Via Rutkowski 
There’s always something fun to do in Hoboken and Jersey City — which is just one of the many reasons we love to call this little North Jersey nook home. As our readers know, each week we round up hundreds (yes, hundreds) of events and things to do around town, but there are some recurring annual events that we at The Hoboken Girl consider “need-to-knows.” So, keep this list in your back pocket to reference all year long whether you have guests coming to town, or are just looking to participate in some community fun. Read on for our list of need-to-know events in Hoboken + Jersey City, New Jersey.
Hoboken
Fall + Spring Arts + Music Festival
The Fall and Spring Arts + Music Festival are two of the Mile Square‘s most anticipated events. The festivals showcase local businesses including artists, food vendors, crafters, and more along Washington Street in Hoboken. This event typically takes place around September or October in the fall, and around May in the spring — this year’s festival will take place on May 17th.
Read More: Hoboken Mutzfest 2026 Returns 4/26
Artists’ Studio Tour
The Artists’ Studio Tour is part of Hoboken’s Art Month every year. This self-guided Artists’ Studio Tour features dozens of local galleries, artists’ studios, murals, and group exhibitions, featuring artwork by talented artists. 2026 dates have yet to be announced. This event typically takes place around October or November.
Black Jubilee at Hoboken Museum
For the last two years, Mile Square Mommies and the Hoboken Historical Museum have joined forces for a joyous celebration of Black History called Black Jubilee. The event typically features arts and crafts, spoken word, dance, and special performances. The 2026 event details are TBD.
Farmers’ Markets
Hoboken is home to three farmers’ markets every year, including the Downtown Farmers’ Market (June-November), Midtown Farmers’ Market (June-November), and Uptown Farmers’ Market (May-December). The markets feature local produce and treats from local farmers and businesses.
Hoboken Harvest Festival
The Hoboken Harvest Festival is a family-friendly festival that showcases several small businesses and community organizations. The fall-themed event often has festive activities, food, and shopping to celebrate autumn. This event typically takes place in October.
Halloween Ragamuffin Parade
The Ragamuffin Parade is a long-time tradition dates back to the late 1870s. Now, the event lives on right here in Hoboken. Every Halloween, the Ragamuffin Parade commences and features a line-up of spooky festivities including a parade down Washington Street, costume contests, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Hoboken Italian Festival
The Hoboken Italian Festival (aka the Feast if the Madonna Dei Martiri) is an Italian street fair with delicious eats, entertainment, fireworks and more. The festival typically takes place in September on the Hoboken waterfront.
Hoboken Mac + Cheese Festival
The Hoboken Mac + Cheese Festival is a favorite among foodies. This year will mark the 7th annual celebration that will take place on April 11th, 2026. The event is presented by Hoboken Happy Hours and includes an elite lineup of Hoboken restaurants showing off their best mac + cheese dishes.
Hoboken Summer Fun Programming — Fitness In The Park, Dancing + Concerts In The Park, + Movies Under The Stars
The Hoboken Summer Fun series, hosted by the City of Hoboken, encompasses several warm-weather events for locals each year, including Fitness In The Park, Dancing + Concerts In The Park, and Movies Under The Stars. 2026 dates have yet to be announced.
Hoboken Pepper Fest
Spice lovers, this one is for you. Hoboken non-profit Computers 4 People hosts the Hoboken Pepper Fest each year with several fun-filled activities. The Pepper Fest includes spicy pepper eating contests, chili eating contents, and more. The event typically takes place in October.
Hoboken Mutzfest
Mutzfest is organized by the Hoboken Family Alliance, one of the oldest Hoboken non-profits. The tasty mozzarella-centric event is packed with family-friendly activities, including a cannoli eating contest and a Sinatra Sing-A-Long. Proceeds from the event will fund Hoboken Family Alliance’s numerous local community initiatives. The event typically takes place in the spring, and this year is slated for 4/26/2026.
Santacon
Love it or hate it, Santacon is one of Hoboken’s most iconic holiday celebrations. Every December, thousands of locals dress in their holiday best to hop around some of Hoboken’s most popular bars.
St. Ann’s Italian Festival
St. Ann’s Italian Festival in Hoboken is a long-time tradition of over 115 years. The food and fun-focused features include out-of-this-world Italian eats (including the infamous zeppoles), kiddie rides, music, and more. The event typically takes place in July.
Summer Blockfest
Summer Blockfest is Hoboken’s first hip-hop and R+B music festival that has been taking place for the last two years. The event presented by What Hoboken Sounds Like, a local nonprofit, shines a light on local talent for a fun-filled day of music, food, and culture. The event will take place on August 22nd, 2026.
Wing + A Prayer
Wing + A Prayer is a chicken wing contest hosted by St. Francis Church to benefit Fr. Michael Food Pantry.This year’s event took place on February 21st, 2026.
Jersey City
14C Art Fair
Photo Credit: Andrew Nicolas + Art Fair 14C
The 14C Art Fair is one of Jersey City’s most anticipated art events and is expected to pick back up this spring. The art crawl features gallery showcases around town to highlight the work of local artists.
9/11 Annual Memorial Ceremony
Every year on September 11th, the City of Jersey City hosts a memorial ceremony on the Hudson River waterfront to honor those lost during the tragic attacks in 2001.
All About Downtown Street Fair
Photo Credit: HDSID
HDSID’s All About Downtown Street Fair in Jersey City is a premier event featuring dozens of local vendors. Locals can find jewelry, handmade gifts, snacks, face painting, and more for the whole family. This year’s festivities will commence on September 19th, 2026.
