Best New Jersey Italian Festivals in 2026
Updated August 5, 2026
If you enjoy Italian food, lively music, and family fun, you’ll love new jersey italian festivals. Every summer and fall, towns across the state come alive with feasts celebrating Italian heritage and tradition. Locals and visitors gather for food, music, rides, and games, making these festivals a highlight of the year.
- New Jersey's 2026 Italian festivals take place from June through October in North Jersey, Central Jersey, and South Jersey.
- Popular North Jersey events include St. Ann's Feast in Hoboken, the Hoboken Italian Festival, the St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival in Scotch Plains, and the Feast of Saint Joseph in Lodi.
- Central Jersey festivals include St. Ann's Italian Festa in Raritan, the Monmouth Park Italian Festival and Wine Tasting, the Mercer County Italian American Festival, and the Ocean County Italian Street Festival.
- South Jersey highlights include the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Hammonton, the Atlantic City Feast of San Gennaro, St. Anthony's Italian Heritage Festival in Glassboro, and the Wildwood Olde Time Italian Festival.
- Admission is free at many listed festivals, but visitors usually pay separately for food, rides, games, or other attractions.
2026 North Jersey Italian festivals worth the drive
Discover North Jersey's most popular Italian festivals, where authentic food, live entertainment, family fun, and cherished traditions come together to celebrate the region's rich Italian-American heritage.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Annual Feast - Lyndhurst
July 8 through July 11, 2026
299 Delafield Avenue, Town Hall Park, Lyndhurst, NJ
This fun family festival features delicious Italian food, rides, games and entertainment. There are rides for children and adults alike!
The festival will feature Mt. Carmel's opening procession in honor of their patroness on Wednesday, July 8th, at 5:15 p.m., at the corner of Pine Street and Valley Brook Avenue.
The procession will go east on Valley Brook Avenue and then left on Delafield Avenue into the Feast.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, rides, and other attractions are available for a fee.
The Feast of Mt Carmel - Berkeley Heights
Thursday, July 16, 2026: 6pm - 11pm
Mount Carmel Fairgrounds, 56 River Rd, Berkeley Heights, NJ
This beloved summer celebration features classic Italian fare, lively entertainment, games, and family friendly attractions, all set against the backdrop of a long standing local festival that draws neighbors and visitors alike for a warm, festive night out. Fireworks at dusk
Cost: At the gate $15.00 per person + fee (online) Adult admission $15.00 per person (cash at gate) Children 14 and under accompanied by an adult - Free
St. Ann's Feast
Wednesday, July 22 through Sunday, July 26, 2026
On the streets around, St. Ann Church, 704 Jefferson Street, Hoboken, NJ
Enjoy food like St Ann's famous zeppole, music, rides, crafts, a beer garden, raffles, and games. Nightly entertainment on 2 stages.
Feast Day Mass on July 26 followed by the Procession with a 600-pound statue of St. Ann will be carried through the streets of Hoboken.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
La Festa Italiana
Wednesday to Sunday, August 5 thru August 9, 2026
Jersey City, NJ
La Festa Italiana celebrates Italian heritage, spirituality and is an evening of music, dance and authentic Italian foods.
Visitors can enjoy classic dishes, artisan vendors, and festive entertainment that fills the summer air with the spirit of Italy.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Annual St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival
Friday to Monday, September 4, 5, 6, 7, 2026
St. Bartholomew Church, 2032 Westfield Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ
This event features four days of a classic Italian-American celebration.
The church grounds fill with the aromas of homemade specialties, lively music, games, and family friendly entertainment, along with a bustling midway and traditional favorites like zeppole and sausage and pepper sandwiches.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
The Feast of Saint Joseph of Lodi
Friday, September 4, - Monday, September 7, 2026
Saint Joseph Church, 40 Spring Street, Lodi, NJ
This family event features traditional Italian festival food, exciting nightly entertainment, thrill rides, and games of chance.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri - The Hoboken Italian Festival
September 10th - 13th, 2026
Sinatra Drive between 1st Street to 3rd Street, Hoboken, NJ
The Hoboken Italian Festival is a four day festival of music food and fun.
No day is greater however than Saturday, their “Feast” day, when the 800lb statue of Madonna Dei Martiri or Madonna of the Martyrs is carried through the streets of Hoboken from St. Francis Church, 308 Jefferson St.
This includes a reenactment of the Blessing of the Fleet in the Hudson River, culminating with a fireworks show over Sinatra Park on Sunday eve.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Feast of San Gennaro
Feast of San Gennaro
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Fireman's Field, Mine Hill Township, NJ
A lively celebration of Italian heritage, food, and community spirit.
Visitors can enjoy classic favorites like sausage and pepper sandwiches, zeppole, and homemade pastries, along with live music, family activities, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere that defines this beloved tradition.
Cost: $7.16 admission. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Feast of Saint Gerard Maiella
October 15 - 18, 2026
St. Lucy’s Church, 118 Sevnth ave., Newark, NJ
Experience authentic Italian food and a moving religious procession in honor of St. Gerard, the patron saint of mothers. Musical performances and community displays are part of the celebration.
Cost: Free to attend
2026 Central Jersey Italian festivals worth the drive
Central Jersey's Italian festivals celebrate authentic food, live entertainment, family fun, and rich Italian-American traditions, making them unforgettable summer destinations well worth the drive.
St. Ann's Italian Festa in Raritan
June 18, 19, 20, 2026
St. Anns Church, 45 Anderson St., Raritan, NJ
This popular Italian feast known for its Italian food has also provided music, rides, games, a beer garden, and a 50/50 raffle.
