It’s almost that time of year—can’t you smell the fried Oreos from here? Fairs and summer festivals in NJ are coming, and we can’t think of a better way to spend a day or evening this season. Enjoy a full day of family fun seeing a horse show and livestock at the Cape May County 4-H Fair in Cape May Court House, or watch the thrills at a BMX Stunt Show at the Monmouth County Fair in Freehold or watch the balloons take off at the Warren County Farmer’s Fair with Hot Air Balloon Festival in Phillipsburg. And if you’re ready to fill your summer with more activities in NJ, find everything you need on our NJMOM summer bucket list. (featured photo credit: Phil Hoops @hoopsapproved)
(Make sure to check back here throughout the summer for the latest updates and additions.)
Summer Festivals in NJ This July
Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Cape May Lighthouse
Wednesdays, July 1-August 26
Head to Cape May for a crafts and collectibles show featuring vendors and crafters from the northeast in July and August.
Cost: Free
Cape May Lighthouse, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
Cumberland County Fair
July 7-11
It’s New Jersey’s oldest county fair. Enjoy amusement rides, games, Demolition Derby, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests, and fireworks.
Cost: $5; kids under 5 and seniors 65 and older are free
3001 Carmel Road, Millville, New Jersey 08332
Freehold Township Day
July 11 at 4 PM
Bring the whole fam to this concert and festival in the park with merchandise and food vendors. Kids can enjoy the rides, teens can hang out and dance to a DJ at the Teen Center, and the whole family can check out the car show.
Cost: Free
Michael J. Tighe Park, 65 Georgia Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Ocean County Fair
July 15-19
The Ocean County Fair will have musical acts, live entertainment, animal events, games, activities, rides, food, and vendors. On Sunday, don’t miss Cowboy Larry, too.
Cost: $10, and parking is free.
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Route 530, Berkeley Township, NJ 08721
Cape May County 4-H Fair
July 16-18
Celebrate the summer season with lots of fun, including a horse show, livestock show, animals, rides, food, music, and so much more.
Cost: Free
4-H Fairgrounds, 335 Court House- South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Our Lady Of Mount Carmel Feast
July 16 at 6 PM
Enjoy a beloved tradition that brings the community together in faith, remembrance, and joyful celebration with a parade, delicious food, drinks, and a fireworks show.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
56 River Road, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
Flower Festival at Terhune Orchards
July 18-19 at 10 AM
This brand-new festival is a great way to celebrate the beauty of summertime and pretty blooms—more details to come.
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Harvey Cedars Arts Festival
July 19 at 11 AM
It’s the annual Harvey Cedars Arts Festival. Peruse the artists and makers displaying their mixed-media works, photography, and fine crafts.
Cost: Free
Harvey Cedars Sunset Park, 1 West Salem Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Monmouth County Fair
July 22-26
Get ready for entertainment, 4-H shows and exhibits, rides, live music on the main stage, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Bwana Jim Wildlife Show, Ready GO Dog Show, and horse shows. There will also be the Hell on Wheels BMX Stunt Show, living history displays, and food vendors.
Cost: $8; children 12 and under are free.
East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold, NJ 07728
Gloucester County 4-H Fair
July 23-26
See what 4‑H children have accomplished throughout the year, along with 4‑H projects, daily rides, games, magic shows, musical acts, tractor parades, craft exhibits, demonstrations, and sales. Food vendors will be available with a nightly barbecue with locally grown produce and locally made desserts.
Cost: $10 per carload
4-H Fairgrounds, 275 Bridgeton Pike (Route 77) Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
Mercer County 4-H Fair
July 25-26 at 10 AM
Bring out the fam for animal shows and exhibits, magic shows, and farm tours. There will also be homemade ice cream, hayrides, pony rides, music, and displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association, and many more.
Cost: Free admission and parking for all; please bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger.
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp., NJ 08530
Warren County Farmer’s Fair with Hot Air Balloon Festival
July 25–August 1
It’s the 88th annual Warren County Farmer’s Fair and the 25th annual Warren County Balloon Festival, with mass balloon launches, a Kids Corral, Vintage Antique Tractor Pulls, and musical entertainment.
Cost: General admission is $5-$10; children 5 and under are free.
Warren County Farmers’ Fairgrounds, 1350 Strykers Road, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Festival of the Sea
July 28–August 1
This beloved community event is full of food, fun, rides, and carnival games.
