The Best Fairs and Festivals in New Jersey in August

KEN BRASWELL OF SHOREGRAFX PHOTOGRAPHY / ClamFest

August 1-5

Warren County Farmers Fair
1350 Strykers Rd., Phillipsburg
After watching the hot air balloons launch, head to the Demolition Derby and Rafter Z Rodeo. This year, the fair introduces the Ambassador and Junior Ambassador contests. Traditions include an art expo, kids’ corral, 4-H shows, free concerts by local bands, the garden tractor pull and a beer garden.

August 1-6

Grand Carnivale
Dorney Park, Allentown, PA
This day-to-night international celebration has live music, food, games and crafts. The nighttime Spectacle of Color Parade combines floats, interactive street performers and music. At the end of the parade, the King and Queen kick off a high-energy block party filled with entertainers, dancing, food and more.

Aug. 1-12

Summer Vibes Festival
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
The theme park will take on a new look with bold and colorful installations. Look up under the Umbrella Canopy for hundreds of colorful umbrellas providing shade plus beauty. Look down along Whirly Way and you’ll walk through a spinning tunnel filled with tens of thousands of pinwheels. If you continue through the Vine Tunnel, you’ll move through the trees of the Forgotten Garden and see relics from Great Adventure’s past. Multi-colored air dancers highlight the M&M’s DJ Booth. And whether or not you’re brave enough to ride The Joker, you’ll see the biggest beach balls around right out front. Plus, there will be specialty food options and lots of live entertainment. And it’s all included with your admission!

August 1-31

Sand Sculptures in The Village
Peddler’s Village, New Hope, PA
June 1 – August 31
Celebrate summer vibes with six larger-than-life sand sculptures that celebrate your and your kid’s favorite stories from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, Peter Pan, The Jungle Book, Winnie-the-Pooh, Mother Goose stories and Alice in Wonderland.

August 4-5

Clam Fest
Huddy Park, Highlands
The star of the show is 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. The streets will be closed for rides, games, children’s activities, specialty vendors, music and on Saturday a fireworks display.

EB Indie Drive-In Film Festival
Community Arts Center, East Brunswick
Friday-Saturday
Choose to watch any of 14 original short films created by independent and emerging filmmakers.

August 4-6, 11-13

Six Flags Flavors of the World Food Festival
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you can taste foods from seven different countries in the world – no passport required! There will be fireworks on select nights.

August 4-12

New Jersey State Fair
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
This is the place where farm meets fun! The fairgrounds will be packed with rides, games, attractions, vendors, food, music and farm animals to celebrate all things Jersey. Aside from the typical carnival events, the kids will love the horse show, performing arts tent, six barns of animals, hot dog pig race and dog shows.

August 5

Butterfly Festival
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. The Watershed Institute will also present crafts, food, hayrides and more.

International Craft Beer & Food Festival
Red Bank Battlefield, National Park
Aside from food selections, there will be an assortment of beers. The event also features live music, games and more.

Manahopkin Craft Beer & Music Festival
Manahawkin Lake Park, Manahawkin
There are dozens of breweries, food trucks and local bands scheduled to appear so bring the family, but keep in mind only adults can sample the beer. The day is broken into two sessions so pick the early afternoon or evening sesh before you buy tickets.

Linwood Fields Festival
Across from Pop’s Farm Market, Monroe
For the first time you will be able to pick your own veggies in addition to the u-cut flower field. During the kickoff to summer, there will be wine tasting, food trucks, craft vendors, a bounce house, a petting zoo, pet adoptions, a corn maze, a hayride and pumpkin picking (when available).

Peach Festival
Community Presbyterian Church, Chester
Get your fill of peach pies, homemade peach ice cream, peach jams and jellies, and fresh local peaches for sale. Don’t miss big bargains at the White Elephant Tent. Shop for toys and games, sporting goods, books, and more.

Olde Freehold Day
Lake Topanemus, Freehold
The dunk tank is back, this time featuring politicians Senator Vin Gopal, Mayor Kevin Kane and Coach Andrew Guy. Music is by Sawmill Run Old Time String Band, Freehold Circle, Step Aside, Bryan Hansen Band and the Eddie Testa Band. There will be a car smash, canoeing and paddle boats, a climbing wall, food trucks and a kids zone.

