NJIB’s Guide to New Jersey Free Events August 2023
Looking for free activities in New Jersey this August? 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 August 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 August 2023:
Jenkinson’s Movies on the Beach
August 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29, 8PM
Bring a blanket and join the fun on the beach on Tuesdays at dark and enjoy Movies on the Beach! (weather permitting)
On the beach, by Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, NJ
Angelsea Night Market
August 3, 11 am – 5 pm
Food truck fun is back this summer in North Wildwood. The event includes some of the best food trucks in the Northeast, crafters, and the great shops and restaurants down Olde New Jersey Ave. Visitors are invited to go also into the surrounding restaurants to see all that they have to offer including great food and beverage menus. Some of the establishments in the area will also have their own live music.
Olde New Jersey Ave, North Wildwood, NJ
Starlit Cinema in Downtown Somerville
August 3 & 10
Surrounded by your friends on the Division Street Plaza, watching your favorite movies on a giant outdoor screen with a state-of-the-art sound system? Not much could be better on a warm summer evening. Classics to comedies, films are chosen by you! Enjoy dinner before the show or bring a blanket, lawn chair and your own picnic baskets or take out.
8/3 – Hook
8/10 – Cars
Downtown Somerville, Divison St, Somerville, NJ
Kites and Castles
August 3, 10, 17, & 24 7 pm
Bring your kites to the Philadelphia Avenue beach every Thursday night for sandcastle building and kite flying. A first place prize is awarded each week, and prizes are given to all participants.
Philadephia Avenue Beach, 1200 Oceanfront, Lavallette, NJ
Thrilling Thursdays in Margate
August 3, 10, 17, & 24, 7PM
Get a head start on the weekend with this busy Thursday roster of activities in Margate. Start your day with a visit to the farmers market, shop at local sidewalk sales, play free cornhole and visit the beach free of charge. Top it off with a beachfront movie night.
South Decatur Ave, Margate, NJ
Somerdale Summer Concert Series
August 3, 10, 17, & 31
Bring a lawn chair Thursday nights to the Somerdale Park Amphitheater from 6:30 – 9:30PM. Craft Beer and Food Trucks onsite.
900 Kennedy Blvd Somerdale, NJ
Wildwoods Boardwalk Friday Night Fireworks
August 4, 11, 18, & 25 at 10 pm
The fireworks will be launched from the beach on Pine Avenue and visible from anywhere on the Wildwoods Boardwalk!
Wildwoods Boardwalk, Pine Ave, Wildwood, NJ
Somerville Cruise Nights
August 4, 11, 18, & 25 6 pm – 9 pm
Cruise Nights are Back in Downtown Somerville! Come out and enjoy the classic cars that line Main Street every Friday (weather permitting) from 6:00 – 9:00PM. Own a classic car? Come be a part of a downtown tradition thats over 30 years in the making!
W Main St, Somerville, NJ
Highlands Annual Clam Festival
August 4 & 5
This three-day festival will feature seafood and other dishes from local restaurants, live entertainment, children’s activities, and specialty vendors. Food and Music lovers will fill the streets at Huddy Park on Bay & Waterwitch Avenues. The famous Clam Fest is a two-day spectacular event, a wide variety of food trucks, along with other festival favorites including the Lions Club Funnel Cakes, and the Highlands Fire Department BBQ tent. Admission and parking are free, and the event takes place rain or shine.
Huddy Park, Shore Drive, Highlands, NJ
Salem County Fair
August 8 – 11
This “old Fashioned” country fair features livestock shows and events and a large farm machinery display. A BBQ dinner is offered nightly along with many other food vendors. There are tractor and truck pulls, a ranch sorting, and Thursday evening fireworks
Salem County Fairgrounds, 35 Rt. 40, Woodstown, NJ
Keyport Fireman’s Fair
August 8 – 12
Keyport’s hometown favorite will take place once again at Fireman’s Park, August 8th through 12th starting nightly at 6pm. Enjoy rides, games, food, fun & support of our Volunteer Fireman! Event ends with a great bayfront fireworks display on Saturday night.
