Beautiful Cape May

Cape May is pulling out all the stops this Fourth of July week, and whether you're here for the fireworks, the food, the music, or the magic of this one-of-a-kind National Historic Landmark city, there is truly something wonderful waiting for you every single day! 🎆🌊

🎇 1. Cape May City Independence Day Parade and Fireworks — July 4 🎇
Cape May's beloved annual Fourth of July Parade rolls down Beach Avenue on Saturday, July 4 at 1 PM, featuring floats, marching bands, veteran organizations, decorated bikes and golf carts, and all the red, white, and blue you can handle. Then, as night falls, find your spot on the beach or promenade as Cape May's spectacular fireworks display launches from a barge just offshore in front of Congress Hall at 9:30 PM. It is one of the most beautiful and festive fireworks shows on the entire Jersey Shore, and the view from the beach or promenade is absolutely unforgettable. Arrive early for the best spot, and plan to linger over ice cream as the crowd clears. FREE to attend.
www.capemaycity.com

🎶 2. Free Music in the Park at Rotary Park Bandstand 🎶
Cape May's beloved Music in the Park series returns with an incredible 47 free outdoor concerts running through Labor Day Weekend at the Rotary Park Bandstand, 400 Lafayette Street, behind the Washington Street Mall. This week features live performances on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings starting at 7 PM, showcasing everything from classic rock and jazz to tribute bands and beach music. Just bring a lawn chair or blanket, grab your favorite takeout from a nearby restaurant, and settle in for a perfect summer evening under the stars. FREE to attend.
www.capemaycity.com/news/post/11003

🎭 3. "Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years" at East Lynne Theater 🎭
Running through July 19 at the stunning Clemans Theater for the Arts at the Allen AME Church on Franklin Street, this powerful and heartwarming Broadway-caliber play tells the true story of sisters Sadie and Bessie Delany, who at ages 102 and 103 recall their extraordinary lives spanning the Jim Crow era, two World Wars, and the Civil Rights Movement with remarkable warmth and wit. Performances run at 7 PM Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 PM Sunday matinees, and a special 2 PM performance on July 4. Tickets are $40 general admission, $35 seniors, and $25 students and military.
www.eastlynnetheater.org

🍽️ 4. Cape May Food Tour — Multiple Dates This Week 🍽️
Cape May's original walking food tour is back and running multiple times this week, including Thursday, July 2! Your knowledgeable local guide leads you through the historic streets of this gorgeous Victorian city, stopping at five to six iconic Cape May restaurants and eateries over a 2.5 to 3 hour tour. At each location you sample specialty food items, some prepared as off-menu exclusives just for tour guests, while soaking up stories, history, architecture insights, and fun facts along the way. It is one of the most highly-rated experiences in all of Cape May and books up fast, so reserve your spot today!
www.capemayfoodtours.com

🏖️ 5. Family Fun Crafts Show at the Cape May Lighthouse 🏖️
Every Wednesday this summer, including July 2, the Cape May Lighthouse grounds at Cape May Point State Park come alive with the Family Fun Crafts Show from 9 AM to 2 PM! Browse unique handmade goods from talented local vendors, enjoy craft stations designed especially for kids, and take part in outdoor games the whole family will love. While you are there, purchase tickets to climb the 199 cast iron spiral steps of the magnificent 1859 Cape May Lighthouse for breathtaking panoramic views of the Delaware Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding nature trails. FREE admission to the craft show.
www.capemaymac.org

🎸 6. Cape May City Dance Nights at Convention Hall 🎸
Every Wednesday evening at 6 PM throughout the summer, Cape May Convention Hall at 714 Beach Avenue becomes the place to be for the city's lively free Dance Nights series! Whether you are a seasoned dancer or just want to tap your feet and soak up the energy of a crowd having a great time, this welcoming, family-friendly event draws locals and visitors alike for an evening of movement, music, and pure summer joy right on the beach. This week's dance night on Wednesday, July 2 is a wonderful way to kick off the Fourth of July celebration and get in the festive spirit! FREE to attend.
www.capemaycity.com

