New Jersey This Weekend:
Events, Festivals, and Top Things to Do

Updated September 14, 2026

Planning your weekend in the Garden State?

Whether you’re chasing family friendly festivals, trending food events, standout indoor performances, or seasonal favorites from the Jersey Shore to the Skylands—this guide helps you make the most of your weekend.

• New Jersey offers outdoor, indoor, family, food, and drink events during the weekend of September 18 through 20, 2026.
  
• Major outdoor events include Sea.Hear.Now in Asbury Park, XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, the Mercer County Italian American Festival, and the Warren County Hot Air Balloons Festival.
  
• Families can visit Holland Ridge Farms, Liberty Science Center's Thomas & Friends exhibit, the Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, or the Sparta New Jersey Renaissance Festival.
  
• Free events include the Atlantic City Latino Festival, Red Bank Pop Culture Festival, Ocean City Parachute Pyrotechnic Show, and several cultural festivals.
  
• Event dates, locations, admission prices, and official links are listed throughout the guide, but visitors should confirm details before attending.

Outdoor Events in New Jersey This Weekend

From county fairs to farmers markets and drink and food festivals, here's where to soak up the sun and enjoy New Jersey's best outdoor happenings this weekend.

Boots at the Beach Country Music Festival

September 18, 19, 2026
North Wildwood, NJ
Boots at the Beach brings pure country spirit to the Jersey Shore, transforming Seaport Pier into a lively, toe tapping celebration of music, dancing, and coastal charm. The lineup features modern country bands, country rock groups, line dance friendly performers and DJs spinning country hits.
Cost: 2026 pricing not yet available: Tickets are sold only at the entrance. Past pricing $10 for a 1 day pass and $15 for a 2 day VIP pass.

Holland Ridge Farms U-Pick Sunflowers: Fall Festival

September 18, 19, 20, until October 12, 2026
108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge, NJ
Stroll through acres of sunflowers and fall blooms, pick your own flowers, and visit the farm animals.
Cost: $17, $20, Infants 2 and under FREE.

Medford Oktoberfest & Music Festival

September 18, 19, 2026
Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ
Head here for a full menu of rock, folk, and blues played across four stages. Pair craft beer, artisan ciders, and German food with fun activities for kids.
Cost: Admission and on-site parking free.

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 a fee

XPoNential Music Festival

September 18, 19, 20, 2026
Wiggins Park & Waterfront Music Pavilion, Camden, NJ
This three-day festival features more than 30 performances across three stages. Expect a mix of established and up-and-coming artists, many heard on Philadelphia’s WXPN 88.5FM.
Cost: Adult $101.85 to $111.85, Kids between the ages of 2 - 12 years old $16.15

Atlantic City Latino Festival

September 19, 2026
Bader Field, 545 Albany Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ
The family friendly festival features Hispanic entertainment, including Mariachi, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia and Folkloric dance groups. It includes authentic Hispanic food and vendors.
Cost: Free admission

The Latino Festival of Monmouth County

Saturday, September 19, 2026
1 East Main St, Hall of Records parking lot, Freehold, NJ
It features live music, cultural performances, food vendors, community organizations, and family activities that celebrate the richness of Latino heritage. Its an easy, vibrant, and family friendly way to spend an early fall afternoon in the heart of Freehold.
Cost: Free to attend, with food and vendor items available for purchase

Nutley America 250 & Constitution Day Fireworks Celebration

Saturday, September 19, 2026; 6pm to dusk
Nutley Park Oval, 325 Franklin Ave, Nutley, NJ
A celebration of our nation's birth with family-friendly entertainment, food, live music, games, and fireworks. Cost: Free to attend

Ocean City Parachute Pyrotechnic Show

September 19, 2026: 8pm-9pm
7th Street Beach, Ocean City, NJ
Features specially licensed Team Fastrax™ demonstrators exiting the aircraft 6,000 feet above Ocean City's Beach & Boardwalk. Brilliant white or multi-colored projectile pyrotechnics are then ignited and flown in formation, creating a dazzling display for spectators on the ground.
Cost: Free to attend

Pine Barren Makers Fall Fest

September 19th & 20th, 2026: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
3610 Nesco Rd., Hammonton, NJ
This family oriented fun for all ages Fest features food trucks, handcrafted vendors, kids activities, photo ops, and a scavenger hunt map on your way in to win a prize!
Cost: $5, Free for kids under the age of 12. Parking is free

