NJIB’s Guide to 15+ New Jersey Events August 16 – 18, 2024
Oh hello, August! Here is your guide to New Jersey Events August 16 – 18. Highlighting the weekend is the return of A Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine: Bubble Tour in Phillipsburg and the Edison’s Food Wine & Beer Festival (where NJIB will be!!). Meanwhile, MULTIPLE fairs and festivals are going on this week in various counties. Plus free events, street fairs, and more.
For more events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide. If you’d like to submit your event, click here.
For more New Jersey Events and Adventures, follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring
Bonus! Be sure to check out our Sunflower Guide and our Summer Farmers Markets Guide.
New Jersey Events August 13 – 18:
Featured Event!
A Day Out With Thomas
August 16 – 18
A Day Out With Thomas is heading to the Delaware River Railroad Excursions in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Bring the whole family & imagine how far you will go! Day Out With Thomas is a family event that offers children and their grownups the opportunity to ride with classic storybook friend Thomas the Tank Engine. The train pulled by Thomas leaves every hour on the hour, from 10 am to 5 pm. You may also ride the River Train along the scenic Delaware River to Carpentersville, New Jersey (an hour and fifteen minutes round trip).
100 Elizabeth St, Phillipsburg, NJ
Cost: $22
Mark the Moment: The Promise Awards
August 14, 5:30pm to 8:30 pm
Mark the Moment: The Promise Awards is a celebratory fundraiser cocktail party honoring all of the past dedicated Family Promise of Hudson County (FPHC) Board Members, wonderful volunteers, compassionate houses of worship, and generous organizations who have helped FPHC since its inception in 2018.
39 Erie Street, Jersey City, NJ
Cost: $40
Passaic County Fair
August 15 – 18
This year’s fair will feature four days of unique activities for all to enjoy from games and rides to art activities and environmental excursions. In addition, there will be pony rides, bounce houses for the kids, and more. The four-day celebration will also feature two fireworks displays on Friday and Saturday. The County Fair stage will feature an array of local musicians. Live music will be complimented with a beer garden and some of the best food from around Passaic County.
Garret Mountain Reservation, 8 Mountain Avenue, Woodland Park, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend, $5 to park
New Jersey African Restaurant Week Festival
August 15 – 25
A Celebration of the Best of African/Black Diaspora Food and Culture – Support Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs. Join foodies, culture enthusiasts, world travelers, and chefs, restaurants with food and wine tastings – discover food from various parts of Africa and the Diaspora. Come support your local businesses and entrepreneurs – featuring vendors across food, fashion, beauty, wellness, design, arts, crafts, and more. #africanrestaurantweek
Newark, NJ
Anglesea Night Market & Food Truck Night
August 15, 5 pm – 10 pm
Treat yourself to some of the best food from the region 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on select Thursdays this summer. The Anglesea Night Market and Food Truck Fest will feature award-winning food trucks, gourmet food vendors, and everything North Wildwood has to offer.
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ
Small Town Summer Art Walk 2024
August 17, 10am – 3pm
With a parasol in hand, parade down the meandering path of Sgt. George Ashby Memorial Park and meet the local artists who celebrate a “Small Town Summer” in their work on display. Pieces may be perused and/or purchased. Try your hand at down home yard games and discover exclusive specials, sales, and artistic offerings at our real life charming local businesses in Historic Allentown, NJ. Held on August 17th from 10-3 with a rain date for the next day, same time.
40 North Main Street, Allentown, NJ
Cost: Free
Urban Arts Festival
August 17, 1 pm – 8 pm
The 3rd Annual Urban Arts Festival invites everyone to 1 Clyde Potts Ct for a day filled with creativity and culture, celebrating the vibrant art scene in the community. The festival showcases talented local artists, musicians, and performers, offering a rich experience of urban art, from graffiti murals to live street performances. Attendees can immerse themselves in a diverse range of artistic expressions, making it a perfect event for both seasoned art enthusiasts and those looking for a fun day out.
1 Clyde Potts Court Morristown, NJ
Cost: Free
Edison’s Food Wine & Beer Festival
August 17, 4 pm – 10 pm
The Edison Chamber of Commerce is excited to host its annual Food, Wine & Beer Festival on Saturday, August 17th, from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. This rain-or-shine event offers a vibrant evening with delicious food from various food trucks, craft beers, wines, and refreshing sangria. Attendees can enjoy live music performances, face painting, rides for kids, and unique items from local vendors. Whether you’re a foodie, a beer enthusiast, or looking for family fun, the festival promises something for everyone.
926 Amboy Avenue, Edison, NJ
Cost: $5, Kids under 10 are Free
The Queen City Street Fair
August 17, 4 pm – 10 pm
A beloved community event that began in June 2023, attracting around 2,000 attendees in its inaugural year, has grown into a cherished tradition. The event takes place on the third Saturday of August each year, transforming the streets into a vibrant carnival with thrilling rides like the Rockstar and Ferris wheel, along with bouncy houses and classic carnival games. The whimsical atmosphere is enhanced by face painters, cartoonists, balloon artists, and more. Attendees can satisfy their cravings with a variety of food trucks offering diverse cuisines, from Jamaican and American to Puerto Rican and Cajun, including options like soul food, seafood, juices, and fruit bowls. As the sun sets, live DJs spin a mix of Soca, Reggaeton, R&B, Hip Hop, House Music, and beyond, creating an unforgettable experience at the Queen City Street Fair, where everyone is invited to join in the celebration and make lasting memories.
