Best Fairs and Festivals in New Jersey (July 2025)

BERGEN COUNTY / Star Spangled Spectacular

Summer in New Jersey is all about amusement park rides, live entertainment, and all the festival treats you’ve been craving. Here’s what’s happening across New Jersey in July:

July 1-2

L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair
Mercer County Park, West Windsor
Along with activities such as Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Cowtown USA, a dock dogs competition, a weekend craft/business fair, and fairway rides provided by Reithoffer Shows, the L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair has a nightly entertainment schedule. This is held by members of L.E.A.D., who are law enforcement officers who promote fun activities vs. substance abuse.

July 4

Bergen County’s Star Spangled Spectacular
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
The second annual patriotic afternoon has children’s activities, two dozen food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and fireworks over Overpeck Creek – plus the return of the New Jersey Wind Symphony with a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with live artillery from Howitzer cannons.

Jersey City Night Market: July 4 Fireworks & Food Festival
City Hall – Ancillary Lot, Jersey City
There will be more than 80 food vendors, creators and makers, plus family-friendly activities. A DJ will be stationed on every block. Certain bar areas will be set up for adults. Watch the fireworks show over the Hudson River.

OceanFest
Long Branch
One of the biggest Fourth of July celebrations in NJ takes place along the beach, complete with music, activities, food trucks, live bands, and fireworks at dusk.

Fourth of July Festival
Morven Museum & Garden and Princeton Battlefield State Park, Princeton
Stop by Morven for artmaking, garden tours, face painting, music from the Vintage Vibe Tribe, food trucks, and a chance to sign the Declaration of Independence. At Princeton Battlefield State Park, visit the historic Clarke House and hear a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

YVONNE VAZQUEZ OF THE RIDGEFIELD PARK CITIZENS COMMITTEE

Fourth of July Celebration & Parade
The Village of Ridgefield Park
The Ridgefield Park July 4th parade was founded in 1894, and is the longest consecutive running 4th of July parade in New Jersey, and one of the oldest parades in the United States. The day begins with a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a flag-raising ceremony, followed by the Baby & Youth Parade and the Main Civic Parade, and then a nighttime concert and fireworks display with the Rutherford Community Band.

Freedom Festival
Wiggins Park, Camden
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees The Spinners will perform their hit songs, along with Matt Cappy & Friends. The night closes with a fireworks spectacular.

PEDDLER’S VILLAGE RED WHITE & BLUEBERRIES BBQ BASH

Red, White & Blueberries BBQ Bash
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
While you celebrate Independence Day, you can also show your love for New Jersey’s state fruit (National Blueberry Month is July). The festival will include all-American grilled favorites, a petting zoo, a balloon toss, three-legged races, a watermelon-eating contest, the Stars & Stripes Strut, and musical performers. Throughout July, Peddler’s Village restaurants, eateries, and tasting rooms will feature blueberry-themed food and drink specials.

July 4-6

Boardwalk Craft Show
Wildwoods Boardwalk, Wildwood
Rain or shine, “the boards” of the boardwalk will be lined with tents and booths of vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, home decor, unique artwork and other beach-themed treasures.

Sports Card, Toys, Comics and Collectibles Show
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
The expo will feature more than 200 tables of sports cards, non-sports cards, toys, comic books, Pokémon, Funko Pops, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, Beanie Babies, videos, jerseys, books, posters, coins, T-shirts, LEGOs, antiques, and more.

July 5, 11, 18 and 25

Whitesbog Blueberry Summer Fest
Whitesbog Historic Farm & Village, Browns Mills
Take a trip to the Pine Barrens to pick a pint of blueberries, listen to live music, buy a blueberry pie, and learn about the beloved state fruit in its birthplace. The themes are: Red, White & BLUEberries on July 5, Dog Days of Summer on July 11, BLUEgrass & BLUEberries on July 18, and The Jersey Devil on July 25.

July 6

Paramus 4th of July
The food truck festival and fireworks show are hosted by the Paramus Volunteer Fire Department.

Independence Day Celebration
Clifton Stadium, Clifton
For the first time in more than 50 years, the 2025 Independence Day Celebration will include a carnival featuring live entertainment, food trucks, a bounce house, carnival rides and games, costumed characters, a two-hour concert by the Clifton Community Band alongside, and a major fireworks show.

July 8-12

Cumberland County Fair
Cumberland County Fairgrounds, 3001 Carmel Rd., 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 9-12

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast
Town Hall Park, Lyndhurst
Aside from rides, games, entertainment and lots of Italian food, a procession in honor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel takes place on July 9, and the carnival coincides with Lyndhurst’s Free Summer Concert Series “Music Under the Stars.”

