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Here's a round-up of What's New and What's Happening in Highland Park, NJ

Fireworks in the Park, Thursday, July 2
Join the fun at the annual Donaldson Park fireworks festival! The excitement kicks off at 6:00 pm with food vendors, live music, and gaming truck for all ages.  Kids will love the face painting, balloon artists and bounce houses. Stick around for the spectacular fireworks show starting at 9:15 pm.  All residents are invited to attend. 

Shuttle Bus to Middlesex County's Revolutionary Celebration, Saturday July 4
The Historical Commission in partnership with Middlesex County RIDE has organized a shuttle to Middlesex County’s Revolutionary Celebration at East Jersey Old Town Village, departing from the Community Center and Welkovitz Pavilion between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues. The loop will begin at 10am, and end shortly after the conclusion of the event, around 4 PM. Costumed interpreters will be on board the shuttle, while the event itself features live music, historical reenactors, family activities, patriotic performances, appearances by George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette, and a Revolutionary-era weapons demonstration.  

Borough Council Meeting, Tuesday, July 7
The Mayor and Council hold their regularly scheduled meetings pursuant to the provisions of the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-8(b). Meetings are held in person at Borough Hall, 221 South 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ at 7:00 pm. As a convenience, the Borough provides the public the option to attend meetings remotely through Zoom. The meeting agenda and support materials are posted in Borough Hall and on the Borough website at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting.

HP Restaurant Week, Thursday, July 9 through Sunday, July 19
Restaurant week is back in Highland Park! Residents and visitors can enjoy menu specials and discounts at many of our local eateries. Highland Park food and beverage businesses – it’s not too late to sign up! Fill out the form mainstreethp.org/restaurantweek2026 to participate.
    
Outdoor Movie Theater, Saturday, July 11 & 25
Main Street Highland Park hosts an outdoor movie series Saturday nights at 9:00 pm at the Municipal Lot on Raritan Avenue between 2^nd & 3^rd Avenues. Upcoming screenings include “BBS The Documentary” on July 11 and “Lost Highway” on July 25. For more information, visit the Main Street Highland Park website.
 
Candle Making with Granulated Wax, Sunday, July 12
The Highland Park Arts Commission is hosting a relaxing candle-making workshop on Sunday, July 12^th at the Highland Park Public Library, 31 North Fifth Avenue. Come learn how to design your own colorful candles using granulated wax.  This event is beginner friendly - no prior experience needed. Bring your creativity and leave with a beautiful, unique creating to take home!
 
Parkstock Outdoor Concert Series, Thursdays, July 16 & 30
The popular free outdoor Parkstock Outdoor Concert Series is back on Thursday nights at Donaldson Park, Grove 1 in Highland Park.  Bring your lawn chairs, enjoy the music and grab a bite from the on-site food vendors from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

• July 16: Roadside Graves (Folk/Rock/Americana) – Rain Date: July 23
• July 30: ERA (Latin Fusion) – Rain Date: August 6

World Cup Downtown Watch Party, Sunday, July 19
Bring your chair and some takeout from a Highland Park restaurant, and watch the World Cup matches downtown on the Market Square lot next to  212 Raritan Avenue! Play soccer and participate in the Restaurant Week prize giveaway at the July 19 event (bring your HP restaurant takeout & receipt, show us you’re a receipt from a HP restaurant during Restaurant Week and you will be entered into a prize drawing). Learn more at mainstreethp.org/2026-world-cup.
 
Employment Opportunities
The Borough is hiring a Laborer with CDL, Crossing Guards and Summer Camp positions.  Apply on the Borough’s website.
 
Save the Date!
Outdoor Movie Theater, Saturday, August 8 & 22
Main Street Highland Park hosts an outdoor movie series Saturday nights at 9:00 pm at the Municipal Lot on Raritan Avenue (between 2^nd & 3^rd Avenues).  Upcoming screenings include
“Furiosa” on August 8 and “Excalibur” on August 22.
 
Parkstock Outdoor Concert Series, Thursdays, August 13 & 27
The popular free outdoor Parkstock Outdoor Concert Series is back on Thursday nights at Donaldson Park, Grove 1 in Highland Park.  Bring your lawn chairs, enjoy the music and grab a bite from the on-site food vendors from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

• August 13: Ryann Gregg Trio (Blues, Rock & Soul) - Rain Date: August 20
• August 27: Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass  (Blue Grass) – Rain Date: September 3

Ongoing Programs:
Free Groceries from H.P. Gives a Hoot, Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and Wednesdays July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Highland Park Gives a Hoot offers free groceries to Highland Park families in need of support. Distributions are every Tuesday & Wednesday (except holidays) from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the Zone 6/Teen Center, 600 Benner Street.
 
Highland Park Community Food Pantry Distribution, Thursdays, July 9, 23 and Saturdays July 11, 25
The Highland Park Community Food Pantry distribution takes place at the Highland Park Community Center, 220 South 6^th Avenue on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 9:00 to 10:45 am and 6:00 to 7:00 pm and on the second and fourth Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 am. For more information visit the Borough website or contact Nicole Huff at 732-819-0052.

Highland Park Recreation Programs
Hello neighbors Registration is open for Highland Park Recreation’s adult, youth, and summer programs.  Summer camp runs between July 6^th through August 14^th offering a safe and fun environment for local youth.  To ensure our programs are accessible to everyone, the Borough offers a 60% discount on all activities for families who qualify for free and reduced lunch. 

Farmers Market
The Highland Park Farmers Market coordinated by Main Street Highland Park brings fresh, local, homemade products from farmers and vendors across New Jersey.  The market is open every Friday from 11:00 to 4:00 pm in, March, November and December and until 5:00 pm from April through October.  Shop for farm fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal products, and more while supporting local businesses and enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.