🌿 7. Harbor Safari at the Nature Center of Cape May 🌿
On both Tuesday, July 1 and Thursday, July 3, the Nature Center of Cape May hosts its popular and family-friendly Harbor Safari program from 10:30 AM to noon at 1600 Delaware Avenue. Join experienced naturalists right in the harbor shallows as the group pulls a 20-foot seine net through the water to observe an incredible variety of marine life including Atlantic silversides, summer flounder, northern pipefish, hermit crabs, horseshoe crabs, and much more. A guided coastal walk rounds out this hands-on, one-of-a-kind experience. Advance registration required.
www.njaudubon.org/centers/nature-center-of-cape-may

🏛️ 8. Carroll Gallery Exhibit: "Cape May — First and Only" at the Physick Estate 🏛️
Open throughout July at the Carriage House of the magnificent 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington Street, this free exhibit celebrates Cape May's extraordinary milestone year: 175 years as America's First Seaside Resort and 50 years as the nation's only National Historic Landmark City. It is the perfect complement to a guided tour of the Physick Estate itself, which offers an intimate look at life in a stunning Victorian Cape May family home. FREE admission to the gallery exhibit.
www.capemaymac.org

🌅 9. Movies on the Beach at Gurney Street 🌅
Every Thursday evening at dusk throughout the summer, Cape May hosts a free outdoor movie screening right on the beach at Gurney Street. This week, Thursday, July 3 brings another magical night of cinema under the stars with the ocean breeze and the sound of the waves as your backdrop. Bring a beach chair or blanket, round up the family or friends, and enjoy a true only-in-Cape-May experience. Check with the City of Cape May for the specific film being shown this week. FREE to attend.
www.capemaycity.com

🎤 10. Cape May City Summer Concert Series 🎤
Cape May's Summer Concert Series runs every Sunday through August 23, and this Sunday, July 5 brings another outstanding performance to kick off the week in style. These concerts celebrate the incredible musical talent that makes Cape May a destination unlike any other on the Jersey Shore, offering a wonderful way to wind down the Fourth of July festivities and ease into a beautiful summer week in America's First Seaside Resort. Check the city's events calendar for the July 5 performer and venue details.
www.capemaycity.com

There you have it — ten incredible ways to experience the best of beautiful Cape May this Fourth of July week! Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong regular, Cape May never runs out of ways to make memories. Share this post with someone you would love to bring along, and drop a comment below to let us know which events you are most excited about — we would love to hear your plans! 🌊🎆🦀

Cape May is absolutely bursting with fun this weekend, June 27 and 28.

And, whether you are a history buff, nature lover, music fan, or just looking for a great time at the shore, there is something magical waiting for you in America's oldest seaside resort!

🎵 1. Free Live Music at Rotary Park 🎵
Grab a blanket or a beach chair and head to Rotary Park at 400 Lafayette Street for two nights of free live music as part of Cape May's incredible 47-concert Summer 2026 series! On Saturday, June 27, The Squares take the stage, followed by the Maddie Hogan Trio on Sunday, June 28. These outdoor performances are a Cape May summer staple, completely free, and perfect for all ages. Come early for good spots!
www.capemay.com/calendar

🏛️ 2. Architectural Walking Tour by Cape May MAC 🏛️
Lace up your walking shoes and explore Cape May's stunning Victorian streetscapes on this newly updated and expanded 60-minute guided walking tour hosted by Cape May MAC. Tour guides will walk you through the historic district, explaining the social and architectural history of one of the country's largest collections of 19th-century seaside wooden structures. The tour also now highlights Cape May's Black community heritage recently entered into the National Register of Historic Places.
www.capemaymac.org

🧑‍🌾 3. Hands on History Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village 🧑‍🌾
History comes alive for the whole family this Saturday and Sunday at Historic Cold Spring Village on Seashore Road! During this special Hands on History weekend, guests enjoy interactive games, crafts, and activities tied to the trades and daily tasks of early American village life. Wander 30 acres of shaded lanes, visit 27 restored historic buildings, and watch period-clothed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, weaving, woodworking, and more. Dogs welcome on leash!
www.hcsv.org

