Five Nights of Summer Fun at Turkey Brook Park
One of the Highlands’ biggest summer traditions is back. The Mt. Olive Carnival returns to Turkey Brook Park in Budd Lake from Wednesday, July 8 through Sunday, July 12, 2026, with a full midway of rides, fireworks on Friday night, live bands every night, food vendors, and a beer garden. There is no fee to walk through the gates, so families can come, look around, and pay only for what they want to ride and eat.
The Mount Olive Township Recreation Department runs the event each summer, and this year it doubles as part of the township’s yearlong America 250 celebration. The fun kicks off Wednesday, July 8 with a new Christmas in July night, complete with vendors and a visit from Santa.
When to Go and What It Costs
There is no admission fee to enter the carnival grounds. Rides run on wristbands or individual tickets, and the deal changes by day. Wristbands are sold on site Wednesday and Thursday for $40, a Saturday all-day unlimited ride band is $45, and Sunday’s Last Blast band is $35. Friday is a ticket-only night, so no wristbands are sold that evening. Tickets purchased any day can be used on any other day the carnival is running. Presale wristband vouchers, which went on sale online June 3, can be redeemed Friday or Saturday night.
Rides for Every Age
The tentative ride list runs from gentle kiddie favorites like the Bumble Bees, Wiggle Worm, and Grand Carousel up to bigger thrills like the Century Wheel, Super Himalaya, Tilt-A-Whirl, Zipper, and the Hulk. Each ride has its own height requirement, so it is worth checking the posted minimums before lining up. Cash and credit are both accepted at the ticket booths, and there is an ATM on site.
Live Music, Fireworks, and a Beer Garden
Live music plays Thursday through Sunday. Thursday brings Lincoln Vera and Co. from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday features The Rabble Rousers followed by Brass with Class. Saturday has The Watchung Mountain Riders and then 3 Day Weekend, and Sunday closes out with Vintage Feedback and the Rock and Roll Academy. Adults 21 and older can visit the Jersey Girl Brewing beer garden, open Friday through Sunday with ID required. The week’s biggest moment comes Friday night, when fireworks light up the sky over Turkey Brook Park at 9 p.m.
Parking and Getting There
Planning ahead for parking makes the night easier. Parking is $8 per car, and no general parking is allowed inside Turkey Brook Park. Drivers can park at Chester M. Stephens School on Sunset Drive or at the rear of Turkey Brook Park through the Lacrosse entrance. On Friday night, a free shuttle runs from Mt. Olive High School to the park between 7 p.m. and midnight. Drop-off and pick-up is on Flanders Road in front of Seward’s Mansion. Pets are not allowed at the carnival, with the exception of service animals. For details, the Recreation Department can be reached at (973) 426-7264.
The carnival is not the only big draw heading to town this month. Just two weeks later, the Morris County 4-H Fair returns to High View Farms in Mount Olive from July 24 to 26, giving Mount Olive families back-to-back weekends of summer fun close to home.
