesame, The Story of Seeds Film and Community Seed Swap
Location: Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth, 1475 West Front Street, Lincroft
Date: Sunday, April 19th, 6:00pm Movie; Community Seed Swap 7:30 – 9:00pm
Cost: Free
Description:
There’s not really a more perfect way to end a spring weekend then by learning more about the importance of seeds. This Sunday, spend the evening watching the documentary film Open Sesame, The Story of Seeds. You’ll be inspired to plant your own garden this spring, which is exactly why there’s a community seed swap right afterwards.

Spring Fling at From the Garden
Location: From the Garden, 353 Fairfield Rd., Freehold
Date: Sunday, April 19th 9:00am – 5:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: We know Freehold isn’t technically a “shore town” but we have to show our fellow residents some love, especially when they put together a Spring Fling, complete with some of our favorite vendors like Holly Jolly James and Cream Ridge Winery. While you’re at From the Garden, be sure to pick up a jar of local honey. How sweet spring can be!

7th Annual Wedding Road Show
Location: Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, 265 West 9th Street, Ship Bottom
Date: Sunday, April 19th 9:30 am – 4:00pm
Cost: Free
Description: If you’re planning a wedding at the Jersey Shore, Sunday’s 7th Annual Wedding Road Show in LBI is a must attend. Take a self-guided tour to some of LBI’s picture perfect venues where wedding professionals will help you plan your big day. Participate in DIY seminars and enter for dozens of prize drawings. As soon as you drive over the causeway, you’ll feel your wedding jitters fade away, we promise. Just let the professionals handle it and smile.