Red Bank Pop Culture Festival

Saturday, September 19, 2026
Downtown Red Bank, NJ
It's going to be an epic time celebrating movies, comics, art, gaming, music, anime and more! Save the date and start working on your cosplay!
Cost: Free to attend

Sea.Hear.Now

September 19, 20, 2026
Asbury Park, NJ
This music festival brings two days of oceanfront music, surf competitions, and immersive art installations to North Beach and Bradley Park. Fans can expect 25+ artists across three stages, local food vendors, and a vibrant boardwalk atmosphere that blends Jersey Shore culture with a major festival experience.
Cost: Ticket prices range from 2 Day GA starting around $199–$309, GA+ from about $555, and VIP options beginning near $499–$850, with prices varying by tier and availability.

Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival

September 19, 20, 2026
Warren Community College, 475 Route 57, Washington NJ
A relaxed, family-friendly weekend of sunrise and sunset balloon launches, tethered rides, lawn games, kids' activities, food trucks, and live entertainment.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for ages 4–12, and free for children 3 and under

48th Slovak Heritage Festival

September 20, 2026: 10:30am
655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ
One of the largest Slovak festivals in the United States, the event features authentic Slovak food, live folk music and dance performances, cultural exhibits, specialty vendors, children's activities, and a festive marketplace celebrating Slovakia's rich heritage.
Cost: Admission is $20 per person, with children admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival

Saturday, Sunday, September 19, 20, 2026: 10am-5pm
Over Peck Park, 199 Challenger Rd., Ridgefield Park, NJ
A fun-filled family event featuring 4-H and Master Gardener displays and hands-on activities, a craft fair, carnival rides, a farmers market, a petting zoo, live music, face painting, food trucks, and more!
Cost: Parking and admission are free

Mountain Creek Oktoberfest

September 19, 20, 2026
Red Tail Lodge, 200 Route 94, Vernon, NJ
Celebrate with a wide variety of beers, ciders, hard sodas and seltzers – the most variety to date, authentic german food, festival food and activities & games for kids and adults alike.
Cost: GA $25, kids 6 and under free

San Gennaro Festival and Founder's Day celebration

Saturday, September 19, 2026: 12 pm to 9 pm
Veterans Park, Baville, NJ
This festival and celebration will feature live music, food trucks, craft vendors, face painting, inflatebles, and fireworks.
Cost: Free to attend. $10 wristband will be required for the inflatables

Nerd Fest

Sunday, September 20, 2026; 10am to 4pm
Holiday Inn, 1 Pureland Drive, Swedesboro, NJ
This event features an event for Comic Book Enthusiasts and Fans with Artists, Vendors and Crafters offering a variety of items for everyone from the die hard collector to the grandparents looking for a special gift or someone just getting started in the world of Nerds & Geeks.
Cost: $5. Kids 10 and under FREE with paying Adult.

Sparta NJ Renaissance Festival

September 19, 20, 2026!
Camp Sacajawea, 844 White Lake Road, Sparta, NJ
Step into medieval times with costumes, stage shows, and games set against Sussex County’s scenic backdrop.
Cost: At the Gate: Adult $25, Child (6-12) $10, Child (under 6) - FREE

65th Annual Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival

September 20, 2026: 12pm
Newark, NJ
One of New Jersey's largest celebrations of Puerto Rican heritage and culture. The colorful parade travels along Bloomfield Avenue, followed by a lively festival featuring live music, traditional dance, authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, family-friendly activities, and local vendors.
Cost: Free

Indoor Events in New Jersey This Weekend

Step inside for some of the best things to do in NJ, including live music and thrilling indoor attractions at New Jersey’s top venues.

Fall 2026 New Jersey Film Festival

September 18, 19, 20, until October 4, 2026
Voorhees Hall #105, Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ
This event features a vibrant mix of cutting edge indie films, documentaries, and experimental works. Each screening offers a chance to experience bold new voices in cinema, often paired with filmmaker Q&As and discussions that deepen the connection between audience and artist. It’s a month long celebration of creativity and storytelling, set in one of Rutgers’ most intimate and historic viewing spaces.
Cost: General Admission $15 Per Program; In-Person Only Student Ticket $10 Per Program.

