Team summer or team fall? We’re here for all of it, with lots of family-friendly things to do this weekend for seasonal fun. Enjoy live music, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and food trucks at the Lentini Farms Fall Festival in Newton, take in delicious food, live entertainment, rides, and the Sunday “feast” day at The Hoboken Italian Festival, or head to New Jersey’s largest sailing festival complete with music, vendors, raffles, sailboat races, and more at Sailfest in Island Heights. And for more start-of-fall fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: NJMOM)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Johnson’s Locust Hall Farm Fall Extravaganza
September 5-6
Enjoy a jam-packed day full of family fun, featuring live music, a delectable menu at the Farmhouse Grill, Food Trucks, and a wine-tasting experience with Tomasello Winery. Indulge in the quintessential fall activities, such as picking your own apples, pumpkins, and sunflowers, getting lost in the family-friendly corn maze, or hopping on a hayride tour of the 325-acre farm.
Cost: $8.00-$16.00 + fees
2691 Monmouth Road, Jobstown, NJ 08041
Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival
September 5-6
This one-day celebration is the perfect way to spend the day outside with the family. There will be three stages with live music, classic Latin Jazz, Salsa dancing, a community zone, and food.
Cost: Free
Exchange Place, 10 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
New Year’s in North Wildwood
September 5-6
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mummers from Philadelphia’s annual New Year’s Day Parade for a memorable day. Over a dozen String Bands will be featured as the Mummers Parade steps off at 5 PM at Olde New Jersey Ave, beginning at 2nd Street and concluding at Spruce Ave. The string bands will be performing, and you will have the chance to get up close and personal views of the gorgeous costumes and vibrant colors.
Cost: Free
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Lentini Farms Fall Festival
September 5-7
Kick up the fall season at this lively festival and enjoy a different live band and food trucks each weekend, along with their beloved 10-acre corn maze, scenic hayrides, sunflower field (seasonal), beer tent, u-pick pumpkin patch, and Haunted hayrides (starts September 27). Make sure to catch the fireworks show opening weekend at dusk.
Cost: Prices vary
Route 94 South, 251 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860
The Hoboken Italian Festival
September 5-7
Looking for a fun way to spend the weekend? Look no further than the Annual Hoboken Italian Festival. There will be delicious food, live entertainment, rides, and the Sunday “feast” day, where the statue of the Madonna Dei Martiri is carried through the town streets.
Cost: Free to enter
332 Adams Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Wildwoods Food and Music Festival
September 6 at 2 PM
Formerly known as the Wildwoods Seafood and Music Festival. The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce presents a Food and Music Street Fair with food, music, shopping, a pie-eating contest, and kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Downtown Wildwood, the festival begins at Byrne Plaza, located along Pacific Avenue between Oak and Schellenger Avenues.
Brielle Day
September 6 at 9 AM
It’s still summer at the shore, where you can enjoy great entertainment, fire truck rides, music, a craft fair, a beer garden, and delicious food.
Cost: Free
Brielle Park, 658 Union Ln, Brielle, NJ 08730
Atlantic City Latino Festival
September 6 at 12 PM
Bring the whole crew to watch mariachi, Salsa, Cumbia, and Folkloric dance groups while visiting authentic food, vendors, and a children’s entertainment area.
Cost: Free
543 N Albany Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401
54th Annual Wood Street Fair
September 6 at 9 AM
This fair is an annual event that should be on your calendar for the weekend. There will be fun things to do, including 175 crafters, food, music, art, and more.
Cost: Free
Wood Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
Insect Festival
September 6 at 11 AM
Have a little one who loves insects? Head to Mercer Educational Gardens to see insects up close, go on an insect hunt, enjoy storytime, and more.
Cost: Free
Mercer Educational Gardens, 431 Federal City Road, Pennington, NJ 08534
Somers Point Good Old Days Festival
September 6 at 11 AM
September has some of the best weather in our state, and what better way to spend it than in the park with the fam? This festival is fun for everyone, with inflatables, games, live music, and more.
Cost: Free
JFK Park, 24 Broadway, Somers Point, NJ 08244
Annual Cranbury Day
September 6 at 9 AM
Celebrate the town of Cranbury with this street fair, featuring food trucks, vendors, and fun activities for the whole family, including face painting, a petting zoo, and pony rides. This year, they have added a car show to the fun.
Cost: Free
North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ 08512
Sailfest
September 6 at 10 AM
Set sail on New Jersey’s largest sailing festival this weekend, with music, vendors, raffles, sailboat races, and lots of sailboat fun.
Cost: Free
River Avenue, Island Heights, NJ 08732
10th Annual NJ Taco Festival
September 6 at 10 AM
Who doesn’t love tacos? Round up your crew to sample your favorites from over 40 taco trucks, which will serve everything from traditional carne asada to fusion creations.
Cost: Ticket prices vary; kids under 10 are free
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
Back to School
September 6 at 10 AM
During this interactive program, school-age children aged 5 and up can attend a one-room schoolhouse, just like those from history. The lessons include doing farm chores, playing games during recess, and learning various subjects.
Cost: Free
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Township, NJ 08530
Ocean Grove Fall Flea Market
September 6 at 9 AM
What better way to spend the day outdoors than down the shore? This event features numerous vendors selling a wide range of items, from vintage and antique to handmade and new.
Cost: Free
Ocean Pathway, 40 Ocean Pathway, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Elmwood Park’s Community Day Street Fair
September 6 at 11 AM
Spend the day outdoors with the family at this fun street fair. There will be 50 vendors, food trucks, a kid zone, and fireworks at dusk.
Cost: Free
213 Speidel Avenue, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Terhune Orchards Fall Family Fun Weekends
September 6-7
Get all the fall feels at Terhune with their adventure barn, live music, pony rides, pumpkin picking, duck races, and pick-your-own opportunities.
Cost: A variety of packages are available
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Tractors, Tails & Treasures
September 7 at 8 AM
Bring the kids to check out the tractors on display and see animals from local farms. Food trucks and vendors will be on-site, and the shops at the New Egypt Flea Market will be open for business.
Cost: Free
933 Monmouth County Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
2025 Beach Plum Festival
September 7 at 9 AM
This annual family festival in Seaside Park is one you won’t want to miss. Featuring over 100 vendors, the event will include games, exhibits, food, and Beach Plum Jelly.
Cost: Free
Ocean Beach Bathing Area 1, Island Beach State Park, 2401 Central Avenue, Seaside Park, NJ 08752
Frank V Marina Monthly Flea & Collectible Market
September 7 at 9 AM
Mark your calendars for this fun event, featuring multiple exhibitors selling a diverse range of merchandise, including candles, jewelry, clothing, antiques, collectibles, and more.
Cost: Free
277 Passaic Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032
Character Brunch
September 7 at 11 AM
Have a little one who loves all things Spiderman? Enjoy a delicious brunch with fun activities, hugs, high-fives, and photo opportunities with the spider heroes in attendance.
Cost: Price of brunch
iPlay America, 110 Schanck Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728
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