School’s back, and so is the fall schedule, but you can still feel like you’re on vacation this weekend with lots of family-friendly activities. Test your grape stomping skills at the Hoboken Italian Festival in Hoboken, get nautical by the water during SailFest NJ in Toms River, or indulge in everything apple at the South Jersey Apple Fest in Woodstown. And don’t miss Remembering 9/11 events in NJ this weekend too. (featured photo credit: SailfestNJ/ Marie Daley)
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(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
SPONSORED
Baby Safety Month IG Live with Bright Horizons and Britax
September 8 at 11 AM
September is Baby Safety Month—Britax is committed to helping keep young ones safe by spreading the word about baby safety. As a proud Baby Safety Month Ambassador, Britax is collaborating with Bright Horizons to support the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) by organizing online educational events and fantastic giveaways. Set your notifications, follow @britaxus and @brighthorizons on Instagram, and tune in on Thursday, 9/8 (11 AM) for the first of three Instagram Livestreams dedicated to sharing Baby Safety Tips! Claire Goss, Manager of Family Education and Resources at Bright Horizons, will discuss early childhood development and safety. Enter to win one of (2) Britax ClickTight car seats—winners will be announced during the Livestream.
Cost: Free
Online
Hoboken Italian Festival
September 8-11
It’s a four-day festival of food, music, and fun. Saturday is “Feast” day when the 800-pound statue of the Madonna Dei Martiri or Madonna of the Martyrs is carried through the streets of Hoboken. There will also be fireworks, a raffle, and a grape stomping contest.
Cost: Free
Along the Sinatra Promenade, Hoboken, NJ 07030
St. Demetrios Greek Festival
September 8-11
Be Greek for a weekend and sample authentic Greek food prepared on the premises. There will be live music, folk dancing, vendors, rides and games, and free parking.
Cost: $2
721 Rahway Ave, Union Twp., NJ 07083
Central Jersey Jazz Festival
September 9-11
Bring the whole family to enjoy live music and dance performances around Central Jersey. The event will be in Flemington on Friday, New Brunswick/Metuchen on Saturday, and Somerville on Sunday.
Cost: Free
Flemington, Metuchen, and Somerville
Flemington Opa! Festival
September 9-11
Taste authentic food and pastries, dance to Greek music, and try folk dancing. There will also be carnival games, prizes, and free parking too.
Cost: $2 for ages 12 and over
85 Voorhees Corner Road, Flemington, NJ 08822
Second Saturday in Collingswood
September 10
The Second Saturday event began when a collection of store owners came together 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
Branch Brook Park Festival
September 10 at 9 AM
This Essex County Community festival brings focus to health and wellness. The event kick-offs with wellness events in the morning, focusing on health in the afternoon. There will be booths on health testing, community resources, live music, art, fresh, healthy foods and produce, crafts, local artisan goods, and fitness activities.
Cost: Free
Prudential Concert Grove, Branch Brook Park Drive, Newark, NJ 07107
Brielle Day
September 10 at 9 AM
Bring out the whole family to celebrate Brielle with 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
Elmwood Park Community Day with Fireworks
September 10 at 9 AM
Shop outdoors, listen to live entertainment, experience kiddie rides and games, and great festival foods & food trucks, and so much more. At dusk, there will be a fireworks display to cap off the celebration.
Cost: Free
500 Boulevard Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
My First Cooking Class in Hannah’s Kitchen
September 10 at 9:30 AM
Cook in-person or virtually with this hands-on cooking class for ages 4-7 with an adult present. Even the pickiest of eaters will learn to love their veggies in this fun and interactive class.
Cost: Free
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Food Trucktemberfest
September 10 at 11 AM
The food trucks return for one final time to Monmouth Park at this one-day festival featuring food, live music, and live racing.
Cost: Free
Monmouth Park, 175 Oceanport Ave., Oceanport, NJ 07757
Taste Testers in Hannah’s Kitchen
September 10 at 11 AM
Join in-person or virtually for this mommy and me style healthy cooking class for ages 2-4 with an adult.
Cost: Free
Virtual or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
St Anthonys Italian Heritage Festival
September 10 at 2 PM
Bring your crew out to taste Italian food, see cultural exhibits and demonstrations, and listen to live music. There will also be carnival games, a wine-making competition, and artisan vendors and food trucks.
