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Labor Day Weekend 2025 in New Jersey: Festivals, Fireworks, and More Things To Do

At the St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival in Scotch Plains, rides, fair food, entertainment, and games are on offer. Photo courtesy of the festival
At the St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival in Scotch Plains, rides, fair food, entertainment, and games are on offer. Photo courtesy of the festival
8/29/25 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for the best things to do in New Jersey this Labor Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the long weekend.

Whether you are ready to celebrate the last licks of summer or want to enjoy an early taste of fall, the long Labor Day weekend in New Jersey is bursting with change-of-month and change-of-season excitement. 

Carnivals are in the spotlight this weekend, with multi-day festivities like the St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival. Local towns welcome the new month and season with neighborhood celebrations in Frenchtown and Wildwood. 

More Things To Do in New Jersey This Week With Kids:​

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Best Things To Do Labor Day Weekend in New Jersey with Kids

Boonton Fire Department Carnival

Boonton – FREE
Thursday, August 28-Sunday, August 31
Enjoy rides, games, live music, and scrumptious fair food. Make it a fun weekend with family and friends, and say farewell to summer in a memorable way. Fireworks take place on Sunday. READ MORE

AirFest 2025

Cape May
Thursday, August 28-Sunday, August 31
AirFest proudly presents an array of historic Aircraft for you to explore up close. Delight in the sight of helicopters from esteemed institutions such as the New Jersey State Police, AtlantiCare MedEvac and Cape May County Mosquito Commission. READ MORE

St. Bartholomew/UNICO Italian Festival

Scotch Plains – FREE
Friday, August 29-Monday, September 1
This annual Italian fest is a Labor Day weekend tradition with something for everyone. There is nightly live music, rides, games, and delicious food, including favorites like pizza, pasta, zeppoles, clams, and calzones. READ MORE

Car Show and Food Truck Festival in Glassboro

Glassboro – FREE
Friday, August 29
Labor Day weekend is off to a busy start in downtown Glassboro, with live music, 20+ food trucks and a beer garden, plus classic and exotic cars. READ MORE

50th Annual NJ Clearwater Festival in Asbury Park

Asbury Park– FREE
Saturday, August 30
Celebrating 50 years, the NJ Clearwater Festival houses two music stages with the finest in folk and rock music, crafts and green vendors, enviro-activists, food trucks, special activities for children, and discussion round-tables. READ MORE

West Cape May Tomato Festival

West Cape May– FREE
Saturday, August 30
Jersey fresh tomatoes are in the spotlight at this Saturday festival. The fun includes food, crafts, live music and more. Indulge in tomato-inspired dishes and tomato-themed products. READ MORE

Clifton Food Truck & Music Festival

Clifton
Sunday, August 31
Delicious food trucks, live bands, beer and wine garden, car show, vendors, corn hole tournament and a children's fun zone are all on tap at this Labor Day weekend festival. READ MORE

Frenchtown Riverfest

Frenchtown – FREE
Sunday, August 31
Downtown Frenchtown hosts Riverfest, a street fair celebration along the river. Stroll Bridge Street and Sunbeam Park for a fun-filled day of live music, art, food, family-friendly activities, and paper boat races with the Frenchtown Vikings. READ MORE

Wildwood Block Party & Music Festival

Wildwood – FREE
Sunday, August 31
Crafts, games, rides, great food, vendors and continuous live entertainment are all on tap at this end-of-summer festival. READ MORE

Summer Send Off in Cape May

Cape May – FREE
Sunday, August 31
The Cape May Convention Hall hosts this official send-off to celebrate summer's end. Enjoy a free beach concert by Animal House, followed by a movie on the beach at 9:15pm. READ MORE

Riverdale's Annual Labor Day Street Fair

Riverdale – FREE
Monday, September 1
Riverdale’s Annual Labor Day Street Fair is hosted by the Borough of Riverdale and held along the Newark Pompton Turnpike. The street is closed to vehicle traffic and transformed into a giant block party. The fun includes music, shopping, food, and more. READ MORE

Broadway in the Park: Miscast

Maplewood
Monday, September 1
SOMA Stage, in partnership with Maplewood Arts and Culture, presents Broadway in the Park at the Memorial Park Amphitheater. This year's local performers are Miscast, turning the tables and singing songs from roles they would never traditionally play. READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie Rein
Laurie Rein is passionate about finding fun (especially free!) activities for her twin daughters. Before joining Mommy Poppins New Jersey, Laurie worked in the television industry, with roles as an NBC page, copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show, and research manager for CBS.
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