Spring is coming, but it’s never too early to start planning a season of family fun at one of the many festivals in New Jersey. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish at the Downtown Irish Festival in Toms River, pick and snap selfies among the glorious tulips at Holland Ridge Farms Spring Spectacular in Cream Ridge, check out local artists at Art in the Park in Hawthorne, or watch the high-flying spectacle at the International Kite Festival in Wildwood over Memorial Day. Want more to do this spring? Don’t miss our spring bucket list. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
March Festivals in New Jersey
Shamrock and St. Patrick’s Weekends
March 1-2, 8-9, 15-16
Want to be Irish for a few weekends in March? Head to this festival, where there will be live Irish music and dancers, vendors, homemade Irish food, and more.
Cost: $13 online or $15 at the door
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Downtown Irish Festival
March 1 at 12 PM
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day early at this lively festival, where there will be vendors, handcrafters, and live entertainment. Parking is free for the event.
Cost: Free
Downtown Toms River, Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
Maple Sugaring Fest at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
March 2 at 1 PM
Learn the steps in turning tree sap into delicious maple syrup at the annual all-day Maple Sugar Fest. The whole family will enjoy spending the day outdoors, hiking the trails, and partaking in a Maple Sugaring Challenge—tap it and see how much syrup you can get from the tree. Don’t miss the hot chocolate, maple vendors, and more.
Cost: Registration is required; prices vary per event
165 Hobart Ave., Summit, NJ 07901
2025 Millburn Lunar New Year Festival
March 2 at 12 PM
Bundle up the fam and bring them to this family-friendly festival full of delicious food, games, live performances, and a fun street fair. The rain date is March 9.
Cost: Free
Millburn Avenue between Main Street and Spring Street, Millburn, NJ 07041
Spring Fling Sip & Shop Vendor Market
March 15 at 12 PM
Get ready to shop local at this fun event that brings together area makers and vendors. While there, enjoy a tarot reading and grab a craft cocktail.
Cost: Free
Garden State Distillery, 13 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 09753
Maple Sugar Festival
March 15 at 12 PM
Enjoy all things maple sugar at this annual event. There will be guided maple sugaring history walks, sap cooking demos, taste testing, maple snow cones, and more. Make sure you buy some maple products before you head home.
Cost: $6 per person
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center, 247 Southern Boulevard, Chatham Township, NJ, 07927
New Jersey Youth Symphony Playathon Festival
March 16 at 4 PM
Celebrate and support young musicians as they spread the joy of music at the New Jersey Symphony Playathon Festival. Nearly 600 talented young musicians will perform as one combined orchestra for this annual concert, performing iconic cinematic scores and show tunes.
Cost: Free
The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Rd Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Jersey City Pizza Fest
March 29 at 1 PM
Get your appetites ready and head to this festival that is all about pizza. You can tour Jersey City and sample pizza from some of the best places in town.
Cost: $15-$30 per ticket
Check-in locations: Carmine’s Pizza Factory, 366 8th Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302, or Tino’s Artisan Pizza Co, 199 Warren Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
The Chocolate Expo
March 29-30
Did someone say chocolate? Spend the day tasting milk, dark, and white with gourmet chocolate vendors, celebrity guests, chocolate-themed presentations and demonstrations, and kids activities in the Kidz Zone.
Cost: Ticket prices start at $10
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison, NJ 08837
Dalton Farms Tulip Festival
Anticipated opening TBD
Tiptoe through the tulips to live music, food trucks, and activities for kids, including a tractor ride, pedal boats, giant slides, a playground, and even yoga. The Easter Bunny will be roaming the fields for photo ops. And with stems at $2 each, you can bring home a beautiful bouquet to admire.
Tickets: Available mid-March. $14 per person ages 3+ (infants two and under are free) online. $20 walk-up gate admission if tickets are still available.
660 Oak Grove Road, Swedesboro, NJ 08085
April Festivals in New Jersey
Holland Ridge Farms Spring Spectacular
Opens beginning of April – date depends on tulips blooming
Holland Ridge Farm bursts into bloom each year with over 8 million tulips in 15 varieties. During their Spring Spectacular festival, you can see farm animals, learn about Dutch traditions, snap gram-worthy photos, take a pony ride, and sample delicious foods. Tickets will go on sale about a week before the event begins, so check on their website or sign up for alerts.
Cost: $17 per person on weekends and $15 per person during the week
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
Wheaton Springs 2025
April 5 at 10 AM
Celebrate the start of WheatonArts’ creative season with this family-friendly kick-off event highlighting their daily offerings and hands-on programming. Explore exhibits and join in on projects for the whole family, including pine-needle basket making, coffee filter butterflies, and glass-fused magnets. There will also be food vendors and live jazz music.
Cost: Free
1510 Glasstown Road, Millville, NJ 08332
6th Annual Hoboken Mac & Cheese Festival
April 5 at 1 PM
Get ready to dig into everyone’s favorite dish at the 6th Annual Hoboken Mac and Cheese Festival. Take a tour around Hoboken and sample all kinds of Mac & Cheese creations from some of the city’s best spots. This event will be held rain or shine.
Cost: $15-$40
Locations throughout Hoboken, NJ 07030
Burlington County Book Festival
April 5 at 10 AM
If you have a book lover in the family, stop by this fun event that includes authors, local vendors, fellow book lovers, presenters, and musical performances.
Cost: Free
Burlington County Library, 5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08060
Ocean City Con 2025
April 5-6 at 10 AM
Join comic book and memorabilia enthusiasts in Ocean City. Special guests, artists, vendors, comics, games, and more will be present. There will even be a Super Hero Run and Dash and Super Hero Obstacle Dash.
Cost: Free
Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Dinosaur & Tulip Festival
April 11-19, 21, 23-27, April 30-May 4
Dinosaurs and tulips? Yes please. At this event, you will be able to enjoy access to the tulip fields, photo ops, a scenic tractor ride around the farm, a meet and greet with the dinosaurs, a dino dig site, and the chance to observe 30+ animatronic dinosaurs throughout the farm.
Cost: $27.50 per person
Arrowhead Farmstead, 135 Iron Ore Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Easter Celebration at Allaire Village
April 12 and 19
Enjoy the day in the park while you visit with live chicks, bunnies, and animals, a Bubble Magician, bonnet decorating, collecting eggs, glitter tattoos, crafts, egg games on the green, storytelling, a village scavenger hunt, historical Easter egg dying demos, and more. The Easter Bunny will be roaming the Village throughout the day, and there will be Easter selfie stations and live music, plus two food trucks on site for the event.
Cost: $10 per person
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall, NJ 07727
Easter Village
April 12-13
At the Shoppes at Dragon Village, you can take photos with the Easter Bunny on the sweet Ducky chair. While you are there, stop by the various merchants and vendors to shop.
Cost: Free
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Latin Food Fiesta
April 13 at 12 PM
It’s a fun family festival that takes you on a culinary journey featuring the flavors of Latin cuisine. The event will include delicious food, live Latin music, food contests, culinary demonstrations, and fun activities for the entire family to enjoy.
Cost: $6 for everyone over 5. Tickets are $5 in advance(plus a service charge
Westfield Garden State Plaza, 501 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
Bloomfest
April 13 at 11 AM
It’s a family day in New Jersey’s pinkest park, with Cherry Blossoms in full bloom. Experience Japanese cultural demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, a crafter’s marketplace, and food.
Cost: Free
Essex County Branch Brook Park, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Mill Street Entrance, Belleville + Prudential Concert Grove, Clifton Avenue Entrance, Newark 07104
Spring Fling Family Fun Day in Sea Isle City
April 19 at 1 PM
It’s time for some Easter fun and dresses to impress at the Easter Stroll, enjoy music, take photos with the Easter Bunny, participate in a Jelly Bean Guessing Contest, try Easter crafts, and more.
Cost: Free
Excursion Park – JFK Blvd. & Pleasure Ave., Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
Whole Lotta Empanada, Food Truck & Music Festival
April 19 at 11 AM
Get ready to judge the empanada vendors vying for the EMPY! (People’s Choice Best Empanada). In addition to empanadas, enjoy gourmet food trucks offering lobster rolls, seafood, Puerto Rican, Greek, Latin, Peruvian, and more. This event will also feature live music, a rock wall, pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, miniature golf, a bungee trampoline, face painting, sand art, and vendors for a great family fun day.
Cost: $5. Kids under 5 are free; please bring an item for the food pantry, too
20th Century Park, Elizabeth Street Garfield, NJ 07026
Fur Baby Festival
April 19 at 12 PM
Together with the friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter, you will help find forever homes for some amazing dogs, cats, and other small animals. This event will feature 15+ food vendors, live music, games, a pet costume contest, and much more.
Cost: Admission will be $6 for everyone Over 5 years old. Tickets are $5 in advance (plus a service charge), or you can purchase them at the door.
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd. Jobstown, NJ 08022
Go Green with Hope
April 26 at 10 AM
The 11th Annual festival with an environment theme has something for every age, including free seedlings, crafts, vendors, free raffles, a meet and greet with the Antler Ridge Mascot, over 40 tables of old favorites, a painted rock treasure hunt, and giveaways.
Cost: Free
Hope Township School, 20 Johnsonburg Road, Hope, NJ 07844
Rutgers Day
April 26 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family to New Jersey’s State University, where everyone will enjoy exhibits, interactive activities, demonstrations, performances by faculty, staff, and students, along with kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Busch Campus in Piscataway and the Cook/Douglass Campuses in New Brunswick
The Original NJ Empanada Fest
April 26 at 12 PM
The Manville PBA Food & Music Festival is a great way to celebrate the weekend. Enjoy empanada trucks, live music, and craft vendors. This event features Bounce House Village, a bungee trampoline, an air shot shooting range, henna tattoos, and much more.
Cost: Food and music fest admission will be $6 for everyone over 6 years old.
Rustic Mall, Manville, NJ 08835
Rock & Roll Steampunk Fair 2025
April 26 at 10 AM
Bring your crew to this festival filled with activities that everyone can enjoy. Don’t miss out on the multiple live musical acts, kid’s activities, and plenty of vendors throughout the day.
Cost: Free
44 E. Washington Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882
Shadfest
April 26-27 at 11 AM
Celebrate 41 years of family, fun, and fish in Lambertville. This year’s Shad Fest will feature the region’s finest artists and crafters, a kid’s zone with games, face painting, entertainment, and a farmer’s market. Local’s Lane will showcase artists from the Lambertville and New Hope areas.
Cost: Free
Lambertville, NJ 08530
Hawthorne Art in the Park
April 26-27
Visit nearly 50 vendors selling their artwork and handcrafted goods. There will also be food, dessert, drinks, local musicians, live demonstrations, kids’ activities, and much more.
Cost: Free
Passaic County Arts Center-Goffle Brook Park, 675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration
April 27 at 11 AM
Step into a day of history and family fun at the annual Red Bank Battlefield Spring Festival, with games and crafts for children, a petting zoo, sheepshearing demonstrations, and a magic show.
Cost: Free
Red Bank Battlefield, 100 Hessian Ave., in National Park, NJ 08063
Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
April 27 at 11 AM
Head to Red Bank for a day filled with music, dancing, food, and lots of family fun. Littles will have a ball on the children’s rides and get a chance to play games.
Cost: Free
Downtown Red Bank, NJ 07701
ACUA’s 32nd Annual Earth Day
April 27 at 10 AM
It’s the annual Earth Day Festival, full of free, fun games and educational activities for everyone. The celebration has many exciting events and entertainment throughout the day, and more than 150 vendors, crafters, food vendors, and exhibitors will participate.
Cost: Free
ACUA Environmental Park – 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Paramus Food Truck Festival
April 27 at 11 AM
Kick off the season with food, music, and fun. There will be over 20 Gourmet Food Trucks, music, pony rides, a petting zoo, knocker ball, hatchet tossing, inflatables, face painting, sand art, mini golf, and vendors with a beer and margarita tent for the adults. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets.
Cost: Please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the Paramus Food pantry. Tickets are $5 for admission, and 5 and under are free.
Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ 07652
Bellview Winery 5 Miler and Food Truck Festival
April 27 at 9 AM
Enjoy the beauty of the vineyards as you run this flat 5-mile course, or take part in the 1-mile walk or kids race. Refuel at the after-party featuring live music, food trucks, and lush surroundings for you to enjoy. Awards will be given to the top 3 overall finishers and the top 3 in each age group, including kids under 15.
Cost: $48.00 Race Fee
Bellview Winery, 150 Atlantic Street, Landisville, NJ 08326
May Festivals in New Jersey
Chester Food Truck and Music Fest
May 3 at 11 AM
Round up your crew for a fun day—there will be food trucks, kids’ activities, ax throwing, and inflatables.
Cost: $5. Kids under 5 are free; please bring an item for the food pantry
134 Main Street, Chester, NJ 07930
Skylands Stadium Fest
May 3 at 12 PM
This festival will be a day of food, fun, and family that you won’t want to miss. Make memories enjoying the outdoors and activities, including 20+ food truck vendors, desserts, and specialty drinks. Live music, carnival games, axe throwing, and more will be there.
Cost: $5. Kids under 38″ free.
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 0782
Tenafly Spring Fling
May 4 at 12 PM
Celebrate spring at one of the first street fairs of the season. There will be over 60 local vendors, live performances, interactive fitness demos, face painting, hands-on arts & crafts, planting projects, animal encounters, and more.
Cost: Free
Tenafly Historic Railroad Station, 1 Piermont Road, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Spring Street Fair and Earth Day Celebration
May 4 at 9 AM
Spend the morning at the Fun Run and Kids Race, then head to this lively festival where you can celebrate Earth Day and the season of spring together.
Cost: Free
Main Street Highland Avenue, Raritan Ave. from 2nd to 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Creative Arts Festival
May 10 at 10 AM
Spend a day perusing artists at the juried arts festival. Works will be displayed in all mediums, including pottery, jewelry, photography, and painting. There will be live music and food vendors.
Cost: Admission and parking are free
Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Branchburg Food Truck and Music Festival
May 10 at 11 AM
This festival will feature over 20 gourmet food trucks, kid activities, a bungee trampoline, a rock wall, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, knockerball, miniature golf, inflatable hatchet throwing, sand art, spin art, and live music, all day.
Cost: $5; kids under 5 are free. Please bring an item for the food pantry
White Oak Park, 235 Baird Road, Branchburg, NJ 08876
Annual Azalea Festival – 2025 Date TBA
May 11
It’s a Mother’s Day weekend of fun with local craft vendors and food as you stroll through our renowned botanical gardens overflowing with blooming azalea shrubs.
Cost: Free
Sayen Gardens, 155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08690
Bloomfield Food Truck and Music Fest
May 16 at 4 PM
Visit 16 food trucks, live music, face painting, hatchet throwing, a petting zoo, sand art, kids’ activities, and vendors. Parking is free.
Cost: $5; kids under 5 are free. Please bring a nonperishable canned or boxed item to help support the food pantry.
St Thomas the Apostle Parking Lot – 50 Byrd Ave., Bloomfield, NJ 07003
New Jersey Seafood Fest Belmar
May 16-18
It’s the 37th year of seafood and family fun in Belmar. At this free festival, which includes live music and vendors, you can try everything from conch fritters to crab legs.
Cost: Free
Downtown Belmar, NJ 07719
Glen Ridge Art and Eco Fair
May 17 at 10 AM
Celebrate the arts and the environment at this eco-friendly fair. This event will include arts and crafts, wellness vendors, live performances, eco demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Cost: Free
200 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ 07028
Woodbridge Street Fair & Craft Show
May 17 at 11 AM
Bring your family to enjoy artists, crafters, vendors, food, rides, and live music. Kids will love the rides, games, and more just for them.
Cost: Free
Downtown Woodbridge, NJ Main St and Amboy Ave Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Asbury Park Vegan Food Fest
May 17-18 at 11 AM
It’s a two-day celebration featuring vegan and plant-based meals from local chefs, vegan products, plant-based fashion, and live music. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: $15-$30
Bradley Park – 101-199 5th Ave., Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Mayfest
May 18-19 at 10 AM
Head to Historic Smithville for Mayfest, which features an international food court, crafters, and live music. There will also be plenty of activities for the kids, such as face painting and carousel rides, and free shuttles will leave from the parking lot.
Cost: Free
Historic Smithville, NJ 08060
Renaissance Faire NJ
May 17-18, 24-25, 31 and June 1, 7-8
Take a step back into the 16th century, and the kids can explore Nipper’s Nook, where there will be plenty of things to do to fire the imagination, including pinatas, water balloon games, building your own magic wands, and the new gaming cart of wonder.
Cost: $25 and up. $10 for Child Flex Day Pass (Ages 5 to 12).
1195 Florence Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
Wildwood International Kite Festival
May 23-26, 12 PM on Friday
Kick-off this weekend-long event which turns 39 this year, with a Friday night social and the 9:00 PM Illuminated Night Kite Fly. On Saturday and Sunday, come out to watch giant inflatable kites take flight, team fly, and participate in family games. Monday features the World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Cost: Free to spectators
Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival
May 24-26 at 11 AM
Kick off your Memorial Day weekend with the Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival. Enjoy 40 mouth-watering food trucks and sample everything from lobster lolls to mac and cheese to fried Oreos. This event will feature live music on each day. Free activities for the kids include clowns, face painters, pony rides, and a bounce house.
Cost: Free
Monmouth Park Race Track, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
7th Annual Food Truck & Music Fest
May 31 at 12 PM
This day is full of delicious food, family fun, and community celebration. There will be live music, pony visits, a rock wall, and games. Make sure you bring your own blankets or chairs.
Cost: $8 per person at the door, kids 10 and under are free
Donaldson Farms, 340 Allen Rd, Hackettstown, NJ 07840
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