Rides, funnel cake, live music, fireworks. The Middlesex County Fair is back for its 88th year, and it runs through Sunday, August 9 at the Middlesex County Fairgrounds on Cranbury Road.
This one’s been a summer fixture in East Brunswick for decades. 4-H programs, home arts competitions, agricultural displays, all sitting right alongside the carnival rides and midway games you’d expect. Bring the kids, bring a date, or just show up hungry, there’s room for all three.
What’s Happening
Carnival rides and midway games run the whole weekend. Live music hits every evening, local bands, tribute acts, and more. There’s also comedy hypnotists, stilt walkers, and family shows scattered throughout for anyone who wants entertainment beyond the rides.
The agricultural side of things hasn’t gone anywhere either. 4-H exhibits, home arts competitions, dozens of food vendors slinging classic fair food and local specialties, plus craft vendors if you’re in a shopping mood between rides.
Saturday’s the day to bring kids specifically. Kids Day games, children’s entertainment, live music, even fitness demonstrations. Sunday closes the whole thing out with fireworks in the evening.
Know Before You Go
Dates: Through Sunday, August 9, 2026
Location: Middlesex County Fairgrounds, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Hours:
- Friday: 5 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets, ride info, and the full entertainment schedule are all on the official fair website.
County fairs pull off something most events can’t, farmers, artisans, musicians, and families all sharing the same patch of grass for a weekend. If you’ve never taken your kids to one, or just want an excuse to be outside on a summer evening, this is exactly that kind of night.
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.