List of festivals in New Jersey facts for kids

New Jersey is a state full of exciting events and celebrations! All year long, people gather for festivals that feature everything from music and movies to delicious food and unique cultures. These fun events are a great way to explore different interests and enjoy time with friends and family. Let's take a look at some of the many festivals you can find across New Jersey.

People enjoying the New Jersey Folk Festival in New Brunswick in 2007.

Tasty souvlaki grilling at the Greek Festival in Piscataway in 2011.

January Festivals

• KotoriCon - An exciting anime convention held at Gloucester County College. It's a great place for fans of Japanese animation and comics!

February Festivals

• Black Maria Film Festival - This festival showcases unique and independent films.

March Festivals

• Garden State Film Festival - A popular event for movie lovers, showing many different kinds of films.
• Jersey City Chili Cookoff - A tasty competition where chefs show off their best chili recipes.

April Festivals

• Branch Brook Park Cherry Blossom Festival - Celebrate spring with beautiful cherry blossoms, just like in Japan!
• International Festival - Held at Princeton University, this festival celebrates cultures from all around the world.
• Lambertville Shad Festival - A festival celebrating the shad fish, which is important to the local river.
• Newark Film Festival - A festival that highlights different kinds of movies.
• Rock & Roll Steampunk Festival - In Washington Borough, this festival combines rock music with a cool steampunk style.
• Rutgers Day - A big open house at Rutgers University where you can learn about many different topics. It happens on the last Saturday of April.
• Exit Zero Jazz Festival (spring) - Enjoy amazing jazz music in the spring.
• Trenton Computer Festival - A festival for anyone interested in computers and technology.

May Festivals

• Annual Greek Festival - Held at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George in Piscataway. This is one of the oldest and biggest Greek festivals in the state, featuring delicious food and music.
• Crayfish Festival - In Augusta at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, this festival celebrates crayfish.
• Hoboken Arts and Music Festival - A fun event showcasing local artists and musicians.
• Jersey Shore Music Festival - Enjoy live music in Seaside Heights.
• Montclair Film Festival - A film festival in Montclair that shows many different movies.
• Hot Dog Showdown & Festival - At Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, this event features a competition for the best hot dogs.
• NJ Greek Fest (The New Jersey Greek Festival) - Held at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, this festival celebrates Greek culture.
• New Jersey State History Festival - Learn about New Jersey's past at Washington Crossing State Park. It's held on the first weekend in May.
• Raritan River Music Festival - A festival dedicated to music along the Raritan River.

June Festivals

• North to Shore festival - A large festival celebrating arts, music, and culture across New Jersey.
• AnimeNEXT - Another big anime convention, this one in Atlantic City.
• Barefoot Country Music Festival - Enjoy country music right on the beach in Wildwood.
• Beardfest Music & Arts Festival - A unique music and arts festival in the NJ Pinelands National Reserve.
• Belmar Seafood Festival - Enjoy fresh seafood by the ocean in Belmar.
• Big Greek Festival [1] - A large Greek festival in Randolph.
• Celtic Festival - Experience Celtic culture at Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May.
• Cuban Parade of New Jersey - A vibrant parade celebrating Cuban heritage.
• Flemington OPA Festival - Another Greek festival at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church.
• New Jersey State Pride Parade - A colorful parade celebrating diversity in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
• Hoboken Film Festival - A film festival held in Hoboken.
• Hungarian Festival - Celebrate Hungarian culture in New Brunswick.
• Jersey Shore Festival - A festival held at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood.
• McDonald's Gospelfest - A large gospel music event.
• Meadowlands State Fair - A big fair with rides, games, and entertainment, running from mid-June to early July.
• New Jersey Film Festival - A film festival showcasing various movies.
• NJ Playwrights Festival - A festival that highlights new plays and writers.
• Point Pleasant Summerfest in the Park - A summer festival in Point Pleasant.
• Portugal Day Festival in Newark - Celebrate Portuguese culture in Newark.
• Sustainably Green Music & Arts Festival - In Washington Borough, this festival focuses on music, arts, and being eco-friendly.
• Tri-County Fair - A fun fair held over Father's Day weekend.