Sparta Food Truck & Music Festival
Station Park, Sparta
Just like the name says, there will be plenty of food and music to keep the kids and adults entertained all day.

August 5-6

Sunflower Festival
VonThun Farms, Washington
Aside from all the beautiful flowers, come to the farm for live music, beer and wine, axe throwing, face painting, and more activities for the whole family.

Just Peachy Festival
Terhune Orchards, Princeton
It’s all about peaches this weekend! There will be peachy foods and ice cream, peach picking, live music, a pony ride, barnyard games, rubber duck races, a scavenger hunt and a traveling zoo. Adults can try peach wine and slushies.

Peach Festival
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
The weekend festival will feature peach-themed foods, treats, and drinks, family activities, live entertainment, and shop specials. Special activities for kids include the Pirates of Fortune’s Folly, Lolly Hopwood, Ridiculous Nicholas, and a magic show by Keith Crabbs.

August 6

Latin Festival: Tacos & Tequila
Monmouth Park, Oceanport
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the middle of the summer, since the racetrack will offer a selection of Mexican food, margaritas and live music with horseracing in the backdrop. There will be Family Fun Day activities in the picnic area for kids.

Vintage & Crafts Festival
Jubilee Park, Clifton
The Vintage Area will have vendors selling antiques, collectibles, vintage, retro, and repurposed items, shabby chic décor, and more. The Arts & Crafts area will have makers that will be selling drawings, paintings, sculptures, printmaking, mixed media, photography, metal art, designer jewelry and accessories, fiber art, botanicals, dried flowers, leather, ceramics, pottery, and clay designs, wax and candles, personal care products, pet-use products, specialty foods and more. There will also be food trucks and live entertainment.

Italian Festival
Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe, Caldwell
Angelo “Voices” Venuto and his daughter Maria Menuto will perform a medley of Italian music. There will be a full spread of Italian food, a cannoli eating contest, Dunk A Calandra, face painting, balloon twisting and wine slushies (for adults).

August 7-13

Middlesex County Fair
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
This year is the 85th anniversary. There will be a home arts show, vendors and exhibits. Even more fun are the events and entertainment including Woody’s Barnyard Racers, Boon Hill Gallery chainsaw carving, lots of horses, the Agricadabra Magic Show, Comedy Hypnotist Grayson, the Agri-Puppets show, MythiCreatures, Singing Cowboys, Dale Jones the one-hand juggler and a stilt walker.

August 8-11

Salem County Fair
Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway (Rte. 40 East), Woodstown
For animal lovers, there will be a horse arena, horse barn, poultry barn, rabbit barn, beef bar, sheep and swine barn, goat tent and livestock arena. Check out the farm machinery, tractor pull area, skillet throw area and lots of food.

August 9-11

Somerset County 4-H Fair
North Branch Park, Bridgewater
The fair has been going on for 75 years. The 4-H clubs showcase their work, local businesses and entertainment can support the youth, and families can eat, play, go on rides and check out all the displays.

August 9-13

La Festa Italiana
Sixth Street, Jersey City
Holy Rosary Church will pack the streets for this Italian festival that will no doubt be filled with delicious eats and treats. You can expect sausage and peppers, fresh mozzarella, rice balls, pizza and torrone. There will be plenty of entertainment and vendors so you can take in all the sites and sounds.

Ocean Township Italian Festival
Joe Palaia Park, Ocean Twp.
Food, food and more food! There will be Italian treats, cooking demos, games, raffles and activities for everyone. Friday night is fireworks night.

August 10-13

Passaic County Fair
BNY, 385 Rifle Camp Road, Woodland Park
Expected activities include rides, games, bounce houses, animal ambassadors, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, the 4-H experience, a chess tournament, touch-a-truck, butterfly exhibits, music, performances and a beer garden.

August 11

Dragon Flight Night Market
The Shoppes at Dragon Village, Bridgeton
This is not your grandmother’s craft fair! Vendors will be selling all your alternative needs, like crystals, tarot readings, modern crochet, witch balls, and more. Entertainment will include live music, a roving fire/LED dancer, lyra performers, fairies and pirates.

August 11-12

Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 11-12
Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds, South Egg Harbor City
The attractions here include a car show, a baby parade, a pet parade, open mic and a pie-eating contest.

