Summer is coming to a hard stop (please don’t go), but we’ve still got one long weekend left of family-friendly things to do to keep it going. Enjoy exciting rides, delicious food, games, prizes, and more at the Boonton Fire Department Carnival in Boonton, see historic aircraft up close and listen to live music at Airfest 2025 in Cape May, or take in the Labor Day fireworks and parades happening around the state. And for more summer fun, find one of the festivals this month near you. (featured photo: iStock/WoodysPhotos)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Boonton Fire Department Carnival
August 28-31
There’s still time to hop on carnival rides and relish all the summer fun before the school year begins. There will be exciting rides, delicious food, games, prizes, and more.
Cost: $35 per person online and $40 per person at the gate
Boonton High School, 306 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005
Sunset Sips & Sounds
August 29
There’s no better way to unwind from a busy week than at this fun event for the whole family. Adults can grab a glass of wine while the kids listen to live music and snack on the delicious food available for purchase.
Cost: Free admission
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Friday Night Fireworks in Wildwood
August 29 at 10 PM
Is there a better way to end a fun-filled week of summer in Wildwood than with free fireworks? Every Friday night, watch a spectacular display explode to a musical score played along the Boardwalk. Grab a beach chair to relax on the sand, or you can see them from anywhere on the boardwalk.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, On the Beach at Pine Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Glassboro Car Show & Food Truck Festival
August 29 at 5 PM
This 20th annual event is for all the car enthusiasts in the fam. Come out to the festival and enjoy over 300 vehicles, live music, food trucks, and craft beer.
Cost: Free
Glassboro Town Square, 1 West High Street, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Wildwood Boardwalk Craft Show
August 29-30 at 9 AM
Looking for something fun to do on the boardwalk? Head down to Wildwood for a day of crafts. There will be all kinds of crafts from local vendors that each family member can choose from. After shopping, take a walk on the boardwalk or sunbathe in the sand.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair
August 29-30 at 6 PM
Enjoy Labor Day weekend at this fun and exciting fair, perfect for the whole family. From carnival rides and games to a seafood dining tent and fire truck rides, you’ll find plenty to do for your crew.
Cost: Free
Fair Haven Fire Department, River Road and Battin Road, Fair Haven, NJ 07704
Airfest 2025
August 29-31
This is a fun event that everyone in the family will love. There will be musical performances, unique and historic aircraft on display with rotating exhibits each day, face painting, food trucks, and a chance to peruse vendors. There’s even a beer and wine garden for mom and dad.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, 500 Forrestal Road, Cape May, NJ 08204
Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival
August 29-31
This festival has been held on Labor Day weekend since 1972, and the tradition continues this year. Bring the whole crew and enjoy Bluegrass music, vendors, and other fun.
Cost: Ticket prices vary; children 17 and under are admitted free with a paying adult.
Salem County Fair Association, 735 Harding Highway, Woodstown, NJ 08098
St. Bartholomew Italian Festival
August 29-September 1
Held annually since 1974, this is a great way to spend Labor Day weekend with the family. Enjoy live music, rides, games, delicious food, and a 50/50.
Cost: Free
St. Bartholomew Church, 2032 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
110th Saint Joseph Feast
August 29-September 1
Who’s ready for food, rides, games, and more at the Saint Joseph Feast? Gather up the family and celebrate the end of summer all weekend long.
Cost: Free
40 Spring Street, Lodi, NJ 07644
Labor Day Parade & Carnival
August 29 – September 1
Have fun on Labor Day at this annual parade and carnival. There will be games, rides, food, and a Labor Day Parade on Monday at 10 AM. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Mendham’s Working People,” and after the parade will be a concert at the gazebo.