July Festivals

• Afro Beat Fest - A festival celebrating Afrobeat music and culture.
• Pleasantville, New Jersey Colombia Festival - A festival celebrating Colombian heritage and Independence Day.
• FARM Music & Arts Festival - A music and arts festival in Vernon.
• Lincoln Park Music Festival - A music festival held in Newark.
• Macy's Fireworks Spectacular - A huge fireworks show for Independence Day.
• Meadowlands State Fair - Continues from June, with special fireworks on July 3 and 4.
• Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning - A spectacular festival where you can see many hot air balloons take flight in Readington. It's held on the last weekend of July.
• Roselle House Music Festival - A festival dedicated to house music.
• Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Outdoor Stage - Enjoy plays by Shakespeare outdoors.
• Soulsational Music Festival - A music festival on the Jersey Shore, held on the last Saturday in July.
• Sourland Mountain Festival - A festival celebrating the nature and culture of the Sourlands.
• St. Ann's Feast - A traditional feast in Hoboken.
• XPoNential Music Festival - A music festival featuring various artists.

August Festivals

• Chillfest - A festival to relax and enjoy.
• Crab Cake Festival & Shore Chef Cook-Off - At Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, this festival features delicious crab cakes and a cooking competition.
• Hambletonian Stakes - A famous harness horse race.
• Highlands Clam Festival - Celebrate clams in Highlands, held in the first week of August.
• Jersey City Pride - A celebration in Jersey City.
• Monmouth Film Festival - A film festival in Monmouth.
• New Jersey State Fair - A large state fair with rides, animals, and exhibits.
• Newark Black Film Festival - A film festival in Newark.
• Philippine Fiesta - A celebration of Philippine culture at the Meadowlands Exposition Center.
• Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning - Continues from July.
• TidalWave Music Festival - A music festival in Atlantic City.

September Festivals

• Union County Celtic Festival - A new festival celebrating Celtic culture in Oak Ridge Park in Clark, New Jersey.
• BBQ, Bets & Brews Festival - At Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, this festival features barbecue and fun.
• Festival in the Borough - A community festival in Washington, NJ.
• First Annual Roseland Greek Festival - A new Greek festival at St. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
• Flemington OPA Festival - Another Greek festival at St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church.
• Garden State Country Music & Food Truck Festival - Enjoy country music and food trucks at Bader Airfield in Atlantic City.
• Jazz & Roots Music Festival - A music festival at Kean University in Hillside, NJ.
• Liberty Jazz Festival - Enjoy jazz music at Liberty State Park.
• Montclair Jazz Festival - A popular jazz music festival in Montclair.
• New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest - A film festival showcasing South Asian cinema in New Brunswick.
• Rib Rock - A music event featuring famous artists.
• South Mountain International Blues Festival - Enjoy blues music at South Mountain Reservation in West Orange.
• Water and Wings Festival - A festival celebrating nature and wildlife.
• Youth Dance Festival of New Jersey - A festival showcasing young dancers.
• Just Be You Performing Arts Film & Theater Festival - A festival for performing arts, film, and theater.
• Weequahic Park House Music Festival - A house music festival in Weequahic Park.

October Festivals

• AnimeNEXT - Another chance to enjoy this anime convention.
• Dia De Los Muertos Day of the Dead Celebration - A celebration of the Day of the Dead in Washington Borough.
• Festival of Fine Craft - In Millville, this festival showcases beautiful handmade crafts. It's held on the first weekend in October.
• Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival - A well-known festival celebrating poetry.
• Golden Door Film Festival - A film festival.
• Lima Bean Festival - A unique festival celebrating lima beans in West Cape May, held on October 6.
• MangaNEXT - A festival for fans of manga, which are Japanese comics.
• German American Volkvest - A festival celebrating German-American culture.
• Exit Zero Jazz Festival (autumn edition) - Another chance to enjoy jazz music in the fall.

November Festivals

• Teaneck International Film Festival - A film festival in Teaneck.
• James Moody Jazz Festival - A jazz festival named after the famous musician James Moody.

December Festivals

• First Nights - Celebrated on New Year's Eve, these are family-friendly events without alcohol, found in many towns like Montclair. They offer fun activities to welcome the new year.

Other Festivals

• The Bank of America New Jersey Fresh Seafood Festival - A festival celebrating fresh seafood in Atlantic City.
• Cape May Strawberry Festival - Enjoy delicious strawberries in Cape May.
• Navratri - A Hindu festival celebrated in places like India Square.
• Slow Food Festival - A festival focusing on local, sustainable, and traditional food.
• Ukrainian Festival - A festival celebrating Ukrainian culture.

See also

• List of film festivals in New Jersey