New Jerseyans love their festivals! It’s festival season, so we’ve rounded up everything from food fests to state fairs and beyond. Our guide lists the best of the best to check out this summer.
MEGA FESTS
STATE FAIR MEADOWLANDS
June 20 – July 7
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
More than two weeks are jam-packed with 100+ rides, dozens of games, a kiddie land for the little ones and classic festival foods (corn dogs and fried Oreos top the list!). Check out free shows like the Cycle Circus, racing pigs, Artie Miller the strolling magician, helicopter rides and the magic of Lance Gifford & Co. Fireworks are planned for July 3 and 4.
NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR
Aug. 2-10
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
This is the fair where farm meets fun. The fairgrounds will be packed with rides, games, attractions, vendors, food, music and farm animals to celebrate all things Garden State. Kids will want to see the horse show, performing arts tent, six barns of animals, pig races and dog shows.
Editor’s Note: The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning is canceled for the 2024 season.
BEACH FESTIVALS
OCEANFEST
July 4
Long Branch
One of the biggest Independence Day celebrations in New Jersey, you can stroll along the boardwalk, watch dance performances, listen to live music, watch clowns entertain the kids, shop local vendors and try food from the many area restaurants. The fireworks display is a must-see.
WILDWOOD CREST SAND SCULPTING FESTIVAL
July 12
Heather Beach Pier, Wildwood Crest
Can you dig it? Get your shovels ready and head to the beach where you can make your own gigantic castles, animals and structures out of sand. Or, pack a lunch and watch the pros use their tools to create magnificent pieces of art.
SAILFEST NEW JERSEY
Sept. 7
Island Heights
New Jersey’s largest sailing festival returns along the Toms River with “the wind in its sails.” Boaters, sailors and nautical lovers come for the Sail Race Regatta, live music, arts and crafts, food trucks and a beer/ wine garden, and lots of kids’ activities. This year will include a special 9/11 Reflection Ceremony.
FOOD FESTIVALS
CLAM FEST
Aug. 1-3
Huddy Park, Highlands
The stars of the show are the seafood-based food trucks, but if you’re more of a land lover, come for the Lions Club funnel cakes or the Highlands Fire Department BBQ tent. There will be a beer, wine and sangria garden, too. The streets will be closed for rides, games, children’s activities, specialty vendors, music and a fireworks display on Saturday.
RED, WHITE & BLUEBERRY FESTIVAL
June 30
Hammonton High School, Hammonton
The biggest blueberry festival in the area features our state’s favorite fruit, plus live music, food, classic cars and more.
TOMATO FESTIVAL
Aug. 31
West Cape May
West Cape May celebrates Jersey’s state vegetable (even though the tomato is technically a fruit) every year. Backyard Park will include all things tomato, whether you like sauce, salsa or a tomato picked straight off the vine.
TACO PALOOZA
Washington Lake Park, Sewell
July 13
There will be all things taco, plus beer, sangria, margaritas, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and vendors.
TASTE OF NEW JERSEY
August 17-18
The Terminal at the Showboat Resort and Hotel, Atlantic City
There will be more than 100 food vendors at Showboat, including a sports lounge, face painting, balloon twisting, and music.
DREAM FOOD FEST
July 12-15
American Dream, East Rutherford
This mall-meets-entertainment complex is already known for its amazing food hall, but those choices will expand during this three-day openair collaboration of more than 100 unique food vendors from the NYC metro area. There will be showcases of local artists plus live performances all day, each day.
LATIN FESTIVAL: TACOS & TEQUILA
Aug. 4
Monmouth Park, Oceanport
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the summer, when the racetrack offers Mexican food, margaritas and live music with horseracing in the backdrop. Kids are welcome, since there will be family activities in the picnic area.
MUSIC FESTIVALS
BAREFOOT COUNTRY MUSIC FEST
June 21-24
Wildwood
Luke Bryan headlines this ultra music and beach concert that features more than 40 other country stars such as Keith Urban, Kane Brown, Old Dominion, The Beach Boys, Bret Michaels and Colt Ford.
MAPLEWOODSTOCK
July 13-14
Memorial Park, Maplewood
Celebrate 20 years of the annual two-day music and arts festival that is run entirely by volunteers. There will be live music from local and regional talent, plus art, food vendors and a KidZone.
ANGLESEA BLUES FESTIVAL
July 12-14
Anglesea Entertainment District, Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood
The weekend will be a mix of blues music and BBQ treats. Regional and national musicians will perform on the free outdoor main stage, as well as in clubs and pubs in the area. BBQ experts will also compete in the New Jersey State Barbecue Championship, offering lots of tasting options.
SOULSATIONAL FESTIVAL
July 27 Veterans Park, Bayville
Billed as an open-air market family festival experience, you’ll want to bring a picnic blanket to lounge on while you listen to live music. There will be free yoga and other family classes, demos, a Kids Village, crafts, treasure hunts, food trucks, farm goods, a paint party and wellness opportunities.
