NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Free Events September 2023

Looking for free activities in New Jersey this September? Look no further! New Jersey offers a wide range of exciting and cost-free options for you to enjoy. From vibrant festivals and cultural events, there is something for everyone. Get ready to discover the best free things to do in New Jersey this September and make unforgettable memories without breaking the bank.

For more events throughout the year, check out our Event Guide.

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New Jersey Free Events September 2023:

Glassboro Car Show & Food Truck Festival
September 1, 5 pm – 9 pm
The Annual Car show drives into Glassboro on September 1, 2023. Car enthusiasts will gather in Glassboro, New Jersey at the Glassboro Car Show & Food Truck Festival, the premier car show in South Jersey. The viewing area will be on Rowan Boulevard in Downtown Glassboro and an anticipated 5,000+ attendees will have the opportunity to view over 300 vehicles while listening to live music, DJ Pepper Paul 92.1, and enjoying great food trucks and cold craft beer.
Downtown Glassboro, NJ

Annual Medham Labor Day Carnival, Parade, Concert, & Fireworks
September 1 – 4
This annual family four-day holiday event features a carnival with rides, games, food, and a 50/50 raffle, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening 6pm – 10pm. On Labor Day, Monday, the parade will kickoff @ 10:00am, beginning on 72 E Main St, and ending at the Borough Park Gazebo. After the Parade at 11:00am at the Borough Park Gazebo, there will be a live concert. Later that night, the spectacular fireworks display will take place at dusk at Borough Park.
Borough Park, Mendham, NJ

St. Bartholomew Italian Festival
September 1 – 4
The much anticipated Italian Festival of the Summer includes a feast that is truly a great family event with plenty for the whole family to enjoy. Music will be played nightly, along with various: rides, games, and great food. The mouth watering Italian cuisine includes crowd favorites like: pizza, pasta, zeppoles, clams, mussels, and calzones. In addition, there are nightly 50/50 drawings and a super 50/50 raffle on Monday, so make sure your family stops by to celebrate their inner Italian.
Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church, 2032 Westfield Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ

The Feast of St. Joseph of Lodi
September 1 – 4
St. Joseph Church in Lodi will hold their 108th Annual Saint Joseph Feast located at the church grounds on Spring St.Come out for a weekend of fun featuring nightly entertainment, plenty of delicious festival food (including the best zeppole around!), exciting carnival rides for all ages, hourly and Super 50/50 raffles,  carnival games & prizes, and much more! .The festival will also have traditional accordion music every night. On Labor Day, there will be a solemn Mass in English and Italian at 4pm followed by a procession with the statue of St Joseph through the streets of Lodi.
40 Spring Street, Lodi, NJ

Manasquan Labor Day Concert & Fireworks
September 2, 7:30 pm
This family event features a concert at 7:30pm by the Walnutz, followed by Fireworks on Main Beach.
Main St & 1st Ave, Manasquan, NJ

Frenchtown Riverfest
September 3, 11 am – 7 pm
Established in 2004… Riverfest is a street fair celebration of 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. Honor mighty Delaware and join in festivities truly unique to Frenchtown.
Sunbeam Lenape Park & Downtown Frenchtown, NJ

Annual Wildwood Block Party and Music Festival
September 3, 1 pm – 9 pm
It’s the 16th Anniversary Celebration in Wildwood. The end-of-summer celebration will take place from 1-10 p.m. at Fox Park, located on Ocean Avenue directly across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. The festivities will include hours of continuous entertainment, games, crafts, activities for kids, food, merchandise vendors, FREE live music, and much more!
Ocean Avenue, Wildwood, NJ

Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair
September 4 from 10 am – 5 pm
Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair hosted by the Borough of Riverdale will be held along the Newark Pompton Turnpike from Newbury Place to Cotluss Rd. This annual event is held on Labor Day Monday. The street will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event and will be transformed into a giant block party. If you like shopping outdoors then this is the place to be. Vendors, food, live music, and plenty of activities for kids and families.
120 Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale, NJ

Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri – The Hoboken Italian Festival
September 7 – 10
The Hoboken Italian Festival, the premier Italian-American festival in New Jersey is over 80 years old, and is derived from a festival in Italy that is over 600 years old. The Festival is a four day festival of music food and fun from Thursday through Sunday. No day is greater however than Saturday, their “Feast” day, when the 800lb statue of Madonna Dei Martiri or Madonna of the Martyrs is carried through the streets of Hoboken. This includes a reenactment of the Blessing of the Fleet in the Hudson River, culminating with a fireworks show over Sinatra Park. The Madonna is sailed around the Hudson before it returns to the church.
Sinatra Park, on the historic waterfront of Hoboken, NJ

