We blinked, and it’s September, but don’t be sad summer’s over—we’ve got a lineup of FREE fun ahead. Spend the day watching sail races at Sailfest in Toms River, say so long to summer at the End of Summer Block Party in Wildwood, or watch a live reptile show and check out a pumpkin patch at the Fall Family Festival in Roseland. (Featured Photo Credit: Rotary of Toms River, Marie Daley)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events.)
Glassboro Car Show & Food Truck Festival
September 1 at 5 PM
This 18th 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
49th Annual St. Barts/UNICO Italian Festival
September 1-4 at 4:30 PM
This is such a fun event that the entire family will enjoy. With nightly live music, rides, games, and delicious food, it’s the perfect way to spend the weekend.
Cost: Free admission
St. Bartholomew the Apostle Parish, 2032 Westfield Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
108th Saint Joseph Feast
September 1-4 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
Summer Concert and Fireworks
September 2 at 6:30 PM
The North Jersey Concert Band will perform an outdoor concert followed by a firework show to send off summer. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and enjoy the show.
Cost: Free
Park Ridge High School, 2 Park Avenue, Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Star Wars Day at the Zoo
September 2 at 10 AM
Have a little one who loves Star Wars? Head to the Cape May County Park & Zoo for a fun-filled day of characters, crafts, trivia, and special treats for the animals throughout the day.
Cost: Free
Cape May County Park & Zoo, 707 U.S. 9, Middle Township, NJ 08210
Kids Observation Hike
September 2 at 10 AM
Enjoy the outdoors with the family and hunt for plants, bugs, birds, and whatever else you can find along the way. Your little ones will have the chance to discuss all they observe during the hike.
Cost: Free
Stokes State Forest, 1 Coursen Road, Sandyston, NJ 07826
Fall Flower Festival & Craft Market
September 2-3 at 9 AM
Enjoy two fun days with the fam, from free lectures and tours to plants and vendors. There will also be delicious coffee and food 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 3 at 11 AM
Get outside to spend time with the entire family eating delicious food, listening to music, and craft vendors.
Cost: Free
Clifton Municipal Complex, 900 Clifton Ave Clifton, NJ 07013
End of Summer Block Party
September 3 at 1 PM
Say so long to summer at this annual event featuring music, crafts, food, and 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 3 at 11 AM
Established in 2004, this event features a celebration of life along the river. There will be music, art, food, family-friendly activities to enjoy with the fam.
Cost: Free
Sunbeam Lenape Park & Downtown Frenchtown, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair
September 4 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 7-10
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
Movie Night: The Super Mario Bros Movie
September 8 at 6:30 PM
Bring your blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a movie under the stars. The rain date is September 15.
Cost: Free
Veterans Memorial Park, 1261 Chews Landing Road, Clementon, NJ 08021
Somers Point Good Old Days Festival
September 9 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 has fun for everyone with inflatables, games, live music, and more.
Cost: Free
JFK Park, 24 Broadway, Somers Point, NJ 08244
All About Downtown Street Fair
September 9 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
Sailfest
September 9 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, sailboat races, and more.
Cost: Free
River Avenue, Island Heights, NJ 08732
Delaware River Festival
September 9 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
8th Annual Prince Hall Community Day Festival
September 9 at 11 AM
Come out for a day of fun, festivities, and games perfect for the whole family to enjoy together.
Cost: Free
Cedar Brook Park, Park Drive, Plainfield, NJ 07060
Elmwood Park Community Day With Fireworks
September 9 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
Snakes & Turtles
September 9 at 10:30 AM
Interested in learning about the snakes and turtles of New Jersey? The Trailside Nature Center will host an event for kids in grades 1-3 that will teach them to identify the unique characteristics of reptiles and discover fun facts.
Cost: Free
Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Avenue, Cranford, NJ 07016
New Year’s in North Wildwood
September 8-9
Enjoy the sights and sounds of 15 string bands from the 2023 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 and personal views of the gorgeous costumes and vibrant colors.
