Top New Jersey Events August 11 – 13, 2023

August 8, 2023 newjerseyisntboring

August is heating up for the second weekend this month! With lots of great events like county fairs, outdoor movies, food festivals, and much more there is plenty to do. New Jersey has a diverse array of store events, from cultural celebrations to culinary extravaganzas. Check out our list of the top New Jersey events from August 11 – 13, 2023.

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.

New Jersey Events August 4 – 6:

Featured Event!

A Day Out With Thomas
August 11 – 13
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

The New Jersey State Fair
Now –August 12
This event features carnival rides, live entertainment, family attractions, featured events, a horse show, monster truck rides, and more!
Sussex County Fairgrounds 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ
Cost: Tickets

Argos Farm Sunflower Festival
Now – August 20, 3 pm – 8 pm
This annual Sunflower Festival features live music, delicious blueberry treats, Summer photo ops, and of more! Admission Ticket Includes: LIVE MUSIC entry into activity area with unlimited access- Double Hay Slide, Bee Zip Line, Jumbo Jumper Air Pillow, Gauntlet Obstacle Course, Cow Train Rides, Peddle Carts, Ball Zone, Wall Ball, Checkers, Corn Hole, Tractor Slide, Big Chair, and Photo Ops.
Argos Farm, 1250 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate

Middlesex County Fair
Now – August 13
A tradition that continues to bring together thousands of residents from the tristate area together for a week of summer fun! This year they are celebrating 85 years of the Middlesex County Fair. Over the years, countless volunteers and local businesses have worked together to bring you closer to our agricultural heritage, all while offering rides, food, craft vendors, entertainers, bands, and home arts competitions.
655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ
Cost: $10, Kids and Seniors $4

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

Tidalwave Music Festival
August 11 – 13
This event offers three days of music, two stages, and over 30 artists, including headliners Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Jo Dee Messina, Nate Smith, Chase McDaniel, and many more.
One Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic City, NJ
Cost: $125+

Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash
August 11 – 13
The event showcases a lineup of special guest artists, vendors, entertainment, seminars, and the exciting Miss Salt Water Sweetie pin-up contest, among other attractions. Attendees are encouraged to dress in retro attire for added fun and nostalgia.
Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ
Cost: $20 Day / $40 3-Day Pass

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
Cost: Free

Chester Food Truck and Music Festival
August 12, 11 am – 7 pm
Over 20 gourmet food trucks, DJ, vendors, beer, margarita & sangria garden, kid activities including pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, sand art, knocker ball, axe throwing, games, & so much more!
134 Main St, Chester, NJ
Cost: $5 admission, kids under 5 free

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

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
Cost: Free

Bellview Winery’s Seafood Festival
August 12 & 13, 12 pm – 5 pm
The Seafood Festival showcases a diverse selection of local craft vendors, known for their handmade products. Visitors can explore the various stalls while savoring a glass of wine. Additionally, they have the option to visit the Black Horse Cigar Shop tent for a fresh cigar experience. For those seeking a unique thrill, the Throw House mobile axe-throwing truck offers an exciting opportunity to throw axes at targets.Families can also join in the fun, with Pirate Pete’s Soda truck offering a wide range of soda flavors for kids to enjoy. Not to be missed are Karen and the Nut’s delightful offerings of fresh glazed nuts and delicious smoothies, promising a treat for everyone at the event
Bellview Winery, 150 Atlantic St, Landisville, NJ
Cost: $10

Seafood & Seltzer Festival
August 12 & 13
Join the fun at the Shore’s best seafood event where nearly 20 top seafood establishments serve up mouthwatering dishes, including lobster rolls and crab cakes. This year, they’ve added a seltzer sampling! From 11 am to 5 pm, you can enjoy various fizzy beverages with a sampling ticket for just $15. The ticket includes 10 2-oz samples and a complimentary commemorative glass. You can get your general admission and sampling tickets in advance or on the day of the event. Purchase both tickets beforehand at seatgeek.com/monmouth to save 15%. The seltzer sampling will be available from 11:30 am to 5 pm, with ticket sales and check-in between 11:30 am and 4 pm (day-of tickets are cash only). While you enjoy the delightful seafood and seltzers, you can also groove to live music by Next Wave Band on Saturday and All That Roxx on Sunday, from 12 pm to 4 pm. On Sunday, there will also be FREE Family Fun Day activities from 12 pm to 4 pm.
Monmouth Race Track, Oceanport, NJ
Cost: Cost of admission, additional cost for food and beverages

Paramus Food Truck Festival
August 13, 11AM – 7PM
Over 20 gourmet food trucks, DJ, vendors, beer, margarita & sangria garden, kid activities including pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, sand art, knocker ball, axe throwing, games, & so much more!
700 Paramus Park, NJ
Cost: $5 admission, kids under 5 free

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
Cost: Free

Free Movies this Week!

Tuesday, August 8:
Point Pleasant Movies on the Beach – Lightyear
Wildwood Free Movies in the Plaza – Hercules
Avalon Movies on the Beach -Jaws
Jersey City Movies in the Park – Marcel the Shell with Shoes on
Lavallette Movies on the Bay – Turning Red

Wednesday, August 9:
Hoboken 2023 Movies under the Stars – Marcel the Shell with Shoes on
Long Branch 2023 Summer Movie Series – A Man Called Otto
Sea Isle City Movies Under the Stars – Lightyear
Belmar Movies on the Beach – E.T.
Freehold Family Movie Night – Moana
Gloucester County Movies in the Park – DC League of Super Pets
South Orange Moonlit Movies – Lightyear