57 Free Things To Do In September

School is starting, and the days are getting a bit shorter, but September is chock full of family fun—oh, and did we mention it’s free? Watch sailing races at New Jersey’s largest Sailfest in Island Heights, salsa at the Latino Festival in Atlantic City, or celebrate Oktoberfest in Hackettstown to get in the fall spirit. Scroll down for what to do this month, free of charge. (featured photo credit: Rotary of Toms River, Photo Credit: Marie Daley)

Glassboro Car Show and Food Truck Festival
September 2 at 5 PM
It’s a free family fun event for everyone. See restored vehicles representing all decades of automotive history and modern exotics and race cars. Parking is free, and this is a rain or shine event.
Rowan Boulevard, Glassboro, NJ 08028

West Cape May Tomato Fest
September 3 at 9 AM
The Borough of West Cape May hosts a Tomato Festival at the Borough’s Backyard Park. All things tomato will be celebrated.
Backyard Park, 732 Broadway, West Cape May, NJ 08204

Bubble Show
September 3 at 1 PM
Come see color bubbles float away in an interactive family show by the sea. There will also be foam bubbles, smoke bubbles, bubble nets, and giant bubbles.
Carousel at Pier Village, Long Branch, NJ 07740

Manasquan Labor Day Concert and Fireworks
September 3 at 7:30 PM
Dance the night away at this concert by Deep Six, followed by Fireworks sponsored by the OSPREY. The band will start at 7:30 PM.
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

Nutley Street Fair & Craft Show
November 4 at 11 AM
Come out for a day of family fun featuring arts and crafts, games, food, live music, dancing, and performances. There will also be kiddie rides for an additional fee.
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.
Fox Park, Ocean Avenue, Wildwood, NJ 08260

Riverdale’s Labor Day Street Fair
September 5 at 10 AM
Shop outdoors, see live entertainment, and let the kids enjoy rides and games at this giant block party. There will also be food and food trucks; this event is rain or shine.
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’s theme will celebrate the achievements of worldwide cultures. Don’t miss the fireworks at dusk.
Veterans Park and Spring Lake Park, South Plainfield, NJ 07080

Hoboken Italian Festival
September 8-11
It’s a four-day festival of food, music, and fun. Saturday is “Feast” day when the 800-pound statue of the Madonna Dei Martiri or Madonna of the Martyrs is carried through the streets of Hoboken. There will also be fireworks, a raffle, and a grape stomping contest.
Along the Sinatra Promenade, Hoboken, NJ 07030

Live Outdoor Jazz! 4th Annual Jersey City Pier Fest
September 9, 16, 23, and 30 at 6 PM
It’s the 4th annual Pierfest on Friday nights on the water. There will be live music, classic Latin Jazz, Salsa dancing, and food.
Exchange Place, 10 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Central Jersey Jazz Festival
September 9-11
Bring the whole family to enjoy live music and dance performances around Central Jersey. The event will be in Flemington on Friday, New Brunswick/Metuchen on Saturday, and Somerville on Sunday.
Flemington, Metuchen, and Somerville

Branch Brook Park Festival
September 10 at 9 AM
This Essex County Community festival brings focus to health and wellness. The event kick-offs with wellness events in the morning, focusing on health in the afternoon. There will be booths on health testing, community resources, live music, art, fresh, healthy foods and produce, crafts, local artisan goods, and fitness activities.
Prudential Concert Grove, Branch Brook Park Drive, Newark, NJ 07107

Brielle Day
September 10 at 9 AM
Enjoy great entertainment, fire truck rides, music, a craft fair, a beer garden, and delicious food.
Brielle Park, 658 Union Ln, Brielle, NJ 08730

Elmwood Park Community Day with fireworks
September 10 at 9 AM
Shop outdoors, listen to live entertainment, experience kiddie rides and games, and great festival foods & food trucks, and so much more. At dusk, there will be a fireworks display to cap off the celebration.
500 Boulevard Elmwood Park, NJ 07407

South Jersey Apple Fest
September 10-11 at 10 AM
Get ready for the end of summer with artists and artisans, a home show, apple pie, food trucks, and an apple pageant. This 4th annual event is pet friendly, and there will be wine sampling, rides, kids’ free crafts and apples, fall produce, and fall flowers.
Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway (Route 40), Woodstown, NJ 08098

51st Annual Wood Street Fair
September 10
See over 175 crafters along with collectibles, antiques, food, music, and fun. You can also tour one of New Jersey’s oldest houses, the Revell House (ca.1685), the fabled site of Burlington’s hospitality to Benjamin Franklin. Sample Gingerbread, Pumpkin, Blueberry, or Cranberry Breads & Gingerbread Men and tour the Carriage House (ca. 1876).
Wood Street, Burlington, NJ 08016

Sailfest NJ
September 10 at 10 AM
It’s New Jersey’s largest sailing festival with family fun, food, and festivities. There will be two different Sail Race Regattas and all music, art, crafts, vendors, raffles, food, beer, wine, kids’ activities, and more nautical-themed activities.
River Avenue, Island Heights, NJ 08732