Firemen’s Park, Keyport, NJ
The Italian American Association of Ocean Township Annual Italian Festival
August 9 – 13
This four-day Italian Festival annually attracts over 80,000 people with a taste for our traditional foods and wholesome family fun while celebrating Italian heritage and culture. There’s something for everyone from sampling the great taste of Italy’s delicious food, to rides, games, music, and more!
Joe Palaia Park, Ocean Township, NJ
La Festa Itialiana
August 9 – 13
La Festa Italiana celebrates Italian heritage, spirituality and is an evening of music, dance and authentic Italian foods. It’s fun filled with games, an hourly 50/50, and terminates with the Super 50/50 raffle drawing. The festival will honor the Veneration of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Rocco. Each night Live Bands perform on the Mainstage. Perfect for grabbing a Sausage & Pepper Sandwich and a Beer and watching this great performance
344 Sixth Street, Jersey City, NJ
Passaic County Fair
August 10 – 13
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
Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 11 & 12
This fun family event features rides, animals, horse shows, exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, antique engines, car show, food, and much more!
Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds, 3210 Rt. 50, Mays Landing, NJ
Plant Swap+Shop
August 12, 10 am – 3 pm
Woodland Gardens for Live Music, Local Vendors, Food Trucks, and a Plant Swap! This is a free community plant exchange and positive environment {What to bring: cuttings, seeds, planters, and anything else you wish to exchange!
118 Creek Rd, Mt Laurel, NJ
Vets Summer Fest
August 12, 11 am – 8 pm
Vets Summer Fest is an annual event that supports Operation Chillout, an all-volunteer outreach dedicated to ending the homelessness crisis for veterans across the states of NJ/PA/RI. It features live music, craft vendors, a kids zone, a bike run, and food. This is a Free Will Donation event, held at VASA Park in Hackettstown, NJ. Live ceremony events will begin at 12 PM to honor our veterans, followed by live music from 1 PM to 7PM. There will be food for sale and a cash bar available. The Kid Zone will have crafts and games offered all day. There will also be a motorcycle run which begins at the Hackettstown Elks Lodge 2331 (Registration from 8-10AM) and features a scenic ride through Warren County, ending at VASA Park for Vets Summer Fest.
VASA Park, 1 Vasa Dr. Hackettstown, NJ
Flemington’s Corn, Tomato, and Beer Festival
August 12, 12 pm – 8 pm
Held in Flemington’s Artisan District, this foodie and beer-lovers event will feature an expansive micro-brewery beer garden, live music, great food, and family entertainment — and of course, New Jersey’s finest corn and tomatoes! This is a family-friendly event for all ages with an expanded kids zone and free entertainment.
Stangl Road, Flemington, NJ
Saltwater Day
August 12, 2 pm – 10 pm
The Old Bridge Township Department of Parks & Recreation is excited to announce the revival of Saltwater Day! The event will have arts, crafts, vendors, new rides, carnival game trailers, entertainment, food and conclude with a fireworks show. Live music will be played throughout the day. For 21 and older guests, the Laurence Harbor Fire Department will be hosting a Beer Garden for $10/person which includes a mug and two drink tickets. Additional tickets are $2 each, and proof of age is required.
Laurence Harbor Beachfront, Laurence Harbor, NJ
New Brunswick Heart Festival
August 12, 3 pm – 6 pm
The annual New Brunswick Heart Festival, hosted by New Jersey Hall of Famer Bert Baron and Founder of TSO Productions, Sharon Gordon! The FREE outdoor family-friendly festival, celebrates all of the vibrant arts and history that New Brunswick and the County of Middlesex has to offer. The festival features live music and dance performances, dance classes for kids, an Arts Market, craft vendors, free balloon animals and face painting, a health & wellness tent hosted by Garden of Healing, a history corner featuring historical interpreters, arts & crafts activities, games, free Henna and caricatures, free button making, roaming musicians, giveaways, and more. The live featured performances include award-winning, multicultural family music band Hot Peas ‘n Butter, celebrated tap-dancer Omar Edwards, InSpira Dance, LMNOP Band, Grupo de Danza Folklórica La Sagrada Familia, spoken word artists Rashad Wright and Queena, New Brunswick Brass Band, and more!
