NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Events August 14th – 16th, 2026

Say hello to August! New Jersey Isn’t Boring’s Guide to New Jersey Events: August 14th  – 16th is your go-to source for the best events happening across this great state! From fun festivals and food-filled weekends to family-friendly expos, live entertainment, and unique seasonal celebrations – there’s plenty to do this weekend!

Always check the weather and the event links before you attend in case of cancellations and rescheduling.

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

For more New Jersey adventures and New Jersey Events, be sure to follow along on Instagram, @newjerseyisntboring, and Insta Stories! Don’t forget to tag your own NJ fun with #NJisntBoring.

Bonus! See NJIB at Bell Works Fresh on Wednesday, August 12th and Asbury Fresh on Sunday, August 16th.

Additional Bonus! Looking for free events that support local farmers, bakers, and makers? Here is our Guide to 100+ NJ Summer Farmers’ Markets. 

NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Events August 12h – 16th, 2026: 

The New Jersey Sunflower Trail
All August Long, 10 am – 5 pm
The New Jersey Sunflower Trail is now open for visitors. On select weekends, expect food trucks, a beer and wine garden, live music, axe throwing, and crafters. Enjoy hayrides, an Activity Area, and additional food options, including beer from Buttzville Brewing Company. Weekday activities include exploring the sunflower trail, taking photos at over 20 spots, picking fresh raspberries and peaches, and visiting farm animals.
438 NJ-57, Washington, NJ

Hillsborough Rotary Fair
August 11 – 15, fireworks on August 14
The annual Rotary Fair and Business Expo will once again transform the Hillsborough Promenade (315 Route 206) into a classic carnival. The event includes a colorful midway, more than 20 amusement rides, games of chance, fireworks, food vendors, and an expansive exposition of local businesses. There is a $35 all-night ride access available every night.
In the lot adjacent to Lowe’s Hillsborough Promenade, Hillsborough Township, NJ
Cost: General admission is free.

Anglesea Night Market & Food Truck Night
August 13, 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

Passaic County Fair
August 13 – 16
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 complemented 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

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical @ The Strand Theater
August 14 – 16
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, presented by Practically Perfect Productions, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing quality, accessible theater to the community.This high-energy pop-rock musical brings Rick Riordan’s beloved book to life with humor, heart, and heroic quests full of Greek mythology, friendship, and courage. The Lightning Thief is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
400 Clifton Ave, Lakewood, NJ
Cost: Starting at $30

Blue Claw Craft Show & Crab Race
August 15, 10 am – 3 pm
The craft show offers free admission and showcases a wide variety of handmade goods from local crafters across New Jersey and nearby states. The crab race, which is one of Ocean County’s most popular, kicks off the fun with registration beginning at 10 AM and races starting promptly at 11 AM. Participants can bring their own crab or rent one on-site, and prizes will be awarded—this event is presented by PBA Local 175.
Sunset Park,1 W Salem Ave, Harvey Cedars, NJ
Cost: Free

Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival
August 15, begins at noon
Music fans of all ages will enjoy great music on The Morristown Green. Parking is available in the many public lots and the train station is just a couple of blocks away. Please bring blankets & lawn chairs.
Speedwell Avenue between Headquarters Plaza and 1776, and on The Green, Morristown, NJ
Cost: Free

FesTomato!
August 15, 12 pm – 8 pm
FesTomato! is an annual event hosted by NOFA NJ to highlight and promote NJ’s favorite summer vegetable (or fruit?) and the amazing farms and farmers that grow them. Free and open to the public, FesTomato! events are fun for the whole family, with tomato tastings, farm tours, culinary demonstrations, live music, local vendors, and more.
Ironbound Farm, Asbury, NJ
Cost: Free

Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree
August 15, 1 pm – 9 pm
Ten hours of live jazz performances spotlight world-class musicians. The event includes food, vendors, and is open to all. This year’s headliner is Christian McBride, a nine-time GRAMMY® winner.
Lackawanna Station, 1 Lackawanna Plaza, Montclair, NJ
Cost: Free

Trudy Fest – Celebration of Gertrude Ederle, 100 Years!
August 15, 3 pm – 8 pm
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle’s historic English Channel swim at Trudy Fest, a one-of-a-kind waterfront celebration honoring one of America’s greatest athletes and Highlands’ hometown heroine. Gertrude Ederle trained in the waters of Highlands, where her family summered, before making history on August 6, 1926, by becoming the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. Not only did she complete the crossing, but she also beat the previous men’s record, forever changing the world of sports and inspiring generations of athletes. Join at Veterans Park for an afternoon of live music by DJ Johnny Jonze, delicious food trucks, a wine and beer garden, specialty vendors, guest speakers, and family-friendly activities celebrating Trudy’s incredible legacy. Children ages 5 and up can enjoy Trudy’s Seaside Kid Zone, featuring Ocean-in-a-Bottle crafts, temporary tattoos, Color with Trudy at the Highlands Arts Council booth, Trudy’s Treasures Scavenger Hunt, Jellyfish Jiggle Toss, and the Sea Sponge Relay. Adults can take part in Trudy’s Chicken Wing Challenge, inspired by one of Trudy’s favorite foods, or relax with a drink while enjoying the beautiful waterfront setting.
Veterans Park, Highlands NJ
Cost: Free

