Columbus Day in New Jersey

2017 Celebrations, Parades, and Popular Events

Discover what's happening during the Columbus Day Weekend 2017 with celebrations of parades, events and festivals in New Jersey.

Columbus Day celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' arrival in the Americas, on October 12, 1492, or as some historians claim, that event set in motion the chain of events that led to the discovery of the United States as we know it today.

With a large immigration of Catholics during the mid-19th century and in response to discrimination from anti-immigrant activists, most notably the Ku Klux Klan, Catholics created organizations to combat discrimination and provide a means of survival for struggling immigrants.

The Knights of Columbus who chose that name in part because they viewed Christopher Columbus, a Catholic as the icon of the struggle of Catholic immigrants and their pursuit of citizenship.

Today many Italian-Americans and Italian-American organizations such as the Sons of Italy and the Italian-American Association observe Columbus Day as a celebration of their heritage.

The first known celebration of Columbus Day began in New York City, a city with a large Catholic population, occurred on October 12, 1866.

Columbus Day was first celebrated as a holiday in the United States as a result of the efforts of Angelo Noce, a first generation Italian, in Denver. In April 1934, as a result of lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, Congress and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt set aside October 12 as Columbus Day and a Federal holiday.

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. 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.

Stay tuned --- we will be updating this list as our sponsors confirm this year's events

2017 Northern Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Festivals, events, and Parades

Jersey City Columbus Day Parade
Saturday, October 7, 2017; 1pm
Website
The parade starts at 6th & Newark, goes east to Grove Street, right on Grove and comes to an end City Hall with a street fair celebration

Nutley-Belleville Columbus Day Parade
Sunday, October 8, 2017; Noon
Franklin Avenue
At the Oval
Nutley, NJ
Website
Contact: Pasquale Meola at 973- 489-7002 or email at pmitalia57@aol.com.
One of the largest Columbus Dasy parades in northern New Jersey, will step off at noon Sunday, Oct. 8, from Belleville High School, then proceed north on Franklin Avenue toward Nutley. At Holy Family Church in Nutley; a flag-raising ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at Belleville Town Hall; and the parade after-party on Sunday, Oct. 8, at Franklin Steakhouse in Nutley.

Dunellen HarvestFest
October 8th, 2017 (RAIN OR SHINE)
Washington Park
N. Washington Ave., between Dunellen Ave. & First St.,
Dunellen, NJ 08812
732-968-3033
Website
This Family event will feature artists and crafters from around the Garden State, local nonprofits, activities for kids, foods, music, dancing, and more!

East Hanover, NJ Columbus Day Parade and Festival
Sunday, October 8, 2017
Starting at 2pm the parade will begin at the East Hanover Fire Headquarters, 323 Ridgedale Avenue and continue along Ridgedale Avenue beginning at DeForest Avenue and ending at Lurker Park. Cristina Fontanelli, award winning opera singer and actress, has been chosen to be this year's Grand Marshal for the 13th Annual Morris County Columbus Day Parade
Beginning at 12 noon at Lurker Park, there will be a Food Truck Festival featuring a savory variety of food vendors along with music, kiddy rides and games.

2017 Central Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Festivals, events, and Parades

Hometown Harvest Fair
October 7, 2017; 10am - 4pm, rain or shine
North Main Street/Rt. 33
Hightstown, New Jersey
Website
Held annually on Columbus Day Weekend, this family festival is designed to bring awareness to the community, to bring commerce to local business and sponsors, and to provide fun for the children. The celebration now encompasses all of our historic Business District with the addition of food trucks, live music, special attractions, and much, much more! With an eclectic mix of nostalgic flair and modern entertainment, the Hometown Harvest Fair has a little something for everyone in your family.

