Your Whimsical Guide to NJ Festivals for Families: What to Know

NJ Family Festivals, music, fairs, themed celebrations and events

A Playful Guide to NJ Festivals: Family Fun in the Garden State

NJ Festivals are bursting with things to do for all ages, making family events in NJ a true adventure. Here, you get miles of sandy beaches, bustling boardwalks, quirky small towns, and endless snacks to try—sometimes all in the same afternoon. Kids run wild at the Jersey Shore with arcades and ice cream, while parents soak in those nostalgic boardwalk vibes (funnel cake, anyone?).

If the clouds crash your beach party, just duck into Liberty Science Center for hands-on exhibits or American Dream Mall, where you’ll find indoor skiing and wild attractions under one gigantic roof. Looking for “Family Events near me”? This is the state for you—short drives mean the fun never stops.

Weekend after weekend, New Jersey throws open its doors for celebrations. Food fairs, cultural parties, art and music fests—you name it, there’s a spot for everyone. Bounce houses, parades, fireworks, treasure hunts, and inclusive activities for kids NJ make sure no one feels left out. Family friendly attractions NJ pack surprises into every corner, from mountain trails to pumpkin patches. There’s always a new place to explore or a new flavor to sample, welcoming families from all over.

Northern NJ Festivals and Family Events

Ongoing North Jersey Festivals

Jack O’ Lantern Experience
Sept 26–Nov 2, 2025 | Skylands Stadium, Augusta
Skylands Stadium transforms into a glowing wonderland with over 6,000 Jack-O-Lanterns and wild visuals. The 45-minute walk-thru is epic for kids, friends, and anyone who loves Halloween.

Great Pumpkin Festival at Heaven Hill Farm
Rt. 94N, Vernon, NJ
Festival runs September 13 to November 2, 2025. Over 35 family activities, massive pumpkin selections, hayrides, themed corn maze, live shows, carnival rides, food vendors, apple cider donuts, and animal encounters.

Mountain Creek Resort Fall Festival
Weekends, Sept 27–Nov 2, 2025 | Mountain Creek, Vernon
Think leaf-peeping on a mountain coaster, live music, bounce houses, hay mazes, and good old lawn games. All the classic fun with a fall twist.

September 2025 North Jersey Festivals

Open Cockpit Weekend
Sept 13, 2025 | Teterboro
Hop inside real helicopters and aircraft, and explore interactive flight exhibits.

Halsley Festival
Sept 18, 2025 | Newark
Sample food, music, and arts activities in this heart-of-the-city family bash.

Mountain Creek Oktoberfest
Sept 20–21, 2025 | Vernon
Family fun and German traditions with music, food, beer gardens, and kids’ entertainment.

New Jersey Airshow
Sept. 20-21, 2025 | West Milord
This family event features children's activities, aeronautical displays, food vendors, more than 350 drones telling a story in the sky, along with fireworks, pyro and lasers.

The House Music Festival for a Cause
Sept 20, 2025 | Plainfield
Live music, food, dancing, fireworks, and a health focus—all you need for a high-energy Saturday.

Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade & Boricua Festival
Sept 21, 2025 | Newark
Puerto Rican pride shines here with a colorful parade, lively music, and street food.

Hackettstown Oktoberfest
Sept 26–28, 2025 | Hackettstown
Free entry, endless street eats, craft vendors, contests, music, and classic kids' fun.

South Orange Downtown Fiesta en La Placita
September 26. 2025 | Spiotta Park, South Orange Village
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Fiesta en La Placita, an exciting evening of food, music, and dance in the heart of downtown South Orange. This free outdoor event brings the community together for a festive night featuring live entertainment, Latin dance, and authentic Mexican street food.

Oktoberfest Weekend and Car Show
Sept 27–28, 2025 | Chester
Admire classic cars, enjoy German treats, and catch live performances, all in support of local charities.

Morristown Fall Festival on the Green
Sept 28, 2025 | Morristown
The town green fills with amusements, carnival games, live music, beer tents, and activities for all ages.

