New Jersey Leisure Guide Monthly Newsletter
September, 2014

You'll find lots of interesting things to do in New Jersey in September. The month of September is the unofficial ending of summer on Labor Day weekend, and the official beginning of fall on September 21st. With pleasant temperatures, this is still a popular month for Jersey Shore beaches, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, festivals, and events.

 This Edition's Contents...

• Popular September Events and Things To Do
• Seasonal Frequently Asked Question
• This Month's Featured Restaurant
  

Popular September 2014 Events and Things To Do

Note: This information is provided by event sponsors as a free service to our viewers. Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates, times and location which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed events, it is suggested that you call the event sponsor to confirm the event schedule or for additional information on the event.

Feast of the Madonna Dei Martiri - "The Hoboken Italian Festival"
September 4-7, 2014
Sinatra Park, on the historic waterfront of Hoboken, NJ
Hoboken Italian Festival
Hoboken, NJ
Website
The Hoboken Italian Festival, the premier Italian-American festival in New Jersey is over 80 years old, and is derived from a festival in Italy that is over 600 years old. The highlight of the feast, aside from the staggering variety of food and entertainment, is the day long procession through the streets of Hoboken, including a pain staking reenactment of the "Blessing of the Fleet" in the Hudson River, The 4 day event has it's grand finale with a huge fireworks extravaganza over the park at 9:00 pm, Saturday

Asbury Park Oyster Festival
September 5, 6, 7, 2014, Friday,5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday, from noon to 10:00 p.m. and Sunday, from noon to 6:00 p.m.
Ocean & Lake Avenues
Asbury Park, NJ
Website
This three day end of summer family festival has is set against the nearby historic Carousel building and features a variety of oyster preparations festival foods, live music,beer & wine, children's rides and games. and over 75 crafters. Live music will take place all weekend with a mix of musical genres from the Jersey Shore area and beyond.

Ocean County Bluegrass Music Festival
Sunday, September 7, 2014, Doors Open at 11:00am Live Music Noon to 5:00pm
Albert Music Hall
131 Wells Mill Road (Rt. 532)
Waretown, NJ
Website and Tickets
Program Features a Live Stage Concert of Bluegrass Music. Refer to the website for events schedule. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Pinelands Cultural Society and the Albert Music Hall Scholarship Fund.

Atlantic City Seafood Festival
Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th, 2014
Bader Field
Route 40
Atlantic City, NJ
Website
This popular family day features a large variety of great wines and beers of New Jersey, over a hundred local restaurants as well as amusements, cooking demonstrations, chowder cook off and Live entertainment adds to the outdoor fun for the whole family to enjoy. The Weekend festival events will include: Food Vendors, Sand Sculptor, Sea Fairing Vendors, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Live Music, NJ Fresh Seafood Market, Kite Flying, Beer and Wine's of the Garden State, Chowder Cook off Amusements, and Cooking Demonstrations.

Miss America Competition
September 9 - 14, 2014
Boardwalk Hall Arena
Atlantic City, NJ
Website
This year 53 contestants vie for the crown in categories including Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit, Evening Wear, Talent, and on-stage question. A panel of renowned celebrity judges will determine who will succeed Nina Davuluri and become Miss America 2015.

The Eagles
Wednesday September, 10, 2014 @ 8:00PM
The Prudential Center
Newark, NJ

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Penn State Nittany Lions Football
Saturday September 13, 2014 @ 8:00PM
High Point Solutions Stadium (formerly Rutgers Stadium)
Piscataway, NJ

Cher, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
Wednesday, September 17, 2014 @ 7:30PM
Prudential Center
Newark, NJ

Irish Fall Festival
September 18 -21, 2014
Olde New Jersey Avenue
North Wildwood, NJ
Website
One of the biggest Irish festivals in the country is held at the Jersey shore -- every September, Wildwood holds the annual Irish Fall Festival!. The yearly celebration of Irish heritage is expected to draw as many as a quarter of a million people to the resort of the Wildwoods for the festival.
The Four-day event celebrates Irish heritage with dancing, music, food, crafts, a piper competition, and a parade on Sunday. 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. Daily. Free Other festival activities include a golf tournament, amateur boxing matches, Irish dance lessons, Ceili, 5k Run and 1 mile walk, pipe exhibition, Irish music concert, Catholic Mass and concludes with a parade on Surf Ave. from 26th to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood

Wildwood Crest Seafarers' Celebration
September 19 & 20, 2014
Centennial Park 7:30 pm &
Sunset Lake, 9 a.m. - 5 pm
New Jersey Avenue between Rambler Road & Miami Avenue.
Wildwood crest
609-523-0202 
Free Event!
Celebration kicks off Friday night at Centennial Park with live music at 7:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. (fireworks rain date is Saturday at 9 p.m.) Saturday features a festival along Dozens of craft and food vendors, family entertainment, live music, children's activities including a rock-climbing wall, karaoke, stunt bike show, pony rides, magic show, pie-eating & bubble gum blowing contests, and more.

