Say it isn’t so—the last weekend of summer is officially here, and we’re stretching out every bit of it with a bunch of family-friendly things to do. Jam with novice pickers at the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival in Pilesgrove, celebrate the end of summer with Labor Day Fireworks in Point Pleasant and the Wildwoods, or try everything Scandinavian at the Scandinavian Fest in Budd Lake. And make sure to finish the last of your NJMOM summer bucket before fall starts. (featured photo credit: istock/TerryJ)
(Note: It’s always best to check ahead for in-person events)
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Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair
August 26-September 3
Bring the whole family to this end-of-the-summer festival, featuring rides, games, seafood, a beer booth, a fire truck ride, mini golf, and chowder.
Cost: Cost for rides
Fair Haven Fire Department, 645 River Rd., Fair Haven, NJ 07704
Boonton Fire Department Carnival
September 1-4
There will be rides, music, and a Labor Day parade in Boonton for the whole family to enjoy.
Cost: Ride wristbands are $33
Boonton High School, 306 Lathrop Ave, Boonton, NJ 07005
Glassboro Car Show and Food Truck Festival
September 2 at 5 PM
Come for this family fun event where you can see restored vehicles representing all decades of automotive history, modern exotics, and race cars. Try different food vendors and a Beer Garden. Parking is free, and this is a rain or shine event.
Cost: Free
Rowan Boulevard, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Delaware Valley Blue Grass Festival
September 2-4
Celebrate the 50th festival featuring bluegrass musicians and bands. Kids will love the shows on the Children’s Stage and the Kids’ Academy, where budding musicians can pick and learn with the pros.
Cost: Prices vary; 17 and under are free
735 Route 40 (Harding Hwy.), Pilesgrove, NJ 08098
Mendham Labor Day Carnival
September 2-5
Head to Mendham for this annual Labor Day carnival with rides, games, and food, culminating with a parade marching up Main Street to Borough Field. At 9:15, the mayor will draw the winning ticket for the 50/50 raffle, and the fireworks show begins.
Cost: There is a cost for rides, games, and food
8 Orchard St, Mendham Township, NJ 07945
26th Annual Airfest at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum
September 2-5
It’s the 26th Annual Airfest at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum with World War II aircraft, Tuskegee Airman, helicopters, food, vendors, classic cars, and something for everyone.
Cost: $16 for adults, $12 for children, and 2 and under are free
Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, 500 Forrestal Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204
The Feast of St Joseph of Lodi
September 2-5
Bring the whole family to the 1107th annual Feast of Saint Joseph with festival foods, games, accordion music, live music, and 50/50s.
Cost: Free
40 Spring St., Lodi, NJ 07644
UNICO Italian Festival
September 2-5
Since 1974, families have celebrated the traditional Annual Labor Day Italian Feast in Scotch Plains. There will be Italian specialties, nightly live music, rides, games, and a super 50/50 raffle drawn on Labor Day (last year, it was over $63,000).
Cost: Free
2032 Westfield Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
West Cape May Tomato Fest
September 3 at 9 AM
The Borough of West Cape May is hosting a Tomato Festival at the Borough’s Backyard Park, celebrating all things tomato with food and fun.
Cost: Free
Backyard Park, 732 Broadway, West Cape May, NJ 08204
Brunswick Square End of Summer Food Truck and Music Fest
September 3 at 11 AM
Summer may be coming to a close, but the whole family can celebrate with food, games, vendors, and live music. There will also be an airsoft shooting gallery, grand Prix RC racing, a henna tattoo, an airbrush tattoo, face painters, and sand art.
Cost: $8 for adults and $5 for kids, children under 3 are free
Square Mall East Brunswick, NJ 08816
BBQ and Touch a Truck
September 3 at 12 PM
Get ready for the kiddos to climb on every type of truck they love at the Touch-a-Truck event. After, feast on foods from Bearded Baby Que and McAfee Fire Department of Vernon BBQ.
Cost: Free to enter
McAfee Fire Department, NJ-94 and 517, McAfee, NJ 07428
Bubble Show
September 3 at 1 PM
Watch color bubbles float away in an interactive family show by the sea featuring foam bubbles, smoke bubbles, bubble nets, and giant bubbles.
Cost: Free
Carousel at Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Manasquan Labor Day Concert and Fireworks
September 3 at 7:30 PM
Catch the last of the fireworks displays at the shore, with a concert by Deep Six followed by Fireworks sponsored by the OSPREY. The band will start at 7:30 PM.
Cost: Free
Manasquan, NJ 08736
Tropicana’s Free Fireworks Series for Labor Day
September 3 at dusk
This dazzling 10-minute show is part of Tropicana’s Summer Celebration Fireworks Series. The performances are displayed from the beachfront and include intricately designed scenes and vivid effects.
Cost: Free
Tropicana Atlantic City, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Labor Day Weekend Boardwalk Craft Show
September 3-4 at 9 AM
The Boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue will have a rain or shine event with all handmade products, artisans, makers, and vendors.