Cost: Ticket info TBA
St. Francis Parish & Center, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08008
Sussex County Fair
July 31-August 8
This county fair features a lumberjack competition, demolition derby, and monster truck show. Bring the kids to the Family Area with Hot Dog Pig Races, a magic show, and a juggling show. There will also be food, an agricultural area, a horse show, carnival rides, and exhibits.
Cost: Parking is free, adults $12, veterans/active military $7, children (6-12) $4, seniors 60+ $8; online advance ticket sales are available
New Jersey State Fair, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
Summer Festivals in NJ This August
Salem County Fair
August 3-7
This old-fashioned country fair typically features livestock shows, events, and a large display of farm machinery. Savor the delicious BBQ dinner served nightly, or try the other food vendors. Kids will love the tractor and truck pulls, too.
Cost: No admission fee, parking $20 per vehicle for all four days
Salem County Fairgrounds – 735 Rt. 40, Woodstown, NJ 08098
Middlesex County Fair
August 3-9
The Middlesex County Fair is a popular stop for summer family fun, where you can explore the county’s rich agricultural heritage, learn a new craft, sample some fair food, and have fun on the rides.
Cost: $10 for adults, $4 for seniors and children between the ages of 3 -10, and free for children under 2.
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Somerset County 4-H Fair
August 5-7 at 10 AM
With a rich history connected to the local community, the 4-H Fair has become an annual cornerstone of Somerset County. This year, they will host a fair for the whole family.
Cost: Free
North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
50th Annual Ocean Italian Festival
August 5-9
The annual Ocean Township Italian-American Festival celebrates Italian heritage and culture. Enjoy yummy authentic Italian food and check out the carnival rides, raffles, food-eating contests, and more. This beloved festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Cost: Free
Joe Palaia Park, 200 Whalepond Rd., Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 7-8
It’s not a fair without a car show, baby parade, pet parade, and pie-eating contest. Details are still coming together for the 2026 event, so check the link frequently for updates.
Cost: Free admission, $5 for parking
3210 Route 50, South Egg Harbor City, NJ
Sunflower Festival
August 7-30, select days
This festival is a great way to celebrate these gorgeous flowers, along with live music, tasty food, farm-fun activities, and more. Make sure you stay to take the perfect photo during golden hour.
Cost: TBA
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Bridgeton Peach Festival
August 15-16 at 10 AM
This event will host a peach-fuzz contest for babies under 1 year old. Also, look out for many peach treats and decor from merchants and vendors.
Cost: Parking is $2 per car
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ 08302
Hunterdon County 4H and Agricultural Fair Fireworks
August 19-23
This family-friendly event celebrates Hunterdon County’s rich agricultural landscape. You and your crew can check out the 4-H county fair farm activities, live music, fun games, thrilling carnival rides, and delicious food.
Cost: Free, parking $20
Hunterdon County Fairgrounds, 1207 Route 179, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Manasquan Summerfest Craft Show
August 22 at 10 AM
Spend the day in Squan with unique crafters and artists, gourmet food, kid-friendly activities, and more. Rain date is August 23.
Cost: Free
Squan Plaza, Abe Voorhees Dr., Manasquan, NJ 08736
Canal Day Music & Craft Festival
August 22 at 10 AM
Teach the fam some history at this summer festival in NJ—take a guided walking tour of the Morris Canal, travel down the waterway on a free boat ride, or prove your prowess by paddling a kayak. Enjoy listening to some of New Jersey’s best musical performers and watch the gorgeous fireworks display over the water.
Cost: Free
Hugh Force Canal Park, 180 West Central Avenue, Wharton, NJ 07885
Summer Festivals in NJ This September
Brielle Day
September 12 at 9 AM
Enjoy great entertainment, fire truck rides, music, a craft fair, a beer garden, and delicious food. This event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
Brielle Park, 658 Union Ln, Brielle, NJ 08730
48th Annual Festival of the Sea
September 19 at 10 AM
Over 250 craft vendors and local restaurants will be at the 48th 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
Festival in the Borough of Washington
September 26 at 10 AM
It’s a full day of fun at the Festival in the Borough. Music, entertainment, vendors, food, and a family fun area will keep the whole family happy all day.
Cost: Free
44 E. Washington Ave. (Route 57), Washington, NJ 07882
Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration
September 26 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
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