
Eat to live, or live to eat? If you’re a foodie, you know the answer. There are so many amazing restaurants in NJ but out favorite way to sample a menu when the weather warms up is at a food fest! Come hungry and stay all day. Make sure you check dates, times and weather before you head out.
First Sunday of Every Month
Vegan in NJ Monthly Market
American Legion Post 346, Neptune
A variety of vendors selling only vegan food items and products will set up tables every month inside the Legion hall.
February 1
Pizza Bowl V
Redd’s, Carlstadt
Not only will you get to taste some of the best pizza from New Jersey, but you’ll also be supporting the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. You can add on celebrity meet-and-greets with members from The Sopranos and Goodfellas.
February 2
Beef & Brew
Proving Ground, Highlands
The 15th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade fundraiser will include a gift auction and a pipe band. The 2025 Grand Marshal, Tim Hill, will be presented with his sash.
February 8
Mac + Cheese Mayhem
Morristown Armory, Morristown
Celebrate everyone’s favorite comfort food. Food vendors will be selling small plates. Local chefs will compete for the best mac in town. There will also be music, beer and margaritas, vendor shopping, kids’ activities, hatchet throwing, a petting zoo, face painting and sand art.
February 23
Highlands Chili Cook Off
Saltwater Social, Highlands
Vote for your favorite chili cooked by professionals and amateurs in two separate contests. There will also be performances by bagpipe bands and Daly’s Irish Dancers.
March 22
NJ Coffee Festival
Bell Works, Holmdel
Although it’s not technically a food fest, there will be plenty to eat along with samples from dozens of coffee and tea vendors. You can also sit down for an expert-led workshop, Coffee Conversation or Brew School. There will be live acoustic music and coffee games.
March 29-30
The Chocolate Expo
NJ Convention & Expo Center, Edison
Who can resist samples of chocolate, baked goods, cheese and specialty foods? There will also be demos, interactive presentations, balloon sculptures, face painting and a Kidz Zone.
April 6
Latin Food Fiesta
Garden State Plaza, Paramus
Latin dishes come from Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean islands, Brazil, Chile and Peru. There will be live Latin music and dance performances, and a Kids Zone with family activities.
April 13
The Original NJ Empanada Festival
Rustic Mall, Manville
All of the past winners from the Empanada Fest (and a few new vendors) will be back to battle for the championship belt. There will be food trucks selling empanadas, Mexican cuisine and American favorites. There will be live music, a beer and wine tent, a kids’ ATV course, bounce house, henna tattoos, sand art and craft vendors.
May 10
BBQ and Soul Food Festival
Buccleuch Park, New Brunswick
Support the Rotary Club of New Brunswick while you feast on smoky BBQ and Southern soul food, like BBQ ribs, brisket, fried chicken, mac ‘n’ cheese, collard greens, and more. There will be live music, craft beer and hard seltzers, games and activities, including a free Kids Zone.
May 17-18
World Food Festival
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
Explore 20+ food vendors showcasing authentic dishes from around the globe. On Saturday, listen to country vibes from Brian Dean Moore Band. On Sunday, sit ringside for the super stars of UWA Elite Pro Wrestling.
May 25
New Jersey Jerk Fest
Central Jersey Location TBA
NJ Jerk Fest is an annual celebration of Caribbean culture with live Caribbean music, Caribbean food trucks, an education area with career tips and community programs, and a Kid’s Zone.
May 30 – June 1
Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
The festival started as a small crawfish boil for 70 people and has turned into a mega New Orleans-inspired event featuring Creolo and Cajun, Zydeco, Delta Blues, New Orleans R&B, Brass, Gospel and Jazz music.
May 31
ARC of Warren County Food Truck & Music Festival
Donaldson Farms, Hackettstown
There will be 11 food trucks on site, plus live music from Brian Dean Moore Band, craft beer and czelters by Czig Meister Brewery, games and activities for kids, pony visits, a play zone, a bungee trampoline, and a rock wall.
June 6-8
Lebanese Festival
St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church, Somerset
Experience authentic Middle Eastern food, music, dance and culture. Traditional Lebanese foods such as falafel, shawarma (gyro), hummus, spinach pies, tabouhli, stuffed grape leaves and pastries will be sold. There will be live music featuring a different singer each day, plus dancing and folkloric performances. There will also be raffles, prizes, souvenirs and games of chance.
June 7
Caribbean Food Fest
Veterans Memorial Park, Parsippany
Kick off the summer festival season with a tropical escape featuring Caribbean food, live performances, craft vendors, a free Kids Zone, a bounce house, an ATV course, henna tattoos, and alcohol selections for adults. You can bring your pets.
June 21
Taste of Highlands
Highlands
Spend five hours eating and drinking around the restaurants in Highlands. You’ll get your food passport stamped, and can enter to win prizes.
We’ll be adding to this list of food festivals all year. Know of a fair that’s not listed? Email jennifer@njfamily.com.
For a “taste” of what’s to come, check out our reel on Instagram.
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Read More:
Check Out Our Mega List For The Best Festivals Year-Round
Food Truck Festivals in NJ
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The Best Outdoor Street Fairs in NJ
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Springtime Flower Festivals In and Around NJ