July 9-13

Ocean County Fair
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Pinewald-Keswick Rd./Rte. 530 and Mule Road, 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 10-12

Randolph Freedom Festival
County College of Morris, Morris Twp.
There will be live music, amusements, carnival games, a beer garden, mechanical rides, and food trucks. The fireworks take place Saturday night.

GREATER WILDWOODS TOURISM IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY / Amateur Sand Sculpting Festival

July 11

Wildwood Crest Amateur Sand Sculpting Festival
Heather Street Pier, Wildwood Crest
Watch as pros turn 15 tons of sand into incredible sculptures and castles – then pick up a shovel and create your own.

July 11-13

New Jersey State Barbecue Championship and Anglesea Blues Festival
2nd and Olde Jersey avenues, North Wildwood
Barbecue teams from around the country will show off their grill skills, cooking up pork, ribs, chicken and brisket in a BBQ competition. Top Blues musical acts will play on the free outdoor main stage, as well as in neighboring clubs and pubs. There will also be open-air markets set up on each day.

July 12

Pride Fest in the Park
Huddy Park, Highlands
There will be live music, entertainment, a wine and beer garden, food trucks and specialty vendors.

Fireflies and Fairies
Teaneck Creek Conservancy, Teaneck
Stroll along a forest path, look at handcrafted faerie houses from local artists, meet fae folk and forest dwellers, get some sweet treats from Glitter Thicket, and celebrate nature under the twilight sky.

Afrobeat Fest
Military Park, Newark
This year’s highlights include live performances by the Zawadi Dance Troupe, interactive drumming classes, local vendors, and the Afro Taco West African food truck.

J-Town Jamboree
Jefferson Twp. High School Fields, Oak Ridge
Multiple Jefferson Twp. organizations worked together on this food truck, live music and vendor celebration. The kids can play on three different inflatable slides, while you can sign up for the cornhole competition.

Blueberry Bash Festival
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Pick blueberries from the 2-acre patch, sit down for shows by Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre and NJ Bubble Parties, listen to local country music bands, spend some time in the children’s play area with the kids, and sit down for Pam Mount’s Blueberry Bash Buffet.

Blueberry Festival
Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill
You can pick blueberries from mid-June through early August, and then celebrate these sweet gems in all their glory during the Blueberry Festival. The blueberry dessert contest takes place at 11 am.

Yacht Rocking!
Vermella, Garwood Station
Part of Main Street Pops monthly artisan market pop-ups, this event will have a live DJ, pop-up market, food vendors, artisan vendors and Yacht Rock music.

Taco Palooza
Washington Lake Park, Sewell
It’s time for all things taco – plus beer, sangria, margaritas, vendors, kids’ activities and live music. Chefs will cook up fresh food all day, so you can vote for the Peoples Choice Awards for Top Traditional Taco, Trendsetter Taco and Loco Taco.

July 12-13

Terhune Orchards Blueberry Bash
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
Visit the barnyard animals, bring the kids to the playground, go on a pony ride, stroll along the farm trail, relax in the historic winery orchard, sit down for Pam Mount’s Blueberry Bash Buffet, get a scoop of blueberry ice cream from the Barn Door Cafe, watch the Tucker Tales Puppet Show or NJ Bubble Parties, and listen to live local music (The Brian Bortnick Duo is playing on Saturday, with the Mike & Laura Band set for Sunday). Back this year is the Blueberry Bash Bake-off competition, and you can also PYO blueberries, blackberries and zinnias.

Haddonfield Crafts and Fine Art Festival
Kings Highway, Haddonfield
For 30+ years the festival takes over Kings Highway across many streets, with more than 200 artists showcasing their works. Restaurants and shops along the way will have deals and specials.

Maplewoodstock Music and Art Festival
Memorial Park, Maplewood
Musicians will perform everything from rock to reggae, R&B to jazz, grunge to Latin, and pop to Americana. In addition to 9 hours of music each day, the festival also features approximately 20 food vendors, 60 art vendors, 20 Kidzone vendors, and a beer and wine garden. For this year’s 20th festival, the 20 Under 20 Art Exhibit showcases the artwork of 20 local artists under the age of 20.

WQXR VIA NJPAC / New Jersey Classical Kids Fair

July 13

WQXR Classical Kids Fair
Chambers Plaza at NJPAC, Newark
New York’s classical music station WQXR (105.9 FM) introduces kids ages 4-10 to classical music through live performances, workshops, arts and crafts, and other hands-on experiences. This musical fair includes performanced by New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players, Nimbus Dance, Paterson Music Project, and Keys 2 Success. Kids can try their hand playing different instruments, make an egg shaker maraca or baton, and join a beat-making workshop or drum circle. There will be musical storytime, dragon performances, and a mobile classroom. At night, listen to the New Jersey Symphony play the soundtrack of “How to Train Your Dragon” live while the movie appears on the big screen.