Cost: Free
East Main Street & Mountain Avenue, Mendham, NJ 07945
KidsFit in Motion | Cardio Kids Jam (7-13 years old) – Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
August 30 at 9 AM
KidsFit in Motion, led by Ignite One, will offer Youth Fitness Programming. Get ready for non-stop fun with fantastic music, fitness games, cool dance moves, and chances to win prizes! You’ll get stronger, faster, and have a blast with your friends. Don’t miss out! Classes are FREE and graciously funded by the Devils Youth Foundation. A parent or guardian must stay for the duration of the class.
Cost: Free
Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health & Wellness Center – 208 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112
KidsFit in Motion | Happy Feet Fitness (3-7 years old) – Newark Beth Israel Medical Center
August 30 at 9 AM
KidsFit in Motion, led by Ignite One, will offer Youth Fitness Programming. Get ready for non-stop fun with fantastic music, fitness games, cool dance moves, and chances to win prizes! You’ll get stronger, faster, and have a blast with your friends. Don’t miss out! Classes are FREE and graciously funded by the Devils Youth Foundation. A parent or guardian must stay for the duration of the class.
Cost: Free
Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health & Wellness Center – 208 Lyons Avenue, Newark, NJ 07112
Tropicana’s Free Fireworks Series
August 30 at 10 PM
This dazzling 10-minute show is part of Tropicana’s Summer Celebration Fireworks Series. The performances are displayed from the beachfront and include intricately designed scenes and vivid effects.
Cost: Free
Tropicana Atlantic City, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
BBQ & Craft Beer Festival
August 30-31 at 11 AM
Round up the family for this fun festival that will include live music, clowns, face painters, pony rides, a bounce house, and delicious food trucks.
Cost: $6 per person or free for kids 12 and younger
Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Fall Flower Festival & Craft Market
August 30-31
Enjoy two days of fun with the family, from free lectures and tours to plants and vendors. The event will also feature delicious coffee and food.
Cost: Free
Well-Sweep Herb Farm, 205 Mount Bethel Rd, Port Murray, NJ 07865
Clifton Food Truck, Art, and Music Festival
August 31 at 11 AM
Spend a day in the sun and time with the entire family, eating delicious food, listening to music, and crafting with vendors.
Cost: Free
Clifton Municipal Complex, 900 Clifton Ave, Clifton, NJ 07013
End of Summer Block Party
August 31 at 1 PM
Say so long to summer at this annual event featuring music, crafts, food, and much more. There’s also a great lineup of live music throughout the day.
Cost: Free
Fox Park, 4500 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Broadway Meets The Beach
September 1 at 6:30 PM
If you or someone in your family loves Broadway and musicals, then head to the beach, where there will be live performances on the Franklin Avenue Stage. Look out for free prizes and surprise guests.
Cost: Free
Franklin Avenue Stage, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Labor Day Fireworks
September 1 at 9:15 PM
Celebrate Labor Day and the unofficial end to the summer with a gorgeous fireworks display on the beach at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk. You can see the fireworks from either the boardwalk or the beach, and don’t forget to bring a seat.
Cost: Free
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair
September 1 at 10 AM
Spend Labor Day enjoying a giant block party that spans the Newark Pompton Turnpike. With rides, games, food trucks, live entertainment, and more, this event is one for the books.
Cost: Free
83 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ 07457
33rd Annual 5K Labor Day Race & 1.5 Mile Family Fitness Walk
September 1 at 9:30 AM
Looking for a way to get moving with the whole family? Everyone can compete, no matter what level of running or walking they can do, and run along the parade route before the Labor Day parade begins. Then, once you are done with the race, stay for the fun parade.
Cost: $20 for the 5K & $5 for the fitness walk
South Plainfield Middle School, 2201 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
66th Annual South Plainfield Labor Day Parade
September 1 at 10 AM
Get ready for action-packed energy and community pride at this annual event that is themed “Superheroes & Villains.” Come dressed in your best superhero costume, whether that’s a fictional character or a real-life hero in the community, and participate in this fun event. After the parade, there will be fun festivities and fireworks at dusk at Spring Lake Park that you won’t want to miss.
Cost: Free
Starts at PAL Building, 1250 Maple Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