Cost: Free
Glassboro Town Square, Glassboro, NJ 08028
51st Annual Wood Street Fair
September 10
See over 175 crafters along with collectibles, antiques, food, music, and fun. You can also tour one of New Jersey’s oldest houses, the Revell House (ca.1685), the fabled site of Burlington’s hospitality to Benjamin Franklin. Sample Gingerbread, Pumpkin, Blueberry, or Cranberry Breads and tour the 1876 Carriage House.
Cost: Free
Wood Street, Burlington, NJ 08016
Sailfest NJ
September 10 at 10 AM
Feel the ocean breeze at New Jersey’s largest sailing festival with family fun, food, and festivities. There will be two different Sail Race Regattas and all music, art, crafts, vendors, raffles, food, beer, wine, kids’ activities, and more nautical-themed activities.
Cost: Some events have a fee
River Avenue, Island Heights, NJ 08732
Taco Festival Sussex County Fairgrounds
September 10 at 10 AM
It’s the seventh annual Taco Festival with a day of entertainment, competitions, fun, and tacos. There will be bands with a pepper eating contest and a Margarita Mix-Down.
Cost: $10-$75
The Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
Bayonne Arts Festival
September 10 at 11 AM
Celebrate art, music, and dance in Bayonne this September. Food trucks will be available too.
Cost: Free
Dennis P. Collins Park, 1st Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002
Ocean County Irish Festival
September 10 at 11 AM
Get your Irish on with Irish music, step dancers, the Ocean County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Band, craft vendors, and the Pot O’Gold Playland for kids.
Cost: Free
Manahawkin Lake Park, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
Phillipsburg Railroad Festival
September 10 at 11 AM
Come out to celebrate 170 years of the railroad with music, food, and vendors. The first floor of the Phillipsburg Union Station will be open for tours on the first floor or take a train trip on the Delaware Excursion Train rides.
Cost: Free
Shappell Park, Union Station and Tower, Elizabeth Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
New Year’s in North Wildwood
September 10 at 3 PM
The top Mummers String Bands from the New Year’s Day Parade in Philadelphia will parade along Olde New Jersey Avenue, where you can get up-close views of their costumes and Mummer’s dance steps.
Cost: Free
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
South Jersey Apple Fest
September 10-11 at 10 AM
Get ready for the end of summer with artists and artisans, a home show, apple pie, food trucks, and an apple pageant. This 4th annual event is pet friendly, and there will be wine sampling, rides, kids’ free crafts and apples, fall produce, and fall flowers.
Cost: Free
Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway (Route 40), Woodstown, NJ 08098
Woofstock
September 10-11
It’s the Home for Good Dog Rescue summer music festival event and adoption day. This pet-friendly event will have live music, food trucks, craft vendors, K-9 contests, prize raffles, and more.
Cost: $30 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under
Brook Valley Farm, 336 Loantaka Way, Chatham, NJ 07940
Family Ag Days
September 11 at 9 AM
The County of Passaic and the township of Wayne present Family Ag days to connect families with agriculture through activities, music, and programs. Don’t miss the therapy bunnies and petting zoo.
Cost: Free
Van Ripper Hopper Museum, 533 Berdan Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470
Pink Troll Dance Party at the Sunday Farmers Market
September 11 at 11 AM and 12 PM
Join Moxie the Pink Troll for a show with interactive games, dancing, and fun for all.
Cost: Free
Sunday Farmer’s Market, the parking lot between Macy’s and Rt 17, Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
September 11 at 11 AM
Head to Red Bank for live music, a DJ, dancing, food, performances, children’s rides, games, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
Red Bank Downtown, Red Bank, NJ 07701
Meet the Chickens in the Children’s Garden
September 11 at 1 PM
Learn all about the Calgo chickens, where the chicken caretakers will describe their care routine and things to watch out for when raising chickens. Children and their families are welcome to enter the coop and pet our friendly chickens.
Cost: All donations go towards the children’s garden at Calgo Gardens
Calgo Gardens, 462 Adelphia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Ongoing Events
Healthy Kids in Hannah’s Kitchen
September 6, 13, 20, 27
Come in person or join virtually for this hands-on cooking for ages 8-12r. Your child will learn how to cook with nutritious ingredients, how to read a recipe, kitchen safety tips, measuring techniques, knife skills, and more.
Cost: Free
Online or Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Christian Community Health and Wellness Center at Newark Beth Israel
Medical Center, 208 Lyons Ave., Newark, NJ 07112
Live Outdoor Jazz! 4th Annual Jersey City Pier Fest
September 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 6 PM
It’s the 4th annual Pierfest on Friday nights on the water. There will be live music, classic Latin Jazz, Salsa dancing, and food.
Cost: Free
Exchange Place, 10 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
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