Monument Square at 2 Livingston Ave in New Brunswick, NJ
Atlantic City Airshow
August 15 (Practice Day) & 16 (Show Day)
Powered once again by premier sponsor Visit Atlantic City (formerly Meet AC), this year’s show is celebrating 20 years in Atlantic City with the announcement of a new viewing experience and aerial performances by top military acts – U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier Demo Team, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and 177th Fighter Wing of the N.J. Air National Guard.
Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
Our Lady Star of the East 11th Annual Lebanese Festival
August 18 – 20
The festival is a wonderful celebration of Lebanon’s vibrant cultural heritage, offering a delightful experience through food, music, raffles, and games. Immerse yourself in the richness of Lebanese culture as you savor delectable culinary delights, sway to traditional music’s rhythmic beats, and be captivated by mesmerizing performances. The event promises a warm and hospitable atmosphere, reflecting the spirit of Lebanon’s lively community, where every moment is filled with joy and celebration. Come and join in this memorable gathering of Music, Dance, and Culinary Treasures.
25 W Black Horse Pike, Pike Pleasantville, NJ
Black Artisan & Farmers’ Market
August 19, 9 am – 1 pm
BrickNKulture Black Artisan & Farmers’ Market Provides a community that supports & values the opportunity for individuals that are creators, makers, and for those that eat the food that they grow. This space supports Black local Growers, Makers, and Entrepreneurs.
The Cultural Collective Cafe & BrickNKulture Event Space, 65 North Broad Street, Woodbury, NJ
Canal Day Festival
August 19, 10 am – 5 pm
An old-time country fair that celebrates the Morris Canal and its contributions to the development of the communities along its banks. Come to a day of free family fun featuring a craft show, great food, and educational events, and enjoy a day of listening to a wide variety of musical entertainers. Musical performances from New Jersey’s best artists will feature Rock, Blues, Country, Classical as well as traditional and contemporary Irish Folk Music. performing on two stages. Learn about local history by taking a guided Morris Canal walking tour provided by the Canal Society of NJ. Experience life on the Morris Canal first hand by traveling down the canal on a free boat ride or prove your prowess by paddling a kayak. Fireworks at dusk.
Hugh Force Canal Park, 180 West Central Ave, Wharton, NJ
Fiesta In America
August 19, 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
Collingswood Crafts and Fine Art Festival
August 19 & 20
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
Movie Nights at the Waterfront
August 23, 8PM
The Borough of Keyport and the Keyport Recreation Committee present Free Summer Outdoor Movie Nights at Waterfront Park. Spiderman No Way Home will be shown on August 10 and Free Willy will screen on the 17th.
Waterfront Park, American Legion Drive, Keyport, NJ
Hunterdon County 4H and Agricultural Fair
August 23 – 27
This family-friendly event celebrates Hunterdon County’s rich agricultural landscape. You and your crew can check out the 4-H county fair farm activities like cow milking demos and tractor pulls, live music, fun games, thrilling carnival rides, delicious food, and the always popular fireworks extravaganza Friday night.
Hunterdon County Fairgrounds, 1207 Route 179, Lambertville, NJ
Westfield Street Fair & Craft Show
August 26, 11 am – 5 pm
Artists, Crafters, Vendors, Food, Rides, Live Music & more. Come on down for a day of family fun with original & interesting Arts & Crafts, shopping, kid’s rides, and great FOOD!
Downtown Westfield, NJ
Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival
August 26, 1 pm – 9 pm (Rain or Shine)
This music festival features a mix of strong national and local musicians performing live Jazz and blues on stage. The grand finale will feature a fireworks display at dusk.
The Great Lawn on the Long Branch Promenade, Long Branch, NJ
Food Trucks On The Ave
August 27, 11 am – 7 pm
Come feast on food from over 25 food trucks, lets the kids play at Kid’s Korner, and enjoy 8 hours of live entertainment.
W Landis Ave & SW Blvd, Vineland, NJ