Festival Playero Latin Food and Music Festival
Friday: White Night at Morey’s Piers PigDog Beach Bar, Wildwood
Saturday: Festival on Lincoln Avenue beach, Wildwood
Friday night’s party is for adult VIPs only, with music from Noche Blanca. Make sure you dress in white! The fest on Saturday is fun for all, with music by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Raul Acosta and Oro Solido, and Brenda K. Starr. Up-and-coming talent from the local region, authentic Latin food, plus a cash bar with wine and beer for sale will also be featured.

August 11-13

Tidal Wave Music Festival
Atlantic City Beach, Atlantic City
Rock out at this beachfront country music festival. The lineup includes dozens of artists including Nate Smith, Jo Dee Messina, Thomas Rhett, Corey Kent, Jason Aldean and Brooks & Dunn. There is also a Next From Nashville concert series each night.

Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash
Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood
There will be hundreds of tattoo artists onsite, many of whom will be doing live tattooing. There will be art exhibits, contests, sideshows and unique vendors. Open to the whole family.

August 12

Caribbean Festival
Monte Irvin Orange Park, Orange
The park will be buzzing with the rhythmic sounds, sights and smells of all things Caribbean. Billed as a heritage festival, there will be beautiful clothing, accessories, ethnic foods and live music to make your day.

Montclair Jazz Festival
Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair
The all-day block party is a “mini-fest” double header: there will be swinging live jazz during the afternoon, followed by one of the largest funk and soul street dance parties Montclair has ever seen. A special ensemble performance will feature 150 student musicians from five states and three continents taking part in the Jazz House Summer Workshop. The diverse and intergenerational boogie fest has music played by DJ Brother Mister, aka Christian McBride, from the 1960s to the 1990s. Marketspace Vendor Events will bring along dozens of artisan and craft food vendors.

Vets Summer Fest
Vasa Park, Budd Lake
This annual benefit supports homeless veterans in NJ. There will be live music all day plus a car show, craft show, bike run, plenty of food, and a kids zone to keep the little ones entertained.

Corn, Tomato & Beer Festival
Stangl Road, Flemington
Fresh Jersey produce and local craft breweries are the stars of this show.

Mitsuwa Japanese-Themed Summer Festival
Mitsuwa, Edgewater
The Japanese-themed market will hold a fest outside featuring games and food based around Japanese culture.

Saltwater Day
Laurence Harbor, Old Bridge
Come down for children’s rides, craft vendors, food trucks, entertainment and a beer garden. Fireworks go off at 9:30 pm.

STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY / New Brunswick Heart Festival

New Brunswick Heart Festival
Downtown New Brunswick
This festival offers free fun from city arts organizations. There will be dance performances, face painting, a wellness tent, a history corner and more.

Hermitage Museum Outdoor Craft Show
Hermitage Museum, Hohokus
Seventy five exhibitors with arts, crafts and photography will be set up on the lawn outside the museum. Some of the items that will be showcased are folk and abstract art, apparel, charcuterie boards, turned wood pens and bowls, fiber, jewelry, totes, wind chimes, soaps, candles, pillows, florals and origami.

Vets Summer Fest
Vasa Park, Hackettstown
The annual event that supports Operation Chillout, an all-volunteer outreach dedicated to ending the crisis of homelessness for veterans across New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. It features live music, craft vendors, a kids’ zone, bike run and food.

Chester Food Truck & Music Festival
Municipal Field, Chester
Support the local first aid squad members by listening to live music and ordering from the various food trucks. Dogs are welcome at the fest.

August 12-13

Seafood Festival
Bellview Winery, Landisville
Saturday – Sunday
Unwind with your family and friends at a picnic table or under a tent. There will be local seafood vendors (who will offer non-seafood options for land lovers), live music, sangria, wine and craft vendors. Open to all ages.

Seafood ‘N Seltzer Fest
Monmouth Park, Oceanport
About two dozen seafood restaurants will be serving bites for lunch, and you can sample ten 2-ounce servings of seltzers to wash it down. For the kids, Family Fun Day activities will be open on Sunday. Both days will feature live music.

Atlantic Highlands Music & Food Truck Festival
Atlantic Highlands Marina Lawn, Atlantic Highlands
Fifteen food trucks will pull up to the marina, serving a variety of options, including vegetarian food. Four bands will perform from 4-10 pm, including Cranston Dean, Sharon Lasher and the Flashers, Strumberry Pie and Chris Morrisy. There will be artists, vendors, and a beer/sangria and margarita garden.

