NJ Family festivals

Best Family-Friendly New Jersey
Festivals in 2026

Updated: September 21, 2026

A great family festival has a simple job, keep the kids smiling and give you a reason to stay longer than an hour. Still, with so many events popping up across the state, picking the right one can feel like throwing a dart at a county map.

  • New Jersey family festivals are most common from spring through fall, with summer offering the biggest selection.
  • The guide is organized by region and month, so readers can scan nearby options fast.
  • The strongest kid-friendly picks usually include rides, games, food, fireworks, open space, or hands-on activities.
  • Admission ranges from free to ticketed events, and some listings also note parking or add-on costs.

Explore the options below and discover the perfect family-friendly New Jersey festival for your weekday or weekend outing

Kid-Friendly Festivals and Events in Northern New Jersey

Discover an exciting lineup of family-friendly festivals, seasonal celebrations, and engaging community events happening throughout Northern New Jersey.

Best Ongoing Family Friendly Northern New Jersey Events in 2026

Great Pumpkin Festival
September 12th – November 8th, 2026
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon, NJ
Transforms the property into a festive fall attraction with pumpkin picking, hayrides, a sprawling corn maze, barnyard animals, live entertainment, and dozens of family activities. Visitors can expect a lively, carnival-style atmosphere with food vendors, photo spots, and rotating weekend themes.
Cost: Weekend & Holiday General Admission $26.98 (children 2 years & younger are free)

Jack O’Lantern Experience
Selected dates from September 25 until November 1, 2026
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ
A glowing autumn walk-through filled with thousands of hand carved pumpkins, whimsical displays, and larger than life themed scenes that transform Skylands Stadium into a nighttime Halloween wonderland. Guests stroll along an outdoor trail lined with illuminated jack-o'-lanterns, creative sculptures, and photo ready installations, with seasonal treats and stadium concessions available before or after the experience.
Recommended Ages: Ideal for all ages, especially families with children ages 3 and up.
Cost: $20- $45

Mountain Creek Fall Fest
Weekends, September 26 to October 25, 2026
Mountain Creek Resort, Vernon, NJ
Experience the vibrant colors and crisp mountain air at this family-friendly event. Features scenic sky rides, thrilling mountain coaster adventures, live music, local food vendors, and seasonal favorites like hay mazes, bounce houses, and pumpkin shopping.
Cost: Tickets not yet published

Best Family-Friendly North Jersey Festivals in September 2026

Hardyston Fall Family Festival
Friday, September 25th, 2026: 6pm -Dusk
Wheatsworth Sports & Recreation Complex, Wheatsworth Rd, Hardyston, NJ
This family event features ice cream for purchase, live music by The Kootz band, ice cream for purchase, & fireworks at dusk. Please be sure to bring lawn chairs/blankets
Cost: Free

Millburn’s Rocktoberfest
September 26, 2026: 12pm–10pm
Taylor Park, 100 Main Street, Millburn, NJ
This all-day festival features over 30 bands and solo artists on four stages, food, shopping, drinks, and a packed kids’ zone with rides, games, and creative activities for all ages.
Cost: Free

Morristown Fall Festival on the Green
September 27, 2026: Noon -5pm (rain or shine)
Downtown, Morristown, NJ
This family-friendly event features non-stop entertainment for all ages including live music on multiple stages, children's amusements, carnival games, a beer tent and 165+ exhibitors showcasing our local businesses, restaurants, and notable community groups.
Cost: Free to attend

 

Best Family-Friendly North Jersey Festivals in October 2026

Hispanic Heritage Celebration - Hawthorne
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Hawthorne, NJ
It features music, dance, food, and community pride to the heart of town, offering families a lively afternoon of cultural performances, local vendors, and children's activities. its an easy, festive way to honor Hispanic heritage in Passaic County.
Cost: free to attend, with food and marketplace items available for purchase.

Turkey Brook Park Oktoberfest
October 10, 11, 2026
Turkey Brook Park, 30 Flanders Rd., Flanders, NJ
This family-friendly outdoor celebration features live music, local food, beer, a hayride, bounce houses, games, pony rides, and contests. Bring chairs and blankets
Cost: $5 per person. Free Ages 17 & under

Disney on Ice-Spotlight Magic!
October 28 - November 1, 2026
 Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Experience the magic of Disney on Ice. This enchanting ice-skating show includes over 30 Disney characters, featuring Gary De'Snake and Gazelle (Zootopia 2), Angel (Lilo & Stitch), as well as a showcase of Disney's iconic villains including the Evil Queen, Gaston, Maleficent, and Ursula!
Cost: $33.75 - $220.40

Kid-Friendly Festivals and Events in Central New Jersey

Discover an exciting lineup of family-friendly festivals, seasonal celebrations, and engaging community events happening throughout Central New Jersey.

