Hey fellow parents — can you smell the funnel cake in the air? That’s right, carnival season is rolling back into South Jersey, and if your kids are anything like mine, they’ve already spotted the first Ferris wheel going up and are bouncing off the walls with excitement.
Every spring, those telltale signs of carnival season pop up like clockwork: school flyers, local Facebook chatter, and those colorful rides appearing in parking lots seemingly overnight. Whether you’re a “stay all day” kind of family or more of a “just one round of cotton candy and go” crew, there’s something kind of magical about it all. The lights, the music, the smell of fried everything—it’s nostalgia and chaos wrapped in one sticky, smile-filled package.
But let’s be real: as much as the kids love it, we know there’s some mental prep required on our end. Between budgeting for ride wristbands, timing naps to avoid meltdowns, and packing wipes for inevitable sticky fingers, carnival season is a parenting event. So whether you're a seasoned midway pro or gearing up for your first go-round with a toddler in tow, we're all in this together.
I put this guide together to help fellow parents find some of the best carnivals popping up around South Jersey. I'll be keeping it updated as more events get announced, so be sure to check back often—because we all know how fast those weekends fill up!
So grab your stroller, dust off those comfy sneakers, and get ready—South Jersey’s carnival season is officially on deck.
Carnivals are listed in date order
Know of any we are missing? Let me know!
Maple Shade Youth Football Carnival
191 E. Broadway Maple Shade, NJ 08052
- Date: April 29 - May 3rd
- Time: 6 PM - 10 PM nightly
- Tickets: $30 wristbands are available nightly | Family Night is 4/30 - 4 wristbands and 4 soft pretzels for $100
Credit or Cash: This Carnival had ATM Machines set up so you could pull out cash (based on 2024)
Notes from the Publisher: I visited this Carnival, and I found it to be quite suitable for young children when it comes to the rides!
St. Joachim Parish Carnival
601 West Browning Road, Bellmawr, NJ 08031
- Date: May 5 - May 10
- Time: Unknown
- Ticket Info: Unknown
As I find more info on this Carnival, I will update this listing. If you or someone you know knows the details, please feel free to forward them over to me.
St. Mary of the Lakes Carnival & MusicFest
196 North Route 70, Medford, NJ 08055
- Date: May 12 - May 17
- Time: Monday - Thursday 6 PM - 10PM, Friday & Saturday 6PM - 11PM
- Tickets:
- Mega Passes: MegaPass wristband is a one time purchase that gets you on EVERY ride, EVERY night as MANY times as you want. Buy it once and ride every night all carnival long.
- Pre-Sale: $55 (available at Murphy's Market while supplies last)
- On-Site: $60 (if available)
- Sheet of Tickets: 12 tickets for $20 or 32 tickets for $50
- Individual Tickets: $2/ea
- Mega Passes: MegaPass wristband is a one time purchase that gets you on EVERY ride, EVERY night as MANY times as you want. Buy it once and ride every night all carnival long.
Credit or Cash: There will be an ATM on site
St. Margaret's Carnival
773 3rd Street, Woodbury Heights NJ 08097
- Date: May 19 - May 24
- Time: Monday - Thursday 6 PM - 10PM, Friday & Saturday 6PM - 11PM
- Tickets:
- Mega Passes: $60/each on-site. Mega Passes allow you to ride all rides all week!
- Family Night Wristbands: $30/ea (on TUESDAY & Wednesday ONLY 5/20 - 5/21) Allows the rider to ride all rides for the one night only
- Sheet of Tickets: $50 for 32, $20 for 12 (the price for tickets increased by the amount of tickets needed per ride have decreased)
- Individual Tickets: $2/ea
Credit or Cash: Unknown if there will be an ATM Machine on site so if possible, bring cash.
St. Charles Borromeo Parish
2500 Branch Pike, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
- Date: June 9 - June 14th
- Time: 6 PM - 11 PM nightly
- Click Here for info on Tickets
Credit or Cash?: Kiosks will be set up across the venue, providing convenient access for visitors. These kiosks will accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash! Please note that cash transactions require exact change, as the kiosks do not give back any change.
KIDDIE CARNIVAL: The Kiddie Carnival offers a fantastic chance for families with little ones to enjoy the festivities during the daytime. It takes place on Friday from 12 PM to 4 PM during the Carnival week.
Hey friend! At Macaroni KID Cherry Hill, we're all about helping families stay active (and sane) by sharing a totally FREE calendar packed with kid-friendly events happening right here in our community. Because let’s be honest—sometimes the hardest part of parenting is figuring out what to do after snack time. Want to be in the know? Subscribe to my free weekly e-newsletter and you’ll get the event scoop, easy craft ideas (that won’t wreck your house), simple recipes, and fun giveaways delivered straight to your inbox. I'm a local mom-run publication—yep, I live here, work here, and am raising my wild bunch right alongside you. If you have a family-friendly business and want to connect with other local parents in Camden County and Southern NJ, shoot me an email! I’d love to chat about how we can share your awesome business with our readers.
