Ed Sheeran, Ren Faire, Portugal Day: 5 Events In NJ This Weekend

NEW JERSEY —With the air quality improving and sun in the forecast, New Jersey residents may be searching for something to do this weekend.

Patch gathered five highlights from a packed weekend of events in the Garden State, including a kid-friendly car show, celebrations of both Portuguese and Celtic heritage, music, art, and more.

Portugal Day 2023 celebrations: June 9-11, times vary.

A popular celebration of Portuguese culture returns to Newark, kicking off at Peter Francisco Park on Friday and continuing through Sunday. Since 1979, hundreds of thousands of people have visited the city’s Ironbound section to take part in the annual festivities, which include folk dances and special performances, as well as food from the many Portuguese restaurants in the city.

The Portugal Day Races begin at 9 a.m. Sunday on Ferry Street, and a parade starts at 3 p.m. (Read more on Patch.)

Hudson River Showcase: June 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Celebrities and kids will help judge a car show on the Hoboken Waterfront, which is free to enter. Designed primarily for youth ages 8-14, this program brings the world of classics to a kid-friendly level. Collectors interested in applying for participation can click here for Car Registration, through Saturday.

More than 100 models from pre-1959 through the 1990s will be on display. Judges will include former Hoboken Fire Batallion Chief Mike Turner from "Survivor."(Read more on Patch.)

Ed Sheeran: Mathematics Tour June 10-11, beginning at 6 p.m.

English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is at MetLife stadium this Saturday and Sunday for the Mathematics Tour, or “+ - = ÷ x Tour” if you want to get technical. American Dream Mall is running a sweepstakes to win tickets to see the best-selling artist, and tickets are still available — at a much lower price than they were for Sheeran's friend Taylor Swift.

MetLife stadium announced Thursday night that the shows are still on, after a week of concerning air quality in the area. They said traffic may increase around the stadium and issued for getting to the show, security guidelines, and more. (Read more on Patch.)

North 2 Shore fest: June 9-11, times vary

The first leg of this three-city summer festival in Atlantic City wraps up this weekend, and is packed with things to do.

Brunch parties, a living mural project, an outdoor market/beer hall, a pool party, and eclectic performers around the city are just the beginning of North to Shore offerings this weekend. The festival continues June 14-18 in Asbury Park, and in Newark from June 21-15.

NJ Renaissance Faire: June 10-11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It’s the final weekend of the Renaissance Faire, which is at the Burlington County Fairgrounds. This weekend is the Highland Games, celebrating Celtic culture and athletic events with Renaissance Faire merchants, independent acts, and storyline shows.

Sunday is especially accessible for people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Between 15 and 20 sign language interpreters will be at admissions, in the main food court area, and interpreting several shows in American Sign Language. (Read more on Patch.)