In the blink of an eye, summer changed into fall, and we’re here for all the fall things to do this month to kick off this season. And the best part is, it’s all FREE! Enjoy nightly live music, rides, games, and delicious food at the 50th Annual St. Barts/UNICO Italian Festival in Scotch Plains, take in New Jersey’s largest sailing festival plus music, sailboat races, and more at Sailfest in Island Heights, or bring the family for a fun day of free activities, including crafts, a live reptile show, live butterflies, an inflatable corn maze at the Fall Family Festival in Roseland. And for more seasonal things to do, check out everything fall on our bucket list. (Featured Photo Credit: @sailfestnewjersey)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
Fall Flower Festival & Craft Market
September 1
Enjoy fun with the family, from free lectures and tours to plants and vendors. Delicious coffee and food will also be available at the event.
Cost: Free
Well-Sweep Herb Farm, 205 Mount Bethel Rd, Port Murray, NJ 07865
Clifton Food Truck, Art, and Music Festival
September 1 at 11 AM
Enjoy a day in the sun, spend time with the family, eat delicious food, listen to music, and visit craft vendors.
Cost: Free
Clifton Municipal Complex, 900 Clifton Ave Clifton, NJ 07013
End of Summer Block Party
September 1 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
Frenchtown Riverfest
September 1 at 11 AM
Established in 2004, this day-long festival celebrates life along the river. There will be music, art, food, and family-friendly activities to enjoy with the family.
Cost: Free
Sunbeam Lenape Park & Downtown Frenchtown, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
50th Annual St. Barts/UNICO Italian Festival
September 1-2
This is such a fun event that the entire family will enjoy. With nightly live music, rides, games, and delicious food, it’s a fun and festive way to spend the long weekend.
Cost: Free admission
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish, 2032 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
109th Saint Joseph Feast
September 1-2 at 6 PM
Who’s ready for food, rides, games, and more at the Saint Joseph Feast? Gather up the family and enjoy the fun.
Cost: Free admission
40 Spring Street, Lodi, NJ 07644
Annual Labor Day Carnival
September 1-2 at 6 PM
This carnival is an annual tradition and an event to remember. There will be games, rides, food, and a Labor Day Parade on Monday morning.
Cost: Free
Pastime Club Inc, 3 Hilltop Road #1, Mendham Borough, NJ 07945
Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair
September 2 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
The Hoboken Italian Festival
September 5-8
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, so much fun, 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
New Year’s in North Wildwood
September 6-7
Enjoy the sights and sounds of 15 string bands from the 2024 New Year’s Day Parade for a memorable day. The string bands will be performing, and you will have the chance to get up close to look at the gorgeous costumes and vibrant colors.
Cost: Free
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Brielle Day
September 7
Head down the shore to 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
Somers Point Good Old Days Festival
September 7 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
Sailfest
September 7 at 10 AM
Are you or someone in your family interested in sailing? Then you’re in luck. New Jersey’s largest sailing festival is happening this month with music, vendors, raffles, and exciting sailboat racing.
Cost: Free
River Avenue, Island Heights, NJ 08732
St. Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church 3rd Annual Community Fair
September 7 at 1 PM
Come one, come all, to this second annual community fair. There will be free food, games for the whole family, and a big giveaway. Please bring nonperishable food items to donate. The rain date is September 14.
Cost: Free
143 North Bergen Mills Road, Monroe, NJ 08831
Ocean Grove Fall Flea Market
September 7 at 9 AM
What better way to spend the day outdoors than down the shore? This event features tons of vendors selling everything from vintage and antique to handmade and new.
Cost: Free
Ocean Pathway, 40 Ocean Pathway, Ocean Grove, NJ 07756
Tractors, Trucks & Big Stuff
September 8 at 8 AM
Littles who love trucks will be in awe of the tractors, trucks, and fire trucks on display. Food trucks and vendors will be on-site, and the shops will be open.