One of the popular attractions at this feast is their Italian food specialities, especially the huge meatballs " the size of an Italian woman's hand."
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Italian Festival & Wine Tasting
Saturday, Sunday, July 25, 26, 2026
Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport NJ
This event features mouth-watering Italian favorites from over a dozen of the area's top restaurants, delis, and food trucks.
Pair your favorite dish with a sampling of great wines at their Italian wine tasting event. Live music Saturday and Sunday.
Cost: $7 GA to $24 wine sampling GA. Kids 12 and under are always free.
The Italian American Association of Ocean Township Annual Italian Festival
August 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 2026
Joe Palaia Park, corner of Deal and Whalepond Road, Oakhurst, NJ
This festival brings five days of food, music, and community spirit to the Jersey Shore.
Visitors get to enjoy authentic Italian specialties, lively entertainment, games, rides, cultural traditions, and fireworks on Friday night.
Cost: Admission is free. Rides, food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Church of Epipfany Italian Festival
August 13th - 16th, 2026
615 Thiele Road, Brick, NJ
This Italian family event features Rides, games, Italian food, live entertainment, a beer & wine garden, craft vendors, and more!Cost: Free admission & Parking
Mercer County Italian American Festival
September 18, 19, 20, 2026
Mercer County Park, West Windsor, NJ
A celebration of Italian heritage with authentic food, live entertainment, cultural traditions, local vendors, and activities for the whole family. Includes music, carnival rides, vendors, and cultural programming.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for
Spring Lake Italian Festival
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Morris Avenue, Downtown, Spring Lake, NJ
Downtown Spring Lake, brings a charming blend of Italian heritage and seaside small town warmth.
Visitors can enjoy authentic food, live music, artisan vendors, and family friendly activities that fill the streets with the aromas and energy of a classic Italian celebration.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 9th, 10, 11th, 2026
Grant Ave, Seaside Heights, NJ
A weekend full of Italian food, music, vendors, and culture, capped off by the annual parade on Sunday at 1:00pm on the Boulevard, Seaside Heights.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee
2026 South Jersey Italian festivals worth the drive
Discover South Jersey's rich Italian heritage at these lively festivals, where authentic cuisine, live entertainment, family fun, and cherished traditions come together for unforgettable summer and fall celebrations.
The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - Hammonton
July 13 to 18, 2026
Mt. Carmel Society Hall, 1 Mt. Carmel Lane, Hammonton, NJ
One of the longest running Italian Festivals
in the United States and a Hammonton, NJ tradition since 1875.
The Feast features carnival rides, Italian food, live music, and community celebration.
Visitors can enjoy nightly concerts, a bustling beer garden, vendors, and the festival's signature fireworks on July 16, along with the cherished religious traditions that include daily Masses and the grand procession honoring Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, rides, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Atlantic City Feast of San Gennaro
August 1, 2026
The Island Waterpark, Showboat Resort, Atlantic City
A festive mix of authentic Italian food, wine, live music, family activities, and traditional ceremonies honoring San Gennaro.
With the vibrant energy of the boardwalk and the unique backdrop of the indoor waterpark, it's a spirited summer event that blends heritage, entertainment, and community in true Atlantic City style.
Cost: Admission $5. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
St. Anthony's Italian Heritage Festival
September 12, 2026
Glassboro Town Square, Rowan Blvd, Downtown Glassboro, NJ
A lively celebration of Italian culture to the heart of downtown Glassboro.
The event fills the square with the aromas of classic Italian dishes, upbeat live music, artisan vendors, and family friendly activities.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Knights of Columbus Villa Marie Council # 6342 Italian Festival
September 19, 20, 2026
Historic Smithville, Smithville, NJ
Visitors can wander the charming village while enjoying classic Italian food, live music, cultural displays, artisan vendors, and family friendly activities.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Wildwood Olde Time Italian Festival
October, 2, 3, 2026
Fox Park, Wildwood, NJ
The Wildwood Olde Time Italian Festival is a lively celebration of Italian heritage filled with authentic food, live music, and family friendly fun.
Cost: Admission is free. Food, and other attractions are available for a fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
About New Jersey Italian Festivals in 2026
When are New Jersey Italian festivals held in 2026?
The festivals listed in this guide take place between June and October 2026. Summer events are concentrated in June, July, and August, while several Italian festivals continue through September and October.
Which New Jersey Italian festivals are free to attend?
Many festivals in the guide offer free admission, including St. Ann's Feast in Hoboken, the St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival, the Feast of Saint Joseph in Lodi, the Mercer County Italian American Festival, and the Wildwood Olde Time Italian Festival. Visitors generally pay separately for food, rides, games, or other attractions.
Which New Jersey Italian festivals have fireworks?
The Feast of Mt. Carmel in Berkeley Heights lists fireworks at dusk. The Hoboken Italian Festival includes a fireworks show over Sinatra Park on Sunday evening, and the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Hammonton lists fireworks on July 16, 2026.
Where can families find rides, games, and Italian food?
Family-focused festivals with rides, games, and Italian food include the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Annual Feast in Lyndhurst, the Feast of Mt. Carmel in Berkeley Heights, the St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival in Scotch Plains, the Monmouth County events, and the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Hammonton.
Which New Jersey Italian festivals include religious processions?
Religious processions are part of several events, including the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Feast in Lyndhurst, St. Ann's Feast in Hoboken, the Hoboken Italian Festival, and the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Hammonton. Each event has its own procession schedule and traditions, so visitors should check the linked organizer page before attending.