Belmar Octoberfest
October 8th, 2017; 11am - 5pm RAIN or SHINE
Main St., (between 8th & 10th Ave.)
Belmar, NJ 07719
732-747-4449
Website
This event features a German Beer Garden with Food Vendors, the Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Contest, and live music! Food Vendors include:Pompier Food Truck, The Flying Deutschman, House of Cupcakes, Mary Queen of Pork

Columbus Day Pumpkin Fest
October 9th, 2017; 11 am - 4 pm
Delicious Orchards
320 Rt. 34
Colts Neck, NJ 07722
732-462-1989
Website
Held annually on Columbus Day, this festival features fun for all ages. The day includes: Pumpkin Painting and Decorating, Fun Games, Antique Tractor Display, Live Music, and free food samples

2017 Southern Jersey Columbus Day Weekend Festivals, events, and Parades

Ocean County Columbus Day Parade & Italian Street Festival
Friday, October 6, 4 to 10 pm, Saturday, October 7, 10 am to 10 pm, and Sunday, October 8, 2017, 10 am to 8 pm.
Grant Avenue from Bay Blvd. to Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, N.J
732-477-6507
Website- Schedule of events
This 3 day event is a celebration Italian Heritage Culminating with the Annual Columbus Day Parade. 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

3rd Annual LBI FLY International Kite Festival
October 6th - 9th, 2017
Ship Bottom
Long Beach Island, NJ 08008
609-361-3395
Website
Celebrate Columbus Day weekend 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 years festival will include an Indoor Kite Show. This event will feature celebrity kite fliers who are highly skilled at flying kites in zero wind. The fliers will fly choreographed musical routines with special light wind or no wind kites. These fliers have developed the skill of manipulating the kite by continuously moving to create lift.

Annual Sea Isle City Italian-American Festival and Columbus Day Parade
Saturday. October 7th, 2017; 10:00 am until dusk
In front of the Italian American Club on JFK Boulevard
Sea Isle City, NJ
Website
609-263-4 461 x 1230 or 609-263-6341
The Parade starts at 2:00 pm in front of the Italian-American Club and ventures down Landis Avenue and ends at KIX-McNutley's, 63rd Street where the Italian Festival will be happening.

Fall Block Party & Fireworks Spectacular
October 7th, 2017; 9am – 5pm
861 Asbury Ave.
Ocean City, NJ
609-399-1412
Website
This family event features over 400 crafters, food, vendors, music and and a grand finale fireworks display in the evening over the ocean.

Wildwoods Seafood and Music Festival
October 7th, 2017:11 am - 8 pm; Rain date Sun. Oct. 8
Atlantic Avenue (between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues)
Wildwood, NJ 08260
609-729-4000
Website
This family event features live music, crafters, food vendors, pie eating contest & much more!
Two stages of free musical entertainment. A "Kids Korner" with activities including pumpkin painting, crab hat making and inflatable bounce houses will take place from noon - 5 p.m.

28th Annual Cranberry Fest
October 7, 8, 2017
Downtown Bordentown, Farnsworth Ave.
Bordentown, NJ
609-414-0828
Website
This family event features live music,over 145 crafters, food from local eateries, a kids corner, and an antiques & vintage row.

Avalon Seafood Festival
October 7th, 8th, 2017; Rain date: October. 14 - 15
30th St. & Beach
Avalon, NJ 08202
609-967-3936
Website
This family festival features fresh and local seafood from area restaurants, craft and seasonal beer and wine and live entertainment. Let's Party Events will be on-site with children's activities including face painting, balloon art and even a family-fun Art Bar! Be sure to return on Sunday for the famous Chowder Championship at 1pm. Entertainment will be provided by Sound Advice Lounge, live-streaming the weekend's College and NFL football games throughout the weekend.

Atlantic City Columbus Day Weekend Comedy Festival
October 7, 8, 2017
Boardwalk Hall
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
609-348-7000
Website
Tickets
Attendees will experience hilarious, side-splitting humor from some of the nations most noted, critically acclaimed comedians. The all-star line-up features comedians Sommore, Earthquake, George Wallace, ?Michael Blackson, Tommy Davidson, TuRae, Mike Epps, ?Arnez J, ?George Willborn, Don DC Curry, DC Young Fly, and Aries Spears

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