The Bodyguard The Musical

September 18, 19, 20, running until September 27, 2026
The Broadway Theatre, 43 S Broadway, Pitman, NJ
When a former Secret Service agent is hired to protect a superstar from a dangerous stalker, sparks fly in this thrilling and romantic musical. Packed with unforgettable hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," this West End sensation delivers heart-pounding suspense, sizzling chemistry, and powerhouse vocals that will keep you on the edge of your seat—and leave you swooning.
Cost: $40

Air Supply A Matter of Time Tour

September 20, 2026
Mayo Perfroming Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ
Air Supply performs from among their classic romantic hits, which include "Lost in Love," "All Out of Love," "One That You Love," "Making Love Out of Nothing at All" and "Every Woman in the World."
Cost: $91 - $169

Family Events in New Jersey This Weekend

Discover unforgettable family fun this weekend with NJ's top kid-friendly shows & events just a short drive away!

Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails

September 18, 19, 20, through January 3, 2027
Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Kids can learn, play, and solve problems with Thomas the Tank Engine and his engine friends while immersing themselves in locations from the beloved TV series. Young learners can practice counting objects, comparing sizes, and learning colors. Older kids can practice their math skills, learn basic engineering concepts, discover science ideas through play, and see how technology works to keep engines running
Cost: Adults $37, Child $32

Learn to Tame a Dragon

September 19, 2026
Broadway Theate, 3 S Broadway, Pitman, NJ
In ancient Norway, a boy named Erik is always the last to be chosen for games and adventures. Determined to prove himself, he sets out to do something extraordinary—tame a dragon!. This daring musical adventure brings courage, friendship, and even a dragon to life right before your eyes.
Cost: $10

Food and Drink Events in New Jersey This Weekend

Discover standout food and drink events across New Jersey this weekend, featuring tastings, festivals, and seasonal culinary experiences.

48th Annual Festival of the Sea

Saturday, September 19, 2026: 10am - 7pm (rain date Sept 20th)
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Features 250 craft vendors, live music, beer & wine garden, and food from local restaurants. Shuttle available from multiple locations
Cost: Free to attend, with food and vendor items available for purchase

Cape May Harvest Brew Fest

September 19, 2026:  10 AM to 5 PM
Historic Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May, NJ
The festival celebrates the South Jersey fall harvest season with local craft beers, food vendors, artisan crafts, and live music on the beautiful grounds of the 1879 Victorian estate.
Cost: Free to attend

Downbeach Seafood Festival

September 19, 20, 2026
Ski Beach, Ventnor,NJ
Savor seafood, craft beer, chef demos, live bands, and sand sculpting by the Bay.
Cost: At the gate $15, Kids under 12 Free.

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From hands-on museums to thrilling outdoor trails, discover the perfect Garden State itinerary that guarantees a weekend of excitement and learning for all ages.

Frequently Asked Questions About
New Jersey Weekend Events

What are the best New Jersey events happening September 18 through 20, 2026?

Popular options include Sea.Hear.Now in Asbury Park, XPoNential Music Festival in Camden, Boots at the Beach in North Wildwood, and the Mercer County Italian American Festival in West Windsor. Families can also choose events such as Holland Ridge Farms' Fall Festival, the Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, or Thomas & Friends at Liberty Science Center.

What free events are happening in New Jersey this weekend?

Free events include the Atlantic City Latino Festival, Red Bank Pop Culture Festival, Ocean City Parachute Pyrotechnic Show, Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade and Festival, and several cultural and food festivals. Some free events charge separately for food, rides, vendor items, or other activities.

What family-friendly events are happening in New Jersey this weekend?

Family-friendly choices include Holland Ridge Farms in Cream Ridge, the Warren County Hot Air Balloons Festival in Washington, the Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival in Ridgefield Park, and Thomas & Friends at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City. The article also lists festivals with children's activities, games, rides, and live entertainment.

Which New Jersey weekend events require tickets?

Ticketed events include Sea.Hear.Now, XPoNential Music Festival, Mountain Creek Oktoberfest, the New Jersey Film Festival, Air Supply at Mayo Performing Arts Center, and several theater productions. Prices vary by event, age, ticket type, and availability, so visitors should check the official event website before purchasing.

Where can I find food and drink events in New Jersey this weekend?

Food and drink events include the Festival of the Sea in Point Pleasant Beach, Cape May Harvest Brew Fest, and Downbeach Seafood Festival in Ventnor. Several other festivals also offer local food, beer, wine, craft beverages, or specialty vendors.

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