Summer is here, and it’s prime season for rides, games, shows and the festival food you can imagine! Here’s the lineup of festival fun for July:
July 1-4
July 4th Fest
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
Celebrate America’s birthday at Great Adventure. More info will be released soon, but we know there will be fireworks to cap off every night.
July 1-7
State Fair Meadowlands
Meadowlands, East Rutherford
This year’s entertainment includes the vintage Circus Lena, the Cycle Circus’s FMX freestyle show, Jurassic Kingdom, illusionist Jay Mattioli, the magic of Lance Gifford, Rosaire’s Racing Pigs, Commerford Petting Zoo, a Michael Jackson Tribute Show, 100 rides and a Kiddie Land – plus all of the carnival treats you can eat!
L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival
Route 9, Howell Twp.
Hosted by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence, the carnival will include food, rides and entertainment.
L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
The L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival is hosted by L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence. There will be food, rides and entertainment at the fair.
July 2-6
Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair
Atlantic Highlands Municipal Harbor, Atlantic Highlands
Five nights of fun to benefit the Atlantic Highlands Fire Department include games, rides, a food court, live music every night, a beer garden, games of chance, and fireworks on Friday.
July 3
Freedom Festival
Wiggins Park, Camden
The Gin Blossoms and Tara Hendricks will perform before a giant fireworks display over the river.
July 4
Oceanfest
Long Branch
This annual 4th of July celebration is one of the biggest in NJ. Along the beachfront, enjoy performances by dancers, musicians, clowns and musical acts; sample from food vendors; check out displays from crafters from all over the Northeast; see a fabulous sand sculpture; take a photo with a costumed character; and bring a blanket for the nighttime fireworks display.
Middle Twp. 4th of July Festival and Fireworks
Goshen Sports Complex, Cape May Court House
There will be craft and food vendors, live music, games, a pie-eating contest, and fireworks.
Bergen County’s Star-Spangled Spectacular
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
The festive afternoon includes entertainment, children’s activities, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a historic military flyover, music by the New Jersey Wind Symphony and fireworks over Overpeck Creek.
July 4-7
Red, White & Blueberries BBQ Bash
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
Celebrate Independence Day weekend and National Blueberry Month with food, live music, old-fashioned lawn games, bubble making, watermelon eating contests, and lots of blueberries.
July 5-7, 13-14, 20-21
Boardwalk Craft Show
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood
Artisan-made items, handmade craft items, boutique items, gifts and more will be set up for sale along the boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue.
July 9-13
Cumberland County Cooperative Fair
Cumberland County Fairgrounds, Millville
Activities include dog shows, horse shows, rabbit shows, poultry shows, goat shows and lots of rides. There will be exhibits, livestock, chicken BBQ and other food.
July 10
Summer Sip & Shop Vendor Craft Fair
Garden State Distillery, Toms River
There will be local craft vendors selling jewelry, crystals, candles, apparel, soaps, beauty products, handcrafted gifts, décor and more.
July 10-13
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel’s Annual Feast
Town Hall Park, Lyndhurst
Get ready to mangia and festa Italian-style with lots of food, rides, games, 50/50 raffles and a nightly music series.
July 10-14
Ocean County Fair
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Bayville
Experience a variety of musical acts and animal events. Meet animals raised by local youth, learn new things in the 4-H general tent and participate in fun games and activities. There will be rides, food and vendors.
July 11-13
Randolph Twp.’s Freedom Festival
County College of Morris, Randolph
This year, expect the return of mechanical rides, and bracelet night on Thursday and Friday. Each night, there will be live music, food trucks and food vendors, an expanded beer garden, carnival games, knockerball, and axe-throwing. Fireworks are planned for Saturday night.
July 11-21
Rockland Free Fair
Palisades Center, West Nyack, NY
There’s something for everyone, from midway rides and games to classic carnival foods to Cirque Cyber thrill shows featuring aerial acrobatics, to the spinning Wheel of Destiny and Globe of Death motorcycle act.
July 12
Wildwood Crest Sand Sculpting Festival
Heather Road Beach, Wildwood Crest
Grab your buckets and shovels and get ready to create works of art in the sand. This amateur and semi-pro sand sculpting contest is hosted by professional world-renowned sand sculptor Matt Long, a former cast member of the Travel Channel’s SandMasters, and “Can You Dig It!” Sand Tools.
July 12-14
NJ State BBQ Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival
Olde New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood
Experience the best in BBQ food and blues music on the beach and at the local pubs. The event features live cooking demonstrations, BBQ food, and top regional and national blues acts on the main stage.
