Central Jersey Family Festivals: Discover The Best Themed Events

Your Guide to The Best Central Jersey Family Festivals: Features Family Oriented Music, Food, Entertainment and Fun Activities

The Central Jersey family festivals feature festivals and events with special themes and are known for having good music, food, entertainment, skilled artisans and performers, fun activities, crafts, and more!

Note: Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.

2022 Multi-Date Central Jersey Family
Festivals and Events

Sunflower Festival
September 23rd through end of October 2022: 9am to 6pm, 7 days per week
Holland Ridge Farms
86 Rues Road
Cream Ridge, New Jersey 08514
Website/Tickets
Cost: $13 per person aged 3 and up
In the fall, the fields come alive again for the Sunflower Festival. Guests can wander through the towering rows of Sunflower and enjoy the warmth and happiness they inspire. 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.

Circus Vazquez: A New Age Traditional Circus Comes to New Jersey
September 30 thru October 10, 2022
Woodbridge Center Lot 250
Woodbridge Center Dr
Woodbridge, NJ
This event features a world class family friendly, animal free, amazing, and entertaining experience with performing artists from around the world performing in a circus style tent equipped with state-of-the-art architecture and technology.

Polar Express
Trips run November 25, 26,27, December 2,3,4,9,10,11,16,17,18, 2022
Lehigh Junction
99 Elizabeth St.
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
877-872-4674
Website
Cost: Child $32.00 ( ages 2 to 12), Adult $42.00
Train Ride departs from Lehigh Junction located in the Historic Main Street area of Phillipsburg. On the train you will re-live the experience of the little boy in The Polar Express. The story focuses on a little boy who has been told by his friends that there is no Santa Claus. Unwilling to believe this, he lies awake in his bed on Christmas Eve, waiting for the sound of Santa's sleigh. Instead, he hears the hissing steam and squeaking metal of the Polar Express as it stops outside his window, ready to take him and other children to the North Pole. During your ride you will listen to this wonderful story, every child will be served hot chocolate and cookies Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ride and join in on the magic of Christmas

September 2022 Central Jersey Family
Festivals and Events

New Jersey Sports Card Convention
September 16, 17, 18, 2022
iPlay America
110 Schanck Rd
Freehold, NJ 07728
Website/Tickets
Cost: 1 Day General Admission: $16.00 General Admission, 3 Day Weekend Admission: $35.00, Child Under 10 Years Old – 1 Day Admission: FREE
This event will feature experienced card collectors and dealers, bringing sports fans a wide variety of collectibles, novelties, sports card memorabilia and MORE!

44th Annual Festival of the Sea
September 17, 2022; 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (Rain date September 18th)
Downtown
601 Arnold Ave
Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Website
732-899-2424
This event features local food, over 200 craft vendors, a beer and wine garden, music, family friendly activities. and much more.

Fall Apple Fest
Saturday, September 17, 2022 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $4 – $10
Please join the villagers in celebrating the harvest and try your hand at apple cider pressing, apple pie baking contest, strolling villagers, historic demonstrations, games and so much more! There will also be demonstrations of blacksmithing, carpentry, fiber arts, tinsmithings & weaving throughout the day. Our Historic Buildings, Pilsen Gourmet Food Truck, Bakery, and General Store will be open for you to visit.
They will also be having an Apple Pie Contest this day. To enter your Pie, Click here to register.

Sea.Hear.Now Festival
September 17, 18, 2022; Doors open 12:30pm
North Beach & Bradley Park
Asbury Park, NJ
Sea.Hear.Now is committed to raising awareness about the issues facing our ocean environment, including the global plastic waste crisis and climate change.
Two days featuring over 25 performances on three stages, all on the gorgeous Asbury Park Waterfront. The event features music, surf culture and arts festival features over 25 performances, food from regional and local restaurants including vegan, vegetarian & gluten-free options, specialty items from dozens of art vendors with giveaways with Bars & concessions throughout the park and beach Water stations with free refills. The lineup for the festival is decidedly rock-heavy, featured performers include Stevie Nicks, Gary Clark, JR., Green Day and More. They will have three stages -- two on the beach just north of Convention Hall and one in nearby Bradley Park -- and more than two-dozen of bands.

