Ultimate Guide to Family Festivals, Attractions, and Events in Central New Jersey

Our recommendations for the best 2024 Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events. Features Family oriented Events with Music,
Food, Entertainment, and Fun Activities

The Central Jersey Family festivals feature a robust offering of entertainment, food, and fun activities..

From talented artisans crafting unique pieces, and performers captivating the audiences to enjoyable activities and a wide range of food options, there is something for everyone, especially for families with kids.

Especially notable is they feature festivals and themed events with a large variety of kids activities.

To cap it all, every festival further sparks interest by providing a distinct theme that differentiates it from the rest, making these festivals not only a fun-filled experience but also one-of-a-kind!

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Multi-Date, Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events

Happy Day Farm - Fall Festival
Select dates: September 9 through November 5, 2024: 10am - 5pm
Happy Day Farm
106 Iron Ore Rd
Manalapan Township, NJ
Cost: Tickets are required to enter all areas of the farm, Fri - Sun ($27 per person, includes NJ sales tax).
This popular fall event features over 35 family activities including tractor rides, a sunflower maze, pig races, a kid-friendly feeding zoo, a fun slide for thrill-seekers, and more!

U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival
September 13th through October 14th, 2024; 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, NJ
Cost: Weekdays: $15 per person, Weekends: $17 per person, Everyone aged 3 and up requires a ticket to enter.
In the fall, the fields come alive again for the Fall Flower Festival. Guests can wander through the towering rows of flower fields bursting with colorful blooms including cheerful sunflowers, majestic gladiolus, elegant calla lilies, dazzling dahlias, and more. Pick your own for just $1 per stem and create the most beautiful bouquets to take home with you.. While you are at the farm take the time to stroll through our barns, visit the animals and enjoy some of the charm of Holland in the Good 'ole Days museum and Holland Shop. Learn about Holland in the Hollandwood Theatre and get all your questions about flowers, including how they get their color, from their Pollinator. The Pollinator helps to create the rainbow of color in our fields.

The Corn Maze Train
The month of October, 2024
The Delaware River Railroad Excursions
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
During the month of October, every train is the Great Pumpkin Train. Free Pumpkins for every child! Ride the train to the beautiful century old Snyder farm. At the farm the fun begins! There are two games we can play in the maze. They have two beautiful picnic groves. The largest is in Phillipsburg at their station with views of the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. The most beautiful picnic grove is located at the stop for the Ol'Susquehanna Mine called "Snyders". There are about 20 picnic tables under beautiful sprawling pine trees. Also located at this stop are both the Ol' Susquehanna Mine and the Corn Maze ( in season). If you opt to use the picnic grove at the mine location you can take the next train north (1-1/2 hours later) to return back.

Holiday in the Park
Select Dates November 21st until January 1st, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Blvd.
Jackson, NJ
Experience the magic of Holiday in the Park! Make merry memories with millions of luminous lights, festive foods, and your favorite thrilling coasters. From coasters to cocoa it's a holiday spectacular for the whole family!

Polar Express
Trips run November 29, 30, December 1,6,7,8,13.14,15,20,21,22, 2024
Lehigh Junction
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $38 Child and $48.00 Adult
Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on THE POLAR EXPRESS™ for a magical hour and a half trip to meet Santa. Once on board, your car hosts will work their way through the coach and punch your golden ticket before hot chocolate and delicious cookies are served by dancing chefs. Passengers listen to the classic children's book, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers greet passengers and each guest is given the first gift of Christmas – a silver sleigh bell. During the trip there is plenty of entertainment from our magical juggling chefs to our singing hobos! Each guest will take home a keepsake sleigh bell in addition to the wonderful memories made on this magical trip.

Jurassic Quest roars through Edison
Friday, December 27 - Monday, December 30, 2024 
NJ Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave
Edison, NJ
Cost: $22.00 - $36.00
Jurassic Quest is the world's largest, most popular Dino event with the unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Observe our herd of life-size dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, and an incredible T.rex!

 

September 2024 Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events

The Balloon Glow & Laser Show
September 13th, 14th, 2024; 5-10 pm
Middlesex County Fairgrounds
655 Cranbury Rd.
East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $20 for adults and $10 for kids (with a military discount available). Parking is free.
This popular family event features hot air balloon rides, live music, a Kids Zone, games, carnival rides, crafters, food vendors ---- and an awesome Grand Finale each night after dusk with music and visually stunning coordinated burns by the Hot Air Balloons & Lasers
Bring your blankets, chairs and umbrellas and set up your own "perfect" viewing spot i!

