(Attended 09/20/2025 SA @ 12:00pm - 8:00pm): Literally... it was all about downtown Jersey City at…read morethis street fair!
In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, my friend and her friends recommended the 14th Annual All About Downtown Street Fair that celebrated and promoted downtown Jersey City before I left town. I always loved a street fair, and since I worked in event management and all-things marketing, it was always fun for me to see how other events (big or small) were handled... and maybe there might be some good practices I can take with me to implement at another event I'm associated with. Promoted and executed by the Historic Downtown Jersey City Special Improvement District, the main purpose of this event was to highlight the downtown area and its businesses with hopes that patrons would visit these establishments and spread the word. Did I learn all about Jersey City's downtown area during this one-day street fair!?
PURCHASE(S)
Admission (N/A): This was a free community family event, so you brought your curiosity, hunger, walking shoes, and your wallet to hopefully patronage the many vendor booths.
Pina Colada - Fresh Pineapple & Rum Shot ($20.00 + $5.00): Purchased from Ma & Pa's Tex-Mex BBQ Food Truck, I'll cover this with more details in a separate review.
BBQ Pork Isaw Skewer + BBQ Chicken Skewers 2pc ($4.00 + $15.00): Purchased from Kanto Filipino Street Food Truck, I'll cover this with more details in a separate review.
SERVICE
With the exception of the friendly greetings and services you received at every single vendor booth, you really didn't deal with anyone else. I believed I saw some city workers who handled the various trash bins and possibly a few hired security personnel to keep the peace. Everything was calm, safe, and welcoming - thank you!
PARKING
(Varied; N/A this instance): This was a moot point since we walked the slightly flat-to-downhill leisure 20-minute distance from my friend's place. Additionally, because the main drags of Newark Ave. and Grove St., respectively, and adjacent side streets were all closed to vehicular traffic, parking was extremely limited and generally pushed to the periphery of the event area - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A relatively small walkable area on Newark Ave. between Grove St. and Coles St. in downtown Jersey City, you came across a ton of vendors who sold everything from handcrafted candles, clothes, food, and jewelry to local businesses who promoted their services. There were also plenty of kid-friendly activities such as face-painting and rides, while for the adults there was a beer garden and live performances on a stage. Plenty of natural lighting since you were outdoors the entire time while a ton of electric street lights and from those hung on the vendor booths filled in the rest once the sun went down. There were no TVs while the sounds of consumerism, conversations, kids, and off-in-the-not-so-distant vehicular traffic could be constantly heard in the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I had a blast at Jersey City's 14th Annual All About Downtown Street Fair, and I would definitely attend it again if I were in town (every September). I respect and highly recommend every city and neighborhood to organize such events to bring more people into the fold and hopefully generate some revenue. Building a community was always a positive thing with this type of event. I appreciated the assortment of vendors, but I felt it may've been a touch heavy on the handcraft variety and not enough actual support from brick-and-mortar businesses who have a real stake in increasing their profile. And, the event was very pet-friendly as long as you picked up after them. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $44.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, the vendors I spent money on accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS