It’s coming—spring festival season will be here soon, and with it a bunch of family fun that we could all use after a cold and snowy winter. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and all things Irish at the 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 ideas of what to do this spring? Don’t miss our spring bucket list. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
March Festivals in New Jersey
Maple Sugaring Fest at Reeves-Reed Arboretum
March 1 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 Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
Irish Festival in Toms River
March 1 at 12 PM
Head to this Irish-themed festival where local businesses, vendors, and handcrafters will be out to celebrate with a day of food, fun, and music. Washington Street will be closed between Main Street and Robbins Street.
Cost: Free
Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
The Luck of Laurita Weekends at Laurita Winery
March 3-5 and 13-15
Bring your clan to Laurita Winery to hear live music, shop from Irish vendors, and try the wine, including the special Shamrock Sangria. And on the menu each weekend is delish homemade Irish food like freshly baked Irish soda bread, corned beef, and potato and leek soup.
Cost: Free to enter
85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Maple Sugar Festival
March 7 at 12 PM
Enjoy all things maple sugar at this annual event. There will be guided maple sugaring history walks, sap-cooking demonstrations, 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
The Chocolate Expo
March 8 at 9 AM
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
Knights of Columbus Council St. Patrick’s Celebration
March 14 at 6 PM
Get your St. Patrick’s celebration on with food and music. Your ticket includes an entry meal and entertainment. Enjoy Irish dancers, pipers, and a DJ. Tricky Tray and 50/50 tickets will be available for purchase at the event.
Cost: $40. Advance Purchase Only
630 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
New Jersey Youth Symphony Playathon Festival
March 22 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 a single orchestra for this annual concert, featuring iconic cinematic scores and show tunes.
Cost: Free
The Mills at Jersey Gardens, 651 Kapkowski Rd, Elizabeth, NJ 07201
Jersey City Pizza Fest
March 28 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: $22.20-$32.80 per ticket
Check-in locations: Helen’s Pizza, 183 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Easter Celebration at Allaire Village
March 28 and April 4
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, with Easter selfie stations and live music, plus two food trucks on site.
Cost: $10 per person
The Historic Village at Allaire, 4263 Atlantic Avenue, Wall, NJ 07727
Dalton Farms Tulip Festival
Anticipated opening late March
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 last weekend in March or the first weekend in April, depending on blooms
Holland Ridge Farm bursts into bloom each year with over 8 million tulips in 15 varieties. During their Spring Spectacular festival, you can climb a windmill, 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 2026
April 2 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
Spring Fling Family Fun Day in Sea Isle City
April 4 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 Boulevard & Pleasure Avenue, Sea Isle City, NJ 08243
7th Annual Hoboken Mac & Cheese Festival
April 11 at 1 PM
Get ready to dig into everyone’s favorite dish at the 7th 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
Ocean City Con 2026
April 11-12 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, a Dash, and a Super Hero Obstacle Dash.
Cost: Free
Ocean City Music Pier, 825 Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ 08226
Dinosaur & Tulip Festival
April 9-May 3
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
Crawfish & Jazz Festival – A Taste of New Orleans
April 18 at 11 AM
Can’t travel to New Orleans? Don’t worry – they are bringing New Orleans to you at this festival. Spend the day diving into mountains of live, spicy crawfish and delicious seafood, plus other food vendors that all have Southern flavors. There will also be brass bands, jazz, and cocktails. While you sip your drink, let the kids enjoy the activities planned for them.
Cost: $7 per person in advance, $10 at the door, and all kids under 5 are free.
Washington Lake Park, 626 Hurffville Crosskeys Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
Fur Baby Festival
April 18 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 is $6 for anyone 5 years old or older. Tickets are $5 in advance (plus a service charge), or you can purchase them at the door.
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Road, Jobstown, NJ 08022
Bloomfest
April 19 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
Go Green with Hope
April 25 at 10 AM
The 11th Annual festival, with an environmental theme, has something for everyone, 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 25 at 10 AM
Bring the whole family to New Jersey’s State University, where everyone can enjoy exhibits, interactive activities, demonstrations, performances by faculty, staff, and students, and kids’ activities.
Cost: Free
Busch Campus in Piscataway and the Cook/Douglass Campuses in New Brunswick
Randolph Food Truck & Music Festival
April 25 at 11 AM
Grab the family and head to this fun event that will benefit the Randolph Rescue Squad. There will be food trucks, music, kids’ activities, and a beer garden for the over-21 crowd.
Cost: $5 per person, kids under 5 are free
County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
Pickle Palooza
April 25 at 12 PM
Head to the first-ever pickle festival, where you will find pickle vendors, pickle-themed foods, a beer garden with pickle cocktails, live music, and local artisans. For the youngest members of the family, visit the family fun zone for games and contests.
Cost: $10 at the door, $8 for seniors and veterans, and kids under 5 are free
Teaneck Armory, 1799 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Shadfest
April 25-26 at 11 AM
Celebrate 43 years of family, fun, and fish in Lambertville. This year’s Shad Fest will feature the region’s finest artists and crafters, a kids’ 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 25-26
Visit nearly 50 vendors selling their artwork and handcrafted goods. There will also be food, desserts, drinks, local musicians, live demonstrations, children’s activities, and more.
Cost: Free
Passaic County Arts Center-Goffle Brook Park, 675 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506
Spring Festival and Earth Day Celebration
April 26 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 Avenue, in National Park, NJ 08063
Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
April 26 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 34th Annual Earth Day
April 26 at 10 AM
It’s the annual Earth Day Festival, full of free, fun games and educational activities for everyone. The celebration features a full day of exciting events and entertainment, with more than 150 vendors, crafters, food vendors, and exhibitors participating.
Cost: Free
ACUA Environmental Park – 6700 Delilah Road, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Paramus Food Truck Festival
April 26 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, knockball, hatchet tossing, inflatables, face painting, sand art, mini golf, and vendors with a beer and margarita tent for 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 those 5 and under are free.
Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus, NJ 07652
May Festivals in New Jersey
Chester Food Truck and Music Fest
May 2 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
NJ Empanada Fest & Car Show
May 2 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: Admission to the food and music festival is $6 for anyone 6 years old or older.
Rustic Mall, Manville, NJ 08835
Skylands Stadium Fest
May 2 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 07822
Spring Street Fair and Earth Day Celebration
May 3 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 Avenue from 2nd to 5th Avenue, Highland Park, NJ 08904
Creative Arts Festival
May 9 at 10 AM
Spend a day perusing artists at the juried arts festival. Works will be displayed in all media, 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 9 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
May 10
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 15 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 Avenue, Bloomfield, NJ 07003
New Jersey Seafood Fest Belmar
May 15-17
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 16 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 16 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 Street and Amboy Avenue Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Asbury Park Vegan Food Fest
May 16-17
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 Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ 07712
Mayfest
May 16-17 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
Seafood & BBQ Festival
May 17 at 12 PM
Fan of seafood? This is the place for you. During this event, you will find a beer garden and craft cocktails, live music all day, local vendors, BBQ and seafood from around the world, and activities for the little ones.
Cost: $5 at the door, and kids under 5 are free
Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550
Wildwood International Kite Festival
May 22-25, 12 PM on Friday
Kick off this weekend-long event, which turns 40 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
Renaissance Faire NJ
May 23-24, 30-31, and June 6-7, 13-14
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 piñatas, 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
Jersey Shore Food Truck Festival
May 23-25 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 rolls 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 Avenue, Oceanport, NJ 07757
South Bound Brook Food Truck & Music Fest
May 30 at 11 AM
Kick off the summer season by heading to this festival that will feature food trucks, live music, vendors, kids’ activities, pony rides, a petting zoo, and so much more. Proceeds will go to The South Bound Brook Fire Company.
Cost: $5 at the gate, and kids under 5 are free
Memorial Park, 78 Elizabeth Street, S Bound Brook, NJ 08880
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