Summer events and festivals in Sussex County, NJ
Multi-Day Events
16th Annual Rock, Ribs and Ridges Festival | June 26-28
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Rd., Augusta, NJ
Three-day outdoor festival featuring classic and Southern rock performances alongside award-winning barbecue from top regional pit-masters. The event includes multiple stages of live music, food vendors, and full weekend camping options available for purchase. Ticketed. Visit rockribsandridges.com.
New Jersey Documentary Film Festival | June 27-28
The Sparta Avenue Stage, 10 Sparta Avenue North, Sparta, NJ
Annual documentary film festival showcasing award-winning and emerging documentary filmmakers from around the world, featuring themed screening blocks, discussions, and jury prizes. Admission required. Visit njdocfest.com.
Our Lady of the Lake Parish Carnival | July 7-11
Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 294 Sparta Ave., Sparta, NJ
Annual parish carnival featuring rides for all ages, games with prizes, food and treats, and family-friendly activities bringing together parishioners and the local community for summer fun and fellowship. Admission required.
New Jersey State Fair - Sussex County Farm & Horse Show | July 31-August 8
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ
Annual Sussex County fair featuring free entertainment, agricultural exhibits and farm animals, carnival rides, craft vendors, classic fair food, live music, equestrian events, 4-H displays, petting zoo, craft shows and more. Ticketed. Visit sussexcountyfairgrounds.org
Saturday, June 20
New Jersey Beer and Food Fest | 2-6 p.m.
Crystal Springs Resort Festival Field, Route 94 and Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ
Admission includes an over-the-top barbecue feast with tastings of over 200 beers, ciders and hard seltzers, plus live music, lawn games and family-friendly activities. Ticketed. Visit crystalgolfresort.com
Skylands Stadium Outdoor Market | 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Skylands Stadium, 94 Championship Pl., Augusta, NJ
Large outdoor marketplace featuring a wide variety of vendors and unique bargain shopping finds. Free admission.
Sunday, June 28
3rd Annual Vernon Recreation Car Show | 12-4 p.m.
Main Street, Vernon Township, NJ
Community car show featuring classic cars, muscle cars, imports, trucks and custom builds, with vehicle displays and family-friendly atmosphere benefiting local first responders. Free admission; $15 registration fee required for participating vehicles. Visit vernontwp.com
Friday, July 3
Borough of Hamburg America 250 Celebration | 4-8 p.m.
Hamburg Park, 60 Gingerbread Castle Rd., Hamburg, NJ
Community Independence Day event featuring live music by October Rose, food trucks, games, a dunk tank and family-friendly activities.
Saturday, July 11
Lake Hopatcong America 250 Celebration | 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lake Hopatcong, NJ
Boats gather in Great Cove by 10:45 a.m. for the boat parade in front of Nolan’s Point at 11 a.m. Sailing vessels are invited to gather in front of Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club at 11:15 a.m. for an all-fleet sail from Bertrand Island to Halsey Island at 11:30 a.m. Kayaks, canoes and SUPs are invited for a Paddler Flotilla on the north side of Lakeshore Village at noon. Visit lakehopatconghistory.com.
Friday, July 18
Sparta Food Truck & Music Fest | 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
White Lake Field, 181 White Lake Road, Lafayette, NJ
Food truck and live music festival featuring multiple vendors, entertainment and family-friendly activities benefiting the Sparta Benevolent Society. Ticketed.
Sunday, July 26
Dirt’s Kitchen Garden Tour | 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Multiple garden locations throughout Sussex County, NJ and Orange County, NY
Dirt Magazine’s self-guided tour of local backyard food gardens. Spend the day hopping from one kitchen garden to the next to learn how your neighbors are plotting produce aisles in their backyards. In the evening, join the gardeners and other ticketholders at Meadow Blues for an after-party featuring farm-to-table bites and local brews. Tickets and more details available online at kitchengardentours.com.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
National Night Out | Time and location varies
Memory Park, 111 Moran St., Newton, NJ
Newton’s National Night Out will be in Memory Park from 5-8 p.m., showcasing K-9 units, patrol cars, emergency equipment, a drone demonstration and helicopter landing as well as games, bounce houses, children’s activities, live music and community safety education.
Other police agencies will be announcing their own times and locations. Check with your local department or municipality for details.
Saturday, August 22
Byram Fireworks Fest | 4-9 p.m.
C.O. Johnson Park, 117 Roseville Road in Andover, NJ
Semi-quincentennial festival featuring food trucks, rides, non-profit vendors, music, children’s activities and fireworks after sunset.
7th Annual Pupstock Festival | 12-5 p.m.
Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ
Dog-friendly festival featuring activity zones, adoption opportunities, contests, vendors, food trucks, live music and a “Yappy Hour,” celebrating all things dogs in a community setting. Admission required.