New Jersey Documentary Film Festival
Sparta
Thirty-five films will be screened over three days. Themes include grit and grace, bizarre journeys, unbroken spirits and justice in action.
July 12-15
Dream Food Fest
American Dream, East Rutherford
This open-air food festival will feature items from more than 100 unique, hidden vendors from the NYC Metro area. There will be showcases from local artists, plus performances each day.
July 13
Wine & Wildlife
Community House of Moorestown, Moorestown
There will be lots of wine tastings, raffles, auctions, and special appearances by some of Cedar Run’s Wildlife Ambassadors in the refuge’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
Taco Palooza
Washington Lake Park, Sewell
There will be all things taco, plus beer, sangria, margaritas, food trucks, live music, kids’ activities and vendors.
Bastille Day
Frenchtown
Known as the French Fourth of July, the inspiration to celebrate stems from the tale of Frenchtown’s founder who escaped the guillotine and made his way to America. This year’s event will include a vendor market and live music by the Michael Arenella Quartet with a side of Can Can dancers at Sunbeam Park. A walking tour of downtown Frenchtown will be conducted by borough historian Rick Epstein. Doug Miller will perform his magic show at TD Bank throughout the day. The Downtown Scavenger Hunt and the Frenchtown Farmer’s Market are all day.
Blueberry Bash
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Celebrate everything blueberry! Take a stroll around the farm and pick your own blueberries. Bring the kids to Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre, the NJ Bubble Parties show or the kids play area. Sit in the historic orchard and try Terhune’s own apple-blueberry wine.
Caribbean/Latino Block Party and Health Fair
Campus of the CDI and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley
Hackensack Meridian Health is hosting a community block party and health fair focused on the Caribbean and Latino populations in an effort to address cancer disparities and provide needed health services and education. Health services and tests that will be provided include: blood pressure monitoring; diabetes screening (A1C); cholesterol screening; HIV screening; cancer screenings for breast, prostate, and self-sampling kits for cervical HPV screening; hearing, vision and dental screenings; education on genetic screening; legal services, and education and career opportunity representatives; and other vital resources. Family fun will include a DJ, a dance performance, face painting, game stations, balloons, food trucks, salsa and bachata dance class, and Caribbean and Latino vendors.
South Jersey Caribbean Festival
Wiggins Waterfront Park & Marina, Camden
The 24th annual festival celebrates Caribbean culture on the Camden waterfront through food, music and entertainment.
July 13-14
Maplewoodstock Music & Arts Festival
Memorial Park, Maplewood
Every year, there are two days of music and arts that feature more than 20 bands, 50 art vendors, 20 food vendors, a beer garden and a kid zone.
Garden State Cat Expo
New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, Edison
The Garden State Cat Club of NJ will hold New York and New Jersey’s Biggest Cat Show. Meet all sorts of cats and learn about the different breeds of cats. There will be adoptable rescue cats and kittens. Shop for cat furniture, toys, gifts, candles, jewelry and other items.
Blueberry Festival
Von Thun’s Country Farm Market, Dayton section of South Brunswick
Outdoor family fun includes pick-your-own blueberries, 20+ activities, hayrides, farm animals, a farm market and food vendors.
July 14
Fanwood Summer Fan Jam
LaGrande Park, Fanwood
The party will include crafters, retailers, food trucks, entertainment, a beer garden, a kids’ zone and a huge classic car show.
July 16-20
Burlington County Farm Fair
Burlington County Fairgrounds, Columbus
Come by for opening night and stay for the fireworks. There will be lots of barnyard animals on display. On Saturday, watch the cows compete in a dairy show. Horse shows are daily, but a Draft Horse Pull where majestic draft horses from different states will perform. There will also be a tractor pull. Extra special for kids is the Farmer for a Day exhibit.
July 18
Englewood Night Market
East Palisade Avenue, Englewood
The ultimate block party includes food, dancing, music and vendors in celebration of the City of Englewood’s 125th anniversary.
July 18-20
Cape May County 4-H Foundation Fair
4-H Fairgrounds, Cape May Court House
The fair provides a showplace for the work of the youth members of Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s 4‑H Youth Development Program. The event is planned, managed and operated by volunteers, 4‑H members and their parents and friends. Expect lots of demos, barnyard animals, activities for kids and food vendors. And the Cape May County Board of Agriculture hosts its annual chicken BBQ.
July 18-21
White Meadow Lake Festival Days
White Meadow Lake Clubhouse, Rockaway
Enjoy carnival rides, food trucks, games, contests, and entertainment. As the sun sets, watch the fireworks display over the lake.
July 18-28
L.E.A.D. Summerfest Carnival
Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus
L. E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs & Violence), a nationwide nonprofit that works with communities to help students understand the dangers of drugs and violence, presents amusement rides, food and entertainment.
