Home Best of Guides Festivals in North Jersey: July through October 2021

Festivals in North Jersey: July through October 2021

by Olivia Rizzo
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With the days stretching out longer and the warm weather making it easier to get out and enjoy local activities. There is nothing better than a good festival, they usually feature live music, good food, and a good excuse to get out of the house. Luckily for us, there’s always something cool happening. Read on to learn more about upcoming festivals in North Jersey.

festivals north jersey july through october

July

Montclair Jazz Festival, Montclair 

July 8-September 25

The Montclair Jazz festival is the state’s largest music festival and will be taking place across three months. Events will be hosted in downtown Montclair and in Lackawanna Plaza. To learn more about the Montclair Jazz Festival click here

St. Ann’s Festival, Hoboken

St. Ann’s Festival will take place from Thursday, July 22nd to Monday, July 26th. The hours will be Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 1PM – 11PM and Thursday and Friday from 6PM – 11PM. The nine-day novena, nine days of prayer, will start on Saturday, July 17th through Sunday, July 25th at 7PM. Festival day mass will be on Monday, July 26th at 11AM, and THE procession of St. Ann will be right after mass through the Hoboken streets on the usual route.

The Ivy at Chatham

New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, Whitehorse Station

July 23-25 

Formerly known as “The QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning” this is the 38th year of the New Jersey Balloon Festival. It is the largest summer hot balloon and music festival in North America. Over the three days, guests can enjoy watching hot balloons take off, go for a ride in a hot air balloon and enjoy food, music, and carnival rides. 

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Kemet Music & Arts Festival, Montclair

July 31

Hosted at Montclair Brewery the Kemet Music and Arts Festival is a platform for musicians, artists, and activists to bring positive encouragement to black and brown communities. This year’s festival will feature music and performances by local artists like Rostafa and Co., Lynette Live, Howlin’ Poets, and Lil Bastard. There will also be vendors selling food and art.

Bright Side Tavern Film Festival, Jersey City

July 31 + August 1

Brightside Tavern is hosting its 13th student and short film festival. Enjoy a night of student films on July 31st, featuring an awards ceremony. And on August 1st has screenings of various professional short films. Learn more details here.

Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival, Westfield

Every Tuesday in July

The Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival will take place every Tuesday night during July and August, from 7PM-9PM.  This is the 24th year of the series and will be featuring three bands in three locations throughout Westfield.

August

NJ Cornhole Festival, Morris Plains

August 14, 11AM-7PM

MegaBite Events and NJ Club Sports are joining forces to host a food truck festival and a cornhole tournament. Featuring over 14 food trucks, live music, and activities for kids and adults to enjoy. You can also enter to compete in the corn hole tournament for a chance to win cash and prizes. Register here.

City Green’s Twilight Farm Festival, Clifton 

 August 19, 5-8PM 

City Green is offering a two-night festival to come and visit their farm animals and gardens at night. Featuring live music by The Retrocasters, drinks from Montclair Brewery, and BYO Picnic. 

Canal Day Music and Craft Festival, Wharton 

August 21

Located at Hugh Force Canal Park, the Canal Day Festival combines the fun of a country fair and is a celebration of the Morris Canal and its contributions to the communities that have lived along its shores. The festival is a day of live music, food, guided historical tours, boat rides down the canal and fireworks show at night.

Ivy Hill Food and Music Festival, Newark

August 21, 12-8PM

Part of the Essex County Free Summer Music Series, the Ivy Hill Food and Music Festival will offer an evening full of musical acts and various food vendors. 

Hot 97 Summer Jam, East Rutherford

August 22

Taking place at MetLife Stadium, enjoy two separate stages featuring DJs and Hip Hop artists. Buy tickets here.

Michael Arnone’s Crawfish Fest, Frankfort 

August 27-29

The Crawfish Fest is a three-day-long “New Orleans Style” music, food, and camping festival. Hosted at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, spend the weekend camping and enjoying a taste of what New Orleans has to offer. Featuring Blues, Jazz, and R&B-style music concerts and food with a Cajun twist. You can get tickets here.

Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival, Westfield

Every Tuesday in August

The Sweet Sounds Downtown Music Festival will take place every Tuesday night during July and August, from 7PM-9PM.  This is the 24th year of the series and will be featuring three bands in three locations throughout Westfield.

September

House Music Festival and a Splash of Caribean, Newark 

September 11

A Caribean-themed music festival that will round out Essex County’s free summer music series. Hosted in Weequahic Park it is the last event of the county-sponsored music events. 

All About Downtown Street Fair, Jersey City

September 18

The biggest event in downtown Jersey City, the 10th annual All About Downtown Street Fair features everything from vendors selling handmade gifts to downtown shops promoting their services and wares. The Fair also has kids rides a beer garden, and live music.

Secaucus 10th Green Festival, Secaucus

September 18

Hosted by the Environmental Department for the Town of Secaucus, the festival will feature environmentally friendly activities for children, music, food, green product vendors, and educational presentations. 

Hoboken Wellness Crawl, Hoboken

September  19

This year’s wellness crawl is focusing on brick-and-mortar wellness shops in Hoboken. Similar to a bar crawl the stores participating in the wellness crawl will offer freebie items for all crawlers and a  giveaway prize for one lucky crawler with no purchase is necessary. Learn more about the wellness crawl here. 

Roseland Greek Festival, Roseland 

September 24-26

Roseland Greek Festival is a three-day event featuring live Greek music and dancing, Greek foods, and dessert. If you are intersected in volunteering or becoming a sponsor of the festival you can find out more information here.

See More: A Guide to Flower Farms in New Jersey

October 

Montclair Design Week, Montclair

October 1-10

Montclair Design Week is a 10-day long celebration that will be all about design, with over 60 events. This will be New Jersey’s largest design celebration. There will be workshops, installations, panels, design-a-thons, parties, and tours. You can find out more information here.

Maplewoodstock, Maplewood

October 2-3

This two-day family festival celebrates community music and the arts. Taking place in Memorial Park, you can enjoy performances from more than 20 performers and artists. Or you can buy crafts, art, clothing, and collectibles from featured vendors and artists. Other activities include bounce houses, face painting, and arts and crafts. Find out more here.

Newark Arts Festival, Newark 

October 7-10

The 20th annual Newark Arts Festival will be a celebration of “Creative Resistance.” NAF aims to amplify the voices of established and emerging Newark artists, gallerists, creative entrepreneurs. To learn more about the festival or submit artwork click here. 

Montclair Film Festival, Montclair

October 21-30

The 10th annual Montclair Film festival will have ten days of films from independent films, comedies, documentaries, panels, family events, and work by emerging artists. The festival strives to provide a platform for talented filmmakers from around the world and give special recognition to New Jersey artists. Learn more about the festival here.

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