🦅 4. Birding at Cape May Point State Park with NJ Audubon 🦅
Cape May is widely regarded as one of the premier birdwatching destinations in all of North America, and this weekend is a prime time to experience it. Join a Cape May Bird Observatory naturalist for a guided 2-hour EZ Birding walk around Cape May Point State Park, exploring beaches, dunes, freshwater ponds, forests, and marshes. Pre-registration is required and costs just $8 for members and $12 for non-members. Bring binoculars and dress in layers!
www.njaudubon.org

🐬 5. Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise with Cape May Whale Watcher 🐬
Set sail on one of the largest and fastest marine mammal watching boats in New Jersey for a thrilling 2 or 3-hour adventure on the Atlantic! Cape May Whale Watcher, operating since 1993, offers its signature "Cetacean Spectacular" cruise with a Marine Mammal Sighting Guarantee that never expires. With trained naturalists on board, you could spot bottlenose dolphins, humpback or fin whales, sea turtles, sharks, and spectacular seabirds. Reservations are strongly recommended, as tours regularly sell out on summer weekends!
www.capemaywhalewatcher.com

🏰 w5. Emlen Physick Estate Tour at Cape May MAC 🏰
Step inside the only Victorian house museum in Cape May for the 2026 tour theme, "The World on Display: The Centennial and Everyday Life." This fascinating tour of the stunning 1879 Emlen Physick Estate explores how the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, one of the world's great fairs, shaped the everyday lives of families like the Physicks and introduced modern America to new inventions and ideas. A beautifully curated and immersive experience for history lovers of all ages.
www.capemaymac.org

✈️ 7. NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum 🛩️
History buffs and aviation fans, do not miss this one-of-a-kind gem located at Cape May Airport! The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is housed in a fully restored 92,000-square-foot World War II hangar and features over 26 aircraft displays, hands-on cockpit experiences, interactive exhibits, and moving tributes to the 42 Navy airmen who perished while training here during WWII. Open 10 AM to 4 PM daily, with admission at $16 for adults and $12 for kids. Pets welcome!
www.usnasw.org

🔍 8. Agatha Christie Dinner Theatre at the Inn of Cape May 🔍
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind evening out, this is it! Join Hercule Poirot himself for "Hercule Poirot and the Woman in Black," a wickedly fun murder mystery dinner show featuring fine dining, spirited singing, frightening ghouls, and a Spanish Galleon mystery you will need to help solve. Performances run throughout June and July at the magnificent Inn of Cape May right along the beachfront. Ticket price includes a full dinner with appetizer, soup or salad, entree, and dessert. Book early, as these shows sell out fast!
www.eventbrite.com/e/agatha-christie-dinner-theatre-2026-at-the-inn-of-cape-may-tickets-1990401606786

🌿 9. South Cape May Meadows Preserve 🌿
Take a peaceful stroll through this stunning 200-acre Nature Conservancy preserve at the southern tip of New Jersey, one of the most celebrated coastal birding spots on the Atlantic Flyway. In late June, the preserve's protected beach is alive with nesting least terns, piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and black skimmers, while osprey circle overhead. The ADA-accessible boardwalk trails wind through dunes, meadows, and freshwater wetlands with the iconic Cape May Lighthouse framed beautifully in the background. Admission is free!
www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/south-cape-may-meadows

🏖️ 10. Cape May Beach and Washington Street Mall 🛍️
Sometimes the best activity in Cape May is simply soaking in the magic of the place itself. Spend the morning on Cape May's beautiful beaches, then stroll the charming Washington Street Mall for boutique shopping, local fudge, handcrafted gifts, and some of the best ice cream on the Jersey Shore. The Promenade along Beach Avenue stretches nearly two miles and is perfect for a scenic walk or bike ride past gorgeous Victorian homes and sparkling ocean views. This is Cape May at its most timeless and wonderful!
www.capemay.com

Have a fabulous weekend, Cape May! Drop a comment below and let us know which of these amazing events and activities you are planning to enjoy, and share this post with your family and friends so everyone can make the most of this incredible summer weekend in our beautiful town!