July 19-20
Water Lantern Festival
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
Create your own lantern and then watch it drift with thousands of others along the waterfront.
July 20
Faith & Food Truck Festival
World Harvest Christian Center, Pennsauken
There will be a variety of food trucks and small vendors, live music, prize giveaways, face painting, a bouncy houses and activities for families.
For the Love of Dogs Pet Festival
Mill Hill Park, Trenton
All-day activities include mobile grooming, giveaways from KONG Company, free microchipping, pet games, adoptions, sway and play, activities, entertainment, music by DEEJAY BOOM and adoptions by Trenton Animal Shelter.
July 20
Clement Farm & Udder Chaos Blueberry Festival
Clement Blueberry Farm, Pemberton
Come together to support animals in need. There will be food trucks, vendors, raffles, and of course blueberries.
July 20 and 27
Whitesbog’s Blueberry Summer Fest
Whitesbog Historic Village, Browns Mills
This weekly festival takes place in the blueberry and cranberry capital of NJ. Each week has a different theme: July 20 is Dog Days of Summer with a moonlight walk at night. July 27 is Moth Night; there is no blueberry fest.
July 21
Hackettstown Street Fair
Downtown Hackettstown
There will be artisans, crafters, live entertainment, food, kids’ activities, shopping and more along Main Street.
Riverbend District Artisan Market
Riverbend District, Harrison
There will be local artists, creators, makers, food trucks and live entertainment.
July 24-28
Monmouth County Fair
Monmouth County Park System, Freehold
This year’s free entertainment includes Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, Tommy Turvey’s stunt horses and dogs, Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, Mutts Gone Nuts, Bluey and Bingo, Ocean Avenue Stompers, Blake Wallenda’s High Wire Act and Crunchy the T-Rex. Check out the 4-H shows and exhibits, rides and games, live music on the Main Stage, living history displays, home and garden demos and lots of food.
St. Ann Italian Festival
St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, Hoboken
Get ready for their famous zeppole, cheesesteaks, rice balls, wood-fired pizza, fried calamari, and seafood salad. There will be a beer garden. The Grand 50/50 raffle tickets are on sale and during the feast there will be a nightly 50/50 raffle. The Feast Day Mass at 11 am on July 26 followed by the Procession.
July 25-28
Gloucester County 4-H Fair
4-H County Fairgrounds, Mullica Hill
Four days of family fun include 4-H project displays, Day at the Farm, a draft horse pull, a baby parade, crafters and vendors, nightly BBQ, musical guests, contests, meet-and-greets and animal shows.
July 26-28
Morris County 4-H Fair on the Farm
High View Farms, Mt. Olive
There will be lots to see and do at the fair. There will be 4-H animals including goats, chickens, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. Kids will have fun at the animal shows, presentations, quiz bowls, on the hayride, at the arts and craft exhibits, on the monster truck rides and eating at the food trucks.
July 27
Menlo Park Mall Dining Pavilion Food Festival
Menlo Park Mall, Edison
Aside from eating from Saladworks, Ramen Ya, Sarku Japan, New York Fries, Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack, Chipotle, Asian Chao and Auntie Anne’s, there will be a live DJ performance and family-friendly activities.
Hungarian Artisan Market
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
There will be Hungarian foods, a farmers market, apparel and themed activities.
July 27-28
Mercer County 4-H Fair
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell
The fair includes animal shows and exhibits, homemade ice cream, hay rides, pony rides, music, magic shows and farm tours. Check out displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association and many more. Bring a a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger.
July 27 – August 3
Warren County Farmers’ Fair
1350 Strykers Rd., Phillipsburg
After watching the hot air balloons launch you can head to the Demolition Derby and Rafter Z Rodeo. Traditions include an arts expo, kids’ corral, 4-H shows, free concerts by local bands, the garden tractor pull and a beer garden.
Weekends, July 27 – August 11
Sunflower Festival
Von Thun Farms, Washington Twp.
Known for its Sunflower Trail, the weekend festivals add on hayrides, an activity area for kids, gourmet food trucks, a wine and beer garden, and craft vendors.
July 28
Hopatcong Monthly Market
Hopatcong DPW Lot, Hopatcong
Shop from 50+ vendors offering a variety of items, from food to crafts and everything in between.
Hoboken Artisan Market
Adams Street, Hoboken
Aside from 70+ vendors lining the street and outdoor lawn games, you can join a dance party with members of Fred Astaire Dance Studio.
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Read More:
4th of July Celebrations and Festivals in New Jersey
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts in NJ
Head to a County Fair in New Jersey This Summer