Central Jersey Jazz Festival
September 13th, 14th, 15th, 2024
at Two Outdoor Venues
Free to the public
Experience the Sounds of Today's Best Live Jazz at 2 Outdoor Venues in Central Jersey:
* Historic Stangl Road in Flemington's Artisans District, Flemington, NJ, Bring your own chairs.
* Somerset County Court House Green. Corner of E. Main & Grove Streets, DowntownSomerville, Visitors to the Festival are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs as the Festival is lawn seating only.

"Celebrating 172 years of Railroad - Festival"
Saturday, September 14th, 2024; @11 am - 5 pm
The Phillipsburg Union Station, Shappell Park, and the surrounding area.
Phillipsburg, NJ
The festival, which will have three walkable areas:
Area 1, Shappell Park and the surrounding area, with food and retail vendors and music.
Area 2 is Phillipsburg Union Station, the former train station built in 1914.
Area 3 Elizabeth St, the location of Delaware River Railroad Excursions.
This years events include live music by the Truth & Soul, food, and vendors.

Annual Festival of the Sea
September 21st 2024; 10:00 am until 7:00 pm (Rain date September 22nd)
Downtown
601 Arnold Ave
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
This event features local food, over 250 craft vendors, a beer and wine garden, music, family friendly activities. and much more.

Riverfest 2024
September 21st, 2024; 2pm until 5pm
Trenton Thunder Ballpark
1 Thunder Road
Trenton NJ.
Free Admission
This family fun day features games, live music, craft beers, and menu items inspired by the Trenton-founded Case's Pork Roll.
Fun games will roll on all day with the grand finale of the day ending with the 8th Annual Trenton Thunder World Famous Case's Pork Roll Eating Championship

Brick's Fall Fest Concert & Fireworks
Saturday, Sunday, September 28th & 29th, 2024
Beachwood Community Center
25325 Fairmount Blvd.
Brick, NJ
Free Admission
A popular autumn tradition, this family friendly celebration features food trucks and vendors, a corn hole tournament, games, inflatables, fire pits and much more.
On Saturday, the feaured events include a concert at 7:30 p.m. followed by a fireworks display.
On Sunday, from noon to 5:00 p.m., the "Greatest Fall Festival on Earth, " circus-style theme will feature free carnival games, inflatables, a zip line, magic, illusions, a hypnotist, clowns, stilt walkers and more.

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Greek Festival
September 27, 28, 29, 2024
2200 Church Road
Toms River, NJ
This event features authentic Greek food and pastries, Greek dances, live music, rides and games with an entertainment tent, Outdoor Greek Food Court with Beer Truck and full bar.

Shamrocks By The Sea, Celtic Festival
September 28, 2024; 10am to 6pm (rain or shine)
Seaside Park Marina Green
101 J St
Seaside Park, NJ
This family event features a celebration of Irish culture with traditional Irish food and Irish entertainment provided by The John Byrne Band, Marty McGuiness, and Devrin School of Irish Dance.

October 2024 Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events

Asbury Park Zombie Walk and Undead Festival!
Saturday, October 5th, 2024; 1pm - 6pm
Asbury Park Boardwalk
Asbury Park, NJ
The New Jersey Zombie Walk is dedicated to all things horror and zombie.
A Zombie Walk is an organized gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes and then converge quickly in a public area for surprise and fun. @4pm The Walk will begin moving up the Asbury Park Boardwalk, heading from Convention Hall down the boards towards the Casino where it will turn onto Cookman Ave. The Zombie Walk route ends outside of Johnny Macs House of Spirits on Main Street.
Zombies of all ages participate in this family-friendly event.

Annual Oktoberfest in Highlands
Saturday, October 5th, 2024; 12pm - 7pm (rain date October 6th)
Veterans Park
Bay and Shrewsbury Ave
Highlands, NJ
Admission and Parking is free.
Modeled on the traditional Munich, Germany Oktoberfest with an emphasis on eating; drinking and being merry while providing something for everyone. Authentic German food is a highlight of this famous festival. There will be live Oompah, and polka music and performances throughout the day.