Bayonne Arts Festival
September 10 at 11 AM
Celebrate art, music, and dance in Bayonne this September. Food trucks will be available too.
Dennis P. Collins Park, 1st Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002

Ocean County Irish Festival
September 10 at 11 AM
Get your Irish on with Irish music, step dancers, the Ocean County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums Band, craft vendors, and the Pot O’Gold Playland for kids.
Manahawkin Lake Park, Manahawkin, NJ 08050 

Phillipsburg Railroad Festival
September 10 at 11 AM
Come out to celebrate 170 years of the railroad with music, food, and vendors. The first floor of the Phillipsburg Union Station will be open for tours or head over to area 3 for Delaware Excursion Train rides, which have a fee.
Shappell Park, Union Station and Tower, Elizabeth Street, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865

New Year’s in North Wildwood
September 10 at 3 PM
The top Mummers String Bands from the New Year’s Day Parade in Philadelphia will parade along Olde New Jersey Avenue, where you can get up-close views of their costumes and Mummer’s dance steps.
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260

Family Ag Days
September 11 at 9 AM
The County of Passaic and the township of Wayne present Family Ag days to connect families with agriculture through activities, music, and programs. Don’t miss the therapy bunnies and petting zoo.
Van Ripper Hopper Museum, 533 Berdan Avenue, Wayne, NJ 07470

Red Bank Street Fair and Craft Show
September 11 at 11 AM
Head to Red Bank for live music, a DJ, dancing, food, performances, children’s rides, games, and fun for the whole family.
Red Bank Downtown, Red Bank, NJ 07701

Halsey Festival
September 15 at 3 PM
Come out to see DJs, bands, performances, a fashion show, art activities, interactive games, and so much more at this event.
Halsey Street, Newark, NJ 07102

Boots at the Beach
September 16-18
Come to a festival in the North Wildwood Entertainment District, along Olde New Jersey Avenue, featuring live country music, merchandise vendors, dancing, crafts, and food.
Old New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, NJ 08260

Festival in the Borough of Washington
September 17
It’s a full day of fun with music, entertainment, vendors, food, and a family fun area that will keep the whole family happy all day.
44 E. Washington Ave. (Route 57), Washington, NJ 07882

44th Annual Festival of the Sea
September 17 at 10 AM
Check out the vendors, live music, kids’ games at the 44th Annual Festival of the Sea, and sample seafood from local restaurants. 
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, 601 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742

Hopewell Harvest Festival
September 17 at 10 AM
It’s the 34th annual fair with contests, entertainment, games, and a Kids Korner too. The rain date is September 18.
35 Princeton Avenue, Hopewell, NJ 08525

Ridgefield Park Downtown Street Fair
September 17 at 10 AM
Stroll among the craft and food vendors at this lively street fair, listen to live music, and watch dancing and karate demonstrations. There will also be a “Kidz Traveling Shindig” with kiddie bounce rides, slides and interactive blow-ups, face painters, sand art, and kids’ games.
234 Main Street, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

Manasquan Bank Presents 9th Annual Community Day 2022
September 17 at 11 AM
This completely free, family-friendly festival sponsored by Manasquan Bank will have everything from carnival games, arts and crafts, and amusements, plus food and refreshments. The Manasquan Bank management team will again be on the grills, serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, and more.
Squan Plaza in downtown Manasquan, NJ 08736

Wind and Sea Festival
September 17 at 11 AM
Come to celebrate all things water, where all visitors can enjoy coastal activities, including kayaking, fishing, kite flying, crabbing, sandcastle building, seining, shelling, children’s crafts, naturalist activities, and food vendors.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth 07758

Atlantic City Latino Festival
September 17 at 12 PM
Come out to watch Mariachi, Salsa, Cumbia, and Folkloric dance groups while visiting authentic food, vendors, and a children’s entertainment area.
543 N Albany Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

All About Downtown Street Fair
September 17 at 12 PM
It’s the premier event in downtown Jersey City with vendors selling everything from handmade candles and jewelry to local businesses promoting their services and wares. The fair also has kids’ rides and face painting, beer gardens, and live music throughout the day.
Newark Avenue between Grove Street and Coles Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

Latino Festival of Monmouth County
September 17
Celebrate Latino culture at this fun, family-oriented event with special attractions, musical acts, cultural offerings, and some of the most delicious Latin American cuisine found in Central Jersey.
1 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728

Parachute Pyrotechnic Show of Ocean City
September 17 at 8 PM
Watch thrilling Team Fastrax™ demonstrators exit an aircraft 6,000 feet above Ocean City’s Beach and Boardwalk while projectile pyrotechnics are ignited and create a dazzling display for spectators on the ground. The jump will land on 7^th Street Beach, but you can view it from anywhere along the boardwalk.
Ocean City Boardwalk

