Looking for something to do this weekend that combines live music, local food, shopping and one of the best waterfront views in New Jersey? Hoboken is bringing back a piece of its history with the return of the River City Fair.
On Saturday, September 26, from noon to 5 p.m., Sinatra Drive will turn into a waterfront festival stretching from Newark Street to Fifth Street. Best of all, admission is free. And this isn’t exactly a brand-new event.
An Old Hoboken Tradition Gets a New Life
The River City Fair dates back to the 1970s, when Hoboken residents and local advocates were working to transform the city’s industrial waterfront into a place the public could actually enjoy.
The original fairs brought people to the Hudson River for live music, arts and crafts, food, environmental programs and plenty of family activities. Over the years, the event eventually evolved into Hoboken’s Fall Arts & Music Festival. Now, decades later, the original River City Fair name is making its return.
Two Stages of Live Music
Live music is a huge part of the day, with performances and entertainment happening at both Pier A and Sinatra Park.
The Pier A stage kicks off at noon with New Jersey’s women-led Brazilian samba drumline Bateria Fogo Azul, followed by The Maybes, Bass Envy with Jack Skuller and legendary drummer Sed Marsh.
Closing out the festival from 4 to 5 p.m. will be Colorado indie-pop duo Cherokee Social, whose music mixes pop, soul, hip-hop and Indigenous influences.
Come Hungry and Bring the Kids
Sinatra Park becomes the fair’s youth stage and family area, with performances throughout the afternoon from local dance groups, young musicians and School of Rock.
There will also be bounce houses and Dinosaurs Arise from noon to 4 p.m.
A dedicated Food Alley will run along Sinatra Drive between 1st and 2nd Streets, giving visitors a place to grab lunch or a snack while enjoying the waterfront and music.
Throughout the fair, you’ll also find Hoboken and Hudson County artists, crafters, makers, businesses and community organizations.
The Hudson River itself will also be part of the day. Local organizations and the Hoboken Green Team will offer opportunities to learn about the river’s wildlife, ecology and the importance of protecting the waterfront.
Event Details
Walk the waterfront. Grab something to eat. Listen to a band. Browse the local vendors. Let the kids meet a dinosaur. And, of course, take in that Manhattan skyline.
The River City Fair takes place on Saturday, September 26, 2026 from 12 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
For the latest event information and full entertainment schedule, check here.
Antonietta LaVecchia has been a small business advocate for over two decades and has made it a mission to get communities to shop small and support local.