21 Summer Fairs, Festivals, & Carnivals Your Family Will Love

This summer, we’re all looking for things to do outside of house—and who can blame us after being home for the majority of the past year. With restrictions lifting and things returning to some sense of normal, county fairs, state fairs, carnivals, and festivals are back in full swing this summer. So, whether you’re looking details on strawberry festivals, craft fairs, cultural festivals, food festivals, state fairs, or county fairs, you’ll find the best summer festivals, carnivals, and fairs happening in New York, upstate New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut all summer long. Plus, you can make a family day trip or weekend trip out of it! We can’t wait to ride the rides, play the midway games, and eat classic fair foods.

For even more ideas of things to do this summer with your kids, read and download the Summer Family Fun Guide!

Click on a month below to jump to the fairs, carnivals, and festivals happening then:

• June
• July
• August

Fairs, Festivals, & Carnivals in June

The L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival
WHEN: June 3-20, Wednesday-Friday, 5-11pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-11pm
WHERE: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus, NJ
WHAT: Bring the family out to this carnival with spectacular rides, tons of food, games, and more!
WANT TO GO? $30 Megapass until June 3; $40 Megapass starting June 4; individual ride tickets available as well. 

66th Annual Mattituck Lions Strawberry Festival
WHEN: June 16-20, Wednesday-Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday, 5-11pm; Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Fairgrounds, 1175 Route 48, Mattituck
WHAT: At the 66th Annual Strawberry Festival – there’s some much to do. Make a day or evening of it. Whether you choose some farm fresh strawberry delicacies, take a ride on a super roller coaster, shop amongst the arts and crafts or listen to some great music or watch many of the great attractions with the kids.
WANT TO GO? $5-$10; $25-$50 Pay-One-Price Bracelet; Dads enter and ride free on Father’s Day with paid child’s admission. 

Strawberry Festival 2021
WHEN: Through June 27: daily, 9am-6pm
WHERE: Garden of Eve, 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead
WHAT: Visit the only certified organic U-pick strawberry field on Long Island! Admission includes unlimited access to U-pick organic Strawberry Field, Family Fun Fields, pedal karts, hay tower, farm animals, spider web, and more.
WANT TO GO? $9.95; free for children younger than 2. Fee does not include cost of berries. 

Newburgh Mall Carnival
WHEN: June 17-27, Monday-Tuesday and Thursday, 5-10pm; Friday, 5-11pm; Saturday, 12-11pm; Sunday, 12-10pm
WHERE: Newburgh Mall, 1401 Route 300, Newburgh
WHAT: Spend the day at the carnival and take a spin on the new Bertazzon Himalaya and the Jumbos Rides!
WANT TO GO? Admission is free. $1.50 for single tickets, $30 for 20 tickets; $60 for 50 tickets. $35 Unlimited Ride Wristbands for persons 36” and over. 

State Fair Meadowlands
WHEN: June 18-July 11, Monday-Thursday, 5pm-12am; Friday, 3pm-1am (June 18, 5pm-1am); Saturday, 2pm-1am; Sunday, 2pm-12am (July 4, 2pm-1am)
WHERE: MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, NJ
WHAT: Spread over 35 acres, the Fair is a fun-packed event. This year’s fair features a robust entertainment lineup, including the Jurassic Kingdom and Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean, Cycle Circus Live, Master Hypnotist Steve Bayner, Magician Jay Mattioli, and Racing Pigs. Don’t forget the spectacular fireworks July 3-4.
WANT TO GO? $34.95; free for children shorter than 36 inches. $15.95 Fast Pass Upgrade available at the fairgrounds. 

FREE 16th Annual NYC Kidsfest
WHEN: June 19-20, 2-6pm
WHERE: Morningside Avenue, between West 115 and 116 Streets, Morningside Heights, Manhattan
WHAT: This creative initiative brings the performing arts to open street spaces. Headliners include Grammy Award-nominated artist SaulPaul, Fyütch, and Flor Bromley. Plus, kids can enjoy a Kung Fu demo and workshop, Chinese dance and hip-hop workshops, Hour Children Kids Harlem School of the Arts’ Violin Madness Music Presentation, and more!
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. 

The Rhinebeck Crafts Festival
WHEN: June 26-27, Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 Spring Brook Ave. (Route 9), Rhinebeck
WHAT: This curated event features contemporary fine craft and art from more than 200 American makers. Find original fashions, accessories and jewelry; functional and sculptural works; and fine art. Enjoy gourmet foods and tastings from local distilleries and wineries. Plus, there’s an interactive puppet theater, face painting, stilt walkers, and more for the kids to enjoy.
WANT TO GO? $10; $9 seniors ages 62 and older; $4 ages 6-16; free for children younger than 6. 

Fairs, Festivals, & Carnivals in July

2021 Empire State Fair
WHEN: July 1-11, Monday-Friday, 5-11pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-11pm
WHERE: NYCB LIVE, Home of The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale
WHAT: This fair features new acts including the Royal Hanneford Big Top Circus, The Incredible Dock Dogs Show, an educational experience at the Exotic Animal Zoo, and new rides and attractions! Dreamland Amusements will provide a midway featuring rides and attractions never before seen at the Empire State Fair!
WANT TO GO? Admission prices were not available at time of press. $30 unlimited ride wristband for those taller than 36 inches; $1.50 single ticket, $30 for 20 tickets; $60 for 50 tickets. 

Orange County Fair
WHEN: July 15-Aug. 1, Thursday-Friday, 4-11pm; Saturday-Sunday, 12-11pm
WHERE: Orange County Fair Speedway, 239 Wisner Ave., Middletown
WHAT: Whether you go to see one of the grandstand shows (almost all now have some free seating with fair admission), taste some of the delicious fair food, or take a spin on one of the new rides, you’ll create family memories that will last a lifetime.
WANT TO GO? Admission: $10; $7 seniors ages 65 and older and children ages 7-12; free for children ages 6 and younger. $25 unlimited ride wristband for those taller than 36 inches; $1.50 single ticket, $30 for 20 tickets; $60 for 50 tickets. 

NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning
WHEN: July 23-25, Friday, 1-10pm; Saturday, 6am-10pm; Sunday, 6am-8pm
WHERE: Solberg Airport, 39 Thor-Solberg Road, Whitehouse Station, NJ
WHAT: This is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. From twice daily mass ascensions of up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, and more, the festival is jam-packed with stuff to do. Laurie Berkner will perform at 1:30pm on the festival’s opening day.
WANT TO GO? General admission (includes lawn seating for concerts): $26; $10 children ages 4-12; free for children ages 3 and younger.