It’s that time of year—can’t you smell the fried Oreos from here? Fairs and summer festivals in NJ are here again, and we can’t think of a better way to spend a day or evening this season. Enjoy a full day of family fun, including rides, vendors, food, and more at the State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford, see hula dancers at the Water Carnival in Browns Mills, or try the local peach ice cream at the Just Peachy Festival in Princeton. 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 June
LEAD Fest Carnival at Garden State Plaza
May 23 – June 9
Garden State Plaza hosts this carnival, which benefits the LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs) Program. Enjoy a day full of food, rides, and entertainment.
Cost: $5 and up
One Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ 07652
North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival
June 13-30, select days
This festival will feature carnival rides, fireworks, Rosaire’s Royal Racers, High Flying Pages Thrill Show, Wild Wheels Thrill Motorcycle Show, a magic show, and a petting zoo.
Cost: $13-$35; prices vary on select dates
US-1, Milltown, NJ 08850
State Fair Meadowlands
June 20 – July 7
Bring the family for a day full of fun at State Fair Meadowlands. Enjoy 150+ rides and attractions, 100+ food vendors, 50 + game vendors, and 12 shows, including Cycle Circus, Pirates of the Columbian Carribean, Extreme Illusions and Escapes, and so much more.
Cost: $39.99 for a Fun Pass
1 MetLife Stadium Dr, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Summer Solstice Music Festival
June 21 at 4 PM
It’s the official start of summer in Haddon Township. Live music, food trucks, strolling entertainment, a petting zoo, a beer garden, and a giant fun slide.
Cost: Free
Haddon Avenue between Strawbridge Avenue & Cooper Street, Haddon Township, NJ 08108
Morris County Pride 2024
June 22 at 11 AM
This family-friendly event will feature onstage performances, food, crafts, merchandise vendors, and community groups, as well as special offerings for children, teens, and adults.
Cost: Details to come
214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ 07869
Food Truck Festival in Lavallette
June 22 at 3 PM
Island Vibe music and food trucks will be at the Jersey Shore for this family-friendly event. Don’t miss the Kickoff to Summer 5K in the morning, either.
Cost: Adults are $5, children are free
Lavallette Bayfront and Philadelphia Ave, Lavallette NJ 08735
Blueberry Summer Fest
June 22 – July 20, Saturdays at 10 AM
It’s blueberry time. Pick blueberries, take a wagon ride, enjoy locally made blueberry pies, donuts, and cakes, tour the home of The Blueberry Queen, Elizabeth Coleman White, and shop handmade vendors while listening to music on the Whitesbog stage.
Cost: no fee, but donations are appreciated.
Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 West Whites Bog Road #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Wild Fest 2024
June 23 at 12 PM
This music festival will benefit Woodlands Wildlife Refuge. There will be food trucks, live music, face painting, balloon animals, and giant bubbles. Bring your rods for fishing in the pond.
Cost: $10
Clinton Elks Lodge 2434, 211 Sidney Road, Franklin Township, NJ 08867
Saint Mary’s Great Fair
June 24-29
The Fair opens at 6 PM, but at 5:30 PM, there will be a special Kiddie Zone. Bracelet night is every night of the fair. There will be rides, games, 50/50’s, and boardwalk games.
Cost: $30 after mass, $35 at the fair
18 Cherry Tree Farm Rd, Middletown Township, NJ 07748
Chester Firemans Carnival
June 25-29 at 6:30 PM
There will be rides, games, food, music, and fire truck rides for all. There will also be fireworks at night.
Cost: wristbands and $35 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
290 West Main Street, Chester, NJ 07930
Saint Ambrose Parish Carnival
June 25-29
Pony rides, face painting, glitter tattoos, games, food, rides, and nightly character visits—this carnival has it all.
Cost: $35 online before June 24 at midnight; $45 when purchased at the event.
St. Ambrose Parish Carnival St Ambrose 61 Throckmorton Lane Old Bridge, NJ 08857
LEAD Fest State Fair – Mercy County Park
June 28-July 7
Get ready for food, fun, rides, and more for the whole family at the Law Enforcement Agents Drugs and Violence (LEAD) Fair. Nightly entertainment will include a petting farm, rides, Cowtown USA, and a pie-eating contest.
Cost: $7 during the week and $8 on weekends; several activities are an additional cost
1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Blueberry Festival at Argos Farm
June 28 – July 7 at 10 AM
It’s the annual Argos Farm Blueberry Festival, featuring live music, blueberry treats, photo ops, and, of course, hand-picked farm-fresh blueberries. The kids will love the double hay slide, bee zip line, and jumbo jumper air pillow.
Cost: $14.95 online and $19.95 at the gate
1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
Margate Beachstock
June 29 at 8 AM
Head to the beach for a full day of family fun. Enjoy live music, free surf, kite lessons, children’s activities, new food vendors, and more. This event will feature the Red Bull Foam Wreckers Soft Board Surf Classic, fun environmental, educational, interactive activities, and live music. The rain date is June 30.
Between Granville and Huntington Avenues, Margate, NJ 08402
Win and Wine Festival
June 29-30 at 11 AM
Sample wine, eat pizza, and listen to live music; on Sunday, it’s Family Fun Day with clowns, pony rides, and a bounce house.
Cost: General Admission is $6. Children 12 and younger are free.
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
School’s Out Food Truck Festival
June 29-30 at 11 AM
With free teacher admission, free parking, a face painter, firepits, and fireworks, this festival promises to be a day of family fun among the vineyards. Don’t miss the food trucks and live music.
Cost: Free for all school employees, $13 online, and $15 at the door; everyone under 21 is free.
Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ 08533
Firefly Festival at Terhune Orchards
June 30 at 4 PM
Treat yourself to an electrifying afternoon and evening where children can dress up as fireflies after decorating wings and making antennas in the craft area. Lolly Hop will be performing an interactive and imaginative show. Admission to the festival is free; there is a $7 charge for craft activities.
330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Summer Festivals in NJ This July
Coca-Cola 4th of July Fest Great Adventure
July 1-4
It’s a four-day party with rides, music, fireworks, and discounted tickets at Great Adventure.
Cost: Price of admission ticket
1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
Cumberland County Fair
July 9-13
It’s New Jersey’s oldest county fair. Enjoy amusement rides, games, Demolition Derby, livestock exhibits, pie-eating contests, and fireworks.
Cost: $5 and 5 and under and 65 and older are free
3001 Carmel Road, Millville, New Jersey 08332
Family Fun Days Crafts & Collectibles Show at the Cape May Lighthouse
July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and August 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9 AM-2 PM
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
Whale of a Day Family Street Festival
July 6 at 8:30 AM
Raffles, vendors, entertainment, crafts, and fun for the whole family.
Cost: Free
201 Clubhouse Road, Townbank, NJ 08204
Ocean County Fair
July 10-14
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
Freehold Township Day
July 13 from 4 PM-11 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
Water Carnival
July 13 at 5 PM
Get ready for a fun night with vendors, a Kids’ Zone, Hula Dancers by Paradise Island, a Water Stunt Show, and fireworks. The rain date is July 4.
Cost: Free
Mirror Lake Beach, 141 Clubhouse Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
Blueberry Bash at Terhune Orchards
July 13-14 at 10 AM
Spend the day blueberry picking, relaxing, and enjoying music. Kids can say hello to the barnyard animals, play at the playhouses, watch a puppet show, and see Mr. Bubbleman, a fun interactive show full of bubbles. Hungry? Have a bite or more from Pam Mount’s Blueberry Bash Buffet.
Cost: Prices vary
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Saint Francis of Assisi Parish Annual Carnival
July 16-21
Join the fun with lots of rides, games, and plenty of food the whole family will love at this popular fair.
Cost: 15 tickets are $13, wristband nights are $35 per night
868 Ringwood Avenue, Haskell, NJ 07420
Christmas in July Cape May County 4-H Fair
July 19-20
It’s never too early to see Santa. There will also be rides, food, and live music.
Cost: Free
4-H Fairgrounds, 335 Court House- South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Lebanon Township Fire Department 3rd Annual Fireman’s Festival
July 19-22
Enjoy live music, food trucks, a beer garden, carnival rides, games, and fireworks. Hands will be stamped for re-entry.
Cost: Tickets are $30 per person for entry; children 10 and under are free
Lebanon Township Memorial Park, 67 Bunnvale Road, Califon, NJ 07830
Harvey Cedars Arts Festival
July 21 at 11 AM
It’s the annual Harvey Cedars Arts Festival. Peruse the artists and makers displaying their works of mixed media, photography, and fine crafts.
Cost: Free
Harvey Cedars Sunset Park, 1 West Salem Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ 08008
Monmouth County Fair
July 24-28
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 25-28
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 barbeque 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 27-28 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 27 – August 3
It’s the 86th annual Warren County Farmer’s Fair and the 24th 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
Summer Festivals in NJ This August
Sussex County Fair
August 2-10
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 $15, veterans/active military $7, children (6-12) $5, seniors 60+ $10, online advance ticket sales are available
New Jersey State Fair, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
Just Peachy Festival
August 3-4 at 10 AM
Enjoy live music, an interactive bubble show, a special craft activity, a traveling zoo, and more. There will be pony rides, games, barnyard tractors, rubber duck races, and even a scavenger hunt. Don’t miss the freshly baked, old-fashioned peach cobblers or pies.
Cost: $15 online and $18 at the gate; children under 3 are free
Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
Middlesex County Fair
August 5-11
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
Salem County Fair
August 5-9
This old-fashioned country fair typically features livestock shows, events, and a large farm machinery display. Savor the delicious BBQ dinner offered nightly or try some of 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
Somerset County 4-H Fair
August 7-9
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
48th Annual Ocean Italian Festival
August 7-11 at 5 PM
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 48th anniversary.
Cost: Free
Joe Palaia Park, 200 Whalepond Rd., Oakhurst, NJ 07755
Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 9-10
It’s not a fair without a car show, baby parade, pet parade, and pie-eating contest. Details are still coming together for the 2024 event, so check the link frequently for updates.
Cost: Free admission, $4 for parking
3210 Route 50, South Egg Harbor City, NJ
Hillsborough Rotary Fair
August 13-17, fireworks on August 16
The Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair is back with fun for the whole family. Visit vendors, play games, grab some grub, and wristband night every night.
Cost: $35; all-night-long ride access purchase option is available every night, or patrons may choose a different dollar amount appropriate for only select rides.
In the lot adjacent to Lowe’s, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
Bridgeton Peach Festival
August 17-18 at 10 AM
This event will host a peach fuzz contest for babies under one 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 21-25
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 $15
Hunterdon County Fairgrounds, 1207 Route 179, Lambertville, NJ 08530
Canal Day Music & Craft Festival
August 24 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
Manasquan Summerfest Craft Show
August 24 at 10 AM
Spend the day in Squan with unique crafters and artists, gourmet food, kid-friendly activities, and more.
Cost: Free
Squan Plaza, Abe Voorhees Dr., Manasquan, NJ 08736
Summer Festivals in NJ This September
Brielle Day
September 7
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
Festival in the Borough of Washington
September 21 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
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
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