Hopewell Valley Oktoberfest
Saturday, October 5, 2024: 4 - 10pm
Trenton Cyrus Lodge
131 Burd Street
Pennington, NJ
This celebration features a live band, beer on tap, pig roast, cornhole, pumpkin carving, and more.
his family-friendly event is open to all. There will be a live band, corn hole games, pumpkin painting, door prizes, BBQ and pig roast, several beers on tap, wine, and soft drinks.

Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
Wednesday, October 9th to Sunday, October 13th, 2024
Woosley Park
221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road
Hopewell Township, NJ
This event is an old-time festival with expanded activities – including live music, fire pits with storytelling, games, face painting…and of course, the outrageously carved giant pumpkins.

Night of Frights
October 11th, 12th, 2024
Historic Village at Allaire
Blacksmith Shop
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Cost: Adult $20, Child $15
Enjoy the village grounds and historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries...visit with our ghosts, ghouls, and monsters. Storytelling at the Chapel; a special night out at the Blacksmith Shop; the Manager's House with fortune-telling for your entertainment; Mr. Allaire's Macabre House; the Carriage House with legendary spirits; the towering four story shadows of the General Store stocked with seasonal goods; and don't forget treats at the Bakery plus our very own Haunted Food Truck! In the dark of the night, from woods to historic homes, the Historic Village at Allaire takes on a twist for the Halloween season. Costumed ghouls, Glow In The Dark Bubble Witch Show, & Fire Juggler. All with varied activities we welcome children, families, and adults of all ages.

Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
October 11th, 12th, 13th, 2024
On Grant Ave
Seaside Heights, N.J
Celebrating the Annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Heritage Festival. A fun filled weekend of food, friends, and Italian Culture.
The Parade will be held on Sunday at 1 pm, on the Boulevard from J Street to Sampson Avenue.

Somerset County's Journey Through The Past
October 12th, 13th, 2024; 12pm - 4pm
20 Grove Street
Somerville, NJ
Event Cost: Free
Make a vibrant connection to history at Somerset County's 18th 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.

New Jersey Seafood & Music Festival
Saturday, October 19, 2024; 11am - 7pm
Bell Works
Holmdel, NJ
Cost: $5 admission, under 5 free
This fun, family event features fresh seafood including lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp, accompanied by live music, kids activities, miniature golf, beer, margarita & sangria garden, vendors and more.

7th Annual Howl-O-Ween
Saturday, October 19th, 2024; 3pm until 5pm
Seafarer
1 Atlantic St.
Highlands, NJ
Event Cost: Free
This event features a Halloween celebration with a free costume contest for dogs and their humans. Prizes for scariest, most original, and human & dog pair/group costumes.

Edison Township Diwali Festival
Saturday, October 26, 2024; @ 2pm
Papaianni Park
100 Municipal Blvd
Edison, NJ
This family friendly event features live music and dance, Diya lighting, food, vendors, and more.

November 2024 Central Jersey Family Festivals and Events

Cider Making at The Howell Living History Farm
Saturday, November 2, 2024: 10:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
This family event features a demonstration of fresh apple cider making. All you have to do is turn the crank of the cider press...and then help re-fill the hopper with the Macs, Cortlands and Red Delicious apples that make for a perfect blend. Peel an apple with a hand-crank apple peeler and stop by the farmhouse for lunch and homemade apple pie!

Greenberg's Great Train & Toy Show
November 23, 24, 2024; 10am-4pm
New Jersey Convention & Exposition Center
97 Sunfield Ave
Edison, NJ
This show Features Hundreds of Tables of Trains for Sale Exhibitors from Across the Country Huge Operating Model Train Displays Including: Free Workshops and Demonstrations Free Test Track . Test Run Your Trains at the Show On-Site Train Repairs Free Door Prize Giveaways Plus Much More!

Corn Picking & Thanksgiving Hayrides
Saturday, Novembr 30, 2024; 10am until 4pm
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
Bring a non-perishable food item for their donation wagon to earn a ride on one of our horse-drawn hay wagons! Jeb & Amos and Jesse & Paul will be giving hayrides from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tickets are free and will be distributed in the barnyard on a first-come, first-served basis. Canned and boxed food donations will be collected at the visitor center—as well as new, unopened toys for Toys for Tots—to support the community this holiday season.

More New Jersey Family Festivals

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