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Best Fall Festivals and Fairs in New Jersey

The Water Lantern Festival returns to the harbor in Jersey City's Liberty State Park at month's end. Photo courtesy of the event
The Water Lantern Festival returns to the harbor in Jersey City's Liberty State Park at month's end. Photo courtesy of the event
9/1/24 - By Laurie Rein

As the carefree days of summer draw to a close, these fall festivals in New Jersey give families plenty to look forward to. Chow down on delicious seafood at the Downbeach Seafood Festival, and sneak in some early Halloween fun at Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest Extreme, plus, get a taste of fall at local fairs, including Jersey City's All About Downtown Street Fair.

As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses and times. And keep in mind: Cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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Fall Fairs and Festivals New Jersey this September

Riverdale's Annual Labor Day Street Fair

Riverdale – FREE
Monday, September 2, 2024
Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair is hosted by the Borough of Riverdale and held along the Newark Pompton Turnpike. The street is closed to vehicle traffic and transformed into a giant block party. The fun includes music, shopping, food, and more. READ MORE

St. Demetrios Greek Festival

Union
Thursday, September 5-Sunday, September 8, 2024
Enjoy the foods, sights, and sounds of Greece at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church’s annual Greek Festival. Indulge in homemade, authentic Greek food while enjoying the sounds of Greece with live music and authentic folk dancing—plus rides and games for the kids. READ MORE

Caribbean Food Fest in Veteran's Memorial Park

Parsippany
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Get ready to experience the sights, smells, and flavors of the Caribbean at the 2024 Caribbean Food Fest. Bring your lawn chair and an appetite. Say farewell to the summer of 2024 while raising funds for The Kiwanis of Greater Parsippany. READ MORE

Insect Festival at Mercer Educational Gardens

Pennington – FREE
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Spend a fun day exploring the lives of insects, featuring a variety of activities focused on bugs, bees, and plants.  READ MORE

Cranbury Day on Main Street

Cranbury – FREE
Saturday, September 7, 2024
This 46th annual festival boasts food trucks, vendors, a petting zoo, car show, face painting, live music, a puppy parade, and more.  READ MORE

The Wood Street Fair in Downtown Burlington

Burlington – FREE
Saturday, September 7, 2024
The 53rd annual Wood Street Fair fills downtown Burlington and the surrounding waterfront area with a day of fun. Peruse craft tables from 175 vendors, indulge in festival eats, hear live music and tour the historical Revell House and Carriage House. READ MORE

Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest Extreme

Jackson
Opens Friday, September 13, 2024
Six Flags Great Adventure’s Fright Fest goes extreme this year, presenting a world of nightmarish creatures inspired by legendary horror brands–including SAW and Stranger Things–brought to life. The themed experiences, scare zones, and harrowing creatures deliver extreme frights and surprises. READ MORE

CANCELED- Union County Celtic Festival in Oak Ridge Park

Clark
Saturday, September 7, 2024
(Canceled due to weather) The Union County Celtic Festival is a family-friendly public event that features live music, food and craft vendors, cultural activities, a piping and drumming contest, dancing, and a beer garden. READ MORE

Marlboro Day

Marlboro – FREE
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Now in its 40th year, Marlboro Township Recreation hosts a day of free activities, with rides, vendors, food, entertainment, and more.  READ MORE

Annual Oktoberfest Fun at Morey’s Piers

Wildwood
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from Friday, September 13-Sunday, October 13, 2024
This fall, Oktoberfest takes over Morey’s Piers for four consecutive weekends of German-themed revelry, live entertainment, a kids activity area, and much more. READ MORE

Holland Ridge Farms Fall Flower Festival

Cream Ridge
Friday, September 13-Monday, October 14, 2024
Prepare for a day filled with activities that ignite your passion for all things floral. Admire millions of rainbow blooms including sunflowers, gladiolus, dahlias, calla lilies, and mums. Plus, enjoy up to 30 delicious food options and over 100 artisanal vendors. READ MORE

Elmwood Park's Community Day with Fireworks

Elmwood Park – FREE
Saturday, September 14, 2024
This giant block party features outdoor shopping, crafts, live entertainment, kiddie rides, games, and food, topped off with a fireworks show at 7pm. READ MORE

Wind & Sea Festival at Bayshore Waterfront Park

Port Monmouth – FREE
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Head over to Bayshore Waterfront Park for a celebration of all things water. Visitors can enjoy a variety of coastal activities, including kayaking, fishing, kite flying, crafts and more. READ MORE