August 13

Paramus Food Truck Festival
Paramus Park Mall, Paramus
After you walk around the mall doing your back-to-school shopping, head outside for lunch at one of the food trucks on site.

August 14-19

Kenilworth Fire Department Carnival
David Brearley High School Parking Lot, Kenilworth
August 14-19
There will be rides, kiddie rides, games, raffles, lots of food and fire department personnel out and about all week.

August 15-19

Hillsborough Rotary Fair and Business Expo
Promenade, Hillsborough
There will be food, rides, games and a local business expo, plus fireworks planned for Friday night.

August 16-20

Bergen County Fair
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
There will be lots of rides, games, entertainment, activities and food for the whole family.

August 17-20, 24-27

Flower Festival
Arrowhead Farmstead, Manalapan
At the sister farm to Happy Day Farm, you can pick sunflowers, zinnias – and even watermelon! On Thursdays and Fridays, stay for sunset. There will be live music on the weekends, plus food trucks.

August 18-20

Lebanese Festival
Our Lady Star of the East Church, Pleasantville
Culture will be in full force, with food, dance, music, vendors and entertainment based on the traditions of the Lebanese community.

August 19

Fiesta in America
American Dream, East Rutherford
Celebrate Filipino culture through music, dance, food, shopping and more.

Food, Wine & Beer Festival
Amboy Avenue, Edison
Everyone can come down for live music, vendors, games, food and more, but you must be 21 to drink.

Black Artisan & Farmers Market
The Cultural Collective Cafe & BrickNKulture Events Space, Woodbury
The market space values individuals who are creators, makers and who eat the food that they grow.

Canal Day Music and Craft Festival
Hugh Force Canal Park, Wharton
Step back in time and visit Lock 2 East, where some of New Jersey’s best musical artists will perform on two stages. Take a free kayak and narrated boat ride on the Morris Canal. Check out a Fine Crafts & Arts Show, food, a Civil War encampment, blacksmith demonstrations, pony rides, hayrides and fireworks.

Sensory-Friendly Field Day Funfest
Bierman Autism Centers, Eatontown
Your kids will take part in different activities, so lace up their sneakers. They’ll get snacks afterward.

One Love: Caribbean Music Fest
Military Park, Newark
The stage is set for an authentic Carnival, with local artisans, vendors, food trucks, beer, and music from the West Indies.

African Diaspora Arts Festival
Hall of Records, Freehold
African American musical culture will be the highlight here, in addition to vendors, food and activities.

August 19-20

Philadelphia Hot Sauce Festival
Cannstatter Volksfest Verein, Philadelphia, PA
It’s time to get spicy. Try as many hot sauce flavors as your tongue can handle.

Peach Festival
Shoppes at Dragon Village, Bridgeton
Aside from the merchant shops, the weekend will include peach-themed crafts, artists and food vendors, along with 4-H hosted crafts, a basket raffle and train and/or trolley rides.

Collingswood Crafts & Fine Arts Festival
Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
There will be more than 180 juried craft and fine artists offering wearable art, pottery, blown and stained glass, jewelry, garden and home decor, soaps, scents, pet gifts, and fine art. More than 30 restaurants downtown will have specials, plus there will be extra food tents and trucks set up. “Artist Alley on Irvin” features live musicians, family art activities and the Charity Auction Raffle Tent. The works of “Indigenous Lands of NJ En Plein Air” will be on display in the Main Gallery at Perkins Center for the Arts.

Seafood Food Truck Festival
Laurita Winery, New Egypt
There will be food trucks selling a variety of seafood and fish dishes. There will also be live bands, a clown, a face painter, wagon tours of the vineyard, and wine for the adults. On Saturday night there will be a fireworks show.

August 20

Downtown Somerville Artistan Market
Division Street, Somerville
There will be live music on the street but the real reason to come by is to shop the handmade items in jewelry, photography, woodwork, pottery, paintings, abstract art, illustrations, apparel, accessories, candles, and more.

Rutgers Football Fan Fest
Rodkin Academic Success Center, Piscataway
Fans will have the opportunity to meet the team during an autograph session. Walk down the The Rutgers Boardwalk: order from the food trucks, play carnival games and on the inflatable obstacle courses, check out the face painter and caricature artist, and make funny faces inside the photo booth.

