Summer Fun In Newark: Free Events, Activities For 2025
NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey’s largest city is bringing back a wide range of free events and programs for residents of all ages this summer, including activities for children and teens.
The city will be hosting “Summer Fun in Newark” events in 2025 at its public parks, recreation centers and cultural venues.
The free activities include festivals and farmers markets, parades, pop-up playgrounds, music and movie nights, a cookout and a carnival, and a full spectrum of sports, arts, games, enrichment and “social expression” programs.
Events will be taking place across all five wards of the city, officials said – adding that the fun kicked off when Newark’s municipal pools opened on May 30.
Looking for some upcoming events and activities in Newark? Here are two online resources that might help:
SCHEDULE– For the complete schedule of downtown Arts and Education District activities, continuously updated throughout the summer to accommodate weather and other conditions, click here
BROCHURE – Check the City of Newark Department of Recreation page for the 2025 Newark Summer Fun Brochure, to be posted the week of June 2.
“Summer time brings out Newark’s special spirit, as the city surges with lively performances, colorful events, music, dance, sport and outdoor activities – free – for families and individuals of all ages,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.
Kyleesha Wingfield Hill, director of the Office of Violence Prevention & Trauma Recovery, said the summer programming is “vital step” toward building safer, healthier communities in Newark.
“Through positive programming in high-crime areas, support for 150 at-risk youth in our Safe Summer Academy, and a curfew focused on safety, we are addressing violence at its roots,” Hill said. “This initiative reflects Newark’s commitment to prevention, opportunity, and giving every young person a chance to thrive.”
City officials noted that Newark's long-running curfew for juveniles under the age of 18 will be active this summer.
>> Read More: Newark’s Youth Curfew Will Be In Effect This Summer (What To Know)
SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
The Department of Recreation’s “Summer Enrichment Program” at all recreation centers and Centers of Hope starts Monday, July 7. It will run through Friday, Aug. 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include music, dancing, movies, sports and swimming.
The “Late Night Initiative” includes food and entertainment every Friday and Saturday starting Friday, May 30, with recreation centers open until 10 p.m. It ends Saturday, June 28.
SPINNING INTO SUMMER
The mayor’s announcement came at a City Hall press conference that summoned a “summertime vibe.”
Local artist Suliman Onque created a real time, live painting during the event, while DJ Shell Spin laid down a sound track (watch video below).
According to a news release from the city:
“Onque is a multifaceted artist from Newark who does paintings, portraits, murals, logos, graphic design, comic books, wearable art and NFT art. He has been in more than 60 different art exhibits and has created more than 2,000 physical and digital art creations, including being one of the Black Lives Matter Muralist in Manufactures Village April 2020.”
“DJ Shell Spin uses art to send out messages of hope and inspiration to the community as she lives her life freely and boldly in a world that too often attempts to silence black women. She has performed at venues including Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Brooklyn Museum, Newark Symphony Hall, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn, and the Meadowlands and more.”
Written by Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff. Read Full article here.