Cost: Free
Rio Grande Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Hands-On History Weekend
September 3-4 at 11 AM
It’s family-friendly, interactive, and educational fun. Children will be given a “Pastport” at the start of their Village trip, which they can stamp at the buildings they visit after completing an activity. Pastports can be redeemed at the Country Store for a free treat. There will also be games and live entertainment from traditional musician Mary Roth.
Cost: Adults $14; children 3-12 $12; under 3 free
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 Route 9, Cape May, NJ 08204
BBQ and NJ Craft Beer Festival
September 3-5
Sample juicy, tender pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and craft beers while listening to live music. And take part in the free Family Fun Day activities on Saturday and Sunday, featuring pony rides, clowns, face painters, and a bounce house.
Cost: Advanced tickets for $5 or $6 at the door
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ 07757
Scandinavian Fest
September 4 at 10 AM
Discover the customs and history of six Nordic nations at the 36th annual Scandinavian Fest with artisans, performers, food, crafts, and kids’ activities.
Cost: Tickets at the gate are $14 for adults, $13 for seniors, and free for ages 12 and under
Vasa Park at Budd Lake, NJ 07828
Clifton Labor Day Weekend Food Truck, Art, and Music Festival
September 4 at 11 AM
Celebrate a day in the sun with food trucks, arts, and live music. There will be special activities for the kids. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and chairs.
Cost: $5, under 36″ are free
Clifton Municipal Complex, 900 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013
2022 Hispanic Parish Food Festival
September 4 at 11 AM
Try a variety of foods all in one place when you sample foods from Mexico, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
Cost: Free to enter; the food will be available at a variety of costs
St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine St, Flemington, NJ 08822
Nutley Street Fair & Craft Show
November 4 at 11 AM
Bring the whole family to Nutley for arts and crafts, rides for the kids, games, food, live music, dancing, and performances. You’ll find something for everyone at this lively fair.
Cost: Free
Nutley Downtown, Nutley, NJ 07110
Wildwood End of Summer Block Party
September 4 at 1 PM
Wildwood’s End of Summer Labor Day Weekend Block Party will take place directly across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. There will be free music, entertainment, food vendors, craft vendors, and more.
Cost: Free
Fox Park, Ocean Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Verona Labor Day Classic
September 5 at 9 AM
It’s the 40th anniversary of the Verona Labor Day Classic, one of the oldest 5K races held in northern New Jersey. The 5K race and a 1-mile fun run/health walk around Verona Park.
Cost; $15-$25
Verona Park, Porcello Ln, Verona, NJ 07044
Riverdale’s Labor Day Street Fair
September 5 at 10 AM
Head to this giant block party, where you can shop outdoors, see live entertainment, and let the kids enjoy rides and games. There will also be food trucks, and this event is rain or shine.
Cost: Free
83 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ 07457
South Plainfield Labor Day and Fireworks
September 5 at 12 PM
It’s the 63rd annual South Plainfield Labor Day parade, and this year the parade theme is around the world celebrating the achievements of worldwide cultures. Don’t miss the fireworks at dusk.
Cost: Free
Veterans Park and Spring Lake Park, South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Labor Day Fireworks
September 5 at dark
Visit the beach and boardwalk, and then at dark, get ready to see the fireworks over the beach.
Cost: Free
300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742
Ongoing Events
Friday Night Fireworks in Wildwood
Every Friday at 10 PM
Is there a better way to end a fun-filled week of summer in Wildwood than with free fireworks? Every Friday night, watch a spectacular display exploding to a musical score played along the Boardwalk and simulcast on 98.7 The Coast. Grab a beach chair to relax on the sand, or you can see them from anywhere on the boardwalk. Rain dates are every Sunday at 10 PM.
Cost: Free
Wildwood Boardwalk, On the Beach at Pine Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260
Pier Village Family Fun Night
Every Sunday in the summer at 5 PM
Try everything from Miniature Golf, Rockwall Climbing, Trampoline Bungee Jumping, Rides, and Games. Come early and join the Pier Village Carousel Stage for the “Oceans of Possibilities” themed complementary story time by the sea at 1 PM.
Cost: $4 per ticket, sheets of 7 tickets for $25, wristbands are $35pp
Festival Plaza, Pier Village, 68 Ocean Ave. N., Long Branch, NJ 07740
Tropicana’s Free Fireworks Series
Every Saturday at 10 PM until September
This dazzling 10-minute show is part of Tropicana’s Summer Celebration Fireworks Series. The performances are displayed from the beachfront and include intricately designed scenes and vivid effects.
Cost: Free
Tropicana Atlantic City, 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Super American Circus Atlantic City
Now-September 5, Thursday-Sunday
Catch this fantastic show with acts, thrills, and laughs that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Some of the highlights include America’s Got Talent superstars, Cirque Du Soleil performers, and talent from Ringling Bros.
Cost: Ticket prices vary
Showboat Atlantic City, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 487-4600
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