SAD SUMMER FESTIVAL
Aug. 4
The Stone Pony, Asbury Park
The fifth anniversary of this classic concert, presented by Journeys and Converse, has a 2024 lineup of Mayday Parade, The Maine, The Wonder Years, We The Kings, Real Friends, Knuckle Puck, The Summer Set, Hot Milk, Diva Bleach, Daisy Grenade and Like Roses.
HI-TIDE SUMMER HOLIDAY
Aug. 16-18
Asbury Lanes and The Asbury, Asbury Park
The Jersey Shore will set the stage for performances by The Hula Girls,The McCharmlys, The Courettes, Marcel Bontempi and The Sound Minds, Black Flamingos, The Babalooneys and more. Special guest is DJ Monster Rally. There will be tropical cocktails, island eats, dancing, pool parties and shopping.
SEA. HEAR. NOW.
Sept. 14-15
Asbury Park
Where else can you listen to music on the beach while watching world-class surfers hit the waves as you take in beautiful local art? Asbury Park’s annual ode to sand and surf features Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, plus Noah Kahan as headliners! Other performers include The Black Crowes, 311, Grace Potter, Guster, The Gaslight Anthem and Kool & The Gang.
MONTCLAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL
Sept. 14
Lackawanna Plaza Stage, Montclair
Jazz House Kids produces this all-day block party, which will celebrate the best in international jazz music for the 15th year.
MORE SUMMER FESTIVALS
YOUTH SPORTS FESTIVAL
Select dates, through June 30
DeVry University Campus, North Brunswick
There are rides, attractions, games, shows, food –all the typical carnival staples–plus acrobatic acts, racing pigs, a giant Ferris wheel, a petting zoo and of course, fireworks. This is a fundraiser for youth sports in town, so you’ll see lots of volunteers manning the stations.
RANDOLPH FREEDOM FEST
July 11-13
County College of Morris, Randolph
Forget about school and think about summer. The campus grounds will be filled with music, carnival games, knockerball, axe throwing, food and a beer garden, family entertainment and fireworks.
HADDONFIELD CRAFTS AND FINE ART FESTIVAL
July 13-14
Haddonfield
Downtown Haddonfield is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the best fine art and crafts showcase in the region. Tents are set up along Kings Highway, and you can visit the restaurants and shops in the downtown while you stroll.
FANWOOD SUMMER FAN JAM
July 14
LaGrande Park, Fanwood
Expect to be among 30,000 fairgoers who come every year for crafter displays, food trucks, allday entertainment, beer garden, a kids zone and a huge classic car show.
FREEDOM FEST
July 3
Wiggins Park, Camden
The Gin Blossoms and Tara Hendricks will perform before a giant fireworks display takes place over the Delaware River along the Camden waterfront.
ST. ANN ITALIAN FESTIVAL
July 24-28
St. Ann Catholic Church, Hoboken
Get ready to eat zeppole, rice balls, wood-fired pizza and seafood salad. This is always a big draw since the streets are filled with rides, games and attractions. The Feast Day Mass is July 26, followed by a procession of the saints.
BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL
Aug. 3 Watershed Institute, Pennington
Tours of the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House, the Insect Zoo, and bug and butterfly parades are just some of the features at this naturally entertaining festival, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. The Watershed Institute will also present crafts, food, hayrides and more.
NEW BRUNSWICK HEART FESTIVAL
Aug. 10
Downtown New Brunswick
There will be live music and cultural dance performances, dance classes for kids and adults, an arts market, craft vendors, balloon animals, face painting, a health and wellness tent, a history corner, arts and crafts and more.
SOURLAND MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
July 13
Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes
Learn about the Sourland region as you listen to live music, eat local food, sip craft beers and wine, and dive into family activities. Proceeds benefit the Sourland Conservancy, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the history and ecology of the Sourland Mountain region of Central New Jersey.
SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL
July 27-28, Aug. 3-4 and 10-11
Von Thun Farms, Washington Twp.
The Sunflower Trail is open for most of the summer, but on these dates you can have even more fun with u-cut sunflowers, u-pick summer flowers and berries, a hayride, and visits with barnyard animals.
VETS SUMMER FEST
Sept. 22
Vasa Park, Budd Lake
This annual benefit supports homeless veterans in NJ. There will be live music all day long, a car show, a craft show, a bike run, plenty of food, and a kids zone to keep the little ones happy.
Read More:
NJ Wine and Beer Fests
Tap Into Your Creative Side at These Craft Festivals in NJ
Food Truck Festivals in NJ
Eat and Drink Your Way Through These NJ Food Festivals
The Best Outdoor Street Fairs in NJ
County Fairs in NJ