The year is off to a fantastic start, with the Chocolate Expo in March followed by the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival this spring, and the New Jersey State Fair in the busy summer season. New Jersey has something happening every month of the year, and there’s a buzz in the air and people are raring to go. So if you find yourself in the state anytime soon – or if you reside in the state (lucky you!) and are planning your next weekend getaway, New Jersey’s got you covered. So what are you waiting for? Here are the must-attend festivals and events in New Jersey this 2025.

January
The first month of the year will be a month of concerts and musical performances, starting with the New Jersey Symphony on January 25 for the Lunar New Year Celebration to be held in Newark. Feast your ears and all your senses and ring in the new year with a celebration that welcomes one and all. The show is headlined by Xian Zhang, musical director, Min Kwon, pianist, and the Peking University Alumni Chorus as well as the Starry Art’s Children’s Chorus as they welcome the Year of the Snake with a spectacular spectacle.
Another notable event for January is the Fire & Ice Festival, also on the 25th in Mount Holly, New Jersey. The Fire & Ice Festival is a definite must-see, as it combines two beloved traditions: the Ice Carving Festival and the Chili Contest! The event is free, and it’s a family-friendly affair complete with professional ice carvers – and of course, the best chilis in the area. There is even a craft beer tasting event with tons of exhibits, fabulous food, and lots and lots of entertainment.

February
The month of February is, of course, synonymous with the day of hearts, as we all know. But in New Jersey, it is also a festive time for music, battlefield festivals, and more. First, we have the Monmouth Battlefield, held on the 2nd Sunday of February. It promises a day of adventure with a free guided walk across the battlefield in Manalapan.
If you’re in the mood for a musical feast, head to Red Bank for the New Jersey Symphony: Warner Bros Discovery Presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony! The event will be on the 14th of February, just in time for Valentine’s Day, and it features the beloved character along with other legendary Looney Tunes stars such as Wile E. Coyote, Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck, Road Runner, and Sylvester. After the musical fun, why not enjoy the rest of the evening in Atlantic City, which has fantastic deals for lovebirds celebrating the day of love – who knows, you might well get lucky if you play your cards right!
March
In March, there’s a special treat for sweet lovers out there. New Jersey is all set to host the Chocolate Expo on March 29 to 30, and it will be in Edison and will showcase the best sweet treats, from baked goodies to cheeses, drinks, dairy products, and the star of the show, chocolate. There will also be lots of entertainment for the kids and adults alike, including hands-on demos, face painting, and balloon art.
Atlantic City will also have its very own boat show, aptly named Discover Boating Atlantic City Boat Show at the Atlantic City Convention Center on March 1 and 2. The boat show will not just feature boats of all sizes and shapes – it will also have an indoor paddle sports pool, a mini lake for the kiddos, and an Art of Casting pond.
And finally, the biggest event and festival we’ve all been waiting for: get ready for the Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival, to be held on the 29th of March. The festival plays host to fantastic craft beer, music, and activities galore, and beer enthusiasts will get the chance to compare hundreds of craft beer from numerous breweries. But wait – there’s more. The festival is also home to some of NJ’s most mouthwatering food, and there will be culinary demos, seminars, and games.
Another great event is the New Jersey Lottery Rock Paper Scissors Throwdown, which will be in East Rutherford, also on the 29th to 30th of March, and the tournament will offer over $25,000 in prizes – take note, it’s the first of its kind in the state, and it features the iconic game of Rock Paper Scissors. It’s a great way to play and try your luck at the same time!
April
April is also an exciting month in New Jersey, as the state gets ready to hold several premiere events and celebrations. For one, the New Jersey Symphony is at it again with a Star Wars tribute – starting on April 9, 10, 12, and 13, the New Jersey Symphony will serenade you with a unique Star Wars: The Force Awakens concert, where the film Star Wars: The First Order will be shown complete with live musical accompaniment. The whole score will be performed at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey, so if you’re a definite Star Wars fan, it’s best not to miss out.
Other than this, there is also a fantastic show at the Van Horn Plaza Bound Brook Train Station called the ‘Rhythm on the Rails’ summer series, and it will feature a series of concerts by awesome artists every month starting in April.
May
May is also a month of thrills (and chills), because New Jersey will play host to the first ever horror convention in the Garden State on May 17 to 18 in Atlantic City. The event is titled the New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival, and it will feature ‘all things horror’ and even have appearances from a bevy of horror actors, including the cast of such horror films as Halloweentown and The Blair Witch Project. The convention will also hold screenings of your macabre favorites.
The month will also hold the Down & Derby Wine Festival in Westmont in Camden County, where you can sample all kinds of wines from the leading wine producers of South Jersey. There will also be food, music, and games, and you can even dress up in your best Derby-themed outfit. On the heels of this, another May festival is the Highland Park Street Fair & Craft Show, in Highland Park, and it showcases 24 of New Jersey’s finest arts and crafts specialists. It will be on May 5, and you can bring the entire family for a full day of fun, arts & crafts, food, vendors, live music and DJs, performances, rides, and a lot more. Best of all, admission is free. Other May festivals are in store, including the Walnut Street Fair in Montclair (May 5) and the Collingswood May Fair on May 24.