Central NJ Festivals and Family Events

Ongoing Central Jersey Festivals

U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival
Sept 12–Oct 13, 2025 | Cream Ridge
Walk through rainbow fields of flowers, pick fresh stems, visit farm animals, and explore interactive barns.

September 2025 Central Jersey Festivals

New Jersey Sports Card Convention
September 12, 13, 2025
iPlay America I Freehold
This will feature experienced card collectors and dealers, bringing sports fans a wide variety of collectibles, novelties, sports card memorabilia and more!

Latino Festival of Monmouth County
Sept 20, 2025 | Freehold
Celebrate Latin American tunes, food, performances, and plenty of culture.

Linden Polish Festival
Sept 20, 2025 | Linden
Pierogi, Polish bands, kid zones, and tents with beer and wine.

Annual Festival of the Sea
Sept 20, 2025 | Point Pleasant Beach
A seafood and crafts tradition with 250 vendors, music, and beachy fun.

Annual Oktoberfest in Highlands
Sept 20, 2025 | Highlands
Polka bands, German eats, beer galore, and dance performers fill Veterans Park.

Family Fall Fest at MarketFair
September 21, 2021 | MarketFair, Princeton
This fun-filled day at Central Jersey Family Fall Fest features games, food, and activities for everyone to enjoy! Door Prizes for the first 100 guests! Event is free to attend. Food for purchase.

Asbury Park PorchFest
Sept 27, 2025 | Asbury Park
Over 600 live acts play on neighborhood porches—a moveable feast of local talent and good vibes.

Railroad Festival
Sept 27, 2025 | Phillipsburg
Celebrate railroad history with hands-on displays, music, and food along the historic rail yards.

October 2025 Central Jersey Festivals

Lambertville Porchfest
Saturday, October 4, 2025
Throughout Lambertville, NJ
Lambertville Porchfest is a do-it-yourself music festival, featuring musicians of all kinds playing free shows on porches throughout the neighborhood. Created by and for Lambertville residents, the festival seeks to represent and celebrate the community's broad musical talents and picturesque neighborhoods.

Somerset County's Journey Through The Past
October 11th 12th, 2025; 12pm - 4pm
20 Grove Street
Somerville, NJ
Event Cost: Free
Make a vibrant connection to history at Somerset County's 20th annual Journey Through the Past! Bring the whole family as you explore the vast history of Somerset County and discover what life was like 50, 100, or even 200 years ago! 30 historic sites throughout Somerset County will be open free to the public.

Long Branch Columbus Day Parade
Sunday, October 12th, 2025; @1pm
Long Branch, NJ
The parade begins @ 1 pm (from Middle School)
Route: Bath Ave. - right onto Broadway - right onto Morris Ave. - end @ Morris Ave. School

Piscataway Fall Harvest Festival
Saturday, Sunday, October 24–26 and October 31, November 1, 2025
East Jersey Old Town Village, Piscataway, NJ
Visitors wil get to interact with living history interpreters, listen to live music by the Sawmill Run Old Time String Band, participate in children's crafts, and enjoy food from Beastro. The festival will include your photo op, wagon rides to the farm fields, pick your pumpkins, with a variety of pies, cider donuts, pickles, salsa, and preserves.

Asbury Park Halloween Food Truck and Music Festival
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Bradley Park, (in front of the Convention Hall), Asbury Park, NJ
This family event is a celebration of food, music, and Halloween. The festival will feature 20 gourmet food trucks, live music performed by three bands, two Halloween costume contests, a endor shopping Village, and an adult beverage garden:

Southern NJ Festivals and Family Events

Ongoing South Jersey Festivals

Cape May Lighthouse Full Moon Climb
Oct 6, Nov 5, 2025 | Cape May Point
Climb to the top under a full moon for starlit views you’ll remember..

