Labor Day in New Jersey this year falls on Monday, Sept. 7, marking the final major holiday of the summer season before routines resume. While federal, state, and local government offices, public schools, banks, the U.S. Postal Service, and Motor Vehicle Centers will be closed—and major retailers like Costco will observe closures—most grocery chains and supermarkets including ShopRite, Wegmans, Whole Foods, and Target will remain open on regular schedules. For residents and visitors looking to make the most of the long weekend, the Garden State offers an extensive lineup of end-of-summer celebrations, featuring everything from community parades and carnivals to heritage festivals, air shows, and fireworks displays.
Here’s a list of several standout events that are taking place across the Garden State:
Northern New Jersey’s Best Labor Day Weekend Festivals & Events (2026)
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Boonton Fire Department Labor Day Parade, Carnival, and Fireworks (September 3–6, Boonton High School Field): A four-day community tradition featuring carnival rides, live music, a seafood and food tent, a classic parade on Saturday at 1:30 PM, and fireworks at dusk on Sunday.
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Annual St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival (September 4–7, St. Bartholomew Church, Scotch Plains): A beloved four-day Union County late-summer festival celebrating Italian-American culture with traditional food and community activities.
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The Meadowlands Tattoo Arts Festival (September 4–6, Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus): A high-energy weekend showcase featuring live tattooing, body art competitions, piercing specialists, educational seminars, and a diverse creative marketplace. Tickets are $25 for a 1-day pass or $50 for a 3-day pass; children under 12 are free.
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The Feast of Saint Joseph of Lodi (September 4–7, Saint Joseph Church, Lodi): A family-friendly parish festival offering classic Italian festival foods, nightly live entertainment, games of chance, and carnival thrill rides.
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Dream Asia Festival (September 5–7, Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta): A multi-day celebration of Asian culture, food, and entertainment, now featuring the Rico Rico Fiesta food village with Latin cultural performances, hands-on activities, and diverse international flavors. Admission is $12 to $45.
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Sparta NJ Renaissance Festival (September 5–6 and September 20, Camp Sacajawea, Sparta): Step back into medieval times with live stage shows, period costumes, and themed games set against the scenic backdrop of Sussex County. At-the-gate admission is $25 for adults, $10 for children ages 6–12, and free for children under 6.
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38th Scandinavian Fest (September 6, Vasa Park, Budd Lake): New Jersey’s annual celebration of Nordic heritage featuring artisan booths, live folk performances, and cultural demonstrations representing Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. Presale adult tickets are $14.
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American Labor Museum Parade (September 6, 83 Norwood St, Haledon): A historic annual parade stepping off at 10:30 AM rain or shine from the museum, honoring the contributions of workers.
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Mendham Labor Day Carnival, Parade, Concert, and Fireworks (September 7, Borough Park Gazebo, Mendham): Enjoy daily carnival rides and games from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM leading up to a Labor Day parade starting at 72 E. Main Street at 10:00 AM, followed by an evening concert at 6:00 PM and fireworks at dusk.
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Riverdale Labor Day Street Fair (September 7, Newark Pompton Turnpike, Riverdale): A vibrant neighborhood street fair running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM featuring live music, food trucks, arts and crafts, and family activities.
Central New Jersey’s Best Labor Day Weekend Festivals & Events (2026)
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Belmar Fireworks (September 4, 7th Avenue Beach, Belmar): A stunning early-weekend fireworks display launched directly from the beach starting at 7:45 PM.
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NJ Clearwater Festival (September 4–6, Bradley Park, Asbury Park): New Jersey’s longest-running open-air festival dedicated to live music across two stages, environmental advocacy, green vendors, food trucks, and children’s ecological activities. Admission is $5; children 10 and under are free.
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Keyport’s Stars & Stripes Food Truck & Music Festival (September 5, Keyport Waterfront Park, Keyport): A lively Saturday festival running from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM featuring food trucks, live music, a beer, sangria, and margarita garden, and family attractions like inflatables, mini-golf, and face painting. Admission is $5 cash; children under 5 are free.
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Monmouth Park Labor Day BBQ & Craft Beer Festival (September 5–7, Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport): A three-day holiday staple offering barbecue favorites, a craft beer garden with over 40 local selections, live music daily from noon to 4:00 PM, and free family activities like pony rides and face painting. General admission is $7 (parking is free), with beer sampling packages available.
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Frenchtown Riverfest (September 6, Downtown Frenchtown): An eco-focused downtown festival running from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM highlighting local art, live music, diverse food vendors, family fun, and the town’s signature paper boat races.
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Annual South Plainfield Labor Day Parade & Fireworks (September 7, Spring Lake Park, South Plainfield): A community celebration kicking off with a noon parade from the PAL Recreation Center on Maple Avenue, followed by afternoon festivities at Veterans’ Memorial Park and a fireworks finale at dusk over Spring Lake Park.
Southern New Jersey’s Best Labor Day Weekend Festivals & Events (2026)
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NAS Wildwood Airfest (September 3–6, NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, Cape May): A four-day celebration inside a historic WWII hangar featuring historic aircraft displays, live entertainment, and family-friendly aviation activities. General admission is $16 for adults and $12 for children ages 3–12; infants are free.
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Atlantic City Seashore Seafood Festival (September 4–7, Showboat Resort Sand Lot, Atlantic City): A boardwalk culinary celebration offering fresh seafood, chef specials, beachside cocktails, and live entertainment against the backdrop of the ocean. Adult tickets are $57.51, ages 4–14 are $30.38, and children 3 and under are free.
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Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival (September 4–6, Woodstown): A premier three-day gathering of world-class bluegrass, old-time string music, and American roots performances featuring headliners like Kathy Mattea, the Travelin’ McCourys, the Dan Tyminski Band, and more. Online day tickets are $90 for adults and $85 for seniors and students; ages 17 and under are free with a paying adult.
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21st Annual Car Show & Food Truck Festival (September 4, Glassboro Town Square, Glassboro): A popular South Jersey kick-off event featuring over 300 classic cars, antiques, and muscle cars, alongside more than 20 food trucks, live music from the Tequila Rose Band and Ready To Go, and two beer gardens. Free to attend.
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Wildwood Labor Day Fireworks (September 4, Rio Grande Avenue Beach, Wildwood): A spectacular pyrotechnic display lighting up the boardwalk at 10:00 PM, with a synchronized music simulcast on 98.7 The Coast. Free to attend.
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West Cape May Tomato Festival (September 5, Backyard Park, West Cape May): A tribute to New Jersey’s legendary produce running from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, featuring local food vendors, craft booths, and live music celebrating the local harvest. Free to attend.
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Wildwood End of Summer Block Party & Music Festival (September 6, Fox Park, Wildwood): A lively Sunday event running from 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM offering live music, family activities, craft vendors, food trucks, and free children’s entertainment to wrap up the summer season. Free to attend.
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Viking Village Art & Craft Show (September 6, Historic Viking Village, Barnegat Light): A scenic seaside craft market running from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM featuring more than 70 vendors showcasing fine art, handmade goods, unique crafts, and jewelry.