Sea Isle City Fall Family Festival

Sea Isle City – FREE
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Do some shopping at the Shore during this craft market, featuring free rides, face painting, a photo booth, music, crafts, balloon art, and more.  READ MORE

The Downbeach Seafood Festival

Ventnor
Saturday, September 14-Sunday, September 15, 2024
Now spanning two days, this annual festival features delicious food, children's activities, live music, competitions, chef demonstrations, and more. READ MORE

Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree

Montclair
Saturday, September 14, 2024
The Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree transforms the vibrant, arts-rich urban suburb of Montclair into a musical mecca. Get ready for half a mile of stages, food, and artisan vendors. Kids can enjoy the Verizon Jazz Discovery Zone. READ MORE

Haddon Township Fall Festival

Haddon Township – FREE
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Fall fun awaits at this annual town fair, with food trucks, fire trucks, a car show, live entertainment, a dunk tank, a pie contest, strolling entertainment, local artisans, and more. READ MORE

Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival

Morristown – FREE
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy free music in downtown Morristown. The performances take place at Pioneer's Plaza. READ MORE

Art Festival and Classic Car Show in Summit

Summit – FREE
Sunday, September 15, 2024
This family-friendly event is designed to celebrate the vibrant arts community and the timeless appeal of classic cars. Guests can expect a day filled with great food, live music, children’s entertainment, art and wares, classic cars, and more in downtown Summit. READ MORE

Fannywood Day Street Fair

Fanwood – FREE
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Fannywood Day features various vendors and activities, including a Kids Zone with a trackless train, a petting zoo, pony rides, and numerous rides. Plus, don't miss all the great contests, including a scavenger hunt, pizza eating, ice cream eating, bubble blowing, and a water balloon toss. READ MORE

Ridgewood Fall Craft Street Fair

Ridgewood – FREE
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Be prepared for a day of artistry and a family fun day at the annual Ridgewood Fall Craft & Art Street Fair. Two hundred exhibitors from three states highlight arts, crafts, and photography along with a large food court set up in front of the park featuring delicious festival foods.    READ MORE

Bridgewater Community Day Featuring Touch-a-Truck

Bridgewater – FREE
Sunday, September 15, 2024
This touch-a-truck event is free, open to the entire community, and includes music, crafts, inflatables, and more.  READ MORE

XPoNential Music Festival

Camden
Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 22, 2024
WXPN and the Camden County Board of Commissioners present the XPoNential Music Festival presented by Subaru. The festival returns to the Wiggins Park on Camden Waterfront. As always, the festival is a great opportunity to see established artists and to discover new up-and-coming bands. READ MORE

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival

Ridgefield Park – FREE
Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 22, 2024
Enjoy some family fun at the annual Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival, featuring a craft fair, carnival rides, a farmers market, animals, live music, food trucks and much more.  READ MORE

Water Lantern Festival

Jersey City
Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 22, 2024
Enjoy a picturesque evening at Liberty State Park when the Hudson River becomes illuminated by beautiful lanterns. The festivities begin with food trucks and music, followed by the designing of lanterns at 6:30pm. READ MORE

Festival in the Borough 2024

Washington – FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Festival in the Borough returns to Downtown Washington with three stages of music and 19 acts, ranging from local favorites to national, touring, Grammy-nominated artists. Streets are lined with vendors, plus there's a children's fun zone, food, local shopping, and a beer garden to round out the fun. READ MORE

Warren County Hot Air Balloon Festival

Washington
Saturday, September 21-Sunday, September 22, 2024
Head over to Warren Community College for two days of family fun at this hot air balloon festival. Gates open at 3pm each day with vendors, food trucks, and family entertainment.  READ MORE

34th Annual St. James Street Fair

Woodbridge – FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
The 34th Annual St. James Street Fair boasts food trucks, crafters, vendors, live performances, and children's activities.  READ MORE

All About Downtown Street Fair

Jersey City – FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
The annual All About Downtown Street Fair returns to Jersey City for its 13th year with more than 100 vendors and more than 10 food and mobile fashion trucks. This event features a day full of fun for the entire family. READ MORE

Oktoberfest at Mountain Creek

Vernon
Saturday, September 21-Sunday, September 22, 2024
Oktoberfest at Mountain Creek includes a wide variety of beer, cider, hard soda and seltzers, plus authentic German food, festival food, and activities and games for kids and adults alike. READ MORE

Italian Festival at Historic Smithville

Galloway – FREE
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Come join the excitement at this Italian Festival, featuring an Italian market with a spectacular variety of wares and food. The day is filled with live Italian music, bocce ball, folk dancing, kids’ activities, and more. READ MORE

