Summer Fun With the Kids

August is here with lots of summer left. Head outside and enjoy some wonderful family friendly festivals in New Jersey. Check out butterflies, go listen to music, learn about 4-H programs, or chow down at food festivals. For more events, see NJ Kids calendar. 

Annual Clam Festival

Friday-Sunday, August 1-3, 2025 in the Highlands. Famous clam fest brings together music and seafood, rides, games, contests, and children’s activities. FREE Admission and Parking. Fireworks on Sat Aug 2nd over Snug Harbor Beach at 10PM. Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ.

New Jersey State Fair Sussex County Farm & Horse Show

Friday, August 1 through Saturday August 9, 2025. Old-fashioned country fair with carnival rides & games, pony rides, bull riding, demolition derby, monster truck show, outdoor entertainment, horse show, musical performers, food, and farmers market. Children’s Day is Tuesday August 5th, along with Sensory Friendly Carnival hours 12PM-2PM. General Admission fee for ages 6+. Located at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta NJ.

Watershed Butterfly Festival at The Watershed Institute

Saturday, August 2, 2025, 9:30AM-3PM. Celebrate nature at the Watershed Institute. Educational hands on activities, learn about butterflies and insects, animal exhibits, crafts, and more! Register for 2 sessions (9:30AM-12PM or 12:30PM-3PM). $ per person or carload. 31 Titus Mill Rd, Pennington, NJ.

Middlesex County Fair

Monday-Sunday, August 4-10, 2025. East Brunswick’s Middlesex County Fair is a week long summer event with rides, children’s activities, music entertainment, food and more! Family friendly activities include dog shows, pig races, magic shows, The Flying Cortes Trapeze, UWA Elite Pro Wrestling and more! Also available is a sensory tent for those guests who need some quiet time. Admission fee for ages 4+. Buy your tickets in advance. 655 Cranbury Road in East Brunswick, NJ.

Salem County Fair

Monday-Friday, August 4-8, 2025. FREE Admission. $ Parking. Check out the animals at the Salem County Fair - livestock, horses, goats, cows, pigs, and rabbits. Children’s activities, pony rides, kiddie tractor pulls, various contests, food, and fun! Fairgrounds located at Route 40 in Pilesgrove Township, NJ.

Somerset County 4-H Fair

Wednesday-Friday, August 6-8, 2025, 10AM-10PM. FREE Family Fun at the Somerset County 4-H Fair. Animals shows, demos, live music, exhibits, food, and artists. 4-H clubs compete and perform. North Branch Park in Bridgewater, NJ.

49th Annual IAATO Italian Festival

Wednesday-Saturday, August 6-10, 2025. FREE Admission to the Annual Fundraiser at the IAATO Italian Festival. Celebrate Italian heritage and culture in Ocean Township. Featuring rides, games, raffles, fireworks, music and entertainment. Enjoy tasty Italian foods and treats! Joe Palaia Park, 200 Whalepond Rd in Oakhurst NJ.

National Lighthouse Day Festival

Thursday, August 7, 2025 at the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City, NJ. Kids under 12 years old can climb FREE. Enjoy kids activities - petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and bubbles. 

Atlantic County 4-H Fair

Friday & Saturday, August 8-9, 2025. FREE Admission. $ Parking. This 2-day Atlantic County 4-H Fair will have animals, kid arts & crafts, horticulture, rides, entertainment, horse shows, STEM activities, and competition. Also showcasing a Car Show, Baby parade, Pet parade, Chicken BBQ, and more! Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds, Route 50 in Mays Landing, NJ.

La Festa Italiana - Jersey City’s Italian Festival

Wednesday-Sunday, August 13-17, 2025. Celebrate Italian food, heritage and faith at Jersey City’s largest Italian American street festival. Featuring Italian food & drink. Plenty of live music entertainment on the main stage. Festival will be held on 6th Street in Jersey City NJ.

Passaic County Fair 2025

Thursday-Sunday, August 14-17, 2025. Annual Passaic County Fair with amusement rides, games, live music, pony rides, petting zoo, kids activities, touch-a-truck, face painting, fireworks and more! Woodland Park, NJ.

Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival

Saturday, August 16, 2025, Noon-9:30PM. FREE. Calling all music fans to the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival. Lineup includes: Dani G and Friends, The Jazz Ambassadors, Blues People, King Solomon Hicks, and Samatha Fish. Bring chairs and blankets. Located on the Green in downtown Morristown NJ.

Surf & Turf Seafood Festival

Saturday & Sunday, August 16-17, 2025, 11AM-5PM. Family friendly festival for all seafood lovers. Enjoy crab cakes, shrimp, clams, lobster rolls, and more culinary delights from the best seafood food trucks around. Fun day on Sunday with kids games & activities. Children 12 & under FREE, all others $ Admission. Free parking. Monmouth Park in Oceanport NJ.

Seafaring and Maritime Celebration at Historic Cold Spring Village

Saturday & Sunday, August 16-17, 2025, 11AM-4PM. Pirates, music, and family fun at Cold Spring Village in NJ! Swashbuckling, high adventure, and loads of fun. Come listen to tales of the sea, learn about Viking culture. Music performances by The Sea Dogs and Jolly Shore Leave. Buy tickets ahead of time. So head out to Cape May, NJ this summer. 

Hunterdon County 4-H & Agricultural Fair

Wednesday-Sunday, August 20-24, 2025. Opens 10AM. FREE Admission to the Hunterdon County Fair. $ Parking. Amusement rides, main stage entertainment, food, tractor and truck pulls, pig races, antique tractor display, 4-H shows and animal exhibits. South County Park, 1207 Rt 179, Lambertville, NJ.

Long Branch Jazz and Blues Festival

August 23, 2025, 1PM-9:30PM. FREE. Long Branch great lawn and promenade. Along with a lineup of musicians, there will be food vendors and activities. Fireworks at dark. Great Lawn Amphitheater, 10 Ocean Ave, Long Branch, NJ, jsjbf.org

Wildwood End of Summer Block Party

Sun, Aug 31st, 2PM-10PM. FREE admission. Celebrate the end of summer with a family friendly block party at the Wildwoods. Featuring children’s activities, entertainment, food vendors, and crafters. Various musical performances. Fox Park on Ocean Ave, Wildwood, NJ.

St. Bartholomew UNICO Italian Festival

Aug 29th-Sept 1st. Traditional Annual Labor Day Italian Feast honoring San Nicola di Bari. Yummy Italian food favorites like pizza, pasta, zeppoles, sausages, calzones, and more! Fun family event with kids rides and games. Nightly music featuring: Wolf Creek, Anthony Liguori as Elvis, The Broadcasters, Jimmy and the Parrots. 2032 Westfield Ave, Scotch Plains, NJ.

Visit NJ Kids for more things to do.