This weekend marks the solemn occasion of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks and there are many events scheduled to help us honor and remember all those lost on that tragic day. There are also plenty of family-friendly activities happening in the Garden State to welcome the start of the fall season so you can hold your loved ones close and spend some quality time together amidst the hustle and bustle of a new school year.
ALL WEEKEND
Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil
Maple Grove Raceway, Mohnton, PA
Friday-Sunday, 8 am – 7 pm
The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs are back and so is a trip to Maple Grove Raceway for the 36th annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA Nationals presented by Pennzoil on Sept. 10-12. It is the first of seven playoff races during the 2021 season and the action will be intense with championships on the line.
MotoAmerica Superbikes at New Jersey
New Jersey Motorsports Park, Millville
Friday – Sunday, various times
How about 190 mph superbikes and some family fun? Enjoy practice and qualifying on Friday plus all-day racing Sat & Sun! 5 classes of road racing – Superbikes, Supersport, Stock 1000, Twin Cup & Junior Cup. Meet the riders in the open race paddock! VIP, Camping and Grid/Pit access packages available. Kids 12 and under free with paying adult. Bring the family for the Kids Zone and free carnival games.
Central Jersey Jazz Festival
Flemington, New Brunswick, Metuchen, Somerville
Friday- Sunday, 5:30 pm – 10 pm
Experience the sounds of today’s best live jazz at four outdoor venues in Central Jersey. Concerts are free to the public. Flemington, Friday September 10; New Brunswick and Metuchen, Saturday September 11; Somerville, Sunday September 12.
South Jersey Apple Fest
Shoppes at Dragon Village, Bridgeton
Saturday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm
The South Jersey Apple Fest, a two-day, apple themed festival, will celebrate the beginning of the apple harvest season. is coming to the Shoppes at Dragon Village, (formerly Dutch Neck Village). Families are invited to kick-off the apple harvest season.
Sparta New Jersey Renaissance Festival
Camp Sacajawea, Sparta
Saturday- Sunday, 10 am – 6 pm
There are several new features for the Ren Faire this year, such as a gem mining experience, a bird show, a serene stone cairn stacking activity and a mug slide game! There are also improvements on some of the other events such as the magical fishing. Come for a slew of exciting new vendors alongside the vendors you have grown to love over the years.
Oktoberfest at Tranquility Farms
Tranquility Farms, Green Twp.
Saturday – Sunday, 12- 4 pm
Oktoberfest 2021 is being hosted at Tranquillity Farms in Green Township. The event will feature farm activities, craft makers brought to you by Marketspace Vendor Events, live music, beer by Czig Meister Brewing and food by James off Main.
Hoboken Italian Festival
Sinatra Drive Promenade, Hoboken
Thursday – Sunday, various times
The Hoboken Italian Festival is a four day festival of music food and fun from Thursday through Sunday. However, no day is greater than Saturday, “Feast” day when the 800lb. statue of the Madonna Dei Martiri or Madonna of the Martyrs is carried through the streets of Hoboken.
FRIDAY
Rebecca Minkoff with Magnum Ice Cream Pop-Up
Near Spring Studios, Soho, NYC
Friday 10am – 12:30 pm
Iconic designer Rebecca Minkoff is partnering with Magnum ice cream to host a pop-up in celebration of her NYFW show on Friday, September 10. The chocolatiers of ice cream and the iconic designer are hosting a FREE ice cream pop-up in SoHo, where fans can get free decadent sweets and the inside “scoop” on Rebecca’s latest collection.
SOPACSOPAC Presents Eric Hutchinson with Special Guest Caleb Hawley
South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange
Friday, 8 pm
South Orange Performing Arts Center presents Eric Hutchinson with special guest Caleb Hawley. This musician will share stories and songs like his hit “Rock & Roll” and “OK, It’s Alright with Me.”
SATURDAY
Liberty State Park, Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City
Saturday, 2pm
This event will commemorate the 20 year anniversary of those lost in the 9/11 attacks. If inclement weather, Remembrance Ceremony will be held in the Historic Railroad Terminal Building, adjacent to the Empty Sky Memorial. We will be following COVID -19 CDC guidelines, please bring a mask.
Smithville Freedom Run
Historic Smithville, Galloway
Saturday, 9-11 am
The Freedom run honors those who died on September 11th 2001 as well as first responders and our military and will be hosted in the Smithville Village this year. For the run, you can choose between running the 5K or participate in the 1 mile walk or run.
A Day To Remember: The Twentieth Anniversary of 9/11
Morris Museum, Morristown
Saturday, 10:30 am – 5 pm
Join for a day of remembrance on the 20th anniversary of September 11. In the Bickford Theatre, Sassona Norton, a sculptor who created a large 9/11 memorial in Norristown, PA, and will discuss her work and show the documentary “A Memorial Journey”. The museum will also air “911: Stories in Fragments,” which explores how we all grasp an event as enormous as September 11.
Fanwood Summer Fan Jam
La Grande Park, Fanwood
Saturday, 11 am – 7 pm
Popular Music Festival with Food Trucks and Car Show to Return to Fanwood’s LaGrande Park with Led Zeppelin, Funk, Soul and Rock. In addition to the event’s signature combo of live bands, food trucks and classic cars that bring people to the festival, this year’s Fanwood Summer Fan Jam will feature a tribute to local first responders and pop-up COVID vaccination center.
Sourland Spectacular Bike Rally
Otto Kaufman Center, Skillman
Saturday
Join friends at the 10th Annual Sourland Spectacular bike riding event. This year the event will also feature options to run or hike through the gorgeous Sourland Mountain Region. There will be an in-person group event on September 11th and self-paced cycling, hiking and running from September 12–19. The in-person event will have staggered start times to prevent the gathering of too many people at once.
Art All Day
Division Street, Somerville
Saturday, 12 – 7 pm
You’ll find paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, jewelry, ceramics, woodwork, candles and artisan clothing at this event art focused event featuring many local artists.
First Responders Day at Casino Pier
Casino Pier & Breakwater Beach, Seaside Heights
Saturday, 2 – 7 pm
As a thank you to first responders, the public is invited to First Responders’ Day. First responders and family members will receive a free unlimited ride wristband.
SOPAC Presents Suzanne Vega: An Evening of New York Songs & Stories
South Orange Performing Arts Center, South Orange
Saturday, 8 pm
The Grammy Award-winning artist with her restrained Folk-Pop sound celebrates her career-spanning live album, An Evening of New York Songs & Stories, in an intimate concert.
SUNDAY
Antique Auto Day
Historic Smithville, Smithville
Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm
Come spend a day in the Village and see some spectacular vehicles from days gone by or show off one of your own. While you are in Smithville, take a spin on their carousel, train ride or paddleboats.
Bergenstock Singer/Songwriter Festival
Overpeck County Park Ampitheater, Ridgefield Park
Sunday, 1 – 7 pm
End your Summer on a high note with free live, outdoor music at the Overpeck County Park Ampitheater this September 12th as the Bergen Community College sponsors the inaugural Bergenstock Music Festival, a celebration of musicians and songwriters from Bergen County and the surrounding area.