September is prime time for beautiful weather and the start of fall festivals. From craft shows to balloon festivals to festive fall celebrations, here are some of our favorite events in NJ and beyond this month.
September 1
Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival
Tymor Park, Union Vale (LaGrangeville), NY
Aside from watching the hot air balloons floating in the sky, or taking your own flight, there will be yoga in the morning, live music, food trucks, a kids’ zone and aerial acrobatics.
Boardwalk Craft Show
Wildwood Convention Center, Wildwood
Artisan-made and handmade items, boutique goodies, gifts and more will be set up for sale along the boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue.
Frenchtown’s Riverfest
Sunbeam Lenape Park and Bridge Street, Frenchtown
For the past 20 years, this festival is traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend to celebrate life along the river. Stroll Bridge Street and Sunbeam Park for a fun-filled day of live music, art, food, family-friendly activities, and paper boat races with the Frenchtown Vikings, all with an ecologically- and sustainability-focused lens. There will be 70+ local vendors, 20+ local musicians and six food vendors.
AirFest 2024
NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, Wildwood
There will be 27 planes and helicopters on display. Events include flyovers from the F-16s, EAA, Aero Club of PA, and other organizations. There will be appearances by the New Jersey State Police, AtlantiCare MedEvac, the Mosquito Commission, and the USCG helicopter and Smokey the Bear. AirFest will also feature live music by Animal House and Devlin, Ted Schwartz’s WWII radio show, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, free caricatures and face painting, as well as vendors and exhibitors, including the 621st Contingency Response Squadron and the F-14 Tomcat Calverton ATG Podcast. Shore Axes Mobile Axe Throwing will be on-site all four days.
End of Summer Block Party and Music Festival
Fox Park, Wildwood
The festivities include hours of continuous entertainment, games, activities for kids, food, merchandise vendors, live music and more.
September 1 – November 3
Peddler’s Village Scarecrow Season
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
The next few months, celebrate everything Fall with various dates for the scarecrow display and festival, pet photo contest, Food Truck Thursdays, a murder mystery dinner, an outdoor screening of “The Wizard of Oz,” a wedding show, a Peddler’s Village Book Club, a terrarium-making workshop, the annual OctoberFeast weekend, Halloween parties, and the Peddler’s Village Apple Festival.
September 2
Vegan Labor Day Wellness Festival
The Villa, Glen Gardner
Eat clean, gourmet, plant-based foods prepared by multiple vegan chefs from tri-state area vegan restaurants. There will be activities and discussions centered around wellness, such as yoga classes, sound healing, biomagnetism, essential oils, make-your-own workshops, a saltwater swimming pool, an outdoor sauna, a Bulgarian Rose Otto Radium Mineral Salt bath, and music.
Mendham Labor Day Parade and Carnival
East Main Street and Mountain Avenue, Mendham
There will be rides, games and carnival food. Stop by Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening for the carnival. On Labor Day, the Mendham Labor Day Parade marches up Main Street ending at Borough Field.
September 6
NY Giants Fan Fest
MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford
Celebrate 100 seasons of NY Giants football with a ceremony featuring the Top 100 Giants of all time, a drone light and fireworks show, a players panel, autographs, discussions with Giants legends, historic activations around the plaza, photos with the Lombardi Trophies, and free giveaways
September 7
Victorian Day
Belvidere
Aside from a tea garden party, there will be a fashion show with designs from the 19th and 20th centuries, a vendor and antique market, a car show, an en plein air art competition, exhibits and entertainment.
Bayern Verein Newark’s Oktoberfest!
Deutscher Club of Clark, Clark
The spirit of Bavaria comes to life with traditional music, food, and activities for the whole family. Explore the German market and watch performances by traditional Bavarian Schuhplattlers. There will be a bier stein holding contest, corn hole and Connect Four. Music is by Bernie’s Orchestra.
Fall Brew By the Bay
The Seafarer, Atlantic Highlands
Each brewery will serve two beer samples. Music, fire pits and food are available for an additional fee.
The Wildwoods Food & Music Festival
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood
Formerly known as Wildwoods Seafood and Music Festival, the street fair has a range of food options, music, shopping, vendors and more.
Fort Lee Artisan Market
Hudson Lights Park, Fort Lee
There will be vendors, outdoor games, live music and seasonal surprises.
Union County Celtic Festival
Oak Ridge Park, Clark
This family-friendly festival includes live music and entertainment, a children’s area, cultural activities, piping and drumming contests, craft vendors, dancing, and food vendors.