Westfield FestiFall

Westfield – FREE
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Welcome the fall season at this bustling annual festival, featuring entertainment, fantastic food, more than 300 vendors, and more. A special KidZone houses rides, games, and activities just for children. READ MORE

Edison's Fall Family Spectacular Street Fair

Edison – FREE
Saturday, September 28, 2024
Bring the kids to this family-friendly event to enjoy kiddie rides, games, face painting, sand art, a pro wrestling ring, a remote-controlled car track, and much more. Find more than eight blocks of food, crafts, exhibitors, and a wine and beer garden. READ MORE

Roselle Park Arts Festival

Roselle Park – FREE
Saturday, September 28, 2024
The Roselle Park Arts Festival is an annual celebration of the arts featuring dance performances, street artists creating their art live, and a juried Art Walk with dozens of artists and crafters exhibiting and selling their work.  READ MORE

Asbury Park Fall Bazaar 2024

Asbury Park – FREE
Saturday, September 28-Sunday, September 29, 2024
Asbury Park Fall Bazaar features local vendors, kids’ activities, fall photo walls, music, workshops, delicious food, libations, and entertainment. The event is family-friendly, pet-friendly, and free. READ MORE

Fall Festivals and Fairs New Jersey this October

Ridgefield Park Jazz Fest Street Fair

Ridgefield Park – FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
The annual Ridgefield Park Street Fair features quality exhibitors selling assorted items, a special arts and crafts section, entertainment, kiddie rides and games, great festival foods and food trucks, and more. Don't miss two stages of live music. READ MORE

Oktoberfest in Historic Smithville

Galloway – FREE
Saturday, October 5-Sunday, October 6, 2024
Historic Smithville’s famous Oktoberfest has more than 150 juried crafters, an international food court, music, kids’ activities, nonprofit organizations, and more. READ MORE

Princeton Children's Book Festival

Princeton – FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
The annual Children's Book Festival welcomes children's book authors and illustrators to Hinds Plaza. Families can meet the people behind some of their favorite stories, get books signed and chat about literary inspiration.  READ MORE

North Brunswick Heritage Day

North Brunswick – FREE
Saturday, October 5, 2024
North Brunswick welcomes all to its Annual Heritage Day, featuring free kiddie rides, food vendors, live music, local businesses, and a beer garden. Top off the evening with fireworks. READ MORE

30th Annual Pine Barrens Jamboree

Waretown
Saturday, October 12, 2024
Enjoy music, cultural demonstrations, nature and history programs, food vendors, and more at this celebratory event.  READ MORE

Irish Festival at Historic Smithville

Galloway – FREE
Saturday, October 12-Sunday, October 13, 2024
The annual Irish festival at Historic Smithville offers two stages of live music throughout the day. As part of this amazing festival sponsored by the Cape Atlantic Irish Association, you can peruse an Irish market, enjoy children’s activities, and eat at a food court. READ MORE

Newton Fall Festival

Newton – FREE
Sunday, October 13, 2024
The town of Newton and the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce team up for this ninth annual family-friendly fall festival along Spring Street. Enjoy live music, classic cars, children's activities, and food during the festivities. READ MORE

Califon Street Fair 2024

Califon – FREE
Sunday, October 13, 2024
The historic downtown of Califon is transformed into a communal scene of fall fun, shopping, food, and entertainment. Stroll through the picturesque downtown and enjoy exquisite artisans and crafters, a variety of tasty food trucks and vendors, a beer garden, a pie-eating contest, and live music. READ MORE

Thompson Park Day

Lincroft – FREE
Sunday, October 20, 2024
Enjoy everything autumn during this family-friendly event, featuring entertainment, pumpkin painting, wagon rides, food vendors, and more. READ MORE

Grayrock N Roll Fall Festival

Clinton
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Head over to Grayrock Farm Sanctuary for this day-long affair. More than 50 vendors sell their goodies. Children can enjoy meet-and-greets with the farm animals. Food trucks are available as well. READ MORE

Garfield Fall Family Fun Street Fair

Garfield – FREE
Sunday, October 27, 2024
If you like shopping outdoors, head to Midland Avenue for this giant block party. Enjoy quality exhibitors selling assorted items, a special arts and crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides and games, great festival foods and food trucks, and more.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Veteran's Field
Downtown Cranbury
Marlboro Municipal Complex
The Green (and other location)
Edison's Fall Family Spectacular Street Fair
Princeton Public Library
Wells Mills County Park
Grayrock Farm Sanctuary

About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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