North Ave. and Gavett Pl, Plainfield, NJ
Cost: Free
Tranquillity Farms Sunflower Festival
August 17 & 18, 11 am – 5 pm. Rain dates August 24 & 25
Venture to Tranquillity Farm for a weekend filled with family-friendly fun! From the cow train to the bounce pillow, live music, and the chance to cut your own sunflowers, there’s something for everyone! Enjoy homemade ice cream, seasonal craft beer, and delicious bites from food trucks – it’s a weekend you won’t want to miss!
Tranquillity Farms – 3 Decker Pond Rd, Andover, NJ
Cost: TBD (please check Facebook link for more info)
Fiesta In America
August 17 & 18, 10 am – 7:30 pm
The largest Philippine indoor event on the east coast. This event features free daylong events of Latino concerts, entertainment, multi-cultural dancers, philippine food and products. The 8 hour program will also include arnis demonstrations (Filipino Martial Arts), colorful ethnic dances, and glimpses of Phillippine village life.
Court A of American Dream Mall, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
Cost: Free admission. Open to the public
Collingswood Crafts and Fine Art Festival
August 17 & 18
This event features 150+ juried craft and fine artists. Expect to see handcrafted pottery, blown and stained glass, fine and fashion jewelry, leather, wooden utensils and furniture, unique clothing, garden embellishments, handsome home decor, paintings, photographs, pet specialties, gourmet delights, candles, soaps, scents, the Emerging Artist Alley with live musicians playing throughout the Festival, Family Fun Art Activities, and much more.
Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, NJ
Cost: Free
Bridgeton Peach Festival
August 17 & 18, 10 am – 5 pm
It’s peach time! Come out for everything peach, including vendors, food trucks, entertainment, train rides, and activities for the kids.
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ
Cost: Free, Parking $2 per car
Ort Farms Flower Festival
August 17 & 18, 10 am – 5 pm
Ort Farms invites everyone to three beautiful weekends of flower-filled fun on the farm! Visitors can stroll through the U-Cut flower fields, grab a bite from Dellano’s or Ma’s Kitchen, enjoy live music daily from 1 pm to 4 pm, and even pick their own sweet corn. Mason jars will be available for purchase, and experts will be on-site to provide guidance on proper flower cutting and care. Each weekend offers the opportunity to take home a freshly cut bouquet. Don’t miss out on Ort Farms’ first-ever three-weekend-long Flower Festival!
25 Bartley Rd, Long Valley, NJ
Seafarering Skullduggery Weekend
August 17 & 18, 11 am – 4 pm
Enjoy a day filled with pirates, music, and family fun while exploring the open Village buildings with historically clothed interpreters showcasing Early America’s trades, crafts, and lifestyles. Kids can join the exciting “Pillage the Village” activity, searching for hidden gold coins and winning free prizes. The Pirates of Fortunes Folly will provide swashbuckling shenanigans, Clan of the Raven offers insights into the Viking Age and Norse Culture, and humorous performances by Kaptain Kristian and Red will amuse everyone. Jolly Shore Leave will entertain and educate all with their musical talents.
Historic Cold Spring Village, 720 US 9, Cape May, NJ
Cost: $16 adults, $12 kids
Surf and Turf Seafood Festival
August 17 & 18
The Shore’s biggest seafood festival returns this year for two days of the freshest seafood, featuring lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp, and more. Over a dozen of the Shore’s best seafood establishments will present their mouth-watering menus at this can’t-miss weekend festival. General admission is just $6, with free parking available. On Sunday, families can enjoy free activities from 12-4pm, including a bounce house, pony rides, face painters, and clowns. Live music will entertain attendees both days from 12-4pm. Participating food trucks include Angry Archie’s, Chefs and Companies, Cousins Maine Lobster, Del Toro Tapas, Enzo’s, Hills on Wheels, Kiersten’s Creations, Lola’s, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Star of the Sea Seafood, Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House, and Vampire Penguin.
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: $6
Metuchen Street Fair & Craft Show
August 18, 11 am – 5 pm
The Metuchen Street Fair & Craft Show on August 18 is set to be a vibrant celebration of local talent and community spirit. This popular event will transform the streets of Metuchen into a bustling marketplace, featuring an array of unique handmade crafts, artisanal products, and creative goods from local vendors. Attendees can explore a diverse selection of items, including jewelry, artwork, home decor, and more, perfect for finding one-of-a-kind treasures. In addition to shopping, the fair will offer delicious food options, live entertainment, and fun activities for all ages.
Downtown Metuchen, NJ
Cost: Free
Burlington County Restaurant Week
August 18 – 24
More than 35 restaurants will be participating all over the region, from Bordentown to Medford.
Burlington County, NJ
Cost: Varies per restaurant
Indie Street Film Festival
August 19 – 21
Indie Street Film Festival is a regional film and arts festival that combines its curated film selections with connective community events in order to celebrate human creativity and storytelling. ISFF is searching for films that voice high impact human stories from across all genres. We hand pick the most resourceful and innovative filmmakers from the US and across the globe to screen and connect with the engaged arts community of Red Bank and the Northeast. In the last 8 years, the festival has touted films that have also been official selections/nominees and award winners at Sundance, Slamdance, SXSW, Spirit Awards, and the Oscars.
Red Bank, NJ
