From hot air balloons and demolition derbies to farm animals, fireworks, and carnival rides, county fair season is returning across New Jersey with something for every age.
New Jersey’s county fair season is one of the state’s longest-running summer traditions, bringing together agriculture, live entertainment, midway rides, local food, and family-friendly attractions. Whether you’re looking for a classic 4-H fair or one of the state’s biggest agricultural showcases, here’s what’s happening across North Jersey, the Jersey Shore, and South Jersey.
North Jersey
Bergen County Fair
July 1–5 | Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
The Bergen County Fair is among the state’s largest Fourth of July week celebrations. Visitors can expect dozens of carnival rides and games, nightly live music, roaming entertainers, food vendors serving everything from funnel cakes to barbecue, and a fireworks display to close out the holiday festivities. The fair is free to enter, with rides requiring tickets or wristbands.
Morris County 4-H Fair
July 17–19 | High View Farms, Chester
The Morris County 4-H Fair celebrates the county’s agricultural heritage with livestock judging, horse shows, rabbit and poultry exhibits, tractor displays, craft demonstrations, and youth competitions. Families can also enjoy pony rides, educational exhibits, local food vendors, and hands-on activities designed for children.
Sussex County Farm & Horse Show / New Jersey State Fair
August 1–9 | Augusta
Often referred to simply as the New Jersey State Fair, this nine-day event is the largest agricultural fair in the state. It features national entertainment, demolition derbies, monster truck shows, horse competitions, professional rodeo events on select nights, carnival rides, hundreds of commercial vendors, 4-H exhibits, livestock barns, lumberjack demonstrations, and extensive food options. The fair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer.
Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival
July 25–August 1 | Harmony Township
This unique fair combines traditional county fair attractions with one of New Jersey’s premier hot air balloon festivals. Balloon launches are weather permitting and often take place during the evening and early morning hours. Other attractions include harness racing, tractor pulls, demolition derbies, livestock competitions, carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, live music, and a large vendor marketplace.
Jersey Shore
Ocean County Fair
July 8–12 | Robert J. Miller Air Park, Berkeley Township
Celebrating Ocean County’s farming roots, this fair features livestock exhibitions, horse shows, chainsaw carving demonstrations, tractor and truck pulls, amusement rides, children’s activities, and nightly entertainment. Local organizations also host educational displays highlighting agriculture, conservation, and community programs.
Monmouth County Fair
July 22–26 | East Freehold Showgrounds, Freehold Township
Hosted by the Monmouth County Park System, the fair offers fireworks, carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, home and garden displays, live music, animal shows, food vendors, and interactive activities for children. Visitors can also explore craft vendors, watch cooking demonstrations, and enjoy performances throughout the fairgrounds.
South Jersey
Burlington County Farm Fair
July 21–25 | Springfield Township
Agriculture remains the centerpiece of the Burlington County Farm Fair. The event includes livestock competitions, horse shows, tractor and machinery displays, farm equipment exhibits, local produce, carnival rides, family entertainment, and youth agricultural showcases. Food vendors and local businesses round out the experience.
Gloucester County 4-H Fair
July 23–26 | Mullica Hill
This community-focused fair highlights the work of local 4-H members through livestock exhibitions, horticulture displays, educational demonstrations, arts and crafts competitions, and STEM exhibits. Families will also find carnival rides, live entertainment, games, and plenty of fair food.
Salem County Fair
August 3–7 | Pilesgrove
As New Jersey’s oldest continuously operating county fair, the Salem County Fair emphasizes agriculture and tradition. Visitors can enjoy horse pulls, livestock judging, antique farm equipment, home arts competitions, youth exhibits, local vendors, and nightly entertainment in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Cumberland County Fair
August 17–22 | Millville
Closing out the summer fair season, the Cumberland County Fair features carnival rides, demolition derbies, tractor pulls, livestock exhibitions, agricultural competitions, local crafts, food vendors, and live entertainment. The fair is known for its strong community atmosphere and mix of agricultural traditions with modern midway attractions.
Tips Before You Go
Many fairs offer discounted admission or ride wristbands when purchased in advance online. Free parking is available at most venues, though premium parking may be offered at larger fairs. Since outdoor events are weather-dependent, visitors should check each fair’s official website or social media pages for updated schedules, entertainment lineups, and admission information before traveling.
Key Points
- County fair season runs from early July through late August across New Jersey.
- Each region offers its own mix of carnival rides, agricultural exhibits, concerts, livestock competitions, and family entertainment.
- Larger fairs, including the New Jersey State Fair in Sussex County and the Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival, draw visitors from across the Northeast each summer.