Cost: Free
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260
Kids Outdoor Storytime at Princeton Shopping Center
September 12 at 10:30 AM
Enjoy the beautiful September weather and have fun at this interactive event that features books, songs, rhymes, and movement for children of all ages.
Cost: Free
Princeton Shopping Center, 301 N. Harrison Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
St. Peter’s Parish Carnival
September 14-17 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
45th Annual Festival of the Sea
September 16 at 10 AM
Head to the beach and celebrate delicious seafood from the Jersey Shore. With live music, a beer garden, family activities, and amazing food, this is a fun event for everyone.
Cost: Free
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, 601 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
St. Anianus Coptic Orthodox Church 2nd Annual Community Fair
September 16 at 1 PM
Come one, come all, to this 2nd annual community fair. There will be free food, games for the whole family, and a big giveaway. Please bring nonperishable food items to donate.
Cost: Free
143 North Bergen Mills Road, Monroe, NJ 08831
Township of Monroe Fall Arts & Crafts Festival
September 16 at 11 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
Pitman Fall Craft Show
September 16 at 9 AM
Looking for a place to get fall crafts from local vendors? This craft show will feature over 350 vendors, businesses, food trucks, and tons of fun.
Cost: Free
Broadway, Pitman, NJ 08071
Family Fun Saturday
September 16 at 11 AM
Experience the wonder of science, technology, engineering, and more at this family-friendly event. The theme for the event is Bon Appetit.
Cost: Free
Harriet Tubman Square, 501-551 Broad Street, Newark, NJ 07102
Burlington’s Kids Fishing Derby
September 16 at 7:30 AM
Let your kids set their hooks and reel in their fish at this fun fishing derby. There will be bait for everyone, and fishing poles and tackle will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Stay until the end for prizes and giveaways.
Cost: Free
Sylvan Lake, Lake Avenue, Burlington, NJ 08016
Smithville Artwalk
September 16 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.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville Village, 615 E. Moss Mill Road, Galloway, NJ 08205
Ridgewood Fall Craft Street Fair
September 17 at 11 AM
This unique street fair combines fun for the whole family with 200 exhibitors of arts, crafts, and photography from three different states. There will also be lots of tasty treats, inflatables for kids, and face painting.
Cost: Free
211 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Washington State Park Historic Walking Tours
September 17 at 1 PM
Looking for something different to do with the family? Head to the park and take in the Washington Crossing Visitor Center Museum, the Stone Barn, The Overlook, and more.
Cost: Free
Washington Crossing State Park Visitors Center, 355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd. Titusville, NJ 08560
Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
September 22-24
Don’t miss three fun days packed with carnival rides, a farmers market, animals, music, and so 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
Branchburg County Fair
September 23 at 11 AM
Spend the day at this festive fair 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 23 at 12 PM
Enjoy delicious Italian specialties at the Jersey Shore with this Italian Festival. Then, after you have sampled the amazing things to eat, stroll downtown and stop into the shops for a day of fun.
Cost: Free
Downtown Business District, Third Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Fall Family Festival
September 23 at 11 AM
Get ready to kick off the fall season at this lively festival for all ages. Bring the family for a fun day of 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
2023 New Jersey Shore Walk & Roll
September 24 at 10 AM
Get moving with the family for a good cause. Grab everyone you know and walk along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk and take in the gorgeous weather.
Cost: Free
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, 1521 Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights, NJ 08751
Kids Fall Crafts
September 29 at 4:30 PM
It’s always a good time to create crafts —get in the fall spirit and make some beautiful creations at this free event. All ages are welcome.
Cost: Free
WCHFH Community Center, 31 Belvidere Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882
Fair Lawn Food Truck & Music Festival
September 30 at 11 AM
Ready to enjoy food trucks, live music, vendors, and more? Then you will want to head to this festival where there is something for everyone to enjoy, even the little ones in the fam.
Cost: Free
Memorial Park, 2 Avenue of Heroes, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
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