The dog days of summer are here, and we’re beating the heat with tons of family fun this weekend. Enjoy sunflowers, food trucks, and more at the Sunflower Festival at Von Thun Farms, take in livestock shoes, delicious food, a tractor pull, and rides at the Salem County Fair, or enjoy water slides, bounce houses, games, a petting zoo, and face painting at the Summer Splash Day in Williamstown. Heading to the Shore? Get your beach badges and find the places to sink your toes in the sand with our Jersey Shore guide. (featured photo credit: iStock/ideabug)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Salem County Fair
August 5- 9
This old-fashioned country fair features livestock shows, events, and a large farm machinery display. Savor the delicious BBQ dinner offered nightly or try some of the other food vendors. Kids will love the tractor and truck pulls, too.
Cost: No admission fee, parking $20 per vehicle for all four days
Salem County Fairgrounds – 735 Rt. 40, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Somerset County 4-H Fair
August 7-9
With a rich history connected to the local community, the 4-H Fair has become an annual cornerstone of Somerset County. There will be shows, rides, food, children’s activities and entertainment.
Cost: Free
North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Atlantic County Water Lantern Festival
August 9-10
Witness the magic of lanterns as they light up the water. Write your wishes on your lantern before letting it float on top of the water, taking your breath away.
Cost: Varies
Lenape Lake East, 753 Park Rd, Mays Landing, NJ 08330
Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 9-10
It’s not a fair without a car show, baby parade, pet parade, and pie-eating contest. There will also be a chicken BBQ, crabcake dinner, and lots of rides, games, and family fun.
Cost: Free admission, $4 for parking
3210 Route 50, South Egg Harbor City, NJ
Middlesex County Fair
August 9-11
The Middlesex County Fair is a popular stop for summer family fun, where you can explore the county’s rich agricultural heritage, learn a new craft, sample some fair food, and have fun on the rides.
Cost: $10 for adults, $4 for seniors and children between the ages of 3 -10, and free for children under 2.
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
48th Annual Ocean Italian Festival
August 9-11 at 5 PM
The annual Ocean Township Italian-American Festival celebrates Italian heritage and culture. Enjoy yummy authentic Italian food and check out the carnival rides, raffles, food-eating contests, and more. This beloved festival is celebrating its 48th anniversary.
Cost: Free
Joe Palaia Park, 200 Whalepond Rd., Oakhurst, NJ 07755
2024 Corn, Tomato, and Beer Festival
August 10 at 12 PM
Bring the family to a farm-to-festival celebration of local Jersey tomatoes, sweet corn, and craft beer. This sweet summer event brings local farmers, boutique restaurants, craft breweries, live bands, artisans, and kids activities together to celebrate everything delicious in NJ.
Cost: Free
Stangl Road Flemington, NJ 08822
New Brunswick Heart Festival
August 10 at 2 PM
It’s the fourth annual New Brunswick Heart Festival, which celebrates the vibrant arts and history of New Brunswick and the County of Middlesex. There will be live music and dance performances, a visual Arts Market, craft and food vendors, interactive activities and games, fun giveaways, and more.
Cost: Free
Downtown New Brunswick in front of the theaters at Monument Square at 2 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Second Saturday in Collingswood
August 10 at 5 PM
The Second Saturday event began when store owners collaborated to promote the arts in Collingswood. Once a month, visitors can plan a night on the town to experience arts, music, shopping, and dining in Collingswood. Don’t miss the local artists and musicians on each block.
Cost: Free
Haddon Ave., Collingswood, NJ 08108
Summer Splash Day
August 10 at 12 PM
Beat the heat and get ready to spend the day in the water. There will be water slides, bounce houses, games, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, and more.
Cost: $5 for kids & up, kids under 3 are free
Pfeiffer Community Center, 301 Blue Bell Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094
Historic Battery Lewis Tours
August 10-11 at various times
Come and tour the newly restored Historic Battery Lewis in the Rocky Point section of Hartshorne Wood Park. Learn all about the history of this former coastal defense site.
Cost: Free
1402 Portland Road, Highlands, NJ 07732
Sunflower Festival at Von Thun Farms
August 10-11
Sunflower season is here, and the Von Thun Farms Sunflower Festival is a seasonal highlight. The festival will feature food trucks, beer and wine for adults, live music, the Sunflower Trail, hayrides, farm animals, and so much more.
Cost: $19.99 online or $21.99 in person
Von Thun Farms, 438 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882
41st Annual Jazz Fest
August 11 at 12 PM
Have someone in the fam who loves jazz? Then this is the place for you to be. Head to the 41st annual event, where you can spend the day listening to beautiful music.
Cost: Free
Millcreek Park, 300 Beverly Rancocas Road & Pagent Lane, Willingboro, NJ 08046
Summer Festival Market
August 11 at 2 PM
Come one, come all, to this fun event celebrating the summer season. There will be delicious food, music, a watermelon-eating contest, games, bounce houses, and lots of family fun.
Cost: Free
New Market Fire Department, 801 S. Washington Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Peach & Summer Harvest Pancake Breakfast
August 11
Bring your appetite and enjoy a delicious meal right from the farm. There will be homemade pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, homemade peach topping, and more.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester, NJ 07930
Summertime Social
August 11 at 1 PM
This annual event is a great way to celebrate summer and history. There will be tours of the three historic 18th-century Jersey Dutch Houses, kite-making, ice cream-making, games, and prizes.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Historic New Bridge Landing, 1201-1209 Main Street, River Edge, NJ 07661
Cars & Concerts
August 11 at 5 PM
There’s so much to do at this fun event that everyone in your crew will enjoy. You will find live music, delicious food, and more while you walk around and check out all the vintage and historic cars.
Cost: Free
RWJBarnabas Field of Dreams, 1505 N. Bay Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
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