Brick's Pine Belt Cars SummerFest series opens on July 2 as part of the America's 250th Birthday weekend and runs four Thursday nights through July. Each night includes live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden (21+), and fireworks over the Metedeconk River.

• July 2: Super Trans Am (classic arena rock)
• July 9: The Brit Pack (British rock tribute)
• July 16: Ronald Reagan's 80s vs. 90s Show
• July 23: Suit and Mai Tai (yacht rock)

Parking at Windward Beach is very limited. Free shuttle bus service runs from Drum Point Elementary, Veterans Memorial Middle School, Midstreams Elementary, Lanes Mill School, and Brick Township High School starting at 5 PM. Concert audio streams at 87.9 FM for those watching from the water.

The annual patriotic bike parade runs from President Avenue to New York Avenue. Decorate your bike, scooter, or wagon and join in.

Families decorate bikes, wagons, and scooters and parade through Bay Head, finishing at Centennial Park with awards and an ice cream truck. No registration required.

This is the main America's 250th event for Ocean County and runs all afternoon on the Courthouse lawn. The day begins at 10 AM with historic music and National Park Service documentary screenings about Ocean County's role in the Revolution. At 11 AM, a commemorative ceremony features musical selections from the show 1776. A public reading of the Declaration of Independence takes place at 1 PM, followed at 2 PM by Bells Across America, a nationwide event where bell choirs ring together to mark the country's birthday.

Downtown Toms River has already been decorated with America250 banners along Hooper Avenue and Washington Street ahead of the holiday.

The borough is hosting a community celebration at Mathis Plaza to mark the 250th anniversary, with food trucks, vendors, and fireworks in the evening.

Since July 4 falls on a Saturday in 2026, Beachwood's annual fireworks show lands right on the holiday. The display goes up over the Toms River and is visible from Beachwood, Pine Beach, Ocean Gate, South Toms River, Island Heights, and Toms River. Beachwood Beach will have vendors and food trucks before the show.

Donations appreciated.

Jenkinson's shoots off its annual July 4 fireworks from the beach at 9:30 PM. The display is free to watch from the beach. Jenkinson's also runs fireworks every Thursday night from June 18 through September 3 at the same time, weather permitting.

Seaside Heights shoots off its annual July 4 fireworks display from the beach, visible from anywhere on the boardwalk or along the shore. Seaside also runs weekly Wednesday evening fireworks throughout the summer.

A concert at the bay-side gazebo is followed by fireworks at 9 PM. Rain date is July 12.

The SummerFest concert series runs every Thursday in July. After the July 4th weekend, the remaining shows are The Brit Pack (July 9), Ronald Reagan's 80s vs. 90s Show (July 16), and Suit and Mai Tai (July 23). Fireworks follow each concert. Free shuttles from multiple locations around Brick.

Kids' patriotic bike parade and family celebration to kick off the holiday weekend. Bring decorated bikes, strollers, and wagons. No e-bikes in the parade. Pets are welcome.

After the parade, stick around for a DJ and photo booth by DJ PROL, plus bubbles, kids' tattoos, crafts, and popsicles.

Sponsored by the Woman's Club of Brielle, Brielle Borough Council, Union Landing Historical Society, and Brielle Fire.

Manasquan's annual celebration includes a town-wide parade, a beach concert at Main Beach, and a fireworks display at around 9 PM launched from the Second and Fourth Avenue beach areas. The Manasquan Boardwalk is the best spot to watch.