June
June promises to be busy, as New Jersey hosts plenty of fairs and fetes for the beginning of the summer season. First on the list is the State Fair in Meadowlands, where the Meadowland Sports Complex will transform into an amusement park and carnival from June all the way to July. There’s lots for everyone, from rides to games and shows to snacks, everyone’s invited! There are also a number of free attractions, such as BMX bicycle stunts, pig races (you can bet on the winner, too!), concerts, magic shows, and petting zoos.
June is also overflowing with shows – the Albert Music Hall in Waretown is the place to be every Saturday of June with its live bands (there will be five to six bands performing every kind of music imaginable, from Bluegrass to Americana, folk, Pinelands, country, and Old Timey), snacks, and even gift items for young and not-so-young. There will also be a 50/50 drawing, and the place offers free parking.
July
For the month of July, things are starting to get real interesting in New Jersey, because starting July 11 to 13, there is the NJ Jeep Invasion in Cape May County, which will feature a lot of beach adventures in Wildwood. There will be obstacle courses as well as off-road challenges, vendors, and the event is strictly for Jeep aficionados. There will also be a Bronco Invasion on July 18 to 20, and the event will celebrate the Bronco while allowing guests and visitors to partake in activities along the boardwalk in Cape May.
Finally, take part in the 70th Annual Night in Venice Celebration along Longport Bridge to East Atlantic Boulevard in Ocean City, New Jersey, and it’s the city’s much-awaited annual boat parade (one of the world’s largest) – it starts from 6:30 to 9pm, so don’t be late!
August
The middle of summer is undoubtedly exciting for New Jerseyans, as August brings with it some brilliant events. First, there’s Summerslam at the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, and this event will take place on August 2 to 3. It’s for World Wrestling fans, and the event will feature the greatest professional wrestlers from the Smackdown and Raw brand divisions.
The second big event in New Jersey for the month of August is the eagerly anticipated New Jersey State Fair, which will be held during the first week of the month. It will have everything distinctly New Jersey, and the event is at the Sussex Fairgrounds in Augusta. There will be a wide range of activities and shows for everyone, no matter what age, and these extend from carnival rides to farming museums to art shows, bull rides, and a demolition derby. There will also be contests and competitions like a talent show, a battle of the bands, a beauty pageant, and the crowd-favorite Sussex County Horse Show. See you there!
September
For the last month of summer transitioning into fall, things are finally winding down. But there are still some noteworthy events in New Jersey at this time, such as the New Jersey Home Show, where visitors from within the state and beyond can be inspired and motivated by home improvement pros and industry leaders such as Kitchen Magic and Bath Pros, LLC (and many more). The New Jersey Home Show will be held at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, and it will be from September 6 to 7.
There will also be a BBQ & Craft Beer Festival to be held from August 30 to September 1 at Monmouth Park, where more than 40 craft beers will be showcased along with over 20 pitmasters from the area. There will also be live music, family-friendly activities such as pony rides and bouncy houses, and beer garden sampling tickets will be sold for only $15.
Lastly, New Jersey will also host Rocktoberfest on the 13th of September, so get ready to rock and roll with the best live bands in Taylor Park in Millburn. There will also be food and drinks, lots of activities, carnival games and rides, and even an Inclusivity Zone which features a ‘Low Sensory Zone.’
October
In October, things kick up again – it’s the beginning of autumn, after all – and the goings-on in the state have a tinge of ghosts and ghoulies. First off, there’s the Darkside NJ Art and Oddities Market, which is scheduled on the 18th in Edison, NJ at the New Jersey Convention & Expo Center, and if you have a fascination for the dark side, you will be amazed at the collection of vendors – from taxidermists to sellers of occult items, funeral curiosities, and more. There will also be shows and workshops ranging from tattooing to live suspension, sideshows, live music, and burlesque.
After dabbling in the dark side, you can emerge once again into the light, where New Jersey will hold the Montclair Film Festival, which is held every year on the 17th of October until the 26th. The week-long affair will feature some notable actors in Hollywood, and it also offers a ton of activities which include comedy shows, educational seminars, and film screenings.
If you’re a foodie, you will love the Jersey Eats festival, A Taste of New Jersey at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, to be held on October 26. The vibrant NJ food scene will be made more vibrant with more than 50 food trucks, restaurants, and eateries, and the event will also have live music and fun for all ages.
November
November holds a certain fascination for New Jerseyans, as it signals the official start of fall – and there are more than a few fall events that are set to dazzle you as well. Let’s begin with the Jersey City Wine Fest, which is set on the 23rd of November in Jersey City. It promises to give you a taste of a wide variety of wines New Jersey has to offer, and you can sample delicious food as well. What’s even better is you will catch a glimpse of the glorious New York skyline from the Harborside Atrium.
December
December is the perfect time to relax and enjoy with our loved ones, and what better way to rally in the holiday season than by taking a weekend break at Campgaw Mountain? Campgaw Mountain Ski Resort, located in Mahwah, has been a popular destination for Jersey residents for years. But even if you’re not a skier, the resort is a favored place that will stay open for the entire winter, until March.
Ocean City also offers a slew of events for the year, starting with the Christmas Parade on December 5 and culminating with First Night on December 31. But as of this writing, a lot of New Jersey townships haven’t yet released their winter schedules, so we’ll update you with more happenings as the year goes along.