Main Street Pops Artisan Market Summer Pop-Up
Pier A Walkway, Hoboken
There will be dozens of artisan vendors, live music and food vendors.

Newark Pride Festival
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
This inclusive celebration of love, identity and resilience includes a vibrant parade led by Grand Marshal Jae Quinlan, bead bracelet-making for the kids, other family-friendly activities, a wellness tent, and performances by Milan Garçon, the Artist, and the legendary Dawn Richard.

July 14-20

Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival
Atlantic City
After a two-year hiatus, the popular airshow will return to the shoreline this summer, with flyover aerial acrobatics high in the air on July 15 and 16. On other days, activities and events on the ground include a car show, a fishing championship, a silent movie, a competitive stair-climbing game show, and fireworks.

July 16-20

Newark Black Film Festival
Newark Museum of Art, Newark
The Newark Black Film Festival is the longest-running Black film festival in the U.S. This year’s films are by Black artists from South America, Africa and the Caribbean who explore social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and racial inequality, in genres ranging from independent comedies to big-budget films. There will be exclusive screenings of films, panel discussions with filmmakers, and an Opening Night Reception on Wednesday, July 16.

COURTESY OF TH EXPERIENCES / Englewood Night Market

Thursday, July 17

Englewood Night Market
East Palisade Avenue, Englewood
The ultimate block party is on. There will be dancing in the streets, 50+ food vendors, an outdoor bar, music, live DJs, carnival games, vendors, local non-profit spotlights, prizes and giveaways. Note: the festival was moved to its rain date of July 17.

July 17-19

Cape May County 4-H Foundation Fair
4-H Fairgrounds, 355 Court House, S. Dennis Road, 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 17-20

White Meadow Lake Festival Days
White Meadow Lake Country, Rockaway
The complex is open to the public this weekend, packed with rides, food vendors, live music, games, contests, axe throwing, gelly ball, a 5K, and a vendor market. The grand finale is a fireworks show.

July 19

Loud Garden Music Festival
Lincoln Park, Jersey City
Global sounds, Jersey roots and all genres of DJ music will come from the music stages. Food trucks will sell jerk chicken, empanadas, sliders and more. Shop from local Jersey makers and connect with NJ artists at the Artist Hub.

Summer Ale Festival
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA
This “wild” beer fest includes samples, live entertainment, food trucks and time with the animals.

July 19-20

July 20

Wellness on the Block Party
S. Fullerton Avenue, Montclair
The schedule of events includes kids yoga, adult yoga, Pilates, physical therapy, a dance performance, crafts, vendors and food.

July 22-26

Burlington County Farm Fair
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1960 Jacksonville-Jobstown Rd., Columbus
Come by for opening night and stay for the fireworks. There will be lots of barnyard animals on display. Thursday is Kids Day, where they can pretend to be a farmer. Saturday features a public pet show.

July 23-27

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.

July 24-27

Gloucester County 4-H Fair
4-H County Fairgrounds, 275 Bridgeton Pike (Rte. 77), 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 25-27

Morris County 4-H Fair on the Farm
High View Farms, 416 Sand Shore Rd., 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 26

Hungarian Artisan Market
American Hungarian Foundation, New Brunswick
There will be Hungarian food and dessert vendors, Magyar apparel, and new product vendors each month.

Hub City Holiday Presents Christmas in July
New Brunswick
Take selfies with Santa, show off your snowball throwing skills at the dunk tank, compete in lawn games, build snow-free sandcastles and snowmen in sand pits, write a Letter to Santa, and sing along to holiday hits with DJ Runthefade.

Artisan Market
Bergen Town Center, Paramus
Take a stroll through this market in the mall, featuring 25+ artisans and vendors selling handcrafted jewelry, home decor, pet products, sweet treats, handmade gifts and more.

Wildwood Crest Christmas in July Festival & Boat Parade
Sunset Lake, near Atlanta and New Jersey avenues, Wildwood Crest
During the festival, Jamison peforms holiday-themed songs, pop and rock hits. There will be magic and variety shows, face painting, free photos with Santa and food vendors. Approximately 40 boats decorated for the Christmas season will travel through Sunset Lake.

HOWELL LIVING HISTORY FARM / Mercer County Fair

July 26-27

Mercer County 4-H Fair & Wheat Threshing
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
The fair includes animal shows and exhibits, homemade ice cream, hayrides, 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 more.

Antique & Summer Market
WheatonArts, Millville
Antique dealers from the Mid-Atlantic area will showcase books, ceramics, furniture, glass, jewelry, memorabilia, toys and vintage accessories. There will be free hands-on family art activities, like finger knitting, jellyfish and wrapped-yard butterflies. You can also explore the Museum of American Glass, the Down Jersey Folklife Center, artist studios, museum stores and the nature trail.

Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.

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