Highlands Festival at Waterloo
September 20 – 21, 2014. Rain-or-shine event
Waterloo Village
525 Waterloo Road
Stanhope, NJ
Website and Tickets - Children 12 and under free with an adult (See website for line-up of performers and times)
This family music festival is New Jersey's premiere environmental and music festival that is a “Celebration of All Things Local.” The event features local food, Live music on two stages, arts, history and cultural and natural resources of New Jersey. Aimed at people of all ages, there will be a wide range of activities, including performances by 20 NJ musicians/bands, Local Food Court, Crafts and Fair Trade Marketplace, Living Green Expo, workshops, an art show, Lenape Village activities, canal rides, kayaking, and guided nature hike.
Waterloo Village is on the US National Register of Historic Places and is a New Jersey State Historic Site.

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Fall Greek Festival
September 26, 27 & 28, 2014; Friday & Saturday - Noon to Midnight & Sunday - Noon to 6:00pm
2200 Church Road
Toms River
Website
Features homemade Greek Food & pastries including Loukoumades, Souvlakia, Gyros and more! Watch our GOYANS and youth groups perform traditional and award winning Greek dances and enjoy live music, rides and games. If you're looking for a fun filled weekend, Saint Barbara's Greek Festival is the place! Large indoor Dining room, Outdoor 60' x 90' Entertainment tent, Outdoor Greek Food Court with Beer Truck and full bar, Rides and Games, Indoor 12,000 sq.ft. Vendor area with Bistro tables to enjoy your fresh Greek Pastry and Coffee.

Syracuse Orange vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football
Saturday, September 27, 2014
MetLife Stadium (Formerly New Meadowlands Stadium)
East Rutherford, NJ

Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Tulane Green Wave Football
Saturday, September 27, 2014
High Point Solutions Stadium (formerly Rutgers Stadium)
Piscataway, NJ

Jo Dee Messina
Saturday September 27, 2014 @ 8:00PM
Trump Taj Mahal - Mark G. Etess Arena
Atlantic City, NJ

Wynonna Judd & The Big Noise
Saturday September 27, 2014 @ 8:00PM
Tropicana Casino
Atlantic City,NJ

Red Bank Guiness Oyster Festival
September 28, 2014; 12 - 7 PM; (rain date, October 5th)
Downtown Red Bank
Red Bank, NJ
Website
It will be a huge food and music festival which will showcase Red Bank's excellent restaurants as well as entertain thousands! Oysters and a variety of other great foods, Guinness and lighter beers and wine, live music, family friendly with activities for kids!

This months featured seasonal (FAQ) Frequently asked question;

Question: Cape May in the Fall. We are looking for an offseason getaway probably the end of September, first week of October and was wondering if Cape May at this time of the year is still active?
Answer: Cape May is not just a summer resort, the fall season is very popular with many theme weekends and the water is still warm enough to visit the beach. If you go on a weekend, everything will be open. During the week some stores and restaurants may have shorter hours but most will still maintain regular hours. Cape May does not reach a lull until after Christmas. B & B's are very popular in the fall and you will need to book early

New Jersey Restaurant Reviews - New Jersey has over 23,000 restaurants and finding about them is often times a time consuming task. Check out our comprehensive ratings and reviews gathered from diners, critics, and personal visits by New Jersey Leisure Guide.

This Month's Featured Restaurant

Cafe Matisse
Rutherford, NJ
One of New Jersey's best restaurants. Dine in the "Secret Garden", a plush outdoor garden with fountains. The garden can also be viewed from the inside through floor-to-ceiling windows.
[Read review]

For other top New Jersey Attractions, Events & Things to do:

Top Events in September - A schedule of the most popular events at the larger venues for concerts, theatre, entertainment, and festivals.

Top Things To Do in September - Our recommendations for the most popular seasonal outdoor and indoor activities, events, attractions, and points of interest for people of all ages.