September 7-8
Chester Fall Craft Show
Municipal Field, Chester
Over 175 artisans from all over will bring their handcrafted wares including jewelry, textiles, accessories, woodworking, metalworks, photography, fine art, glassworks and more. The show is located on the east end of Main Street, close to Chester’s Historic Shopping & Dining District. The Historic Downtown is home to over 80 boutique stores and eateries.
Fiesta Latina
Mercer County Festival Grounds, West Windsor
Saturday – Sunday
CelebrateHispanic Heritage Month with two days of live music, craft vendors, children’s activities, and more. On Saturday, Grammy Award nominee and musician Toño Rosario will take the stage with the legendary salsa group Puerto Rican Power. On Sunday, listen Cumbia, Merengue and Mariachi music. Headlining will be three-time Grammy award-winning salsa and Latin jazz composer and performer Jeremy Bosch, accompanied by Jose Tabares’ All Star Band.
September 7 – October 31
Mid-Autumn Festivals
American Dream, East Rutherford
Performances range from live bands and pop dances to art exhibitions and fashion shows throughout the series.
September 8
Highland Park Arts in the Park Street Fair
Raritan Avenue, Highland Park
There will be a juried art show and local arts and crafts sale in downtown Highland Park. Walk along the streets for live music, entertainment, food from local restaurants, children’s activities, promotional booths, and more.
September 13-14
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, East Brunswick
The fairgrounds will be filled with hot air balloons, a Kids Zone, games, rides, a train, bounce houses, live music, craft and retail booths, and food vendors with festival-style food. At night, a synchronized glow show lights up the balloons.
Fridays – Sundays, September 13 – October 13
Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest
Morey’s Piers, Wildwood
Bust out your lederhosen and raise your steins as you enjoy live music, traditional German food, and all the games and rides you love at Morey’s Piers. Bands play on the Coca-Cola stage all weekend long with daily strolling entertainment by the Oompah Delics.
September 13 – October 14
Fall Flower Festival
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
There will be thousands of rainbow blooms including sunflowers, gladiolus, dahlias, calla lilies and mums; dozens of food options; dozens of floral photo activations; a hundred vendors; live music and more family-friendly activities.
September 14
Great Big Italian Festival
Lake Papaianni Park, Edison
Get ready for a giant fiesta in the park, including lots of Italian food and music.
Rocktoberfest
Taylor Park, Millburn
Now in its eighth year, Rocktoberfest will have an expanded lineup with three stages showcasing diverse musical acts, arts and fitness activities, children’s entertainment, a beer garden, local vendors, and a variety of food options. There will be performances from over 30 bands, including headliner The Gilfords, a premier ’80s rock cover band from NYC; and Rhode Island’s hip-hop/funk/jazz band Toad & the Stooligans. Local acts include Millburn Moksha, The Parkers, Bollywood dancers and teen bands.
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
There is a special Wine & Jazz All Stars performance concert set for a Friday night preview, but the main action takes place on Saturday when the lineup includesvocalist Dianne Reeves, alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin, pianist Harold López-Nussa: Timba a la Americana, bassist Endea Owens & The Cookout, The Dale Melton Trio, and High and Mighty Brass Band. The all-day event ends with a jazz-inspired Illuminated Fountain Performance in the Main Fountain Garden. You can also sample wines from Pennsylvania, as well as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and New Zealand.
Riverfront Promenade, Burlington
Enter the 5K run, and then reward yourself with beer, music and food trucks at the after-party festival.
Select dates, September 14 – November 3
The Great Pumpkin Festival
Heaven Hill Farm, Vernon
Included with admission are 35+ family fun outdoor activities, including hayrides to the pumpkin patch, “The Big Top” themed corn maze, farm animals, pig races, Canine Dog Show, pedal cars, touring cars, giant slingshot, giant straw pyramid, boo barn, Baseball Speed Throw, and more activities for the entire family. For an additional fee, there are carnival rides, an apple cannon, a paintball range, gem mining, wine tasting, food vendors, kettle corn, apple cider donuts, pumpkins and gourds, and mums.
September 15
Bridgewater Commons, Bridgewater
Kids can climb on and pretend to drive a variety of trucks and vehicles, including the Batmobile, emergency services vehicles, construction trucks, delivery trucks, and more. The event will also include rides, games, crafts, inflatables, music and food trucks. New this year is a Special Needs Resource Fair, featuring businesses and agencies that provide programs and services to individuals with disabilities.
