On July 4, celebrate America's birthday at Oceanfest in Long Branch. Attend this all-day event and enjoy the food and crafts fair, watch skilled people make sand sculptures and view the fireworks at night. In late July, titillate your taste buds at the Atlantic City Food and Wine Festival. This four-day event showcases the talents of some of the world's most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities.
In the fall, go to "Roar to the Shore," the largest motorcycle rally in New Jersey. Eat, drink and party with the 80,000-plus people who converge on Wildwood the weekend after Labor Day. In November, watch and listen to a variety of prominent jazz musicians in small club settings at the Cape May Jazz festival.
Head to Atlantic City at Christmastime for the annual "Running of the Santas" at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Dress up in your best Santa Claus outfit and run like a wild person through the casino with the herd. On New Year's Day, head to Asbury Park and watch members of the Sons of Ireland club take the icy cold plunge into the freezing Atlantic Ocean for their annual charity event.
Watch jazz greats at the Cape May Jazz Festival. This twice-a-year shore event gives you twice the opportunity to enjoy live jazz and blues bands perform in the intimacy of small beach side venues. Go to Seaside Heights in early May for the Seaside Music Fest. Enjoy live music performances on the Outdoor Stage, boardwalk rides and attractions, and the boardwalk's Vendor Village.
