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Take to the water during Port Monmouth's Wind & Sea Festival. Photo courtesy of the Monmouth County Park System
Take to the water during Port Monmouth's Wind & Sea Festival. Photo courtesy of the Monmouth County Park System
8/27/24 - By Laurie Rein

Our roundup of FREE September events and activities in New Jersey is the perfect remedy for end-of-summer blues.

September is off to a promising start with local neighborhood fairs throughout the state, like Bridgewater Community Day Featuring Touch-a-Truck.

As summer transitions to fall, get in the autumn spirit at admission-free seasonal events, including Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival and Harvest Home Festival.

For more free and low-cost fun, check out our Event Calendar. 

Subscribe to our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Ongoing Free Things To Do in September 2024

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Bridgewater

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Bring the little ones to Barnes & Noble in Bridgewater every Monday morning for stories and fun. READ MORE

Preschool Storytime at Bridgewater Library

Bridgewater
Every Monday
Swing by the library on Mondays with the little ones for books, songs, and activities. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Livingston

Livingston
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Enjoy childhood classics and new favorites at Barnes & Noble in Livingston on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.  READ MORE

Storytime at Barnes & Noble East Brunswick

East Brunswick
Every Tuesday
Give the kids a storytime break every Tuesday morning at Barnes & Noble in Brunswick Square Mall. Participants will hear a story and take part in a coloring activity. READ MORE

Bookscape Babies at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Tuesday
Cotsen’s youngest patrons get active, social, and build their vocabularies in a special play space in the Bookscape gallery. Soft ramps, tunnels, and plush alphabet letters await. READ MORE

South Orange Farmers Market

South Orange
Every Wednesday
The South Orange Downtown Farmers Market returns for its 33rd season in the Sloan Street Lot, rain or shine. Shop for Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, bread, meats, pickles, olives, soups, homemade ice cream, apple cider, soul food, sweet treats, plus grab and go lunch/dinner options and much more. READ MORE

Barnes & Noble Storytime in Brick

Brick
Every Wednesday
Head over to Barnes & Noble every Wednesday for children's stories and fun. READ MORE

Story Time with Miss Jan

Manasquan
Every Wednesday
Join Miss Jan every Wednesday for a fun story time at Booktowne. Guest readers, such as authors and illustrators, often pay visits. READ MORE

Toddler Story Time at Roxbury Public Library

Roxbury
Every Wednesday
Drop in at Roxbury Public Library, where tots can wiggle, rhyme, read, and sing in this active story time. Simple stories and music introduce the sounds and rhythms of language and play to your little learner. READ MORE

Atlantic Highlands Indoor Baby Storytime

Atlantic Highlands
Every Wednesday
Bring the babies to Atlantic Highlands library for stories, rhymes, songs and fingerplay. No registration required. READ MORE

Tiger Tales at Cotsen Children's Library

Princeton
Every Friday
Join the staff at Cotsen Library for a special interactive weekly storytime. Tiger Tales begins with a story and ends with a hands-on project to take home. READ MORE

Toms River Downtown Night Out

Toms River
Every Friday and Saturday
Spend Friday and Saturday nights exploring downtown Toms River. Restaurants and businesses are open for dining, shopping, and entertainment. A section of Washington Street is closed for outdoor dining. READ MORE

Scotch Plains Farmers' Market

Scotch Plains
Every Saturday
The annual farmers' market returns every Saturday morning for its 32nd season, featuring fresh produce, baked goods, gifts and more.  READ MORE

Live Animal Talks at Jake Branch County Park

Beechwood
Every Sunday
Head over to Jakes Branch County Park Nature Center every Sunday for an up-close look at the park's inhabitants. Visitors learn about the various species that call the Nature Center home. Talks last about 20 minutes. READ MORE

Cattus Island Nature Walks

Toms River
Every Saturday and Sunday
Join a park naturalist for a 40-year Ocean County tradition. Discover the fascinating and diverse wonders of the natural world. No registration is required. READ MORE

Free Things To Do in September 2024

Riverdale's Annual Labor Day Street Fair

Riverdale
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

The Wood Street Fair in Downtown Burlington

Burlington
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

Cranbury Day on Main Street

Cranbury
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

Insect Festival at Mercer Educational Gardens

Pennington
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

Marlboro Day

Marlboro
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

Arts in the Park in Highland Park

Highland Park
Sunday, September 8, 2024
Join Main Street Highland Park for the 16th annual Arts in the Park street festival, juried art show, and arts and crafts sale. The festival invites the community to enjoy artistic offerings, live music, food from local restaurants, children's activities, promotional booths, and more. READ MORE

Elmwood Park's Community Day with Fireworks

Elmwood Park
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

JCPenney Kids Zone

Various locations
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Stop by New Jersey JCPenney stores on the second Saturday of every month for free and fun crafts. Children receive a lanyard and collector's pin. Six pins earn a Project Master Medallion. READ MORE

Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival

Morristown
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

Sea Isle City Fall Family Festival

Sea Isle City
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

Haddon Township Fall Festival

Haddon Township
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

Wind & Sea Festival at Bayshore Waterfront Park

Port Monmouth
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

Bridgewater Community Day Featuring Touch-a-Truck

Bridgewater
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

Fannywood Day Street Fair

Fanwood
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

Art Festival and Classic Car Show in Summit

Summit
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

Ridgewood Fall Craft Street Fair

Ridgewood
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

Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival

Ridgefield Park
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

All About Downtown Street Fair

Jersey City
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

Festival in the Borough 2024

Washington
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

Westfield FestiFall

Westfield
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

Deptford Mall Kid's Mini Theater Show

Deptford
Thursday, September 26, 2024
Beloved story characters take the stage at Deptford Mall for FREE monthly shows. Enjoy singing, dancing, story time, fun giveaways, and a meet-and-greet with the character. Registration is required.  READ MORE

Roselle Park Arts Festival

Roselle Park
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

Edison's Fall Family Spectacular Street Fair

Edison
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

Asbury Park Fall Bazaar 2024

Asbury Park
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

Worldwide Day of Play with Children's Museum of Central Jersey

Fords
Saturday, September 28, 2024
The Children’s Museum of Central Jersey is thrilled to be partnering with Nickelodeon and ACM to host the Worldwide Day of Play. This global day of play features crafts, race cars, building, balancing and more. READ MORE

Harvest Home Festival at Historic Longstreet Farm

Holmdel
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Harvest Home Festival is an old-fashioned country fair reminiscent of the 1890s. It takes visitors back in time to when neighbors gathered to help with the harvest, spent time socializing and enjoying each other's company.  READ MORE

2024 Walnut Street Fair

Montclair
Sunday, September 29, 2024
Spread throughout the heart of Walnut Street in beautiful Montclair, the fair features nearly 300 vendors, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and a fun zone that includes face painting, arts & crafts, a community stage featuring local groups and entertainment, an obstacle course, Touch-A-Truck and more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Cotsen Children's Library at Princeton University Library
Cotsen Library at Princeton University
Municipal Parking Lot
Jake Branch County Park Nature Center
Downtown Cranbury
Marlboro Municipal Complex
The Green (and other location)
Edison's Fall Family Spectacular Street Fair
Woodbridge Public Library-Fords Branch