The Latino Festival of Monmouth County
Saturday, September 17, 2022; 12-7pm; Rain date September 25th
1 E Main St
Freehold, NJ
Website
732-677-6488
This event is a fun family oriented event with special attractions, musical acts, cultural offerings, and some of the most delicious Latin American cuisine found in Central Jersey. The festival celebrates Latino culture through music, dance, food, and entertainment!

Woodbridge Hispanic Heritage Festival
Saturday, September 17, 2022; Noon -5pm
Woodbridge Town Hall
1 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ
Website
This event features a celebration Hispanic Heritage Month with a festival that invites attendees to experience Hispanic culture through music, food, and more. There will be live entertainment by Freily El F & DJ Angel, traditional foods, arts/crafts, cultural exibitors, and more.

AsburyFest
September 23, 24, 25, 2022
Bradley Park
Across From Convention Hall
1301 Ocean Ave
Asbury Park, NJ
Website
732 775 7676
This 3 day festival is the ultimate end of summer experience for food, crafters, games, beer, and a full line up of live music! Over 75 artisan crafters, local craft & domestic beers, and wine too!

Annual Rock the Farm Festival
September 24th, 2022; Noon - 10pm (rain or shine)
Grant Avenue
Seaside Heights, NJ
Cost: $40 Gen Adm Tier 2 - $200 VIP ACCESS
At the gate (If available) $45 Gen Adm *Kids 10 & Under are Free
Website- Tickets & Line-up
Rock the Farm is a premier family friendly music festival, featuring 10 hours of world class music across two stages, with a family-friendly kid-zone, Beer & wine garden, craft vendors, food trucks, games, and the infamous foam dance party.
This year's lineup:
TUSK | Fleetwood Mac, The Funky Monks | Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stiff Upper Lip | ACDC, We May Be Right | Billy Joel, ELO Tribute Show | ELO, Winslow | An Evening of Eagles Keep, The Faith | Bon Jovi, La Grange | ZZTOP, Jagged Little Thrill | Alanis Morissette, One Fine Tapestry | Carole King.
All proceeds from the festival benefit CFC Loud n Clear Foundation, an organization that promotes positive life choices by aiding drug recovery efforts.

"Hot Rods for Heroes" Classic Car Show
Sunday September 25, 2022: 10am to 3PM
Huddy Park
31 Shore Drive
Highlands, NJ
Website
Free Admission
This event will feature all antique, classic & custom hot rods for a day of fun on wheels.
Come hungry for local food from Highlands great restaurants. Crafters, Specialty vendors and local businesses will be in the Huddy Park area. This event is fun for the entire family!
There is a $10 charge to register your car, of which a portion will benefit Tunnel to Towers Foundation,

October 2022 Central Jersey Family
Festivals and Events

Hamilton Irish Fest
Friday, Saturday, October 1st, 2nd, 2022: 1 P.M. - 9PM (raindate Sunday, October 3rd)
2419 Kuser Road
Hamilton Square, NJ
Web page
Admission is $5 for adults and children under the age of 15 are free when accompanied by an adult.
This Family friendly event features performances by Justin & Erin Koltenicki's School of Irish Dance a Traditional and Contemporary Irish Dance School. The award-winning Trenton AOH Monsignor Crean Pipes and Drums will also play during the day. Irish bands scheduled to appear include Celtic Connection and The Natterjacks. Music will be continuous from 1:00 pm thru 9:00 pm. Beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be available for purchase throughout the duration of the Festival. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit back and enjoy two great days of Irish fun and entertainment.

Hunterdon Harvest Fest
October 1, 2022: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Rain Date - Sunday, October 2nd, 2022)
Lone Eagle Brewing
Stangl Road (Enter via Route 12 and park at Liberty Village)
Flemington, NJ
Website
Cost: FREE
This event features harvest celebration of our local businesses, farms, and breweries with New Jersey Craft Breweries, live music, farm to festival local foods, craft beer & games for all ages! Bring your own chair.

