Summer Fun With the Kids

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

Watershed Butterfly Festival at The Watershed Institute

Saturday, August 6, 2022, 10AM-5PM. Annual Watershed Butterfly Festival filled with fun family activities, music, nature walks, Butterfly and Bug Parade, and animal shows. Tour exhibits, famed insect zoo, and the Kate Gorrie Butterfly House. $ Admission, located in Pennington NJ.

Middlesex County Fair

Monday-Sunday, August 1-7, 2022. East Brunswick’s Middlesex County Fair is the premier summer event with rides, games, music entertainment, food and more! Featuring family friendly activities: A Motorcycle Stunt Show, Jason D'Vaude the Circus Man, Agricadabra Magic Show. Fireworks Show Monday & Sunday. $ Admission, buy your tickets in advance. The Fair is located on Cranbury Road in East Brunswick, NJ.

27th Annual Clam Festival

Thursday-Sunday, August 5-7, 2022. FREE Admission and Parking. Clamoring for clams? Scrumptious fresh seafood, live music entertainment, contests, games and rides at New Jersey's best Annual Clam Festival. Clam fun for the whole family! Huddy Park in Highlands, NJ.

New Jersey State Fair Sussex County Farm & Horse Show

Friday-Sunday, August 5-13, 2022. Old-fashioned country fair with carnival rides & games, racing pigs, pony rides, demolition derby, monster truck show, horse show, musical performers, food, and farmers market. Located at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta NJ.

Salem County Fair

August 9-12, 2022. FREE Admission. $ Parking. Check out the animals at the Salem County Fair - horses, goats, cows, chickens, sheep, pigs, and rabbits. Contests, children’s activities, pony rides, tractor pulls, Tablescaping contest and Little Miss Salem County Fair Contest. Fairgrounds located at 735 Harding Hwy in Woodstown NJ.

Somerset County 4-H Fair

August 10-12, 2022, 10AM-10PM. FREE Family Fun at the Somerset County 4-H Fair. See animals shows, demos, live music, exhibits, food, and artists. 4-H clubs compete and perform. North Branch Park in Bridgewater, NJ.

46th Annual IAATO Italian Festival

Wednesday-Sunday, August 10-14, 2022, 5PM-11PM. FREE Admission to the IAATO Italian Festival. Celebrate Italian heritage and culture in Ocean Township. Featuring rides, games, raffles, fireworks, music and entertainment. Enjoy Galvani Live Cooking Seminars, along with tasty Italian foods and treats! Joe Palaia Park in Oakhurst NJ.

La Festa Italiana - Jersey City’s Italian Festival

August 10-14, 2022, 5PM-11PM. Celebrate Italian food, heritage and faith at Jersey City’s largest Italian American street festival. Featuring Italian food & drink. Plenty of live music entertainment. Festival will be held on 6th Street in Jersey City NJ.

Passaic County Fair 2022

Thursday-Sunday, August 11-14, 2022. Annual Passaic County Fair with amusement rides, games, live music, pony rides, petting zoo, kids activities, face painting, Touch-a-Truck, and fireworks. Garret Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park, NJ.

Atlantic County 4-H Fair

Friday & Saturday, August 12-13, 2022. FREE Admission. $ Parking. The 2-day Atlantic County 4-H Fair will have animals, kids’s arts & crafts, horticulture, rides, entertainment, and competition. Model railroad displays, robotics, and STEM projects. Also showcasing a Car Show, Baby parade, Pet parade, and Pie Eating contest. Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds, Route 50 in Mays Landing, NJ.

Montclair Jazz Festival - Lackawanna Block Party

Saturday August 13, 2022, 12PM-10PM. The Lackawanna Block Party will feature live performances by student musicians, saxophonist Nicole Glover, and Winard Harper & Jeli Posse with its 9-piece band. Boggie in the evening, enjoy a street dance party featuring DJ Brother Mister. From Noon-5PM, explore an afternoon of fun at the Family Jazz Discovery Zone, take part in creating jazz music and various kids activities. No tickets required, donations appreciated. Lackawanna Plaza in downtown Montclair NJ.

Surf & Turf Seafood Festival

Saturday & Sunday, August 13-14, 2022, 11AM-5PM. FREE 12 & under. Family friendly festival for all seafood lovers. Enjoy crab cakes, shrimp, clams, lobster rolls, and more seafood delights from the best seafood vendors around. Fun day on Sunday with kids games & activities, pony rides and face painting. Monmouth Park in Oceanport NJ.

Hunterdon County 4-H & Agricultural Fair

Wednesday-Sunday, August 24-28, 2022, 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 with cows, horses, sheep, and goats. South County Park, Lambertville, NJ.

Seafarers’ Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village

Saturday & Sunday, August 27-28, 2022, 11AM-4PM. Pirates, music, and family fun at Seafarers Weekend! Main Deck Productions featuring swashbuckling, high adventure, and loads of fun. Come listen to the tales of the sea. The Sea Dogs Maritime Band will perform. Cold Spring Village is located in Cape May, NJ.