You might want to plan your shore vacation to take in one or more of the big events of the summer season. Here are some of the most popular, from mid-May through Labor Day.

MAY

16-18: Cape May Bird Observatory's Spring Weekend, Migration Mainline, Cape May. Activities range from field trips and workshops to birding by boat. 609-884-2736; birdcapemay.org.

18-June 15: 19th Annual Cape May Music Festival, various locations, Cape May. With concerts, lunches and a dinner series, ranging from classical to klezmer music and more. 609-884-5404; capemaymac.org.

20-25: The Lions' Strawberry Fair, Monmouth Park Race Track parking area, Oceanport. With rides, games, agricultural exhibits and more. 6 to 11 p.m. daily. 732-492-6000; strawberryfair.org.

23-26: Wildwoods International Kite Festival, on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue and at the Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood. America's largest kite festival will feature world-renowned kite builders and competitors, along with kite-making workshops, exhibits and children's activities. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; illuminated night kite fly on May 23 at 9 p.m. 800-992-9732; wildwoodsnj.com.

JUNE

1: 11th Annual Barnegat Bay Festival, Wanamaker Complex, Island Heights. This year's festival, with the theme "Go Green! We All Want Our Bay Clean," features food, vendors, exhibits and live bluegrass music, plus canoe eco-tours and boat rides. Presented by the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. rain or shine. 732-255-0472; bbnep.org.

7-8: 22nd Annual New Jersey Seafood Festival, Silver Lake Park, Ocean Avenue between Fifth and Sixth avenues, Belmar. Sample seafood specialties from restaurants around the state. With live music and a Children's Fun Tent. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine. 732-681-3700, ext. 213; belmar.com/seafoodfestival.

15-19: 85th Annual National Marbles Tournament, Ringer Stadium, Wildwood Avenue and the beach, Wildwood. Watch kids ages 8 to 14 from across the U.S. compete in the official national competition. 8 a.m. to noon daily. 304-337-2764; nationalmarblestournament.org.

27-29: 14th Annual North Wildwood Italian-American Festival, Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood. With food, vendors and entertainment, hosted by the Knights of Columbus. 4 to 11 Friday, noon to 11 Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 609-522-7364.

JULY

1-28, also Aug. 4-25: Monday Nights Summer Band Concert at the Taylor Pavilion, Fifth and Ocean avenues, Belmar. Featuring the John Luckenbill Orchestra. 8 p.m. 732-681-3700; belmar.com.

9: 22nd Annual Sand Castle Contest, 18th Avenue Beach, 1800 Ocean Ave., Belmar. Children and adults, visitors and residents can participate and compete for prizes. Registration and sand castle building start at 8 a.m.; judging from noon to 1 p.m.; njsandcastle.com.

19: Christmas in July, 15th Avenue and the beach, North Wildwood. Celebrate with Santa, candy canes and music, and watch the 20th Greater Wildwoods' Christmas in July Boat Parade between Sunset Bay and Sunset Lake. 1 p.m. 609-522-7500, 609-523-2728 for boat parade information.

11-13: 10th Annual New Jersey State Barbecue Championship, 201 New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood. With cooking classes and demonstrations, vendors and live entertainment by the Angelsea Blues Festival, held in conjunction with the championship. 609-523-6565; njbbq.com.

31-Aug. 3: 14th Annual Clam Fest, Huddy Park, Highlands. Fresh seafood, vendors, live entertainment and thrill rides, a clam-shucking contest and an all-you-can-eat clam contest on Sunday. 732-291-4713; highlandsnj.com.

AUGUST

3-31: Movies on the Beach, Hiering Avenue Beach, Seaside Heights. Every Sunday for ages 13 and over. Featuring "Jaws" on Aug. 3, "Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" on Aug. 10, "Grease" on Aug. 17, "Apollo 13" on Aug. 24 and "Gone With the Wind" on Aug. 31. Moves to the community center in case of inclement weather. 800-SEA-SHOR (733-7467); seasideheightstourism.com.

7-21: Comcast Jazz in the Park Concert Series, Riverside Gardens Park, West Front Street, Red Bank. Featuring the Voodudes on Aug. 7, Bradford Hayes and Poncho D Aug. 14 and the Jazz Lobsters Aug. 21. Rain date: Aug. 28. 7 p.m. 732-741-9211; visit.red bank.com.

16: Wildwoods Baby Parade, from the Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, up the boardwalk to 16th Street, North Wildwood. A Wildwood tradition since 1909. 5 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. parade begins. 609-522-4000; wildwoodsnj.com.

— Terecille Basa-Ong