Edgewater Arts and Music Festival
September 18 at 11 AM
Listen to music, shop, try different foods, and have fun with the whole family at this lively cultural festival.
Veterans Field is next to the Community Center along the Hudson. In case of rain, it will be held inside the Community Center, Edgewater, NJ 07020

Fanny Wood Day
September 18 at 11 AM
Take the whole family to see vendors, contests, live music, a Kids Zone, and food in one place. This year’s event will include a bandstand, a kids’ stage featuring local bands, Rogue the Magician, a bubble gum contest, kiddie rides, and a scavenger hunt.
Downtown Fanwood, NJ 07023

Glen Rock Street Fair and Craft Show
September 18 at 11 AM
Head to Glen Rock, where there will be artists, crafters, a live band, vendors, food, and fun for everyone.
Downtown Glen Rock, NJ 07452

Sussex County Day
September 18 at 11 AM
It’s the Sussex County Chamber of Commerce’s celebration of everything Sussex County with live music, fun activities for kids, vendors, exhibitors, the Chopped Sussex Cooking Challenge, a law enforcement chicken wing eating contest, and more.
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822

Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival
September 17 at 12 PM
See a variety of artists perform on the Morristown Green. Don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets. This event is rain or shine.
Morristown Green, Morristown, NJ 07960

Newark Puerto Rician Day Parade and Boricua Music Festival
September 18 at 12 PM
Don’t miss the 61st Puerto Rican Day parade with performances, entertainment, and much more.
Lower Broadway (Avenida Puerto Rico) via Bloomfield Avenue and to 1st Avenue, Newark, NJ 07105

Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow
September 18 at 1 PM
Watch stunt pilots and aerobatic champions perform in an airshow over Ocean City. There will be military demonstrations too.
6^th – 14^th Streets over the ocean, Ocean City, NJ 08226

Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration
September 24 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.
Centennial Park & Sunset Lake, New Jersey Avenue between Rambler Road & Miami Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ 08260

Shamrocks by the Sea Celtic Festival
September 24 at 10 AM
Join B985 at the Seaside Park Marina for Ocean County’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee’s 7th Annual Shamrocks by the Sea Irish Festival. Enjoy live Irish music, traditional Irish craft vendors, Irish fare and beverages, and your chance to win prizes.
101 J Street, Seaside Park, NJ 08752

Smithville Italian Festival
September 24 at 10 AM
It’s the 11th annual Italian Festival with food, live entertainment, refreshments, wine tasting, vendors, bocce, and a children’s area.
Historic Smithville, NJ 08205

Bound Brook Street Fair & Craft Show
September 24 at 11 AM
Enjoy live music, a DJ, dancing, food, performances, children’s rides, and games.
Bound Brook Downtown, Bound Brook, NJ 08805

Edison’s Fall Family Spectacular
September 24 at 11 AM
There will be kiddie rides, games, face painting, sand art, a pro wrestling ring, a remote control car track, food, crafts, exhibitors, a Wine & Beer Garden, and live music too.
1011 Amboy Ave., Edison, NJ 08817

Arts Fest
September 24 at 2 PM
Engage in an artist marketplace, see emerging artists, and watch urban and eclectic performances and interactive art. There will also be wearable art and gifts, culinary arts, art classes, and face painters. The rain location is the Rahway Recreation Center.
Irving Street from Central Ave. to Elizabeth Ave., Rahway, NJ 07065

Hackettstown Oktoberfest
September 24-25
Kick off the fall season with a town-wide event with kids’ activities, contests, craft vendors, music, drinks, and food. This Oktoberfest is a family-friendly event.
Main St., Valentine St., and Grand Ave., Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Margate Fall Funfest By the Bay
September 24-25
Visit over 125 booths and activities loaded with new entertainment and activities, including music, games, back-bay nature tours, live music, and educational exhibits. Crafts from over 65 juried artisans offer a wide variety of handmade items, including; pottery, photography, fall décor, culinary artisans, handmade candles, soaps, and unique jewelry. And new this year, the Haven Marketing Fall Funfest Cornhole Tournament will be open to everyone.
Amherst Avenue in Margate from Washington Avenue to Coolidge Avenues

25th Garfield Fall Family Street Fest
September 25 at 10 AM
It’s a giant block party with shopping, a unique arts and crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides, games, food, and more.
500 Midland Avenue, Garfield, NJ 07026

Harvest Home Festival
September 25 at 11 AM
It’s an old-fashioned fair reminiscent of the 1890s at the Historic Longstreet Farm. Visitors can enjoy games and live entertainment.
44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733

Nutley Fall Fest In The Park
September 25 at 11 AM
Celebrate the first of fall with vendors, food trucks, activities, and events for the entire family with face painting and more. DJ MC will provide live music. The rain date for this event is October 2.
Memorial Park I (the Mud Hole) is located at the corner of Vreeland Ave and Passaic Ave, Nutley, NJ 07110

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