24 Things to Do at the Jersey Shore in September 2026
Think summer is over once Labor Day rolls around at the Jersey Shore? Not so fast!
September is packed with things to do down the shore, and there really is a little bit of everything.
There are airshows, car shows, fireworks, festivals, fishing contests, fantastic live music, family-friendly events, and even monster trucks racing on the beach.
Whether you're looking for something to do with the kids, a fun day out with friends, or just another excuse to get down to the beach a couple more times, here are some of the best things happening in September.
September 1-7 / Labor Day Weekend
Friday, September 4: The last fireworks of the season light up the Wildwood Boardwalk at 10 PM.
Saturday, September 5: If you love skeeball, the World Championship Skeeball Tournament is happening at Ed's Funcade on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Preliminary games start at 7 PM, with the finals at 10 PM. It's free to enter.
Also on Saturday, Resorts in Atlantic City is saying goodbye to summer island-style with its Fins Up Celebration. It's noon to 4 PM on the Boardwalk, with tropical rock music, dancing, free leis, soccer kicks, face painting, and more.
And Galloway Township is holding its community-wide yard sale on Saturday. You can set up in your own yard and sell your stuff without a permit, and all fees are waived. You'll need to register by September 2nd, and you can find a map of participating locations at gtnj.org. The rain date is Sunday.
Sunday, September 6: Wildwood's End of Summer Block Party takes over Fox Park, across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. It's free, with live music, food and craft vendors, children's entertainment, and more.
September 8-13
Monday, September 7: The traditional end-of-summer Ocean City Labor Day Race gets underway on the Boardwalk at 9 AM. You can choose between a five-mile beach run or a one-mile fun run and walk.
Wednesday, September 9: Put on your boots and head to the VFW on 31st Street in Brigantine for Country and Pop Line Dancing Night. It's 6:30 to 8:30 PM, with music, line dancing, bonfires, and more. Admission is $10.
Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13: It's the End-of-Summer Shop Hop in Avalon, with dozens of local businesses offering big end-of-season discounts on clothing, shoes, accessories, home décor, and more.
Also that weekend, the North Wildwood Recreation Department holds its 56th annual Surf Fishing Competition. Registration is at the gazebo at Third and JFK in North Wildwood. It costs $15 to participate, with adult and youth divisions and prizes up for grabs.
Friday, September 11: Ocean City will hold its 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, "A Day to Remember," at 6 PM at the firehouse at 550 Asbury Avenue. The ceremony will include music, prayer, and reflections.
Saturday, September 12: The Fall Cruisin' the Boards Car Show returns to the Ocean City Boardwalk from noon to 5 PM. The show celebrates the 50th anniversary of the OC Classic Car and Street Rod Show, with cars from 1989 and older.
Also Saturday, Brigantine will hold its Goodbye Summer Beach Bonfire at 26th Street Beach from 6 to 8 PM. There will be a sunset bonfire, live music, s'mores, and more.
Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13: The Wildwoods Air Show returns for two days of military and civilian aviation performances. You can watch from beaches and boardwalks throughout the island, with the action centered over the ocean between Morey's Mariners and Adventure Piers.
Sunday, September 13: The ARC of Cumberland County holds its 22nd annual Walk-a-thon from 9 AM to noon at Parvin State Park in Pittsgrove. Proceeds benefit children and adults with developmental disabilities who receive services through the ARC.
Also on Sunday, it's the Corvette Show on the Ocean City Boardwalk from 11:30 AM to 4 PM. More than 400 Corvettes are expected, making this one of the largest shows of its kind on the East Coast.
September 14-20
Saturday and Sunday, September 19 and 20: The 51st annual New Jersey State Firefighters Convention, NJ Fire Expo, and Parade take over the Wildwoods Convention Center. Fire trucks from around the state will be on display, and the parade starts Saturday at 2 PM.
That same weekend, Ventnor hosts the Downbeach Seafood Festival at Ski Beach, starting at 11 AM both days. Expect plenty of seafood, craft beer, live entertainment, and family fun.
Saturday, September 19: The Millville Army Air Field Museum presents an Amelia Earhart documentary from 2 to 5 PM, featuring retired Lieutenant Colonel Mark Allen. You'll learn about Earhart's connections to the museum and her ties to South Jersey.
Also Saturday, the Ocean City Airport Festival runs from 10 AM to 3 PM at the municipal airport at 26th and Bay Avenue. You'll see everything from World War II aircraft to classic planes and Warbirds, plus a parachute jump by Team Fastrax.
Sunday, September 20: The Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow takes over the Ocean City Boardwalk between Sixth and 14th Streets from 1 to 4 PM, featuring stunt pilots, aerobatic champions, and military demonstrations.
September 21-30
Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27: Monster trucks hit the beach in Wildwood for "Monsters on the Beach." The races take place on the sand at Spicer Avenue, with the excitement kicking off Friday at 7 PM.
Also that weekend, North Wildwood hosts its annual Irish Fall Festival, featuring live music, traditional dancing, vendors, beer gardens, a 5K, and the parade down Surf Avenue.
And Wildwood hosts its Kustom Hot Rod and Muscle Car Show, with cars displayed on the Boardwalk from 26th to Burk Avenues and inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Saturday, September 26: Stone Harbor's Savor September Wine, Beer and Food Festival takes over the area around the 200 block of 96th Street from 11 AM to 7 PM. There will be wineries, microbreweries, food vendors, live music, artisans, and the annual grape-stomping competition.
And that's just a sampling of what's happening around South Jersey in September. From Atlantic City to Cape May, there's still plenty of reason to head down the shore before fall officially takes over.
Got an event that you would like us to include? E-mail us your information!
2026 9/11 Commemorations in New Jersey (listed alphabetically)
Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander
Significant or historical events in New Jersey for September (in chronological order)
Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander
Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com