Best Ongoing Family Friendly Central Jersey Events in 2026

Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival
September 10 - October 12, 2026
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ
Stroll through acres of sunflowers and fall blooms, pick your own flowers, and visit the farm animals.
Cost: $17, $20, Infants 2 and under FREE.

Historic Village - Night of Frights
Friday, Saturday Nights, October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 2026: 6pm - 9pm
Historic Village at Allaire, Wall Township, NJ
Experience spine-tingling thrills at this immersive Halloween event where 18th- and 19th-century buildings come alive with ghosts, ghouls, and eerie entertainment. See the Village at night where everything that goes bump in the night comes out to play.
Cost: $21.97, Child 4-12 $16.73

Best Family-Friendly Central Jersey Festivals in September 2026

German American Society of Trenton Oktoberfest
September 25, 26, 27, 2026
215 Uncles Pete's Road, Trenton, NJ
This welcoming club hosts a family festival with German beer, traditional food, dance, German music, contests, and plenty of crafts for kids.
Cost: Free to attend, with food, drinks, and specialty items available for purchase

Best Family-Friendly Central Jersey Festivals in October 2026

Avon Day
Saturday, October 3, 2026; 2pm until dusk
Municipal Bldg Lawn, Avon By The Sea, NJ
This annual celebration features, live music, childrens ativities, a beer and wine garden, antiques Car Show, and ending with Fireworks.

Historic Village - Night of Frights
Friday, Saturday Nights, October 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 2026: 6pm - 9pm
Historic Village at Allaire, Wall Township, NJ
Experience spine-tingling thrills at this immersive Halloween event where 18th- and 19th-century buildings come alive with ghosts, ghouls, and eerie entertainment. See the Village at night where everything that goes bump in the night comes out to play.
Cost: $21.97, Child 4-12 $16.73

Dushahra The Night of Triumph
October 10, 2026
Lake Papaianni Park, 100 Municipal Blvd, Edison, NJ
The evening features traditional music and dance, cultural performances, food vendors, family activities, and the dramatic burning of the Ravan effigy's signature moment symbolizing the victory of Lord Rama. The festival is a family friendly way to experience one of the most beloved celebrations in the Indian cultural calendar.
Cost: Free admission

Piscataway Fall Harvest Festival
Weekends, October 16 - 18 & 23- 25, 2026
East Jersey Old Town Village, 1050 River Rd, Piscataway, NJ
This family-friendly event features living history interpreters, pumpkin picking, wagon rides, seasonal crafts, and live music by the Sawmill Run Old Time String Band. Guests can enjoy fresh pies, apple cider, and cider doughnuts while exploring the historic village grounds.
Cost: Free to attend

Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival
Saturday, Sunday, October 24, 25, 2026
Bradley Park, 101 5th Ave, Asbury Park, NJ
Celebrate spooky season at the Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival, a two-day family-friendly event across from Convention Hall. Featuring 20 gourmet food trucks, live bands, costume contests for all ages, a vendor shopping village, and an adult beverage garden, this festive fall gathering blends delicious eats with seasonal entertainment in one of New Jersey’s most iconic shore towns.
Cost: $5, Childen under 10, free

Último Domingo, Día de los Muertos at the Zimmerli Art Museum
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Zimmerli Art Museum, 71 Hamilton St, New Brunswick, NJ
Último Domingo (Last Sunday) is a series celebrating Latinx culture and invites bilingual communities to come together through the experience of art
Celebrate Latino heritage at this vibrant, family-friendly afternoon filled with art-making, bilingual performances, and cultural exhibitions. This free event invites visitors of all ages to honor the Day of the Dead through interactive experiences that blend tradition and creativity, making it one of New Jersey’s top cultural happenings for fall 2026.
Cost: Free to attend. Pre-register for free parking

Kid-Friendly Festivals and Events in Southern New Jersey

Discover an exciting lineup of family-friendly festivals, seasonal celebrations, and engaging community events happening throughout Southern New Jersey.

Best Ongoing Family Friendly South Jersey Events in 2026

Atlantic City Seashore Seafood Festival!
Starting Friday, May 22nd and running daily through September, 14, 2026
On the Sand Lot, Showboat Resort, Atlantic City, NJ
This long season celebration turns the boardwalk into a breezy culinary playground, with fresh caught seafood, creative chef specials, beachside cocktails, and live entertainment woven into the rhythm of the shore. It's a relaxed, sun soaked gathering where families, food lovers, and festival goers can savor Atlantic City's oceanfront energy all summer long.
Cost: Adults: $57.51 | Ages 4-14: $30.38 | Children 3 & under Free

Jacks & Lights
September 18th - November 1st, 2026
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ
Experience the jaw-dropping magic of thousands of carved jack o'lanterns lighting up the night sky. It's a family-friendly Halloween walk through filled with whimsical jack o'-lantern displays, themed light installations, and cozy fall atmosphere.
Cost: Online $19.95 - $24.95 | Gate $24.95 - $29.95