Movie Night: The Super Mario Bros Movie
September 8, 6:30 pm
Free movie in the park. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs.
Veterans Park, 1261 Chews Landing Road Clementon, NJ

New Year’s in North Wildwood
September 8 & 9
Both the top Mummers Brigades AND top Mummers String Bands from the New Year’s Day Parade in Philadelphia will entertain crowds in the pub district of North Wildwood. The excitement kicks off Friday night at 6 p.m. with the Fancy Brigade Pub Crawl through local drinking establishments in the North Wildwood Entertainment District. A colorful Mummers parade will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday along Olde New Jersey Avenue where you can get up-close views of the beautiful costumes and intricate dance steps.
Olde New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, NJ

Monmouth Park Racetrack BBQ & Craft Beer Festival
September 9 & 10
Sample from nearly 20 of the area’s top food trucks. Enjoy everything from empanadas to lobster rolls. Live music by Pez Head on Saturday, and Jessica Rose on Sunday. Participating Food Trucks: Cousins Maine Lobster, El Lechon de Negron, Empanada Guy, Five Sisters Food Co., Four Boys Concessions, House of Cupcakes, Kiersten’s Creations, Kutz Q BBQ, Mozzarepas, Point Lobster, The Baked Bear, The Little Sicilian Riceballs, The Mexiboys, Tony’s Italian Sausage, Twelve, Twisted Steaks, and Sherri’s Crab Cakes.
Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport, NJ

Red Bank Street Fair & Craft Show
September 10, 11AM – 5PM
Come on down for a day of family fun with original & interesting Arts & Crafts, shopping, kid’s rides and great FOOD!
Downtown Red Bank, NJ

Annual Feis
September 10, 8:30AM – 6PM
This event features a step dancing competition, music, art, Irish language, massed bands, food, Irish vendors, and a beer garden.
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Plains Road, Augusta, NJ

Medford Oktoberfest & Music Festival
September 15 & 16 (Rain or Shine)
Enjoy Great Live Music from several local Rock, Folk, and Blues Bands. The event includes a Beer tent, Three tages of Live Music, Food trucks, German Food, Artisan Ciders, kids fun activities and more.
Medford’s Freedom Park, 86 Union Street, Medford, NJ

Oktoberfest ”Bier on the Pier”
September 15 – 17, 22 – 24, 29, October 1, 6 – 8
Features special German-themed menus, an outdoor “biergarten,” live entertainment, a kids “Rootbier Garten” activity area and much more.
Mariner’s Pier, Schellenger Avenue and the boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
Cost: Free to Attend, Discounts for rides, foods and drink available online

Comfort Food Festival
September 16, 12 pm – 6 pm
Join The Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District for our Comfort Food Festival. In addition to all the great food, the street will be filled with merchandise vendors, handcrafters, kids activities, live entertainment and a beer & wine garden provided by Toms River Volunteer Fire Co. #1. Local businesses, restaurants, brewery and distillery open on the street.
Washington Street, Toms River, NJ

Boots at the Beach
September 16
Southern New Jersey’s largest country festival features Country bands, DJs, line dancing, food, and Country themed vendors. All in a great outdoor setting by the seaside in beautiful North Wildwood. A good Olde Time for the entire family. The event includes an open-air concert and vendors for people to choose from. The event is held on Olde New Jersey Avenue in the Entertainment District that allows many options for guests in the areas of beverages, food, and many other entertainment options.
Olde New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, NJ

Smithville Artwalk
September 16, 10 am – 5 pm
Founded and hosted by Underground since 2011, Smithville Artwalk is a curated biannual gathering of 75 artists celebrating pop and lowbrow art in all forms. But, it’s not just an art show – each event features music, entertainment, contests, and special guests. Join for what has become the largest assemblage of proudly off-beat artists in Jersey!
Village Greene, Smithville, NJ

Wind & Sea Festival
September 16, 11 am – 5 pm
Join this celebration of all things water at Port Monmouth’s Bayshore Waterfront Park. Visitors can enjoy tons of beach- and water-themed seaside activities.
Activities include Kayaking, Shelling, Fishing/Crabbing, Sand Casting, Sailing, Children’s Crafts, sand castle building, food and more.
Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, NJ

Festival in the Borough
September 17, 10 am – 10 pm
This free-to-attend festival features an array of musical entertainment, artisans, crafters, exhibitors, food vendors and plenty of surprises. The festival includes three stage areas, a family fun area, a farmers market, and activities throughout the downtown business district. Free parking!
21 Belvidere Ave, Washington, NJ

The Latino Festival of Monmouth County
September 16, 12 pm – 7 pm
This event is a fun family oriented event with special attractions, musical acts, cultural offerings, and some of the most delicious Latin American cuisine found in Central Jersey. The festival celebrates Latino culture through music, dance, food, and entertainment!
1 E Main St, Freehold, NJ

