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This one has already happened. Here is what is running in Morris County now: fall festivals and fairs, corn mazes, apple picking, and what is on this weekend.
Fifty years of fireworks, neighborhood pride, and Montville tradition are coming back stronger than ever this month.
The Montville Township Annual Fourth of July Celebration marks its 50th anniversary in 2026 with a three-night run packed with live music, an all-new drone light show, carnival rides, food trucks, a beer truck, contests, and a classic car show. All events take place at Montville Township High School, 100 Horseneck Road, in the library parking lot. Admission to the celebration is free.
The celebration runs Wednesday, June 24 through Friday, June 26.
What’s Happening Each Night
Wednesday, June 24: Cruisin’ and Groovin’ Plus Car Show
Opening night pairs a classic car show with live music from Mr. Lovejoy at 5:00 PM and The Benjamins at 7:00 PM. Rides from Blue Sky Amusements and the food trucks open the midway for the season at 5:00 PM. The all-new drone light show, making its Montville debut for the 50th anniversary, lights up the sky at approximately 8:45 PM.
Thursday, June 25: Rock Revival and Americana
Thursday brings The Meld from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, followed by New Jersey legends The Nerds taking the main stage from 7:30 to 10:00 PM. The night also features the Hot Dog Eating Contest at 6:30 PM and the Pie Eating Contest at 8:30 PM. Pre-sale unlimited ride wristbands are valid Wednesday and Thursday only (not valid Friday), so plan accordingly.
Friday, June 26: Ladies of Rock and Fireworks
The carnival opens earlier on Friday, at 4:30 PM, and an opening ceremony begins at 5:30 PM. The three-night run closes with Tuned Up opening from 4:30 to 6:00 PM and ARENA Relive The Rock headlining from 6:30 to 9:15 PM. The fireworks display follows ARENA’s set, kicking off at approximately 9:15 PM. The rain date for fireworks is Saturday, June 27 (no live bands or carnival rides on the rain date).
Food Trucks and the Midway
More than a dozen food vendors rotate through the three days, including Cousins Maine Lobster, Empanada Times, The Mozzarella God, Kona Ice, and Lady Kettle Corn, plus a beer truck from the Columbia Inn Restaurant. The full entertainment schedule is posted on the event website.
Tickets, Wristbands, and Parking
Pre-sale unlimited ride wristbands are available through the official Montville 4th of July entertainment page until June 23 and are valid for Wednesday or Thursday only. Day-of pricing is available at the gate.
Parking passes are $10 and are valid for all three nights, so hold on to your pass and bring it back each day. On Wednesday and Thursday, enter through the Montville Library. Additional Friday parking is available at Casha Casha, Provident Bank, Trinity School, Lazar Middle School, the office park across from TD Bank, and Community Park.
Getting There
Montville Township High School is located at 100 Horseneck Road, Montville. Gates open each evening ahead of the music schedule.
Montville is not the only town lighting up the sky that night. Pequannock Township’s annual fireworks also go off Friday, June 26, and the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club’s barge fireworks light up Mount Arlington the same evening. If you are already mapping out the rest of July, the Mt. Olive Carnival at Turkey Brook Park runs July 8 to 12.
The Montville 4th of July Celebration is one of the longest-running community Independence Day traditions in Morris County. With a drone show added for the 50th anniversary, 2026 is the year to make it.
Planning around the rest of the season? Our guide to carnivals and firemen’s fairs in Morris County lists every midway in the county from May through Labor Day.
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