Best Family-Friendly South Jersey Festivals in September 2026

Margate Fall Funfest By The Bay
September 26, 27, 2026
Amherst Ave, Margate
Over 110 booths, 10 live bands, games, food spots, 12 acts on the Kid's Stage, a beer garden, Scott's Dock Wetlands Wonderland, and two days of parades featuring Miss New Jersey, and more.
Cost: Free to attend

Monsters on the Beach Monster Truck Races
September 25, 26, 27, 2026
The Wildwoods, NJ
The Renegade Monster Truck Tour offers an action packed event featuring over two hours of horsepower driven, family-fun entertainment.
Cost: $29-$60

Water Lantern Festival
Saturday, Sunday, September 26, 27, 2026
Lake Lenape Lighthouse, 753 Park Rd, Mays Landing, NJ
This family friendly festival is an incredible experience where attendees will create a magical memory together. It can be a very emotional experience, writing down some of your hope and dreams, or a letter to a loved one, and then sending it out into the water.
Cost: GA $30.99 | Date night Special $ 79.16. This romantic package includes two General Admission tickets and one blanket

Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration
Saturday, September 26, 2026; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m
Sunset Lake along New Jersey Avenue from Rambler Road to Miami Avenue, Wildwood Crest, NJ
This family event features entertainment, including live music, children's activities, crafters, and food vendors. As dusk settles in, the excitement shifts to Centennial Park where lively tunes set the stage for an evening of dancing and merriment. The grand finale concludes with a spectacular beachfront fireworks display.
Cost: Free

Best Family-Friendly South Jersey Festivals in October 2026

Beach Haven Chowder Cook-Off
October 3, 4, 2026: 10am-4pm
Taylor Avenue, Behind Bay Village, Beach Haven, NJ
This annual culinary festival gathers chowder enthusiasts, local restaurants, and food lovers for a day of taste-testing, entertainment, and community fun in the Queen City. Enjoy live music, food, 100 vendors, and more. Sunday is the official Chowder Cook-Off!
Cost: $35. Kids under 10 years old free

Smithville Oktoberfest
October 3, 4, 2026: 10am-5pm
Historic Smithville and Village Green, Smithville, NJ
This huge festival features craft vendors, food from around the world, music, rides, and activities that everyone can enjoy.
Cost: Free to attend

Durga Puja
October 16, 17, 18, 2026
Indian Cultural Center at 820 NJ-73, Marlton, NJ
The three day Bengali Hindu cultural festival brings genuine depth and tradition to the calendar, showcasing elaborate classical dance performances, Rabindra Sangeet musical tradition, traditional folk rituals including the dhunuchi naach, and authentic Bengali cuisine, giving South Jersey's Bengali community, and anyone curious to experience the tradition firsthand.
Cost: Adult: $103.00, !3-18 years: $51.50, 6-12 Years: $41.20

Ocean City Halloween Parade
 Thursday, October 29, 2026
Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ
The Ocean City NJ Halloween Parade is a beloved family-friendly event that lights up Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th Street starting at 7:15 p.m. This festive parade features vibrant floats, creative costumes, marching bands, and plenty of candy and activities for all ages.
Cost: Free to attend

Frequently Asked Questions About
NJ Family Festivals and Events

When is the best time to find family festivals in New Jersey?

Spring through fall is usually the busiest stretch, because towns, farms, parks, and downtown districts host more outdoor events when the weather is mild. Summer brings the biggest volume, but fall is often the sweet spot for families since you can find kid-friendly activities, food, and live entertainment without the worst heat. Winter still has options, especially around holiday weekends and indoor community spaces.

How can families find the best New Jersey festivals without missing good local events?

Start with town websites, county parks departments, local tourism calendars, and community Facebook pages, because many family events get posted there first. It also helps to check library bulletin boards, school newsletters, and local chambers of commerce. If you want the best shot at popular events, look one to three weeks ahead, then confirm times and parking details the day before.

What makes a festival truly good for kids?

The strongest family festivals usually have more than just food vendors or live music. Look for signs of hands-on activities, open space for strollers, easy bathroom access, shade, and a schedule that includes daytime programming. If an event mentions crafts, animal encounters, rides, touch-a-truck areas, or kid stages, that's often a good clue it was planned with families in mind.

What should parents bring to a New Jersey family festival?

Pack for comfort first, because even short events can feel long with kids. Water, snacks, sunscreen, wipes, a small blanket, and a backup outfit can make the day much easier. It's also smart to bring cash, since some smaller vendors, parking areas, or activity booths may not take cards.

How can families save money and make the most of festival day?

Free admission festivals can still add up, so check ahead for parking fees, ride tickets, food prices, and activity wristbands. Going early often helps, because parking is easier, lines are shorter, and little kids usually do better before the crowds build. If the event allows re-entry, take a mid-day break so everyone stays in a good mood.