Lunar Faire: Mythical Creature
August 15, 5 pm – 10 pm
The Lunar Faire Night Market: Mythical Creatures is an interactive, all-ages evening event held at the historic Jungle Habitat site in West Milford, New Jersey. Scheduled for Saturday, August 15, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the market encourages attendees to dress up in cosplay as their favorite mythical beings while exploring unique local vendors, mystic tunnels, food offerings, and live attractions. Highlighted by special entertainment like harpist Isabel Pluchino, live mural painting by Ziren, and performances by the all-women Brazilian samba reggae drumline Fogo Azul, the event offers a fantastical, night-market experience centered around creativity and community.
Jungle Habitat, West Milford, NJ
Cost: $15 in advance, $25 at the door

Lambertville Sunflower Festival
August 15 – September 13 (Weekends + Labor Day)
Join the vibrant Lambertville Sunflower Festival at Bellemont Farm a joyful late-summer celebration set among acres of blooming sunflowers, featuring food trucks, a beer garden, live music, craft activities, a dedicated children’s play area, and the opportunity to cut your own flower stems and book professional portraits. On weekends (and Labor Day), it runs from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and during weekdays the fields are open for self-guided visits from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. without the vendors. Tickets vary by day and age, with advance weekend pricing for adults and children, and lower weekday admission when only the sunflower fields and lawn activities are available.
22 Valley Road, Lambertville, NJ
Cost: $7 – $25

Collingswood Crafts and Fine Art Festival
August 15 & 16
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

Surf and Turf Seafood Festival
August 15 & 16, 11 am – 5 pm
The Shore’s biggest seafood festival returns this year for two days of freshest seafood! Enjoy lobster rolls, crab cakes, shrimp, and so much more. Over a dozen of the Shore’s best seafood establishments will offer their mouth-watering menus for a weekend festival you can’t afford to miss. Plus, a seltzer sampling. Enjoy FREE family fun day activities including a bounce house, pony rides, face painters, and clowns from 12-4 pm on Sunday. Live music both days from 12-4 pm. Saturday music by The Madison Ave Band. Sunday music by Craig Sailer Project.
Monmouth Park Racetrack, 175 Oceanport Ave, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: $7. Use promo code Seafood26 at seatgeek.com/monmouth to save 15% on general admission.

Fiesta in America
August 15 & 16
One of the largest Filipino events on the East Coast, this two day festival features live Filipino and Filipino American musical acts, cultural dance performances, authentic food vendors, travel and business expos, and family friendly activities.
American Dream, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ
Cost: Free to attend

Jersey City Puerto Rican Parade & Festival
August 15 & 16
The Parade & Festival brings two days of vibrant cultural pride to downtown Jersey City with live music, dance, food vendors, and family friendly activities. Festival celebrations follow along Christopher Columbus Drive, creating a lively outdoor block filled with artisans, community groups, and island inspired cuisine. The parade on August 16th steps off from Lincoln Park and travels east through the city, concluding at Jersey City City Hall, 280 Grove Street.
Jersey City, NJ
Cost: Admission is free

Bridgeton Peach Festival
August 15 & 16, 2 pm – 8 pm
It’s time for the Peach Festival where you find vendors, merchants, a farmers market, and more. The Peach Fuzz Baby Contest will also be returning this year. There will also be train rides, a kids craft table, and games for kids.
97 Trench Road, Bridgeton, NJ
Cost: Free, Parking $2 per car

Pakistan Day Parade & Festival of NJ
August 16, 1 pm – 9:30 pm
Join thousands of community members, families, elected officials, dignitaries, cultural leaders, performers, and local organizations for the 2026 Pakistan Day Parade of New Jersey. This year’s entire celebration will take place in Edison at 99 Wood Avenue. Unlike previous years, the parade will not travel from Woodbridge to Edison. All parade activities, cultural programming, food, entertainment, and festivities will be held at the Edison location. The Pakistan Day Parade of New Jersey is one of the state’s largest celebrations of Pakistani American culture, heritage, independence, and community. Guests from every background are invited to enjoy a full day featuring a street parade, traditional food, cultural performances, live music, vendors, community organizations, elected officials, dignitaries, and family-friendly entertainment.
99 Wood Avenue, Edison, NJ
Cost: Free and open to the public

Indie Street Film Festival
August 17 – 23
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 hand-picks 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 11 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