Fintastic Pumpkin Glow at Adventure Aquarium
September 25th until November, 2, 2025 | Camden
Explore the glow deep below this fall during Adventure Aquarium's Fintastic Pumpkin Glow.where visitors can discover one-of-a-kind glowing pumpkin sculptures, both above ground and illuminating among sharks, stingrays, and other aquatic life that you won't find anywhere else! Families can also take part in Paint-A-Pumpkin, creating a festive keepsake to bring home. This non-spooky, glowing adventure promises a delight for the whole family.

September 2025 South Jersey Festivals

Downbeach Seafood Festival
Sept 13–14, 2025 | Ventnor
Bay views, local seafood, cooking demos, craft beers, plus a giant sandbox for kids.

Ocean City Parachute Pyrotechnic Show
Sept 13, 2025 | 7th Street Beach, Ocean City
Skydivers land with pyrotechnics, lighting up the sky and beaches.

St. Anthony’s Italian Heritage Festival
Sept 13, 2025 | Glassboro
Live entertainment, food trucks, contests, and carnival-style fun for all ages.

Ocean City Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow
Sept 14, 2025 | Ocean City
Flight displays, aircrafts to explore, and high-adrenaline fun with plenty to see and do.

Medford Oktoberfest & Music Festival
Sept 19–20, 2025 | Medford
Multiple stages, German food, craft ciders, food trucks, and hands-on fun for kids.

Albert Music Hall - Pinelands Heritage & Americana Fest
Saturday, September 20th, 2025 (rain date September 21st),
Albert Music Hall
131 Wells Mills Road
Waretown, NJ
Event Cost: Free
A full day family-of friendly fun featuring local artisans, crafters, authors, vendors, organization, food, and—of course—music! There will be over 30 booths, cloggers, and a fantastic line up of local Americana, Country and Folk music! Kids can join in the fun too with face painting, corn hole, and more—all free!?
Bring a chair so that you can sit and settle in for the performances, kicking off at 12PM.

Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration
Sept 20, 2025 | Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest
A day of music, crafts, kids’ games, and a huge fireworks show over the water.

Margate Fall Funfest by the Bay
Sept 27–28, 2025 | Margate
Booths, amusements, bands, and flavors line the bayfront for two days of classic fun.

Oktoberfest in Cape May
Sept 27, 2025 | Cape May
Raise a stein, dance to oompah bands, and let the kids explore crafts, collectibles, and snacks.

Water Lantern Festival
Sept 27, 2025 | Mays Landing
Design and launch lanterns, try foods from local trucks, and gather for a memory-filled night.

October 2025 South Jersey Festivals

Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 10th, 11th, 2025
Ship Bottom
Long Beach Island, NJ
The event features a day with brilliant colorful artist design kites, fun flying giant inflatable kites and the amazing show of sport kiting to our beautiful island. Many of these fliers are invited guests in prestigious festivals around the world. This free and cross-generational event will yield even more spectacular and unusual kites this year as well as displayed at local galleries prior to the festival.

Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree at Wells Mills Park
Saturday, October 11th, 2025 | Waretown, NJ
This annual family event features a fun filled day of music of the pines, cultural demonstrations, traditional crafts, & Crafts, Kids Crafts and Games, nature and history programs. Attendees will sit under the big tent and enjoy

18th Century Field Day
Sunday, October 19, 2025, 10 am to 4 pm
Red Bank Battlefield Park
100 Hessian Avenue
National Park, NJ
Cost: Free Admission
This annual family event features living history demonstrations, artillery drills, cannon demonstrations, and a meet up with Revolutionary War soldiers! Learn about the Battle of Red Bank and why New Jersey is called "The Crossroads of the American Revolution." Tour the battlefield and enjoy vendors and food. Fun, food, and activities for everyone!

Ocean City Halloween Parade
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Asbury Ave. from 6th - 11th Street
Ocean City, NJ
This Ocean City night-time tradition remains one of longest running Halloween parades in the tri-state area. The parade will march along Asbury Avenue from 6th to 11th Streets.