Summer is right around the corner, and New Jersey is ready to celebrate. From now through September, the Garden State will be packed with festivals, fairs, and outdoor fun. Here are 22 summer events and festivals in NJ you won’t want to miss.
Kick Off to Summer Food Festival
Head on down to the Jersey Shore for a day filled with good music and plenty of great food. Some of the best food trucks in the state will be parked and ready to serve you all day long. Feel like some excercise? Run in the Kick Off to Summer 5k before the festival begins.
Date & Time: June 22, 3 p.m.
Location: Lavallette Bayfront and Philadelphia Avenue, Lavallette, NJ
Cost: Adults $5, children free
Wild Fest
This can’t-miss music festival supports Woodlands Wildlife Refuge and will feature live music, food trucks, face painting, balloon animals, and giant bubbles. Guests are welcome to bring fishing rods for pond access.
Date & Time: June 22, 12 p.m.
Location: Clinton Elks Lodge 2434, 211 Sidney Road, Franklin Township, NJ
Cost: $10
Chester Firemans Carnival
Start the day with rides, food, fire trucks and plenty of family fun. Finish the day with a breathtaking firework show that illuminates the night skies.
Date & Time: June 24-28, 6:30 p.m.
Location: 290 West Main Street, Chester, NJ
Cost: $35
Dover Summer Festival
Dover’s biggest summer party is back! Enjoy a full day of live music, cultural performances, food vendors, local shopping, and nonstop community energy. English acts take the stage from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., followed by vibrant Spanish performances starting at 6 p.m. Rain date is August 2.
Date & Time: June 28, Saturday, 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Crescent Field Parking Lot B, Dover, NJ
Cost: Free
Morris County Pride 2025
This family-friendly pride celebration will include live music, food, crafts, vendors, and community organizations, with activities tailored for the whole family. Morris County Pride supports EDGE, a NJ non-profit aimed at ending discrimination.
Date & Time: June 28, 11 a.m.
Location: 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, NJ
Brick Township SummerFest
Celebrate 30 years of SummerFest in Brick Township with live music, tasty food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and entertainment for all ages. Each concert night wraps up with a breathtaking fireworks display that lights up the night sky.
Date & Time: July 3, 10, 17 & 18, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Windward Beach Park, 265 Princeton Avenue, Brick, NJ
Cost: Free
Concert Lineup:
Super Trans Am – July 3
Brit Pack – July 10
Suit & Mai Tai – July 17
After Shock – July 18
Oceanfest at Long Branch
For over 30 years, Oceanfest has brought crowds to Long Branch’s beautiful oceanfront for a day packed with tasty food, live music, and fun activities for the whole family. The night finishes with an amazing fireworks show lighting up the Jersey Shore sky.
Date & Time: July 4, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: 1 Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch, NJ
Cost: Free
Movies on the Beach
There’s nothing like ending a summer weekend with a movie on the sand. Every Sunday night, Seaside Heights sets up the big screen by Beach Patrol North Headquarters. Bring a blanket, your favorite snacks, and lay back to watch classics right by the ocean.
Date & Time: July 6 to August 24, Sundays, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Location: Beach Patrol North Headquarters, Seaside Heights NJ
Cost: Free
Movie Schedule:
July 6 – Jaws
July 13 – Mufasa
July 20 – Despicable Me 4
July 27 – Transformers One
August 3 – Inside Out 2
August 10 – Moana 2
August 17 – Wicked
August 24 – Sonic 3
Kites in the Heights
Every Tuesday this summer, Carteret Avenue Beach becomes a canvas for the sky. Giant kites shaped like animals, characters, and colorful designs will drift above Seaside Heights from late afternoon into the evening.
Date & Time: July 8 – August 26, Tuesdays, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Location: Carteret Avenue Beach, Seaside Heights, NJ
Cost: Free
South Jersey Caribbean Festival
The 25th Annual South Jersey Caribbean Festival brings island vibes to the Camden Waterfront with live music, Caribbean food, dancing, and entertainment by the river. Expect vibrant performances, good eats, and a crowd ready to celebrate culture.
Date & Time: Saturday, July 12, 2025, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Wiggins Park, Camden, NJ 08103
Cost: Free
Randolph Freedom Festival
The Randolph Freedom Festival is back at County College of Morris from July 10 through 12. Each evening from 6 to 11 p.m., enjoy live music, classic carnival rides, games, and a variety of festival foods like funnel cake, fried Oreos, and sausage and peppers. The expanded beer garden serves beer, wine, and hard seltzer. The celebration wraps up with a grand fireworks display on Saturday, July 12, with a rain date of July 13.
Date & Time: July 10 – 12, 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Location: County College of Morris, 214 Center Grove Rd, Randolph, NJ
Cost: Free
Burlington County Farm Fair
Enjoy pig races, tractor parades, and family-friendly activities like “Be a Farmer for a Day.” Explore local crafts, savor tasty fair food, and catch nightly balloon art shows. The fair opens with a fireworks show on July 22.