Laurita OktoberFest with Food Trucks & Fire Pits
Saturday & Sunday, October 1, 2, 2022
Laurita Winery
85 Archertown Rd,
New Egypt, NJ
Website/Tickets
Cost: $12 for 21+ online in advance! $14 at the gate!! 20 and under are FREE!
Experience the trending Gourmet Food Truck offerings while sipping on wine and enjoying a seat to watch the Fire Works! Live music and good friends will make this day special! Fireworks Saturday Night at 8:30pm.
Admission includes: Free Parking! Free Scenic Shuttle Service to and from the parking area to the Vineyard Festival Grounds! Free Souvenir Laurita Wine Glass! Free Kids playgrounds! Access to over 6 Wine Bars (inside and out) and 2 Tasting Tent Areas (available during non-peak hours of the festival) and some of the most scenic views in New Jersey.

North Brunswick 40th Annual Heritage Day
Saturday, October 1, 2022: 3 pm. to 10 pm. (Rain date is Sunday, October 2)
Community Park
2051 Route 130S
North Brunswick Township, NJ
Website
732-247-0922 ext. 475
Free admission
This event features a celebration of New Brunswisk's heritage with live music, food vendors, and a grand finale fireworks display at dusk.

Pitboss Rumble
Saturday, October 1 & Sunday, October 2, 2022
Deys Farm at Oliveira Acres
215 Dey Rd
East Windsor, NJ
Phone: (267) 596-334
Website/Tickets
Cost: $8 – $300
This event features a Covid Friendly Country Western BBQ Competition sanctioned and judged by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, a society of 20,000 members. Grill Masters from all over will be competing head to head to win title of Pit Boss Rumble Champion and become eligible for American Royal and the Jack Daniels World Championship.
There will be plenty of entertainment for guests including Live Country Music Performances, Food Tastings, Carnival Games, All-Access Tents, Mechanical Bull Rides. Art Installations, and more.

Annual Amazing Pumpkin Carve
Wednesday, October 12 to Sunday, October 16, 2022
Woosley Park
221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road
Hopewell Township, New Jersey
(609) 281-5887
info@hvartscouncil.org
Website/tickets (Purchase tickets in advance or at the gate during hours of operation)
Walk-thru pricing (Wed + Thurs) $15 for adults $10 for seniors $5 for kids under 18 Kids in strollers are free Drive-thru pricing (Fri, Sat + Sun) $25 per vehicle if before 9/15 (price goes up to $30 afterwards) No oversized vehicles permitted.
This year, the Carve will be a HYBRID – with both "walk-thru" and "drive-thru" viewing days.
"Walk-thru" days are Wednesday and Thursday, where you'll find additional food and entertainment, including the popular fire-pits with storytellers and s'mores.
This family event will feature 35 colossal 125 pound pumpkins will be carved and electrified by the area's most talented artists and displayed in a beautifully illuminated drive-thru all from the comfort and safety of your vehicle!

Hamilton Oktoberfest
Sunday, October 16th 2022, 11am - 5:30pm; Rain Date Sunday, October 24th
Veterans Park,
2306 Kuser Rd
Hamilton Township, NJ
Website
A family Oktoberfest celebration with many family oriented activeities. Note: Alcoholic beverages will not be served at, nor permitted at, this event. This family event features, Amusements, Pumpkin Patch, Hay Rides, Corn Maze, Crafters, fire pits, and a Jack 'O Lantern Carving Contest.

Beachwood Harvest Bonfire on the Beach
October 22nd, 2022; 6pm-9pm
Beachwood Beach
Beachwood, NJ
Website
This family event features food, music, games and all kinds of fun. Come relax by the fire and enjoy a great night on the beautiful beach.

1830s All Hallow's Eve Celebration
Saturday, October 29, 2022; 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Wall Township, NJ
Tickets
Cost: $10 Adults, $4 Children (age 4-12)
Step back in time and celebrate Halloween with our villagers as they would have in the 19th century! Learn about Halloween's long rich history and the origin of the traditions we know of today!
Participate in the "Allaire Scare Pumpkin Dare" - a carved pumpkin contest! Contestants need to have a pre-purchased ticket for All Hallow's Eve and bring a carved pumpkin to the Event (Day Of) where it will be entered into a "scare" category and judged! Winner gets a trophy and a gift bag.