Festival of the Sea
September 16, 10 am – 5 pm
Celebrating 45 years! Featuring 250 food and craft vendors with seafood dishes, entertainment, and much more! It’s being organized by the Point Pleasant Chamber of Commerce.
Downtown Point Pleasant Beach, 601 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Bell Works Fresh Saturday Night Market
September 16,  1 pm – 6 pm
A monthly night market season runs on Saturdays from March until November and features around 50 local artists, makers, live music, & drinks. Located in Holmdel, NJ, Bell Works is a 2 million square foot metroburb featuring 5 floors of offices, a full restaurant and retail experience, and a rooftop bar
101 Crawford’s Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ

Newark Puerto Rican Day Parade and The Boricua Music Festival
September 17
The parade takes place at noon on Broadway/Avenida Puerto Rico to Lake Street along Bloomfield Avenue in Newark in honor of the millions of inhabitants of Puerto Rico and more than five million people living in the United States. The parade will be followed by the Boricua Music Festival.
Newark, NJ

Irish Fall Festival
September 22 – 24
One of the largest Irish festivals in the country is held at the Jersey shore — every September, Wildwood holds the annual Irish Fall Festival!. The yearly celebration of Irish heritage is expected to draw as many as a quarter of a million people to the resort of the Wildwoods for the festival. Come celebrate Irish heritage with dancing, music, food and craft vendors daily. Other festivities include a golf tournament, Irish dance lessons, 5K run and 1 mile walk, pipe exhibition, food court, and Catholic Mass. The events conclude with a parade on Surf Avenue from 20th to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues.
Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ

Roseland Greek Fest
September 22 – 24
Live Greek music, Greek dancing. gyros, souvlaki, homemade pastries, and more. They will feature the best of new and traditional Greek music including Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, Terpsixorian Hellenic Dancers, & Fantasia Music
Ss. Nicholas, Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 80 Laurel Ave, Roseland, NJ

Knights of Columbus Villa Marie Council # 6342 Italian Festival
September 23, 10 am – 5 pm
Come and enjoy a taste of Italy. The event features delicious Italian Food and Deserts, Wine Tasting and Beer, Italian music, Folk dancing,cChildren’s activities, Free Bocce Ball (must register in advance), Italian and Classic cars, a vendor market with Hand crafted items and imported Italian specialties, and a super 50/50. Free Bocce Ball (must register in advance). Open to the public Admission and parking are free.
Historic Smithville Village Greene, Smithville, NJ

Drive-in Movie Night at Camden County College
September 23, 5:30PM
Mayor David R. Mayer and Council are excited to announce that Gloucester Township will be hosting the fourth annual Drive-In Movie Night on September 23 at 5:30 pm. Admission is free. There will be food trucks, games, and activities for children. The movie: Guardians of the Galaxy 3, will begin at dusk. In case of bad weather, the rain date is Sunday, September 24th.
200 College Dr, Blackwood, NJ

AC Latino Festival
September 23 & 24, 12 pm – 9 pm
A diverse lineup of Hispanic entertainment, including Mariachi, Salsa, Cumbia and Folkloric dance groups. The festive family event includes a children’s entertainment area, authentic Hispanic food and vendors. In addition there will be organizations providing information and resources on health, social services, education and career opportunities.
545 North Albany Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ

The Annual Rose Squared at Anderson Park
September 23 & 24
The Rose Squared Art Shows have a long-standing reputation for showcasing high quality, hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind artwork in a gorgeous park setting. These shows provide an opportunity to engage directly with exceptional artists, who are juried into the show by a panel of art professionals. These unique open air events attract affluent patrons and knowledgeable collectors from New Jersey, New York and beyond.
Anderson Park, Upper Montclair, NJ

Margate Fall Fun Fest by the Bay
September 23 & 24, 11 am – 6 pm and 11 am – 4 pm
This family event features food, music (on two stages), crafters, kid’s activities, character parade, and more. With over 125 booths and activities; a true celebration of the season, the beautiful bayfront, and the friendly spirit of the people of Margate! Fall Funfest is FREE and loaded with new entertainment and activities including music, games, back-bay nature tours and educational exhibits. New this year is a Saturday, Cornhole Tournament, open to everyone . There will be classic Fall Funfest decor throughout the city of Margate, focusing on business areas. Strolling acoustic musicians, characters for kids, entertainers, and virtual contests such as a Pumpkin Photo Contest and Receipts are All the Rage. In-person activities include a treasure hunt, The Pet Salon Pics with Pets with professional photos by PhotoGraphics Photography and Congo Falls Margate is open for family fun mini-golf!
Participating in restaurants in Margate, NJ