Cost: Free
933 Monmouth County Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
2024 Beach Plum Festival
September 8 at 9 AM
This annual event is one you won’t want to miss. Over 100 vendors will be present, and there will be 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
New Milford 2024 Fishing Derby
September 8 at 8 AM
Bring the entire family and let the kids go fishing, where they will each have the chance to win prizes. There will also be games, music, food, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Handcastle Pond, New Milford, NJ 07646
Elmwood Park Community Day With Fireworks
September 14 at 11 AM
It’s always a good time for fireworks—spend the day playing games and having fun, then capping the night off with booms in the sky. From live music to free rides, vendors, and more, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Cost: Free
Borough Park, Mola Boulevard, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Township of Monroe Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
September 14 at 10 AM
With 80+ vendors, including food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, a petting zoo, and more, this is the place to be. Enjoy the beautiful September weather with the family and usher in fall at the festival.
Cost: Free
Pfeiffer Community Center, 301 Blue Bell Road, Williamstown, NJ 08094
Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival
September 14 at 1 PM
This one-day celebration is the perfect way to spend the day outside with the family. There will be live music, classic Latin Jazz, Salsa dancing, and food.
Cost: Free
Exchange Place, 10 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Smithville Artwalk
September 14 at 10 AM
Introduce kids to art and artists by spending the day exploring art from 75 vendors while enjoying music, entertainment, contests, and special guests. The rain date is September 15.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway, NJ 08205
Sussex County Day
September 15 at 12 PM
Get the whole gang together for a day filled with a classic car show, helicopter landing, food trucks, a scavenger hunt, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd, Augusta, NJ 07822
St. Peter’s Parish Carnival
September 19-22 at 6 PM
This annual four-day fair features fun and games for the entire family. With carnival rides, delicious food, prizes, a giant 50/50, and more, this one should be on your calendar.
Cost: Free admission
St. Peter The Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 445 Fifth Avenue, River Edge, NJ 07661
Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
September 20-22
Don’t miss three fun days packed with carnival rides, a farmers market, animals, music, and much more. Kick off the fall season and take in the cool September weather.
Cost: Free admission
Overpeck County Park, 199 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
All About Downtown Street Fair
September 21 at 12 PM
Come to this beloved street fair and enjoy amazing vendors, rides for kids, face painting, live music, and a beer garden for the 21+ crowd.
Cost: Free
Newark Avenue, Between Grove Street and Coles Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Pitman Fall Craft Show
September 21 at 9 AM
Looking for a place to peruse fall crafts from local vendors? This craft show will feature over 350 vendors, food trucks, and tons of fun.
Cost: Free
Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
Festival in the Borough of Washington
September 21 at 10 AM
It’s a full day of fun with music, entertainment, vendors, food, and a family-friendly area that will keep the whole family happy.
Cost: Free
44 E. Washington Ave. (Route 57), Washington, NJ 07882
46th Annual Festival of the Sea
September 21 at 10 AM
Over 250 craft vendors and local restaurants will be at the 44th Annual Festival of the Sea. This festival is the place to be if you are a seafood lover.
Cost: Free
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, 601 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration
September 21 at 9 AM
This huge bayfront street festival will cap off the summer with live music, craft vendors, food, family entertainment, children’s activities, and more. Fireworks go off at dusk.
Cost: Free
Centennial Park & Sunset Lake, New Jersey Avenue between Rambler Road & Miami Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260
Branchburg County Fair
September 21 at 11 AM
Spend the day at this festive fair with a pumpkin ring toss, a cornhole tournament, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and more before watching the night light up with gorgeous fireworks.
Cost: Free admission
White Oak Park, 235 Baird Road, Branchburg, NJ 08876
Italian Festival
September 21 at 12 PM
Enjoy delicious Italian specialties at the Jersey Shore with this Italian Festival. There will be live music as you stroll downtown and stop at the shops for a day of fun.
Cost: Free
Downtown Business District, Third Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Delaware River Festival
September 28 at 10 AM
Get ready to celebrate the beauty of the Delaware River. Enjoy a day filled with music, food, and lots of water activities.
Cost: Free
Wiggins Waterfront Park, Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
Fall Family Festival
September 29 at 11 AM
Get ready to kick off the fall season at this lively festival for all ages. Bring the family for free activities, including crafts, a live reptile show, live butterflies, an inflatable corn maze, and so much more.
Cost: Free
Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068
2024 New Jersey Shore Walk & Roll
September 29 at 10 AM
Get moving for a good cause—each year, the Walk & Roll to Cure FSHD brings together the community to change the future for all those living with FSH Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). Grab everyone you know and walk along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, enjoying the gorgeous weather.
Cost: Free
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, 1521 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
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