Ghost of Uncle Joe’s
Ghost of Uncle Joe’s is an annual masquerade fundraising ball to benefit the preservation of the historical Harsimus Cemetery in Jersey City. The event features live performances from local musicians, food trucks, dancing, and festive Halloween fun. This event takes place in October.
Goatchella
Goatchella is one of the many innovative Harsimus Cemetery fundraisers to help maintain the grounds. The furry-friend festival typically takes place in the summer at Harsimus Cemetery where bands play and goats graze.
Groove on Grove
Photo Credit: HDSID
Groove on Grove is a weekly summer music series hosted by HDSID at the Grove Street Path Plaza. The free event features local performers and is a family-friendly hangout. This year performances will take place from May to August 2026 on Wednesdays from 6PM-9PM.
HDSID Farmers’ Market
Photo Credit: HDSID
The HDSID Farmers’ Market is as follows: Winter 2026 runs from January 15 to April 16, with hours on Thursdays from 4 PM to 6 PM; Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026 run from April 20 to December 21, with hours on Mondays and Thursdays from 3 PM to 7 PM.
HDSID’s Halloween Family Bash
Photo Credit: HDSID
The HDSID Halloween Family Bash is a fun-filled event with games, corn mazes, face painting, pumpkins, bouncy houses, candy, and more. This event normally takes place in October.
Handmade Market + Handmade Happy Holiday Market
The HDSID Handmade Market features goods from talented local artists and makers. This spring and summer, the Handmade Market will take place from May 6th to September 16th.
Hudson Pride Center’s LBGTQ+ Prom
Every year, Hudson Pride Center hosts an LBGTQ+ Prom at White Eagle Hall to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. Proceeds from the event benefit the Hudson Pride Center‘s daily operations, programs, and services. This event takes place on June 12th, 2026.
Hudson Pride Center Crosswalk Painting
Photo Credit: City of Hoboken
Every year, the Pride flag on the corner Newark Avenue and JFK Boulevard in Jersey City gets a fresh layer of paint with the helping hands of the community. 2026 details are TBD, though the event typically occurs in June or July.
Jersey City Marathon
The Jersey City Marathon will take place on April 19th, 2026. The third annual event will operate on a double-loop system giving runners a full tour of the many neighborhoods of Jersey City. Runners have the option to participate in a full marathon or half marathon and can register here.
Jersey City Pizza Fest
The Jersey City Pizza Fest, an event that usually takes place in late March, has been canceled for two years now. The 2026 event, however, was held in March on the 28th.
Jersey City Puerto Rican Heritage Arts + Culture Festival
The Jersey City Puerto Rican Heritage + Culture Festival is an exciting celebration of Puerto Rican heritage in Jersey City. Food and live music set the scene for lively, family-friendly fun. The series of events typically takes place over a weekend in August. 2026 dates are TBD.
Jersey City Jazz Festival
Jersey City’s Annual Jazz Festival will take place from May 27th-31st this year at Exchange Place Plaza. Over 200 musicians will show off their skills as locals enjoy vendors, music, and more.
Jersey City Day of Fashion
Last year, Jersey City celebrated its 2nd Annual Day of Fashion. While info is still TBD for 2026, last year’s events were filled with local talent, collaboration, and inspiring panels with local leaders and fashion industry icons. The event typically takes place in September.
La Festa Italiana
Photo Credit: La Festa Italiana
La Festa Italiana is Jersey City’s Italian Festival taking place Wednesday, August 5th-Sunday, August, 9th, 2026. The street fair is filled with unbeatable eats, vendors, and more in downtown Jersey City.
MLK Oratory Contest
Photo Credit: Office of Cultural Affairs
The annual Martin Luther King Oratory Contest is hosted by Jersey City’s Office of Cultural Affairs. In this contest, over 100 students from grades three to eight compete for the best-memorized oration of one of Dr. King’s writings or speeches. The event took place in March 2026.
Movies in The Park
Movies in The Park is a summer film series presented by the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association. The outdoor movie showings welcome residents to sit outside and enjoy a film during the warm, summer months. 2026 details are TBD.
Movies on The Pier
Every summer, The Exchange Place Alliance hosts Movies on The Pier, with a family-friendly movie screening for locals. 2026 details are TBD.
Mural Festival
Back in 2021 Mayor Fulop, Mana Public Arts, the Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Jersey City Mural Arts Program (JCMAP) announced the first annual Jersey City Mural Festival. Now, the event aims to celebrate the vibrant public art, foster community, and benefit local small businesses affected by the pandemic. 2026 event details are TBD.
Record Riot
Record Riot is a music lovers’ paradise. Starting on Saturday, April 4th, 2026 the Grove Street PATH Plaza will be filled with music-related vendors from all over the country with records, LPs, CDs, 45s, and more.
Riverview Farmers’ Market
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Riverview Farmers’ Market is a staple in Jersey City Heights with dozens of local vendors. The Farmers’ Market typically runs from May through November (rain or shine) and is located at 498 Palisade Avenue.
See More: The Local Girl Gives: Meet the 10 NJ Nonprofits Selected for Our $10,000 Donation
Whole Spectrum Autism Gala
For nearly 10 years, Whole Spectrum Autism has hosted an annual gala with a night of sensory-friendly entertainment and fun. The event provides families on the spectrum with an elegant evening that includes dancing, music, food + drinks, a silent auction, photo booths, guest speakers, and more. This year’s event will take place on June 5th, 2026. All donations go directly to supporting Whole Spectrum Autism’s mission.
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