Edison Fall Family Spectacular
September 23, 1 pm – 9 pm
Bring the kids to this family event for kiddie rides, games, face painting, sand art, a pro wrestling ring, a remote-controlled car track, and much more! There is something for everyone to do in Edison at the Spectacular! Over Eight Blocks of Food, Crafts, Exhibitors, and a Wine & Beer Garden. Live entertainment, local shopping, food trucks, and more.
Held along 1011 Amboy Ave. Edison, NJ

The Newark PorchFest
September 23, 12 pm – 6 pm (rain date Sunday, September 24th)
THE NEWARK PORCHFEST returns to the Historic Forest Hill neighborhood on Saturday, September 23 from noon to 6 pm (Rain date: Sunday, the 24th). This FREE family-friendly event organized by the Forest Hill Community Association will feature professional and amateur performing and visual artists, as well as food trucks serving a variety of refreshments. Neighbors make their beautiful porches available to serve as community stages showcasing an extraordinary range of talented artists. Opportunities will be available to make donations to the event’s beneficiary— New Jersey Symphony. Enjoy a full afternoon of entertainment, food, and fun.
Ballantine Gates, Ballantine Parkway and Lake Street, Newark, NJ

Harvest Home Festival
September 24, 11 am – 5 pm
This old-fashioned country fair at Longstreet Farm is reminiscent of the 1890s, taking visitors back in time to the period when neighbors gathered to accomplish work, harvest, and spend time socializing and enjoying each other’s company. See an exhibition of the best products that have been grown and the best needlework that has been done in the community, plus games, athletic contests, and similar features of recreational or educational value.
Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel, NJ

Garfield Familly Family Street Fair
September 24, 10 am – 5 pm
Hosted by the City of Garfield and the Garfield Events Committee held along Midland Ave. from 10am-5pm. This event brings the whole community together. The street will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event and will be transformed into a giant block party from Krakow Street to Elizabeth St. If you like shopping outdoors then this is the place to be. Quality exhibitors selling a selection of assorted items, a special arts & crafts section, live entertainment, kiddie rides & games, great festival foods & food trucks, and so much more. Don’t miss stopping by the many local merchants & civic organizations to see what goodies they are passing out.
Midland Ave, Garfield, NJ

Olde Time Italian Festival
September 29 & 30
Celebrate Italian culture and heritage at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood on Friday from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. and on Saturday from noon until 11 p.m. for the 17th Annual Olde Time Italian Festival September 29 – 30, 2023. Come experience an ‘Olde World’ family festival including a Procession of the Saints, delicious Italian food favorites, merchandise vendors, games, and continuous FREE live entertainment.
Fox Park, 4500 Ocean Ave. Wildwood, NJ

5th Annual South Toms River Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
September 30, 12 pm – 9 pm
Food Trucks, Craft Beers, vendors, live entertainment and more!
Mathis Plaza Park, 134 NJ-166, South Toms River, NJ

Oktoberfest
September 30, 9 am – 6 pm
Celebrate the famous Bavarian tradition in Cape May the festival will be located on Carpenter Lane between Decatur & Jackson and continue down Jackson Street to Beach Ave. as it is transformed into a German promenade with authentic music and food. Visit the Beer Gardens and Food Courts browse the artisans tables selling crafts, antiques and collectibles.
Jackson St, Cape May, NJ

Chowderfest
September 30, 10 am – 6 pm
Chowderfest 2022, along with the Chowder Champion Announcements will take place in Beach Haven. Fun for the whole family, and pet-friendly. This is a non-tasting event, meaning no tastings will be occurring. All chowder is for purchase on the Chowder Trail. Select participating restaurants will be at the event selling their chowder along with other menu items.
Taylor Avenue Bayfront, Beach Haven, NJ
Cost: Free to attend

Oktoberfest at Lone Eagle Brewery
September 30, 12 pm – 10 pm
Coined as The Oktoberfest in Hunterdon County, join the fun for an Oktoberfest like only Lone Eagle can do. Music, fun, and GREAT beer releases. Rain date Saturday, Oct. 7
Lone Eagle Brewing, 44 Stangl Road, Flemington, NJ
Cost: Free to attend

Hackettstown Oktoberfest
September 30 & October 1
Ready to kick off the fall season with one of our biggest town-wide events of the year? Join the Hackettstown BID, Czig Meister Brewing Company, Man Skirt Brewing, and Grand Avenue Tavern as they host events throughout the course of the weekend! This is a FREE event to attend, so grab your friends and family and be prepared to have the time of your life! There will be activities, contests, craft vendors, music, drinks, food, and more! This Oktoberfest is a family-friendly event where vendors will take to Main St., Valentine St., and Grand Ave. for this street-fair style event. There will be kids’ activities and other non-alcohol-related activities.
Length of Main Street, Hackettstown, NJ