August 23-27

Hunterdon County 4H & Agricultural Fair
South County Park, 1207 Rte. 179, Ringoes (Lambertville)
Visit the cow barn, horse barn, sheep barn, and the goat and pig barn. There will be a midway with food, vendors and amusements. Check out the 4-H robotics tent, dairy den, agri-puppet show, shooting sports, NJ beekeepers and antique tractors.

August 24 – October 8

Festival of Sunflowers
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
The golden fields include not only sunflowers but also dahlias this year. The farm is open every day, but there will also be Oktoberfest and the Two Bridges wine trail announced later in the season.

August 25

Sunflowers and Summer Harvest Festival
Alstede Farms, Chester
Walk through the sunflower trail, listen to live music, sample wine and cider from Tomasello Winery, pick sunflowers and peaches, and grab some snacks (including peach ice cream) to eat at sunset.

August 25-26

Sea Isle City Food Truck Festival
Kix McNutley’s, Sea Isle City
Friday – Saturday
Come down for food trucks, music, crafters and kids’ activities.

August 25-27

Positive Vibe Tribe Festival
Camp Sacajawea, Farmingdale
Visit for a day or camp on the grounds for the weekend. There will be live music, reiki, massage, drum, dance, nature workshops, healthy food, vendors and more.

August 26

Caribbean Festival
Recreation Park, New Brunswick
You’ll be loving the island vibes with Caribbean foods, music and dance performances. There will be reggae, soca and calypso music. The jerk chicken tasting cookoff returns this year.

Vivar, Amar y Pintar Arts Festival
Chestnut Street, Dover
The public will get to see the unveiling of a 5,000-square-foot mural in the center of town. Meet various painters, sculptors and other artists. There will also be vendors, live music and food trucks.

Gardens, Arts & Music Festival
Davidsons Mill Pond Park, North Brunswick
Throughout the afternoon, Rutgers Master Gardeners and Environmental Stewards will offer advice will giving tours of the various teaching gardens and learning projects, such as the children’s garden, vegetable display garden and the butterfly house. Join the “Greatest of the Garden” competition by bringing the homegrown produce you are most proud of. There will also be live music and local art displays.

Women’s Equality Day Festival
Paulsdale, Mt. Laurel
The community will come together for its annual celebration with a free festival featuring local vendors, breweries, food trucks, and activities for all ages.

Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival
Long Branch Great Lawn & Promenade, Long Branch
Listen to eight hours of lovely jazz music along the beach. There will also be food trucks, crafters, vendors and kids’ activities.

Halal Food Festival
Oakdene Avenue, Teaneck
AUCC partners with The Halal Guide to bring a Halal Food Festival to New Jersey, packed with different halal food trucks, desserts and more.

Stronger Together
Grove Street PATH Plaza and Newark Avenue, Jersey City
Jersey City LGBTQ+ Pride Festival 2023 is considered “a movement” more than a festival. It focuses on the growth of the LGBTQ+ and allied communities.

August 26-27

RiverWinds Wine Down Summer Wine Festival
RiverWinds Community Center Great Lawn, West Deptford
Aside from the wineries offering samples of their wine, there will be food vendors, crafters, artists, music and more for everyone; only adults 21+ can get a wristband to drink.

Food Truck Rally
Dorney Park, Allentown, PA
Park admission includes access to the food trucks but does not include anything you purchase from the food trucks; those items are available for purchase à la carte.

New Jersey African Restaurant Week Festival
Mulberry Commons Park, Newark
There will be food tastings by chefs from Africa, Caribbean and African-American cultures; a marketplace with local vendors; Afrobeats, soca, Kompa, Amapiano and R&B music; cultural performances and dancing; an art exhibit with live painting; and chef contests and cooking demos.

August 27

Nerd Fest
Holiday Inn, Swedesboro
Dress up as your favorite superhero, villain or cosmic character for the cosplay contest. Professional photogs will be on hand to take your photo. Then, walk around the room to meet the special guests, artists, cosplayers, writers, creators, vendors and gamers.

Food Truck Fest on the Ave
Downtown Vineland
Twenty-five trucks will sell food like ice cream, lobster, Mexican and healthy choices. There will also be live music and lots for the kids to do.

August 31

Al Fresco Affair Food Truck Festival
Croft Farm, Cherry Hill
Aside from food trucks, there will be a beer garden and live music in the park.