September 19-22
St. Peter’s Carnival
St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, River Edge
The annual St. Peter’s Carnival returns with rides for all ages, fun games, food, and a 50/50 raffle.
September 20-21
Medford Oktoberfest
Freedom Park, Medford
There will be multiple stages of live music, a massive beer tent, German food, food trucks, local business setups, and a stein-holding competition. On Saturday only, there will be German music by Doppelganger throughout the festival grounds, a charity bratwurst eating contest, a cornhole competition, and kids’ activities. Live music on the Cornerstone PEO stage will be by JEM recording artists The Weeklings, Don’t Call Me Francis, Taylor Kelly, The Tisburys, Foes of Fern, Sug Daniels, Kenny Curcio, and Von Roz. Live music on the Archerlaw stage will be from All Systems Go, The Gender Gnomes, Romaine, Swing That Cat, The DT’s, Mars Counsel, Valendina, Tim W. Smith, The Loan Rangers, and more.
September 20-22
Bergen County 4-H Fair: Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
The Fall Harvest Festival features 4-H and Master Gardener displays and hands-on activities, a craft fair, carnival rides, a farmers market, a petting zoo, live music, face painting, food trucks, and more carnival attractions.
Irish Fall Festival
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood
Celebrate Irish heritage with dancing, music, food, and craft vendors. Other festivities include a golf tournament, boxing, Irish dance lessons, a 5K run and 1 mile walk, a pipe exhibition, a food court, and Catholic Mass.
September 21
Oktoberfest
Edmund Plaza, Red Bank
Red Bank RiverCenter is partnering with Triumph Brewing, Fresh Markets and The Two River Theater for the second annual Red Bank Oktoberfest.
Hopewell Harvest Fair
Hopewell Elementary School, Hopewell Twp.
Crafters, farmers and food vendors will be part of the 36th annual Hopewell Harvest Fair. There will be entertainment, fun and games, a Kid’s Corner and contests, plus exhibits in Town Square.
Latino Festival of Monmouth County
Hall of Records Parking Lot, Freehold Borough
Latin food, music, games and entertainment will be used in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration
Sunset Lake and Centennial Park, Wildwood Crest
During the day, there is a fun street festival featuring craft and food vendors, children’s entertainment and live music. At night, move to the park for more music and a fireworks show.
Festival of the Sea
Beach Area, Point Pleasant
More than 200 crafters and vendors will line thestreets, along with live games, music, family activities and a beer and wine garden.
September 22
Westfield FestiFall
Downtown Westfield
Central Avenue will become a marketplace of crafters, retailers, food truck and a beer garden. The event will also include a kids’ zone with rides and inflatables.
Central Jersey Family Fall Fest
MarketFair, Princeton
Expect fun, games, and more from exciting vendors for kids and parents.
September 27-28
Olde Time Italian Festival
Fox Park, Wildwood
Celebrate Italian culture, food, and heritage. Experience an “Olde World” family festival, including a Procession of the Saints, Italian food, merchandise vendors, games, and continuous free live entertainment.
September 28
Edison’s Fall Family Spectacular Street Fair
Clara Barton section of Edison
There are eight blocks of kiddie rides, games, face painting, sand art, a pro wrestling ring, a remote-controlled car track, crafts, shopping, two stages of live music, food trucks and the Kids Traveling Shindig.
“El Festival”
Byrne Plaza, Downtown Wildwood
This Hispanic heritage festival is a time to enjoy live music, eat Hispanic food made by local chefs, and experience different cultures.
September 28-29
Asbury Park Fall Bazaar 2024
Grand Arcade at Convention Hall and The Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park
There will be a curated market featuring artisans from the Jersey Shore, a fall photo wall, permanent jewelry, face painting, food and drinks, a Sip & Paint for glass coffee cups, live music and a DJ, photography, vinyl record shopping and a flower bar.
September 29
Walnut Street Fair
Walnut Street, Montclair
The street will be filled with nearly 300 vendors and displays, live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and a family fun zone with Touch-A-Truck and more. This event is family- and dog-friendly. Erie Park will feature a large family-fun zone with tons of kid-friendly activities and entertainment.
Sea-Con Collectibles Festival
Sea Bright Recreation Center, Sea Bright
Sea-Con is a collectibles festival celebrating comic books, trading cards and toys. Meet artist Criss Madd and author Tony DiGerolamo (The Jersey Devil). Kids can interact with costumed characters from Star Wars.
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Read More:
New Jersey’s Best Fall Festivals
Sunflowers, Dahlias + More Fall Flower Festivals We Love
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