Date & Time: July 22–26, 2025; Tuesday–Friday, 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Burlington County Fairgrounds, Westampton, NJ
Cost: Varies
New Jersey State Fair
The New Jersey State Fair returns to the Sussex County Fairgrounds for nine days of carnival rides, 4-H and livestock shows, pig races, chainsaw carving, a demolition derby, and classic fair food. One of the state’s biggest summer events, and it’s rain or shine.
Date & Time: August 1 to 9
Opening Day (Friday, August 1), 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Weekends, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Weekdays (Monday to Friday), 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Location: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ
Cost: Admission varies; parking is free
J. Town Jamboree
Jefferson Township’s throwing its first-ever J. Town Jamboree, and it’s shaping up to be a good time. Think live music, food trucks, craft vendors, a cornhole tournament, and plenty of entertainment. Local bands and DJs will keep the energy going all day.
Date & Time: Saturday, July 12, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Location: Jefferson Township High School Fields, 1010 Weldon Road, Oak Ridge, NJ
Cost: $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, free for kids 5 and under
St. Ann’s Italian Festival
The St. Ann’s Italian Festival returns to Hoboken for its 115th year, serving up delicious food, fun games, and live music. Enjoy favorites like zeppoles, cheesesteaks, and wood-fired pizza, plus a beer garden and nightly entertainment. Try your luck with the 50/50 raffles for a chance to win big.
Date & Time: July 23–27, 2025; Wed–Thu 6–11 p.m., Fri–Sun 1–11 p.m.
Location: 704 Jefferson Street, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: Free
Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Balloon Festival
This longtime summer staple brings hot air balloon launches, carnival rides, tractor pulls, animal shows, and classic fair food to the Warren County Fairgrounds.
Date & Time: July 27–28, August 3, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.; July 29–August 2, 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Warren County Fairgrounds, 1350 Strykers Road, Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $10 adults, $5 ages 6–12, free for children 5 and under; free parking
Highlands Clam Fest
The Highlands Clam Fest is back for its 30th year, bringing a weekend full of great food, drinks, and lively performance. Expect tasty seafood, funnel cakes, and a chilled-out beer, wine, and sangria garden.
Date & Time: August 1 – 3
Friday, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday, 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Sunday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Huddy Park, Bay and Waterwitch Avenues, Highlands, NJ
Cost: Admission free
La Festa Italiana Jersey City
One of Jersey City’s favorite traditions returns this August. La Festa Italiana transforms the downtown streets into a five-day celebration of culture, food, and community. Think fresh cannoli, pasta straight from the pot, live music, and a lively crowd.
Date & Time: August 13–17, 2025
Wednesday–Friday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Location: Downtown Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
Greek Festival at Laurita Winery
Celebrate all things Greek with food, wine, and live music at Laurita Winery’s weekend festival. Expect gyros, spanakopita, belly dancing, and a full lineup of food trucks and traditional entertainment.
Date & Time: August 3–4, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Laurita Winery, 85 Archertown Road, New Egypt, NJ
Cost: $14 in advance, $17 at the gate for adults 21 and older; free for those under 21.
Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival
Enjoy two nights of Latin jazz, food trucks, and Salsa dance lessons at the Jersey City Latin Jazz Festival. With live music on three stages and fun activities for kids, this festival brings together great sounds and good vibes.
Date & Time: September 5 & 6, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Location: Montgomery Street between Hudson and Green Streets, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Free
Ocean City Airport Festival
This annual festival at the Municipal Airport features a ground display of unique airplanes ranging from World War II planes to classics and warbirds. Attendees can also watch a parachute jump from Team Fastrax.
Date & Time: September 13, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Ocean City Airport, 2600 Bay Avenue, Ocean City, NJ
Cost: Free
Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival
Enjoy live music, arcade games, mini golf, axe throwing, and a Car & Truck Show showcasing classic and custom rides. Watch colorful hot air balloons fill the sky during a weekend packed with fun for all ages.
Date & Time: Sept. 20–21, 1 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (rain dates Sept. 27–28)
Location: Warren Community College, 475 Route 57, Washington, NJ
Cost: $10 adults, $4 kids 5–12, free under 5; $5 parking. Family pack $40 includes parking for up to 5. Tickets increase after Sept. 18.
Alondra Cabrera is the Editorial Assistant at New Jersey Digest. She recently graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. During her time at school, she discovered her passion for journalism and content creation. In her free time, she loves to create and edit videos for her corgis, Rafi and Toffe, and indulge in culinary adventures with her friends. Alondra also enjoys traveling, cooking, and working out. She is excited to embark on her professional journey in media and looks forward to contributing her skill and creativity to her role here at New Jersey Digest.
